When filing a report/claim:

Laramie County School District 1 is required to respond to all reports of sexual misconduct, civil rights discrimination, and workplace violence in the most appropriate manner. Responding to these concerns does not indicate that there has been a violation of policy
After receiving a report, the district will begin an assessment, which normally will start within 72 hours of receipt of the incident report. Typically, this will include the following actions:
 

• The Title IX Coordinators will contact Complainant (individual filing complaint) and offer supportive measures and process initial assessment of incident.
• If allegations do not fall under Title IX jurisdiction, the Title IX Coordinator will dismiss the allegations under Title IX and refer Complainant to school administrator (student violations) and/or the Executive Director of Human Resources (staff violations).
• If allegations fall under Title IX jurisdiction, a Title IX Investigation will occur.
  • At this point, the Title IX Coordinators will appoint the investigators.
• Title IX Coordinators will send notice of investigation to both Complainant (individual filing complaint) and Respondent (individual accused in complaint). The Complainant and Respondent have the right to have their parent/guardian present at all interviews and have an advisor of their choosing.
  • Each party may be accompanied by an advisor of their choice during any meeting or proceeding related to this investigation. The advisor’s role is non-participatory, meaning they may provide support and guidance to you but may not speak on your behalf, answer questions, or otherwise actively participate in interviews or meetings. All questions and communications will be directed to Complainant or Respondent.
• District Investigators will invite person filing the incident report to be interviewed.
  • Review the incident report.
  • Collect or request all relevant evidence and documents.
  • Review rights and options with respect to the incident reported.
  • Review relevant interim supportive measures.
• Investigator will invite person(s) accused to be interviewed.
  • Review the written incident report.
  • Collect or request all relevant evidence and documents.
  • Review of rights and options with respect to the incident reported.
  • Review of relevant interim supportive measures.
• The Complainant and/or Respondent may request, except in cases involving sexual violence or staff members, seek to resolve the matter informally through mediation if both parties agree to this. This can be requested at any point up to a final decision of responsibility being made in the case.
• Meetings with witness(es) who have direct knowledge of events.
• District investigators will review all relevant documentation and evidence gathered and will draft an investigation report.  Once the report is drafted, the investigators will meet with the Title IX Coordinators to review the report and evidence.
• The investigators will then provide all evidence directly related to the allegations to both parties and their advisors for inspection and review with 10 school/business days for written response.
• After both parties have been able to review evidence and had the time to respond to it, the investigator will send the final report to both parties and the Decision-Maker who will make a determination of responsibility.
• The Decision-Maker will provide 10 school/business days for both parties to participate in written, relevant questions and answers of anyone involved in the case.
  • The Decision-Maker will receive all written questions and determine whether they are relevant to the case or not. Questions deemed relevant will be given to the party it is meant for with a request for answer that will be shared with both parties. Questions deemed not relevant will be returned to the party that wrote them with reasons why they will not be asked.
• The Decision-Maker will issue a written determination regarding responsibility at the end of the 10 school/business days of question and answer that includes the following:
  • Sections of the policy alleged to have been violated.
  • Description of procedural steps taken.
  • Statement and rationale for the result as to each specific allegation.
    • Should Include findings of fact supporting the determination and conclusions regarding the application of the policy to the facts.
  • If the Respondent is found to be responsible, sanction imposed on the Respondent.
  • Any remedies provided to the complainant designed to restore or preserve access to the education program or activity.
  • Procedures and bases for any appeal:
    • Appeals are only allowed on a limited basis:
      • Procedure errors
      • New evidence
      • Bias or conflict of interest
• Any party can then request an appeal of the determination.  The appeals officer will be separate from the Title IX Coordinator, Investigator, and Decision-maker.

• Parties will have 10 days to file a written appeal.
  • If an appeal is filed, the determination will be final after the decision is made in the appeals process.
  • If an appeal is not filed, the original determination will be final after 10 days.

• At the conclusion of the investigation, the Title IX Coordinators will retain all records and notes of the investigation for 7 years.

Depending on the nature of the incident report, the complexity of the issues and events, number and availability of witnesses, the amount of information to be gathered and reviewed, and other factors, LCSD1 will attempt to complete the investigation within 60 to 90 calendar days. Additional time may be necessary to conduct a fair and equitable investigation. The Complainant (or parent/guardian) filing the incident report and the Respondent will be informed periodically of the status of the investigation.
While LCSD1 will exercise reasonable diligence in complying with the timelines and procedures outlined, deviations may occur in order to meet the intent of the policy or to ensure the fair and equitable resolution of a reported incident. The complainant (or parent/guardian) filing the incident report, or the Respondent, should report any procedural error or deficiency to the Title IX Coordinator. A procedural error or deficiency shall not require an outcome in favor of the person allegedly disadvantaged by the error.

Coordinator: Jen Sumner-Brownhill

Deputy Title IX Coordinator - Chris Zimny

• Title IX Complaint Form-Word Doc 
   
• Title IX Complaint Form-PDF

LCSD1 encourages reporting possible crimes to law enforcement. Please be advised that criminal processes are independent of LCSD1. Even when a report has been made to law enforcement, employees are required to make a report to the Title IX Coordinator; all others are encouraged to report to the district as well.

Emergency: 911

City of Cheyenne Police Department: 307-637-6500

Laramie County Sheriff’s Office: 307-633-4700

• Title IX Coordinator and Civil Rights Investigator Training (PDF)
• Title IX Coordinator and Civil Rights Investigator Training 
• LCSD1 Investigator Training 
• LCSD1 Staff Training

Victims of sexual misconduct may file a report directly with the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator is available to offer ongoing support to victims of sexual assault in understanding LCSD1’s investigative and/or disciplinary processes or the criminal process as the victim chooses.

The Title IX Coordinator has the duty to address sexual violence and remedy the effects on the victim and the school community. The Coordinator will make every effort to maintain confidentiality but may be required to investigate the incident.

Contact Jen Sumner-Brownhill, Title IX Coordinator, 307-771-2159 (TitleIX@laramie1.org) or Chris Zimny, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, 307-771-2204 (TitleIX@laramie1.org). Reports can also be made to building principals.

Many employees (principals, teachers, school personnel, administrators, directors, coaches, etc.) are able to offer emotional support to victims and help direct them to appropriate resources. Responsible employees, upon receiving notice of sexual misconduct, are required by law to notify the Title IX Coordinator the details of sexual misconduct. At LCSD1, ALL EMPLOYEES are considered responsible employees.