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GUSD Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) | Williams Complaints

Glendale Unified Uniform Complaint Procedure

Glendale Unified School District annually notifies students, employees, parents/guardians, District advisory committee, school advisory committees, appropriate private school officials, and other interested parties of the Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) process.

Official UCP Board Policy and Administrative Regulation

BP 1312.3: English | Armenian | Korean | Spanish | Japanese

AR 1312.3: English | Armenian | Korean | Spanish | Japanese

UCP Form: English | Armenian Korean Spanish Japanese | Russian 

What is a Uniform Complaint?

A Uniform Complaint is a written and signed statement by an individual, public agency, or organization alleging a violation of federal or state laws governing certain educational programs. The District is primarily responsible for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, including those related to unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying against any protected group, and all programs and activities that are subject to the UCP. The Glendale Unified Board of Education encourages the early, informal resolution of complaints whenever possible and appropriate. The UCP may be implemented to resolve complaints that cannot be resolved through an informal process.

Educational Programs and Services Subject to the UCP

  • Accommodations for Pregnant and Parenting Students
  • Adult Education 
  • After School Education and Safety
  • Agricultural Career Technical Education
  • Career Technical and Technical Education; Career Technical; Technical Training Programs 
  • Child Care and Development Programs
  • Compensatory Education
  • Consolidated Categorical Aid Programs
  • Course Periods without Educational Content
  • Discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying 
  • Educational and Graduation Requirements for students in foster care, homeless students, students from military families, students formerly in a juvenile court school, migrant students, and immigrant students participating in a newcomer program
  • Every Student Succeeds Act
  • Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP)
  • Migrant Education
  • Physical Education: Instructional Minutes
  • Student Fees
  • Reasonable Accommodations to a Lactating Student
  • Regional Occupational Centers and Programs
  • School Plans for Student Achievement
  • School Safety Plans
  • Schoolsite Councils
  • California State Preschool Programs
  • State Preschool Health & Safety Issues in LEAs Exempt from Licensing
  • Any complaint alleging retaliation against a complainant or other participant
  • Any other state or federal educational program deemed appropriate by the Superintendent of Public Instruction

What issues are not covered by the UCP?

Not all complaints fall under the scope of the UCP. Many concerns are the responsibility of the District, including classroom assignments, common core, grades, graduation requirements, hiring and evaluation of staff, homework policies and practices, provision of core curriculum subjects, public meeting laws (such as the Brown Act), student advancement and retention, student discipline, student records, and other general education requirements. The District, however, may use its local complaint procedures to address complaints not covered by the UCP.

In addition, the following complaints are referred to other agencies for resolution and not subject to the UCP:

  • Allegations of child abuse are referred to County Departments of Social Services, Protective Services Divisions, or appropriate law enforcement agency.
  • Health and safety complaints regarding a Child Development Program are referred to the Department of Social Services for licensed facilities, and to the appropriate Child Development regional administrator for licensing-exempt facilities.
  • Any special education complaint alleging denial of a free appropriate public education based on services called for in a settlement agreement shall be investigated by the California Department of Education.
  • Any complaints relating to child nutrition shall be investigated and responded to directly by the California Department of Education.
  • Employment complaints are sent to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
  • Allegations of fraud are referred to the responsible Division Director at the California Department of Education (CDE).

Additional Information

The District shall post a standardized notice of the educational rights of pupils in foster care, pupils who are homeless, former juvenile court pupils now enrolled in a school district, and pupils in military families as specified in Education Code Sections 48645.7, 48853, 48853.5, 49069.5, 51225.1, and 51225.2. This notice shall include complaint process information, as applicable.

The District shall post a notice to identify appropriate subjects of state preschool health and safety issues in each California state preschool program classroom in each school notifying parents, guardians, pupils and teachers of (1) the health and safety requirements under Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations that apply to California state preschool programs pursuant to HSC Section 1596.7925 and (2) where to get a form for a state preschool health and safety issues complaint.

UCP Process

  • Complaints will be investigated and a written report with a decision will be sent to the complainant within sixty (60) days from the receipt of the complaint. This time period may be extended by written agreement of the complainant. The person responsible for investigating the complaint shall conduct and complete the investigation in accordance with our UCP policies and procedures.
  • The complainant has a right to appeal the District's decision regarding specific programs and activities subject to the UCP, pupil fees, and the LCAP to CDE by filing a written appeal within 30 days of receiving the District's decision. The appeal must be accompanied by a copy of the originally-filed complaint and a copy of the District decision.
  • The District advises any complainant of civil law remedies, including, but not limited to, injunctions, restraining orders, or other remedies or orders that may be available under state or federal discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying laws, if applicable.

Copies of the UCP process shall be available free of charge.

Williams Complaints

A Williams complaint concerns instructional materials, emergency or urgent facilities conditions that pose a threat to the health and safety of pupils, and teacher vacancy or misassignment. Williams Complaints may be filed anonymously. The District must have 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. Under applicable regulations, a notice must be posted in each classroom in each school notifying parents and guardians of the matters subject to a Williams complaint and where to obtain a form to file a complaint.

A Williams complaint must be resolved by the school principal, District superintendent, or designee. A complainant who is not satisfied with the resolution has the right to describe the complaint to the local governing board at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. Except for complaints involving a condition of a facility that poses an emergency or urgent threat, there is no right to appeal a Williams Complaint to the CDE.

In the case of complaints concerning a condition of a facility that poses an emergency or urgent threat, a complainant who is not satisfied with the resolution has the right to file an appeal to the Superintendent of Public Instruction at CDE within 15 calendar days of receiving the District's decision.

Contact Information

The District designees responsible for coordinating response to complaints and for complying with state and federal civil rights laws are:

Dr. Kelly King, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

223 North Jackson Street, Glendale, CA 91206

(818) 241-3111, ext 1208 | Email Dr. King

Director of Equity, Access & Family Engagement

223 North Jackson Street, Glendale, CA 91206

(818) 241-3111, ext 1457