Policies & Bylaws Grievance Process
How the Grievance Process Works
A step-by-step guide to raising a concern at MPA: who to talk to first, when and how to file a formal grievance, and what happens after you do. Most concerns are resolved with a direct conversation, and that's always the place to start.
Step by step
Follow the process
Choose who you are, then click any step to see the details. Steps marked ? are decision points.
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Start with a direct conversation
Talk with the person closest to the issue
For a concern about something in your child's classroom, speak first with your child's teacher or those directly involved.
For a concern about the Before/Aftercare Program, speak first with the Before/Aftercare staff and program director.
The policy is built to resolve differences promptly and fairly at the lowest possible level, without fear of reprisal, and most concerns are resolved right here.
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Work up to the administration
The supervising administrator, then the Principal
If a direct conversation doesn't resolve the issue, bring it to the appropriate supervising MPA administrator.
The Principal and administrators, not the Board, manage the school day to day, so this is where most remaining concerns are settled. The Board only becomes involved as the final step, and only for specific kinds of issues (next step).
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Is it a “grievable matter”?
The Board can only act on certain issues
A grievable matter is an action that violates or inequitably applies a rule, regulation, policy, or law.
Not grievable: actions the Board has no authority over (dismissals, non-renewals, suspensions, disciplinary actions, or reassignments) unless the action itself is alleged to have violated a rule, regulation, policy, or law. Most concerns in the school community will not rise to the level of a grievable matter.
No: informal pathKeep working with the school
Continue resolving the concern with the teacher, staff, and administration. The Board isn't able to act on matters outside its authority.
Yes: formal pathYou may file a formal grievance
If you believe a rule, regulation, policy, or law was violated or inequitably applied, and earlier steps haven't resolved it, continue below.
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File a written grievance
Submitted to the Board's Grievance Committee
Formal grievances go to the Grievance Committee: two Board directors appointed to staggered one-year terms who receive all grievances on the Board's behalf.
Your written grievance must include all four of these:
- A specific description of the events and allegations;
- The school policy that was violated or inequitably applied;
- The conflict-resolution steps you've already taken with everyone involved, including administrators; and
- The corrective action or remedy you're requesting.
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The Committee determines whether it's grievable
It may investigate before deciding
The Committee may, at its discretion, investigate further, including one-on-one meetings with you, staff, administrators, or outside professionals, to determine whether your grievance involves a grievable matter.
Not grievableReferred to the Principal
The complaint goes to the Principal to resolve informally in a timely manner. At your request it can be shared with the full Board, but for information only; neither the Committee nor the Board may act on it.
Grievable: continuesThe formal process begins
The Committee refers your grievance to the Principal for a timely written response, reports its receipt to the full Board at the next meeting, gathers more information if needed, and presents its findings to the Board.
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The Board hears the grievance
All parties are formally invited
The Board takes up the grievance in a Regular, Special, or Executive session, as appropriate, once it's placed on the agenda.
All parties to the grievance are formally invited to that session, and the Board may allow additional parties to appear. The Board weighs each grievance on its merits: would the information lead a reasonable person to believe a rule, regulation, policy, or law was violated? It may seek advice from the Jeffco school district, legal counsel, or other outside experts.
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Decision & written response
Findings go to every party involved
After careful consideration, one of two things happens:
- If the Board does not find sufficient evidence of a violation, it takes no further action.
- If the Board finds reason to believe there was a violation, it takes appropriate action.
Either way, the Board provides a timely written response detailing its findings to all parties. The Board's decision is final, subject to appeal in accordance with applicable law.
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Start with a direct conversation
Speak with those directly involved
Speak first with the people directly involved in the issue. For concerns about the Before/Aftercare Program, speak first with the Before/Aftercare staff and program director.
The policy is built to resolve differences promptly and fairly at the lowest possible level, without fear of reprisal, and most concerns are resolved right here.
-
Work up to the administration
Your supervising administrator, then the Principal
If a direct conversation doesn't resolve the issue, bring it to the appropriate supervising MPA administrator.
The Principal and administrators, not the Board, manage the school day to day. The Board only becomes involved as the final step, and only for specific kinds of issues (next step).
-
Is it a “grievable matter”?
The Board can only act on certain issues
For employees and independent contractors, a grievable matter is an action that violates or inequitably applies a rule, regulation, policy, or law (including the MPA employee handbook and the district's nondiscrimination policies) and that adversely affects your working conditions.
Grievable matters include, but are not limited to: harassment, sexual misconduct, racial or ethnic bias, or threats.
Not grievable: actions the Board has no authority over (dismissals, non-renewals, suspensions, disciplinary actions, or reassignments) unless the action itself is alleged to have violated a rule, regulation, policy, or law. Most concerns will not rise to the level of a grievable matter.
No: informal pathKeep working with the school
Continue resolving the concern with those involved and the administration. The Board isn't able to act on matters outside its authority.
Yes: formal pathYou may file a formal grievance
If you believe a rule, policy, or law was violated or inequitably applied and it affects your working conditions, continue below.
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File a written grievance
Submitted to the Board's Grievance Committee
Formal grievances go to the Grievance Committee: two Board directors appointed to staggered one-year terms who receive all grievances on the Board's behalf.
Your written grievance must include all four of these:
- A specific description of the events and allegations;
- The school policy that was violated or inequitably applied;
- The conflict-resolution steps you've already taken with everyone involved, including administrators; and
- The corrective action or remedy you're requesting.
And again: if you believe there is imminent risk to your safety or well-being, report it to the appropriate authorities immediately.
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The Committee determines whether it's grievable
It may investigate before deciding
The Committee may, at its discretion, investigate further, including one-on-one meetings with you, staff, administrators, or outside professionals, to determine whether your grievance involves a grievable matter.
Not grievableReferred to the Principal
The complaint goes to the Principal to resolve informally in a timely manner. At your request it can be shared with the full Board, but for information only; neither the Committee nor the Board may act on it.
Grievable: continuesThe formal process begins
The Committee refers your grievance to the Principal for a timely written response, reports its receipt to the full Board at the next meeting, gathers more information if needed, and presents its findings to the Board.
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The Board hears the grievance
Open or executive session, depending on the matter
The Board takes up the grievance in a Regular, Special, or Executive session once it's placed on the agenda. All parties to the grievance are formally invited, and the Board may allow additional parties to appear or seek advice from the district, legal counsel, or other outside experts.
- Matters of school policy, procedure, or clarification are discussed in open session per the agenda.
- Personnel matters, or grievances involving students, a parent, or a community member, are shared in executive session with all parties to the grievance present.
The Board weighs each grievance on its merits: would the information lead a reasonable person to believe a rule, regulation, policy, or law was violated?
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Decision & written response
Findings go to every party involved
After careful consideration, one of two things happens:
- If the Board does not find sufficient evidence of a violation, it takes no further action.
- If the Board finds reason to believe there was a violation, it takes appropriate action.
Either way, the Board provides a timely written response detailing its findings to all parties. The Board's decision is final, subject to appeal in accordance with applicable law.
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