Uniform Complaint Procedures and Title IX Coordination

Hemet Unified School District encourages early, informal resolution of complaints at the site level whenever possible. Therefore, parents or guardians of students in Hemet Unified are urged to discuss their concerns directly with the school site employee(s) in question.

In accordance with the California Code of Regulations, the Hemet Unified School District has established procedures for addressing and supporting different types of complaints. 

The types of complaints are listed below along with links to the corresponding complaint information.

 

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Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials 

Complaints concerning instructional materials will be accepted only from staff, District residents, or the parents/guardians of children enrolled in a District school.

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Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP)

When any report of unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, retaliation, or bullying, is submitted to or received by the principal or compliance officer, he/she shall inform the student or parent/guardian of the right to file a formal complaint pursuant to the provisions in AR 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures. Any report of unlawful discrimination involving the principal, compliance officer, or any other person to whom the complaint would ordinarily be reported or filed shall instead be submitted to the Superintendent or designee. Even if the student chooses not to file a formal complaint, the principal or compliance officer shall implement immediate measures necessary to stop the discrimination and to ensure all students have access to the educational program and a safe school environment.

 

Upon receiving a complaint of discrimination, the compliance officer shall immediately investigate the complaint in accordance with the district's uniform complaint procedures specified in AR 1312.3.

  • Uniform Complaint Procedures Form  
  • Notice of Uniform Complaint Procedures  
  • Rules and instructions about the filing, investigation, and resolution of Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP)
  • Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) Brochure  
  • Pupil Fees Brochure  -Uniform Complaint Procedures 
  • UCP Annual Notice

Dr. Carol Tomeo
Director, Title IX, Compliance & Resolution
[email protected]
951.765.5100 ext. 2255

The district shall conduct and complete an investigation of the complaint within 60 days of the receipt of the complaint and prepare a written decision. During the investigation, the person responsible for filing the complaint shall also be given the opportunity to provide evidence that he/she believes supports the allegations.

 

The district's decision shall be in writing and sent to the complainant. The district's decision shall be written in English and in the language of the complainant.

 

The decision shall include:

  1. The findings of fact based on the evidence gathered (5 CCR 4631)
  2. The conclusion(s) of law (5 CCR 463) 
  3. The disposition of the complaint (5 CCR 4631)
  4. Rationale for such disposition (5 CCR 4631)
  5. Corrective actions, if any are warranted (5 CCR 4631)
  6. Notice of the complainant's right to appeal the district's decision within 15 days to the CDE and procedures to be followed for initiating such an appeal (5 CCR 4631)7. For discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying complaints, notice that the complainant must wait until 60 days have elapsed from the filing of an appeal with the CDE before pursuing civil law remedies (Education Code 262.3)

 

If a student or an employee is disciplined as a result of the complaint, the decision shall simply state that effective action was taken and that the student or employee was informed of district expectations. The report shall not give any further information as to the nature of the disciplinary action.

Any decision provided by the district may be appealed to the California Department of Education (CDE) within 30 days.

 

For more information regarding CDE appeals please contact:

Education Equity UCP Appeals Office

[email protected]

916.319.8239

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Complaints Regarding Employees

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Title IX

 

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that states: "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."

 

Discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.  This includes discrimination based on pregnancy or parental status; sex stereotypes (such as treating persons differently because they do not conform to sex-role expectations or because they are attracted to or are in relationships with persons of the same sex); and gender identity or transgender status.

 

Hemet Unified School District (HUSD) receives federal funds and, as such, HUSD is subject to the requirements of Title IX. Each school district is required to post Title IX information as outlined in California Education Code 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. You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
  4. 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. 
  5. You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws. You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws.
  6. 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.
  7. You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
  8. You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

Acts of verbal, nonverbal, or physical aggression, intimidation, or hostility that are based on sex, gender identity, or gender expression, regardless of whether they are sexual in nature, where the act has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact on the student's academic performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment are prohibited under state and federal law.

If you are a student, parent or interested third party (a complainant filing on behalf of or pertaining to another person(s) is responsible for securing any necessary written consent from that individual, including when a parent files for a student over the age of 18.) and you want to report an instance of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying, a complaint must be filed no later than one year from the date that the incident occurred or the date you first had knowledge that the incident occurred. It is a good idea to make a copy of the complaint for your records. (cde.ca.gov)

HUSD BP/AR 5145.3 outline the process for initiating and responding to complaints based on Title IX rights. BP/AR 5145.3

Any student who feels that he/she has been subjected to unlawful discrimination described above or in district policy is strongly encouraged to immediately report the incident.

For Athletics, contact the school’s Athletic Director:

Hamilton High School
Craig Miller
[email protected]
951.763.1840

Hemet High School 
Bill Ray
[email protected] 
951.765.5150

Tahquitz High School 
Mike Sims
[email protected]
951.765.6300

West Valley High School
Kathleen Alvarez
[email protected]
951.765.1600

Or the Principal:

Hamilton High School 
Dr. Jeff Franks
[email protected]
951.763.1840

Hemet High School 
Mrs. Kimberly Romeril 
[email protected]
951.765.5150

Tahquitz High School 
Dr. Kari McGowan
[email protected]
951.765.6300

West Valley High School
Mr. Gerardo Zavala
[email protected]
951.765.1600

 

or any other staff member. In addition, any student who observes any such incident is strongly encouraged to report the incident to the principal, whether or not the alleged victim files a complaint.

Any school employee who observes an incident of unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, retaliation, or bullying or to whom such an incident is reported shall report immediately to the compliance officer or principal within a school day, whether or not the alleged victim files a complaint.

Any school employee who witnesses an incident of unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, retaliation, or bullying, shall immediately intervene to stop the incident when it is safe to do so. (Education Code 234.1)

If you feel the school was not able to resolve your complaint, contact the Hemet USD Title IX Coordinator.

The Hemet USD Title IX Coordinator for student-involved situations is:
Tammy Griffiths 
Coordinator, Child Welfare and Attendance
[email protected]
951.765.5100 ext. 3700

The Hemet USD Title IX Coordinator for staff-involved situations is:
Dr. Carol Tomeo
Director, Title IX, Compliance & Resolution
[email protected]
951.765.5100 ext. 2255

 

 

For Federal Complaints Regarding Title IX Discrimination, The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) responds to Title IX discrimination complaints.

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.

Prior to filing a complaint with OCR against an institution, a potential complainant may want to find out about the institution’s grievance process and use that process to have the complaint resolved. However, a complainant is not required by law to use the institutional grievance process before filing a complaint with OCR. If a complainant uses an institutional grievance process and also chooses to file the complaint with OCR, the complaint must be filed with OCR within 60 days after completion of the institutional grievance process.

The Office for Civil Rights provides guidance on filing federal complaints on its website:
OCR Complaint Information and Form