BCOE - Non-Discrimination & Title IX

Non-Discrimination & Title IX

The Butte County Office of Education (BCOE) is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in Butte County Office of Education programs and activities. Programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on actual or perceived characteristics of race or ethnicity, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or any other characteristic identified in Education Code 200 or 220, Government Code 11135, or Penal Code 422.55, or based on the person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics (5 CCR 4610).

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Butte County Office of Education in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is continually evaluating accessibility, accommodations for individuals with disabilities, and administrative policies and procedures.

Title IX Coordinator & Compliance Officer

BCOE's Title IX Coordinator & Compliance Officer oversees compliance with Title IX requirements.

Mikeial Williamson, Assistant Superintendent - Human Resources

Butte County Office of Education

1859 Bird Street

Oroville, CA 95965

530-532-5766

mwilliamson@bcoe.org

Title IX Training

Pursuant to Title IX Regulations, materials used to train employees involved in the coordination, investigation, decision-making, and appeals are posted below.

Student Rights under Title IX

Federal Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), implemented at 34 C.F.R. § 106.31, subd. (a), provides that 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 academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other education program or activity operated by a recipient which receives federal financial assistance. Relevant here, Title IX requires immediate and appropriate action to investigate when it knows or reasonably should know of a possible Title IX violation.

Student Rights Pursuant to Education Code Section 221.8

Education Code section 221.8 provides as follows:

The following list of rights, which are based on the relevant provisions of the federal regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.), may be used by the department for purposes of Section 221.6:

(a) You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex

(b) You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular

activities, including athletics

(c) You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the

school

(d) You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships

(e) You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following:

1. Equipment and supplies

2. Scheduling of games and practices

3. Transportation and daily allowances

4. Access to tutoring

5. Locker rooms

6. Practice and competitive facilities

7. Medical and training facilities and services

8. Publicity

(f) You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity

laws

(g) You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to

access information on gender equity laws

(h) You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office for Civil Rights or

the State 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

(i) You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against

(j) You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint

Filing A Complaint

Student complaints shall be submitted in written form in accordance with SP 1312.3 – Uniform Complaint Procedures. (Depending on the type of complaint, other policies and procedures may apply and may be used for processing of complaints.) If the complainant is unable to prepare the complaint in writing, administrative staff shall help them to do so. The Title IX Complaint Form can be opened by clicking here.

Complaints must be filed within six months from the date when the alleged unlawful discrimination occurred, or from the date the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying that is based on sex. The time for filing may be extended up to 90 days by the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee, for good cause, upon written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the request for an extension of time to file a written complaint.

The compliance officer may informally discuss with all the parties the possibility of using mediation within three business days after their receipt of the complaint. All complaints shall be appropriately investigated in a timely manner. Within 10 business days after the compliance officer receives the complaint, the compliance officer shall begin an investigation into the complaint. The investigation shall include an opportunity for the complainant, or the complainant’s representative, or both, to present the compliance officer with any evidence, or information leading to evidence, to support the allegations in the complaint. Unless extended by a written agreement with the complainant, the County Office of Education shall issue a written decision based on the evidence within 60 calendar days from receipt of the complaint by the County Office of Education.

Any complainant who is dissatisfied with the final written decision may file an appeal in writing with the California Department of Education within 15 calendar days of receiving the decision.

Complaints made by or on behalf of students may also be filed with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights within 180 calendar days of the date of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing is extended by the Office of Civil Rights for good cause shown under certain circumstances.

Additional details about procedures for filing a complaint may be found in Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 1312.3 – Uniform Complaint Procedures by clicking here.

Complaints that do not meet the definition of sex-based harassment under Title IX may be processed, as applicable, under BCOE's Uniform Complaint 2024-25-UCP-Annual-Notice-and-Complaint-Form.pdfPolicy. If you need assistance putting your complaint in writing, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Additional Resources:

For Student Related complaints:

California Department of Education Office of Equal Opportunity

United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Complaint Form

Contact Information: 1-800-421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov

For Employment Related complaints:

California Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH)

2218 Kausen Drive, Suite 100, Elk Grove, CA 95758

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):

450 Golden Gate Avenue,

5 West, P.O. Box 36025