Affirmative Action
Hillside Public Schools guarantees to all persons equal access to all categories of employment, retention and advancement in this district, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, marital status, domestic partnership status, familial status, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait of any individual, disability or because of genetic information or refusal to submit to or make available the results of a genetic testing in its programs (vocational education programs included) or activities and employment policies as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, New Jersey Administrative Code, (N.J.A.C.) 6A:7-1.1 et seq. and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 Public Law (PL) 101-336.
Should you have questions, concerns or would like to request a meeting or complaint forms, please contact:
Students
Suzanne Hemeda, Director of School Counseling
Staff
Alicia Wiltshire-King, Director of Human Resources
Awiltshire-king@hillsidek12.org
In keeping with federal/state anti-discrimination legislation, the following Procedure is provided for the resolution of complaints.
This procedure is intended to facilitate an equitable and just resolution of a dispute at the most immediate level and should be implemented in an informal manner.
Every reasonable effort will be made to expedite the process in the interest of a prompt resolution. Time limits may, however, be extended with the consent of all parties.
All participants in the procedure will respect the confidentiality that this district accords to the information about individual employees and adhere to state policy of prohibition against retaliation.
Step #1 - The complainant must present the complaint in written form by completing the complaint and submitting the form to the responsible person designated as the District Affirmative Action Officer.
Step #2 - District Affirmative Action Officer has ten working days from the time the complaint is received to investigate and provide a response. Depending on the nature of the investigation, additional time may be needed, and the complainant will be notified accordingly.
Step #3 - If the complainant is not satisfied, the complainant may appeal within ten working days to the District Superintendent.
Step #4 - Response by the Superintendent or designee must be given within ten working days from the time the Superintendent receives the appeal.
Step #5 - If the complainant is not satisfied at this level, an appeal may be made within ten working days to the Hillside Board of Education, which will hear the complaint at the next regular meeting or within thirty calendar days of receiving the appeal. The appeal can be written in business letter format with documentation from steps 1-4 attached.
Step #6 – The Hillside Board of Education shall respond to the complainant within thirty calendar days from the hearing date.
Step #7 - If the complainant is not satisfied with the Board’s decision, the complainant can have it referred to the County Superintendent of Schools.