Title IX

Notification of Nondiscrimination Policy under Title IX

The Castleberry Independent School District prohibits discrimination, including prohibited harassment, against any employee or student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. The District prohibits dating violence, as defined in by FFH(LOCAL) policy. Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is a violation of District policy and is prohibited.


Contact Information:

Title IX Coordinator

Dr. Myrna Blanchard
Director of Talent Acquisition and Policy
5228 Ohio Garden Road
Fort Worth, TX 76114

Email: [email protected]
Office Phone: 817-252-2001

ADA/Section 504 Coordinator

Christi Patton
Director of Special Programs
5300 Buchanan Road
Fort Worth, TX 76114

Email: [email protected]
Office Phone: 817-252-2572

Reporting Sexual Harassment

Any student/employee who believes that he or she has experienced prohibited conduct or believes that another student/employee has experienced prohibited conduct should promptly report the alleged acts. The student/employee may report the alleged acts to a teacher, school counselor, principal, other District employee, or the appropriate District official. 

A student/employee who intentionally makes a false claim, offers false statements, or refuses to cooperate with a District investigation regarding discrimination or harassment is subject to appropriate discipline 

A student/employee shall not be required to report prohibited conduct to the person alleged to have committed. Reports  concerning prohibited conduct, including reports against the Title IX coordinator or ADA/Section 504 coordinator, may be directed to the Superintendent.  A report against the Superintendent may be made directly to the Board. If a report is made directly to the Board, the Board shall take action at a properly posted Board meeting that includes an agenda item related to a complaint against the Superintendent to appoint an appropriate person, who need not be a District employee to conduct the investigation. 

Reports of prohibited conduct shall be made as soon as possible after the alleged act or knowledge of the alleged act. A failure to promptly report may impair the District's ability to investigate. 

To the extent possible, the District shall endeavor to protect the privacy of the complainant, persons against whom a complaint is filed, and witnesses. However, limited disclosures may be necessary in order to conduct a through investigation and comply with applicable law. 

The District prohibits retaliation against a student/employee who makes claim alleging to have experienced prohibited discrimination or harassment, or another student/employee who, in good faith, makes a report, serves as a witness, or otherwise participates in an investigation.

The Complaint Process

Step 1: Notifications

Any District supervisor who receives a report of prohibited conduct shall promptly notify the appropriate District official and take any other steps required by District policy.  In regards to students, the District official or designee shall promptly notify the parents/guardians of any student alleged to have experienced prohibited conduct by a District employee or another adult. 

If the alleged perpetrator is not a district employee or other adult whom the District can exercise any jurisdiction, the District official shall also promptly notify appropriate law enforcement or Child Protective Services if the official has reason to believe that the child has been or may be neglected or abused. 

Step 2: Investigation

The District may request, but shall not require, a written complaint or report of alleged prohibited conduct. If a report is made orally, the District official shall prepare a written report from the oral information. 

Upon receipt or notice of a report, the District official should determine whether the allegations, if proven, would constitute prohibited conduct as defined by this policy. If so, the District official shall promptly authorize or undertake an investigation, regardless of whether a criminal or regulatory investigation regarding the same or similar allegations is pending. 

If no investigation is warranted, regarding students, the District official shall make a determination under FFI, Freedom from Bullying, whether the alleged conduct would constitute  bullying rather than discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. If so, the matter shall be referred to be handled under FFI.

If the District official determines that the alleged conduct, if proven, would not be a violation, the District official shall so notify the complainant/reporter in writing and dismiss the compliant. 

If appropriate and regardless of whether a criminal or regulatory investigation regarding  the alleged conduct is pending, the District official shall promptly take interim action calculated to address prohibited conduct or bullying prior to the completion of the District's investigation. 

The investigation may be conducted by a District official or a designee, such as the campus principal, or by a third party designation by the District, such as an attorney. When appropriate, the campus principal shall be involved in or informed of the investigation. 

If  a law enforcement or regulatory agency notifies the District that a criminal or regulatory investigation has been initiated, the District shall confer with the agency to determine if the District investigation would impede the criminal or regulatory investigation. The District shall proceed with its investigation only to the extent that it does not impede the ongoing criminal or regulatory agency has finished gathering its evidence, the District shall promptly resume its investigation.

Absent extenuating circumstances, such as a request by law enforcement or regulatory agency for the District to delay its investigation, the investigation should be completed within ten (10) District business days from the date of the report; however, the investigator shall take additional time if necessary to complete a thorough investigation. Notification of the outcome of the investigation shall be provided to both parties in compliance with FERPA.

In no circumstance shall the District be required to inform the complainant of the specific disciplinary or corrective action taken. 

Step 3: Appeal Rights

A complainant who is dissatisfied with the outcome of the investigation may appeal through District Board policy FNG(LOCAL) for students, DGBA(LOCAL) for employees, and GF(LOCAL) for others, beginning at the appropriate level. 

The complainant may have a right to file a complaint with appropriate state or federal agencies.

Additional Resources

Training Materials

Castleberry ISD’s Title IX administrators have attended Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz P.C.’s “2022 Title IX Coordinator Boot Camp and 2022 Title IX Administrator Conference.” Materials from this conference in compliance with Section 106.45(b)(10)(i)(D) of the regulations can be found here: (you must be logged into a Google account to access these files: 

Title IX Boot Camp

Title IX Administrator Conference

If you do not have a Google Account, or would like a copy of these materials sent to you, please email us at: [email protected].

 

Questions and Answers

Here are the questions we received during the conference with answers from our attorneys:
2021 Texas Title IX Administrator Conference Questions and Answers

Policies related to Title IX

District Board policies are: 
Students - FFH(LOCAL)
Employees - DIA(LOCAL)

Policies related to Appeals

Students - FNG(LOCAL)
Employees - DIA(LOCAL)
Others -GF(LOCAL)