Title IX

DAOF Title IX and Non-Discrimination Notice

Policy of Non-Discrimination

Digital Academy of Florida is committed to providing an environment that prohibits discrimination in access to education programs and activities and prohibits harassment of any individual or group on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or genetic information (and other protected classes included in the district’s non-discrimination policies). Digital Academy of Florida reserves the authority to independently deal with sex discrimination and sexual harassment whenever becoming aware of their existence, regardless of whether a complaint has been lodged.

Title IX Information and Assistance

Digital Academy of Florida is a public online school which complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq., and its implementing regulations, 34 C.F.R. Part 106, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity) in education programs or activities operated by recipients of Federal financial assistance. Sexual harassment of students, which includes acts of sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. Sexual violence is defined by the U.S. Department of Education and its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) referring to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent due to the victim’s use of drugs or alcohol. An individual also may be unable to give consent due to an intellectual or other disability. Title IX protects students from sexual harassment in a school’s education programs and activities. This means that Title IX protects students in connection with all the academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs of the school, whether those programs take place in a school’s facilities, on a school bus, at a class or training program, class connect sessions, and school-sponsored activities (such as extracurricular events or field trips). Please refer to Hendry County Board Policy 2266 for further detail.

Definition of Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (for Students):

Sex discrimination occurs when a person, because of his or her sex, is denied participation in or the benefits of any education program or activity that receives federal financial assistance.

Sexual harassment is conduct that: 1) is sexual in nature; 2) is unwelcome; and 3) denies or limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from a school’s educational program or activity. Sexual harassment can be verbal, nonverbal, or physical.

Any individual, who believes he/she may have experienced any form of sex discrimination or sexual harassment, or who believes that he/she has observed such actions taking place, may receive information and assistance regarding the School’s policies and reporting procedures from any of the following:

Title IX Grievance Guidelines

Any student, parent/guardian, current or prospective employee or other individual within the school community who believes he/she has experienced and/or observed sex discrimination or sexual harassment (“grievant”) should promptly report the matter to the school’s Title IX Coordinator, a school counselor, principal or other school administrator. A Title IX grievant is requested to complete a complaint form available on our website. Complaints of alleged sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, brought forth by students, parents/guardians, current or prospective employees, and other members of the school community will be promptly investigated in an impartial and in as confidential a manner as reasonably possible, so that corrective action can be taken if necessary.

Grievance Procedures

The grievance procedures will be as follows:

1. It is the express procedures at DAOF to encourage the prompt reporting of claims of sex discrimination and/or sexual harassment. Timely reporting of complaints facilities the investigation and resolution of such complaints. A link to the grievance/complaint form is listed in Appendix 1 or can be found by clicking here – Title IX Grievance Complaint Form.

As it pertains to students, in appropriate circumstances, due to the age of the student making the complaint, a parent/guardian or school administrator may be permitted to fill out the form on the student’s behalf.

2. At the time the complaint is filed, the grievant shall be given a copy of these grievance procedures. It is the responsibility of the Title IX Coordinator or designee to explain these procedures and answer any questions anyone has. In addition, if the grievant is a minor student, the Title IX Coordinator should consider whether a child abuse report should be completed in accordance with DAOF’s policy on the Reports of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect of Children.

3. The Title IX Coordinator or designee shall investigate the complaint as promptly as practicable but in no case more than ten (10) working days from the date the complaint was received. The Title IX Coordinator or designee shall have the complete cooperation of all persons during the investigation.

4. The Title IX Coordinator or designee shall meet with all individuals reasonably believed to have relevant information, including the grievant and the individual(s) against whom the complaint was lodged, and any witnesses to the conduct. The investigation shall be carried on discreetly, maintaining confidentiality insofar as reasonably possible while conducting an effective investigation.

5. If after an investigation, the Title IX Coordinator or designee determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that sex discrimination or sexual harassment has occurred, DAOF shall take appropriate corrective action to ensure that the conduct ceases and will not recur. The Title IX Coordinator or designee shall also provide and or arrange for confidential counseling or training where appropriate. In addition, the Title IX Coordinator or designee shall seek an informal agreement between the parties which is consistent with DAOF’s Title IX principles and goals.

6. If no agreement satisfactory to the parties can be reached within twenty (20) working days from receipt of the complaint, the Title IX Coordinator or designee shall make a report to the Head of School within thirty (30) working days from receipt of the complaint.

7. The Director of Schools will review the case and make its recommendations to the Title IX Coordinator within fifteen (15) working days after receiving the grievance.

8. The Title IX Coordinator shall make provisions to maintain all records of complaints and their disposition.

9. Retaliation against an individual for filing a complaint or cooperating in an investigation is strictly prohibited, and Digital Academy of Florida will take actions necessary to prevent such retaliation.

Digital Academy of Florida reserves the authority to independently deal with sex discrimination and sexual harassment whenever becoming aware of their existence, regardless of whether a complaint has been lodged.

DAOF is committed to providing a safe environment in which students can learn. DAOF shall maintain a nondiscriminatory environment protecting students from discrimination and harassment. DAOF encourages students, parents, and staff to work together to prevent acts of harassment of any kind including bullying.

Title IX Coordinator

Kimberly Floyd
Trained Title IX Coordinator
The National Association of College and University Attorneys
Email: [email protected]
9143 Phillips Highway, Suite 590, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone: 813.501.4922