Title IX and Non-Discrimination
Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities in federally funded schools at all levels. Title IX protects students, employees, and applicants for admission and employment from all forms of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity of femininity. In addition, all students (and other persons) are protected by Title IX – regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, gender, identify, part of full time status, disability, race, or national origin – in all education programs and activities.
The Title IX Coordinator for the Bear Valley Unified School District is:
Dr. Lisa Waner
Executive Director of 6-12 Curriculum and Instruction/Certificated Personnel
Bear Valley Unified School District
42271 Moonridge Road, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(909) 866-4631
Nondiscrimination Statement
The Board of Trustees desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the district's academic and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any district school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any student based on the student's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
This policy shall apply to all acts related to school activity or to school attendance occurring within a district school. (Education Code 234.1)
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
(cf. 5131 - Conduct)
(cf. 5131.2 - Bullying)
(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)
(cf. 5145.9 - Hate-Motivated Behavior)
(cf. 5146 - Married/Pregnant/Parenting Students)
(cf. 6164.6 - Identification and Education Under Section 504)
Unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying, includes physical, verbal, nonverbal, or written conduct based on any of the categories listed above. Unlawful discrimination also shall include the creation of a hostile environment when the prohibited conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it affects a student's ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity; creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment; has the effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with a student's academic performance; or otherwise adversely affects a student's educational opportunities.
Unlawful discrimination also includes disparate treatment of students based on one of the categories above with respect to the provision of opportunities to participate in school programs or activities or the provision or receipt of educational benefits or services.
The Board also prohibits any form of retaliation against any individual who files or otherwise participates in the filing or investigation of a complaint or report regarding an incident of discrimination. Retaliation complaints shall be investigated and resolved in the same manner as a discrimination complaint.
Students who engage in unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, retaliation, or bullying, in violation of law, Board policy, or administrative regulation shall be subject to appropriate consequence or discipline, which may include suspension or expulsion for behavior that is severe or pervasive as defined in Education Code 48900.4. Any employee who permits or engages in prohibited discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, retaliation, or bullying, shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
Process to File a Complaint:
The Bear Valley Unified School District has the primary responsibility for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. We have established Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) to address allegations of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying, and complaints alleging violation of state or federal laws governing educational programs, the charging of unlawful pupil fees and the non-compliance of our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).
The district’s Uniform Complaint board policies and administrative regulations shall be used to investigate and resolve any complaint alleging the occurrence of unlawful discrimination (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying) against any person, based on his/her actual or perceived characteristics of race or ethnicity, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or any other characteristic identified in Education Code 200 or 220, Government Code 11135, or Penal Code 422.55, or based on his/her association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, in district programs and activities, including, but not limited to, those funded directly by or that receive or benefit from any state financial assistance (5 CCR 4610).
Please refer to Parent and Student Resources and links below for Uniform Complaint policies and procedures. Any person with a disability or who is unable to prepare a written complaint can receive assistance from the site-administrator/designee or by calling the Office of the Executive Director of Student Services and Human Resources at (909) 866-4631.
In accordance with SB 1375, the following information is being made available as a resource concerning Title IX:
Office of Civil Rights
Civil Rights Hotline:
Call the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at 1-800-421-3481 to report any educational discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, etc., request information on civil rights compliance programs, procedures for filing discrimination complaints, or access to civil rights regulatory and policy documents. The local number in Washington, D.C. is 202-453-6100.
Web Site: Office of United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
Office of United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights: Complaint Assessment and Form
California Office of Civil Rights:
San Francisco Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
Mail Box 1200, Room 1545
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: 415-486-5555
FAX: 415-486-5570; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: [email protected]
Additional Parent and Student Resources
20 U.S.C. Sections 1681 – 1688
Title IX Resource Guide, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, April 2015