Bridgeport Public Schools

APPEAL PROCESS

It is the policy of the Bridgeport Public Schools that all students and/or parents shall have the right to appeal any problem arising within their status as students and parents and shall be encouraged to exercise this right without fear of recrimination. It is for this purpose that a parent appeal procedure is established. To ensure that any problem is corrected as soon as possible, time limits have been established to assure prompt attention to each problem. If the student/parent does not process his appeal within the set time limit, it shall be considered settled and no longer open to appeal.

Process
The appeal process may be used to address any situation occurring within the operation or normal procedures of the school, which causes a student and/or parent to believe he/she has been wronged in the process of the bully investigation. Students and their parents are encouraged to discuss their concerns informally with the building administrator involved before invoking formal appeal procedures.

Initiation A parent or student may initiate an appeal proceeding when either the student or his/her parent/guardian believes that the decision from bully investigation should be substantiated.

Procedure The procedure for initiation of a formal appeal will be:

Step 1- Administrator Conference

A student and/or parent/guardian wishing to invoke the appeal procedure shall make a written request for a conference with the administrator to discuss the complaint and seek resolution.

• The administrator shall grant the conference within five (5) school days following receipt of the request.
• The request shall include a statement describing the bully situation.
• The administrator will state his position of the question in writing to the student/parent within five (5) school days following the conference.
• Only the parent/guardian or someone acting in loco parentis shall be permitted to join or represent the student in the conference with the administrator.

Step 2- Appeal to the District School Climate Officer

If the appeal is not resolved at Step 1, the student or parent/guardian may appeal the District School Climate Officer. The appeal must be made within five (5) school days following receipt of the administrator position statement in Step 1. The District School Climate Officer shall review the appeal within five (5) school days following receipt of the appeal. A written response shall be made to the student, parent/guardian and the administrator from the District School Climate Officer (10) school days following the District School Climate Officer review.

Step 3- Appeal to the Assistant Superintendent of Schools

If the appeal is not resolved at Step 2, the student or parent/guardian may appeal the District School Climate Officer decision in writing to the Assistant Superintendent of Schools. The appeal must be made within five (5) school days following receipt of the District School Climate Officer position statement on Step 2.

The Assistant Superintendent shall review the grievance within five (5) school days following receipt of the appeal. A written response shall be made to the student, parent/guardian and the administrator from the Assistant Superintendent or his designee within ten (10) school days following the Assistant Superintendent's review.