Conflict Resolution and Appeal Policy

At Heritage Christian Online School (HCOS) we have five different people groups involved in the process of providing education:

Children
Parents
Teachers
Administration Staff and Leaders
School Committee & Kelowna Christian Center Society (KCCS) Leadership

Student to Student

When two students cannot resolve a conflict that is school related or school based then it is their responsibility to go to their teacher or supervising authority to find a resolution.

Students have the freedom to involve their parents but the parent must do all they can to respect the teacher’s role in the process of resolution.
Parents should avoid directly addressing the other student.
If a parent cannot maintain that level of objectivity they should allow the school authority to work through the solution.
If resolution cannot be found then it needs to go to the regional administrator or grad advisor.

Student to Teacher or Teacher to Student

When a student or teacher cannot resolve a conflict then it is the student's or teacher's role to involve the parents in the resolution of the conflict.

The teacher needs to establish their role as a position of authority in the life of the student. It is important to understand that the teacher has that ability because the parent has placed their child under that authority. Parents need to respect the teacher and be careful how they question their expertise, particularly in the presence of their child.
If the conflict cannot be resolved at that level then either the teacher or the parent should involve the regional administrator or grad director.
The teacher may need to involve the regional administrator independent of the parents in which case the parent may be contacted by the regional administrator rather than the teacher.

Parent to Teacher or Teacher to Parent

When a conflict cannot be resolved between the parent and the teacher either the parent or the teacher should bring the issue to the regional administrator or grad director.

There is a unique relationship that the regional administrator or grad director has to both the parent and the teacher and will do their part to be fair to both parties.

Parent to Administration or Administration to Parent

When a conflict cannot be resolved by a parent to administration or vise-a-versa then school leadership can be appealed to, first in writing then via phone conversation. Parents and Guardians are encouraged to use the following process for dealing with individual issues or concerns:

Step One: The issue must be dealt with first by the persons directly involved. It is essential that meaningful communication is established right from the beginning. Both parties must clearly identify the issues being discussed. There must be an open discussion and an honest attempt to settle the issue at this level, keeping in mind the understanding that policies must be followed.

Step Two: If the issues cannot be resolved through open discussion, the matter should be brought to the attention of the Divisional Director.

Step Three: If Step Two does not result in a resolution, the Divisional Director will refer the matter to the Academic Head of School at the parents/guardians request. The Head of School will review the issue and then contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) to discuss the issue in order to work towards a resolution.

Step Four: If the matter remains unresolved after the prior step, the matter may be appealed to the School Board. The appeal must be submitted in writing, in care of the school, within no more than five days after the meeting with the Head of School.

Step Five: In extreme situations, the decision of the Board may be appealed to the School’s Association, Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Ombudsperson.

All communication should be done with care and sensitivity to the community we represent.

Conflicts Outside of These Parameters

Occasionally any one of the five people groups will have concerns on a broader scope concerning the school:

Always try to address the issues to the level of authority at which they can be resolved.
Work hard to communicate factually - ask the necessary questions to ensure that the facts are straight.
If you are not satisfied that one level of authority has brought the situation to resolution then you have the freedom to take it to the next level.

Broader issues regarding policy and school procedures need to be addressed with the school leadership, first the divisional director or grad director and the Heads of School, then to the society board.

Personal issues with those in authority need to be addressed first with them and then with their immediate supervisor.

Steps to Conflict Resolution

When you are wronged by someone else then it is your responsibility to go directly to that person and speak to them personally. Things to remember:
- Be careful to try and hear their side of the story. Many times, the situation is only a misunderstanding. There are always two sides to every conflict.
- As much as possible deal with facts and not feelings. Try to set aside your own hurt enough to inquire and communicate about the actual facts.
After you have communicated one-on-one with the individual whom your concern is with and if you are not satisfied with the response, then we can bring someone else into the situation.
- The purpose of the other person is to help with objectivity not to gang up on the one whom we are trying to address.
- Let the other person mediate in the conversation – be willing to change your own position based upon their input.
- Often it is helpful to bring someone in when you are still emotionally troubled over the issue in order to help you both communicate and listen to the other side.
If the individual in question still does not listen to you and the other person then you may take it to the next level of authority. Generally, the next level of authority will be able to help resolve the issue in conflict.
- If satisfaction is not found with the next level of authority then the issue needs to go up the ladder to the next level of authority.
- Often the next level of authority may disagree or have a different perspective on the issue under examination.
- If the authorities responsible disagree or don't see the issue in the same light as you then you need to reassess the issue or reassess your relationship with the organization or authority structure.

Throughout the entire process the underlying motives must be to seek the truth and to bring resolution, forgiveness and restitution.