August 12, 2020 12:11 pm / By Jonathan Dooley

The US Department of Education recently released significant revisions to the federal Title IX regulations that are both extensive and complex. Media Arts teachers and staff are participating in training that covers what qualifies as sexual harassment under Title VII and Title IX (including a brief overview of Title VII and Title IX as they relate to education), what qualifies as a hostile environment, legal precedent concerning school boards’ liabilities, student and employees’ rights, and the Department of Education’s recent changes to Title IX practices.

On August 11, 2020, the Governing Council approved the MACCS Title IX Policy. The Council also approved the MACCS – Title IX Notice of Policy and Procedure that our community will find in the Parent/ Student Handbook, as well as in the Employee Handbook, and the MACCS – Title IX Grievance Complaint Procedures that is available for reference.

Media Arts has a Title IX Coordinator who is focused on systemic and on-going policy, process, prevention and training programs that include:

1) Assessing school climate and current program effectiveness,

2) Collaborating and cooperating with school officials, parents/ guardians, and community partners, and

3) Ensuring that all staff members have the appropriate knowledge, skills, training, and resources necessary to successfully fulfill their responsibilities under Title IX.

The Media Arts Title IX Coordinator is Shelley Walden. You can call Ms. Walden at 505-243-1957, ext. 600, or email at swalden@nmmediaarts.org. Media Arts is located at 4401 Central Avenue NE in Albuquerque, New Mexico.