Skip to main content

Toppenish School District

Home of the Wildcats

Nondiscrimination & HIB Complaints

Nondiscrimination Policy

Toppenish 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 and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Title IX Coordinator (Coordinador de Titulo IX)
Gender Inclusive School Coordinator (Coordinador Escolar Inclusivo de Género)  
Daniel Sanchez, Athletic Director
Toppenish School District
306 Bolin Drive, Toppenish WA  98948
Telephone Number:  509.865.8034
Email: dsanchez@toppenish.wednet.edu

Section 504/ADA Coordinator (Coordinadora de Sección 504/ADA)
Sandra Birley, Special Education and 504 Director
Toppenish School District
306 Bolin Drive, Toppenish WA  98948
Telephone Number:  509.865.8148
Email: sbirley@toppenish.wednet.edu

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator (Coordinador de Cumplimiento de Derechos Civiles)
Shawn Myers, Assistant Superintendent
Toppenish School District
306 Bolin Drive, Toppenish WA  98948
Telephone Number:  509.865.4455
Email: myerss@toppenish.wednet.edu

HIB Compliance Officer (Coordinadora de Cumplimiento de HIB)
Xochitl Mares, Secretary to Assistant Superintendent
Toppenish School District
306 Bolin Drive, Toppenish WA  98948
Telephone Number:  509.865.4455
Email: xmares@toppenish.wednet.edu

Complaint Process

If you believe that you or your child 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 child’s principal or with the school district’s Section 504 Coordinator, Title IX Officer, or Civil Rights Coordinator, who are listed above. This is often the fastest way to resolve your concerns.

To file your complaint, please fill out the form: TSD_HIB Reporting Form_ENG/SPAN(PDF)

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 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 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 school district’s decision, you may appeal to the school district’s board of directors. You must file a notice of appeal in writing to the secretary of the school board within 10 calendar days after you received the school district’s response to your complaint. The school board will schedule a hearing within 20 calendar days after they receive your appeal, unless you agree on a different timeline. The school board will send you a written decision within 30 calendar days after the district receives your notice of appeal. The school board’s decision will include information about how to file a complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).Complaint to OSPI
 

Complaint to OSPI

If you do not agree with the school 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 20 calendar days to file a complaint to OSPI from the day you receive 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 Fax: 360-664-2967

Mail or hand deliver: PO Box 47200, 600 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7200

For more information, 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 TDD: 1-800-877-8339 OCR.Seattle@ed.gov

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