Human Resources

HPCSD BOE Policy 0100 Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

The Board of Education, its officers and employees, will not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of legally protected classes, such as, but not limited to: race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles like braids, locks, and twists), color, national origin, creed, religion (including religious practices), marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), gender identity and expression (i.e., actual or perceived gender-related identity, appearance, behavior, expression, or other gender-related characteristic regardless of the sex assigned to that person at birth, including but not limited to the status of being transgender), age, sexual orientation, disability (physical or mental), predisposing genetic characteristic, military work or status, domestic violence victim status, citizenship/immigration status, or use of a guide dog, hearing dog, or service dog, as applicable.  The district will provide notice of this policy in accordance with federal and state law and regulation.

This policy of nondiscrimination includes access by students to educational programs, counseling services for students, course offerings, and student activities, as well as recruitment and appointment of employees and employment pay, benefits, advancement and/or terminations.

Employees also have protections under state law against discrimination on the basis of their familial status, reproductive healthcare decisions (their own or their dependents) and certain prior criminal history.

Specific protections for students under the Dignity for All Students Act are addressed in policy 0115, Student Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Intervention. The district will follow the guidance from the State Education Department on creating a safe, supportive, and affirming school environment for transgender and gender-expansive students.

As a condition of participation in federal meal programs, the district will post the following statement: “In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.”  Discrimination complaint information is available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/civil-rights/usda-nondiscrimination-statement-other-fns-programs.