(34 C.F.R. § 106.8, subd. (b); Cal. Ed. Code § 221.61.)

 

The Galt Joint Union High School District (“District”) does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates.  The prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sex is required by federal law, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C §§ 1681-1688, and specifically 34 C.F.R. § 106.8, subsection (b).  Title IX requires that school districts take immediate and appropriate action to address any potential Title IX violations that are brought to its attention. 

 

 

 

Amy Rickenbach is the Title IX Coordinator for the Title IX complaints involving students for the Galt Joint Union High School District (“District”), and can be reached by telephone at 209-745-0266, by e-mail at [email protected] by mail or in person at 150 Camellia Way.

Any inquiries about the application of Title IX, this notice, and who is protected by Title IX may be referred to Amy Rickenbach, or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights from the United States Department of Education, or both.

 

 

Sexual harassment under Title IX means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

 

Alleged conduct that does not rise to the level of the sexual harassment under Title IX will be addressed in accordance with other District policies that prohibit sexual harassment and/or sex-based discrimination, or address other forms of inappropriate conduct, as is deemed appropriate.

 

 

Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is also the alleged victim), in person, by mail, by telephone or by e-mail, using the contact information listed for the District’s Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report.  Such reports may be made at any time, including during non-business hours.

 

A formal Title IX complaint is written complaint that alleges sexual harassment against a respondent (or the person accused of committing the alleged conduct), and requests that the school district investigate the allegation of sexual harassment.  The written complaint must be filed by the victim of alleged sexual harassment (referred to as the complainant), or the victim’s parent/guardian, using the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information listed above.  It may be filed at any time the student, who is the victim of the alleged conduct, is participating in, or attempting to participate in the District’s education program or activity.  However, the District encourages all reports to be brought forth as soon as possible, as the length of time elapsed between an incident of alleged sexual harassment, and the filing of a formal complaint, may, in specific circumstances, prevent the District from collecting enough evidence to reach a determination.

 

When circumstances arise where the Title IX Coordinator has received a report of sexual harassment, but the complainant does not wish to file a formal Title IX complaint, the District will respond in a manner that is not deliberately indifferent.  This may include the Title IX Coordinator signing and initiating a formal Title IX complaint.

 

 

The District will process all formal Title IX complaints in accordance with Title IX and District Board Policy (“BP”) 5145.7 – Sexual Harassment, and Administrative Regulation (“AR”) 5145.71 - Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures, which includes the option of informal resolution for certain matters.

 

All investigations will be conducted as confidentially as possible.  Upon receipt of a formal Title IX complaint, the District will provide the complainant and respondent (or “the parties”) with adequate notice of the District’s complaint process and the underlying allegations.  During the course of the investigation, the District will provide the parties with an equal opportunity present witnesses and evidence.  The District will not restrict the ability of the parties to discuss the allegations under investigation, and it will allow parties to utilize an advisor of their choice, who may be an attorney if they so choose.  As detailed in AR 5145.71, prior to the conclusion of the investigation, the parties will have the opportunity to inspect and respond to all evidence that is directly related to the allegations in the complaint that was gathered during the course of the investigation.  Thereafter, and prior to any final decision being made, the parties will receive a copy of the investigation report that fairly summarizes the relevant evidence, and they will have an opportunity to submit written, relevant questions to be asked of the other party or any witness.  Next, a determination regarding responsibility will be made and issued in writing to both parties.  Under Title IX and District policy, the responding party is presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination regarding responsibility is made at the end of the complaint process.

 

Any party not satisfied with the final written determination will have the option to appeal the final determination, as detailed in AR 5145.71.  Additionally, any complainant who is dissatisfied with the District’s determination may file an appeal in writing with the California Department of Education within 30 calendar days of receiving the District’s written determination, which shall serve as the Investigation Report required as part of California’s Uniform Complaint Procedures (cf. BP Policy 1312.3: Uniform Complaint Procedures/AR 1312.3 – Uniform Complaint Procedures).  Sexual harassment and discrimination complaints made by or on behalf of students may also be filed with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights 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 formal Title IX complaint and Title IX complaint procedures may be found in BP – 5145.7 – Sexual Harassment and AR 5145.71 – Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures.  Copies may also be obtained at the District office.