The Agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. The belief in equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to Agency facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Jerome Schaefer, Affirmative Action Coordinator, 5800 Discovery Blvd, Sioux City, Iowa, 51111, 712-222-6112, jschaefer@nwaea.org.
The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the Agency to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, are directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Jerome Schaefer, Northwest Area Education Agency, Sioux City, Iowa, or by telephoning 712-222-6112.
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695, FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD: (800) 877-8339, Email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov., or the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner, 6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50321-1270, https://icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121 or the Iowa Dept. of Education, Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319. (515) 281-5294. This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities in federally funded schools at all levels. If any part of a school district or college receives any Federal funds for any purpose, all of the operations of the district or college are covered by Title IX.
Title IX protects students, employees, applicants for admission and employment and other persons from all forms of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity. All students (as well as other persons) at recipient institutions are protected by Title IX — regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, part- or full-time status, disability, race or national origin—in all aspects of a recipient’s educational programs and activities.
To file a Title IX complaint, fill out the general complaint form and indicate that the complaint is a Title IX complaint. You may also contact the Title IX Complaint Coordinator, Jerome Schaefer, Executive Director of Human Resources and Engagement, with any questions.