Policy AC: Commitment to Nondiscrimination and Educational Equity

The Amherst School District, Pelham School District, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School District have a commitment to nondiscrimination and have the responsibility under Federal and Massachusetts General Laws to overcome, insofar as possible, any barriers that prevent children from receiving an equitable education. All decisions made within the school system must consider the potential benefits or adverse consequences that those decisions might have on human relations in all segments of society.  This commitment to the community is affirmed in the following statements of School Committees' intent to:

  • Promote the rights and responsibilities of all individuals as set forth in the state and federal constitutions, pertinent legislation, and applicable judicial interpretations.
  • Provide positive experiences in human values for children and youth and adults, all of whom have differing personal characteristics and abilities, family composition and who come from various socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and first-language groups.
  • Work toward a more integrated society and to enlist the support of individuals as well as groups and agencies, both private and governmental, in such an effort.
  • Use designated procedures to resolve the grievances of all individuals and groups.
  • Routinely review the policies and practices of this school system in order to achieve to the greatest extent possible the objectives of this statement.

The School Committees’ policy of nondiscrimination extends to students, staff, and the general public with whom it does business.  The Amherst-Pelham Regional District, the Amherst Public Schools, and the Pelham Elementary School do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic status, political party, or disability in admission to, access to, employment in, or treatment by its programs and activities.

 

LEGAL REF:              
Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972; Executive Order 11246, as amended by E.O. 11375; Equal Pay Act, as amended by the Education Amendments of 1972;  Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972; Rehabilitation Act of 1973; M.G.L. 71B:1 et seq. (Chapter 766 of the Acts of 1972); M.G.L. 76:5; Amended 1993; M.G.L. 76:16 (Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1971); Board of Education Chapter 622 Regulations Pertaining to Access to Equal Educational Opportunity, adopted; 6/24/75, as amended 10/24/78; Board of Education 603 CMR 26:00; Board of Education Chapter 766 Regulations, adopted 10/74, as amended through 3/28/78

 

Region Voted to Approve: 4/8/2014

Effective Date: 4/8/2014