Title IX

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Saratoga Union School District (SUSD) is committed to making schools free from unlawful discrimination, which can have a negative impact on the student’s academic performance and create an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment.

Any student who engages in discrimination of another student or anyone from the District may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
Any employee who permits or engages in discrimination may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Sexual Harassment Policy

SUSD is committed to a student-centered approach to safety and maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment in any form, including:

Verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature
Unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors
Quid Pro Quo harassment, where a student’s grades, benefits, services, honors, programs or activities are made dependent on submission to such conduct

Filing a Complaint

The District offers multiple pathways to report and resolve complaints. Students and parents/guardians may choose the option that best fits their situation.

Option One: School Site Resolution

SUSD believes many issues can be resolved quickly at the school level.

How to report: Contact your school’s site principal directly.
Process: The principal or responsible school official will conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation.
Safety first: When sexual harassment is reported, immediate interim steps will be taken to stop the behavior and protect the student pending the investigation's outcome.

Note: You are not required to attempt resolution at the school site before contacting the District Title IX Coordinator or filing a formal complaint.

Option Two: Discrimination Complaints with the Office of Civil Rights

You may file a formal Uniform Complaint at any time with the Office of Civil Rights of the Federal Department of Education, regardless of whether a school-site resolution was attempted.

How to file: File a complaint at the following link.
Timeliness of discrimination complaints: A complaint must ordinarily be filed within 180 days of the last act of discrimination. If your complaint involves matters that occurred longer ago 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.

Option Three: Filing a Uniform Complaint

At any time during the site resolution process, students or parents/guardians may choose to file a formal Uniform Complaint. You are not required to attempt resolution at the school site before filing.

1. How to file

Form and policies: Obtain a Uniform Complaint Form from the District Office. For details, refer to Board Policy and Administrative Regulation BP/AR 1312.3 (Uniform Complaint Procedures) and AR/E 1312.4 (Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures). Return the completed form to:

Saratoga Union School District Office
Attn: Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
and Board of Trustees
20460 Forrest Hills Drive
Saratoga, CA 95070

2. Investigation timeline and process

Objective investigation: SUSD will immediately launch a thorough and objective investigation.
60-day timeline: The District will provide a written report within 60 days of the filing date.
Report contents: The report will include a factual summary, the final decision, the reasoning behind it, and any corrective actions or remedies.
Your rights: Complainants have the right to present witnesses and evidence during the investigation.

3. District actions and protections

Disciplinary action: If a violation is found, the District will take immediate disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion or dismissal.
Victim remedies: Remedial measures will be enforced to end the harassment, prevent its recurrence and support the student. SUSD will conduct follow-up checks to ensure the behavior has stopped.
Strict anti-retaliation policy: Retaliation against any participant or witness is strictly prohibited. If retaliation occurs, a separate Uniform Complaint can be filed. All investigations are handled promptly and with strict respect for privacy.

Title IX Coordinator

Moira Barker,
Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services

Email
(408) 867-3424, ext. 506

Saratoga Union School District
20460 Forrest Hills Drive
Saratoga, CA 95070

Rights

The following list of rights, which are based on the relevant provisions of the federal regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.), may be used by the department for purposes of Section 221.6:

(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, including athletics.
(c) You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
(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:

(1) Equipment and supplies.
(2) Scheduling of games and practices.
(3) Transportation and daily allowances.
(4) Access to tutoring.
(5) Coaching.
(6) Locker rooms.
(7) Practice and competitive facilities.
(8) Medical and training facilities and services.
(9) Publicity.

(f) You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws.
(g) You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws.
(h) You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office of Civil Rights or the State 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.
(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.

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