Student Rights - Under Title IX

A POLICY AGAINST DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX:

Palmdale 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 can be reviewed at Board Policy No. 0410  

DISTRICT TITLE IX COORDINATOR:

In the event of a complaint regarding gender equity or sexual harassment, or discrimination, including harassment, intimidation and bullying because of actual or perceived disability, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, contact our Title IX Coordinator:

Pablo Leanos
Director of Mental Health Services
[email protected]
661-789-6783

STUDENT RIGHTS PURSUANT TO EDUCATION CODE SECTION 221.8:

Education Code section 221.8 provides as follows:

The following list of rights, which are based on the relevant provisions of the federal regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.), may be used by the department for purposes of Section 221.6:

1. You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
2. You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.
3. You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
4. You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
5. You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following:
   
   1. Equipment and supplies.
   2. Scheduling of games and practices.
   3. Transportation and daily allowances.
   4. Access to tutoring.
   5. Coaching.
   6. Locker rooms
   7. Practice and competitive facilities.
   8. Medical and training facilities and services.
   9. Publicity.
6. You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws.
7. You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws.
8. You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office of Civil Rights or the State Department of Education in ou believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have 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 against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

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.

FILING A TITLE IX COMPLAINT WITH THE DISTRICT:

Title IX complaints may be filed using the District's uniform complaint procedure, Board Policy No. 1312.3 

1. 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.

2. 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 No. 1312.3 (login is PUBLIC / GAMUTONLINE). Please contact the Title IX Coordinator if you have any questions.

FILING A TITLE IX COMPLAINT WITH THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS 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. A complaint may be filed online at OCR Online complaint Filing System or United States Department of Education OCR Complaint Form.

1. 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.

2. INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE: Information regarding OCR's investigation process can be found on the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights website.

3. For more 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: [email protected]

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

More information regarding the rights of a pupil and the responsibilities of the District under Title IX can be found at the following web links:

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS