2260 Nondiscrimination

CESA 5 is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, national origin, ancestry, color, age, creed, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, disability, arrest record, conviction record, military participation, use or non-use of lawful products off the employer’s premises during non-working hours, declining to attend a meeting or to participate in any communication about religious matters or political matters or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law. CESA 5’s policy of nondiscrimination will prevail in all matters concerning staff, student, the public, educational programs and services, and individuals with whom CESA 5 does business.

In keeping with state and federal law, CESA 5 strives to resolve vestiges of discrimination in employment, assignment and promotion of personnel; in educational opportunities and services offered students; in their assignments to schools and classes and in their discipline; in the location and use of facilities; and, in educational offerings and materials. 

Inquiries regarding the interpretation or application of this policy shall be referred to the designated compliance officers. If the matter involves concerns of sex discrimination against employees, students or other individuals under Title IX in programs or activities of the Agency, the individual should refer to Policy 3365, Policy 5365, and/or contact the Agency’s Title IX Coordinator:

Michael Koltes, CESA 5 Title IX Coordinator
626 E. Slifer St.
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 745-5416
koltesm@cesa5.org

Any person who believes that CESA 5 or any part of the organization has inadequately applied the principles and/or regulations of Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, ADA, CRA (I 99 1) and IDEA or in some way discriminates on the basis of race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, age, national origin, handicap, marital status, political affiliation, arrest or conviction record or any other factor provided for by state and federal laws and regulations may bring forward a complaint to the CESA 5 office. In addition, any complaint involving educational policy issues should be brought to the prompt attention of the Agency Administrator regardless of the level to which the complaint was referred. 

Complaints of sex discrimination against employees, students or other individuals under Title IX in programs or activities of the Agency should be filed with the Agency’s Title IX Coordinator, whose contact information is above.

Informal Discrimination Procedure

CESA 5 encourages staff and the public to deal openly with any discrimination complaints. Any person who has a complaint regarding the agency’s nondiscrimination policy shall discuss his/her concern with the Agency Title IX / Section 504 Coordinator (Human Resources Director). The Coordinator shall investigate the complaint and determine whether Policy 3365, Policy 5365, or this policy applies. If this Policy 2260 applies, the Coordinator shall attempt to informally resolve the complaint with the parties involved. If the complaint is not resolved, the complainant may begin Step 1 of the formal procedure.

Formal Discrimination Procedure

STEP 1: A written statement of the grievance shall be prepared and signed by the complainant. This grievance shall be presented to the Agency Title IX / Section 504 Coordinator within ten (10) business days of receipt of the written reply to the informal complaint. The Coordinator shall further investigate the grievance and reply to the complainant in writing as soon as practicable.

STEP 2: If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision of the Agency Title IX or Section 504 Coordinator, he/she may submit a signed statement of appeal to the Agency Administrator within ten (10) business days after receipt of the Coordinator’s response to the grievance.  Appeals must be based on procedural irregularity that would change the outcome, new evidence that would change the outcome and was not reasonably available when the determination was made, or the decisionmaker had a conflict of interest or bias for or against the complainants or respondents generally, or the individual complainant or respondent that would change the outcome. The Agency Administrator shall meet with all parties involved, formulate a conclusion and respond to the complainant in writing within ten (10) business days or at a date determined.

STEP 3: If the complainant is not satisfied with the response of the Agency Administrator, the complainant may make a further appeal to appropriate agencies (e.g., U.S. Office of Civil Rights, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, State Superintendent of Public Instruction) and/or the courts having proper jurisdiction.

Formal complaints concerning educational policy should be referred to:

Agency Administrator

CESA 5

626 E. Slifer Street

Portage, WI 53901

Individuals can also file complaints directly with one of the following agencies:

Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Education

John C. Kluczynski Federal Building

230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor

Chicago, IL 60604

Department of Workforce Development

Equal Rights Division

201 E Washington Ave; Room A100

Madison, WI 53703

Adopted 4/4/2013

Revision 8/6/2020

Revision 8/1/2024