What is Title IX?

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
(Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972)

The board of education further recognizes its responsibility in accordance with applicable laws (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations, Title II of the Vocational Education Amendments of 1976, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act) to ensure that all individuals in a multicultural and diverse society have an equal opportunity in all aspects of the operation of the school system. Therefore, City Schools of Decatur shall actively promote equality and equity in all academic and co-curricular programs. 

Below is a list of individuals designated to handle inquiries regarding the District’s Title IX: 

 Title IX Liaisons - You can report discrimination based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, marital status, and/or disability to your school principal, any staff member, or to the district's Title IX Coordinator, listed in the contact section on the right side of this page. School Principals and/or their designees serve as the local Title IX liaisons for each school. 

Title IX: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence, and Discrimination Based on Sex

The Education Amendments Act of 1972, prohibits sex discrimination in any federally funded educational program. This applies to all institutions receiving federal financial support and includes all educational experiences—academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) provides guidance and enforcement of the law with regard to sex discrimination, which includes sexual harassment and sexual assault.

 No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

(Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972)

SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION

(Including Sexual Harassment and/or Sexual Violence)

Students and staff are protected against sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and/or sexual violence, by anyone in any school program or activity, including on the school campus, on the school bus, or off-campus during a school-sponsored activity.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment is defined as unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature when:

• A student or employee is led to believe that he or she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communications in order to gain something in return, such as a grade, a promotion, a place on a sports team, or any educational or employment decision, or
• The conduct substantially interferes with a student's educational performance, educational program or activity, or creates an intimidating or hostile educational or employment environment.

• Examples that may constitute sexual harassment:
  • Pressuring a person for sexual favors
  • Unwelcome touching of a sexual nature
  • Writing graffiti of a sexual nature
  • Distributing sexually explicit texts, e-mails, pictures, or videos
  • stalking or obscene phone calls, texts, emails, or gestures
  • sexually suggestive jokes, whistles, catcalls, or innuendos
  • Making sexual jokes, rumors, or suggestive remarks
  • Physical violence, including rape and sexual assault

Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence is a form of prohibited sexual harassment which can include:

• Sexual abuse or assault, battery, or coercion
• Unwanted sexual contact that stops short of rape or completed rape
• Use of force or manipulation of unwanted sexual activity
• Physical acts where a person is incapable of giving consent or is against a person's will

• Examples that may constitute sexual violence:
  • sexual assault, battery, or coercion
  • attempted or completed rape
  • inappropriate touching
  • physical and/or aggressive sexual advances

You can report sexual harassment/violence or discrimination based on sex to the school principal, any staff member, or to the district's Title IX Compliance Officer, listed in the contact section. You also have the right to file a complaint (see below).

How to File a Formal Title IX Complaint - Title IX Grievance Policies & Procedures

Before filing a formal complaint, you can seek an informal resolution by discussing your concerns with your child’s principal or with the school district’s Title IX Coordinator.

You may file a formal complaint through the procedures listed below.

Step 1: Your Complaint to the School District.

Write your complaint. In most cases, complaints must be filed within one year from the date of the incident or conduct that is the subject of the complaint. A complaint must be in writing. Make a copy of, then complete, the form at this link.

Be sure to describe the conduct or incident and explain why you believe discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment has taken place. Be sure to sign your written complaint and send it, and, copies of any written material or other documents you believe will help CSD understand your complaint — by e-mail (if sending by e-mail scan the document so your signature is included), mail, or hand delivery—to the district coordinator, Dr. Lillie Huddleston, at the address below. 

Lillie Huddleston, PhD

Associate Superintendent

125 Electric Avenue

Decatur, GA 30030

TitleIX@csdecatur.net

404-371-3601, ext. 1026

Step 2: The School District Investigates Your Complaint.

Once the district receives your written complaint, the District Title IX Coordinator will give you a copy of the complaint procedures and make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place.

The complaint will be conducted in cooperation with the Human Resources Department if the alleged harasser is an employee. The investigation may include an interview with the charged party or parties, interviews with witnesses if any, and an examination of any relevant documents or artifacts. The District Title IX Coordinator will respond to you in writing within 30 school days.

If your complaint involves exceptional circumstances that demand a lengthier investigation, the district will notify you in writing to explain why a time extension is needed and provide a new date for their written response.

Step 3: School District Responds to Your Complaint

In its written response, the district will include a summary of the results of the investigation, notification that you can appeal this determination, and any corrective measures the district has taken.  If you disagree with the compliance officer’s decision, you may appeal to the school superintendent. You must file a notice of appeal in writing to the superintendent within 10 school days of the date of the district’s response.

The superintendent will schedule an appeal meeting within 20 school days after receipt of your appeal. The superintendent will send you a written decision within 30 school days after the appeal meeting. If your appeal involves exceptional circumstances that demand a lengthier process, the superintendent will notify you in writing to explain why a time extension is needed and the new date for his written response.

Retaliation against an individual for filing a charge of discrimination, participating in an investigation, or opposing discriminatory practices is prohibited.

Retaliation

Retaliation is defined as the following by Title IX:

• a strike back in response to another's action or accusation
• a form of revenge or reaction because of a filed complaint against a person
• refusal to promote, advance, or accurately support/qualify a person due to a complaint filed

• Examples that may constitute retaliation:
  • demotion or prohibiting advancement due to a filed complaint
  • firing, loss of benefits, or the like due to a filed complaint
  • unfair treatment or discrimination due to a filed complaint
  • Hostile Environment

Hostile Environment

Hostile Environment is defined as the following by Title IX:

• a situation of discriminatory or sexual nature that has occurred and created an adverse setting
• an intimidating or offensive environment that causes a person to be fearful
• a setting that denies, limits, or interferes with a person's ability to participate in or benefit from a program, activity, or job

• Examples that may constitute a hostile environment:
  • bullying, abusive or intimidating comments and actions
  • intimidating or offensive comments that alter the conditions of a person's work, classroom, team, or program environment
  • continuous offensive comments or surroundings of a discriminatory or sexual nature