Grievance Policy

Objective: To establish Biblical guidelines for the resolution of disputes and grievances in the operation of all Right Paths, Inc. activities.

These guidelines are to be followed whenever there is a dispute or grievance concerning any aspect of Right Paths, Inc. operations, between any two parties connected in a direct way to any of our activities. This includes students, parents, staff, volunteers, administration, and board of directors.

Definitions

Dispute
Any disagreement that results in broken fellowship or trust between the parties, or that disrupts the lines of authority in any Right Paths activity, or which (in the judgment of either disputant) threatens the successful implementation of Right Paths, Inc. objectives and goals.

Grievances
Any concern about any decision made by one in authority, where the concern is large enough to appeal the decision beyond that authority to the next level.

Concerns
The substance and details of the dispute and/or grievance.

Guidelines

1. Students/parents to teachers:
   All concerns about the classroom must first be presented to the teacher by the parents, or if the student is mature enough, by the student himself. If the student presents the concern, a respectful demeanor is required at all times.
    
   If the problem is not resolved, the parents or student may bring the concern to the Principal. If the student brings the concern, he/she must have permission from his/her parents to do so.
    
   If the problem is still not resolved, the parents should appeal the decision by requesting a hearing from the Right Paths, Inc. Board of Directors.
    
   
2. Parents/patrons to Principal:
   If parents or patrons have a grievance or dispute about the general operation of the school (apart from the operation of the classrooms), they should bring their concerns to the Principal.
    
   If the situation is not resolved, they should request a hearing from the Right Paths, Inc. Board of Directors.
    
   This procedure applies to board members who are acting in their capacity as parents/patrons, and not as representatives of the Board.  
    
3. Staff to Administration:
   All concerns about the standards of the school must first be presented to the Principal. A respectful demeanor is required at all times.
    
   If the problem is not resolved, the staff member may appeal the decision in writing to the Principal, followed by a meeting to discuss the matter.
    
   If the problem is still not resolved, the staff member may appeal to the Board in writing and request a hearing. The request will be passed to the Board of Directors through the Principal. The Principal must pass on all such requests.
    
4. Volunteers to Staff/Administration:
   If any volunteer has a concern about the volunteer work, he will present that concern to the staff member responsible for his/her oversight (Teacher or Principal).
    
   If the problem is not resolved, then the concern should be presented in writing to the Principal, followed by a meeting with him/her to discuss the concern.
    
   If the problem is still not resolved, the volunteer may request a hearing from the Board of Directors in writing. The request will be passed through the Principal. The Principal is required to pass the request on to the Board.
    
5. Individual Board Members to Principal:
   If specific concerns arise during a board meeting, board members may not challenge, rebuke, or debate directly with the Principal in the board meeting, but his/her concerns will be channeled through the Chairman instead.
    
   Any board member may call the Board into executive session if a potential grievance or dispute arises during a Board meeting.
    
   If the Board decides that the issue does not warrant executive session, the Board will return immediately to open session.
    
   If the Board decides further investigation is warranted, the Principal will meet with the Board in executive session to present his perspective and answer the questions.
    
   If the Board decides against the Principal (2/3 vote required), the board will attach a written description of their decision to the Principal’s annual job evaluation.
    
   If the Board does not decide against the Principal, any Board member(s) who is/are still not satisfied will be instructed by the Board to drop the issue.  
    
6. General:
   It is understood that if any disputes arise which are not covered by this policy, the Board will decide what procedures to follow based on a parity of reasoning from those procedures established by this policy.