Bolinas-Stinson Union School District Uniform Complaint Procedures Concerning School & District Programs

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THE BOLINAS-STINSON UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
UNIFORM COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
CONCERNING SCHOOL & DISTRICT PROGRAMS

The Governing Board of the Bolinas-Stinson Union School District has primary responsibility for compliance with state and federal regulations governing educational programs. The Superintendent/Principal is responsible for receipt and investigation of all complaints. The District shall investigate and seek to resolve complaints at the local level. All complaints will be investigated within 60 days of receipt of the complaint. The District shall follow uniform complaint procedures when addressing complaints alleging unlawful discrimination or failure to comply with state or federal law in consolidated categorical aid programs, child nutrition programs and special education programs.

Uniform complaint procedures include:

an opportunity for the complainant or the complainant's representative, or both, and school representatives to present information relevant to the complaint.
the preparation of a written report of findings and a disposition of the complaint including:
- corrective actions (if any),
- rationale for such disposition,
- notice of complainants right of appeal to the California Department of Education (CDE).
Timelines for filing a discrimination complaint that do not exceed six months from the alleged occurrence or when knowledge was first obtained.

The Board prohibits retaliation in any form for the filing of a complaint, the reporting of instances of discrimination, or for participation in complaint procedures. Such participation shall not affect status, grades, or work assignments of the complainant.

The Board acknowledges and respects student and employee rights to privacy. Discrimination complaints shall be investigated in a manner that protects the confidentiality of the parties and the facts. This includes keeping the identity of the complainant confidential except when necessary to carry out the investigation or proceedings, as determined by the Superintendent/Principal on a case by case basis. The Superintendent/Principal shall ensure that employees designated to investigate complaints are knowledgeable about laws and programs for which they are responsible. Such employees may have access to legal counsel as determined by the Superintendent/Principal.

The Board recognizes that a neutral mediator can often suggest an early compromise that is agreeable to both parties in a dispute. Whenever all parties to a complaint agree to try resolving their problem through mediation, the Superintendent/Principal shall initiate a mediation process before beginning a formal compliance investigation. The Superintendent/Principal shall ensure that mediation results are consistent with state and federal laws and regulations.