Title IX

In compliance with Federal Law, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, in education programs or activities, may be referred to the District’s Title IX Coordinator at titleixcoordinator@cms.k12.nc.us or to the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education.

This notice is provided pursuant to the requirements of Title IX and the Educational Amendments of 1972, 20 USC § 1681 et seq and its implementing regulations, 34 CFR Part 106.

CMS is required by the Office for Civil Rights to provide Title IX training annually across all grade levels, at all schools. CMS allows parents the ability to opt their student out of receiving the training after being provided access to preview relevant training by grade level. Administrators will send home physical copies of the opt-out form on August 25, 2025 with a required return date of August 29, 2025, for 1st-12th grades. Kindergarten opt-outs will be sent home August 25, 2025 with a required return date of September 5, 2025. If you have more than one student in CMS, you will need to return an opt-out form for each student.

Parents can also access grade level opt-out forms below:

• Kindergarten Opt-Out-English
• Kindergarten Opt-Out-Spanish
• Elementary Opt-Out-English
• Elementary Opt-Out-Spanish
• Middle School Opt-Out-English
• Middle School Opt-Out-Spanish
• High School Opt-Out-English
• High School Opt-Out-Spanish

Title IX protects all students, employees, and applicants from:

• Sexual harassment
• Sexual violence (fondling, rape, domestic violence, dating violence)
• Gender-based bullying or discrimination
• Unequal access to programs or activities based on sex

The current 2020 Title IX federal regulations define sexual harassment as the following categories:

• Quid Pro Quo
  A school employee conditioning an educational benefit or service (such as a higher grade or foregoing discipline) on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (“this for that”).
• Sexual Harassment - Hostile Environment
  Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is so severe and pervasive and objectively offensive that it denies the complainant equal access to educational programs and opportunities.
• Sexual Violence
  Fondling, rape, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

Title IX applies when the following elements are met:

• Alleged sexual harassment must occur in the district’s education programs or activities.
• CMS must have substantial control over the alleged harasser and the context in which the harassment occurred.
  This may include events that occur off CMS property, such as athletic games/practices, student organization competitions/events, CMS-provided transportation, field trips, and virtual learning environments.
• Sexual harassment that may not initially occur in the district’s programs or activities but results in further sex-based harassment in school.
  For example: harassment may occur at a private party or on private social media and then continue in school (videos shared, gossip, or bullying).

• Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, disability, age or religion
• General bullying or misconduct not based on sex (addressed under other policies)
• Issues occurring completely outside of the school’s programs or activities (schools will still offer supports)
• Sexual misconduct that does not fall under Title IX definitions (may be addressed under Rule 27 of the Student Code of Conduct)

If you or your child experience or become aware of any potential Title IX concerns—such as sexual discrimination or harassment—please report it promptly to:

• A school administrator
• A trusted school personnel
• The School Resource Officer
• The Title IX Office (980-343-9900)

Important Note: If the report involves a potential sex crime, the school is required to notify law enforcement. This does not prevent a student, parent or guardian from reporting directly to law enforcement at any time. However, please also notify the school administrator. Title IX is not criminal in nature, but schools are required to conduct a separate investigation. If a report requires both Title IX and law enforcement involvement, both agencies will collaborate.

Prompt reporting allows CMS to support those affected, stop the behavior, prevent recurrence, and remedy the effects. It also allows CMS to investigate concerns, and maintain a safe, respectful learning environment for all CMS stakeholders.

• Administrators notify the Title IX Department for guidance.
• If applicable, notify the student’s parent/guardian.
• If applicable, notify law enforcement.
• Provide “supportive measures” (counseling, separation of students, academic supports).
• Engage EC/504 Team if supports are needed.
• Provide parties with a copy of CMS Title IX Grievance Procedures.
• Inform complainants of their right to request a formal investigation.

Not All Sexual Misconduct Falls Under Title IX: Behavior that does not meet Title IX criteria (e.g. not severe/pervasive, outside school activities) will not be handled under Title IX but may still be addressed under Rule 27 – Sexual Misconduct.

More resources, including grievance procedures, can be found at https://www.cmsk12.org/titleix.

Michele Jean-Jumeau
Director, Title IX – CMS Coordinator
titleixcoordinator@cms.k12.nc.us
980-343-9900

Camille Durham
Executive Director, Title IX
Office for Civil Rights, District of Columbia Office
U.S. Department of Education
Washington, DC 20044-4620
(202) 208-2545
OCR.DC@ed.gov