It is the policy of the Board that no staff member or candidate for a position in this District shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, creed or ancestry, age, height, weight, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic, be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of any program or activity for which the Board is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.