Rights of Students Pursuant to Title IX

No person in the United States of America shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

The following list of rights is based on the relevant provisions of the federal regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 :

• 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 as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
• You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
• 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.
4. Access to tutoring.
5. Coaching.
6. Locker rooms.

• You have the right to have access to a Title IX Coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws.
• You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office of Civil Rights or the State 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. Please visit the U.S. Department of Education for information on how to file such a complaint.
• 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.

CA. Educ. Code §§221.6 and 221.8

File a Complaint 

Complaints alleging violation of Title IX shall be submitted in written form in accordance with Board Policy 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures. If the complainant is unable to prepare the complaint in writing, administrative staff shall help him/her to do so.

A complaint alleging unlawful discrimination 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 written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the extension.

All complaints shall be appropriately investigated in a timely manner.  Within 10 business days after the compliance officer receives the complaint, the compliance officer shall begin an investigation into the complaint. The compliance officer may informally discuss with all the parties the possibility of using mediation (except in cases of sexual violence, assault, or coercion). The investigation shall include an opportunity for the complainant, or the complainant's representative, or both, to present the compliance officer with any evidence or information leading to evidence, to support the allegations in the complaint. The District shall issue a written decision based on the evidence within 60 calendar days from receipt of the complaint by the District.

Any complainant who is dissatisfied with the District's final written decision may file an appeal in writing with the California Department of Education within 30 calendar days of receiving the District's decision.

Complaints made by or on behalf of students may also be filed with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (see Additional Resources tab) within 180 calendar days of the date of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing is extended by the Office of Civil Rights for good cause shown under certain circumstances.

Additional details about procedures for filing a complaint may be found in the District Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 1312.3 Uniform Complaint Procedures 

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 all 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 will also take steps to prevent the recurrence of any sexual violence and remedy discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, as appropriate. 

Policies Pertaining to Students:

• BP 5131.2- Bullying 
• BP 5145.3- Non-Discrimination and Harassment 
• BP 5145.7- Sexual Harassment 
• BP 5145.9- Hate-Motivated Behavior 

Policies Pertaining to Staff: 

• BP 4030- Discrimination in Employment 
• BP 4119.11, BP 4219.11, BP 4319.11- Sex Discrimination and Sex Based Harassment 

Resources 

Individuals may file a complaint pursuant to the Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) as set forth in the District’s Administrative Regulation No. 1312.3 by downloading and filling out the UCP Form in order to file a complaint.  Please contact the Title IX Coordinator if you have any questions.  

For more information regarding the student rights and the  responsibility of educational institutions under Title IX, please visit the following:

• The California Office of Equal Opportunity & Access
• The United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights – Know Your Rights

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Title IX to ensure that schools and institutions receiving federal financial assistance comply with federal civil rights laws.

Policies Pertaining to Students:

• BP 5131.2- Bullying
• BP 5145.3- Non-Discrimination and Harassment
• BP 5145.7- Sexual Harassment
• BP 5145.9- Hate-Motivated Behavior

Policies Pertaining to Staff:

• BP 4030- Discrimination in Employment 
• BP 4119.11, BP 4219.11, BP 4319.11- Sex Discrimination and Sex Based Harassment