Compliance ensures the rights of students, employees, parents and the general public by making sure that all of our facilities, programs, and services are accessible to everyone, If you believe you have been denied program access or discriminated against, please contact our department, preferably no later than 60 days after the alleged violation. The Compliance Director will review and respond to all alleged complaints within a reasonable time period. 

Huntsville City Schools is committed to rigorous compliance with all aspects of federal and state laws and District policies and procedures. The Compliance Director is responsible for evaluating, planning, implementing and monitoring district-wide programs, policies, and procedures that promote a culture that fosters ethical and compliant behavior. 

Compliance exists to ensure the rights of students, employees, parents and the general public by providing physical facilities, programs and services that are accessible.

Discrimination

Any person who believes he/she has been denied program access or otherwise discriminated against is encouraged to contact our department, and/or initiate a complaint, preferably no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation. The Compliance Director will review and respond to all alleged complaints of discrimination within a reasonable time period of the written request. 

Dr. Clarence Sutton
Deputy Superintendent of Learning Supports
Office: 256-428-6970
Location: HCS Annex

Compliance Information

ADA Title II Compliance Policy

In accordance with the requirements of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the Huntsville City Board of Education will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, activities, or programs.

The Huntsville City Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under title I of the ADA.

Effective Communication

The Huntsville City Board of Education will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in the Huntsville City Board of Education’s services, activities, and programs including qualified sign language interpreters, closed-circuit TV, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.

Modifications to Policies and Procedures

The Huntsville City Board of Education will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its services, activities, and programs. For example, individuals with service animals are welcome in the Huntsville City Board of Education’s offices, even where pets are generally prohibited.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the Huntsville City Board of Education, should contact the office of Ms. Shirley Wellington, Compliance Director and ADA Coordinator, at the Annie C. Merts Building, Room 103, 200 White Street, Huntsville, AL 35801, or by phone at 256-428-6836 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.

The ADA does not require the Huntsville City Board of Education to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

Complaints that a service, activity, or program of the Huntsville City Board of Education is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Ms. Shirley Wellington, Compliance Director and ADA Coordinator, at the Annie C. Merts Building, Room 103, 200 White Street, Huntsville, AL 35801, or by phone at 256-428-6836.

The Huntsville City Board of Education will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.

Title IX Compliance

HCS Title IX Training 2021.pdf

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Title IX Contact:

Dr. Clarence Sutton
Deputy Superintendent of Learning Supports
Office: 256-428-6970
Location: HCS Annex

Grievance Procedure Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"). It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by the Huntsville City Board of Education.  The Board’s Personnel Policy governs employment-related complaints of disability discrimination.

The complaint should be in writing and contain relevant information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or his/her designee as soon as possible but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation to:

Dr. Clarence Sutton
Deputy Superintendent of Learning Supports
Office: 256-428-6970
Location: HCS Annex

Within 15 work days after receipt of the complaint, Ms. Shirley Wellington or designee will meet with the complaining party to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within 15 work days of the meeting, Ms. Shirley Wellington or designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complaining party, such as large print or audio tape. The response will explain the position of the Huntsville City Board of Education and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

If the response by Ms.Shirley Wellington or designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complaining party may appeal the decision within 15 work days after receipt of the response to the Superintendent.

Within 15 work days after receipt of the appeal, the Superintendent will meet with the complaining party to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 work days of the meeting, the Superintendent will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.

All written complaints received by the Compliance Department, appeals to the Superintendent, and records relating thereto will be retained by the Board for at least three (3) years.

Forms

Title II ADA Complaint Form.pdf 

Employee Sexual Harassment Complaint Form.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are compliance investigations?

Compliance investigations are reviews to determine if certain federal and state statutes are being adhered to, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.

How are investigations initiated?

Investigations can be initiated by a specific complaint or by a directive from the Compliance Director.

Can anyone initiate a complaint?

Yes, any interested party can initiate a complaint, as long as it is in writing.

Are complaints kept confidential?

All complaints are kept strictly confidential and the complainant is never identified.

Can the outcome of an investigation be appealed?

Yes.  The first level of appeal is to the Compliance Director.  The next level is to the State Board of Education.