Uniform Complaint Procedures
The district shall follow uniform complaint procedures when addressing complaints alleging unlawful discrimination against any protected group as identified under Education Code 200 and 220 and Government Code 11135, including actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, or mental or physical disability, or age, bullying, or when a charge of an impermissible fee is alleged, or on the basis of a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in any district program or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance. (5 CCR 4610)
Uniform complaint procedures shall also be used when addressing complaints alleging failure to comply with state and/or federal laws in adult education programs, consolidated categorical aid programs, migrant education, career technical and technical education and career technical and technical training programs, child care and development programs, child nutrition programs, and special education programs. (5 CCR 4610)
The El Rancho Unified School District has the primary responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations governing educational programs. The Board encourages the early, informal resolution of complaints whenever possible and appropriate.
Board Policy (BP) 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) has been adopted to resolve complaints which cannot be resolved through the informal process. BP 1312.3 outlines how complaints alleging violation of state or federal laws governing educational programs, allegations of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying, the charging of unlawful pupil fees and the non-compliance of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) are addressed.
The El Rancho Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals. District programs, activities, practices, and employment shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity or expression; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
The UCP shall be used when addressing complaints alleging failure to comply with state and/or federal laws in:
- Adult Education
- After School Education and Safety
- Career Technical Education
- Child Care and Development Programs including state preschool
- Consolidated Categorical Programs
- Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
- ESEA Titles I-VII
- Foster and Homeless Youth
- Local Control Funding Formula and Local Control Accountability Plans
- Migrant Education
- Nutrition Services - USDA Civil Rights
- Regional Occupational Centers and Programs
- School Facilities
- Special Education
- Tobacco-Use Prevention Education Program
- Unlawful Pupil Fees
Filing Timelines
Complaints alleging discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying must be filed within six (6) months from the date the alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying occurred, or the date the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, unless the time for filing is extended by the superintendent or his or her designee.
A pupil fee complaint shall be filed no later than one year from the date the alleged violation occurred.