Updated August 2025. Applies to all three campuses.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
E.L. Haynes believes that all employees, students, parents, and visitors have the right to voice their complaints or grievances about matters pertaining to its schools. E.L. Haynes recognizes the meaningful value and importance of full discussion in resolving misunderstandings and in preserving good relations between community members. If a parent / guardian has a concern or disagreement about a classroom event, curricular decision, or other academic issue, they should first contact the teacher to attempt to resolve the disagreement through informal discussion. If the conflict is not adequately resolved, the parent / guardian should request a meeting with the Principal to schedule a follow up conversation. If the situation is not adequately resolved the following grievance procedures should be employed to ensure that complaints receive full consideration.
What May be Grieved
The E.L. Haynes grievance process should be used as follows: (1) to deal with complaints and concerns pertaining to educational environment, employment arrangements, or interpersonal conflicts; and (2) to resolve complaints of discrimination and harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, parental status, or otherwise.
Who May Grieve
The procedures set forth below may be used by grievants who are employees, students, parents, or visitors.
Other Remedies
The existence of this procedure does not bar grievants from also filing claims in other forums to the extent permitted by state or federal law.
Informal Grievance
Because most difficulties can be resolved by communicating a concern to someone, grievants are encouraged to discuss their concern or harassment complaint promptly and candidly with their immediate supervisor, the school Principal, or the Chief Executive Officer.
The grievant is not required to discuss his or her complaint with the alleged harasser or perpetrator in any manner or for any reason prior to initiating a formal grievance.
Formal Grievance
Within ninety (90) days of encountering the harassment, discrimination, or complaint that is the subject of the grievance, a grievant shall either tell the school Principal or Chief Executive Officer or file a written notice with the Title IX Coordinator, school Principal, or Chief Executive Officer. Grievants choosing to file a written notice may use the Grievance Form, which is available online from the school website, the E.L. Haynes intranet (for employees only), or from the Title IX Coordinator, school Principal, or Chief Executive Officer. The written notice shall identify the nature of the complaint, the date(s) of occurrence, and the desired result, and shall be signed and dated by the person filing the grievance. In the event a grievance is being filed by the legal guardian or parent of a student, the student and the legal guardian and/or parent shall sign and date the grievance. The Principal and the Chief Executive Officer can be reached at the contact information provided below for either written or oral complaints.
The Principal or Chief Executive Officer will immediately initiate an adequate, reliable impartial investigation of the grievance. Each formal complaint will be investigated, and depending on the facts involved in each situation, will be decided after receiving information from the appropriate individuals. Each investigation will include interviewing witnesses, obtaining documents, and allowing parties to present evidence.
Supportive measures will be implemented as appropriate to one or both parties throughout the grievance process, including the investigation and any appeal. Supportive measures will be kept confidential as required by law.
All documentation related to the investigation and discussions held in this process are considered EXTREMELY CONFIDENTIAL and are not to be revealed to or discussed by any participant with persons not directly involved with the complaint, with its investigation, or with the decision making process. This provision does not include discussions with governmental authorities.
Within thirty (30) business days of receiving the written notice, the Principal or Chief Executive Officer shall respond in writing to the grievant (the “Response”). The Response shall summarize the course of the investigation; determine the validity of the grievance and the appropriate resolution. If, as a result of the investigation, harassment, or a valid grievance is established, appropriate corrective and remedial action will be taken.
Appeals
If the grievant is not satisfied with the Response, the grievant may appeal in writing to the Chair of the Board of Trustees within thirty (30) days of the date of the Response summarizing the outcome of the investigation. The written appeal must contain all written documentation from the initial grievance and the grievant’s reasons for not accepting the Response. The appeal, in letter form, may be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer who will relay it to the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Within twenty-one (21) days from receiving the written appeal, the Chair of the Board of Trustees will respond in writing to the appellant as to the action to be taken and the reasons therefore.
Prohibition Against Retaliation
E.L. Haynes pledges that it will not retaliate against any person who files a complaint in accordance with this policy, or any person who participates in proceedings related to this policy.
In addition, E.L. Haynes will not tolerate any form of retaliation against any person who makes a good faith report or complaint about perceived acts of harassment, discrimination, or concern, or who cooperates in an investigation of harassment, discrimination, or a concern. Any person who is found to be engaging in any kind of retaliation will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
Modification
E.L. Haynes may approve modification of the foregoing procedures in a particular case if the modification (a) is for good cause, and (b) does not violate due process rights or policies of E.L. Haynes.
Contact Information
| Toni Barton, Chief Executive Officer 4501 Kansas Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20011 tbarton@elhaynes.org 202-667-4446 | Pankaj Rayamajhi, Chief Operating Officer and Title IX Coordinator 3600 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20010 prayamajhi@elhaynes.org 202-667-4446 |
| Alexandria Brooks, Chief Talent Officer 4501 Kansas Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20011 abrooks@elhaynes.org 202-667-4446 | Fonda Sutton, Chair, Board of Trustees 4501 Kansas Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20011 fsutton@elhaynes.org 202-667-4446 |
| Brittany Wagner-Friel, ES Principal 4501 Kansas Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20011 bwagnerfriel@elhaynes.org 202-667-4446 | Alex Baron, MS Principal 3600 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20010 abaron@elhaynes.org 202-667-4446 | Joy Clarke-Wells, HS Principal 4501 Kansas Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20011 jclarke@elhaynes.org 202-667-4446 |