St. Helena Unified School District

The St. Helena Unified School District takes all concerns and complaints seriously. The District values the concerns of our parents, staff, students and community. Complaints are respected and honored; there are no negative consequences for filing a complaint. No reprisals or retaliation shall be invoked against any student, parent or employee for processing, in good faith, a complaint, either on an informal or formal basis, or for participating in any way in these complaint procedures.  Every attempt is made to resolve complaints informally and at the lowest level possible. In the instances when that is not possible, a formal process is in place.

Below are procedures Board Policy and Administrative Regulations for filing a formal complaint. To help you determine the form and procedure to use, there is a useful listing explaining each of the forms and their purpose below. 

1. Complaint Form Against Policy, Practice or Procedure, or District Employee for Use by Parents, Employees, Residents and Students
2. Board Policy 1312.1
3. Administrative Regulation 1312.1

For any concern or complaint against any St. Helena Unified School District policy, practice, or procedure; any school site practice or procedure; or a District employees:

• Step 1:Informal Resolution with Principal or Department Head
• Step 2:Filing a Written Formal Complaint
• Step 3:Site or Department Conference (within 10 business days)
• Step 4:District Review (within 30 days)
• Step 5:Superintendent’s or Designee’s Review (within 5 business days; written response w/in 30 days of review)
• Step 6:Requesting a Board of Directors’ Hearing

Uniform Complaint Process Form

1. English / Spanish
2. 2016-2017 Uniform Complaint Procedure Annual Notice
3. Board Policy
4. Administrative Regulation 1312.3

For discrimination under any protected category, which includes discrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, religion, age, sex, color, or physical or mental disability in any school programs receiving federal and state funds, such as Adult Education, Child Nutrition, Childcare & Development Programs, Vocational Education, Special Education; Complaints alleging unlawful discrimination include complaints regarding sexual harassment and/or discriminatory bullying:

• Step 1:Filing a complaint
• Step 2:Compliance Officer determines if a safety issue exists that might require interim steps to ensure the complainant’s safety (within one business day)
• Step 3:Offer of mediation or restorative conferencing, except in cases of sexual assault or battery
• Step 4:Investigation of the complaint (within 5 business days when feasible; no more than 10 business days)
• Step 5:Response to the complaint & final written decision (within 30 calendar days, but may be extended to 60 with Superintendent’s approval)

For full explanation of the complaint response procedures, please refer to the Administrative Regulation 1312.3 above.

1. For Bullying, Sexual Harassment or Discrimination – Use the Uniform Complaint Process Form
2. Board Policy 
3. Administrative Regulation 5145.7

Williams Uniform Complaint Procedure and Form 

Administrative Regulation 1312.4 Williams Complaints
For instructional materials, teacher vacancy or misassignment, and facility conditions.

The Superintendent or designee is responsible for receiving and investigating formal complaints.  Please file all complaints, except where noted at:

Superintendent’s Office
465 Main Street, St. Helena, CA  94574