Board advances first reading of revised public-complaint policy giving board discretion over direct complaints
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The board heard revisions to Policy 870 that limit direct appeals to the board to complaints about board members or the board as a whole and give the board sole discretion to decide whether to review direct complaints; appeals must be submitted within 10 working days after superintendent denial.
The River Falls Board of Education advanced the first reading of a revised public-complaint policy (Policy 870) that clarifies when a complaint can be taken directly to the board and gives the board discretion over how and whether to review direct appeals.
David told the board legal counsel recommended changes to clarify the formal complaint process. Under the recommended language, a complaint may be brought directly to the school board only if the complaint is "against a member of the school board or the school board as a whole." David said, "the school board, in its sole discretion, will decide whether to review any direct complaint that it receives, and if so, the process and time frames for reviewing the complaint."
The revision also sets an administrative deadline for appeals to the board: a request for appeal and a description of the complaint's desired outcome must be submitted no later than 10 working days after the superintendent denies the complaint at the prior step. The board approved the first reading (motion moved by Beau, seconded by Mike) and will consider a second reading before final adoption.
The change does not remove the district's multi-step complaint process but clarifies the board's role when complaints name members or the board itself.