Public Complaints

There is a process and procedure for complaints such as instruction, discipline, learning materials, retaliation against a student or a student's parent who in good faith reported information that the student believes is evidence of a violation of state and federal law, rule or regulation, or other matters related to the district's schools.

Community members, staff, parents and students who have a complaint are encouraged to start at the lowest level in the organization to attempt to resolve the complaint.

The following order will be used unless otherwise identified (see administrative regulation KL-AR - Public Complaint Procedure for specific procedures and timelines):

1. Teacher/Employee;
2. Principal/Supervisor;
3. District administrator;
4. Superintendent;
5. Board.

Any complaint about school personnel other than the superintendent will be investigated by the administration before consideration and potential action by the Board. The Board will not hear charges against employees in a session open to the public, unless the employee requests an open session.

A complaint of retaliation against a student or a student’s parent who in good faith reported information that the student believes is evidence of a violation of state and federal law, rule or regulation, should be reported to the administrator.

Complaints against the principal or supervisor shall be filed with the district administrator for the level or area. Complaints against a district administrator other than the superintendent may start at step 4 and shall be filed with the superintendent.

Complaints against the superintendent may start at step 5 and shall be referred to the Board chair on behalf of the Board.

Complaints against the Board as a whole or against an individual Board member may start at step 5 and shall be made to the Board chair on behalf of the Board.

Complaints against the Board chair may start at step 5 shall be made directly to the Board vice chair on behalf of the Board.

A complainant must file a complaint within the later of either time limit set below, in accordance with 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 must run 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.

The superintendent will develop and administer the complaint process, as appropriate.

No staff, student, parent or community member will be denied the right to petition the Board for redress of an issue, complaints will be referred through the proper administrative channels for resolution before investigation or action by the Board. Exceptions are complaints that concern the superintendent or involve Board actions or Board operations.

If a complainant, who is a parent or guardian of a student who attends school in the district, is a student or a person who resides in the district alleges a violation of Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR), Chapter 581, Division 22 (Standards), 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 may have appeal rights with the Deputy Superintendent as outlined in OAR 581-002- 0040.

If the complaint alleges discrimination pursuant to ORS 659.850 (Discrimination) and the complaint is not resolved at the local level through administrative regulation AC-AR - Discrimination Complaint Procedure, the complaint may meet the criteria to file an appeal with the Superintendent of Public Instruction as outlined in OAR 581-021-0049.

Public Complaint Procedure and Complaint Form (KL - AR) (pdf)