Complaint Information and Resources

If you find yourself at the point of needing to file a formal complaint, we are here to help.  Our goal is always to ensure that any and all complaints have been initiated for resolution with the school site principal and/or department supervisor as the first step.  

Please note: Not all complaint processes below have a specific form for filing a complaint.  Please review the links for filing and format.

Below is a listing of the District's specific policies and administrative regulations for handling complaints relative to: Anti-bullying, Uniform Complaints, Civility, Complaints Against District Employees, Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials, Sexual Harassment, Hate Motivated Behavior and Williams Uniform Complaints.   

Anti-Bullying 
Anti Acoso Escolar

Every student is entitled to a safe school environment free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying.  The District’s Policy on Bullying can be accessed on the District’s website.  Copies are available in the school office.

The District prohibits bullying.  Bullying is defined in Education Code section 48900(r).  This includes, but is not limited to, discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying based on the actual or perceived characteristics set forth in Penal Code Section 422.55 and Education Code section 220, such as disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

School personnel must immediately intervene if they witness an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying, provided it is safe to do so.  Acts of discrimination or bullying should be brought to the attention of the principal. 

You may make an anonymous complaint by contacting the principal.  Complaints of bullying or discrimination will be considered confidential. However, it may be necessary to disclose certain information in order to effectively investigate. Students who violate the District’s policies on bullying or discrimination may be subject to discipline, including suspension and expulsion. The District prohibits retaliation against individuals who make complaints of bullying or provide information related to such complaints.  

BP5131 Student Conduct

Uniform Complaint Procedures:

The district shall follow uniform complaint procedures when addressing complaints alleging unlawful discrimination against any protected group as identified under Education Code 200 and 220 and Government Code 11135, including actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, or mental or physical disability, or age, bullying or when a charge of an impermissible fee is alleged, or on the basis of a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in any district program or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance. (5 CCR 4610).   Uniform complaint procedures shall also be used when addressing complaints alleging failure to comply with state and/or federal laws in adult education programs, consolidated categorical aid programs, migrant education, career technical and technical education and career technical and technical training programs, child care and development programs, child nutrition programs, and special education programs. (5 CCR 4610)

Title IX Nondiscrimination/Sexual Harassment of Students:

The Governing Board is committed to maintaining an educational environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. The Board prohibits sexual harassment of students by other students, employees, or other persons, at school or at school-sponsored or school-related activities. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against persons who complain, testify, assist, or otherwise participate in district complaint processes. 

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Title IX Information

Hate Motivated Behavior - Students:

The Governing Board affirms the right of every student to be protected from hate-motivated behavior. It is the intent of the Board to promote harmonious relationships that enable students to gain a true understanding of the civil rights and social responsibilities of people in our society. Behavior or statements that degrade an individual on the basis of his/her race, ethnicity, culture, heritage, gender, sexual orientation, physical/mental attributes, religious beliefs or practices shall not be tolerated.

Uniform Complaint Policies/Procedures and Forms:

UCP Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Reporting Form (English)
UCP Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Reporting Form (Español)
UCP Form for Filing Complaints Re: Fees (English)
UCP Form for Filing Complaints Re: Fees (Español)
FAQ Re: Fees
Uniform Complaint Procedures BP1312.3 
Uniform Complaint Procedures AR1312.3
Uniform Complaint Procedures AR1312.3 (Spanish)
Uniform Complaint Procedures BP1312.3 (Spanish)
Sexual Harassment -Students BP5145.7 
Sexual Harassment - Students BP5145.7 (Spanish)
Sexual Harassment - Students AR5145.7 
Sexual Harassment - Students AR5145.7 (Spanish)
Hate Motivated Behavior - Students BP5145.9
 

Complaints Concerning Employees:

The Superintendent or designee shall develop regulations which enable the public and other employees to submit complaints against district employees in an appropriate way. These regulations shall ensure a complete process that addresses complaints and protect the rights of involved parties and the district. The Board may serve as an appeals body if the complaint is not resolved.

Complaints Concerning District Employees BP1312.1  

Complaints Concerning District Employees AR1312.1

Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials:

The Governing Board uses a comprehensive process to adopt district instructional materials that is based on selection criteria established by law and Board policy and includes opportunities for the involvement of parents/guardians and community members. Complaints concerning the content or use of instructional materials, including textbooks, supplementary instructional materials, library materials, or other instructional materials and equipment, shall be properly and fairly considered using established complaint procedures.

Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials Form

Solicitud de Recondsideracion de Materiales Instruccionales

Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials BP1312.2 
Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials AR1312.2

Williams Uniform Complaints:

The district shall use the following procedures to investigate and resolve complaints when the complainant alleges that any of the following has occurred: (Education Code 35186; 5 CCR 4681, 4682, 4683) 

1. Textbooks and instructional materials  State law requires the following:  There should be sufficient textbooks and instructional materials. Each student, including English learners, must have a textbook or instructional materials, or both, to use in class and to take home.

2. School facilities must be clean, safe, and maintained in good repair. “Good repair” means that the facility is maintained in a manner that assures that it is clean, safe and functional as determined by the Office of Public School Construction.

3. There should be no teacher vacancies or misassignments. “Misassignment” means the placement of a certificated employee in a teaching or services position for which the employee does not hold a legally recognized certificate or credential or the placement of a certificated employee in a teaching or services position that the employee is not otherwise authorized by statute to hold. “Teacher vacancy” means a position to which a single signated certificated employee has not been assigned at the beginning of the school year for the entire year or, if the position is for a one-semester course, a position to which a single designated certificated employee has not been assigned at the beginning of the semester for the entire semester.

Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures Form (English) 
Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures Form (Español)
Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures AR1312.4

Human Resources
714-424-5041 

Employee Complaint Policies and Procedures 

The Governing Board recognizes the need to establish a process to allow employees and job applicants to have their concerns heard in an expeditious and unbiased manner. The Board expects that employees will make every effort to resolve complaints and disagreements informally before filing a formal complaint.

Complaints- Employees BP4144
Complaints- Employees AR4144

Title IX Nondiscrimination/Sexual Harassment - Employees

The Governing Board prohibits sexual harassment of district employees and job applicants. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against district employees or other persons who complain, testify or otherwise participate in the complaint process established pursuant to this policy and administrative regulation.

Sexual Harassment -Employees BP4319.11
Sexual Harassment - Employees AR4319.11

Employment grievances of specific employee union contract language, either classified or certificated, are handled through the offices of Human Resources and Classified Personnel.  
Please review the CSEA or NMFT website links below for direction on the grievance processes and contacts:

Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers

California School Employees Association

This page contains policies and administrative regulations for complaints that are specific to parents, students, some employee resources and the general community.    

Board Policies and Administrative Regulations

For questions about the online policies and regulations, please contact us:

feedback@nmusd.us
714-424-5031 Phone