School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Bylaw 1-25

SCHOOL BOARD BYLAWS

Complaints Regarding Students or Employees

The School Board recognizes that situations may occur in the operation of the school division which are of concern to parents, students, and the general public. Whenever a complaint is made directly to the Board as a whole or to an individual Board member, the complaint shall be referred to the Superintendent or his designee for investigation, possible resolution at the appropriate level, and recommendations to the Board if needed.

Board members should advise complainants that issues regarding students or employees are best dealt with through communication with appropriate staff members and officers according to the following order:

Classroom teacher, if a student complaint
Principal, principal's designee or worksite supervisor
Assistant Superintendent/Associate Superintendent
Superintendent

If the matter cannot be settled by the Superintendent, or his designee, the complaint and the report of the Superintendent shall be referred to the School Board for its review.

The School Board may hear appeals of the Superintendent's determinations at its sole discretion.

Exceptions to this procedure are public complaints that concern Board actions, Board operations, and individual Board members. In such cases, the School Board, as a whole, shall determine procedures for the resolution of such complaints.

This bylaw does not restrict rights to School Board hearings provided by law or other policies of the Board.

Adopted by School Board: July 21, 1992
Amended by School Board: August 17, 1999
Amended by School Board: February 20, 2001