The Guilford County Board of Education’s vision is: Transforming learning and life outcomes for all students. To support this vision, GCS believes that every student should have the same chance to get a good education. No student should be left out or treated unfairly because of their race, beliefs, where they’re from, their sex, if they’re married, if they’re pregnant, if they have a disability, their religion, the language they speak, how much money their family has, their political beliefs, their age, how tall they are, how much they weigh, what they look like, who they’re attracted to, or how they express their gender. This means all students will be treated fairly when it comes to classes, sports, counseling, after-school activities, and educational resources. See Board Policy 4001 Equal Educational Opportunities.

Prohibition against Discrimination, Harassment & Bullying

Policy Summary
The Guilford County Board of Education is committed to maintaining a safe, positive, and caring environment for all students and employees, free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, retaliation, and bullying. This includes any form of discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on an individual’s real or perceived characteristics such as race, color, creed, political belief, ancestry, national origin, religion, linguistic and language differences, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, height, weight, physical characteristics, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, disability, or age. The policy also covers:
- Discrimination: Any act that unreasonably and unfavorably differentiates treatment of others based on their membership in a socially distinct group or category or on a personal characteristic.
- Bullying or Harassing Behavior: Any pattern of gestures or communications, or any physical act or threatening communication, that places a student or school employee in fear of harm or creates a hostile environment.
- Sexual Harassment: Unwanted or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
- Gender-based Harassment: Acts of aggression, intimidation, or hostility based on sex or sex-stereotyping but not involving conduct of a sexual nature.
- Retaliation: Any reprisal, harassing conduct, or specific negative action against any person for reporting or intending to report violations of this policy, supporting someone for reporting or intending to report a violation of this policy, or participating in the investigation of reported violations of this policy.
The policy applies to behavior that takes place in any school building or on any school premises, on any bus or other vehicle as part of any school activity, at any bus stop, during any school-sponsored activity or extracurricular activity, at any time or place when the individual is subject to the authority of school personnel, and at any time or place when the behavior has a direct and immediate effect on maintaining order and discipline in the schools. Violations of this policy are serious and will be promptly addressed by school officials. Any person who believes that they may have been bullied, harassed, or discriminated against in violation of this policy should report the matter to school officials. Anonymous reports may be made, although the school system may be limited in its ability to respond to anonymous reports. The Superintendent will maintain confidential records of complaints or reports of discrimination, harassment, or bullying, and will report all verified cases of unlawful discrimination, harassment, or bullying to the State Board of Education. The Superintendent will also evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to correct or prevent discrimination, harassment, and bullying and will share these evaluations periodically with the Board.

For more details, see Board Policy 1710/4021/7230 Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying.
Reporting & Resolution Process
GCS has a complaint process for individuals who believe their child may have been discriminated against, bullied, harassed, or retaliated against. This process also applies to individuals who have witnessed or have reliable information that another person has experienced such violations. Key points include:
Complaints: These can be oral or written notifications of discrimination, harassment, bullying, or retaliation. They should be reported within 30 days of the incident.
Informal Resolution: Some complaints may be resolved through mediation, conferences or other restorative approaches, if the people involved agree to it. Informal processes will not be used to resolve complaints alleging sexual violence, allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct by a staff member toward a student, or other serious situations.
Investigation: An impartial investigator will conduct a thorough investigation of the complaint, which includes interviewing the person who may have been harmed (the “Complainant”) and the person who is accused of harming them (the “Respondent”), reviewing relevant information, and conducting other interviews as necessary.
Outcome: The investigator will determine if the alleged conduct occurred and if it constitutes discrimination, harassment, bullying, or retaliation. If the complaint is confirmed, the investigator will specify corrective actions to end the behavior and prevent it from happening again, steps to address the effects on the complainant, and steps to protect the complainant from retaliation.
Appeal: If the complainant or respondent is dissatisfied with the results of the investigation, they may appeal the decision to the Superintendent or designee within five days of the final meeting with the investigator.
Confidentiality: The complaint and investigation will be kept confidential to the extent possible, and all meetings and hearings conducted will be private.
This process is designed to ensure that all students and employees are treated equitably and with fairness. There are additional procedures to address procedural safeguards for students with disabilities as well as procedures to address sex-based discrimination that falls under Title IX. For more information about those, see below.

For more details, see Administrative Regulation 1710/4021//7230-R Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying Complaint Process.
Report an Issue or Concern

Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disabilities

Policy Summary

Our school board is committed to providing a fair and supportive environment for all students and staff, including those with disabilities. We follow the guidelines of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which means:

• We don’t unlawfully discriminate against people with disabilities.

• We provide supports and services to students with disabilities in the most suitable setting for their needs.

• We have a designated official to ensure we’re following these laws.

• We have procedures for handling complaints about actions that violate these laws, and we aim to resolve these complaints promptly and fairly.

• We provide notice that we don’t discriminate on the basis of disability.

• We provide a free appropriate public education to each qualified student with disabilities.

• We have safeguards in place for identifying, evaluating, or placing a student with disabilities, including allowing parents or guardians to examine relevant records, participate in an impartial hearing, and have representation by counsel.

We strive to ensure that students with disabilities have the same opportunities as students without disabilities to achieve the same results, gain the same benefits, and reach the same levels of achievement.

For more details, see Board Policy 1730/4022/7231 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disabilities.

Click here for more information from the state of North Carolina about your rights and responsibilities in the special education process.
Reporting & Resolution Process
Section 504 Impartial Hearing Procedures

The process for parents or guardians to challenge decisions about the identification, evaluation, or placement of a child under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act includes:
Each school has a Section 504 Coordinator, and there’s also a district-wide coordinator:
- Parents or guardians can review records related to their child’s identification, evaluation, or placement by requesting them through the school’s Section 504 Coordinator.
- If disagreements arise about a child’s identification, evaluation, or placement, parents or guardians are encouraged to resolve them informally with the principal and the school’s 504 coordinator.
- If the parent or guardian continues to be dissatisfied, the parent or guardian is encouraged to notify the GCS 504 Coordinator. The GCS 504 Coordinator will meet with the parent or guardian and school staff, gather relevant information, and determine the appropriate response.
- If disagreements can’t be resolved at the school level, parents or guardians can request a due process hearing before an impartial hearing officer within one year of the decision in question.
- The hearing will be audio recorded and each party will have up to two and a half hours to present their case.
- The hearing officer will issue a written decision within 30 days of the hearing.
- If unsatisfied with the decision, parents or guardians can seek a review from a second independent hearing officer within 30 days of the initial decision.
Please note, these hearing procedures are not available if the remedy requested is available through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. See Services for Exceptional Children. To address complaints of discrimination, harassment, bullying or retaliation based on a child’s disability, use the process described in the above section on Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying.

For more details, see Administrative Regulation 1730/4022/7231-R Section 504 Impartial Hearing Procedure.

Click here for resources and information from the GCS 504 Coordinator.
Report an Issue or Concern

Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Sex

Policy Summary
Our school board is committed to creating a safe, respectful environment for all students and staff, free from sex-based discrimination. This includes discrimination, harassment, bullying, or retaliation based on sex, gender, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. We have a designated Title IX Coordinator who oversees the implementation of this policy. If there’s a complaint about sex-based discrimination:
- It will be promptly and thoroughly investigated by an impartial investigator.
- The complainant and respondent will be treated equitably and given opportunities to present their perspectives.
- If the complaint is confirmed, the investigator will specify corrective actions to end the behavior and prevent it from recurring, steps to address the effects on the complainant, and steps to protect the complainant from retaliation.
- If the complainant or respondent is dissatisfied with the investigation results, they can appeal the decision to the Superintendent or designee within five (5) days after meeting with the investigator.
All employees undergo annual training on their obligations to report, address, and prevent sex-based discrimination under Title IX. All required notices of our prohibition on sex-based discrimination will be posted, and all records of reports and complaints will be maintained for at least seven years. We strive to keep the complaint and investigation confidential to the extent possible. Please note that this policy is separate from the procedures for complaints of discrimination, harassment, and bullying under Policy 1710/4021/7230. See Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying.

For more details, see Policy 1725/4035/7236 Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Sex.
Reporting & Resolution Process
GCS has an investigation process for incidents when a student may have experienced sex-based harassment or discrimination. Key points include:
- Complaints: These can be oral or written notifications of sex-based discrimination, harassment, bullying, or retaliation. They should be reported within 30 days of the incident.
- District Title IX Coordinator: GCS has a Title IX Office that supports and monitors investigations of sex-based harassment and discrimination. When there is an allegation that may be sex-based harassment or discrimination, the GCS Title IX coordinator will contact the family to invite them to file a Title IX complaint if the family has not already done so.
- Informal Resolution: Some complaints may be resolved through mediation, conferences or other restorative approaches, if the people involved agree to it. Informal processes will not be used to resolve complaints alleging sexual violence, allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct by a staff member towards a student, or other serious situations.
- Investigation: An impartial investigator will conduct a thorough investigation of the complaint, which includes interviewing the person who may have been harmed (the “Complainant”) and the person who is accused of harming them (the “Respondent”), reviewing relevant information, and conducting other interviews as necessary.
- Outcome: The investigator will determine if the alleged conduct occurred and if it constitutes sex-based discrimination or harassment. If the complaint is confirmed, the investigator will specify corrective actions to end the behavior and prevent it from happening again, steps to address the effects on the complainant, and steps to protect the complainant from retaliation.
- Appeal: If the complainant or respondent is dissatisfied with the results of the investigation, they may appeal the decision to the Superintendent or designee within five days of the final meeting with the investigator.
- Confidentiality: The complaint and investigation will be kept confidential to the extent possible, and all meetings and hearings conducted will be private.
This process is designed to ensure that all students and employees are treated equitably and with fairness. There are additional procedures to address procedural safeguards for students with disabilities as well as procedures to address discrimination, harassment, bullying and retaliation that does not fall under Title IX. For more information about those, see below.

For more details, see Administrative Regulation 1725/4035/7236-R Title IX Complaint Process.
Report an Issue or Concern

Students Experiencing Homelessness

Policy Summary
The Guilford County Board of Education is committed to providing a free public-school education to all children, including those who are homeless.
- Homeless students are defined as children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence because of a loss of housing, financial hardship or similar reason. This includes a wide range of living situations such as living in motels, emergency shelters, cars, parks, or similar settings.
- Homeless students can be enrolled immediately, even without proof of residency or other documents. The Homeless Liaison will assist in securing necessary records.
- Homeless students can choose to attend their school of origin or any public school that students living in the same attendance area can attend. Transportation will be provided to/from the school of origin at the parent or guardian’s request.
- If disagreements arise about a child’s school assignment, parents or guardians can appeal the decision through an enrollment dispute resolution process.
- Homeless students are automatically eligible for Title I services, which include a variety of educational programs and resources.
- Each school has a Homeless Liaison to assist with these processes.
This policy is designed to eliminate barriers to education for homeless students and ensure they receive the same services and opportunities as all other students.

For more details, see Board Policy 4125 Homeless Students.

Click here for additional resources from the GCS Homeless Services Department.
Reporting & Resolution Process
GCS has a dispute resolution process for parents, caregivers, or unaccompanied youth who disagree with school decisions about eligibility, school selection, or enrollment of a student experiencing homelessness.
A disagreement can be referred to the Homeless Liaison, who will attempt to resolve the matter informally.
If informal resolution is unsuccessful, the Complainant can initiate a formal dispute resolution process.
The student can continue attending their chosen school and participate fully in school activities during the dispute.
The Homeless Liaison provides the Complainant with a written statement of rights and procedures, including contact information, appeal procedures, and the right to enroll and participate in all school activities.
The dispute resolution process includes a review by the District Homeless Liaison, an appeal to the Superintendent’s Designee, and a final appeal to the State Coordinator for homeless education.
The process is designed to be expedited, with a final District decision reached within 15 school days or 30 calendar days, whichever is fewer.
Click here for more information about the rights of families experiencing homelessness.
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Prohibition against Discrimination, Harassment & Bullying

Policy Summary

Reporting & Resolution Process

Report an Issue or Concern

Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disabilities

Policy Summary

Reporting & Resolution Process

Report an Issue or Concern

Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Sex

Policy Summary

Reporting & Resolution Process

Report an Issue or Concern

Students Experiencing Homelessness

Policy Summary

Reporting & Resolution Process

Report an Issue or Concern