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Your Rights

Your Rights

Sonoma Valley Unified School District is committed to ensuring that everyone involved in the school community can access the benefits of public education in a supportive, equitable, and inclusive environment.

 

Should you have concerns about harassment, bullying, discrimination or non-compliance with Board policies, or State or Federal laws, you should immediately contact the school principal and/or the appropriate District personnel.

 

 

Your Voice Matters at SVUSD.


We ensure a safe, inclusive learning environment. We want to resolve your concerns quickly. This guide helps you take the right steps. Use the resources below to report an issue.

📑 QUICK LINKS:
 

Uniform Complain Prodedures (UCP): Formal statement alleging violation of specific state or federal laws

 

District Complaint Form: Complaints regarding everyday school administration and staff actions.

 

🔍 Not sure which form to use?  See section below for more information 

Report a Concern

The Governing Board believes that the quality of the educational program can improve when the district listens to concerns, considers differences of opinion, and resolves disagreements through an established, objective process.

The Board encourages concerned citizens to resolve problems early and informally whenever possible. If a problem remains unresolved, a formal complaint may be submitted in accordance with appropriate district procedures. Complaints will be investigated and every attempt will be made to resolve the issue at the school level. If the complaint cannot be resolved, appeals may be made to a district level administrator, Superintendent and the Governing Board.

During this process, you may be guided through the formal complaint process outlined by Federal and California State law. More information on laws, policies and procedures can be found through the links listed in this page.

BP=Board Policy and AR=Administrative Regulation

  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal funding.  In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, SVUSD is committed to addressing racial discrimination and ensuring equal access to education for all students. On December 13, 2024, the Board revised Policy 5145.9 and adopted Regulation 5145.9 to strengthen these protections

    Visit our webpage dedicated to Title VI for more information, how to make a report, and additional resources: 

    Title VI Information & Resources

  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities, including athletics. It ensures that no one is excluded, denied benefits, or subjected to discrimination based on sex. This protection extends to students, parents, employees, and job applicants. Sex-based discrimination includes sexual harassment and violence. Additionally, California Education Code and other laws further reinforce anti-discrimination measures in schools. Title IX applies to all school sites, District programs, and activities.

    For more information and answers to frequentily asked questions, follow this link here: Title IX Information & FAQs

  • All students, employees, parents and community members should report incidents of suspected bullying/harassment/ discrimination immediately. If you witness or suspect bullying of a student, please contact a staff member or submit a STOPit report. An investigation will be conducted to determine if bullying occurred and corrective action needed

     

     Make a STOPit Report

     

     

    File a UCP Complaint Form to make a complaint based on the unlawful discrimination, harrassment, intimidation or bullying based on protected categories such as: 

    • Race, color, ethnicity, or national origin (Title VI)

    • Sex, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation (Title IX / state law)

    • Religion or religious beliefs

    • Disability or medical condition (Section 504 / ADA)

    • Age, immigrant status, or any other protected characteristic under board policy or state law.

    UCP Complaint Form (English)

    UCP Complaint Form (Spanish)

     

     

    Use the District Complaint Form for general operational issues or peer conflict that does not involve unlawful discrimination based on a protected category.

     

     

  • Sonoma Valley Unified School District is committed to resolving concerns promptly and constructively. We encourage parents and community members to first speak directly with the employee or site administrator to resolve issues informally whenever possible.

    If a concern cannot be resolved informally, a formal complaint may be submitted:

    For questions regarding employee complaint procedures, please contact Human Resources at (707) 935-6008 or by email to hr@sonomaschools.org.

     

  • Sonoma Valley Unified School District uses the Uniform Complaint Process to investigate and resolve serious allegations regarding state and federal program violations, unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or charging unallowable student fees.

    What falls under UCP?

    • Discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religion

    • Violations of state or federal educational program requirements (such as Special Education or English Learner services)

    • Issues regarding mandatory student fees or textbook/instructional material access

    How to File a UCP Complaint:

    1. Download the Form: Access the official UCP Complaint Form (English) / UCP Complaint Form (Spanish) or request a copy from the school district office located at 17850 Railroad Ave.

    2. Submit Your Report: Turn in completed forms to the District Office Compliance Officer. 

    3. Timeline: The District will investigate and issue a written decision within 60 calendar days of receiving your complaint.

    For questions or to submit a UCP report, please contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 935-6008 or by email to hr@sonomaschools.org

     

     

     

  • Williams Act Complaints  AR 1312.4

    State law requires notices be posted in each classroom in the district and complaint forms be available at each school regarding whether 1) there are sufficient textbooks and instructional materials available, 2) school facilities are clean, safe, and maintained in good repair, 3) or teacher vacancies exist or teachers are misassigned at the school. A complaint about any of these issues is called a “Williams” complaint after the name of a statewide lawsuit alleging inadequacies in schools.  Parents/Guardians should contact their student’s school principal if the notice is not posted or to obtain a complaint form to file a formal Williams complaint. 

    • Williams Notification English/Spanish:  This notice informs parents, guardians, students, and teachers of their rights to sufficient textbooks, clean and safe facilities, and properly assigned teachers. Complaint forms are available within this section as well as at school offices and the district office

     

    • Williams Complaint Form English: The Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures allow filing complaints about instructional materials, facility conditions, teacher vacancies, and services for students. Access and submit this form to address any concerns.    

     

     

Nondiscrimination Statement

Sonoma Valley Unified School District prohibits, at any district school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, targeted at any student by anyone, based on the student's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. 

 

Contact Information

Human Resources

hr@sonomaschools.org

(707) 935-6008

 

Title VI & IX: Equity and Non-Discrimination

SVUSD is committed to providing a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment for all. We adhere to federal civil rights laws, including Title IX and Title VI, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex and race, color, or national origin, respectively.