Title IX and Uniform Complaints

Prohibiting Sex-based Discrimination - Policy and Procedures

Title IX Coordinator

Raquel Rose, Superintendent

Kentfield School District

750 College Drive
Kentfield, CA 94904
415-458-5130
superintendent@kentfieldschools.org

Nondiscrimination Notice

Students:

The Kentfield School District is committed to providing a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the district's academic, extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any district school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, targeted at any student by anyone, based on the student's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

This policy shall apply to all acts related to school activity or to school attendance occurring within a district school, and to acts which occur off campus or outside of school-related or school-sponsored activities but which may have an impact or create a hostile environment at school.

District Employees and Job Applicants:

The Governing Board is determined to provide district employees and job applicants a safe, positive environment where they are assured of full and equal employment access and opportunities, protection from harassment or intimidation, and freedom from any fear of reprisal or retribution for asserting their employment rights in accordance with law. The Board prohibits district employees from discriminating against or harassing any other district employee or job applicant on the basis of the person's actual or perceived race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, or sexual orientation or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Board Policy

  • Nondiscrimination/Harassment - Students: BP 5145.3
  • Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities: BP 0410
  • Employee Civil and Legal Rights: BP 4119.1 and BP 4219.1
  • Nondiscrimination - Employees and Job Applicants: BP 4030

Title IX

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.

Sexual Harassment Policy

Kentfield School District is committed to maintaining a safe school environment free from harassment and discrimination and to providing equal opportunities for all individuals in education. The Board prohibits sexual harassment of district employees, job applicants, and students by anyone at school, school-sponsored, or school-related activities. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against any person who reports, files a complaint or testifies about, or otherwise supports a complainant in alleging sexual harassment.

Board Policy

Student and Public Rights and District Responsibilities

List of Rights under Ed. Code 221.8:

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:

(a) You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.

(b) You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.

(c) You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.

(d) You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.

(e) 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.

(f) You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws.

(g) You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws.

(h) 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.

(i) You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.

(j) You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

How to File a Discrimination, Bullying or Harassment Complaint

The district strongly encourages any student, employee, or job applicant who feels that he/she is being or has been sexually harassed on school grounds or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity by another student or an adult, or who has experienced off-campus sexual harassment that has a continuing effect on campus to immediately contact his/her teacher, the principal, or any other available school employee.

Any employee who receives a report or observes an incident of sexual harassment shall notify the principal or a district compliance officer. Once notified, the principal or compliance officer shall take the steps to investigate and address the allegation, as specified in the accompanying administrative regulation. A student or parent/guardian is not required to attempt resolution through the school site before contacting the District Title IX Coordinator.

Timeliness

A complaint must ordinarily be filed within 180 days of the last act of discrimination. If your complaint involves matters that occurred longer ago than this and you are requesting a waiver, you will be asked to show good cause why you did not file your complaint within the 180-day period.

Filing a Uniform Complaint

A student, parent, guardian, employee, individual, or organization may file a written complaint alleging discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying on the basis of a protected characteristic under the District’s Uniform Complaint Procedure by sending a complaint to Kentfield School District’s Title IX Coordinator. A complaint may be filed anonymously, although the District’s ability to investigate and respond may be limited by lack of information.

If you need assistance with the process, please contact our Title IX Coordinator.

Board Policy

Investigation of a Uniform Complaint

Kentfield School District will immediately undertake an effective, thorough, and objective investigation of the allegations and provide a written report within 60 days of when the complaint was filed. The report will include a summary of the facts, a decision on the complaint, reason for the decision and corrective actions that have or will be taken, including remedies for the victim. The complainant has the right to present witnesses and evidence.

Action

If the district determines that its policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, or bullying have been violated, disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion or dismissal will be taken.

Remedies will also be provided to the victim and remedial action(s) will be required of the school site.

Remedial actions will be taken that are designed to end the harassment, prevent its recurrence and address its effects on the harassed student.

Follow-up with the student will occur to ensure the harassment has stopped and that there is no retaliation.

The district prohibits retaliation against any participant in the complaint process including witnesses. A separate Uniform Complaint may be filed if retaliation occurs against any individual involved in the processing of discrimination, harassment, or bullying complaint. Each complaint shall be investigated promptly and in a way that respects the privacy of all parties concerned.

** Nondiscrimination, harassment, and Title IX information provided here applies to every school site and to all District programs and activities. **