GHC has multiple grievance procedures described above in this Handbook. To clarify the differences among these procedures to determine which is applicable, here is a summary:
UNIFORM COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
This remedy applies to unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying against any protected group, including actual or perceived discrimination on the basis of the actual or perceived characteristics of age, ancestry, color, mental disability, physical disability, ethnic group identification, immigration status, gender expression, gender identity, gender, genetic information, nationality, national origin, race or ethnicity, religion, medical condition, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
CIVIL LAW REMEDIES
The courts are available to pursue civil law remedies outside of GHC’s complaint procedures. Complainants may seek assistance from mediation centers or public/private interest attorneys. Civil law remedies that may be imposed by a court include, but are not limited to, injunctions and restraining orders. For unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying complaints arising under state law, however, a complainant must wait until sixty (60) days have elapsed from the filing of an appeal of GHC’s Uniform Complaint decision with the CDE before pursuing civil law remedies. The moratorium does not apply to injunctive relief and is applicable only if the Charter School has appropriately, and in a timely manner, apprised the complainant of his/her right to file a complaint in accordance with 5 CCR 4622.
GENERAL COMPLAINTS
GHC welcomes suggestions for improvement, good-faith complaints, and questions. The General Complaint Policy is designed to address concerns about the Charter School generally or regarding specific employees. For complaints regarding harassment or perceived violations of state or federal laws, please refer to the GHC’s Policy against Unlawful Harassment, Title IX, and/or the Charter School’s Uniform Complaint Procedures. For all other complaints, the General Complaint form and accompanying procedures will be appropriate.
REQUEST TO AMEND EDUCATION RECORDS
Following the inspection and review of a student’s education records, a parent or eligible student may file a written request with the Executive Director to correct or remove any information that is Inaccurate, infers an unsubstantiated personal conclusion, includes a conclusion or inference outside of the observer’s area of competence, is not based on the personal observation of a named person with the time and place of the observation noted, is misleading, or is in violation of the privacy rights of the student.
FERPA COMPLAINT
Parents and eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by GHC to comply with the education records requirements of FERPA.
BULLYING
Any student who believes he or she has been subject to bullying or has witnessed such prohibited misconduct is encouraged to immediately report such misconduct to GHC or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. If the bullying is unlawful discrimination, the Uniform Complaint Procedure applies. If not, an offender is subject to the general discipline process.
TITLE IX
Sexual harassment should be reported to the GHC Coordinators. For Title IX, sexual harassment is defined as any quid pro quo harassment by a school’s employee, any unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would find so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it denies a person equal educational access, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.