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GRIEVANCE
PROCEDURE
The grievance/complaint procedure for Cornerstone Christian
School is the same for all, whether student, parent,
faculty, administration, or School Board member. One should
pay particular attention to Colossians 3:12-13 ("Therefore,
as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender
mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if
anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ
forgave you, so you also must do." and to Matthew 18:15 -17
("Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him
his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you
have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with
you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three
witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses
to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even
to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a
tax collector.")
LEVEL ONE
The individual with the complaint must first go to the
source of the grievance in an effort to resolve the
situation at the lowest level possible. Many times
differences can be readily solved at that level,( i.e.,
parents should speak with a teacher about a classroom
problem, teachers should speak with the School Administrator
about a workload problem). When dealing with grievances, all
staff members should adhere to the following guidelines:
Discussion of the Complaint: Discuss the grievance only with
those who are part of the problem or part of the solution.
Openness: Be open, friendly, and willing to listen.
Understand the Complaint: Make certain the complaint is
understood and circumstances surrounding the problem are
clarified. Resolution: Come to some type of resolution of
the problem even if the decision is to go to the next higher
authority.
LEVEL TWO
Once it becomes evident that resolution is not possible, the
complaint should be brought to the next higher authority in
the chain of command. If appropriate, a joint session with
both parties should be arranged. If resolution is not
possible, the complaint should follow the chain of command
to the next higher authority, usually the School
Administrator. Efforts should center on: Resolution:
Resolution of the grievance in a friendly, cooperative, and
Christ-like manner. Arrangements: Arrangements should be
made to monitor the situation on an ongoing basis, so the
problem does not resurface. Board of Directors: Once
addressed at the School Administrator level, if no
resolution can take place, the problem may be dealt with at
the Board of Directors level.
LEVEL THREE
The Board of Directors is the final School authority. When a
grievance is brought before the Board, all parties involved
are to provide the Board of Directors with a written
statement addressing the following: Complaint: Statement of
complaint or grievance. Steps Taken: Written statement of
steps taken to rectify the situation. Steps for Resolution:
Suggested steps for resolution. Preventative Measures: If
appropriate, suggested procedures for preventing
reoccurrences in the future. After the Board has considered
all information provided, the Board will in a written
statement offer its decision. All parties shall be informed
of the decision and must abide by said decision. No further
appeal process is possible.
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