Complaint Procedures
Overview of MPCSD Complaint Procedures
Stakeholder feedback is important to Menlo Park City School District, and we want to know when there are problems so that we can open lines of communication, seek to understand, and, when necessary, address and resolve problems. The district encourages the early, informal resolution of complaints at the site level whenever possible. Parents or guardians of students in the Menlo Park City School District are urged, therefore, to discuss their concerns directly with the school site employee(s) in question. If an initial attempt to resolve a problem is not satisfactory, one may file a complaint with the district.
There are various types of complaints, and stakeholders should note the following when they want to elevate a complaint to the district level:
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The general category and nature of complaint
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The person or role to whom the complaint should be addressed
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The method by which the complaint should be submitted
Complaints Concerning District Personnel and/or Other District Procedures
Every effort should be made to resolve the concerns of parents/guardians at the earliest possible stage. If a complainant is unable or unwilling to resolve the complaint directly with the employee, a written complaint may be submitted as follows:
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Recipient of Complaint |
Method of Complaint |
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In writing, either by email or by submitting a letter. |
Relevant Board Policy (BP) and/or Administrative Regulations (AR): BP1312.1 AR1312.1(a)
Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials
The Board uses a comprehensive process to adopt district instructional materials that is based on selection criteria established by law and Board policy and includes opportunities for the input of parents/guardians and community members. Complaints concerning the content or use of instructional materials, including textbooks, supplementary instructional materials, library materials, or other instructional materials and equipment, shall be properly and fairly considered using established complaint procedures. Parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss any concerns regarding instructional materials with their child's teacher and/or the school principal. If the situation remains unresolved, please proceed as follows:
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Recipient of Complaint |
Method of Complaint |
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Completion of the Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials Form |
Relevant Board Policy (BP) and/or Administrative Regulations (AR): BP1312.2(a) AR1312.2(a)
Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP)
This complaint procedure governs complaints when alleging failure to comply with state and/or federal laws in (1) adult education, (2) consolidated categorical aid programs, (3) migrant education, (4) vocational education, (5) child care and development programs, (6) child nutrition programs, (7) special education programs, and (8) federal school safety planning requirements.
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Recipient of Complaint |
Method of Complaint |
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Completion of the Uniform Complaint Procedures Form. Note: This is a fillable pdf. When saving it, use the following naming convention: LastnameFirstNameMO/DY/YR (e.g., SmithJorge04/15/23). |
Relevant Board Policy (BP) and/or Administrative Regulations (AR): BP1312.3 AR1312.3
Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures
Complaints regarding the sufficiency of instructional materials, teacher vacancy or
misassignment, or emergency or urgent facilities conditions that pose a threat to health and safety constitute a Williams Uniform Complaint.
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Recipient of Complaint |
Method of Complaint |
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Completion of the Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures and Form |
Relevant Board Policy (BP) and/or Administrative Regulations (AR): AR1312.4(a)
Student-to-Student Harassment
Menlo Park City School District is committed to providing a safe and nurturing school environment that protects students from physical and emotional harm and is conducive to learning. The Student-to-Student harassment complaint process is intended to report any forms of alleged or observed discrimination, harassment, violence, intimidation, and bullying on the basis of actual or perceived age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify, gender expression, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, or mental or physical disability or on a person's association with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in any program or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance.
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Recipient of Complaint |
Method of Complaint |
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In writing, either by email or by submitting a letter. |
Title IX
Title IX is a federal law, passed in 1972, to ensure that male and female students and employees in educational settings are treated equally and fairly. It protects against discrimination based on sex (including sexual harassment). In addition, Title IX protects transgender students and students who do not conform to gender stereotypes. State law also prohibits discrimination based on gender (sex), gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The preamble to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states that:
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
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Recipient of Complaint |
Method of Complaint |
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In writing, either by email or by submitting a letter. |
Additional Complaints and Relevant Board Policy/Administrative Regulations
Complaints Concerning Discrimination in Employment BP4030 AR4030(a)
Complaints About Child Abuse (Child Abuse Reporting Procedure) BP5141.4(a)
Complaints Concerning Special Education (Procedural Safeguards and Complaints for Special Education) BP6159.1 AR6159.1
All Other Complaints
All complaints, other than those described above concerning Employees, Instructional Materials; the Williams Complaint; Child Abuse; Special Education; and Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment and Other Violations are to be filed with the district's Compliance Officer:
Special Education; Section 504; Consolidated Categorical Aid Programs; Discrimination; All Others
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
181 Encinal Avenue
Atherton, CA 94027
(650) 321-7140
Any individual, public agency or organization may file a written complaint with the Compliance Officer. Complaints must be signed; ordinarily unsigned complaints will not be investigated. If a complainant is unable to put a complaint in writing due to conditions such as illiteracy or other disability, staff will help the complainant file the complaint.
The Compliance Officer shall receive, date, log, and file each original written and signed complaint.
The Compliance Officer shall review each complaint to determine appropriate response. If the content of the complaint most appropriately can be dealt with as a complaint concerning Employees, Instructional Materials; the Williams Complaint; Child Abuse; Special Education; and Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment and Other Violations, those procedures shall be followed.
The Compliance Officer will ensure that a reply is provided in a timely manner to any complainant who requests a reply.