Complaints/Feedback

Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP)

Program violations, pupil fees, LCAP, and discrimination or harassment complaints that are formal and in writing.

What the UCP covers

Complaints alleging violations of federal or state law governing:

• Accommodations for pregnant and parenting students
• After-school programs
• Career technical and technical education and training programs
• Consolidated categorical aid programs
• Course periods without educational content
• Education of students in foster care, students experiencing homelessness, former juvenile court students now enrolled in a school district, and students from military families
• English learner programs
• Every Student Succeeds Act
• Instructional materials, teacher vacancy or misassignment, and emergency or urgent facilities conditions (Williams complaints)
• Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)
• Physical education instructional minutes
• Pupil fees (Ed. Code § 49011)
• Reasonable accommodations to a lactating student
• School safety plans
• Tobacco-use prevention education

Special education (IDEA) and child nutrition program complaints are governed by separate federal and state frameworks and are not covered by the UCP. See the special education and child nutrition sections below.

Filing deadline

Discrimination and HIDB complaints: within 6 months of the incident or the date you first learned of the facts. The Superintendent may extend this up to 90 additional calendar days for good cause. All other UCP complaints: within 1 year of the alleged violation. LCAP complaints: within 1 year of the date the Board approved the relevant LCAP or annual update.

How to file

1. Complete the UCP Complaint Form (see the download below).
2. Submit it to the ECS Compliance Officer by email, mail, or in person at any ECS school office.
3. If you cannot write your complaint due to disability or illiteracy, ECS staff will assist you (5 CCR § 4600).
4. Complaints alleging pupil fees, LCAP violations, or noncompliance with Ed. Code §§ 243-244 may be filed anonymously.

Investigation timeline

ECS will complete its investigation and issue a written Decision within 60 calendar days of receiving your complaint, unless you agree in writing to an extension.

Appeal rights

If you are dissatisfied with ECS’s Decision, you may appeal in writing to the California Department of Education within 30 calendar days of the date of the written Investigation Report. Your appeal must include a copy of your original complaint and a copy of the Investigation Report. The CDE will issue a written appeal decision within 60 calendar days of receipt. These timelines are set by the CDE in Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and govern over any shorter or longer period stated anywhere else. (5 CCR § 4632)

Williams Complaints Are UCP Complaints, With Different Rules

A complaint about insufficient textbooks or instructional materials, a teacher vacancy or misassignment, or an emergency or urgent facilities condition that poses a threat to the health or safety of students or staff is a Williams complaint. It is a type of UCP complaint, and four rules differ from the rest of the UCP:

• Where you file. File with the principal of the school where the concern arises, not with the ECS Compliance Officer.
• You may file anonymously. You are not required to give your name.
• The form is optional. Forms are available in every school’s main office, but a complaint will not be rejected for not using the form as long as it is submitted in writing.
• Different timeline and appeal. ECS remedies a valid complaint within 30 working days. If you request a response, you will receive one. For an emergency or urgent facilities condition only, a complainant who is dissatisfied with the resolution may appeal to the California Department of Education within 15 days of receiving it. The 30-calendar-day CDE appeal described above does not apply to Williams complaints.

Compliance Officer

Sarah Jamieson, Director of Human Resources
2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(310) 214-3408, ext. 1603 · sarah_jamieson@ecsonline.org

Title IX: Sex Equity and Nondiscrimination

Sexual harassment or sex-based discrimination.

Notice of nondiscrimination

Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. ECS is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. section 1681 et seq.) and its regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106) not to discriminate on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. California law also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation (Ed. Code sections 200, 220 and 221.5).

Questions about how Title IX applies to ECS may be sent to the ECS Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, or to both.

Title IX Coordinator

Sarah Jamieson, Director of Human Resources
2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(310) 214-3408, ext. 1603 · sarah_jamieson@ecsonline.org

Anyone may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, to the Title IX Coordinator. You may report in person, by mail, by phone or by email, at any time, including outside business hours. You do not have to be the person affected to make a report. You may also tell any ECS staff member or your school’s Principal, who will make sure the Coordinator receives it.

Your rights under California law

California Education Code section 221.8 lists these rights, based on the federal Title IX regulations:

1. You have the right to fair and equitable treatment, and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
2. You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.
3. You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school. ECHS-Lawndale: Desiree Gower, Athletic Director, (310) 214-3400, ext. 2666, Desiree_Gower@ecsonline.org. ECHS-Gardena, ECMS-Gardena and ECMS-Inglewood: contact your school’s main office.
4. You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
5. 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; and publicity.
6. You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws. At ECS, this is the Title IX Coordinator listed above.
7. You have the right to contact the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws.
8. You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the U.S. 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.
9. You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
10. You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

ECS responsibilities

ECS must respond promptly to reports of sex discrimination, offer supportive measures to the person affected whether or not a complaint is filed, investigate complaints fairly, and protect everyone involved from retaliation. Supportive measures may include counseling, schedule or seating changes, a stay-away arrangement, and increased supervision.

How to file a complaint with ECS

Formal complaint of sexual harassment (ECS Title IX Policy). Complete the Title IX Sex Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Form on this page and submit the signed complaint to the Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail or by email. ECS follows the grievance process in the ECS Title IX Policy, which includes notice to both parties, an investigation, a written determination by a decisionmaker who is not the Coordinator or investigator, and a right to appeal. You do not need to file a formal complaint to receive supportive measures.

Other complaints of sex discrimination (ECS Uniform Complaint Procedures). Complaints of sex discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying that are not handled as formal complaints of sexual harassment are handled under the ECS Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP). A UCP complaint must be in writing and signed. Staff can help anyone who is unable to put a complaint in writing. ECS sends a written decision within 60 calendar days of receiving the complaint, unless the complainant agrees in writing to more time. If you disagree with the decision, you may appeal in writing to the California Department of Education within 30 calendar days of receiving it.

Time limits, and filing after the time limit. A UCP complaint of discrimination must be filed within six months from the date the discrimination occurred, or from the date you first learned the facts of the discrimination. If you need more time, send a written request to the Superintendent explaining why. For good cause, the Superintendent may extend the filing period by up to 90 calendar days after the six months end. A complaint to the U.S. Office for Civil Rights generally must be filed within 180 days of the last act of discrimination. The Office for Civil Rights may grant a waiver of that deadline for good cause.

Confidentiality and retaliation. ECS keeps complaints as confidential as the law and a fair investigation allow. Retaliation against anyone who reports, files a complaint or takes part in an investigation is prohibited.

Civil remedies. You may also have civil law remedies under state or federal law. For complaints of discrimination under state law, Ed. Code section 262.3 describes when you may go to court after appealing to the California Department of Education. You may wish to consult an attorney.

Policies. The full ECS Title IX Policy Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sex and the ECS Uniform Complaint Procedures are available on this page and free of charge at every school office.

Filing with a state or federal agency

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

File a complaint online: ocrcas.ed.gov
How to file a complaint: ed.gov – how to file a discrimination complaint
Title IX information: ed.gov/ocr
San Francisco Office: 50 Beale Street, Suite 8-200, San Francisco, CA 94105 · (415) 486-5555 · ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov

California Department of Education (CDE), Office of Equal Opportunity

Gender Equity and Title IX: cde.ca.gov – gender equity and Title IX
Discrimination complaints: cde.ca.gov – discrimination complaints
Uniform Complaint Procedures: cde.ca.gov – uniform complaint procedures
(916) 445-9174 · oeoinfo@cde.ca.gov

Title IX Training Materials

Federal regulations require ECS to make publicly available the materials used to train its Title IX Coordinator, investigators, decisionmakers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process. (34 C.F.R. § 106.45(b)(10)(i)(D))

These materials are for training purposes. They are not legal advice and do not replace the ECS Title IX Policy. Materials prepared by outside organizations may refer to “the LEA” or to another agency’s procedures, such as Administrative Regulation 5145.71. ECS’s procedures are set out in the ECS Title IX Policy above, which governs if there is any difference.

For questions or to request these materials in an alternative format, contact the Title IX Coordinator listed above.

Los materiales de capacitación están disponibles en inglés. Para solicitar ayuda o un formato alternativo, comuníquese con la Coordinadora de Título IX.

Harassment, Intimidation, Discrimination, or Bullying (HIDB)

Bullying, harassment, or discrimination reported informally, orally, or anonymously.

ECS prohibits harassment, intimidation, discrimination, and bullying on the basis of any actual or perceived protected characteristic. This applies on campus, in transit to and from school, during school-sponsored activities, and through school-owned technology. (Ed. Code § 48900.4)

The HIDB policy operates alongside the UCP and Title IX policies. Which pathway applies depends on the nature and form of your complaint:

Pathway A — Formal HIDB complaint (use the UCP)

If your complaint is written, signed, and filed within 6 months of the incident, submit it as a UCP complaint using the UCP Complaint Form, addressed to the ECS Compliance Officer. The 60-day investigation timeline and 30-day CDE appeal right apply. See Uniform Complaint Procedure.

Pathway B — Sex-based harassment

If your complaint involves sex discrimination or sexual harassment, use the Title IX pathway.

Pathway C — All other HIDB reports

For HIDB misconduct that does not meet the written, signed, and 6-month UCP requirements — including informal concerns, oral reports, anonymous tips, and reports outside the 6-month window:

• Written reports are encouraged but not required. Oral reports are accepted.
• Anonymous reports are accepted but cannot, standing alone, result in formal disciplinary action.
• Staff who witness prohibited misconduct are required to intervene when safe to do so and report immediately.
• Students should report to a teacher, counselor, Principal, or other trusted staff member. Reports will be taken seriously regardless of form.

Submit to

Director of Human Resources (or the Superintendent, if the complaint is against the HR Director)
2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(310) 214-3408, ext. 1603 · sarah_jamieson@ecsonline.org

Investigation and appeal

ECS will complete its investigation within 25 school days in most cases. If you are dissatisfied with ECS’s resolution, submit a written appeal to the President of the ECS Board of Directors within 5 business days of receiving notice of the decision.

Other complaint processes

Complaints handled outside the UCP

Your rights

• ECS is the LEA primarily responsible for compliance with federal and state educational program laws.
• Students shall not be required to pay a pupil fee for participation in an educational activity. (Ed. Code § 49011)
• Copies of ECS’s UCP are available free of charge upon request.
• If a UCP complaint is filed directly with the CDE and merits direct intervention, the CDE will complete an investigation within 60 calendar days of receipt.
• Complainants have the right to appeal ECS’s UCP Decision to the CDE within 30 calendar days of the date of the written Investigation Report.
• The CDE will issue an appeal decision within 60 calendar days of receipt of the appeal.
• If ECS finds merit in a complaint, it will take corrective actions to provide a remedy to the affected student and/or parent or guardian.
• Civil law remedies, including injunctions and restraining orders, may be available under state or federal discrimination laws. For state law discrimination complaints, complainants must wait 60 days after filing a CDE appeal before pursuing civil remedies. Federal law complaints, including Title IX, may be brought to OCR at any time.
• No retaliation will be taken against any complainant.

Accessibility notice

Persons with disabilities may request this information in an alternative format. Contact the ECS Main Office at (310) 214-3408. TTY users may call 711. Assistance in filing a complaint is available to any person who cannot prepare a written complaint due to disability or illiteracy.