Adult Career & Technical Education
17 Westminster Ave.
Dix Hills, NY 11746
631-667-6000, ext. 320
Administrative Regulations, Policy 6570
Complaints and Grievances by Students in Adult Programs
Western Suffolk BOCES has developed these procedures for adults to follow in regard to disciplinary actions, suspensions, unfavorable evaluations and dismissals related to programs/services for adults. The goal is to secure as rapidly and equitably as possible a resolution to the “grievance.”
DEFINITIONS:
“GRIEVANCE” is an event or condition related to the student’s classroom or practical achievement, disciplinary action and/or appeal requiring attention.
“DAYS” refers to working school days.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE:
LEVEL I: The adult student will discuss the event with those directly involved in the problem. For example, if the problem is relevant to the student’s coursework, the student should speak to the teacher. Alternatively, evening students can discuss the issue with the evening Supervisor; day students can meet with a counselor in an attempt to resolve the problem; students in the health programs can speak to the Chairperson of Health Careers.
LEVEL II: If the problem is not resolved or the student is not satisfied with the disposition of the grievance at Level I the grievance may, within two days, be filed in writing. Request a Student Grievance Form from the Adult Education or Health Careers Offices. Complete the Grievance Form and return to the Principal of the Adult Programs or the Principal of Health Careers if you are a health student. An official grievance should state:
Name of aggrieved party
Reason(s) for grievance with statement of nature and facts of grievance including date concern first arose and events or conditions which constitute the grievance.
Statement of redress sought by aggrieved party.
School representative with whom the aggrieved party met and reason for dissatisfaction with the results of Level I.
The Principal shall within two days of receipt of the written grievance meet with the student in an effort to resolve the grievance. If the student is not satisfied with the disposition of the grievance at Level II or in the event that no decision has been rendered, the student shall forward the written grievance within two days to the Executive Director of Career and Technical Education.
LEVEL III: The Executive Director of Career and Technical Education shall within two days of receipt of the written grievance schedule a meeting of the Grievance Appeal Committee which is composed of the Principal of Adult Career & Technical Education or Principal of Health Careers, a member of the faculty and a student representative. The committee will meet with the student in an effort to resolve the grievance.
If the student is not satisfied with the disposition of the Grievance at Level III or in the event that no decision has been rendered, the student may file the grievance within two days in writing with the Executive Director of Personnel.
LEVEL IV: The Executive Director of Personnel or his representative shall, within four days of receipt of the written grievance, meet with the student in an effort to resolve the grievance. The Executive Director of Personnel has four days from the date of the meeting to render a decision.
LEVEL V: If the student deems the grievance is not resolved at the Executive Director of Personnel level, the written grievance and all decisions shall be forwarded to the Chief Operating Officer who will make a final decision within 15 school days.
LEVEL VI: If the student deems the grievance is not resolved at the Chief Operating Officer level, the student may contact the Council on Occupational Education (COE), 7840 Roswell Rd. Building 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30350. The telephone number is 770-396-3898, fax 770-396-3790 and website is www.council.org. The student should use the official Complaint Certification Form which is available from supervisors in the Adult Education or Health Careers Offices. After the complainant contacts the COE, the complainant will receive a letter acknowledging receipt of complaint.
NOTE: At any point in the procedure, the student may request, in writing, the presence of one peer or an ombudsman of the student’s choice. Western Suffolk BOCES will maintain written records of all complaints filed through two complete accreditation cycles.
last updated: 12/2019 (to reflect proper administrative titles)