Gadsden board adopts districtwide nondiscrimination policy and Title IX complaint form

The Gadsden Independent Schools Board of Education voted to adopt an updated districtwide nondiscrimination policy (ACA), its grievance regulation, and a Title IX‑specific complaint exhibit after a second reading.

The action matters because the updated ACA policy serves as an umbrella for employment and student nondiscrimination, incorporates protections in the New Mexico Human Rights Act amendments, and clarifies complaint procedures and timelines for both employment and education matters.

Director Mejia presented the ACA package as the district’s “umbrella” nondiscrimination policy, explaining it includes equal employment and equal educational opportunity branches and a separate Title IX complaint form for allegations of sex‑based discrimination. Mejia told the board the packet contains the main policy, grievance procedure, an informal resolution process and the formal Title IX complaint exhibit. She said the policy references were adjusted to remove citations to the 2024 Title IX regulations that were vacated and to remain compliant with the applicable federal standard.

Secretary Rodriguez made the motion to adopt the ACA nondiscrimination policy and accompanying materials; the board voted and the chair announced the motion carried. The transcript records no roll‑call vote tallies in the meeting minutes beyond the motion and the chair’s announcement that the motion carried.

Mejia described changes to the grievance procedures intended to streamline complaint processing and consolidate forms: the district now uses a common complaint exhibit for claims under protected categories while preserving a separate Title IX complaint pathway. The adopted materials specify a compliance officer, estimated timelines for investigation and appeal steps for complainants and respondents.

The policy adoption was presented as part of routine governance updates; the board took final action at the meeting to adopt the ACA package.