Student Complaint Form

The School Board has an approved grievance procedure for adults. The procedure provides for a resolution of student grievances for students who may feel that they have been treated unfairly under the Conduct and Discipline Code for Adult Students in Technical, Adult, and Community Education or other rules and regulations. Cases not resolved at the institutional level may contact:

The Council on Occupational Education,

7840 Roswell Road, Bldg. 300, Ste. 325,

Atlanta, GA 30350,

800-917-2081 or 770-396-3898

Some students may feel that they have been treated unfairly under this Code and other rules and regulations. The following steps provide a fair resolution of student grievances. The School Board of Broward County, Florida, prohibits any policy or procedure which results in discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, marital status, race, religion, or sexual orientation. If you feel that you have been discriminated against, you may visit or call Equal Educational Opportunities, 600 Southeast Third Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida at (754) 321-2150. Complaints relating to discrimination on the basis of sex may be addressed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 330 C. Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20202.

The grievance procedure and time shall proceed according to the following rules and regulations:

 Levels of Progression
 Level 1A.    Teacher- Non-instructional
B.    Counselor
C.    Assistant Principal
D.    Principal/Director
Level 2  Area Superintendent/Designee 
Level 3Superintendent/Designee

The first step taken by the student MUST be with the member of the staff involved in the alleged unfair action. If the grievance is not resolved after initial contact, the adult student may involve any other person of the student’s choice in a conference with the member of the staff involved. Co-enrolled students shall involve a caregiver, parent, or guardian.

If the grievance has not been resolved through the levels up to and including a conference at the principal’s/director’s level and the student wishes to proceed with the grievance, the student must submit a written statement to the principal/director within five (5) school days of the principal’s/director’s verbal denial.

The statement at this level and all subsequent levels must include:

1.    Name(s) of any person(s) involved;

2.    Date(s) on which the student feels there was unfair treatment;

3.    A brief statement as to why the student feels there was unfair treatment;

4.    What corrective action the student would like to see taken;

5.    Copies of appropriate supporting documentation, which may include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

a.    Letter(s) requesting previous hearings and the actions taken;

b.    Letter(s) of reference and witness statement(s);

c.    Student papers, student work, grade reports, etc.;

d.    Attendance and medical statement(s).

The student shall receive a written response to the statement from the principal/director within five (5) school days.

Following receipt of the written denial of the grievance by the principal/director, if  the student wishes to proceed further with the grievance, the student and/or his/her representative(s) shall, within five (5) school days, request in writing an appointment with the Area Superintendent and shall include a statement of the grievance as outlined above.

The Area Superintendent and/or designated representative shall have the authority and responsibility for establishing a meeting time not later than five (5) school days following receipt of the initial written contact by the student and/or his/her representative(s), the member of the staff involved, the principal/director and the Area Superintendent or their representatives, and any legal representative(s) desired.

If a decision is not reached at the meeting, all parties involved shall be notified of the Area Superintendent’s final decision by mail within five (5) schools days following the meeting.

Should the Area Superintendent or designated representative fail to support the grievance, the student and/or his/her representative(s) may appeal to the School Board, following the same time schedule and procedures established above. The School Board shall hear the grievance at the first School Board Meeting which occurs at least five (5) days following receipt of the written request for a hearing.

Copies of all appropriate documents shall be placed in the student’s records folder.

Please complete the attached complaint form and email to: [email protected] or fax  to 754-321-5680.  This form may also be dropped off in person to the Administration Offices on Sheridan’s Main Campus. THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY EMAIL OR BY FAX.