Non-Discrimination

Anti-Harassment Statement

Benicia Unified School District (“District”) programs, activities, and practices shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or related recovery, parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

The District’s Uniform Complaint Procedures (“UCP”) are used to investigate and seek to resolve any complaints alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying based on actual or perceived characteristics of race or ethnicity, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or any other characteristic identified in Education Code 200 or 220, Penal Code 422.55, or Government Code 11135, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

UCP complaints will be investigated and resolved within 60 days of the District’s receipt of a complaint. Complaints alleging discrimination must be filed within six (6) months from alleged occurrence or when knowledge was first obtained. The UCP compliance officer shall begin an investigation into the complaint within 10 business days of receiving the complaint. Within one business day of initiating the investigation, the compliance officer shall provide the complainant and/or the complainant’s representative with the opportunity to present the information contained in the complaint to the compliance officer and shall notify the complainant and/or representative of the opportunity to present the compliance officer with any evidence, or information leading to evidence, to support the allegations in the complaint. Such evidence or information may be presented at any time during the investigation.

When a UCP complaint is found to have merit, the compliance officer shall adopt any appropriate corrective action permitted by law. Appropriate corrective measures for individuals who engage in harassment may include counseling, training and/or discipline of a student or employee. Retaliation for reporting harassment based on race, color, or national origin is prohibited and the District will promptly investigate and address any allegations of retaliation.

The District’s Uniform Complaint Annual Notice and Procedures are specified in Board Policy (“BP”) 1312.3 and Administrative Regulation (“AR”) 1312.3.

The District is committed to conducting a prompt, adequate and reliable investigation to provide an effective and appropriate response to stop harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. Should you believe you or someone you know has been subjected to and/or witnessed harassment and/or discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or any of the above categories, please contact the District’s designated Title IX coordinator, the Director of Student Services, Jon Ovick Ed. D. He can be reached by emailing [email protected] or calling 707-747-8300 ext. 1240.

Alternatively, you may submit a complaint to the District using the uniform complaint process by filling out the Uniform Complaint form linked on the BUSD Complaint Page.