Non-Discrimination Policy

Richmond County School System complies with the Title IX regulations issued in 2020 and remains committed to ensuring an educational environment free from sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment.

Online Reporting

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Richmond County School System (RCSS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, or age in its programs and activities. Discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This includes sexual harassment, sexual violence and discrimination based on pregnancy, parental status, and sex stereotypes (such as treating persons differently because they do not conform to sex-role expectations or because they are attracted to or are in relationships with persons of the same sex).

Richmond County School System Non-Discrimination Policy

Non - Discrimination Policy

Harassment Statement

It is the policy of this school system to prohibit any act of harassment of students or employees by other students or employees based upon race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age or disability at all times and during all occasions while at school, in the workplace or at any school event or activity.

Richmond County School System Harassment Policy

Harassment Policy

Retaliation Statement

Students and employees will not be subjected to retaliation for reporting such harassment or discrimination. A copy of the discriminatory complaint procedures relative to the Richmond County School System Policy GAAA (Equal Opportunity Employment), Policy GAEB (Harassment), Policy IDFA (Gender Equity in Sports) or JCDAG Bullying are located in the School System policy manual that is available on the Board of Education section of the district website.

Richmond County School System Policy Manual

RCSS Board Policy Manual

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, commonly referred to as "Title IX," protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance.

Title IX 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 education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Discrimination based on sex includes harassment as defined below.

Sex-based harassment is a form of sex discrimination and means sexual harassment and other harassment on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

(1) Quid Pro Quo Harassment: When an employee of the School System conditions the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the recipient on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.

(2) Hostile Environment Harassment: Unwelcome sex-based conduct that, based on the totality of the circumstances, is subjectively and objectively offensive and is so severe or pervasive, that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the School System’s education programs or activities; or

(3) Specific Offenses: “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), “dating violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(8), or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(30).

I have a concern. Who can help me?

Any student or employee who believes themselves to be discriminated against, on the basis of sex (to include sex-based harassment, sexual violence, and discrimination based on pregnancy, parental status, or sex stereotypes), should make a report to an administrator or the School Title IX Contact. Alleged violations will be investigated, and when it is determined that a violation has occurred, prompt appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against persons found to be in violation. These actions include sanctions authorized by law, Board policy, and the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.

Title IX Contacts

RCSS has designated a System Title IX Coordinator who is responsible for coordinating efforts to comply with and carry out the School System’s responsibilities under Title IX. Additionally, each RCSS school site has a designated Title IX Contact for handling complaints of sex-based discrimination, including sexual-based harassment. A list of school Title IX Contacts is shown below. Coordinators have also been designated to handle employee complaints and discrimination complaints related to athletics.

Individuals with a question about Title IX or who would like to file a Title IX Complaint should contact the school Title IX Contact (see list) or the System Title IX Coordinator:

System Title IX Coordinator

Dr. Titania Singh

System Equity and Title IX Coordinator

864 Broad Street

Augusta, GA 30901

(706)826-1000 x 5476

singhti@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us

School Title IX Contacts 2024-25

School_Title_IX_Coordinator_Contact (PDF)

How do I make a complaint?

If a student/parent or employee has a complaint of discrimination or unfair treatment, he/she/they should report concerns to the school administrator or to the local school's Title IX Contact in person, by telephone, or in writing of the incident(s) giving rise to the complaint. The name and contact information for the Title IX Contacts is listed below. The complaint form can be completed online or downloaded and filled out. The complaint form can be accessed by clicking the hyperlinks and it is available below under "Title IX Resources."

Online

Complete and submit a complaint form online.

In Person or By Mail

Submit completed complaint forms directly to the School Title IX Coordinator, or System Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Titania Singh

Via Email

Submit completed complaint forms to the School Title IX Coordinator at the email listed or to the System Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Titania Singh at singhti@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us.