Title IX and Sexual Discrimination
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. 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.
The Athens Area School District is committed to the maintenance of a safe, positive learning environment for all students that is free from discrimination by providing all students course offerings, counseling, assistance, services, employment, athletics and extracurricular activities without any form of discrimination, including Title IX sexual harassment. Discrimination is inconsistent with the rights of students and the educational and programmatic goals of the Athens Area School District and is prohibited at or, in the course of, Athens Area School District-sponsored programs or activities, including transportation to or from school or school-sponsored activities.
Title IX and Sexual Discrimination Affecting Students
The Board declares it to be the policy of the Athens Area School District to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their maximum potential through the programs and activities offered in the schools without discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy or handicap/disability.
The Board also declares it to be the policy of the Athens Area School District to comply with federal law and regulations under Title IX prohibiting sexual harassment, which is a form of unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex. Such discrimination shall be referred to throughout this policy as Title IX sexual harassment. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX to the Athens Area School District may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, or both.
Title IX and Sexual Discrimination Affecting Staff
The Board declares it to be the policy of the Athens Area School District to provide to all persons equal access to all categories of employment in the Athens Area School District, regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or handicap/disability. The Athens Area School District shall make reasonable accommodations for identified physical and mental impairments that constitute disabilities, consistent with the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]
The Board also declares it to be the policy of the Athens Area School District to comply with federal law and regulations under Title IX prohibiting sexual harassment, which is a form of unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex. Such discrimination shall be referred to throughout this policy as Title IX sexual harassment. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX to the Athens Area School District may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, or both.
The Board directs that the foregoing statement of Board policy be included in each student and staff handbook, and that this policy and related attachments be posted to the Athens Area School District’s website.
Title IX Coordinator
Any complaint of Harassment or discrimination pertaining to education should be addressed to The Athens Area School District’s TITLE IX Coordinator:
Erick Cummings
Title IX Coordinator
Athens Area School District
100 Canal Street,
Athens, PA 18810
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 570-888-7766 x4291
Fax: 570-882-6250