Policy FNG: Student Rights and Responsibilities: Student and Parent Complaints/Grievances

This policy governs the process by which students and parents can file grievances against the school district.

Local Changes (2)

2025-10-21adopted · Meeting notes

This update to Conroe ISD's Policy FNG (Local) systematically replaces the term "complaint" with "grievance" throughout the policy, and introduces significant new provisions including recusal requirements, grievance recordkeeping, a remand process, a "decisions made on the merits" requirement, extended filing deadlines, clearer Level One/Two filing locations, mandatory written response content, a TEA annual reporting requirement, an availability-of-policy requirement, and an appeal-to-commissioner provision. The policy also expands retaliation protections, removes references to the "District's legal office" in favor of appropriate administrators/Superintendent, and streamlines the Board's decision timeline at Level Three.

Added

Grievances (replacing 'Complaints' in the policy title and throughout the document)
This grievance policy shall be used to address alleged violations of rights guaranteed by Chapter 26 of the Texas Education Code. [See FA] (added to Notice to Students and Parents section)
and as stated in this policy (added to informal resolution deadline extension language)
or person standing in parental relation (added to Freedom From Retaliation protection)
Recusal: A District employee or Board member involved in reviewing a grievance must recuse himself or herself from the review process if that employee or Board member is the subject of the grievance. If a Board member files a grievance, he or she shall be prohibited from voting on matters related to that grievance. If the designated administrator at any level of the review process is required to recuse himself or herself, the grievance shall be subject to a higher level of review.
Grievance Record: At each level of the grievance review process, a record shall be created and retained by the District. This record shall include: 1. Documents submitted by the person who filed the grievance or determined relevant by school district personnel; and 2. A written record of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for the decision and an indication of each document that supports the decision. The person who filed the grievance may supplement the record with additional documents or add additional claims.
Remand: At any time, a grievance may be remanded to a lower level of review to develop a record, including when a grievance is pending before the Board of Trustees.
Decisions Made on the Merits: At each level in the grievance review process, the District shall issue a decision on the merits of the concern raised in the grievance, notwithstanding procedural errors or the type of relief requested.
(or person standing in parental relation) (added to Level One filing deadline)
the later of: a. 90 calendar days of the date the student or parent (or person standing in parental relation to a student) first knew or had reason to know of the facts giving rise to the grievance if the grievant engaged in informal attempts to resolve the grievance, or b. 30 calendar days from the date on which the District provided information to the grievant regarding how to file the grievance; and (added as alternative deadlines under Level One)
With the principal's or principal's designee's office at the school campus at which the student attends or at which the facts giving rise to the grievance occurred, or, for a grievance that arises from a subject matter unrelated to a campus, with an administrator at the District's central office. (replacing 'District's legal office' as Level One filing location)
In most circumstances, students and parents shall file Level One grievances with the campus principal.
If the only administrator who has authority to remedy the alleged problem is the Superintendent or designee or the grievance arises from subject matter unrelated to a specific campus, the grievance may begin at Level Two following the procedure, including deadlines, for filing the grievance form at Level One.
appropriate administrator as stated above (replacing 'District's legal office' in forwarding language)
The written response shall set forth the basis of the decision, any relief or redress to be provided and information regarding filing an appeal, including the timeline for filing such appeal under this policy and under Texas Education Code § 7.057, as applicable. (added to Level One response requirements)
a conference with the designated Level Two administrator (added to Level Two appeal language)
The designated Level Two administrator shall be the Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee at the District's central office.
20 calendar (replacing 'ten' days for Level Two appeal notice filing deadline)
20 calendar (replacing 'ten' days for Level Two appeal notice filing deadline when no response received)
principal, designee, or other appropriate administrator who considered the grievance at Level One (replacing 'Level One hearing officer')
The written response shall set forth the basis of the decision, any relief or redress to be provided and information regarding filing an appeal, including the timeline for filing such appeal under this policy and under Texas Education Code § 7.057, as applicable. (added to Level Two response requirements)
20 calendar (replacing 'ten' days for Level Two written response deadline)
A summary of all previous oral testimony. (added as item 4 in Level Two record)
The Board or its committee must hold a meeting to discuss the grievance not later than the 60th day after the date on which the previous decision on the grievance was made.
The grievant may request that the hearing or meeting at which the grievance will be discussed by open or closed, unless otherwise required by law. If the grievant does not make this request, tThe Board of Trustees shall determine whether the grievance will be presented in open or closed meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and other applicable law. [See BE]
not later than the 30th day after the date on which the Board or its committee considers the grievance (added to Board decision timeline)
20 calendar (replacing 'ten' days for Level Three appeal notice filing deadlines)
Superintendent or designee (replacing 'legal office' in Level Three notification and record provisions)
Report to TEA: The District shall annually submit to TEA a report on grievances filed in the District during the preceding year. For each grievance included on the report, the District shall include the resolution of the grievance and any corrective action taken.
Availability of Policy: The following shall be made available in a prominent location on the District's website and included in the Student Handbook: This policy; The grievance and appeal forms referenced in this policy; The method by which a grievance may be filed electronically.
Appeal To Commissioner: Except as may be provided to the contrary by state or federal law or other District policies, Level Three decisions by the Board may be appealed to the Commissioner of Education as outlined in Education Code 26A.

2025-09-16first_reading · Meeting notes

This update to Conroe ISD's FNG (Local) policy comprehensively replaces the term "complaint" with "grievance" throughout the entire document, and introduces significant new provisions including recusal requirements, a grievance record requirement, remand procedures, decisions on the merits, expanded filing timelines, a Report to TEA requirement, an Availability of Policy section, and an Appeal to Commissioner section, while streamlining procedural references from "legal office" and "hearing officer" to "Superintendent or designee" and "principal/administrator."

Added

Grievances (replacing 'Complaints' in policy title and throughout)
This grievance policy shall be used to address alleged violations of rights guaranteed by Chapter 26 of the Texas Education Code. [See FA] (added to Notice to Students and Parents section)
and as stated in this policy (added to informal resolution deadline extension language)
or person standing in parental relation (added to Freedom From Retaliation section)
grievance (replacing 'complaint' in Freedom From Retaliation section)
Recusal: A District employee or Board member involved in reviewing a grievance must recuse himself or herself from the review process if that employee or Board member is the subject of the grievance. If a Board member files a grievance, he or she shall be prohibited from voting on matters related to that grievance. If the designated administrator at any level of the review process is required to recuse himself or herself, the grievance shall be subject to a higher level of review.
Grievance Record: At each level of the grievance review process, a record shall be created and retained by the District. This record shall include: 1. Documents submitted by the person who filed the grievance or determined relevant by school district personnel; and 2. A written record of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for the decision and an indication of each document that supports the decision. The person who filed the grievance may supplement the record with additional documents or add additional claims.
Remand: At any time, a grievance may be remanded to a lower level of review to develop a record, including when a grievance is pending before the Board of Trustees.
Decisions Made on the Merits: At each level in the grievance review process, the District shall issue a decision on the merits of the concern raised in the grievance, notwithstanding procedural errors or the type of relief requested.
60 (replacing '45' as the number of calendar days for Level One filing deadline)
(or person standing in parental relation) (added to Level One filing deadline)
a. 90 calendar days of the date the student or parent (or person standing in parental relation to a student) first knew or had reason to know of the facts giving rise to the grievance if the grievant engaged in informal attempts to resolve the grievance, or
b. 30 calendar days from the date on which the District provided information to the grievant regarding how to file the grievance; and
With the principal's or principal's designee's office at the school campus at which the student attends or at which the facts giving rise to the grievance occurred, or, for a grievance that arises from a subject matter unrelated to a campus, with an administrator at the District's central office. (replacing 'District's legal office')
In most circumstances, students and parents shall file Level One grievances with the campus principal.
If the only administrator who has authority to remedy the alleged problem is the Superintendent or designee or the grievance arises from subject matter unrelated to a specific campus, the grievance may begin at Level Two following the procedure, including deadlines, for filing the grievance form at Level One.
appropriate administrator as stated above (replacing 'District's legal office' in forwarding language)
principal, designee, or other appropriate administrator (replacing 'Level One hearing officer' throughout Level One section)
date the grievance was initially filed (replacing 'receipt of the written complaint')
The written response shall set forth the basis of the decision, any relief or redress to be provided and information regarding filing an appeal, including the timeline for filing such appeal under this policy and under Texas Education Code § 7.057, as applicable. (added to Level One response requirement)
20 (replacing 'ten' as the number of calendar days for Level One written response)
a conference with the designated Level Two administrator (replacing prior Level Two appeal language)
The designated Level Two administrator shall be the Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee at the District's central office.
20 calendar (replacing 'ten' as the number of calendar days for Level Two appeal notice filing deadline)
20 calendar (replacing 'ten' as the number of calendar days for Level Two response deadline for no response received)
principal, designee, or other appropriate administrator who considered the grievance at Level One (replacing 'Level One hearing officer')
the Level Two administrator (replacing 'legal office and the Level Two hearing officer')
Level Two administrator (replacing 'hearing officer' in Level Two conference and response sections)
The written response shall set forth the basis of the decision, any relief or redress to be provided and information regarding filing an appeal, including the timeline for filing such appeal under this policy and under Texas Education Code § 7.057, as applicable. (added to Level Two response requirement)
20 (replacing 'ten' as the number of calendar days for Level Two written response)
Superintendent or designee (replacing 'legal office' in Level Three notification and record-forwarding)
The Board or its committee must hold a meeting to discuss the grievance not later than the 60th day after the date on which the previous decision on the grievance was made.
20 calendar (replacing 'ten' as the number of calendar days for Level Three appeal notice filing deadlines)
4. A summary of all previous oral testimony. (added to Level Two record items for Level Three)
Board of Trustees (replacing 'administration' in Level Three evidence notice language)
Superintendent or designee (replacing 'administration' in Level Three evidence notice language)
a description (replacing 'notice of the nature')
five (replacing 'three' as the number of days' advance notice for Level Three evidence)
The grievant may request that the hearing or meeting at which the grievance will be discussed by open or closed, unless otherwise required by law. If the grievant does not make this request, tThe Board of Trustees shall determine whether the grievance will be presented in open or closed meeting in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and other applicable law.
The Board shall may make and give notice of its decision orally or in writing not later than the 30th day after the date on which the Board or its committee considers the grievance.
Report to TEA: The District shall annually submit to TEA a report on grievances filed in the District during the preceding year. For each grievance included on the report, the District shall include the resolution of the grievance and any corrective action taken.
Availability of Policy: The following shall be made available in a prominent location on the District's website and included in the Student Handbook: This policy; The grievance and appeal forms referenced in this policy; The method by which a grievance may be filed electronically.
Appeal To Commissioner: Except as may be provided to the contrary by state or federal law or other District policies, Level Three decisions by the Board may be appealed to the Commissioner of Education as outlined in Education Code 26A.