The Hamilton County Department of Education (HCDE) values all of our employees including those who are experiencing disabilities. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HCDE does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and strives to provide reasonable accommodations and services for employees.

HCS’s Compliance & Compensation Coordinator in the Human Resources Department will provide assistance and/or services for persons with disabilities.

Employees may request accommodations through the help desk. For other inquiries, please contact Sara Garmon.

Hamilton County Schools’ top priority is to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. Every individual, including school personnel, is considered a mandatory reporter in Tennessee. HCS recognizes that students may experience or be a part of incidents that constitute mandatory reporting. If you believe a student is or has been abused or neglected, is showing suicidal behaviors, or has had their Title IX rights violated, please use the information on the pages below to take the appropriate reporting steps. Hamilton County Schools takes any allegation of abuse very seriously. The wellbeing of our students is our top priority, and we will continue to work toward an environment where all children thrive.

Hamilton County Board of Education Policy 6.409

A person has the duty to report suspected child abuse when the following occurs:

•  The person has knowledge of (or is called upon to render aid to) a child who is suffering from (or has suffered from) any wound, injury, disability, or other physical or mental condition; and the physical or mental condition is of such a nature that it reasonably appears to have been caused by brutality, abuse, neglect caused by a caregiver of the child; or
• The person has reason to suspect that the child is a victim of sexual abuse regardless of whether the child has suffered a physical injury from the suspected sexual abuse and regardless of whom the perpetrator of the abuse may have been.

How to Report:

Secure proper medical treatment for student(s), if necessary. Then immediately call:

TN Child Abuse Hotline: 1-855-209-4226 or online at https://apps.tn.gov/carat
(Obtain case #)

-AND- 

Local Law Enforcement
(If out of town, call both local law and Hamilton County law enforcement)
Chattanooga Police Department. (423) 698-2525
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (423) 893-3503

Any school-based employee who reports suspected child abuse must notify the school’s child abuse coordinator (or alternate child abuse coordinator if unavailable) and his or her principal or supervisor and the child abuse coordinator will join the employee in placing the phone call. If neither coordinator is available, the employee must still report to authorities without delay.

Notify:

• School Child Abuse Coordinator
• Principal/Supervisor
• Chief Talent Officer (if allegations are against school personnel)

1. Record information on ID Risk Form
2. Contact the School Counselor, Admin., Psychologist, Social Worker, or School Designee.
3. Use the checklist to follow proper procedures
4. Always contact guardians/parents to inform them.

If necessary please contact:

• Youth Village mobile crisis: 866-791-9225 (local)
• National Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
• For fatalities, contact a director or law enforcement

Hamilton County Board of Education’s Commitment

Hamilton County Board of Education’s Policy 6.304 Student Discrimination/Harassment/Hazing and Bullying/Intimidation states:

The Hamilton County Board of Education is fully committed to providing a safe and [supportive] learning environment for all students in order for them to achieve academic success. This environment shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, sexual harassment, hazing, bullying or cyber-bullying… It is a violation of board policy for any employee or any student to discriminate against or harass another student on the basis of sex, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, or religion. Discrimination and harassment will not be tolerated.

Hamilton County Board of Education’s Policy 6.3041 Title IX and Sexual Harassment states:

In order to maintain a safe, civil, and supportive learning environment for all students, all forms of sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex are prohibited.  This policy shall cover employees, employees’ behaviors, students, and students’ behaviors while on school property, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided equipment or transportation, or at any official school bus stop in accordance with federal law.

Hamilton County Board of Education’s Policy 5.502 Harassment/Sexual Harassment and Discrimination states:

“The Hamilton County Board of Education is committed to safeguarding the rights of all students and employees within the school system to learn and work in an environment that is free from all forms of harassment and discrimination.”

Hamilton County Schools Commitment to Belonging

The district’s strategic plan, Opportunity 2030, includes five commitments, including Every Student Belongs and Every Employee Valued. One of our key strategies of the strategic plan is creating a welcoming space for all.

Title IX and Its Impact on HCS Commitments

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” (20 U.S.C. §1681). If a Title IX complaint is found to be valid, it directly challenges Hamilton County Schools’ commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students, staff, and community members. Addressing and resolving such concerns is essential to upholding the values of fairness, access, and equity across our schools.

What Activities are Protected Under Title IX

Programs and activities that receive federal funding must operate in a manner that does not discriminate based on sex. Title IX ensures that all individuals, regardless of sex, have equal access to educational opportunities, resources, and participation. These protections apply to a wide range of areas within educational settings, including:

• Academic programs
• Admissions
• Athletics
• Classroom assignment
• Counseling and guidance
• Discipline
• Grading
• Financial aid
• Physical education
• Recreation
• Recruitment
• Student treatment and services
• Vocational education

Examples of Potential Title IX Violations: These examples are not exhaustive but illustrate the types of situations that may constitute a Title IX violation.

• Sexual Harassment or Gender-Based Bullying
  A student is repeatedly targeted with inappropriate comments, jokes, or gestures related to their sex or gender, and school staff fail to intervene.
• Ignoring or Inadequately Responding to Reports of Sexual Misconduct
  A student reports sexual harassment or assault, but school officials do not investigate or respond appropriately, leaving the student feeling unsafe at school.
• Unequal Opportunities in Athletics
  A school provides significantly more funding, resources, or support to boys’ athletic teams than girls’ teams, despite equal interest and participation levels.
• Discouraging Students Based on Gender
  A counselor tells female students they are unlikely to succeed in STEM courses, or steers male students away from classes perceived as “feminine,” such as art or early childhood education.
• Sex-Based Dress Code Enforcement
  Staff enforce a dress code more strictly on female students, calling out clothing that does not violate policy or applying inconsistent rules compared to male students.
• Online Sexual Harassment or Gender-Based Threats
  A student posts explicit comments, rumors, or threats targeting another student based on sex, and the school does not take appropriate action to address the impact on the school environment.
• Retaliation After Reporting
  A student who files a Title IX complaint is later excluded from clubs or school activities, or faces hostility from staff or peers as a result of making the report.

For more information, please see HCS Board Policy 6.3041. If you believe that you or someone else have experienced behavior that violates Title IX, contact:

Dr. Cheryl McCray, Title IX Coordinator
(423) 855-2638

Hamilton County Schools is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the diversity of our student population and community.  HCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, or individuals with disabilities or veteran status, with regard only to qualifications for the positions involved.

Title IV  and Title IX prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex in all programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Click here for more information about Civil Rights compliance or to file a complaint.