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Accountability and Councils » Policies and Required Notices

Policies and Required Notices

Vista Oaks Charter School has adopted this General Complaint Policy to address concerns about Vista Oaks Charter School generally or regarding specific employees. For complaints regarding harassment or perceived violations of state or federal laws, please refer to the Title IX, Harassment, Intimidation, Discrimination, and Bullying Policy and/or the Uniform Complaint Procedures. For all other complaints, the General Complaint form and accompanying procedures will be appropriate.

Internal Complaints

(Complaints by Employees against Employees)

This section of the policy is for use when a Vista Oaks employee raises a complaint or concern about a coworker.

If reasonably possible, internal complaints should be resolved at the lowest possible level, including attempts to discuss/resolve concerns with the immediate supervisor. However, in the event an informal resolution may not be achieved or is not appropriate, the following steps will be followed by the Associate Director:

  1. The complainant will bring the matter to the attention of the Associate Director as soon as possible after attempts to resolve the complaint with the immediate supervisor have failed or if not appropriate; and
  2. The complainant will reduce his or her complaint to writing, indicating all known and relevant facts. The Associate Director or designee will then investigate the facts and provide a solution or explanation;
  3. If the complaint is about the Associate Director, the complainant may file his or her complaint in a signed writing to the Executive Director, who will then investigate the facts and provide a solution or explanation.

This policy cannot guarantee that every problem will be resolved to the employee’s satisfaction. However, Vista Oaks Charter values each employee’s ability to express concerns and the need for resolution without fear of adverse consequence to employment.

Policy for Complaints Generally

(General Complaints and Complaints by Third Parties against Employees)

This section of the policy is for use when either a complaint does not fall under other complaint procedures or a third party (non-employee) raises a complaint or concern about Vista Oaks Charter generally, or a Vista Oaks employee.

If complaints cannot be resolved informally, complainants may file a written complaint with the Associate Director of the school site or President of the Board of Directors (only if the complaint concerns the Executive Director) as soon as possible after the events that give rise to the complainant’s concerns. The written complaint should set forth in detail the factual basis for the complaint.

In processing the complaint, the Associate Director (or designee) shall abide by the following process:

  1. The Associate Director or designee shall use his or her best efforts to ascertain the facts relating to the complaint. Where applicable, the Associate Director or designee shall talk with the parties identified in the complaint or persons with knowledge of the particulars of the complaint to ascertain said facts.
  2. In the event that the Associate Director or designee finds that a complaint is valid, the Associate Director or designee may take appropriate action to resolve the problem. Where the complaint is against an employee of Vista Oaks Charter, the Associate Director may take disciplinary action against the employee. As appropriate, the Associate Director may also simply counsel/reprimand employees as to their conduct without initiating formal disciplinary measures.
  3. The Associate Director decision relating to the complaint shall be final unless it is appealed to the Board of Directors of Vista Oaks Charter. The decision of the Board of Directors shall be final.

General Requirements

  1. Confidentiality: All complainants will be notified that information obtained from the complainants and thereafter gathered will be maintained in a manner as confidential as possible, but in some circumstances absolute confidentiality cannot be assured.
  2. Non-Retaliation: All complainants will be advised that they will be protected against retaliation as a result of the filing of any complaints or participation in any complaint process.
  3. Resolution: The Board of Directors (if a complaint is about the Executive Director) or the Executive Director, Associate Director or designee will investigate complaints appropriately under the circumstances and pursuant to the applicable procedures, and if necessary, take appropriate remedial measures to ensure effective resolution of any complaint.

To submit a complaint, fill out the General Complaint Form below and deliver by email or in person to the school site Associate Director or Associate Director.

 

General Complaint Form

Complaint Forms
 
A complaint is a written and signed statement alleging a violation of federal or state laws or regulations, which may include an allegation of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying. For more information, please click on the complaint forms below.
 
Uniform Complaint Form
 
Williams Complaint Form
 
Board Policy 1.11 Uniform Complaint Policy

The following is information regarding your rights and VOCS’s responsibilities regarding Title IX: 


Title IX Coordinator Contact Information


All complaints and reports of conduct that may constitute sex discrimination including sex-based harassment should be submitted to our Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached at:


Kendall Micco

Director of Education Services

[email protected]

315 South Lower Sacramento Road, Suite A

Lodi, CA 95242

(209) 365-4060


What is Title IX?


Title IX (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.; 34 C.F.R. Part 106) 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. . .” In accordance with Title IX and California state law, Vista Oaks Charter School (“VOCS”) does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education program or activities, including employment and admissions. 


Your Rights and Responsibilities Under Title IX


(a) You have the right to fair and equitable treatment, and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.


(b) You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities and athletics offered by VOCS.


(c) You have the right to inquire of the athletic director or other appropriate VOCS administrator as to the athletic opportunities offered by VOCS, if any.


(d) You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.


(e) You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following:

  • Equipment and supplies.
  • Scheduling of games and practices.
  • Transportation and daily allowances.
  • Access to tutoring.
  • Coaching.
  • Locker rooms.
  • Practice and competitive facilities.
  • Medical and training facilities and services.
  • Publicity.

(f)  You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws. The gender equity officer is the Title IX Coordinator. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and 34 C.F.R. Part 106 to VOCS may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education (“OCR”), or both.  


(g) You have the right to contact the California Department of Education (“CDE”) and the California Interscholastic Federation (“CIF”) to access information on gender equity laws. 


(h) You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with OCR or CDE if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex. See below for more information regarding how to file a complaint.


(i) You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.


(j) You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.


(k) You can find out more information regarding your rights, VOCS’s responsibilities, and access information on gender equity laws from the following resources:


Statewide Resources for Youth Subjected to Discrimination or Harassment


You can find a list of community-based organizations that provide support to youth, and their families, who have been subjected to school-based discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/


Definition of Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex Under Ed. Code Section 230


Harassment and other discrimination on the basis of sex include, but are not limited to, the following practices:


(a) On the basis of sex, exclusion of a person or persons from participation in, denial of the benefits of, or subjection to harassment or other discrimination in, any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other program or activity.


(b) On the basis of sex, provision of different amounts or types of student financial aid, limitation of eligibility for student financial aid, or the application of different criteria to applicants for student financial aid or for participation in the provision of student financial aid by others. 


(c) On the basis of sex, exclusion from participation in, or denial of equivalent opportunity in, athletic programs. “Equivalent” means equal or equal in effect.


(d) On the basis of sex, harassment or other discrimination among persons, including, but not limited to, students and nonstudents, or academic and nonacademic personnel, in employment and the conditions thereof, except as it relates to a bona fide occupational qualification.


(e) On the basis of sex, the application of any rule concerning the actual or potential parental, family, or marital status of a person, or the exclusion of any person from any program or activity or employment because of pregnancy or related conditions.


How to File a Complaint Under Title IX


(a) You can find more information regarding how to file a complaint as follows:

  • CDE website:
  • VOCS’s Uniform Complaint Procedures (“UCP”), Title IX Policy Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, and Harassment, Intimidation, Discrimination, and Bullying Policy. Please see the main office or the VOCS website for a complete copy of these policies. A link to the VOCS Title IX Policy Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, which includes the specific rules and procedures for reporting sex discrimination and sex-based harassment occurring within VOCS’s education program or activities and for pursuing available remedies, can be found here: https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/voc/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CNTTVJ7937C6

(b) A complaint regarding discrimination or harassment based on sex must ordinarily be filed with the OCR within 180 days of the last act of discrimination. If your complaint involves matters that occurred longer 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. If you have questions about your situation, you can contact the California branch of OCR at the address listed below. A complaint filed with VOCS under our UCP alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying must be initiated no later than six (6) months from the date when the alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying occurred, or six (6) months from the date when the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying.  


(c) OCR has its own policies and procedures for investigating complaints. Please review the above link for more information about this process. A complaint filed with VOCS under our UCP or Title IX Policy Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sex will be investigated in compliance with those policies, as applicable. 


(d) There are a variety of ways to file your complaint. You can use the OCR electronic complaint form filed directly through their website; or mail, email, or send by facsimile your own letter or a completed copy of the OCR Discrimination Complaint Form. 


Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue SW

Washington, D.C. 20202


Telephone: 800-421-3481
FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: [email protected]


***

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: [email protected]


To file a UCP or complaint under our Title IX Policy Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sex directly with VOCS, please follow procedures set forth in those policies.