Complaint Procedure

Complaints Policy

Public Complaint Procedure

Complaint Form

North Clackamas
School District 12
Code: KL
Adopted: 8/19/10

Public Complaints

The district will implement effective means of resolving concerns voiced by employees, students, parents
and the public in order to reduce potential areas of complaints, and to establish and maintain recognized
channels of communication.

A complaint is a concern, problem or difficulty related to the district educational process and/or service
presented to the district by an employee, student, parent or member of the public. Complaints must relate to concerns and/or events that have occurred within the past 12 months or the current school year.

An individual properly presenting a concern or complaint shall be assured the opportunity for an orderly
and timely review of the concern or complaint without reprisal.

Although no community member will be denied the right to petition the Board for redress of a complaint,
complaints will be referred through the proper administrative channels for solution before investigation or
action by the Board. Complaints that concern Board actions or Board operations shall be presented to the superintendent. Complaints that concern employees must be processed according to any applicable
agreement between the district and either employee association.

Board members shall refer the public to the proper channel of communication for complaints involving
instruction, discipline, learning materials, and/or services such as transportation, food service, etc. Any
complaint about school personnel that cannot be resolved informally between the complainant and the
district employee shall be submitted in writing to the employee’s supervisor and will be investigated by the administration before consideration and action by the Board.

Complaints will be handled and resolved as close to their origin as possible.
The channel of communication for complaints (with the exception of athletics) is as follows:
1. Teacher or employee;
2. Principal or direct supervisor;
3. Appropriate district level or central office administrator;
4. Assistant superintendent for educational programs or assistant superintendent for operations;
5. Superintendent;
6. School Board.

Public Complaints - KL 1-2
The Board will not hear complaints against employees in open session unless an employee requests an
open session.

The proper channeling of complaints regarding athletics issues is as follows:
1. Coach/Head Coach (as appropriate);
2. Athletic director;
3. Principal.

Any complaint regarding athletics must follow the established channel of communication for complaints
and will be resolved at the school level. Decisions regarding athletic complaints will be made by the
principal.

While speakers may offer objective criticism of operations and programs, the Board will not hear personal complaints concerning district personnel nor against any person connected with the school system. To do so could expose the Board to a charge of being party to slander and would prejudice any necessity to act as the final review of administrative recommendations regarding the matter. The Board chair will direct the visitor to the appropriate means for Board consideration and disposition of legitimate complaints involving individuals.

END OF POLICY
Legal Reference(s):
ORS 192.610 - 192.690 ORS 332.107 OAR 581-022-1940
Anderson v. Central Point Sch. Dist., 746 F.2d 505 (9th Cir. 1984).
Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138 (1983).

Last Modified on August 24, 2010