Student Safety - Discrimination/HIB

Discrimination & Sexual Harassment

CVSD 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 Compliance Officer (listed below) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination.

Conduct or communication that is (1) based on a student's protected class, and (2) serious enough to create a hostile environment. A hostile environment is conduct so severe, pervasive, or persistent that it limits a student's ability to participate in, or benefit from, the school's services, activities, or opportunities. This could impact a student's school life in many ways: physical illness, anxiety about going to school, or a decline in grades or attendance. Harassing conduct may take many forms, including verbal acts and name-calling; graphic and written statements, which may include use of cell phones or the internet; or other conduct that may be physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating. Harassment does not have to include intent to harm, be directed at a specific target, or involve repeated incidents.

• 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, rape & sexual assault

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 Compliance Officer. This is often the fastest way to resolve your concerns.

Complaint to the School District

1. Write Out Your 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 or Compliance Officer.
2. District Investigates Complaint. Once the district receives your written complaint, the Compliance Officer 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
3. District Responds to 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 Board

If you disagree with the district's decision, you may appeal to the 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 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 board's appeal decision, state law provides the option to file a formal complaint with OSPI. This is a separate complaint process that can take place if: (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] Fax: 360-664-2967

Mail: PO Box 47200, 600 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7200