Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act provides protection against disability-based discrimination.  The law says that “no otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States. . .shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance” 29 U.S.C. 794(a).

 

Section 504 is about access to the same programs, activities, and benefits that are available to non-disabled individuals.  In schools, this includes but is not limited to academic instruction, non-academic services, extracurricular activities and offerings.   

 

In Caldwell School District, each building's School Counselor is the designated Section 504 Case Manager.  If you believe your student may have a disability as defined by Section 504 and may qualify for Section 504 Protections, reach out to your student's School Counselor for more information. 

 

Caldwell High School	208-455-3304	Canyon Springs High School	208-455-3325	Syringa Middle School	208-455-3305
Jefferson Middle School	208-455-3309	Van Buren Elementary	208-455-3326	Washington Elementary	208-455-3317
Sacajawea Elementary	208-455-3333	Wilson Elementary	208-455-3313	Lewis & Clark Elementary	208-455-3345

 

It is the policy of Caldwell School District not to discriminate on the basis of disability. Caldwell School District has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regulations implementing the Act.  Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The Law and Regulations may be examined in the office of Julie A. Mead, Chief Officer of Student Services, who has been designated as the District's Section 504 Coordinator to oversee the efforts of Caldwell School District in complying with Section 504.

Any staff, student, parent/guardian, or patron (or parent/guardian on behalf of a minor child) who believes she or he has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability may file a grievance under this procedure. It is against the law for Caldwell School District to retaliate against anyone who files a grievance or cooperates in the investigation of a grievance.

Procedure:

• Grievances must be submitted to the Section 504 Coordinator within 30 days of the date the person filing the grievance becomes aware of the alleged discriminatory action.
• A complaint must be in writing, containing the name and address of the person filing it. The complaint must state the problem or action alleged to be discriminatory and the remedy or relief sought.
• The Section 504 Coordinator (or designee) shall conduct an investigation of the complaint. This investigation may be informal, but it must be thorough, affording all interested persons an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint. The Section 504 Coordinator will maintain the files and records of Caldwell School District relating to such grievances.
• The Section 504 Coordinator will issue a written decision on the grievance no later than 30 days after its filing.
• The person filing the grievance may appeal the decision of the Section 504 Coordinator by writing to the Section 504 Coordinator within 15 days of receiving the Section 504 Coordinator’s decision. The Section 504 Coordinator shall issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than 30 days after its filing.
• The availability and use of this grievance procedure does not prevent a person from filing a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.

Caldwell School District will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, if needed, to participate in this grievance process. The Section 504 Coordinator will be responsible for such arrangements.