401.1 Equal Employment Opportunity

The Lewis Central Community School District will provide equal opportunity to employees and applicants for employment in accordance with applicable equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws, directives and regulations of federal, state and local governing bodies. Opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment includes hiring, placement, promotion, transfer or demotion, recruitment, advertising or solicitation for employment, treatment during employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and layoff or termination. The school district will take affirmative action in major job categories where women, men, minorities and persons with disabilities are underrepresented. Employees will support and comply with the district’s established equal employment opportunity and affirmative action policies. Employees shall be given notice of this policy annually.

The board will appoint an affirmative action coordinator. The affirmative action coordinator will have the responsibility for drafting the affirmative action plan. The affirmative action plan will be reviewed by the board at least every two years. The Special Populations Coordinator will serve as our Affirmative Action Coordinator.

Individuals who file an application with the school district will be given consideration for employment if they meet or exceed the qualifications set by the Board, administration and Iowa Department of Education for the position for which they apply. In employing individuals, the Board shall consider the qualifications, credentials, and records of the applicants without regard to race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital status, socioeconomic status, age or disability. In keeping with the law, the Board shall consider the veteran status of applicants.

Prior to a final offer of employment for any position, the school district will perform the background checks required by law. The district may determine on a case-by-case basis that, based on the duties, other positions within the district will also require background checks. Based upon the results of the background checks, the school district will determine whether an offer will be extended. If the candidate is a teacher who has received an initial license from the BOEE, then the requirement for a background check is waived.

Advertisements and notices for vacancies within the district will contain the following statement: “The Lewis Central Community School District is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer.” The statement will also appear on application forms.

Inquiries by employees or applicants for employment regarding compliance with equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, shall be directed to the, Special Populations Coordinator, Lewis Central Community School District, 4121 Harry Langdon Blvd., Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503; or by telephoning (712) 366-8202.

Inquiries by employees or applicants for employment regarding compliance with equal employment opportunity, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed, in writing, to the Director of the Region VII office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, 310 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53203-2292, (414) 291-1111 or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 211 E. Maple, Des Moines, Iowa 50309, (515) 381-4121. This inquiry or complaint to the federal office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.

Further information and copies of the procedures for filing a complaint are available in the district's central administrative office and the administrative office in each district attendance center.

Legal Reference:  29 U.S.C. §§ 621-634.
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e et seq.
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
Iowa Code §§ 19B; 20; 35C; 73; 216; 279.8.
281 I.A.C. 12.4; 95.

Cross Reference:  Policy 102 Equal Education Opportunity
Policy 403.5 Harassment
Policy 405.2 Licensed Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection
Policy 411.2 Classified Employee Qualifications, Selection

Adopted:  Unknown
Modified:  02/15/21
Reviewed:  02/01/21