TITLE IX NOTIFICATION
For students, employees, parents or guardians of its students, school and district advisory committees, appropriate private school officials or representatives, and other interested parties
A Policy against Discrimination Based on Sex
The Lemoore Union Elementary School District is committed to providing educational programs, activities and services that are free from unlawful discrimination based on actual or perceived legally protected characteristics, or association with a person or group with one or more of such characteristics, including sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The District's general nondiscrimination/harassment policy is found at Board Policy 0410.
District’s Title IX Coordinator:
Marlo De Santos, Director of Human Resources
Lemoore Union Elementary School District
1200 W. Cinnamon Drive, Lemoore, CA 93245
Phone: (559) 924-6800
Fax: (559) 924-6809
Email: mdesantos@myluesd.net
Summary of Student Rights (Education Code section 221.8)
1. You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and to be free from discrimination based on your sex.
2. You have the right to an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.
3. You have the right to ask the athletic director of your school about the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
4. You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
5. You have the right to equitable treatment and benefits in:
Equipment and supplies
Scheduling of games and practices
Transportation and daily allowances
Access to tutoring
Coaching
Locker rooms
Practice and competitive facilities
Medical and training facilities and services
Publicity
6. You have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions about gender equity laws.
7. You have the right to contact the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for information on gender equity laws.
8. You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office for Civil Rights (OCR) or CDE if you believe you have been discriminated against or received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex.
9. You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
10. You have the right to be protected from retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.
The School's Responsibilities
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in programs and activities of federally funded institutions. School district programs and activities must be operated free from discrimination. Key areas addressed by Title IX include athletics; sexual misconduct; including sexual harassment and sexual violence; pregnant and parenting students; off-campus activities; recruitment and admission; and employment. Schools must protect against discrimination in these areas. Schools must also prohibit retaliation against any person for opposing an unlawful practice or policy, or filing, testifying about or participating in any complaint under Title IX. For more information about schools' responsibilities under Title IX, please visit:
• California Office of Equal Opportunity
• United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights
How to File a Title IX Complaint
Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against in violation of Title IX may file a complaint with the District or the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). If a crime is involved, such as sexual assault, individuals may also file a report with the local police department. A person may pursue one or all of these avenues at the same time. Below is a summary of each process.
District Complaint: Title IX complaints may be filed using the District's uniform complaint procedure, Board Policy 1312.3.
Uniform Complaint Forms in English and Spanish
Time Requirement: A complaint with the District must be filed within six (6) months of the discrimination occurring or your awareness of the discrimination. (5 CCR 4630(b).) Upon written request setting forth the reasons for an extension, the Superintendent or designee may extend the time for filing a discrimination complaint by up to ninety (90) days for good cause. (5 CCR 4630(b).) If you have any questions about this time limit, or if you believe your complaint may be outside this time requirement but want to explore other options, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.
Investigation Procedure: Upon receipt of any complaint related to a potential Title IX violation, the District will ensure every allegation is investigated promptly, adequately and impartially. The District will also take steps to protect complainants from retaliation and ensure all parties are treated fairly throughout the District's investigation process. As part of its Title IX obligations, the District also takes steps to prevent recurrence of any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or sexual violence and remedy discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, as appropriate. The District's procedure for investigating a Title IX complaint can be found at Administrative Regulation 1312.3. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator if you have any questions.
OCR Complaint
The complainant has a right to appeal the District’s decision to the California Department of Education’s Office of Equal Opportunity by filing a written appeal within 15 days of receiving the findings. A discrimination complaint may also be filed directly with the
U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights.
OCR Online Complaint Filing System
United States Department of Education OCR Complaint Form
Time Requirement: OCR requires complaints to be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged discrimination. Please contact OCR, if you have any questions about this time requirement.
Investigation Procedure: Information regarding OCR’s investigation process.
For information regarding filing a complaint with OCR, please contact the California regional office at:
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
Mail Box 1200, Room 1545
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: 415-486-5555
FAX: 415-486-5570
TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov