TITLE IX

With the aim of assuring equal rights and opportunities within our community and to comply with Federal Laws (including Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972), State Laws, and State Departments of Education regulations concerning these, the Mercer Area School District reaffirms itself to be an Equal Rights and Opportunities School District. As an Equal Rights and Opportunities School District, it does not discriminate against individuals or groups because of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or non-relevant handicaps and disabilities. The school district’s commitment to nondiscrimination extends to students, employees, prospective employees, and the community.

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 states that no person in the United States shall on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Sex discrimination under Title IX includes sexual harassment and sexual violence. Sexual Harassment is defined as conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

1. An employee of the recipient conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.
2. Any unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient’s education program or activity.
3. Sexual assault (as defined in the Clery Act), dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX may be made to Equal Rights and Opportunities Director, or to the Director of Civil Rights, Department of Health, Education, Welfare, Washington, D.C.

Issues dealing with Title IX should be brought to the attention of the Title IX Coordinator (Mr. Michael Piddington, Assistant Superintendent – 724-662-5100 or mpiddington@mercer.k12.pa.us) in the district’s Central Administration Office where copies of the district’s Title IX Grievance Procedure also may be obtained.

LINKS TO BOARD POLICIES:
Board Policy 103                               Non-Discrimination in School and Classroom Practices
Board Policy 104                               Non-Discrimination in Contract Practices
Board Policy 219                               Student Complaint Process
Board Policy 248                               Unlawful Harassment – Pupils
Board Policy 249                               Complaints / Harassment Report Form – Pupils
Board Policy 348                               Unlawful Harassment – Administrative Employees
Board Policy 348 Attachment            Unlawful Harassment Report Form – Administrative Employees
Board Policy 448                               Unlawful Harassment – Professional Employees
Board Policy 448 Attachment             Unlawful Harassment Report Form – Professional Employees
Board Policy 548                               Unlawful Harassment – Classified Employees
Board Policy 548 Attachment             Unlawful Harassment Report Form – Classified Employees

TITLE IX TRAINING MATERIALS & RESOURCES:
Summary of Title IX Changes-Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV Presentation
2020 Regulations Overview - Commitment Beyond Compliance
2020 Regulations Overview - Introductory Webinar for K-12
New Regulations - What School Leaders Need to Know
Regulations - Immediate Next Steps for K-12
Regulations - Institutional Compliance Solutions
K-12 Breakdown & Implementation of New Title IX Regulations
OCR (Office of Civil Rights) Webinar:  Title IX Regulations Addressing Sexual Harassment
OCR Webinar on New Title IX Protections Against Sexual Assault
OCR Webinar on Due Process Protections under the New Title IX Regulations
OCR Webinar on How to Report Sexual Harassment under Title IX
Conducting and Adjudicating Title IX Hearings:  An OCR Training Webinar