Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination and sex-based harassment in all educational programs and activities, including athletic programs. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity operated by GCOE. Title IX protects all participants in GCOE's educational programs and activities, including students, parents, employees, and job applicants. GCOE does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Discrimination on the basis of sex can include sex-based harassment, sexual violence, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

In addition to Title IX, the California Education Code prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools. (California Education Code §§ 220-221.1.) Other state and federal laws also prohibit discrimination and ensure equality in education.
• sex-based harassment of employees - superintendent policy
• sex-based harassment of students - superintendent policy
Information provided here applies to every GCOE school site and all GCOE programs and activities.

Your Rights Under Title IX

You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.
You have the right to have access to a sex/gender equity coordinator, referred to as the Title IX Coordinator (find contact information below), to answer questions regarding sex/gender equity laws.
You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on sex/gender equity laws.
You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the California Department of Education if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex.
You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

—(California Education Code § 221.8.)

At this time the County Office does not provide the following items related to athletics, but you have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following if any are provided by the County Office in the future:

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; and
Publicity.

GCOE's Responsibilities Under Title IX

GCOE has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to sex-based discrimination, including sex-based harassment and sexual violence. If GCOE knows or reasonably should know about sex discrimination, it must take action to eliminate the sex discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. GCOE must resolve complaints of sex discrimination promptly and equitably. Information on filing a complaint alleging sex-based discrimination is below, including contact information for GCOE's Title IX Coordinator.

For more information specific to anti-discrimination in GCOE employment, please contact the Title IX Coordinator (contact information below).

Learn more about your rights under Title IX:

Visit the website of the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html and the webpage on sex discrimination at http://www2.ed.gov/policy/rights/guid/ocr/sex.html.
Review United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, Know Your Rights documents:

Title IX prohibits sex-based harassment and sexual violence: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/rights/guid/ocr/sex.html
Title IX requires GCOE to address sexual violence: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/know-rights-201404-title-ix.pdf.
Title IX prohibits discrimination against pregnant or parenting individuals: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-know-rights-201306-title-ix.html.

Visit the website of the California Department of Education Office of Equal Opportunity at http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/ and the webpage on Gender Equity/Title IX at http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/genequitytitleix.asp.
Review related GCOE policies and regulations by visiting the links provided in the first section of this page or by contacting GCOE's Title IX coordinator.

Title IX Coordinator

GCOE's Title IX coordinators oversee compliance with Title IX requirements and promote sex equity in GCOE programs. Please contact the appropriate coordinator as needed.

Personnel:
Ronnie Stenquist, Director, Human Resources
530-934-6575 x 3453 | [email protected]

Special Programs Students(Charters and Alternative Education):
Nikol Baker, Assistant Superintendent, Special Programs
530-804-3582 | [email protected]

Special Education Students:
Jacki Campos, Assistant Superintendent, Student Services
530-330-2008 | [email protected]

Filing a Title IX Complaint

A complaint alleging unlawful discrimination or retaliation must be filed no later than six months from the date the discrimination or retaliation occurred, or six months from when the complainant first learned of the unlawful discrimination. The Superintendent or designee may extend this timeline by up to ninety days for good cause, upon written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the extension.

A student, parent, guardian, employee, individual, or organization may file a written complaint or an oral complaint alleging discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying on the basis of a protected characteristic under GCOE's Uniform Complaint Procedure by sending a written complaint or making an oral complaint to GCOE's Title IX Coordinator (contact information listed above).

Download appropriate forms here:
GCOE Complaint Form

If you need assistance putting your complaint in writing, please contact Human Resources at 530-934-6575 x 3453 or [email protected]. You may also call to provide an oral complaint. You may file a complaint anonymously, but GCOE's ability to investigate and respond may be limited by a lack of information.

You may also file a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. For more information, visit http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html. The electronic complaint form for the Office for Civil Rights is available online at https://ocrcas.ed.gov.

Contact the Office for Civil Rights at:
San Francisco Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 486-5555
Fax: (415) 486-5570; TDD: (800) 877-8339
Email: [email protected]

For information about how to file other types of complaints and the procedures for those complaints, please contact GCOE's Title IX coordinator.

How GCOE Investigates Complaints

Complaints filed under GCOE's Uniform Complaint Procedure will be investigated and a decision made within sixty calendar days of the GCOE's receipt, unless the complainant agrees to an extension. GCOE's compliance officer or designee may interview alleged victims, alleged offenders, and relevant witnesses. The compliance officer may review available records, statements, or notes related to the complaint, including evidence or information received from the parties during the investigation. The compliance officer may visit reasonably accessible locations where discrimination is alleged to have occurred. As appropriate, GCOE's compliance officer periodically will inform the parties of the status of the investigation. The complainant will be notified when a decision is made. Complaints that are not filed under GCOE's Uniform Complaint Procedure will be investigated and decided pursuant to the applicable procedure.

What happens after the investigation?

For complaints filed under the Uniform Complaint Procedure, the compliance officer will prepare and send a final written decision to the complainant and respondent, if any, within 15 working days of GCOE's receipt of the complaint (unless this deadline is extended by mutual agreement).

If the complainant or respondent is not satisfied with the decision, either the complainant or respondent may, within five business days, file the complaint in writing with the Board. The Board may consider the matter at a Board meeting or decide not to hear the complaint, in which case the compliance officer’s decision shall be final.

The complainant or respondent may appeal GCOE's decision within fifteen calendar days to the California Department of Education. The appeal must specify the reason for the appeal and whether GCOE's facts are incorrect and/or the law is misapplied. The appeal must include a copy of the original complaint to GCOE and a copy of GCOE's decision. For more information, visit the California Department of Education’s webpage on Uniform Complaint Procedures: http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cp/uc/index.asp.

For complaints alleging unlawful discrimination based on state law, the complainant may pursue available civil law remedies, including seeking assistance from mediation centers or public/private interest attorneys, sixty calendar days after filing an appeal with the California Department of Education. (California Education Code § 262.3.) Note that this sixty day moratorium does not apply to complaints seeking injunctive relief in state courts or to discrimination complaints based on federal law. (California Education Code § 262.3.)

Complaints may also be filed with the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. For contact information, see the section above on “How do I file a complaint of sex discrimination?” For more information, visit http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html. If the compliance officer finds that a complaint has merit, GCOE will take appropriate corrective action.