Manhattan Beach Unified School District

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Student Services » Filing a Formal Complaint

Filing a Formal Complaint

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District is committed to upholding the rights of all school stakeholders to access the benefits of public education in a supportive, equitable and caring environment.  Should you have concerns about any type of misconduct, harassment, bullying, or non-compliance with Board policies, or State or Federal laws, you may file a formal complaint by using the District’s Consolidated Complaint Form.


A description of the types of formal complaints that can be filed may be found on the form, as well as in the references to Board Policies and Administrative Regulations below.

Although complaints may be filed anonymously, confidentiality cannot be assured in all cases.  Additionally, the ability to successfully investigate a complaint and take any subsequent necessary corrective action often depends on the willingness of individuals to substantiate the claims alleged in their complaint.

Anyone wishing to file a formal complaint anonymously using the Consolidated Complaint Form should use the name “anonymous” and the email [email protected] to initiate the complaint.  All other required fields can be completed with “declined to state”.

Retaliation against individuals providing information related to any complaint is prohibited under numerous State and Federal laws.  Retaliation includes any attempt to coerce, harass, intimidate, threaten, cajole, dissuade, or in any other way discriminate against a witness.  Disciplinary measures will be imposed on any individuals engaged in retaliation against complainants or witnesses.

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT | BP & AR 5145.3 

The Governing Board desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access to and opportunities in the district’s academic, extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities.

The Board prohibits, at any district school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidates, and bullying of any student by anyone based on the student’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, immigration status, nationality, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or medical information or association with a person or group with one or more actual or perceived characteristics.

UNIFORM COMPLAINT PROCEDURES | BP & AR 1312.3 

The Governing Board recognizes that the district has the primary responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations governing educational programs. The Board encourages early resolution of complaints whenever possible. To resolve complaints which may require a more formal process, the Board adopts the uniform system of complaint processes specified in 5 CCR 4600, as applicable, and the accompanying administrative regulation.

The district's uniform complaint procedures (UCP) shall be used to address complaints outlined in BP 1312.3. Non-UCP complaints shall not be subject to the district's UCP but shall be referred to the specified agency or addressed as described in BP 1312.3.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT STATEMENT | BP & AR 5145.7 Students


The Governing Board is committed to maintaining a safe school environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. The Board prohibits, at school or at school-sponsored or school-related activities, sexual harassment targeted at any student by anyone. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against a person who reports, files a complaint or testifies about, or otherwise supports a complainant in alleging sexual harassment


Sexual Harassment Complaints
 
Complaints will be addressed through either Uniform Complaint Procedures or Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures.
  • Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator will assess and determine which complaint procedure is applicable
  • Complaints of behavior that meet the federal definition of sexual harassment will be addressed through the Title IX complaint procedures.
  • BP/AR 5145.7
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING DISTRICT EMPLOYEES | BP & AR 1312.1

The Governing Board accepts responsibility for providing a means by which the public can hold employees accountable for their actions. The Board desires that complaints be resolved expeditiously without disrupting the educational process.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop regulations, which permit the public to submit complaints against district employees in an appropriate way. These regulations shall protect the rights of involved parties. The Board may serve as an appeals body if the complaint is not resolved.

The Board prohibits retaliation against complainants. The Superintendent or designee at his/her discretion may keep a complainant's identity confidential, except to the extent necessary to investigate the complaint. The District will not investigate anonymous complaints unless it so desires.

TITLE IX INFORMATION | AR  5145.71 Students/4119.12/4219.12/4319.12 Personnel 

For more information, please visit our Title IX page.
WILLIAMS COMPLAINT PROCEDURES | AR and E 1312.4
 
Education Code 35186 created a procedure for the filing of complaints concerning deficiencies related to:
1. Instructional materials
2. Conditions of facilities that are not maintained in a clean or safe manner or in good repair
3. Teacher vacancy or misassignment.
 
The complaint alleging any condition(s) specified in #1-3 above shall be filed with the principal or designee at the school in which the complaint arises. The principal or designee shall forward a complaint about problems beyond the principal/designee's authority to the Superintendent or designee in a timely manner, but not to exceed 10 working days. Complaints may be filed anonymously. However, if you wish to receive a response to your complaint, you must provide the contact information within the complaint form. 
COMPLIANCE OFFICERS
 
The compliance officers for MBUSD are listed below. To file a complaint, please download and complete the forms below and submit them to the corresponding compliance officer.
 
The Superintendent or designee shall determine whether a complaint should be considered a complaint against the district and/or an individual employee and whether it should be resolved by the district's process for complaints concerning personnel and/or other district procedures. Every effort should be made to resolve a complaint at the earliest possible stage.
 
Deputy Superintendent, Dawnalyn Murakawa-Leopard, Ed.D. 
325 S. Peck Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
  • Title II
  • Williams Act & ADA
 
Director of Student Services, Kerry Riccio Aguero
325 S. Peck Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
  • UCP (pertaining to students)
  • Title IX
  • Section 504
  • Title V
 
Assistant Superintendent, HR, Kelli Keller
325 S. Peck Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
  • UCP (pertaining to staff)
  • Complaints concerning District employees