A message from Superintendent Jeff Stephens:

Several months ago, Weber School District hired Lillian Tsosie-Jensen as our equity director to assist in ensuring that every child in our school district experiences a bias-free, safe education. Lillian brings a wealth of experience, leadership and knowledge to this new role. We not only welcome Lillian, but as a school district look forward to working with her to create and maintain a learning environment free from inequity or injustice of any kind.  

Some have asked what our district's equity effort entails. Let me start by stating what it does not involve—any kind of political agenda! For many years, we have taken pride as a school district in focusing on the whole child. This means that we have resisted trends to narrow the curriculum by emphasizing only basic skills in two or three subjects. Rather, when we speak about the whole child, we stress our desire that every child enjoys a rich, comprehensive learning experience in our schools. Further, we want each student to feel safe and supported, and to be fully engaged in learning as they are challenged in ways that enable them to reach their highest potential.

As we strive toward achieving equity for every child, we can and should deepen our understanding of what it means for students to feel safe and supported at school. Often, when we speak of student safety, for example, we are referencing circumstances that might call into action our safety response protocol--in other words, ensuring students' physical safety. However, every child must also feel safe socially and emotionally in order to achieve at their highest level. Similarly, past references to supporting students may have implied academic or counseling support. As we put on our "equity lense," supporting students also means that we recognize and remove barriers that impede learning and achievement.  

Our district journey toward achieving greater equity for all students goes beyond merely studying different cultures. For instance, it would serve little purpose to study the culture of poverty (or race, religion, gender identity, etc.) and then not do anything about the impediments and hurdles that students of poverty face from day to day. Rather, we must better recognize when even subtle forms of bias or discrimination become obstacles in a child's path. Then, we can respond in appropriate and effective ways to remove those barriers so that they no longer impede growth and progress. Additionally, we want to empower each other, adult and student alike, to stand up against acts of bias, discrimination and injustice. Ultimately, our collective capacity to "stand up" to injustice will have the single greatest impact on creating and sustaining the kind of culture where every person thrives.  

In the end, this is about goodness and doing the right thing. I would hope, perhaps more than anything else, that every student (and their parents) would say of Weber School District, "It's a good place." That, to me, would truly reflect The Weber Way!

A message from Assistant Superintendent Lori Rasmussen:

An Ordinary Day 

As we have been out reading in our schools, one couldn't help but notice the many dedicated people who work diligently to provide our students with a remarkable school experience. One wouldn't have to look far to see boundless amounts of work and service being rendered. In an ordinary day you might witness a maintenance worker repairing a drinking fountain, a custodian mowing the lawn, buses picking up and delivering our precious students,  and a student resource officer ensuring the safety of our students. As you walk into the school, the tremendous smell of lunch being prepared would waft through the air. One could hear the sounds of learning throughout the halls. One might hear a teacher's voice delivering a thoughtful lesson, students collaborating, a parent volunteer tutoring a child with reading, or the silence of students working on a project using their chromebooks. Add to this, the sight of a secretary comforting a student who doesn't feel well and a principal greeting students warmly in the hall. What a wonderful, ordinary day! As I reflected on the many visits to schools it occurred to me the enormity of daily effort  that goes into providing students with a quality education. You've heard the quote "It takes a village to raise a child." This African proverb  means that an entire community of people must interact with children in order for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. Our community epitomizes this concept. Weber District is honored to be part of a community where the whole child is valued. Where every Weber School District employee strives to ensure all students are safe, challenged, supported, and engaged. The fine efforts of employees, parents, and community members to move good forward in our district provides an extraordinary education for our students. Thanks to all! 

Speaking of a village. . . here are some numbers behind the story-

• Weber School District was formally established in 1905
• Weber School District is the 7th largest district out of 41 district's in the state
• We currently have 45 schools
• There are 33,000 K-12 students in Weber School District
• There are 400 Preschool students
• There are over 3600 employees
• We serve over 18,300 meals daily
• Buses pick up students at 6,693 bus stops daily

Discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin is prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  This includes discrimination based on a person’s limited English proficiency or English learner status; and actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including membership in a religion that may be perceived to exhibit such characteristics (such as Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh individuals).

Discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.  This includes discrimination based on pregnancy, parental status, and sex stereotypes (such as treating persons differently because they do not conform to sex-role expectations or because they are attracted to or are in relationships with persons of the same sex).

Discrimination against persons with disabilities is prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title II prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities, whether or not they receive federal financial assistance).  This includes discrimination against individuals currently without an impairment that substantially limits of a major life activity, but who have a record of or are regarded as having a disability.

Discrimination on the basis of age is prohibited by Age Discrimination Act of 1975.

These civil rights laws extend to all state education agencies, elementary and secondary school systems, colleges and universities, vocational schools, proprietary schools, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, libraries and museums that receive federal financial assistance from ED. These include all public schools and most public and private colleges and universities.

Weber School District is committed to ensuring a safe learning and working environment for all our students and employees. Weber School District prohibits discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), or retaliation on the basis of race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected classification in all educational  programs, activities, admissions, access, treatment, or employment practices. Board Policy 4120 and 7100 prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin, sex, handicap or disability, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,  and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Equal Access Act, and Utah Code 34A-5-106. Related inquiries and complaints may be directed to a school administrator or to the Weber School District Compiance Officer, Heather Hardy, (801) 476-7850. You may also contact the Office for Civil Rights, Denver, CO, (303) 844-5695 or, if you believe you have been discriminated in your employment, the Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division (UALD) at (801) 530-6801 or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at 1-800-669-4000.

SPANISH VERSION: Cómo presentar una queja o reclamo ante la Oficina de Derechos Civiles (OCR)

Title IX

If you believe your student has been discriminated against on the basis of sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation, in its educational programs and activities, or harassed in a manner that is creating a hostile environment for your student, you are directed to Policy 4120, paragraphs 1.5A through 1.5G which outlines procedures for filing a Title IX complaint. 

The Title IX Coordinator for Weber School District is Compliance Officer, Heather Hardy.  Her contact information is: ; 801-476-7850.

Section 504

If you believe your student has been discriminated against on the basis of a disability, you are directed to Policy 4120, paragraphs 2.7A through 2.7G, which outlines the procedures for filing a Section 504 complaint. The Section 504 Coordinator for Weber School District is Loralee Gacioch, in the WSD Student Services Department. She can be reached by email at , and by phone at (801) 476-7817.

The Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Schools may not retaliate against any person for opposing an unlawful educational practice or policy, or made charges, testified or participated in any complaint action under Title IX. All districts and charter schools must have a designated Title IX coordinator with their contact information prominently posted in visible areas of the schools, including handbooks, and on the school's website to ensure protections to students who are being discriminated based on their sex.

If you believe your student has been discriminated against on the basis of sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation, in its educational programs and activities, or harassed in a manner that is creating a hostile environment for your student, you are directed to Policy 4120, paragraphs 1.5A through 1.5G which outlines procedures for filing a Title IX complaint. 

The Title IX Coordinator for Weber School District is Compliance Officer, Heather Hardy.
Her contact information is: ; 801-476-7850

Resources

WSD Title IX Webpage

Sexual Harrassment Complaint Form

We take reports of bullying and/or harassment very seriously. In an effort to be as responsive as possible we have created a centralized reporting form.  This system ensures a consistent, immediate response and allows for collection of data to further inform our decision making.

While an immediate response is important, our focus is on preventing these incidents and their impact on our students. We are here to offer answers, support and guidance in dealing with concerns of bullying and harassment in our schools.

Reporting Bullying, Discrimination and Harassment:

Complaint Form
Response Form
Witness Statement Form
Investigation Report Form

Board Policy regarding bullying:

WSD 5201 Bullying Policy [ENGLISH]

WSD 5201 Bullying Policy / Politica de Intimación Acoso Escolar [SPANISH]

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states: No person in the Unites States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Protections include providing equity in educational opportunities for minority students as well as for students who have limited proficiency in English.

If you believe your student has been discriminated against on the basis of sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation, in its educational programs and activities, or harassed in a manner that is creating a hostile environment for your student, you are directed to Policy 4120, paragraphs 1.5A through 1.5G which outlines procedures for filing a Title VI complaint.