Middletown Public Schools takes its obligations seriously to ensure that no student or employee suffers discrimination based on sex, as defined in Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.  Title IX is a federal law (1972) that states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in educational programs or activities that receive financial assistance.  Under Title IX, discrimination based on sex can include sexual harassment, which is defined as conduct based on sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

Sexual harassment under Title IX means verbal, physical or other conduct that targets a person based on their sex, and that satisfies one or more of the following:

• A District employee conditioning educational benefits or services for participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo);

• Any unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would find so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to any District or school education program or activity;

• Any instance of "Sexual assault" as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), "dating violence" as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10), "domestic violence" as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8), or "stalking" as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30).

Any person (whether or not they are the victim of the alleged conduct) may report suspected sexual harassment to any District staff member, including the Title IX Coordinator. Reports may be made in any manner, including in person, by email, by telephone or by mail, at any time, including during non-business hours. Title IX does not impose a time limit for reporting alleged incidents of discrimination based on sex, sexual harassment or retaliation; however, in order to ensure integrity, promote fairness, and facilitate an effective investigation, every effort should be made to report all instances of alleged sexual harassment or retaliation, as promptly as possible, and, if possible, not later than 180 calendar days after the alleged conduct occurred. 

After a report of sexual harassment has been made, the school and/or Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the individual affected by the alleged misconduct, provide supportive measures, discuss the grievance policy, and offer the opportunity for the complainant to file a formal complaint if the behavior meets the Title IX definition of sexual harassment.  If a formal complaint is filed, appropriate steps will be taken to investigate. Upon completing the investigation, the outcome will be shared publicly.

If a party does not agree with the final determination made by the school or has concerns of non-compliance with Title IX or actions that Title IX would prohibit, they may appeal the determination following the School Committee Appeals Policy.

View our Title IX Connected Polices

Michelle Fonseca 
Assistant Superintendent
Title IX Coordinator

mfonseca@mpsri.net

26 Oliphant Lane
Middletown, RI 02842
401-849-2122

Lisa Birkett
Director of Student Services 
504 Coordinator 

lbirkett@mpsri.net

26 Oliphant Lane
Middletown, RI 02842
401-849-2122

Middletown Public Schools (MPS) does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, or status as a disabled veteran, military service, or any other protected category concerning access to, the provision of, or employment in its educational services, programs and activities, including admissions, athletics, and other MPS programs, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and other federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination. It is the policy of the MPS School Committee to maintain an educational and working environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment in any form.  Supervisors, administrators, and all other employees, as well as students, are absolutely prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination and/or harassment of District employees, students, and visitors.