DISCRIMINATION
The Stevenson-Carson School District does not discriminate in any
programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color,
national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender
expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or
service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated
youth groups. The following employee has been designated to handle
questions and complaints of alleged discrimination.
Ingrid Colvard, Superintendent, 504
Coordinator
Civil Rights Coordinator, Title IX Officer
Administrative Office
350 NW Bulldog Drive
Stevenson, WA 98648
(509) 427-5674
[email protected]
You can
report discrimination and discriminatory harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Civil
Rights Coordinator, listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint
(see below). For a copy of your district’s nondiscrimination policy and
procedure, contact your school or district office or view it online here: http://www.scsd303.org/school_board/board_of_directors/board_policies
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Students and staff are protected
against sexual harassment by anyone in any school program or activity,
including on the school campus, on the school bus, or off-campus during a
school-sponsored activity.
Sexual
harassment is unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature
when:
-
A student or employee is led to believe that he or she must
submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communications in order to gain something in return, such as a grade,
a promotion, a place on a sports team, or any educational or employment
decision, or
-
The conduct substantially interferes with a student's
educational performance, or creates an intimidating or hostile educational or employment
environment.
Examples of Sexual Harassment:
-
Pressuring a person for sexual favors
-
Unwelcome touching of a sexual nature
-
Writing graffiti of a sexual nature
-
Distributing sexually explicit texts, e-mails, or pictures
-
Making sexual jokes, rumors, or suggestive remarks
-
Physical violence, including rape and sexual assault
You can
report sexual harassment to any
school staff member or to the district's Title IX Officer, who is listed above.
You also have the right to file a complaint (see below). For a copy of your
district’s sexual harassment policy and procedure, contact your school or
district office, or view it online here: http://www.scsd303.org/crisis_center/sexual_harassment_reporting
COMPLAINT OPTIONS: DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT
If you believe that you or your
child have experienced unlawful discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or
sexual harassment at school, you have the right to file a complaint.
Before filing a complaint, you can
discuss your concerns with your child’s principal or with the school district’s
superintendent who is also the Section 504 Coordinator, Title IX Officer, and
Civil Rights Coordinator, who are listed above. This is often the fastest way
to revolve your concerns.
Complaint to the School District
Step 1. Write Our Your Complaint
In most cases, complaints must be filed within one
year from the date of the incident or conduct that is the subject of the
complaint. A complaint must be
in writing. Be sure to describe the conduct or incident, explain why you
believe discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment has
taken place, and describe what actions you believe the district should take to
resolve the problem. Send your written complaint—by mail, fax, email, or hand
delivery—to the district superintendent/civil rights compliance coordinator.
Step 2: School District Investigates Your Complaint
Once the district receives your written complaint, the
coordinator will give you a copy of the complaint procedure and make sure a
prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The superintendent or designee will
respond to you in writing within 30 calendar days—unless you agree on a
different time period. If your complaint involves exceptional circumstances
that demand a lengthier investigation, the district will notify you in writing to
explain why staff need a time extension and the new date for their 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, a determination of whether or
not the district failed to comply with civil rights laws, notification that you
can appeal this determination, and any measures necessary to bring the district
into compliance with civil rights laws. Corrective measures will be put into
effect within 30 calendar days after this written response—unless you agree to
a different time period.
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. 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 the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
(OSPI).
Complaint to OSPI
If you do
not agree with the school district’s appeal decision, state law provides the option to file a
formal complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
This is a separate complaint process that can take place if one of these two
conditions has occurred: (1) you have completed the district’s complaint and
appeal process, or (2) the district has not followed the complaint and appeal
process correctly.
You have 20
calendar days to file a complaint to OSPI from the day you received the
decision on your appeal. You can send your written complaint to the Equity and
Civil Rights Office at OSPI:
Email: [email protected] ǀ Fax: 360-664-2967
Mail
or hand deliver: PO Box 47200,
600 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7200
For more information, visit our website, or contact
OSPI’s Equity and Civil Rights Office at 360-725-6162/TTY: 360-664-3631 or by
e-mail at [email protected].
Other
Discrimination Complaint Options
Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
206-607-1600 ǀ TDD: 1-800-877-8339 ǀ [email protected] ǀ OCR Website
Washington State Human Rights Commission
1-800-233-3247 ǀ
TTY: 1-800-300-7525 ǀ Human Rights Commission Website