Douglas County School District, including Pioneer Elementary, is committed to ensuring a welcoming and equitable environment for all students, staff, and community members. This commitment is reflected in our strict adherence to federal and state civil rights laws. It is important for all Pioneer Elementary families to be aware of these policies and important upcoming notifications.
Non-Discrimination Policy at Douglas County School District
In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, Douglas County School District RE-1, and by extension Pioneer Elementary, prohibits unlawful discrimination. This prohibition extends to students, employees, applicants, and the public.
Discrimination is unlawful based on several protected characteristics, including:
- Disability
- Race
- Creed
- Color
- Sex
- Sexual Orientation
- Marital Status
- National Origin
- Religion
- Ancestry
- Need for Special Education Services
- Age (for employees and applicants)
- Genetic Information (for employees and applicants)
- Conditions related to Pregnancy or Childbirth (for employees and applicants)
Douglas County School District has established clear complaint procedures for students, parents, employees, and the public who believe they have experienced discrimination. To address complaints, the District Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator is Aaron Henderson, reachable at 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, or via email at [email protected]. You can also contact him at 303-387-0127.
For complaints regarding violations, external agencies are available:
- Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education: For Title VI (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (disability) violations. Address: 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204.
- Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: For Title VII (employment) and ADEA (age discrimination in employment) violations. Address: 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202.
- Colorado Civil Rights Commission: For Title VII (employment) and ADEA (age discrimination in employment) violations. Address: 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.
Important Notice: Destruction of Special Education Records
Families of Pioneer Elementary are also being notified regarding the upcoming destruction of special education records. Douglas County School District is legally obligated to maintain special education records for five years after services end for a student. Services conclude when a student is no longer eligible, graduates, completes their program at age 21, or moves out of the district.
This notice is to inform parents/guardians and former students that Douglas County School District intends to destroy special education records for students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed according to state law unless a parent/guardian or eligible adult student informs the school district otherwise.
After five years, these records are no longer actively used by the district but may be valuable to parents/guardians or former students for purposes such as social security benefits applications, rehabilitation services, or college entrance.
If you wish to obtain a copy of these records, please request them through the Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests portal: Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests.
Pioneer Elementary and Douglas County School District are dedicated to providing a respectful and compliant educational environment for everyone. Please take note of these important notices.
