Public Grievance Process

Step 1:  Directly contact appropriate school staff

• The most direct route to resolving a concern is for parents/guardians to first conference directly with the involved party (teacher, coach, sponsor, admin.).  
• The majority of concerns will be resolved directly via a face to face meeting or email. 
• If the concern is not satisfied or if there is no communication at this level, move to Step 2.
• A request can also be made for an administrator to sit in on a conference at this level by either party.

Step 2:  Contact Campus Principal

• Campus principals are the next step to hear an informal complaint that a parent/guardian/ student feels has not been satisfactorily addressed by a teacher, coach, sponsor, etc.  Contact the principal’s office via phone call to the campus or an email directly to the campus principal. Principals may first direct you to an assistant principal for resolution.
  • FHS - mgriffon@fisdk12.net
  • FJH - dlyon@fisdk12.net
  • Windsong - wmcashlan@fisdk12.net
  • Bales - estanley@fisdk12.net
  • Westwood - cmille@fisdk12.net
  • Cline- jmccarty@fisdk12.net
        
• Campus administrators are responsible for the school's operations.  Concerns regarding operations begin with the campus principal or assistant principal.
• Athletic concerns for HS Athletes that are unresolved by direct conference with the coach, would proceed to the Athletic Director - jjohnson1@fisdk12.net
• If the concern is not satisfied or no response at this level, move to Step 3.

Step 3:  Contact Member of the District Administrative Team

• Call the Administration building at 281-482-1267 and speak with the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent to appropriately direct your concern to the proper Assistant Superintendent, Executive Director, or to the Superintendent.
• Email the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Tammy Locklear, at tlocklear@fisdk12.net.  You will be directed to the appropriate person to address your concern.  

If you have gone through the previous informal steps of problem solving and have not met a satisfactory resolution, you may then move to the formal grievance process detailed in Board Policy GF (LEGAL) and GF (LOCAL) summarized below.  Though informal resolution is the preferred path to resolution, you may file a formal complaint at any point in steps 1 - 3 above.  Beginning the informal process within 15 days of the incident satisfies the timeliness of the complaint as described in Level 1 below.   

If a concern is not resolved through the informal problem-solving process, the complainant may proceed to the formal grievance process as detailed in our official Board Policy  GF (LEGAL) and GF (LOCAL), summarized below. Although informal resolution is the preferred method, a formal complaint may be filed at any time during Steps 1 through 3.

Initiating the informal process within 15 days of the alleged incident satisfies the timeliness requirement for filing a Level 1 complaint.

  LEVEL 1 

• A complaint at the campus level must be filed within 30 calendar days of written notice regarding how to file a formal grievance, within 60 calendar days if it’s never been informally discussed, and 90 calendar days if there was an informal attempt to resolve an issue, but written notice of the grievance process was not provided. 
• Campus investigation based on the report and a conference with the complainant within 10 calendar days or as mutually agreed in writing by both the parent and the district. 
• Begins at the lowest level of administrator able to grant the requested resolution.
• Response in writing will be received by the complainant within 20 calendar days of the Level 1 conference.
  • Public/Community Level 1 Grievance Form

LEVEL 2  

• Level 1 decisions may be appealed to the next level supervisor able to address the remedy.  This may be an Assistant Superintendent, Executive Director, or the Superintendent.  
• Appeals must be filed within 20 calendar days of receipt of the Level 1 decision.  A conference will be set within 20 calendar days of receipt of Level 2 appeal form (requested by a parent from campus or Superintendent) or as mutually agreed by both the parent and the district.   
• All information will be limited to Level 1 issue and desired resolution.  
  • Public/Community Level 2 Grievance Form

LEVEL 3 

• Level 2 decisions may be appealed to the Board of Trustees.  
• A Level 3 appeal form (requested by a parent from campus or Superintendent) must be received within 20 calendar days of the receipt of the Level 2 decision.
• The time date and location of the Level 3 hearing will be provided to the complainant by the office of the Superintendent and a meeting will be held no later than 60 calendar days from the date the Level Two decision was made.
  • Level 3 Public/Community Grievance Form