TITLE IX ASSOCIATION

staff photoOne of the most under-appreciated yet critical roles in school districts is that of the Title IX Coordinator. Federal law requires each school district to appoint at least one Title IX Coordinator for good reason: while most people think of Title IX with regard to athletics, it more broadly protects employees and students from sex discrimination.

OSSBA’s Title IX Association’s purpose is to increase training, guidance and support for Title IX coordinators and other district employees who routinely deal with Title IX issues.

OSSBA Staff Attorney Brandon Carey leads this effort. He’s a former general counsel for Oklahoma City Public Schools and a former attorney for the U.S. Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights.

Initial membership in the Title IX association is open and free to employees of your district you believe would benefit from membership and participation.

Members of the Title IX Association also will have automatic access to an online community via OSSBA’s member portal. You or another person designated as your district’s portal account administrator can designate employees to join the Title IX association by updating their contact record in the OSSBA member portal. You can also contact OSSBA for assistance by filling out our portal help form and selecting “I need help with online forum access.”

A few of our plans: 

  • Future regional training across the state
  • On-site district training related to Title IX issues upon request (contact Brandon at 888.528.3571 or brandonc@ossba.org to schedule)
  • Federal rules contain specific requirements and parameters for investigation of a Title IX complaint. Brandon is available to answer questions about the investigation process or the district can opt to hire me/OSSBA to assist with or conduct an investigation. 
  • Federal law, regulations, and case law require school districts to accommodate the interests and abilities of student athletes and ensure equal treatment in several areas of athletic programs, such as equipment and supplies, coaching, and locker rooms and practice/competitive facilities. Brandon can answer questions on these topics or the district can hire OSSBA to do a Title IX audit of its athletics program. 
  • Online community for Title IX coordinators
  • Sample forms, job descriptions and policies (coming soon)
  • Email updates on hot topics and pressing issues

Title IX Training

The following recorded webinars are available through OSSBA:

Title IX: Sexual Harassment

This training will consist of an in-depth discussion of the Title IX process – from the allegation through the appeal process, and will include training on the requirement to avoid prejudgment of the facts, conflicts of interest, and bias. Finally, we lead attendees through a model Title IX scenario and investigation. (3 hours | $100 | Register)

 Title IX: Athletics

OSSBA Staff Attorney Brandon Carey will discuss the major elements of athletic program compliance with Title IX, including accommodating the athletic interests and abilities of the student body, Title IX and money, and how to ensure equivalence in benefits and opportunities (e.g., equipment and supplies, game and practice schedules, facilities, etc.). From his perspective as a former attorney with the Office for Civil Rights, he will also discuss the issues that often lead to OCR complaints and dispel some common myths about Title IX compliance. (3 hours | $100 | Register)

Individual District Training

OSSBA offers customized in-person or virtual Title IX training for your team. This is a great opportunity for your district’s team to learn together about this important federal law.

 

If you need help with online forum access, please complete this form or email christyw@ossba.org.

Questions?

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