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Sturgis Public Schools

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Legal Notices

Legal Notices

  • It is the policy of Sturgis Public Schools not to unlawfully discriminate or harass on the basis of sex, race, age, color, national origin, religion, height, weight, marital status, handicap or disability.  Any questions or complaints of discrimination or harassment should be directed to the District’s Compliance Officers/Title IX Coordinators:

    To find a copy of the Board of Education’s policies on Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination please click on the Board of Education policies page here.

    Training
    Staff-to-Student Sexual Misconduct: While the vast number of school staff members are competent, capable and caring professionals, sexual misconduct by staff members involving students unfortunately does happen. Sexual misconduct has a profound and lasting impact on the student, school, community and staff members as well. In this course, you'll learn about the obligation of every staff member to provide an appropriate level of care for all students. Specifically, this 37-minute online SafeSchools course will explore the definition of sexual misconduct, the legal obligations of school staff members, signs of sexual misconduct by staff members and how to create clear professional boundaries that protect you as well as students. The content in this course was designed with care and sensitivity; however, some may find certain topics personally upsetting, especially for survivors of sexual abuse or assault. If you need to talk with someone, contact your administrator or a related resource in your community. (All staff training)

    Examining New Title IX Rules, Core Considerations, and Potential Pitfalls: This online 60-minute SafeSchools training is hosted by SET SEG's Claim Manager and attorneys from the firm Giamarco, Mullins & Horton. They'll walk attendees through changes to the law that took effect on August 14, 2020 and discuss common pitfalls. (Title IX Coordinators and other select staff training)

     

Title IX Documents

  • Pursuant to Section 4 of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.234, (the “FOIA” or the “Act”) Sturgis Public Schools issues this written public summary of the following:

    How to Submit Written Requests to Sturgis Public Schools

    Sturgis Public Schools requires individuals or entities to submit FOIA requests in writing. FOIA requests may be mailed to the following address:
    Toni Andrews
    Sturgis Public Schools
    107 W. West St.
    Sturgis, MI 49091

    An individual or entity may also make a request in person at the Sturgis Public Schools District Administration Office, or email a request to tandrews@sturgisps.org or fax a request to (269) 659-1584.

    Please review the following checklist to ensure a timely and accurate response to a request:
    - Make sure the correspondence is addressed to the “FOIA Coordinator” and includes the proper address and/or fax number.
    - Clearly state that the request is being made for a public record(s) pursuant to the “Freedom of Information Act” or the “FOIA.”
    - Describe the public record(s) requested in sufficient detail so that it can be more-easily identified and located.
    - Describe the subject matter of the public record(s) requested and, if possible, the approximate date that the public record(s) was created.

    Clearly state the manner in which you prefer Sturgis Public Schools to provide the public records, such as: paper copies, non-paper physical media, email, etc. (please note, all requests must be within the technological capabilities of Sturgis Public Schools).

    You can stipulate that public records be provided on non-paper, physical media, electronically mailed, or otherwise electronically provided in lieu of paper copies. If the requested public records are available on the Sturgis Public School’s website and the response includes the website address, then any request for paper format or other form, such as electronic form, may result in additional charges.

    How to Understand Sturgis Public Schools’ Written Responses
    When the FOIA Coordinator receives a written request for a public record, the FOIA Coordinator, or his or her designee, shall, in not more than five (5) business days after the [public body] receives the request, respond to the request in one of the following ways:
    a. Grant the request.
    b. Issue a written notice to the requestor denying the request.
    c. Grant the request in part and issue a written notice to the requestor denying the request in part.
    d. Issue a written notice extending, for not more than ten (10) business days, the period during which Sturgis Public Schools shall respond to the request.

    Deposit Requirements
    If the estimated cost of responding to a request exceeds $50.00, Sturgis Public Schools may require a good faith deposit of 50% to be submitted before the request is processed. Once the good faith deposit is submitted, Sturgis Public Schools will process the request. The balance of the cost of the request must be paid before copies may be picked up, mailed, or delivered. Good faith deposits and fees charged for responding to FOIA requests may be mailed to the following address:
    Toni Andrews, FOIA Coordinator
    Sturgis Public Schools
    107 W. West St
    Sturgis, MI 49091

    Fee Calculations
    Please review the Public Records Inspection/Copying form, which provides a line-by-line summary and explanation of the fees that Sturgis Public Schools may charge in response to a request, pursuant to Section 4 of the Act (MCL 15.234(1)).

    Avenues for Challenge and Appeal
    If the requestor believes the fee estimated or charged for the request exceeds the amount permitted under Sturgis Public School’s procedures and guidelines or Section 4 of the Act, the requestor must:
    a. Submit to the FOIA Coordinator a written appeal for a fee reduction that specifically states the word "appeal" and identifies why the requestor believes the required fee exceeds the amount permitted under Sturgis Public School’s procedures and guidelines or Section 4 of the Act. If the requestor disagrees with Sturgis Public School’s final determination, the requestor may, after exhausting internal administrative remedies, commence a civil action in Circuit Court where Sturgis Public Schools is located for a fee reduction. The civil action must be filed within 45 days of the public body’s final determination to deny a request pursuant to Section 10(1)(b) of the Act.


    Any written response denying a request for a public record, in whole or in part, is a final determination to deny the request or portion of that request. A requestor may file an appeal with the School Superintendent or may seek judicial review of the denial, pursuant to Section 10 of the Act (MCL 15.240). A requestor may receive attorneys’ fees and damages pursuant to the Act if the Court determines that Sturgis Public Schools has not complied with Section 5 (MCL 15.235) of the Act and orders the disclosure of all or a portion of a public record.

FOIA Documents