Nondiscrimination

Spokane Public Schools complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate in the admission, treatment, employment, or access to its programs or activities on the basis of age, sex, marital status, race, color, creed, national origin, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, to the use of a trained guide or service animal by a person with a disability, sexual orientation including gender expression or gender identity, or honorably discharged veteran or military status. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX/Staff Civil Rights Officer, ADA Officer, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying (HIB)/Student Civil Rights Officer and/or 504 Compliance Officer.

The following Civil Rights Compliance Coordinators have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

  • Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator: Jodi Harmon, 509-354-7344 

  • Section 504 Coordinator: Melanie Smith, 509-354-7284

Other District Officers:

Address: 200 N Bernard Street, Spokane 99201-0282.

You can report discrimination and discriminatory harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Civil Rights Officer, listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint (see below).

Sexual Harassment

Students and staff are protected against sexual harassment by anyone in any school program or activity, including on the school campus, on the school bus, or off-campus during a school-sponsored activity.

Sexual harassment is unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature when:

  • A student or employee is led to believe that he or she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communications in order to gain something in return, such as a grade, a promotion, a place on a sports team, or any educational or employment decision, or

  • The conduct substantially interferes with a student's educational performance, or creates an intimidating or hostile educational or employment environment.

Examples of sexual harassment:

  • Pressuring a person for sexual favors

  • Unwelcome touching of a sexual nature

  • Writing graffiti of a sexual nature

  • Distributing sexually explicit texts, emails, or pictures

  • Making sexual jokes, rumors, or suggestive remarks

  • Physical violence, including rape and sexual assault

You can report sexual harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Title IX Officer, listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint (see below).

Complaint Options

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, listed above. This is often the fastest way to revolve your concerns.

Complaint to the School District

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 received 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 received 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

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 received the decision on your appeal. You can send your written complaint to the Equity and Civil Rights Office at OSPI. You can do this in the following methods.

  • Email equity

  • Fax: 360-664-2967

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

Reporting Forms