• Grievance Procedures

    A grievance is a situation occurring in the course of the school's operation which causes students to consider themselves legally wronged. Schools are responsible for providing procedures for the expression and resolution of grievances (see HCPS procedures below).

    All complaints should be addressed at the level closest to the aggrieved. Most student grievances can be resolved at the school level through informal conferences with school personnel. If efforts to resolve a grievance with the school administration have not been successful, then a student/parent can reach out to the Regional Superintendent to investigate the complaint.

    If efforts to resolve the complaint with the Regional Superintendent are unsuccessful and the student/parent decides to move their complaint to a grievance, then the following Formal Grievance form (SB60801, Rev 05/2016) must be completed and submitted to the principal and copied to the Office of Employee Relations.

    HCPS Grievance Procedures

    The official procedure for filing a written, formal grievance within Hillsborough County Public Schools is listed below: 

    A grievance subject to this procedure is a complaint of an alleged violation of federal, state or local laws applicable to the School Board including, but not limited to, claims of unlawful discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or violation of specific School Board policy(ies) or procedures(s). All other complaints may be addressed to the appropriate Principal, immediate supervisor, or site administrator. The grievance process is not intended to replace other processes available because of various laws.

    Pre-Grievance Conference: When an individual feels that he or she has a complaint or grievance (as defined above) he or she shall discuss the complaint or grievance with the individual, the Principal of the school, the immediate supervisor, or that person’s supervisor as soon as possible. Every effort shall be made to arrive at a satisfactory resolution of the problem on an informal basis.

    Completing a Formal Grievance Form (SB60801, Rev. 05/2016 form): Request the official grievance form from the Principal’s secretary, MyKasia Carey-Williams. These are the instructions that are printed on the back of the form:

    Submit completed form and attachments to:

    Original: General Manager of Employee Relations
                    2920 N. 40th Street, Tampa, FL 33605 
    Copy 1:   Principal or Site Administrator’s office 
    Copy 2:   Grievant

    1. Person(s) filing a Level 1 grievance must complete items numbered 1 – 7 of the Grievance Form and attach a written statement (see item number 6). A copy should be retained by the grievant. A grievance shall be presented within 60 days after the aggrieved person knows of the act or condition on which the grievance is based, and if not so presented, the grievance shall be considered waived. A Level 1 grievance must be precluded with a “pre-grievance conference.” 
    2. Person receiving the grievance form shall complete item number 8.
    3. The Principal or site administrator rendering the Level 1 decision shall respond in writing to the grievant within ten (10) school or work days from the date the form was submitted/received at the site.
    4. The Principal or site administrator rendering the Level 1 written response must complete item 9 of the form and forward a copy with attachments (see items 6 and 10) to the grievant and to the General Manager of Employee Relations at the address.
    5. Person(s) wishing to appeal their grievance to Level 2 must complete the “Level 2 Grievance” section of the Formal Grievance (see item numbers 11 and 12) and submit documents to the General Manager of Employee Relations at the address above within ten (10) school or work days from the date they received the Level 1 decision from the Principal or site administrator.
    6. Person(s) wishing to appeal their grievance to Level 3 must complete the “Level 3 Grievance” (see item 13) of the Formal Grievance and submit your appeal to the General Manager of Employee Relations at the address on the grievance form within ten (10) school or work days from the date they received the Level 2 decision from the Superintendent. Your appeal shall not introduce new evidence, and no witnesses may be called.
    7. If you are a parent of a student suspected or identified as having a disability who needs special education and related services, you have rights under the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA). IDEA contains provisions relative to dispute resolution processes. Parents may obtain copies of information about the procedural safeguards and the available dispute resolution processes from Exceptional Student Education personnel at their child’s school, at each district area office, and at the Velasco Student Services Center located at 1202 Palm Avenue, Tamp, FL 33605, (813) 273-7025.

    Institutional Accreditation Agency – Grievance

    If after exploring all possible solutions to a problem with the School District staff, a student may contact the Florida Department of Education as well as the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. Inquiries should be addressed to: 


    Florida Department of Education
    Career and Technical Education
    325 West Gaines Street, Suite 734
    Tallahassee, FL 32399
    (850) 245-0446
    http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu


    Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, Executive Director/President
    Council on Occupational Education
    7840 Roswell Road, Building 300, Suite 325
    Atlanta, GA 30350
    Phone: (800) 917-2081
    FAX: (770) 396-3790
    http://www.council.org