Superintendent

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX 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.”

Statement:

The Loudoun County School Board is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment.  

Overview of Title IX 

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. On August 14, 2020, the United States Department of Education adopted amended rules relating to how educational institutions, including K-12 public schools, must respond to allegations of sexual harassment and sex discrimination of students, employees, and applicants for employment.  Title IX states that “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 educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

Title IX procedures provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints alleging sexual harassment under 34 C.F.R. Part 106 and for a grievance process that is compliant with 34 C.F.R. Part 106.45. Allegations of sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment that meet the definitions outlined in these regulations will be reviewed and/or investigated under the grievance process outlined in this document. Allegations of sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment will be reported to the Title IX Coordinator. Any person may report sex-based discrimination or, sexual harassment and may make this report to the Title IX Coordinator or to any division employee. Division employees are required to forward any report of sex-based discrimination or sexual harassment to the Title IX Coordinator. 

The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that once any school or division employee has actual notice of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct as defined by the Title IX Regulations, the division takes immediate and appropriate action steps. These steps include investigating what occurred and taking prompt and effective action to stop the discrimination or harassment, prevent the recurrence, and remedy the effects. The Title IX Coordinator is also responsible for ensuring compliance in training requirements, creating a prompt and equitable grievance process, developing a listing of supportive measures and offering appropriate supportive measures to the complainant, developing a list of possible remedies and/or disciplinary sanctions, and creating a process by which those remedies and actions are carried out.

Questions regarding the Title IX process should be directed at Lisa Boland, Chief Human Resources Officer and Interim Division Title IX Coordinator. 

Interim Title IX Coordinator:

Students, parents, employees, or applicants who wish to file a Title IX complaint should contact the Interim Title IX Coordinator for Loudoun County Public Schools:

• Lisa Boland, Interim Division Title IX Coordinator and Chief Human Resources Officer
• 21000 Education Court
• Ashburn, VA 20148
• (571) 252-1030 
• TitleIXCoordinator@lcps.org 

Policies and Regulations:

• School Board Policy 1040: Equal Opportunity for Equitable, Safe and Inclusive Environment
• School Board Policy 7012: Equal Opportunity Employment
• School Board Policy and Regulation 7014: Environments Free from Harassment, Discrimination, and Abuse
• School Board Policy 8-6: Sex Discrimination and/or Sexual Harassment
• School Board Policy 8215: In-School Disciplinary Measures
• School Board Policy 8220: Student Suspensions from School

Training of Title IX Team Members:

In December 2020, members of the LCPS Title IX Team participated in specialized training on how to respond to and investigate complaints of sex discrimination and sexual harassment.  This training was provided by the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA). Information about the ATIXA training materials provided during the training can be found on the Association of Title IX Administrators website.

Links to materials provided during the specific training courses can be found at:

• Coordinator Training
• Investigator Training