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WELCOME TO THE BLOUNT COUNTY SCHOOLS FEDERAL PROJECTS PAGESPersonnel
Americans with Disabilities ActThe Federal Americans with Disabilities Act protects persons with a disability, those who associate with the disabled and those who help or encourage others to exercise rights granted by the act. Blount County School System wants to ensure that these rights are protected, that everyone can participate in or benefit from the system's programs, services, and activities offered. It is the right of each person to ask for a reasonable accommodation if it has not been provides. The ADA coordinator directs compliance efforts and serves as citizen liaison. Despite the best efforts of the system, problems may arise so a grievance procedure has been established to ensure that a complaint will be heard. Those who have problems or ADA related questions may call 865-984-1212. Discrimination/Harassment of Employees/StudentsIt is the policy of Blount County Schools to maintain a learning environment that is free from harassment because of an individual's race, color, sex, national origin, or disability. The School District prohibits any and all forms of harassment because of race, color, sex, national origin, and disability. It shall be a violation of District policy for any student, teacher, administrator, or other school personnel of this District to harass a student through conduct of a sexual nature, or regarding race, color, national origin, or disability, as defined by this policy. It shall also be a violation of District policy for any teacher, administrator, or other school personnel of this District to tolerate sexual harassment or harassment because of a student's race, color, national origin, ethnicity, or disability, as defined by this policy , by a student, teacher, administrator, other school personnel, or by any third parties who are participating in, observing, or otherwise engaged in activities, including sporting events and other extra curricular activities, under the auspices of the School District. For the purpose of this policy, the term "school personnel" includes school board members, school employees, agents, volunteers, contractors, or persons subject to the supervision and control of the District. The school system will act to promptly investigate all complaints, either formal or informal, verbal or written, of harassment because of race, color, sex, national origin, or disability; to promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further harassment, and if it determines that unlawful harassment occurred, to promptly and appropriately discipline any student, teacher, administrator or other school personnel who is found to have violated this policy, and/or to take other appropriate action reasonably calculated to end the harassment. Equal Opportunity InstitutionBlount County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age or disability in provision of educational opportunities or employment opportunities and benefits. Blount County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex or disability in the education programs and activities which it operated, pursuant to the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as codified in 42 USC 2000D; Title IX of the Education Amendments act of 1972, Pub. L. 92-318 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-336. Inquiries concerning Title VIm Title IX, Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act should be directed to the Human Rights Officer, Alisa Teffeteller, 831 Grandview Drive, Maryville, TN 37803, phone 865-984-1212. Charges of violation of the above may also be directed to the Director of Schools. FERPAStudent records maintained by the Blount County School System are protected under Section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act. The statute governs disclosure of records maintained by educational institutions which receive federal funds. The statute provides that such institutions must provide parents of students access to official records related to the student and an opportunity for a hearing to challenge such records on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate; that institution must obtain written consent of parents before releasing personally identifiable data about students from records other than a specified list of exceptions; that parents and students must be notified of these rights; that these rights transfer to students a certain points; and that an office and review board must be established. This office is the Family Policy Compliance Office of the Us Department of Education, charged with investigation and adjudication of violations and complains under the US Department of Education, charged with investigation and adjudication of violations and compliance with Section 438. A copy of the policy and administrative regulations adopted by the Blount County Board of Education in compliance with Section 438 may be obtained by contacting Dr. David Cook or Rebecca Wolfenbarger at 984-1212. Screening and Educational Evaluation for Kids (SEEK)SEEK, or Screening and Educational Evaluation for Kids, is Blount County Schools' Child Find Program. The system provides free developmental screenings for any child between the ages of three and six. The screenings include speech and language skills, fine and gross motor skills, readiness or thinking skills, and personal social skills. For more information about any of the programs, contact Dr. David L. Cook or Rebecca Wolfenbarger at 984-1212. Student RecordsStudent records are protected under Section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act. The statute governs disclosure of records maintained by educational institutions which receive federal funds. The statute provides that such institutions must provide parents of students access to official records directly related to the student and an opportunity for a hearing to challenge such records of grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise inappropriate, that institutions must obtain written consent of parents before releasing personally identifiable data about students from records other than a specified list of exceptions; that these rights transfer to students at certain points; and that an office and review board must be established. This office is the Family Policy compliance Office of the US Department of Education, charged with investigation and adjudication of violators and complaints under Section 438. A copy of the policy and administrative regulations adopted by the Blount County Board of Education in compliance with Section 438 may be obtained by contacting the Special Education Coordinator at 984-1212. Special Education ServicesThe Blount County School System provides a full range of special education services for students with disabilities whose educational needs cannot be met through the regular education program. Students who have disabilities that meet the criteria established by the State Department of Education and/or the federal government are afforded due process rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Conditions that may qualify a student for these services include: specific learning disabilities, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, and development delays. Students suspected of any of these conditions have the right to a comprehensive evaluation by a multi-disciplanary team, a free and appropriate education with non-disabled students to the greatest extent possible, and due process rights. All records and information regarding the assessment and Individualized Education Program (IEP) of the student are kept confidential and can only be released with parental consent. Parents have the right to review the records upon request.
For more information or to make a referral contact: Special Education Coordinator Blount County Schools 831 Grandview Drive Maryville, TN 37803 Phone: 865-984-1212
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