Operating Policy No.1000

Foundations and General Commitments

NONDISCRIMINATION

Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) is committed to becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization. The ESD recognizes and values the racial and cultural diversity of its staff and believes this diversity strengthens the agency, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement. We take personal responsibility to do our best work to support the quality, equity and effectiveness of educational programs through partnerships with K-12 education, early learning, higher education, and public and private organizations - motivated by a deep desire to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

PSESD recognizes the historical impact on marginalized groups such as people of color and people with who are English language learners in employment opportunities. PSESD believes it is critically important to assure opportunity and access for those who have historically been excluded. In support of this commitment, the agency prohibits discrimination in all aspects of its education programs and employment practices against any employee, applicant, student, intern or volunteer because of sex, race, creed, color, national origin, language, immigrant, refugee, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, marital status, religion, age, veteran or military status, physical, sensory, or mental disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

No student shall be denied an equal educational opportunity or be unlawfully discriminated against because of national origin, race, religion, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation including gender identity, or a physical, mental or sensory disability. PSESD complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws as may pertain thereto. The administrator for Human Resources and Organization Development will serve as the compliance officer for this policy and also serves as the Title IX/RCW 28A.640 Officer and Section 504 Coordinator.

Adopted: June 1977
Revised: September 1985
Revised: October 1989

Revised: February 2009

Revised: December 2012

Revised: September 2013

Revised: November 2017

Revised: March 2018

Relevant Board Governance Policies:	EL 1 Global Executive Constraint

EL 3 Treatment of Stakeholders

EL 4 Treatment of Staff

Cross References:	Operating Policy No. 3211 Transgender Students

Operating Policy No. 5010 Nondiscrimiation Affirmative Action

Operating Policy No. 4210 Effective Communication

Legal References:	Chapter 28A.640 RCW	Sexual Equality

Chapter 28A.642 RCW	Discrimination prohibition

Chapter 49.60 RCW	Discrimination — Human rights commission

Chapter 392-190 WAC	Equal Educational Opportunity — Unlawful Discrimination Prohibited

WAC	392-400-215	Student rights

20 U.S.C. § 7905	Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act

42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12213	Americans with Disabilities Act