Step One – Informal Resolution

When practical, the complainant shall attempt to informally resolve his or her complaint with the District employee most directly involved in the matter resulting in the complaint.  All communications shall be polite and respectful. 

Step Two – Formal Complaint

If a complaint is not resolved informally at Step One, the complainant may submit a written complaint to the employee’s immediate supervisor or to the building principal, as appropriate, within ten school days from the last attempted informal resolution under Step One.  The written complaint should include specific details describing the incident, act or condition giving rise to the complaint, informal efforts to resolve the complaint under Step One, and the requested remedy.  The supervisor or building principal shall in a timely manner investigate, decide upon the merits of the complaint, and determine the appropriate action to be taken, if any.  To the extent allowed by state and federal confidentiality laws, the supervisor or building principal shall provide complainant with a timely written response.  The written response may be provided by email.

Step Three – Appeal to Superintendent

If a complainant is unsatisfied with the response at Step Two, he or she may appeal the response to the Superintendent in writing within ten school days of receiving the response.  The Superintendent or designee shall in a timely manner review the appeal and the investigation conducted under Step Two.  At his or her discretion, the Superintendent or designee may conduct, or cause to be conducted, further investigation into the complaint. The Superintendent or designee shall make a decision on the merits, and to the extent allowed by state and federal confidentiality laws, provide complainant with a timely written response.  The written response may be provided by email. 

Step Four – Appeal to School Board

If a complainant is unsatisfied with the response at Step Three, he or she may appeal to the Board in writing within ten school days of receiving the Step Three response.  At its next regularly scheduled meeting, the Board shall review the record of the complaint from prior steps to determine whether it warrants further consideration, and if so, how it will proceed.  In its discretion, the Board may conduct or cause to be conducted further investigation, request further written submissions from the complainant and/or other individuals involved, and/or conduct a hearing. 

The Board shall notify the complainant in writing in a timely manner as to whether it will undertake further consideration and if so, the process it will follow to do so.  Should the Board decide to proceed with a hearing, the notice to the complainant will describe the time, date, location and format of the hearing.  The Board’s decision not to undertake further consideration shall be considered a final decision of the District for purposes of an appeal to the Oregon Department of Education under OAR 581-021-0570 and OAR 581-022-2370.

Should the Board decide to undertake further consideration of the complaint, at the conclusion of its consideration process and to the extent allowed by state and federal confidentiality laws, it shall provide complainant with a timely written response.  The written response may be provided by email. 

Notwithstanding the steps described above, complaints about a program supervisor (i.e., director of student services) or building principal may be initiated at the Superintendent’s level, and a complaint about the Superintendent may be initiated at the Board level.  

In the event a complainant has asserted multiple complaints against the District, the complaints may be consolidated and addressed together under Steps Two, Three and/or Four. 

The District shall endeavor to complete each of its required responses under Steps Two, Three and Four within 30 days.  Should more time be required under any of these steps, the complainant will be notified and provided with an estimated time for the District’s response under the applicable step.  The District shall endeavor to complete all steps under this administrative regulation within 90 days.

The District shall have no obligation to consider complaints asserted:

• Two years after the alleged violation or unlawful incident occurred or the complainant discovered the alleged violation or unlawful incident. For incidents that are continuing in nature, this time limitation runs from the date of the most recent incident;
• One year after the affected student has graduated from, moved away from, or otherwise left the District.

In accordance with OAR 581-022-2370, a complainant may appeal directly to the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction for complaints alleging:

• A violation of ORS 339.285 to 339.303 or OAR 581-021-0550 to 581-021-0570 (Restraint and Seclusion);
• A violation of ORS 659.850 or OAR 581-021-0045 (Discrimination)
• A violation of OAR 581-021-0046 (Program Compliance Standards for Purposes Related to Discrimination)
• A violation of OAR 581-021-0047 (Prohibition against Using Native American Mascots)
• A violation of ORS 659.852 (Retaliation)
• A violation of Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 581, Division 022 (Division 22 Standards)