SIATech has the primary responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations and shall investigate complaints alleging failure to comply with those laws and regulations, including but not limited to allegations of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying against any protected group or noncompliance with laws relating to all programs and activities implemented by the SIATech that are subject to the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP). SIATech shall seek to resolve those complaints of noncompliance pursuant to procedures in §§4600-4694 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) and SIATech’s governing board policies and procedures under the UCP, including allegations of retaliation for participation in the UCP process and/or to appeal SIATech’s decisions regarding such complaints.
A complaint under the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) is a written and signed statement alleging a violation of federal or state laws governing certain educational programs.
The UCP covers alleged violations by local educational agencies (LEAs) (school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools) and local public or private agencies which receive direct or indirect funding from the State to provide specific school programs, activities, or related services.
SIATech’s UCP complaint policies and procedures provide the information needed to file a local complaint. Each LEA must annually notify its students, employees, parents/guardians, school and district advisory committees, appropriate private school officials and other interested parties of the SIATech’s UCP complaint policies and procedures, and the opportunity to appeal the SIATech’s Investigation Report to the CDE. SIATech must provide their complaint policies and procedures free of charge.
Not all complaints fall under the scope of the UCP. Many concerns are the responsibility of SIATech, including classroom assignments, common core, grades, graduation requirements, hiring and evaluation of staff, homework policies and practices, provision of core curricula subjects, student advancement and retention, student discipline, student records, the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, the Brown Act, and other general education requirements. SIATech, however, may use its local complaint procedures to address complaints not covered by the UCP.
Only allegations within the subject matters falling within the UCP can be appealed to the California Department of Education (CDE).
In addition, the following complaints are referred to other agencies for resolution and not subject to the UCP:
SIATech’s UCP complaint policies and procedures provide the information needed to file a local complaint. SIATech must annually notify its students, employees, parents/guardians, school and district advisory committees, appropriate private school officials and other interested parties of the SIATech’s UCP complaint policies and procedures, and the opportunity to appeal the LEA’s Investigation Report to the CDE. SIATech must provide its complaint policies and procedures free of charge.
UCP complaints are to be submitted in writing to:
Dr. Delia Castillo, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Services
2611 Temple Heights Drive Suite A, Oceanside, CA 92056
562-474-0667
delia.castillo@siatech.org
The following documents provide information from the California Education Code (EC) Section 47605(e)(4)(A) through (E) which provide information for how to submit a complaint to the charter school authorizer. SIATech locations in Downtown LA and East LA should use the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District form below, and all other SIATech locations should choose the Vista Unified School District form.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal law that was passed to ensure people, regardless of their sex, are treated equally and fairly. SIATech (“School”) does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in admission and employment.
School has designated the following individual as its Title IX Coordinator:
Delia Castillo, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
2611 Temple Heights Drive Suite A, Oceanside, CA 92056
562-747-0667
delia.castillo@siatech.org
To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination under Title IX or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please contact School’s Title IX Coordinator.
Otherwise, a sex discrimination complaint may be filed with the Office for Civil Rights:
San Francisco Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
Mail Box 1200, Room 1545
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 486-5555
ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov
United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Complaint Form
United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Complaint Assessment System
Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator or to the Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Consistent with School Uniform Complaint Procedures Policy (“UCP”), a complaint alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying must be filed no later than six (6) months from the date when the alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying occurred or the complainant first obtained knowledge of it. The time for filing may be extended by School for good cause upon written request from the complainant.
A report or complaint regarding sex discrimination as defined under Title IX is not subject to the six-month timeline in the UCP.
Complaints of sex-based discrimination under Title IX made with School are investigated in accordance with School’s Title IX Sex-Based Nondiscrimination Policy and Grievance Procedures, a copy of which is available on the website. All other complaints of discrimination are investigated under the UCP.
For federal guidance on how complaints may be further pursued, please see the following link: United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
The following Internet resources are available to find more information regarding rights and responsibilities under Title IX:
California Department of Education Office of Equal Opportunity
United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
In addition, California law, like Title IX, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and affords individuals certain rights. You can access those rights here: Rights Afforded Under Education Code Section 221.8. Specifically, you have the right to (when applicable):
