Equity, Title IX and Nondiscrimination

The Fruitvale School District is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, retaliation, and bullying consistent with federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Pursuant to law and District policy, all individuals participating in District programs and activities shall be afforded equal rights and opportunities regardless of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, disability, medical condition, homelessness or foster status; or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in all educational programs and activities. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity operated by the District. Title IX protects all participants in the District’s educational programs and activities, including students, parents, employees, and job applicants. The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment and sexual violence.

In addition to Title IX, the California Education Code prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools. (California Education Code §§ 220-221.1.) Other state and federal laws also prohibit discrimination and ensure equality in education. Please refer to the Fruitvale’s board policy and administrative regulations below for more information on the District’s anti-discrimination policies.

Board Policy:

Nondiscrimination/Harassment BP 5145.3

Sexual Harassment BP 5145.7

Administrative Regulations:

Sexual Harassment AR 5145.7

Title IX information provided here applies to every school site and to all District programs and activities.

What are my rights under Title IX?

You have the following rights under Title IX, to the extent applicable at the District:

You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities.
You have the right to contact the State Department of Education to access information on sex/gender equity laws.
You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the California Department of Education if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex.
You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

(California Education Code § 221.8.)

The District has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. If the District knows or reasonably should know about sex discrimination, it must take action to eliminate the sex discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. The District must resolve complaints of sex discrimination promptly and equitably. Information on filing a complaint alleging sex-based discrimination is below, including contact information for the District’s Title IX Coordinator.

For more information specific to anti-discrimination in District employment, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Who is the Title IX Coordinator?

The District has a Title IX Coordinator who oversees the District’s compliance with Title IX requirements and promotes sex equity in the District’s programs.

Title IX Coordinator

7311 Rosedale Highway

Bakersfield, California 93308

Telephone: (661) 589-3830

Email:

[email protected]

How to file a complaint of discrimination

How do I file a complaint of discrimination?

A student, parent, guardian, employee, individual, or organization may file a written complaint alleging discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying on the basis of a protected characteristic under the District’s Uniform Complaint Procedure by sending a complaint to the Title IX Coordinator.

Notice to Parents, Guardians, Pupils, and Teachers

Uniform Complaint Procedure You may file a complaint anonymously, but the District’s ability to investigate and respond may be limited by a lack of information.

Title IX Complaint

You may also file a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. The electronic complaint form for the Office for Civil Rights is available online at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/. Contact the Office for Civil Rights at:

San Francisco Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94102

Telephone: (415) 486-5555
Fax: (415) 486-5570; TDD: (800) 877-8339

Email: [email protected]

Additional Links