COMPLAINT OPTIONS FOR SEX DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT

If you believe that you have experienced discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual harassment at school, you have the right to file a complaint with the District or the Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). If a crime is involved, such as sexual assault or rape, individuals may also file a report with the local police department. A person may pursue one or all of these avenues at the same time. Incidents involving suspected child abuse shall be reported to law enforcement under the District’s mandated reporting procedures. Additionally, the school principal may be required to report other incidents to law enforcement under Education Code section 48902.    Before filing a complaint, you can discuss your concerns with the school Principal, with the District's Director of Student Support or Title IX Coordinator/Compliance Officer, who are listed above. This is often the fastest way to address and resolve your concerns.  

Complaint to the School District 

Step 1. Prepare Your Complaint

In most cases, complaints should be filed within six months from the date of the incident or conduct that is the subject of the complaint. A complaint may be verbal or written. Be sure to describe the conduct or incident and explain why you believe sex discrimination or sexual harassment has taken place. Communicate your complaint to any District staff member or the District's Title IX Coordinator/Compliance Officer. Each campus will designate two administrative personnel who will process Title IX complaints.

Step 2: School District Investigates Your Complaint

Once the District receives your complaint, the Title IX Coordinator/ Compliance Officer will give you a copy of the complaint procedure and make sure a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation takes place. When the investigation is completed, you will receive a written response.

Step 3: School District Responds to Your Complaint

In its written response, the District will include a summary of the results of the investigation. If it is determined that discrimination or harassment occurred, the report shall also include any corrective actions that have or will be taken to address the misconduct, to prevent any retaliation or further misconduct, and to inform you about any sanction imposed on the respondent which relates directly to you as the complainant.

Appeal Options.  If you do not agree with the District's decision, state law provides the option to file a formal appeal with the California Department of Education - Office of Equal Opportunity. This is a separate process that can take place if one of these two conditions has occurred: (1) you have completed the District's complaint and appeal process (if any) and you disagree with the decision, or (2) the District has not followed its complaint and appeal process correctly.  You have 20 calendar days to file an appeal with the California Department of Education - Office of Equal Opportunity from the day you received the decision of the District.

You can send your written complaint to:

California Department of Education - Office of Equal Opportunity:

Email: oeoinfo@cde.ca.gov I Phone: 916-445-9174 I Fax: 360-664-2967

Mail or hand deliver: 1430 N Street, Suite 5602, Sacramento, CA 95814-5901

Complaint to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR)

A student may also file a sex discrimination or sexual harassment complaint with OCR. Instructions for filing a complaint can be found at How to File a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights.