Under state law (WAC 392-190-060), school districts and public charter schools must use effective methods to annually inform all students, parents, and employees about the district’s or charter school’s discrimination complaint procedures. This notice must be provided in a language that each parent and guardian can understand, which may require that the district or charter school translate this information for limited-English proficient parents and guardians.
OSPI’s Equity and Civil Rights Office has developed the following sample wording that school districts and charter schools may include in student and/or staff handbooks or other district publications to meet compliance requirements.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION
What is discrimination?
Discrimination is unfair or unlawful treatment of a person or group because they are part of a defined group, known as a protected class. Discrimination may include treating a person differently or denying someone access to a program, service, or activity because they are part of a protected class, or failing to accommodate a person’s disability.
What is a protected class?
A protected class is a group of people who share common characteristics and are protected from discrimination and harassment by federal, state, or local laws. Protected classes under Washington state law include sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, veteran or military status, and the use of a trained dog guide or service animal.
How do I file a complaint about discrimination?
If you believe that you or your child has experienced unlawful discrimination or discriminatory harassment at school based on any protected class, you have the right to file a formal complaint. Before filing a complaint, you may wish to discuss your concerns with your child’s principal or with the school district’s Section 504 Coordinator, Title IX Officer, or Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator. This is often the fastest way to revolve your concerns.
Cris Turner, Section 504 Coordinator 360.277.2295, cturner@northmasonschools.org
Title IX Coordinator: Nathan Fitzpatrick, nfitzpatrick@northmasonschools.org;
Language Access Coordinator: Cris Turner, cturner@northmasonschools.org
Amber Nygard, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, 360.277.2309 anygard@northmasonschools.org
Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator: Amber Nygard, anygard@northmasonschools.org
For a full copy of the school district’s nondiscrimination procedure, Click Here
or contact the school district at 360.277.2300.
Step 1: Complaint to the School District
A complaint must be in writing, describe what happened, and state why you believe it is discrimination. It is also helpful to include what actions you would like the district to take to resolve your complaint. In most cases, complaints must be filed within one year from the date of the event that is the subject matter of the complaint.
Complaints may be submitted by mail, fax, e-mail, or hand delivery to any district or school administrator or the district’s Compliance Coordinator.
When the school district receives your written complaint, the Compliance Coordinator will give you a copy of the district’s discrimination complaint procedure. The Compliance Coordinator will then make sure that the school district conducts a prompt and thorough investigation. You may also agree to resolve your complaint in lieu of an investigation.
The school district must respond to you in writing within 30 calendar days after receiving your complaint, unless you agree on a different date. If exceptional circumstances related to the complaint require an extension of the time limit, the school district will notify you in writing about the reasons for the extension and the anticipated response date.
When the school district responds to your complaint, it must include:
1. A summary of the results of the investigation;
2. Whether or not the school district has failed to comply with civil rights requirements related to the complaint;
3. Notice of your right to appeal, including where and to whom the appeal must be filed; and
4. Any corrective measures determined necessary to correct any noncompliance.
Step 2: Appeal to the School District
If you disagree with the school district’s decision, you may appeal to the school district’s board of directors. You must file a notice of appeal in writing to the secretary of the school board within 10 calendar days after you received the school district’s response to your complaint.
The school board will schedule a hearing within 20 calendar days after they received your appeal, unless you agree on a different timeline. At the hearing, you may bring witnesses or other information related to your appeal.
The school board will send you a written decision within 30 calendar days after the district received your notice of appeal. The school board’s decision will include information about how to file a complaint with OSPI.
Step 3: Complaint to OSPI
If you do not agree with the school district’s appeal decision, you may file a complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). A complaint must be filed with OSPI within 20 calendar days after you received the district’s appeal decision. You may send your complaint to OSPI by e-mail, mail, fax, or hand-delivery:
E-mail: Equity@k12.wa.us
Fax: 360-664-2967
Mail: OSPI Equity and Civil Rights Office, PO Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200
Complaints cannot be filed with OSPI unless they have already been raised with the school district and appealed, as outlined in Steps 1 and 2 above, or if the school district did not follow the correct complaint and appeal procedures.
For more information, visit http://www.k12.wa.us/Equity/Complaints.aspx, or contact OSPI’s Equity and Civil Rights Office at 360-725-6162/TTY: 360-664-3631 or by e-mail at equity@k12.wa.us.
