The Little Rock School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

The commitment of the Little Rock School District to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on individual merit and be free from discrimination in all its forms.

It is the policy of the Board of Education there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or handicap/disability in the placement, instruction and guidelines of pupils; the employment, assignment, training or promotion of personnel; the provision and maintenance of physical supplies and equipment; the development and implementation of the curriculum, including the activities program; and in all matters relating to the instruction, supervision, administration and Board policy development.

Verbal and/or written civil rights questions should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee, 810 West Markham Street, or 447-1000

It is the policy of the District to maintain a learning environment that is free from harassment.  The District prohibits any and all forms of harassment because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, religion, disability or protected activity (i.e. opposing unlawful harassment or discrimination or participating in an investigation).   Any such conduct will result in disciplinary action and notification of the proper authorities.

It will be a violation of District policy for any student, teacher, administrator or other school personnel of the District to harass a student through conduct of a sexual nature or regarding race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, religion, disability or protected activity as defined by this policy.

It will also be a violation of District policy for any teacher, administrator or other school personnel of the District to tolerate sexual harassment or harassment because of a student’s race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, religion, disability or protected activity as defined by this policy, by a student, teacher, administrator, other school personnel or by any third parties who are participating in, observing or otherwise engaged in activities, including sports events and other extracurricular activities, under the auspices of the District.  For the purpose of this policy, the “school personnel” includes school Board of Education members, school employees, agents, volunteers, contractors or persons subject to the supervision and control of the District.

The District will act to promptly investigate all complaints, either formal or informal, verbal or written, of harassment because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, religion, disability or protected activity; to promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further harassment; and, if it determines that unlawful harassment occurred, to promptly and appropriately discipline any student, teacher, administrator or other school personnel who is found to have violated this policy and/or to take other appropriate action reasonably calculated to end the harassment.

This policy will be broadly interpreted as evidence of the District’s commitment to equality of opportunity, human dignity, diversity and academic freedom.  No person will retaliate or threaten retaliation against another person for reporting, testifying or otherwise participating in any investigation or proceeding relating to a complaint of harassment.

Adopted:  July 26, 2001

Legal References    
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, 1965, 42 U. S. C. § 2000d
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U. S. C. § 1681
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U. S. C. § 794
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
42 U. S. C. § 12134 

Cross References:  Student Handbook and Personnel Handbook