Complaints (Williams & Title IX)

Concerns or Complaints?
We want you to speak up.

Santa Cruz City Schools wants to be able to quickly respond to complaints or concerns, whether they are general or specific, minor or severe. On this page you will be able to report a concern of any kind (anonymously if you wish) or file specific complaints.

Report a Concern

We do not tolerate bullying, discrimination or harassment.

Santa Cruz City Schools prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Complaints of discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual orientation should be filed as Title IX Complaints. Complaints of discrimination for reasons other than sex or sexual orientation should be filed as Uniform Complaints. Complaints of lack of access to materials, facilities or instruction should be filed as Williams Complaints.

Formal Complaints should be sent directly to our Title IX Coordinators:

Dorothy Coito
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

dcoito@sccs.net
831-429-3410 x48248

Molly Parks
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources

mparks@sccs.net
831-429-3410 x48235

Complaints of Discrimination based on Sex or Sexuality (TITLE IX)

Title IX states that "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." This applies to all acts related to school activity or school attendance within a school under the jurisdiction of the superintendent of the school district. School personnel are required to take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so when he or she witnesses an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

(EC §§ 200, 220, 221.5, 234.1, 260; GC §11135; PC §422.55; 5 CCR §§ 4900, 4902, 4960)

More Information Regarding Rights and Responsibilities

How to File a Complaint with OCR

US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
San Francisco Office 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

Complaints Concerning District Employees
BP 1312.1 Complaints Concerning District Employees

AR 1312.1 Complaints Concerning District Employees
E 1312.1-E PDF(1) Complaints Concerning District Employees

From the California Department of Education:

Complaints of all other Discrimination (Uniform Complaints)

Santa Cruz City Schools has the primary responsibility for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. We have established Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) to address allegations of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying, and complaints alleging violation of state or federal laws governing educational programs, the charging of unlawful pupil fees and the non-compliance of our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

Complaints of inequal access to materials, facilities or instruction (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, and teacher vacancy or misassignment 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."

District Policies
BP 1312.3 Uniform Complaint Procedures

AR 1312.3 Uniform Complaint Procedures

1312.3-E PDF (1) Uniform Complaint Procedures
1312.3-E PDF (2) Uniform Complaint Procedures

AR 1312.4 Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures

Uniform Complaint Procedures Form - English

Uniform Complaint Procedures Form - Spanish

Williams Complaint Form - English

Williams Complaint Form - Spanish