Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination 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 West Side Union School District. Title IX protects all participants in WSUSD’s educational programs and activities, including students, parents, employees, and job applicants. WSUSD does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment and sexual violence.
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. Please refer to an overview of all WSUSD’s nondiscrimination policies and the following specific policies and procedures regarding sexual harassment:
- sexual harassment of employees – Superintendent policy
- sexual harassment of students – Superintendent policy
- operating procedure 4119.11.01/4129.01/4319.01(a)
Your Rights under Title IX
Any individual may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, to the Title IX Coordinator or any other school employee at any time, including during non-business hours, by mail, phone, or email. During district business hours, reports may also be made in person. Upon receiving an allegation of sexual harassment, the Title IX Coordinator will promptly notify the parties, in writing, of the applicable district complaint procedure.
To view an electronic copy of the district's policies and administrative regulations on sexual harassment, including the grievance process that complies with 34 CFR 106.45, please see BP/AR 4119.11/4219.11/4319.11 - Sexual Harassment and AR 4119.12/4219.12/4319.12 - Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures.
To inspect or obtain a copy of the district's Sexual Harassment policies and administrative regulations, please contact the Title IX Coordinator (below).
Materials used to train the Title IX Coordinator, investigator, decision maker and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process are also publicly available on the website or at the district office upon request.
- 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.)
West Side School’s Responsibilities
West Side School has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. If West Side School knows or reasonably should know about sex discrimination, it must take action to eliminate the sex discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. WSUSD must resolve complaints of sex discrimination promptly and equitably. Information on filing a complaint alleging sex-based discrimination is below, including contact information for WSUSD’s Title IX Coordinator.
For more information specific to anti-discrimination in WSUSD employment, please contact the Title IX Coordinator Rima Meechan at (707) 433-3923 or [email protected], 1201 Felta Rd. Healdsburg, CA 95448.
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.htmland 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 sexual harassment and sexual violence: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/title-ix-rights-201104.pdf.
- Title IX requires SCOE 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: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-know-rights-201306-title-ix.pdf.
- 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 West Side policies and regulations by visiting the links provided in the first section of this page or by contacting West Side's Title IX Coordinator.