Filing a Complaint

Complaints Regarding Staff or Programs
It is the desire of the New Haven Unified School District that every effort shall be made to resolve a complaint informally at the site or program level. If the complaint is not resolved at that level, the site/program supervisor and/or the complainant may refer the complaint to Marcus Lam, Director of Student and Family Services, who may attempt to resolve the complaint informally.

If the complaint is not resolved informally the complainant may file a formal written complaint.

Questions or concerns related to complaints should be forwarded to:

Marcus Lam, Director, Student and Family Services
725 Whipple Road
Union City CA 94587
(510) 476-2625
MLam@nhusd.k12.ca.us

BULLYING COMPLAINTS
New Haven recognizes the harmful effects of bullying on student well-being, student learning, and school attendance and desires to provide a safe school environment that protects students from physical and emotional harm.  No individual or group shall, through physical, written, verbal, visual, or other means, harass, sexually harass, threaten, intimidate, cyberbully, cause bodily injury to, or commit hate violence against any student or school personnel, or retaliate against them for filing a complaint or participating in the complaint resolution process.

Students and families should let their site administration or their student’s teacher know if they see or experience discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.  You have the right to file a complaint and to have the school protect you.

Follow the Bullying Complaint link on the upper right side of this page for more information and a complaint form.

UNIFORM COMPLAINTS
A complaint under the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) is a written and signed statement by an individual, public agency, or organization alleging a violation of federal or state laws governing educational programs, including allegations of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and failure to comply with laws relating to pupil fees. Discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying complaints must be filed with the New Haven Unified School District by a person harmed or by a person on behalf of others who have been subjected to discrimination. These complaints must be filed no later than six months from the date of the occurrence, or from the time the complainant first learned of the facts of the discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying. The LEA must protect the confidentiality of the parties and facts related to the case.

Follow the Uniform Complaint link on the upper right side of this page for more information and a complaint form.

TITLE IX COMPLAINTS
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972.  Title IX protects people so that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

Follow the Title IX Complaints link on the upper right side of this page for more information and a complaint form.

WILLIAMS UNIFORM COMPLAINTS
A Williams Uniform Complaint, another type of UCP complaint, regards instructional materials, emergency or urgent facilities conditions that pose a threat to the health and safety of pupils, and teacher vacancy or misassignment.  Williams Uniform Complaints can be filed anonymously. New Haven has a complaint form available for these types of complaints, but will not reject a complaint if the form is not used as long as the complaint is submitted in writing.

Follow the Williams Uniform Complaint link on the upper right side of this page for more information and a complaint form.

COMPLAINTS AGAINST DISTRICT EMPLOYEES
New Haven recognizes that the success of district students and programs hinges on effective personnel.  The Board desires to establish safe and supportive working conditions that will attract and retain staff members who are highly qualified and dedicated to the education and welfare of students.  The district’s personnel policies and related regulations shall be designed to ensure a supportive, positive climate and shall be consistent with collective bargaining agreements and in conformance with state and federal law and regulations.

New Haven also recognizes its accountability to the public for the quality of the district’s educational program and the performance of district employees. Should a staff, student, or community member have a concern about a New Haven district employee, that can not be resolved in an informal manner, a formal complaint can be filed against the district employee.

Follow the Complaints Against District Employees link on the upper right side of this page for more information and a complaint form.