Notice of Non-Discrimination

Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination: Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or phamn@bsd405.org.

Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment: Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org.

Disability Discrimination: Karen Dejong, (425) 456-4277 or dejongk@bsd405.org.

Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.Members of the public with disabilities who have specific concerns about the effectiveness of the District’s communications to them should contact Janine Thorn, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer, at 425-456-4000 or thornj@bsd405.org.

Our District Stands Against Discrimination

Our District Protects Students from Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB)

Our District Is Gender Inclusive

Filing a Complaint

If you believe that you or your student have experienced unlawful discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment at school, you have the right to file a complaint. Before filing a complaint, you can discuss your concerns with your student’s principal or any of the Compliance Officers who are listed above.

Prohibition of Sexual Harassment & Complaints Process:
Policy 3205 and Procedure 3205P

Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying & Complaints Process:
Policy 3207 and Procedure 3207P

Nondiscrimination and Discrimination & Complaints Process:
Policy 3210 and Procedure 3210P

Gender-Inclusive Schools & Complaints Process:
Policy 3211 and Procedure 3211

Complaint to the School District

Step 1: Write Out Your Complaint

In most cases, complaints must be filed within one year from the date of the incident or conduct that is the subject of the complaint. A complaint must be in writing. Be sure to describe the conduct or incident, explain why you believe discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment has taken place, and describe what actions you believe the District should take to resolve the problem. Send your written complaint—by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery—to the District Superintendent or Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator.

Step 2: School District Investigates Your Complaint

Once the District receives your written complaint, the coordinator will give you a copy of the complaint procedure and make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The superintendent or designee will respond to you in writing within thirty (30) calendar days—unless you agree on a different time period. If your complaint involves exceptional circumstances that demand a lengthier investigation, the District will notify you in writing to explain why staff need a time extension and the new date for their written response.

Step 3: School District Responds to Your Complaint

In its written response, the District will include a summary of the results of the investigation, a determination of whether or not the district failed to comply with civil rights laws, notification that you can appeal this determination, and any measures necessary to bring the district into compliance with civil rights laws. Corrective measures will be put into effect within thirty (30) calendar days after this written response—unless you agree to a different time period.

Appeal to the School District

If you disagree with the District’s decision, you may appeal to the Disciplinary Appeals Council (DAC). You must file a notice of appeal in writing to the secretary of the school board within ten (10) calendar days after you received the District’s response to your complaint. The DAC will schedule a hearing within twenty

(20) calendar days after they received your appeal unless you agree on a different timeline. The DAC will send you a written decision within thirty (30) calendar days after the District received your notice of appeal. The DAC’s decision will include information about how to file a complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Complaint to OSPI

If you do not agree with the District’s appeal decision, state law provides the option to file a formal complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). This is a separate complaint process that can take place if one of these two conditions has occurred: (1) you have completed the District’s complaint and appeal process, or (2) the District has not followed the complaint and appeal process correctly.

You have twenty (20) calendar days to file a complaint to OSPI from the day you received the decision on your appeal. You can send your written complaint to the Equity and Civil Rights Office at OSPI:
Email: Equity@k12.wa.us ǀ Fax: 360-664-2967
Mail or hand deliver: PO Box 47200, 600 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7200

For more information, visit our website, or contact OSPI’s Equity and Civil Rights Office at 360-725- 6162/TTY: 360-664-3631 or by e-mail at equity@k12.wa.us.

Other Discrimination Complaint Options

Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
206-607-1600 ǀ TDD: 1-800-877-8339 ǀ OCR.Seattle@ed.gov ǀ OCR Website

Washington State Human Rights Commission
1-800-233-3247 ǀ TTY: 1-800-300-7525 ǀ Human Rights Commission Website

Back to Official Notices