Title IX

  • Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law, enacted in 1972, which 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."

    On May 6, 2020, the United States Department of Education released its final rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The final rule requires school districts to follow a specific Title IX Grievance Process while investigating allegations of sexual misconduct. The Office of Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education considers sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault and intimate partner violence) to be a form of sexual discrimination and requires the school districts to take immediate and effective steps to respond to sexual misconduct.

Jurisdiction

  • For a Title IX investigation to apply, the incident must meet the definition of sexual harassment, and it must have occurred in an education program or activity in which the District has substantial control over both the respondent and the context in which the harassment occurred.

    "Sexual harassment" means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

    1. Any School District of Manatee County employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the recipient on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;

    2. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient’s education program or activity; or

    3. “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), “dating violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8), or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30).

Responsibilities and Obligations

  • The School District of Manatee County takes its obligation to comply with Title IX very seriously.

    Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and the Grievance Procedures may be referred to the District’s Title IX Coordinators.

Title IX Coordinators

  • Title IX - Schools & Educational Facilities
    Investigator
    Dr. Robert “Pace” Edwards
    Professional Support Center
    2501 63rd Ave. E, Bradenton, Florida 34203
    (941) 751-6550 x43038
    edwards2p@manateeschools.net

    Decision-Maker
    George Schirer
    Director, Student Services
    Professional Support Center
    2501 63rd Ave. E, Bradenton, Florida 34203
    (941) 751-6550 x43061
    schrierg@manateeschools.net

    Title IX - District & Employment
    Investigator
    Donna Peregoff
    Human Resources Assistant Director
    School Support Center
    215 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton, Florida 34205
    (941) 708-8770 x41006
    peregoffd@manateeschools.net

    Decision-Maker
    Richard Bailey
    Chief of Human Resources
    School Support Center
    215 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton, Florida 34205
    (941) 708-8770 x41239
    baileyr3@manateeschools.net