River Mill Academy Section 504 Procedural Safeguards
It is the policy of River Mill Academy not to discriminate on the basis of disability.
The following is a description of student and parent rights under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Action of 1973. The law requires that you be kept fully informed
concerning decisions about your child and that you be informed of your rights if you
disagree with any of these decisions.
Parents’ Rights
You have the right to:
1. Have your child take part in and receive benefits from public education
programs without discrimination based on a disability;
2. Have the school advise you as to your rights under federal law;
3. Receive notice with respect to evaluation, identification, or placement of
your child;
4. Have your child receive a free appropriate public education, including
being educated with other non-disabled students to the maximum extent
appropriate and having the school make reasonable accommodations to
allow your child an equal opportunity to participate in school;
5. Have your child educated in facilities and receive services comparable to
those provided students without disabilities;
6. Have evaluation, identification, and placement decisions made based
upon a variety of information sources, and by individuals who know the
student, the evaluation data, and placement options;
7. Examine all relevant records relating to decisions regarding your child’s
evaluation, identification, educational program, and placement;
8. Obtain copies of educational records at a reasonable cost;
9. Receive a response from the school to reasonable requests for
explanations and interpretations of your child’s records;
10. Request amendment of your child’s educational records if there is
reasonable cause to believe they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise
in violation of the privacy rights of your child and receive notification and
advice about your right to a hearing if the school refuses this request; and
11. Request an impartial hearing related to decisions regarding your child’s
evaluation, identification, educational plan, or placement as described
below in which you and your child may take part and have an attorney
represent you.
Section 504 Due-Process Hearing
RMA has adopted these procedural safeguards to address disagreements with
respect to actions regarding the identification, evaluation, educational services, or
educational program of students who, because of disability, require or may require
special education and/or services. Parents or guardians who have such
disagreements may request an impartial hearing.
A. The request must be made in writing within ten school days following the
event(s) giving rise to the disagreement.
B. Requests for a hearing shall be submitted to the Section 504 Coordinator.
C. Upon receipt of the request for a hearing, the Section 504 Coordinator will
arrange for an independent hearing officer to hear the case. The hearing officer
must be familiar with the requirements of Section 504 and must not be an
employee of RMA or other individual who has a personal or professional conflict
of interest.
D. The student is entitled to be present for the hearing, to have his/her
parent/guardian participate in the hearing, and to be represented by counsel if
so desired.
E. The hearing officer will schedule the hearing within thirty school days of the
request. The hearing will be conducted in an informal and nonadversarial
manner and the hearing officer may consider any relevant evidence that is of a
kind commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of
serious matters. Each party will be allowed up to two hours to present their case.
F. The hearing will be recorded by RMA.
G. The hearing officer will issue a written decision with findings of fact and
conclusions of law within thirty days of the hearing.
H. The parent/guardian may request that the hearing officer determination is
reviewed by a second independent hearing officer.
River Mill Academy Section 504 Grievance Procedure
It is the policy of River Mill Academy not to discriminate on the basis of disability. RMA has adopted
this Grievance Procedure to provide for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any
action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, committed by a student, employee,
or third party. RMA has designated the following person as 504 Coordinator to coordinate these
efforts:
Ashley Mauck
[email protected]
(336) 229-0909; ext. 7508
Any person who believes that they have been subjected to discrimination on basis of disability may file
a grievance under this procedure. It is against the law for RMA to retaliate against anyone who files a
grievance or cooperates in the investigation of a grievance. Upon a finding of concern, RMA will take
steps to prevent the recurrence of any prohibited actions and to correct its discriminatory effects on
the filers and others, if appropriate.
Procedure:
1. Grievances must be submitted to the 504 Coordinator as soon as possible after the grievant
becomes aware of the alleged discriminatory action. If the 504 Coordinator is the subject of the
grievance, the grievance may instead be submitted to the Assistant Principal.
2. The grievance must be in writing (print or electronic mail) and must include:
a. Name and address of the grievant;
b. A full description of the alleged discriminatory action or conduct; and,
c. The remedy or relief sought.
3. The Section 504 Coordinator shall conduct an investigation of the grievance and shall maintain
records of any activity related to the handling of the grievance. The investigation shall include
an opportunity for the grievant to present witnesses and other evidence.
4. The 504 Coordinator will issue a written decision, which will include the outcome and basis for
the decision on the grievance within thirty days after receipt of the grievance.
5. The grievant may appeal the decision of the 504 Coordinator by writing to the 504 Coordinator
within five school days of receiving the 504 Coordinator’s decision.
6. The Principal will receive and review the 504 Coordinator decision and any records related to
the grievance.
7. The Principal will provide a written decision in response to the appeal within ten school days
following the appeal request.