Civil Rights

It is the policy of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education that no person shall be discriminated against in educational programs and activities, employment, or admission on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law.

Equal Opportunity Institution


As an Equal Opportunity Institution, GRPS complies with federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment, including Title IV and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974 as amended 38 USC 20-12 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.

Civil Rights Act

What is Title VII?

Defined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.

Submit a Civil Rights Complaint

Any student, employee or vendor of the District who believes that his/her/their civil rights have been violated should immediately contact the District's acting Civil Rights Coordinator.

All complaints of discrimination will be investigated, and the results of the investigation and any action taken will be communicated to the parties involved. If any of the involved parties have questions concerning the progress of the investigation or actions taken by the District to remediate any discrimination, they must contact the District's acting Civil Rights Coordinator, Anya Lusk.

Civil Rights Coordinator

Title IX

What is Title IX?

Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.

Title IX Compliance at GRPS

Sexual harassment of District-elected officials or candidates for the Board of Education, District employees, vendors, contractors or others doing business with the District, students, parent(s)/ guardian(s), invitees, volunteers or guests, will not be tolerated.

All District employees have a responsibility to report known or suspected instances of sexual harassment that occurs at any location, event, or circumstances over which GRPS has control within the United States. 

The acting Title IX Coordinator, anyone investigating a complaint of sexual harassment, anyone making a final decision based on an investigation report and anyone hearing an appeal of a decision based on an investigation report shall be trained in the Title IX law and regulations, the investigation procedures and requirements, the decision making process, and the appeal process.

Title IX Training

Submit a Title IX Complaint

Formal complaints may be filed by the complainant or the acting Title IX Coordinator. Complaints will be promptly and thoroughly investigated in accordance with the District’s grievance procedure. Details of the complaint and grievance process can be found in the Board of Education Policy and Rules under Policy 5037-R and Policy 8575-R

Title IX Coordinator

Contact Us

Civil Rights Coordinator

Title IX Coordinator

No Retaliation Against Filed Complaints

Retaliation by anyone against an individual who has reported improper conduct, including sexual harassment, is strictly forbidden. If the complainant believes that anyone is retaliating against them in any way, they must notify their supervisor, building principal and/or the acting Civil Rights Coordinator immediately.