Notice of Non-discrimination

The Hibbing Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provide equal access to the Boys Scouts and other designated youth groups.  The following individuals has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Richard B. Aldrich, Superintendent 
Hibbing Public Schools
Phone: 218-208-0848
richard.aldrich@isd701.org

Ranae Seykora, Principal
Hibbing High School
Phone: 218-208-0841 ext.10272
ranae.seykora@isd701.org

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, call 1-800-421-3481 for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area.

The following grievance procedure applies to claims of sex, disability, and racial discrimination:

1. Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of unlawful discrimination or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct that may constitute unlawful discrimination shall report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate school district official designated by this policy. The complaint must be filed within 90 calendar days of the alleged violation.
2. The Human Rights Officer is responsible for receiving oral or written complaints of unlawful discrimination toward an employee or student. However, nothing in this policy shall prevent any person from reporting unlawful discrimination toward an employee or student directly with the Human Rights Officer, the school board or other school district official.
3. While the school board has designated the Human Rights Officer to receive complaints of unlawful discrimination, if the complaint involves the Human Rights Officer, the complaint shall be made to the superintendent.
4. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Human Rights Officer shall immediately notify the superintendent. If the superintendent is the subject of the complaint, the Human Rights Officer shall immediately notify the school board.
5. The Human Rights Officer may request but not insist upon a written complaint. Alternative means of filing a complaint, such as through a personal interview or by tape recording, shall be made available upon request for qualified persons with a disability. If the complaint is oral, it shall be reduced to writing within 24 hours and forwarded to the superintendent. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action. The school district encourages the reporting party to complete the complaint form for written complaints. It is available from the principal of each building or the school district office.
6. The school district shall respect the privacy of the complainant, the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed, and the witnesses, consistent with the school district’s legal obligations to investigate, take appropriate action, and comply with any discovery or disclosure obligations.

Investigation

1. The Human Rights Officer, upon receipt of a complaint alleging unlawful discrimination shall promptly undertake an investigation if deemed appropriate. The investigation may be conducted by the Title IX coordinator for complaints of sex discrimination or the Section 504 Coordinator for complaints of disability discrimination, or a school district official or neutral third party designated by the Title IX coordinator, Section 504 coordinator or Human Rights Officer. The investigation shall be completed within 30 days of the complaint, unless impracticable.
2. The investigation may consist of personal interviews with the complainant, the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed, and others who may have knowledge of the alleged incident(s) or circumstances giving rise to the complaint. The investigation may also consist of other methods deemed pertinent by the investigator.
3. In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes a violation of this policy, the school district shall consider the facts and the surrounding circumstances such as the nature of the behavior, past incidents or continuing patterns of behavior, the relationships between the parties involved and the context in which the alleged incident occurred.
4. The school district may take immediate steps to protect the parties involved in the complaint process, pending completion of an investigation of alleged unlawful discrimination.
5. Upon completion of the investigation, the school district investigator shall make a written report to the Human Rights Officer. If the complaint involves the Human Rights Officer, the report may be filed directly with the superintendent or school board. The report shall include the facts, a determination of whether the allegations have been substantiated, whether a violation of this policy has occurred as well as a description of any proposed resolution which may include alternative dispute resolution.
6. The district shall comply with federal and state law pertaining to retention of records.

Appeal

If the grievance has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant, s/he may appeal to the Human Rights Officer within ten (10) school days of receipt of the findings of the school district investigation. The school district investigator shall conduct a review of the appeal and within ten (10) school days of receipt of the appeal, shall affirm, reverse, or modify the findings of the report. The decision of the school district investigator is final but does not preclude pursuit of alternative complaint procedures noted in the section entitled “Right to Alternative Compliant Procedures.”

School District Action

1. Upon conclusion of the investigation and receipt of the findings, the school district shall take appropriate action. If it is determined that a violation has occurred, such action may include, but is not limited to, warning, suspension, expulsion, transfer, remediation or termination. 
   
   School district action taken for violation of this policy shall be consistent with the requirements of applicable collective bargaining agreements, Minnesota and federal law and school district policies.
2. The result of the school district’s investigation of each complaint filed under these procedures shall be reported in writing to the complainant by the school district in accordance with state and federal law regarding data or records privacy.

Retaliation

The school district shall take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator or other school personnel who retaliates against any person who reports alleged unlawful discrimination toward an employee or student or any person who testifies, assists or participates in an investigation or hearing relating to such unlawful discrimination. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation or harassment.

Conflict of Interest

If there is a conflict of interest with respect to any party affected by this policy, appropriate action shall be taken such as, but not limited to, appointing or contracting with a neutral third-party investigator to conduct the investigation or recusal from the process by the person for whom a conflict or potential conflict of interest exists.

Dissemination of Policy

The school district shall adopt and publish these procedures.

These procedures do not deny the right of any individual to pursue other avenues of recourse, which may include filing charges with the agencies listed below or initiating action in state or federal court.

Claims of discrimination may also be pursued through the following agencies where appropriate:

U.S. Department of Education MN Department of Human Rights Office for Civil Rights, Region V 190 E 2nd Street 500 W. Madison Street – Suite 1475 St. Paul, MN 55101 Chicago, IL 60661

Tel: 800-657-3704 Tel: 312-730-1560 Tel: 651-296-5663 TDD: 312-730-1609 TDD 612-296-1283

For complaints of employment discrimination:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 330 S. 2nd Avenue Suite 430 Minneapolis, MN 55401

Tel: 800-669-4000 Tel: 612-235-4040 TDD 612-335-404

Title IV is a term that refers to federal financial aid funds. Federal regulations state that any federal funds disbursed to a student's account in excess of allowable charges must be delivered to the student (or parent in case of an undergraduate PLUS loan).

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

The Hibbing Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, and that it is required by Title IX not to discriminate in such a manner;

The requirement not to discriminate in the education program or activity extends to admission and employment, and that inquiries about the application ofTitle IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the UnitedStates Department of Education, or both.

Hibbing Public Schools grievance procedures and grievance process can be found at www.hibbing.kl2.mn.us under the District information.

Nondiscrimination Contact Information

ADA/Section 504 Coordinator for Employees/Personnel Issues:

Richard Aldrich
Superintendent of Schools
800 E 21st Street
Hibbing, MN 55746
218-208-0848
richard.aldrich@isd701.org

Section 504 Coordinator for Student Issues:

Nathan Lutzka
Director of Special Programs
800 E 21st Street
Hibbing, MN 55746
218-208-0855
nathan.lutzka@isd701.org

Human Rights Officer / Title IX Coordinator:

Richard Aldrich, Superintendent
800 E 21st Street
Hibbing, MN 55746
218-208-0848
richard.aldrich@isd701.org

Alternate Title IX Coordinator:

Ranae Seykora, HS Principal
800 E 21st Street
Hibbing, MN 55746
218-208-0841 Ext. 10272
ranae.seykora@isd701 .org

Links

Title IX Overview and Investigation Training

500-518 Title IX Nondiscrimination Policy

Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 504 ensures that the child with a disability has equal access to an education. The child may receive accommodations and modifications.

Hibbing Public Schools uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. The Student Curriculum Tools Table lists the curriculum, testing, and assessment tools used by the district and includes an outline of the student data elements within each tool.

School Districts that offer career and technical (vocational) education must provide notice to students, parents, employees and the general public that all vocational opportunities will be offered regardless of race, color, national origin, sex or disability. The notice must be published each year, prior to the beginning of the school year.  Vocational Education Programs Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, and Handicap, 44 Fed. Reg. 17162, March 21, 1979, part IV-0.
 
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has developed this sample Vocational Opportunities Annual Notification for use by the education community. Schools are not required to use this sample notification. The purpose of this sample notification is to provide helpful guidance, including the required elements for compliance with federal civil rights laws. Contact Carolyn Ellstra at carolyn.ellstra@state.mn.us with questions regarding this document.
 
VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ANNUAL NOTIFICATION 
Hibbing school district offers a variety of vocational opportunities through the Business Education, Industrial Technology and Family and Consumer Science Departments.  The purpose of this notice is to inform students, parents, employees and the general public that these opportunities are offered regardless of race, color, national origin, sex or disability. Admission in the specific courses is determined by grade level, and in some cases, completion of prerequisite courses. The district has designated the following individuals to coordinate compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.

Section 504 Coordinator:	Title IX Coordinator:
Nathan Lutzka Special Programs Director Hibbing Public Schools Phone: 218-208-0855 ext. 11040 nathan.lutzka@isd701.org	Richard B. Aldrich Superintendent Hibbing Public Schools Phone: 218-208-0848 richard.aldrich@isd7.org

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law, which requires states to ensure that children who are experiencing homelessness have equal access to a free and appropriate education.  The law mandates that states act to remove barriers that might prevent these children and youth from accessing educational resources.  Minnesota has enacted additional laws to allow children who are homeless equal access to education.

National Center for Homeless Education at The SERVE Center

If you have questions, please contact your building principal or school counselor.

Asbestos Notification

 During the past school year and continuing into this school year the following asbestos management plan activities have been or are currently being completed, pursuant to the Environmental Protection Agency 40 CFR Part 763- “Asbestos Containing Materials in Schools; Final Rule and Notice.”

 ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR 2024-2025

• Periodic Surveillance Inspections
• Asbestos Repairs
• Notification of Asbestos Locations for Short-Term Workers (Electricians, Plumbers, etc.)
• Training of District Personnel

 Hibbing Public Schools has contracted through the Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA) to provide Environmental, Health and Safety consulting services, including being involved in the above listed activities.

 The Asbestos management plan is available for review through the district office.

 Any questions concerning this notice or an explanation of our Asbestos management plan, please contact Tyler Glad, Buildings and Ground Director at (218) 208-0845 or IEA at (218) 410-9521.

Indoor Air Quality Notification 

Hibbing Public Schools has an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management plan, that outlines specific policies and procedures that will be used in the district to address indoor air quality issues.  IEA, the District’s health and safety consultant completes annual IAQ assessments within the school to ensure proper air quality.

 Any questions concerning this notice or an explanation of our IAQ management plan, please contact Tyler Glad, Buildings and Ground Director at (218) 208-0845.

Lead-in-Water Notification

 2024-2025

Hibbing Public Schools is committed to providing a safe working and learning environment for

employees and students. The District maintains a lead-in-water management plan that was

developed to reduce the potential for exposure to lead in water and to comply with Minnesota

State Statute 121A.335.

Minnesota State Statute 121A.335 requires public school buildings serving pre-kindergarten and

kindergarten through grade 12 to establish a plan to accurately and efficiently test for lead in

potable water sources every five years. In addition to testing, the District has also implemented

water management practices as well.

Our water testing is completed by a third party vendor, utilizing an accredited laboratory and

was last completed in 2021 therefore, testing is required again in 2026.

Please find a link to our lead-in-water management plan

Should you want more information on Hibbing Public School’s lead reduction program and

testing results, please contact Tyler Glad, Buildings and Ground Director at (218) 208-0845.If

you have questions regarding your personal health concerns, please contact your healthcare

provider.

Annual Integrated Pest Management Pesticide Notification

 Hibbing Public Schools uses a licensed, professional pest control service firm for the prevention and control of rodents, insects, and other pests in and around the district’s buildings.

 Pests can sting, bite, cause contamination, damage property and spread disease; therefore, we must prevent their presence and control them as necessary. The district or outside contractors may also apply herbicides on district properties, as deemed necessary. The long-term health effects on children from the application of such pesticides may not be fully understood.  All pest control materials are chosen and applied according to labeling directions per Federal law.

 To limit the potential pesticide exposure, the district follows safety regulations to ensure pesticides are applied properly.  All pesticide products, which are used in and around school buildings, are required to be registered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  In addition, school employees and certified and licensed applicators are required by state and federal law to comply with all requirements of the pesticide label, including building sites, application rates, re-entry intervals, posting, use of personal protective equipment, use restrictions, and disposal on the product label. An estimated schedule of pesticide applications is available for review through request at the district office.

 To be notified about pesticide applications or the management plan, please contact Tyler Glad, Buildings and Ground Director at (218) 208-0845