Parent Concerns and Complaints

 

 

Title IX

 

Overview 

The Tulare City School Board takes seriously its obligations to ensure that no student or employee suffers discrimination / harassment on the basis of sex, as defined in Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.  Title IX, a federal law enacted in 1972, states: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex.  The District is required by Title IX not to discriminate on the basis of sex.  The requirement not to discriminate based on sex extends to admission and employment.  Inquiries should be referred to the Title IX Coordinator (see below).

Definition

The complaint procedures described here shall be used to address any complaint governed by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 alleging that a district employee (AR 4119.12) or student (AR 5145.71), while in an education program or activity in which a district school exercises substantial control over the context and respondent, was subjected to one or more of the following forms of sexual harassment:  (34 CFR 106.30, 106.44)

1. A district employee conditioning the provision of a district aid, benefit, or service on a person's participation in unwelcome sexual conduct
2. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the district's education program or activity
3. Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined in 20 USC 1092 or 34 USC 12291

 

Reporting Discrimination / Harassment

Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number or electronic mail address, by mail to the office address, or the "General Reporting Form" listed above for the Title IX Coordinator.

 

Next Steps

After the report has been received, the Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the individual affected by the alleged misconduct, provide supportive measures, discuss the grievance policy, and offer the opportunity for the complainant to file a formal complaint if the behavior meets the Title IX definition of sexual harassment.  If a formal complaint is filed, appropriate steps will be taken to investigate. Upon completing the investigation, the outcome will be shared with all educational partners.

 

Appeal Procedures

If a party does not agree with the final determination made by the district, or has concerns of noncompliance with Title IX or actions that would be prohibited by Title IX, he/she may appeal the determination in accordance with School Board Policy AR 4119.12 (employees) or AR 5145.71 (students).

 

23-24 Title IX Training Materials

• Title IX Coordinator Training
• Title IX Investigator Training
• Title IX Informal Resolution Facilitator Training
• Title IX Decision Maker Appeals Training
• Title IX Athletics Training

 

TCSD Title IX Coordinator: Philip Pierschbacher

Assistant Superintendent of Personnel
600 N. Cherry, Tulare, CA  93274
(559) 685-7227
E-mail: [email protected]

 

Please also see: Parent/Student Handbook (pages 47-51) [English] [Español]

 

 

 

Williams Act Uniform Complaint Procedures

 

The Governing Board desires to identify and resolve any deficiencies related to Williams Act Complaint Procedures:

 

1. There should be sufficient textbooks and instructional materials in usable condition. For there to be sufficient textbooks and instructional materials, each pupil, including English learners, must have a textbook or instructional materials, or both, to use in class and to take home.
2. School facilities must be clean, safe, and maintained in good repair.
3. There should be no teacher vacancies* or misassignments**. There should be a teacher assigned to each class and not a series of substitutes or other temporary teachers. The teacher should have the proper credential to teach the class, including the certification required to teach English learners if present.

 

Williams Act UCP Reporting Form (English)

Williams Act UCP Reporting Form (Español)

 

*Teacher vacancy means a position to which a single designated certificated employee has not been assigned at the beginning of the year for an entire year or, if the position is for a one-semester course, a position to which a single designated certificated employee has not been assigned at the beginning of a semester for an entire semester.

 

**Misassignment means the placement of a certificated employee in a teaching or services position for which the employee does not hold a legally recognized certificate or credential or the placement of a certificated employee in a teaching or services position that the employee is not otherwise authorized by statute to hold.

 

Please also see: Parent/Student Handbook (pages 40-42) [English] [Español]