Concerns & Complaints
Concerns & Complaints
Do You Have A Concern?
Albany Unified School District is committed to open, inclusive, two-way communication with our families and staff. When a question or concern comes up, we want it heard and resolved as quickly as possible by the person closest to it.
This approach reflects our WARMTH framework: Welcome Warmly, Anticipate Needs, Respect Always, Meet Commitments, Take Timely Action, and Help with Heart. We ask every staff member to bring these values to every conversation, including those that begin as concerns or complaints.
Most concerns are resolved close to home
Teachers, coaches, and school staff know their students and classrooms best, so most questions and concerns can be worked out quickly at that level. If a concern is not resolved there, families can bring it to the school principal, and then to the Superintendent's Office. The flow chart on the following page walks through this four-step process in more detail.
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CONTACT THE TEACHER / STAFF MEMBER |
1 |
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We believe most concerns can be resolved quickly and easily at the school level. Teachers and staff work hard to serve many students, so we appreciate your patience. Please allow staff 24–48 hours to respond, Monday–Friday during school business hours. |
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CONTACT THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL |
2 |
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If your concern is unresolved, request a meeting with the site principal. Albany High School / MacGregor: Darren McNally – (510) 558-2501, dmcnally@ausdk12.org Albany Middle School: Eric Mapes – (510) 558-3612, emapes@ausdk12.org Cornell Elementary: Jen Corn – (510) 558-3704, jecorn@ausdk12.org Marin Elementary: Ginger Cook – (510) 558-4744, gcook@ausdk12.org Ocean View Elementary: Ana Delgado – (510) 558-4804, adelgado@ausdk12.org Albany Children’s Center: Josh Reed- (510) 559-6590, jreed@ausdk12.org |
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CONTACT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE |
3 |
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If your concern remains unresolved after talking with your school, the Superintendent's Office will work with families and schools to resolve it, explain district policy, and support a successful partnership. sstone@ausdk12.org |
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FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT |
4 |
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For concerns requiring a formal process, the Board follows the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) in Board Policy 1312.3. Email complaint@ausdk12.org or submit the Uniform Complaint Form on the district website. (See complaint types explained below.) |
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Formal complaints follow their own process
Some concerns call for a more formal, documented process. Depending on the subject, that may mean a Uniform Complaint (UCP), which covers specific state and federally funded programs as well as general discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying based on a protected characteristic; a Williams Complaint, for instructional materials, teacher vacancies or misassignments, or urgent facility conditions; or, for the narrower federal category of Title IX Sexual Harassment, a complaint filed directly with the Title IX Coordinator. Each of these has its own timeline, process, and point of contact, summarized in the comparison chart included with this packet.
WHICH FORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS APPLIES?
Step 4 above may lead to one of three different formal complaint types — they cover different issues and have different timelines. All are coordinated through complaint@ausdk12.org (Julie Sen, Senior Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board, Compliance Process Coordinator).
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UNIFORM COMPLAINT (UCP) |
WILLIAMS COMPLAINT |
TITLE IX (SEXUAL HARASSMENT) |
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What it covers |
What it covers |
What it covers |
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Violations of state/federal law in specific funded programs (LCAP, special education, Consolidated Categorical Aid/Title I–III, CTE, foster/homeless/migrant/military youth education, English Learners, pupil fees, PE instructional minutes, TUPE, etc.), plus general discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or retaliation based on a protected characteristic (ancestry, color, disability, gender/gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, etc.) — including sex-based harassment that does not meet the narrow federal Title IX definition at right. |
Three specific, urgent school-condition issues only: (1) insufficient, missing, or damaged textbooks/instructional materials, (2) a teacher vacancy or misassignment, or (3) a facility condition posing an emergency/urgent threat to health or safety (e.g., no heat, broken locks, sewer issues, restroom supply/access problems). |
“Title IX Sexual Harassment,” a narrow federal definition (34 CFR Part 106): severe/pervasive/objectively offensive sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, stalking, or an employee conditioning a benefit on sexual conduct (quid pro quo) — occurring within the district's education program/activity in the U.S. A distinct federal process, separate from the general UCP. |
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Who can file |
Who can file |
Who can file |
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Any individual, public agency, or organization, including a duly authorized representative. |
Any student, parent/guardian, or member of the public; may be filed anonymously (a response is only provided if contact information is given). Forms are also available at each school site. |
Any student, employee, parent/guardian, or member of the public. |
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Timeline |
Timeline |
Timeline |
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Investigation begins within 10 business days; a written Decision is issued within 60 calendar days of receipt, unless the complainant agrees in writing to an extension (BP 1312.3). |
The Principal/designee (or Compliance Officer, for issues beyond site authority) remedies a valid complaint within 30 business days of receipt. |
Investigated directly by the Title IX Coordinator; does not require Steps 1–4 first. |
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Appeal rights |
Appeal rights |
Appeal rights |
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May be appealed in writing to the Board of Education, then to the California Department of Education (CDE) within 15 days of the Board/district Decision. |
May be appealed in writing to the Board of Education, then to the CDE within 15 calendar days of the Board's decision. |
Governed by the district's Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures (AR 5145.71); an informal resolution option may also be available. |
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Where to send it |
Where to send it |
Where to send it |
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complaint@ausdk12.org or the UCP Complaint Form, addressed to the district's Compliance Officer. |
complaint@ausdk12.org, the Complaint Form, or the site principal/designee. |
dbrill@ausdk12.org or (510) 558-3750 ext. 3771. |
Uniform Complaint
The district shall follow these complaint procedures when addressing complaints alleging unlawful discrimination based on actual or perceived age, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, race ancestry, national origin, religion, color, mental or physical ability, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, in any program or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance.
Uniform complaint procedures shall also be used when addressing complaints alleging failure to comply with state and/or federal laws in adult education, consolidated categorical aid programs, migrant education, vocational education, child care and development programs, special education programs, and federal school safety planning requirements.
Williams Complaint
California Education Code (EC) Section 35186 created a procedure for the filing of complaints concerning deficiencies related to instructional materials, conditions of facilities that are not maintained in a clean or safe manner or in good repair, and teacher vacancy or misassignment. The complaint and response are public documents as provided by statute. Complaints may be filed anonymously. However, if you wish to receive a response, you must provide contact information.