for families

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Sumner School District is in the process of reviewing its activities, services and programs to identify and eliminate any barriers to full participation by all otherwise qualified persons regardless of any disability. If you are aware, or become aware, of any such barriers to access or to communication associated with any of the School District's programs, services or activities, please notify the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance person for the Sumner School District Debra Barlow, Executive Director of Human Resources, in writing at 1202 Wood Avenue, Sumner, or by telephone (253) 891-6000.

ADA Accommodations
The Sumner School District provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. We invite parents, guardians and community members with special needs to contact the ADA/504 coordinator at least seventy-two (72) hours before scheduled meetings, training, or events to discuss any special accommodations that may be necessary. Please contact Debra Barlow, Executive Director of Human Resources, in writing at 1202 Wood Avenue, Sumner, or by telephone (253) 891-6000.

Equal Opportunity
The Sumner School District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, or disability in education programs, services and activities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX/RCW 28A.640 officer and Section 504/ADA coordinator, in writing at 1202 Wood Avenue, Sumner, or by telephone (253) 891-6000.

Non-Discrimination Statement
The Sumner School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees are designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: District Title IX Coordinator, Section 504/ADA Coordinator or Compliance Coordinator for 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW, in writing at 1202 Wood Avenue, Sumner WA 98390 or by telephone at 253.891.6000.

The Sumner School District will also take steps to assure that national origin persons who lack English language skills can participate in all education programs, services and activities. For information regarding translation services or transitional bilingual education programs, contact the Special Education Director.

For information on accessibility of school building and school grounds please contact the school secretary. The Sumner School District contact person is Keoni Smith, Director of Special Services, 253.891.6000.

Education of Students with Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Keoni Smith, Special Services Director

Students who are eligible for services under Section 504 shall be identified, even if they are eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Section 504 defines qualified disabled persons as those between the ages of 3 to 21 years who have physical or mental impairments which substantially limit one of more major life activities. Appropriate services for eligible students shall be provided by the District in compliance with the federal policies relating to the education of students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act of 1973.

Complaint Procedure Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The best solutions to parent concerns often occur at the school level. Therefore, the District encourages parents to attempt to resolve concerns by working with the building principal, building Section 504 coordinator, and other appropriate staff to reach a joint resolution of the issue. However, regardless of whether a parent attempts to resolve the issue at the building level, a parent may file a formal complaint under Section 504 through the following process:

1. Parent completes and submits a Section 504 Complaint Form to the District Section 504 coordinator. The Section 504 Complaint Form is available at each school’s office. The complaint should be as detailed as possible and describe why the parent believes that their concerns raise an issue under Section 504.

2. The District Section 504 coordinator will conduct an investigation of the allegation(s). If the District Section 504 coordinator is the subject of the complaint, the Superintendent will appoint an impartial investigator. The parent and the District staff will have an opportunity to provide evidence, including documents and witnesses.

3. The District Section 504 coordinator will issue a written decision about the complaint within 30 calendar days of receipt of the complaint, and provide a copy of the decision to the parent. The written decision will contain suggested resolutions to the parent’s concerns.

4. If the parent is not satisfied with the resolution of his/her complaint, the parent may request a review of the complaint by the Superintendent. The Superintendent will respond to the parent’s request for review within 10 days of receiving the request.

5. If the parent is still dissatisfied after the superintendent’s review, or at any time during the District’s complaint resolution process, the parent may file a complaint by writing to:

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
915 Second Avenue, Room 3310
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
Phone: 206.607.1600

Section 504 Complaint Form Date

Parent/Student Rights and Responsibilities

The following is a description of the rights granted by federal law to students with disabilities. The intent of the law is to keep you fully informed concerning decisions about your child and to inform you of your rights if you disagree with any of these decisions. You have the right to:

1. Have your child take part in, and receive benefits from public education programs without discrimination because of his/her disabling conditions.

2. Have the school district advise you of your rights under federal law.

3. Receive notice with respect to identification, evaluation, or placement of your child. Parent consent must be obtained before conducting an initial evaluation and beginning services.

4. Have your child receive a free appropriate public education. This includes the right to be educated with nondisabled students to the maximum extent appropriate. It also includes the right to have the school district make reasonable accommodations to allow your child an equal opportunity to participate in school and school-related activities.

5. Have your child educated in facilities and receive services comparable to those provided nondisabled students.

6. Have your child receive special education and related services if she/he is found to be eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL 101-476) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

7. Have evaluation, educational, and placement decisions made based upon a variety of information sources, and by persons who know the student, the evaluation data, and placement options.

8. Have transportation provided to and from an alternative placement setting at no greater cost to you than would be incurred if the student were placed in a program operated by the district.

9. Have your child be given an equal opportunity to participate in nonacademic and extra-curricular activities offered by the district.

10. Examine all relevant records relating to decisions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, education program, and placement.

11. Obtain copies of educational records at a reasonable cost unless the fee would effectively deny you access to the record.

12. A response from the school district to reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of your child’s records.

13. Request amendment of your child’s educational records if there is reasonable cause to believe that they are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of your child. If the school district refuses this request for amendment, it shall notify you within a reasonable time and advise you of the right to a hearing.

14. Request mediation related to decisions or actions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, educational program or placement.

15. File a local grievance. A Grievance Form is available at each building.

16. Be represented by an attorney.

Parent/Student Rights

Section 504 Accommodations Manual

To view these files, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader that now comes with many Web browsers. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free from the Adobe Web site. Go to the Acrobat download page.