Notice of Non-Discrimination
No person shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in the School Department’s public schools because of their age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, marital status, familial status, disability, religion, or national origin. Discrimination, including harassment, against any student in the District’s education programs, on the basis of any of the above classes, or a student’s creed is prohibited. Finally, there shall be no denial of any person of the benefits of educational programs or activities, on the basis of any of the above classes, or economic status.
The School Department is also an Equal Opportunity Employer. The District ensures equal employment opportunities without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. The District will employ individuals who meet the physical and mental requirements, and who have the education, training, and experience established as necessary for the performance of the job as specified in the pertinent job description(s).
Discrimination against and harassment of school employees because of age, sex, race, creed, religion, color, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or gender identity are prohibited. Additionally, the District will not discriminate against any employee who is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or stalking.
The Portsmouth School Nutrition Program is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Patricia Haynes
Title IX Coordinator
City of Portsmouth
1 Junkins Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 610-4472
The following persons have been designated to handle inquires or complaints regarding the Food Nutrition Program non-discrimination policy:
Deborah Riso Kelly Harper
School Nutrition Director Human Resource Director
Portsmouth School Department City of Portsmouth
1 Junkins Avenue, Suite 402 1 Junkins Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 03801 Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-0443 (603) 610-4478
The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for the oversight of all anti-discrimination laws and Portsmouth School Department policies, including those dealing with sexual harassment. This responsibility includes being available to meet with students, parents and/or guardians regarding any sex discrimination concerns or formal complaints. The Title IX Coordinator also tracks complaints to be aware of, and respond to, any trends and to ensure that timely and complete investigations of complaints are conducted. Portsmouth School Department is committed to taking any steps necessary to respond to and prevent sexual harassment. In addition, the following individuals are also authorized to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Inquiries regarding Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. and/or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 may also, or instead of, may be directed to:
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor
Suite 900
Boston, MA 02109-1491
(617) 289-0111, TTY (877) 521-2172
Additionally, inquiries may also be directed to the:
NH Commission for
Human RightsEqual Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC)2 Industrial Park Drive
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
475 Government Center
Concord, NH 03301-8501
Boston, MA 02203
(603) 271-2767
Tel. (800) 669-4000
To file a program complaint of discrimination regarding the School Nutrition Program a verbal complaint may be made to the School Nutrition Director. In addition, a complaint may be initiated by completing the USDA office, (http://ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html) or by letter addressed to the USDA with all of the information requested in the form. Completed forms or written correspondence should be submitted to:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL)
THE MISSION OF THE ESOL PROGRAM IS TO ENSURE THAT ALL ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS ARE GIVEN AN EQUITABLE, APPROPRIATE, AND ACADEMICALLY CHALLENGED EDUCATION. THE LACK OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS IS NOT A BARRIER FOR PARTICIPATION IN ANY COURSES AND ESOL CLASSES ARE CREDIT BEARING.