Skip to main content
District

TITLE IX: Prohibiting Sex-Based Discrimination

 NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The Wright Elementary District Governing Board is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in district programs and activities. District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, based on race, color, ancestry; nationality; national origin; immigration status; ethnic group identification; ethnicity; age; religion; pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation, including related medical conditions and recovery; parental, family, or marital status; reproductive health decision-making; physical or mental disability; medical condition; sex; sex stereotypes; sex characteristics; sexual orientation; gender; gender identity; gender expression; veteran or military status; or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

TITLE IX: PROHIBITING SEX-BASED DISCRIMINATION

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in all educational programs and activities, including athletic programs. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity operated by the District. Title IX protects all participants in the District's educational programs and activities, including students, parents, employees, and job applicants. The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment and sexual violence.

In addition to Title IX, the California Education Code prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools. (California Education Code § 220-221.1.) Other state and federal laws also prohibit discrimination and ensure equality in education. Please refer to Wright Elementary School District's Board Policy 0410 Nondiscrimination In District Programs and Activities and the following specific policies and procedures regarding sexual harassment:

Title IX information provided here applies to every school and site in the District.

The District Title IX Coordinator/Title IX Compliance Officer:

Lisa Reid, Superintendent
Wright Elementary School District
4385 Price Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Telephone: (707) 542-0550 x102
E-Mail: lreid@wrightesd.org

You can also find information in our parent handbooks and in board policies 0410 - Nondiscrimination In District Programs And Activities, 4030 - Nondiscrimination In Employment, 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment (Students), 5145.9 Hate-Motivated Behavior, 5131.2 Bullying (anti-cyber bullying procedures).

Your Rights Under Title IX

You have the following rights under Title IX, to the extent applicable at the District. You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of any of the following.

  • You have the right to fair and equitable treatment, and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
  • You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic and extracurricular activities, including athletics.
  • You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school or appropriate District personnel as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
  • You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following related to athletics, if provided by the District:
    • Equipment and supplies;
    • Scheduling of games and practices;
    • Transportation;
    • Access to tutoring;
    • Coaching;
    • Locker rooms;
    • Practices and competitive facilities;
    • Medical and training facilities and services; and
    • Publicity.
  • You have the right to have access to a sex/gender equity coordinator, referred to as the Title IX Coordinator (find contact information above), to answer questions regarding sex/gender equity laws.
  • You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on sex/gender equity laws.
  • You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the California Department of Education if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex.
  • You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
  • You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

(The above is from California Education Code §221.8)

The District has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. If the District knows or reasonably should know about sex discrimination, it must take action to eliminate the sex discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. The District must resolve complaints of sex discrimination promptly and equitably. Information on filing a complaint alleging sex-based discrimination is below, including contact information for the District's Title IX Coordinator.

Accessibility Notice: All of the links below are to external websites and will open in a new window.

Learn more about your rights under Title IX:

FILING A COMPLAINT

Uniform Complaint Procedures
A Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) complaint is a written and signed statement alleging a violation of federal or state laws or regulations, which may include an allegation of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying. A signature may be handwritten, typed (including in an email), or electronically generated. Some complaints may be filed anonymously. A complaint filed on behalf of an individual student may only be filed by that student or that student's duly authorized representative. If the complainant is unable to put the complaint in writing, due to conditions such as a disability or illiteracy, the local educational agency shall assist the complainant in the filing of the complaint. UCP complaints are filed with the district superintendent or their designee.

Williams Complaints
A Williams Complaint, another type of UCP complaint, regards instructional materials, emergency or urgent facilities conditions that pose a threat to the health and safety of pupils or staff, and teacher vacancy or misassignments, and may be filed anonymously. Williams Complaints are filed with the principal, or their designee, of the school in which the complaint arises. Schools have complaint forms available for these types of complaints, but will not reject a complaint if the form is not used, as long as the complaint is submitted in writing.

When: A complaint alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or retaliation must be filed no later than six months from the date the discrimination or retaliation occurred, or six months from when the complainant first learned of the unlawful discrimination. The Superintendent or designee may extend this timeline by up to ninety days for good cause, upon receipt of a written request from the complainant that sets forth the reasons for the extension. Other complaints must be filed no later than one year from the date the alleged violation occurred.

How: A student, parent, guardian, employee, individual, or organization may file a written complaint alleging discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying based on a protected characteristic under the District's Uniform Complaint Procedure by sending a complaint to the District's Title IX Coordinator (contact information listed above).

The Uniform Complaint Procedures are available below.

Accessibility: If you need assistance putting your complaint in writing, please contact the Wright Elementary School District Office at 707-542-0550 ext. 114, or llockett@wrightesd.org. You may file a complaint anonymously, but the District's ability to investigate and respond may be limited by a lack of information.

You may also file a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. More information and access to the electronic complaint form for the Office for Civil Rights are available online at Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System.

The OCR office for California is located at:

Seattle Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
915 Second Avenue Room 3310
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
Telephone: 206-607-1600
FAX: 206-607-1601; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR.Seattle@ed.gov

For information about how to file other types of complaints and the procedures for those complaints, please contact the District's Title IX coordinator, Superintendent Lisa Reid, lreid@wrightesd.org, 707-542-0550.

How WESD Investigates Complaints

Complaints filed under the District's Uniform Complaint Procedure will be investigated and a decision made within sixty (60) calendar days of the District's receipt, unless the complainant agrees to an extension. The District's compliance officer or designee may interview alleged victims, alleged offenders, and relevant witnesses. The compliance officer may review available records, statements, or notes related to the complaint, including evidence or information received from the parties during the investigation. The compliance officer may visit reasonably accessible locations where discrimination is alleged to have occurred. As appropriate, the District's compliance officer will periodically inform the parties of the status of the investigation. The complainant will be notified when a decision is made. Complaints that are not filed under the District's Uniform Complaint Procedure will be investigated and decided pursuant to the applicable procedure.

What Happens After the Investigation

For complaints filed under the Uniform Complaint Procedure, the compliance officer will prepare and send a final written decision to the complainant and respondent, if any, within sixty (60) calendar days of the District's receipt of the complaint (unless the complainant agrees to an extension).

If the complainant or respondent is not satisfied with the decision, either the complainant or respondent may, within five business days, file the complaint in writing with the Board. The Board may consider the matter at a Board meeting or decide not to hear the complaint, in which case the compliance officer’s decision shall be final.

The complainant or respondent may appeal the District's decision within thirty (30) calendar days to the California Department of Education. The appeal must specify the reason for the appeal and whether the District's facts are incorrect and/or the law is misapplied. The appeal must include a copy of the original complaint to the District and a copy of the District's decision. For more information, visit the California Department of Education’s webpage on Uniform Complaint Procedures.

For complaints alleging unlawful discrimination based on state law, the complainant may pursue available civil law remedies, including seeking assistance from mediation centers or public/private interest attorneys, sixty (60) calendar days after filing an appeal with the California Department of Education. (California Education Code § 262.3.) Note that this sixty-day moratorium does not apply to complaints seeking injunctive relief in state courts or to discrimination complaints based on federal law. (California Education Code § 262.3.)

Complaints may also be filed with the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. For more information, visit OCR Discrimination Complaint Form.

If the compliance officer finds that a complaint has merit, the District will take appropriate corrective action.

For printed copies of any of these policies, regulations, and forms at no cost, please visit our district office during our regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm, except holidays.