Report of Findings

Unless extended by written agreement with the complainant, the compliance officer shall prepare and send to the complainant a written report of the district's investigation and decision, as described in Step #5 below, within 60 calendar days of the district's receipt of the complaint. (5 CCR 4631)

The Board may consider the matter at its next regular Board meeting or at a special Board meeting convened in order to meet the 60-day time limit within which the complaint must be answered. The Board may decide not to hear the complaint, in which case the compliance officer's decision shall be final.

If the Board hears the complaint, the compliance officer shall send the Board's decision to the complainant within 60 calendar days of the district's initial receipt of the complaint or within the time period that has been specified in a written agreement with the complainant. (5 CCR 4631)

In resolving any complaint alleging unlawful discrimination (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying), the respondent also shall be sent the district's decision and, in the same manner as the complainant, may file a complaint with the Board if dissatisfied with the decision.

Final Written Decision

The district's decision on how it will resolve the complaint shall be in writing and sent to the complainant and respondent. (5 CCR 4631)

In consultation with district legal counsel, information about the relevant part of a decision may be communicated to a victim who is not the complainant and to other parties that may be involved in implementing the decision or affected by the complaint, as long as the privacy of the parties is protected. In a complaint alleging unlawful discrimination (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying), notice of the district’s decision to the alleged victim shall include information about any sanction to be imposed upon the respondent that relates directly to the alleged victim.

If the complaint involves a limited-English-proficient student or parent/guardian and the student involved attends a school at which 15 percent or more of the students speak a single primary language other than English, then the decision shall also be translated into that language. In other all other instances, the district shall ensure meaningful access to all relevant information for parents/guardians with limited English proficiency.

For all complaints, the decision shall include: (5 CCR 4631)

1. The findings of fact based on the evidence gathered. In reaching a factual determination, the following factors may be taken into account:

1. Statements made by any witnesses

1. The relative credibility of the individuals involved

1. How the complaining individual reacted to the incident

1. Any documentary or other evidence relating to the alleged conduct

1. Past instances of similar conduct by any alleged offenders

1. Past false allegations made by the complainant

1. The conclusion(s) of law

1. Disposition of the complaint

1. Rationale for such disposition

For complaints of retaliation or unlawful discrimination, (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying), the disposition of the complaint shall include a determination for each allegation as to whether retaliation or unlawful discrimination has occurred.

The determination of whether a hostile environment exists may involve consideration of the following:

1. How the misconduct affected one or more students' education

1. The type, frequency, and duration of the misconduct

1. The relationship between the alleged victim(s) and offender(s)

1. The number of persons engaged in the conduct and at whom the conduct was directed

1. The size of the school, location of the incidents, and context in which they occurred

1. Other incidents at the school involving different individuals

1. Corrective action(s), including any actions that have been taken or will be taken to address the allegations in the complaint and including, with respect to a student fees complaint, a remedy that comports with Education Code 49013 and 5 CCR 4600.

For complaints of unlawful discrimination, (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying), the notice may, as required by law, include:

1. The corrective actions imposed on the respondent.

1. Individual remedies offered or provided to the complainant or another person who was the subject of the complaint, but this information should not be shared with the respondent

1. Systemic measures the school has taken to eliminate a hostile environment and prevent recurrence

1. Notice of the complainant's right to appeal the district's decision within 15 calendar days to the CDE and procedures to be followed for initiating such an appeal

The decision may also include follow-up procedures to prevent recurrence or retaliation and for reporting any subsequent problems.

For complaints alleging unlawful discrimination based on state law, (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying), the decision shall also include a notice to the complainant that:

1. He/she may pursue available civil law remedies outside of the district's complaint procedures, including seeking assistance from mediation centers or public/private interest attorneys, 60 calendar days after the filing of an appeal with the CDE. (Education Code 262.3)

1. The 60 days moratorium does not apply to complaints seeking injunctive relief in state courts or to discrimination complaints based on federal law. (Education Code 262.3)

1. Complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, disability, or age may also be filed with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights at www.ed.gov/ocr within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.