It shall be the policy of the Shelby County Board of Education in all of its facilities that no discriminatory employment practices shall exist and that Affirmative Action be taken to insure that individuals are recruited, employed, promoted and otherwise treated during the course of employment on the basis of their relative merit and ability without regard to age, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sex. Furthermore, it is the policy of the Shelby County Board of Education that Affirmative Action be taken to provide equal opportunity for minority contractors and vendors to participate in the business contracts administered by the school system.
In its most elementary and comprehensive form, our adherence to the concept of equality of opportunities requires that we strive toward a condition in which considerations of age, race, sex, national origin, disability and religion are irrelevant as determinants of the access an individual has to opportunities for education, achievements, and for personal fulfillment. Rather, the controlling factors in all such matters must be individual ability and merit.
Historical Limitations
The policies of the Shelby County Board of Education with regard to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action shall not be in conflict with Federal Court Orders, Federal law, State law and local law, State Board of Education regulations, Shelby County policies, and other employee memorandums into which the Board has entered.
Communications
The Shelby County Board of Education shall communicate its policy of Equal Employment
Opportunity through the news media as well as through its normal channels of communication.
Official EEO signs are to be posted in appropriate locations at the Administration
Building, Schools, and the Facilities Services Department.
All new employees shall be advised of current EEO and Affirmative Action policies of the school system.
Advertisement with reference to Shelby County Board of Education contracts or purchases shall appear in media available to minority groups.
Assignment of Responsibilities
The Superintendent or his designated representative will be responsible for implementation and monitoring the Affirmative Action Plan. He must assure that affirmative actions are taken and that equal employment opportunities are observed in all personnel functions. Further, the Superintendent or his designated representative shall be responsible for appropriate activities to insure that minority contractors and vendors receive an equal opportunity to participate in the business activities of the school system.
The authority to administer this program shall be assigned to the Superintendent through the Shelby County Board of Education and in the final analysis all parties shall be responsible to the Shelby County Board of Education.
Compensation
As part of its annual audit, the Shelby County Board of Education will review all salaries of its employees to assure that minorities receive equal pay for equal service.
Human Resource Development
It shall be the objective of the Shelby County Board of Education to provide work opportunities so that employees may increase their skills for consideration for more responsible positions.
Recruitment
The Shelby County Board of Education through its representatives shall exert efforts to recruit and employ members of the affected classes. Through Affirmative Action said employees shall be given the opportunity to be productive. Competence will be required of all employees.
Records of recruitment and employment shall be maintained in accordance with established guidelines.
Dissemination
Copies of this Affirmative Action Plan will be distributed to all members of the administrative staff and principals. These persons are responsible for communicating the content of the plan to all other employees under their supervision.
Complaint Procedure
A complaint may be filed by any present employee, former employee, or applicant for employment who believes that discrimination has been practiced against him or her. The procedure for a complaint of discrimination is as follows:
The employee will first discuss the complaint with his or her immediate supervisor. If the complaint is not resolved, the employee will submit the complaint in writing to the Superintendent.
The Superintendent or his designated representative will conduct an Investigation and the Superintendent will respond to the complaint.
If the employee is not satisfied with the decision of the Superintendent, he or she may then appeal to the Affirmative Action Committee.
If the employee is not satisfied with the Affirmative Action Committee's decision, he may appeal to the Board of Education.
If he or she is not satisfied with the decision of the Board of Education, he or she may complain to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or a court of law.
If a complaint of discrimination is filed by a minority contractor or vendor, the complaint procedure will be as follows:
The complaint will be submitted in writing to the Affirmative Action Committee who shall investigate the complaint and make a response.
If the complaint is not resolved by the Affirmative Action Committee, it may be appealed to the Shelby County Board of Education.
A complaint not resolved by the Board of Education should be resolved by negotiation with the Federal Contract Compliance Commission or a court of law.