Portland Public Schools, Complaint Procedures

 

PPS_complaint_procedures.pdf

 

1. Types of complaints

This policy provides a process for resolving complaints as required by Oregon Administrative Rule 581-022-2370 , including, but not limited to complaints related to:

a) Instructional standards and practices

(1) Curriculum

(2) Teaching strategies

(3) Testing

(4) Counseling

(5) Class size

(6) Alternative education programs

(7) Instructional materials

(8) Compliance with state standards

b) Special education

c) Health and safety

d) Equitable education opportunities

e) Sports safety

f) Restraint and/or seclusion

g) Discrimination in education

h) Retaliation against a student or parent/guardian

II. TIMELINES

A. In order to investigate a complaint while memories are recent and witnesses and documents are likely more available, a complaint may be filed within the following time limits established by state law:

1. Within two years after the alleged violation or unlawful incident occurred or the complainant discovered the alleged violation or unlawful incident. For incidents that are continuing in nature, the time limitation runs from the date of the most recent incident; OR

2. Within one year after the affected student has graduated from, moved away from, or otherwise left the district, whichever is later.

B. The time limitations for bringing formal complaints may be extended by the District for complaints concerning significant student safety issues, including those arising out of employee misconduct, sexual abuse or conduct, or other allegations of harm to students.

C. The receipt of a written complaint starts the 90-day timeline for resolution of complaints under this policy.

 

III. FILING A COMPLAINT

A. STEP 1:

1. The written complaint must be filed with the District’s complaint coordinator via letter, email, or the written complaint form. The written complaint should include the name and contact information for the complainant, a description of the concern, and the student’s name, if applicable. It is helpful if the written complaint also includes the names of any other parties involved, including witnesses, a description of efforts to resolve the concern, and suggestions for resolution. The complainant shall receive a written acknowledgement of receipt of the complaint within 5 days of submitting the written complaint.

2. In most situations, a District leader for the involved school, or the appropriate departmental supervisor, will be responsible for investigating and responding to the complaint at Step 1. The Superintendent may assign a different decision maker at Step 1 as appropriate.

3. All formal complaints will receive a decision in writing that addresses each concern raised and contains reasons for the District’s decision within 30 days of receipt of the complaint, unless the parties agree to extend the deadline. The resolution will include information about the next steps in the complaint process

IV. FILING AN APPEAL

A. STEP 2: APPEAL TO THE SUPERINTENDENT

If the issue is not resolved to the complainant’s satisfaction, the complainant may request a review by the Superintendent. The request for review shall be submitted in writing within 10 days of the complainant receiving notice of resolution from Step 1.

1. After reviewing materials previously submitted or gathered and after conducting additional review, if deemed necessary, the Superintendent or designee shall issue a written decision addressing each concern raised and the reason for the decision and provide the decision to the complainant, pursuant to OAR 581-022-2370. All complaints appealed to the Superintendent will receive a decision in writing within 30 days of receipt of the request for review. The Superintendent or designee will include information on the steps for further appeal under this policy.

2. Upon receiving the Superintendent’s decision, if the complainant wants to continue to appeal, the complainant may appeal to the Board. 4-6

 

B. STEP 3: APPEAL TO THE PPS SCHOOL BOARD

The Board will vote on the substance of the appeal within 30 days of the written request to appeal the Superintendent’s decision. The Board will have the full written record of the decisions at Step 1 and Step 2. The complainant may submit additional written information to the Board and may provide testimony during public comment. The Board shall decide that the Superintendent's final decision is:

1. Affirmed and no further action will be taken; or

 

2. Reversed and may direct the Superintendent to take alternative steps or other course of action. To the extent the Board modifies the Superintendent’s decision, it will issue a final decision that addresses each concern raised in the complaint and contains reasons for the District’s decision.

If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision of the Board, the complainant can file an appeal with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) as permitted by OAR 581-022-2370(4) and OAR 581-002-0040.

C. Anonymous Complaints

PPS accepts confidential anonymous complaints by email at anonymouscomplaints@pps.net and phone at 503-916-3462. Those making complaints anonymously should provide as much information as possible when making the complaint. PPS will investigate any complaint, including anonymous complaints, as fully as it can.

D. Other provisions

1. Translation and interpretation services are available to complainants.

2. The District will provide resources for complainants who request assistance in preparing a written complaint. REQUEST ASSISTANCE

3. The Superintendent shall avoid any conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts of interest, in assigning the district representative to investigate and respond to a complaint.

4. Complainants may bring an advocate or support person to any meeting or proceeding.

5. Retaliation against any person who files or participates in the complaint process is strictly prohibited. Retaliation is any action that would deter a reasonable person from participating in the process. Anyone who believes they have suffered retaliation should immediately report it to the Superintendent or PPS Board of Directors.

6. The District will share with complainants as much information as possible about the findings of the investigation and will, in all cases, share the outcome of its investigation of complaints. However, PPS is often prohibited from disclosing specific information about disciplinary action taken against an employee involved in the complaint. The Board will not hear complaints against employees in a session open to the public unless an employee requests an open session.

7. If the district fails to meet the timelines set forth in this process, the complainant may appeal to the PPS School Board or to the Oregon Department of Education. The timelines may be extended by the mutual consent of the complainant and the District. For example, this may be needed if there are many witnesses to interview, key witnesses are unavailable because of holidays, medical leave, etc., or if a particular Board meeting does not work for the complainant.

8. As used in this policy, “days” will be counted as “calendar days.” Any period for response under this policy that falls on a weekend or legal holiday shall be extended to the next business day.

9. The district may not be able to assure confidentiality of the names of persons who file complaints under this policy.

10. If a complaint alleges employee misconduct that is outside the scope of this policy, the complaint coordinator will notify the Superintendent in writing of that filing, and the District will endeavor to respond in a timely manner to the complaint.

11. Current and former employees may not bring a complaint under this policy regarding the terms, conditions, or status of their employment.

E. Complaints against the Superintendent or members of the Board of Education

Any complaint about the Superintendent shall be reviewed by the Board of Education.

Board members are volunteers serving in an elected capacity and are accountable to the citizens in the Portland Public Schools district for their actions and policy positions. Complaints alleging ethics violations or violations of the law against an individual Board member should be made to the Board chair who will refer these issues to appropriate governmental jurisdictions or a third party if a majority of the Board approves of the referral. Complaints related to ethics violations or violations of the law against the Board Chair should be made to the Board Vice-Chair(s) who will refer these issues to appropriate governmental jurisdictions or a third party if a majority of the Board approves of the referral. If a third party investigates a complaint, 6-6

 

after receiving the results of the investigation, the Board shall decide, within 30 days, in open session what action, if any, is warranted.

F. Complaints submitted to school board members

School board members who receive formal complaints from constituents or staff shall forward complaints to the District’s complaint coordinator. Board members shall forward informal complaints to the appropriate school or department in order to address the concern.

V. FURTHER APPEAL RIGHTS

If any complaint alleges a violation of Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) Chapter 581, Division 22 (Standards), Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 339.285 to 339.383 or OAR 581-021-0550 to 581-021-0570 (Restraint and Seclusion), or ORS 659.852 (Retaliation), and the complaint is not resolved through the complaint process, the complainant, who is a student, a parent or guardian of a student attending a school in the district or a person who resides in the district, may appeal a final decision by the district to the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 581-002-0040.

If the complaint alleges discrimination pursuant to ORS 659.850 (Discrimination in Education) a complainant may appeal a final decision by the District to the Oregon Department of Education or may file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Education without having to exhaust district procedures under this policy.

In addition to using the District complaint procedure, Special Education complaints may be made directly to the Oregon Department of Education. The complainant must send a copy of the complaint to the District simultaneous to filing it with the Department of Education.

Adopted 11/2014; Amended 6/12/18

 

 

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