MANTECA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLIC INFORMATION BULLETIN UNIFORM COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
MANTECA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT || P.O. BOX 32 MANTECA, CA 95366

For more information: Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, 825-3200, Ext. 761
Download Uniform Complaint Form (Word Doc)

Uniform Complaint Procedures
The Governing Board of the Manteca Unified School District recognizes that the District has the responsibility to ensure that it complies with applicable state and federal laws/regulations governing educational programs. The District shall investigate and seek to resolve complaints at the local level. The District shall follow the Uniform Complaint procedures when addressing complaints alleging unlawful discrimination based on sex/ sexual orientation, ethnic group identification/ race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, mental or physical disability or failure to comply with state and/or federal laws related to the following programs:

o Adult education
o Consolidated categorical aid
o Migrant education
o Vocational education
o Childcare and development
o Special education
o Child nutrition
o Indian education

The Board acknowledges and respects student, parent, community member, and employee rights to privacy. Discrimination complaints shall be investigated in a manner that protects the confidentiality of the parties and the facts. This includes keeping the identity of the complainant confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the investigation, as determined by the compliance officer on a case-by-case basis.

The compliance officer shall ensure that employees designated to investigate complaints are knowledgeable about the laws and programs for which they are responsible. Such employees may have access to legal counsel as determined by the compliance officer.
The Board recognizes that a neutral mediator can often suggest an early compromise that is agreeable to all parties in a dispute. The compliance officer shall ensure that the mediation results are consistent with federal laws and regulations.

Compliance Officer
The Board of Education designates the Assistant Superintendent/ Educational Services/ to receive and investigate complaints and ensure District compliance with law.

Notifications

Annual notification will be disseminated to the following groups:
Parents/students: Posting of updated uniform complaint information including related support documents in the District's annual handbook.

Employees: Posting of updated uniform complaint information on employee bulletin boards.

New Employees: Distribution of the Uniform Complaint Procedure brochure during hiring process.

District/Site Advisory Committees: Distribution of the Uniform Complaint Procedure brochures at the first meeting at the beginning of each school year.

Procedures
The following procedures shall be used to address all complaints that allege that the District has violated federal or state laws or regulations governing educational programs. The compliance officer shall maintain a record of each complaint as required for compliance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 4632.
1. Formal Complaint: The complaint form and copies of the District's policy are available at the school sites and District Office. Any individual, public agency, or organization may file a written complaint with the Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, which, if true, would constitute a violation of a program falling under this policy.
2. Discrimination Complaints: Must be filed no later than six months from the occurrence or when they are first acknowledged.
3. Investigation/Response: The Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, or designated investigator may attempt to resolve the complaint through meetings with the complainant
and/or District personnel or through mediation. The District's written decision shall be prepared within sixty days of the receipt of the written complaint if preceding attempts for resolution do not resolve the complaint to the satisfaction of the complainant.
4. Appeal: The complainant has the right to appeal the District's decision to the California Department of Education within 15 days of receipt of the written decision. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the decision of the California Department of Education, they may appeal to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Civil Law Remedies: Nothing in this policy precludes a complainant from pursuing available civil law remedies outside the District's complaint procedures. Such remedies may include mediation centers, public/private interest attorneys, injunctions, restraining orders, etc. For discrimination complaints, however, a complainant must wait until 60 days has elapsed from the filing of an appeal with the California Department of Education before pursuing civil law remedies.

References:
MUSD Policy 1312.4 (September 2001);
MUSD Administrative Regulation 1312.4 (September 2001);
MUSD UCF Form (September 2001)