Title IX & Uniform Complaint Procedures
Nondiscrimination Statement
The Lancaster School District is committed to ensuring equal, fair, and meaningful access to employment and education services. The Lancaster School District does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, political afflilation, pregnancy and related conditions, race, religion, retaliation, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by the California state and federal nondisrimination laws. To report an incidence and/or to receive a copy of the district's anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, or anti-bullying policies, please the Director of Human Resources or the district Title IX officer directly.
Richelle Pulos
Director of Classified Personnel
Director of Classified Personnel
Title IX Officer
Uniform Complaint Officer
Uniform Complaint Officer
Uniform Complaint Procedures
The Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) provide a standardized process for resolving complaints regarding violations of state and federal educational laws and regulations. Issues that may involve filing a complaint using the UCP are under various state and federal programs that use categorical funds, such as Adult Education, Career Technical And Technical Education And Training Programs, Child Care And Developmental Programs, Child Nutrition Programs, Consolidated Categorical Aid Programs, Federal Safety Planning Requirements, Migrant Education, and Special Education Programs.
- Scope: UCP addresses discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying based on protected characteristics; pupil fees; Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP); programs and services for foster youth, English learners, and students experiencing homelessness; and other state-identified issues.
- Who May File: Students, parents/guardians, employees, applicants, and community members. Anonymous complaints are accepted but may limit follow-up.
- Timelines: The district must investigate and issue a written decision within 60 calendar days of receiving a complaint, unless an extension is agreed upon in writing.
- Appeals: Certain UCP decisions may be appealed to the California Department of Education within 30 days.
- Remedies: If a complaint is substantiated, corrective actions may include policy changes, training, refunds of unlawful fees, and remedies for affected students.
For more information, please visit the California Department of Education.
Title IX
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. This includes sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Definition of Sexual Harassment under Title IX
According to 34 C.F.R. § 106.30, sexual harassment means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:
- Quid pro quo harassment: An employee of the school conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service on a person’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.
- Hostile environment harassment: Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program or activity.
- Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined under federal law.
Rights & Procedures
- Rights: Students and employees are entitled to learn and work in an environment free from sex-based discrimination and harassment.
- Reporting: Reports may be made to the District’s Title IX Coordinator in person, by phone, by mail, or by email, at any time. Complaints do not have to be completed on a formal complaint form.
- Supportive Measures: Available regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed, including counseling, schedule changes, academic support, and safety planning.
- Formal Complaints: A signed complaint initiates the grievance process, which includes investigation, determination, and appeal rights.
- Retaliation Prohibited: Retaliation against anyone for reporting or participating in a Title IX process is strictly prohibited.
Williams Complaint Procedures
(California Education Code §§ 35186, 60119, 1240)
Williams Complaints are a specific type of complaint related to the Williams v. California settlement, ensuring that all students receive equal access to basic educational necessities.
A Williams Complaint may be filed if:
- There are not enough instructional materials (textbooks, workbooks, or other required materials) for every student to use in class and at home.
- School facilities are unsafe, unclean, or in disrepair.
- A teacher vacancy exists, or a teacher is misassigned (not credentialed or teaching outside their subject area).
Filing a Williams Complaint:
Complaints may be filed at the school office or district office using the Williams Complaint Form (available in multiple languages).
Complaints may be filed at the school office or district office using the Williams Complaint Form (available in multiple languages).
- Complaints are investigated and remedied quickly—typically within 30 working days.
- A summary of Williams Complaints and their resolutions is reported quarterly at a public Board of Education meeting.
Other Types of Complaints
Not all complaints fall under the scope of the UCP. Many concerns are the responsibilities of the local school district, including, hiring and evaluation of staff, classroom assignments, student advancement and retention, selection/provision of textbooks and materials, student discipline, provision of core curriculum subjects, facilities, graduation requirements, homework policies and practices, use of general education funds and dress codes. For complaints that do not fall under either the UCP or Williams parameters, please contact your school principal who may help resolve your concern or direct you to the appropriate district administrator.
Board Policies
- Policy / Regulation 1312.3 Uniform Complaint Procedures
- Policy 5145.9 Hate-Based Behavior
- Policy / Regulation 5131.2 Bullying
