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Orchard School District

Orchard School District
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Title IX

Title IX is a federal law that was passed in 1972. It protects the rights of male and female students and employees in an educational setting to ensure equal and fair treatment. 
 
The Title IX Coordinator is:
 
Jeff Bowman
Superintendent
Orchard School District
921 Fox Lane
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 944 - 0397 x 201
jbowman@orchardsd.org
 
Title IX Complaints - Process & Timeline: 
 
Except for Williams Complaints regarding instructional materials, emergency or urgent facilities conditions that pose a threat to the health or safety of pupils or staff, and teacher vacancies or misassignments, and complaints that allege discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying, any individual, public agency or organization may file a written complaint with our district superintendent or his or her designee alleging a matter which, if true, would constitute a violation by our LEA of federal or state law or regulation governing a program. A complaint of noncompliance with laws relating to pupil fees may be filed with the principal of the school under the Uniform Complaint Procedures and may be filed anonymously if the complaint provides evidence or information leading to evidence to support an allegation of noncompliance with laws relating to pupil fees.
An investigation of alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying shall be initiated by filing a complaint no later than six (6) months from the date the alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying occurred, or the date the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying. The time for filing may be extended in writing by our district superintendent or his or her designee, upon written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the extension. The period for filing may be extended by our superintendent or his or her designee for good cause for a period not to exceed ninety (90) calendar days following the expiration of the six (6) month time period. Our superintendent shall respond immediately upon a receipt of a request for extension.
The complaint shall be filed by one who alleges that he or she has personally suffered unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying or by one who believes an individual or any specific class of individuals has been subjected to discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying prohibited by this part.
An investigation of a discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying complaint shall be conducted in a manner that protects confidentiality of the parties and maintains the integrity of the process.
Except for Williams Complaints, within sixty (60) calendar days from the date of the receipt of the complaint, we shall conduct and complete an investigation of the complaint in accordance with our UCP policies and procedures and prepare a written Decision; also known as a final report. This time period may be extended by written agreement of the complainant.
The investigation shall include an opportunity for the complainant, or the complainant's representative, or both, to present the complaint(s) and evidence or information leading to evidence to support the allegations of non-compliance with state and federal laws and/or regulations.
Refusal by the complainant to provide the investigator with documents or other evidence related to the allegations in the complaint, or to otherwise fail or refuse to cooperate in the investigation or engage in any other obstruction of the investigation, may result in the dismissal of the complaint because of a lack of evidence to support the allegations.
Refusal by Orchard Elementary School to provide the investigator with access to records and/or other information related to the allegation in the complaint, or to otherwise fail or refuse to cooperate in the investigation or engage in any other obstruction of the investigation, may result in a finding based on evidence collected that a violation has occurred and may result in the imposition of a remedy in favor of the complainant.
We shall issue a Decision based on the evidence. The Decision shall be in writing and sent to the complainant within sixty (60) calendar days from receipt of the complaint by the local educational agency. The Decision should contain:
(i) the findings of fact based on the evidence gathered,
(ii) conclusion of law,
(iii) disposition of the complaint,
(iv) the rationale for such disposition,
(v) corrective actions, if any are warranted,
(vi) notice of the complainant's right to appeal our LEA Decision to the CDE, and
(vii) procedures to be followed for initiating an appeal to the CDE.
Nothing in this section shall prohibit anyone involved in the complaint from utilizing alternative methods to resolve the allegations, such as mediation. Nor are we prohibited from resolving complaints prior to the formal filing of a written complaint. Mediation is a problem solving activity whereby a third party assists the parties to the dispute in resolving the complaint.
 
Rights Under Title IX:  
 
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights