Concerns

Most general complaints fall under the Uniform Complaint Process established in Board Policy #1700. The policy is written to encourage that concerns first be addressed at the lowest possible level, ideally with an informal resolution that meets the needs of the parent, student, and staff member involved. The policy and process then uses a leveled system to move the concern from the building level, to the Superintendent, and potentially to the BSD7 Board of Trustees.

Please use the link below to access the policy and the form that is used in the Uniform Complaint Process.

Uniform Complaint Policy and Form 

While the staff makes every effort to select high quality, appropriate learning materials that are satisfactory to the general public, objections occasionally may be raised. Learning materials are defined as any material used in classroom instruction, library materials, or any materials that a teacher might provide a student as part of the course of instruction. 

When an objection does occur complainants will discuss their concerns with the appropriate school staff and supervising administrator prior to pursuing a formal complaint. Should a citizen wish to make a formal protest regarding specific material used in a school within the district, the form for requesting reconsideration of instructional materials must be used (2314F2).

Please use the link below to access the policy and associated form for making a Learning Materials Review complaint.

Learning MATERIALS REVIEW POLICY AND FORMS

The District is committed to a safe, welcoming, & inclusive school environment - one that is conducive to learning for all students. We work with everyone in our education community to create a culture of mutual respect.

How do I submit a report of concern?

If you are concerned about bullying or harassment occurring at your school please contact a teacher, school counselor/psychologist, or principal immediately and share your concerns.

Below is a copy of the form used for K-12 when a report is made. Parents or students may complete the form in advance or with a staff member at the school.

bullying harrassment incident reporting form

For an alternate and anonymous way to report for grades 6-12 see details below:

Anonymous Alerts®.

What is the Anonymous Alerts app?

The Anonymous Alerts anti-bullying and safety app reporting system helps combat bullying and other negative activity in schools by empowering students to speak up. Social and peer pressure are some of the hardest obstacles for students to overcome.

The system allows for 1-way or 2-way anonymous encrypted communications between submitters (students, parents or community members) and district administration and/or school staff. Users of the system have the option to remain anonymous or reveal their identity when submitting a report.

How does it work?

To use this revolutionary new app, students, parents or other school personnel can simply visit the Bozeman Public Schools website and click on the “Anonymous Alerts” button or text link to submit a report expressing their concern. Anonymous Alerts® mobile applications can be downloaded directly from the Apple, Google Play or the Chrome stores.

Bozeman Public Schools supplies students an activation code, making the app remarkably easy to use and students select which school the message should go to. In addition, informational posters explaining how to use the app will be displayed throughout schools and offices in the district.

To send reports from the Web/Internet go to: https://www.anonymousalerts.com/bozemanps

False reporting will be taken seriously and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and district policy.
Reports that lack specific and sufficient detail or anonymous reports that do not allow administration to communicate with the reporter cannot be effectively investigated.

To send a report from your phone:

• Download the Anonymous Alerts® app for free from the Apple Store, Google Play store, or the Chrome store
• Start the App, enter activation code: bozemanps
• Send important reports to school officials
• Add a screenshot, photo or video about the incident

In an emergency, always call 9-1-1!

Anonymous Alerts Overview Video

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLPz7NldtE0&feature=youtu.be

1. A District employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the District on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;

2. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the District’s education program or activity or 

3. “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 USC 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), “dating violence” as defined in 34 USC 12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 USC 12291(a)(8) or “stalking” as defined in 34 USC 12291(a)(30).

The BSD7 Board of Trustees values public participation in Board meetings and appreciates the engagement and support of the Bozeman community. Public comment can be made in-person at Board meetings, or by emailing the Trustees:  trustees@bsd7.org

Please note that your email constitutes public comment and is handled accordingly:

● All current Trustees have access to public comment emails sent to the Trustee email and regularly read those emails.
● Emails sent to the Trustee email address are subject to public disclosure via the Freedom of Information Act, https://www.foia.gov/.
● The volume of emails received with a specific point of view are not totaled or measured in terms of determining a majority. Trustees use public comment to help inform their thinking.
● Because your email is received as public comment do not expect an individual response or back and forth correspondence with the Board of Trustees.
● If the intent of your email is to formalize a complaint please use the uniform complaint process in the tab above.
● If the intent of your email is to seek information or clarification please reach out to the appropriate school and/or department. Contact information is contained on the Bozeman Public Schools website, https://www.bsd7.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Bozeman Public Schools.

Greg Neil, Board Chair

Policy 2162 address procedural safeguards and complaint procedures under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”).

It is the intent of the District to ensure that students who are disabled within the definition of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are identified, evaluated, and provided with appropriate educational services.  For those students who need or are believed to need special instruction and/or related services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the District shall establish and implement a system of procedural safeguards.  The safeguards shall cover students’ identification, evaluation, and educational placement.  This system shall include:  notice, an opportunity for the student’s parent or legal guardian to examine relevant records, an impartial hearing with opportunity for participation by the student’s parent or legal guardian, and a review procedure.

SECTION 504 PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS

(1) Notice

The District shall provide written notice to the parent or legal guardian of a Section 504 student, prior to initiating an evaluation of the child and/or determining the appropriate educational placement of the child, including special instruction and/or related services.

1. Record Review - Upon request, the parent or legal guardian of the student shall be allowed to examine all relevant records relating to the child’s education and the District’s identification, evaluation, and/or placement decision.
2. Grievance Procedure: Mediation/Impartial Due Process Hearing. If the parent or legal guardian of a student who qualifies under Section 504 for special instruction or related services disagrees with a decision of the District with respect to: (1) the identification of the child as qualifying for Section 504; (2) the District’s evaluation of the child; and/or (3) the educational placement of the child, the parents of the student are entitled to certain procedural safeguards.  The student shall remain in his/her current placement until the matter has been resolved through the process set forth herein.
3. In the event of a disagreement between the parent/guardian and the District, the parties may mutually agree to submit the matter to mediation.  A mediator may be selected from the Office of Public Instruction’s list of trained mediators.
4. The parent or legal guardian of the student may make a request in writing for an impartial due process hearing.  The written request for an impartial due process hearing shall identify with specificity the areas in which the parent or legal guardian is in disagreement with the District;
5. Upon receipt of a written request for an impartial due process hearing, a copy of the written request shall be forwarded to all interested parties within three (3) business days; 
6. Within ten (10) days of receipt of a written request for an impartial due process hearing, the District shall select and appoint an impartial hearing officer who has no professional or personal interest in the matter.  In that regard, the District may select a hearing officer from the list of special education hearing examiners available at the Office of Public Instruction, the county superintendent, or any other person who would conduct the hearing in an impartial and fair manner;
7. Once the District has selected an impartial hearing officer, the District shall provide the parent or legal guardian and all other interested parties with notice of the person selected;
8. Within five (5) days of the District’s selection of a hearing officer, a prehearing conference shall be scheduled to set a date and time for a hearing, identify the issues to be heard, and stipulate to undisputed facts to narrow the contested factual issues;
9.  The hearing officer shall, in writing, notify all parties of the date, time, and location of the due process hearing;
10. Anytime prior to the hearing, the parties may mutually agree to submit the matter to mediation.  A mediator may be selected from the Office of Public Instruction’s list of trained mediators;
11. At the hearing, the District and the parent or legal guardian may be represented by counsel;
12. The hearing shall be conducted in an informal but orderly manner.  Either party may request that the hearing be recorded.  Should either party request that the hearing be recorded, it shall be recorded using either appropriate equipment or a court reporter.  The District shall be allowed to present its case first.  Thereafter the parent or legal guardian shall be allowed to present its case.  Witnesses may be called to testify, and documentary evidence may be admitted; however, witnesses will not be subject to cross-examination, and the Montana Rules of Evidence will not apply.  The hearing officer shall make all decisions relating to the relevancy of all evidence intended to be presented by the parties.  Once all evidence has been received, the hearing officer shall close the hearing.  The hearing officer may request that both parties submit proposed findings of fact, conclusions, and decision;
13. Within twenty (20) days of the hearing, the hearing examiner should issue a written report of his/her decision to the parties; 
14. Appeals may be taken as provided by law.  The parent or legal guardian may contact the Office of Civil Rights, 912 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98714-1099;  (206) 220-7900.

(2) Uniform Complaint Procedure.  If a parent or legal guardian of the student alleges that the District and/or any employee of the District has engaged in discrimination or harassment of the student, the parent or legal guardian will be required to proceed through the District’s Uniform Complaint Procedure.