Pasco County Schools is committed to maintaining a work environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The District prohibits discrimination in employment practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, and other legally protected characteristics.
Employees and applicants who believe they have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on a protected characteristic may utilize this process to report their concerns.
Scope of This Process
This process applies to allegations involving:
- Discrimination based on a legally protected characteristic
- Harassment (including sexual harassment)
- Retaliation for engaging in protected activity (e.g., reporting discrimination or participating in an investigation)
Protected characteristics include race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, and other classifications protected by law.
Important
This process is designed to address concerns involving alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on a protected characteristic. Some workplace concerns, such as interpersonal conflicts, supervisory practices, or performance-related issues, may not fall within the scope of civil rights laws unless they are connected to a protected characteristic. When appropriate, the District will assist in directing concerns to the appropriate department, such as Employee Relations or administrative leadership, to ensure the matter is reviewed and addressed.
Employees or applicants who believe they have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation may submit a written complaint to the Civil Rights Compliance Office.
A written complaint helps ensure that the District clearly understands the nature of the concern and can respond appropriately.
Complaints should be submitted as soon as possible after the alleged conduct. Delays in reporting may impact the District’s ability to fully investigate.
Upon receipt, the complaint will be reviewed to determine:
- Whether the allegation falls within the scope of applicable civil rights laws and District policy
- The appropriate office responsible for addressing the concern
- Whether a formal investigation is warranted
Not all reported concerns result in a formal investigation. Some matters may be addressed through consultation, administrative review, or referral to another department.
The District will make reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of information received during the review process and will share information only with individuals who have a legitimate need to know in order to investigate and resolve the concern.
However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Information may need to be disclosed to appropriate parties, including the individual(s) involved in the allegations, to ensure a fair and thorough review.
Participants are expected to cooperate in the review process and provide truthful information. Submitting knowingly false information or refusing to cooperate may result in disciplinary action in accordance with District policy.
Sheila Blue
Civil Rights Compliance Manager
Pasco County Schools
crc@pasco.k12.fl.us
(813) 794-2300
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Civil Rights Compliance
