Employee 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 DGBA (LEGAL) and DGBA (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  DGBA (LEGAL) and DGBA (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 - Conference

An employee who has a complaint shall file a complaint with the campus principal and request a conference within 15 days of the time the employee knew, or should have known, of the event or series of events causing the complaint.

Level One Employee Grievance Form

The principal will schedule a conference with the employee within ten (10) days of the request.  The principal shall have ten (10) days following the conference within which to respond in writing.  

 

Level 2 - Notice of Complaint

If the outcome of the conference with the principal is not to the employee's satisfaction or the time for a response has expired, the employee, in writing, may request a conference with the Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee.

The request must be filed within ten (10) days following receipt of a response from the principal, or if no response is received, within ten (10) days of the response deadline.  The Superintendent (or designee) shall schedule the conference within ten (10) days after receiving the request.

Level Two Employee Grievance Form

The Superintendent (or designee) will schedule a conference with the employee within 10 days of receipt of the completed Level 2 paperwork.  The Superintendent (or designee) shall have ten (10) days following the level 2 conference within which to respond.

 

Level 3 - Notice of Appeal to the Board of Trustees

If the outcome of the conference with the Superintendent (or designee) is not to the employee's satisfaction or if the time for a response has expired, the employee may submit to the Superintendent a request to place the matter on the agenda of a future Board meeting. The request must be filed within ten (10) days of the response or, if no response is received, within ten (10) days of the response deadline.

Level Three Employee Grievance Form

The Superintendent will inform the employee of the date, time, and place of the meeting in writing.  The Board shall hear the complaint and shall then make and communicate its decision orally or in writing at any time up to and including the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.

 

If you need assistance in completing the forms, please contact the Superintendent's office at 281-482-1267.