2.17 PARENT/STUDENT COMPLAINT PROCESS
Complaint Review Process for Parents/Guardians and Students
Conflicts may occur among students, parents/guardians, and school staff, and all parties are encouraged to resolve these conflicts when they occur. However, if the involved parties are unable to resolve their conflicts, families may use the complaint review process for additional assistance. All those participating in the complaint review process are responsible for striving toward reconciliation and acting in good faith in the spirit of the Gospels. Legal representation is not permitted at any meeting or mediation of the complaint review process. Any person filing a complaint is to be free from restraint, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal in any form. The complaint review process must be included in the parent/student handbook.
Addressing Complaints at the Local Level: Schools
First, the person bringing the complaint must try to resolve the complaint in good faith by discussing it with the people who are directly involved at the school.
Next, if the complaint is not resolved, the person bringing the complaint should follow the school's established chain of command to seek resolution (or if the principal is the subject of the complaint, the pastor or the president, where applicable).
After reviewing the facts and facilitating discussion of the problem, the principal, president or pastor will respond to the person bringing the complaint. In high schools, if the complainant is dissatisfied with the principal's decision, the complainant may request review of the decision through an appeals process that is determined by the high school.
Escalating Complaints to the Central Level: Department of Catholic Schools
If the complaint is not resolved at the local level, the complainant may request additional review in writing to the assistant regional superintendent at the Department of Catholic Schools.
The assistant regional superintendent will review the complaint (with such consultation as may be appropriate) in a timely fashion and will endeavor to resolve the matter in keeping with the policies and/or regulations of the archdiocese and school. If an agreed-upon outcome is not possible, the assistant regional superintendent shall make a final and binding determination, and communicate that determination in writing to all parties.
