Grievance Process
Overview:
Richardson ISD has adopted grievance processes for the purpose of resolving employee, student/parent, and public concerns as expediently and efficiently as possible. Student/parent complaints are processed through Board Policy FNG; employee complaints are processed through Board Policy DGBA; and complaints from members of the public are processed through Board Policy GF. The Board of Trustees updated policies FNG (LOCAL) and DGBA (LOCAL) at its January 15, 2026 meeting to incorporate legislative changes. Grievances are administrative proceedings and are not trial proceedings. The rules of evidence used in trial proceedings are not applicable to grievance hearings.
Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible to allow early resolution at the lowest possible administrative level. The District believes it is typically in the best interest of everyone involved to informally resolve concerns, if possible. Before filing a grievance, and pursuant to Board Policy, the District strongly encourages each individual to attempt to resolve his or her concerns with the appropriate teacher, principal, or other campus/district administrator who has the authority to address the concerns. Except as specifically provided in board policy, any applicable timelines for filing a grievance are not affected by an attempt at informal resolution.
If an informal resolution is unsuccessful or not appropriate in a particular circumstance, the process outlined below should be used to file a grievance in RISD. Please note that RISD has assigned a Grievance Coordinator to help facilitate the grievance process. If you have any questions, please contact the Grievance Coordinator at Grievances@risd.org.
Grievance Steps:
Please note that the steps outlined below are an overview of the process only. Please review the applicable policy for the full details of the grievance process.
Step 1: Determine which RISD grievance policy is applicable to your complaint, make sure your complaint is appropriately addressed by that policy and that you are familiar with all requirements of that policy including the filing deadlines located in each particular policy.
- If you are an employee complaining about an employment matter, Board Policy DGBA (Local) applies.
- If you are a Richardson ISD student or a parent/guardian of a Richardson ISD student complaining about a student matter, Board Policy FNG (Local) applies.
- If you are a member of the community (or otherwise do not fit into either of the above two categories) with a complaint related to Richardson ISD, Board Policy GF (Local) applies.
Step 2: Print and completely fill out the Grievance/Complaint form:
If you are unable to print out a form, you may request a paper copy of the form by emailing the Grievance Coordinator at Grievances@risd.org.
Step 3: Submit the Grievance/Complaint form to the Grievance Coordinator within 10 District business days of the date of the incident forming the basis for the complaint as follows:
- E-mail the form to Grievances@risd.org;
- Submit the form in person to the Richardson ISD Administrative Building, 400 S. Greenville Ave., Richardson, TX 75081; or
- Mail the form to Grievances, Richardson ISD Administrative Building, 400 S. Greenville Ave., Richardson, TX 75081.
Step 4: The District Coordinator will contact you to confirm receipt and discuss the grievance if necessary.The Grievance Coordinator will then schedule a Level One grievance hearing. The hearing will be held within 10 calendar days of receipt of the grievance unless otherwise mutually agreed to by both parties. At this hearing, you will have the opportunity to fully explain your concerns and submit to the Level One hearing officer any documents you think should be considered in making a determination. Please note that the individual bringing forth the grievance is responsible for providing sufficient information to support the allegations being made. The Level One hearing officer will submit a written response to the concerns within twenty (20) calendar days of the Level One hearing.
Step 5: If you are not satisfied with the Level One hearing officer’s decision, you may file a Level Two appeal within twenty (20) calendar days of the date of the Level One decision.
You may submit the Grievance/Complaint Form to Grievances@risd.org in any of the same manners outlined at Level One above.
Step 6: The District Coordinator will confirm receipt and discuss the grievance as necessary. The Grievance Coordinator will then schedule a Level Two hearing. The hearing will be held within 10 calendar days of receipt of the grievance unless mutually agreed to by both parties. At this hearing, you may fully explain your concerns to the Level Two hearing officer; and any new information that was not submitted at Level One. The Level Two hearing officer will submit a written response to your concerns within twenty (20) calendar days of the hearing.
Step 7: If you are not satisfied with the Level Two hearing officer’s decision, you may file a Level Three appeal within twenty (20) calendar days of the Level Two decision.
You may submit the Grievance/Complaint Form to Grievances@risd.org in any of the same manners outlined at Level One above.
Step 8: Optional Informal Mediation Meeting
Prior to scheduling the Level Three hearing, you will be given the opportunity to engage in an informal mediation meeting with the Superintendent’s designee. The informal mediation meeting is voluntary and provides the parties an opportunity to attempt a final resolution prior to the Level Three hearing. Within five (5) calendar days of submitting the Grievance/Complaint Form, you must notify the Grievance Coordinator if interested in participating in an informal mediation meeting.
If you are satisfied with the outcome of the informal mediation meeting, the grievance will be closed. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the informal mediation meeting, the Level Three hearing will be forwarded to the Office of General Counsel for scheduling.
Step 9: The Office of the General Counsel will notify you of the date when the Level Three appeal will be heard by the Board of Trustees. Level Three hearings are scheduled when a quorum of the Board is available to hear the complaint. The hearing will occur by no later than 60 calendar days after the date on which the Level Two decision was made. The procedures for the Level Three hearing will be provided to you and the responding Administrator prior to the hearing. After the Board has made a determination at the Level Three hearing, a written decision will be provided within 30 calendar days of the board hearing, and the RISD grievance process is concluded.
If you have questions about the RISD grievance process, please contact the Grievance Coordinator at Grievances@risd.org.