For students, employees, parents or guardians of its students, school and district advisory committees, appropriate private school officials or representatives, and other interested parties Helix Charter High School has the primary responsibility to insure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations and has established procedures to address allegations of unlawful discrimination and complaints alleging violation of state or federal laws governing educational programs. Helix Charter High School shall investigate and seek to resolve complaints using policies and procedures known as the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) adopted by the charter board. Unlawful discrimination complaints may be based on actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, or mental or physical disability, or age, or on a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, in any program or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance. The UCP shall also be used when addressing complaints alleging failure to comply with state and/or federal laws in Child Nutrition Programs, Special Education Programs, and Safety Planning Requirements. Complaints must be filed in writing with the following compliance officer: Kevin Osborn Executive Director’s Office 7323 University Avenue, La Mesa CA 91942 (619) 644-1940 ext. 112 Complaints alleging discrimination must be filed within six (6) months from the date the alleged discrimination occurred or the date the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing is extended by the superintendent or his or her designee. Complaints will be investigated and a written Decision or report will be sent to the complainant within sixty (60) days from the receipt of the complaint. This sixty (60) day time period may be extended by written agreement of the complainant. The LEA person responsible for investigating the complaint shall conduct and complete the investigation in accordance with sections 4680-4687 and in accordance with local procedures adopted under section 4621. The complainant has a right to appeal the LEA’s Decision to the California Department of Education (CDE) by filing a written appeal within 15 days of receiving the LEA’s Decision. The appeal must include a copy of the complaint filed with the LEA and a copy of the LEA’s Decision. Civil law remedies may be available under state or federal discrimination laws, if applicable. In appropriate cases, an appeal may be filed pursuant to Education Code Section 262.3. A complainant may pursue available civil law remedies outside of the LEA’s complaint procedures. Complainants may seek assistance from mediation centers or public/private interest attorneys. Civil law remedies that may be imposed by a court include, but are not limited to, injunctions and restraining orders. A copy of Helix Charter High School’s UCP policy and complaint procedures shall be available free of charge. |