KL-AR Complaint Procedures

Code: KL-AR(1)

Revised/Reviewed: 1/12/11; 4/08/15; 9/09/15; 1/13/16; 4/13/16; 6/13/18; 8/28/24 

Public Complaint Procedure 

A parent or guardian of a student attending a school in the district, a person who resides in the district, a staff member, or a student who wishes to express a concern should discuss the matter with the school employee involved. 

The Administrator: Step One 

If the individual is unable to resolve a problem or concern with the employee, the individual may file a written, signed complaint with the principal within five working days of the employee’s response. The principal shall evaluate the complaint and render a decision within five working days after receiving the complaint. (A form is available, but is not required.) Complaints against a principal may be filed with the director of schools. 

The Executive Director of Human Resources: Step Two 

If Step One does not resolve the complaint, within 10 working days of the meeting with the principal, the complainant may file a signed, written complaint with the executive director of human resources clearly stating the nature of the complaint and a suggested remedy. 

The executive director of human resources shall investigate the complaint, confer with the complainant and the parties involved and prepare a report of their findings and conclusion, and provide the report in writing or in an electronic form to the complainant within 10 working days after receiving the written complaint. (Approximately one week in most cases will be required.) 

The Superintendent: Step Three 

If Step Two does not resolve the complaint, the complainant may appeal to the superintendent within five working days of receiving the Step Two decision. The superintendent shall review the complaint, and may confer with the complainant and other parties involved. The superintendent will issue a conclusion in writing to the complainant within 15 working days after receiving the written appeal. 

The Board: Step Four 

If the complainant is dissatisfied with the superintendent’s findings and/or conclusion, the complainant may appeal the decision to the Board within five working days of receiving the superintendent’s decision. The Board may hold a hearing to review the findings and conclusion of the superintendent, to hear the complaint and to hear and evaluate any other evidence as it deems appropriate. The Board may use executive session if the subject matter qualifies under Oregon law. Appropriate action may include, but is not limited to, holding a hearing, requesting additional information, and adopting the superintendent’s decision as the district’s final decision. All parties involved, including the school administration, may be asked to attend such hearing for the purposes of making further explanations and clarifying the issues. 

If the Board chooses not to hear the complaint, the superintendent’s decision is final. 

The complainant shall be informed in writing or in electronic form of the Board’s decision within 30 days from receipt of the appeal by the Board. The Board’s decision will address each allegation in the complaint and contain reasons for the district’s decision. The Board’s decision will be final. 

The timelines may be extended upon written agreement between the district and the complainant. 

Complaints against the superintendent should be referred to the Board chair on behalf of the Board. The Board chair shall present the complaint to the Board. If the Board decides an investigation is warranted, the Board may refer the investigation to a third party. When the investigation is complete, the results will be presented to the Board. After receiving the results of the investigation, the Board shall decide in open session what action, if any, is warranted. The Board may use executive session if the subject matter qualifies under Oregon law. A final written decision regarding the complaint shall be issued by the Board within 30 days of receipt of the complaint. The written decision of the Board will address each allegation in the complaint and reasons for the district’s decision. 

Complaints against the Board as a whole or against an individual board member should be made to the Board chair on behalf of the Board. The Board chair shall present the complaint to the Board. If the Board decides an investigation is warranted, the Board may refer the investigation to a third party. When the investigation is complete, the results will be presented to the Board. After receiving the results of the investigation, the board shall decide in open session what action, if any, is warranted. A final written decision regarding the complaint shall be issued by the Board within 30 days of receipt of the complaint. The written decision of the Board will address each allegation in the complaint and reasons for the district’s decision. 

Complaints against the Board chair may be made directly to the Board vice chair on behalf of the Board. The Board vice chair shall present the complaint to the Board. If the Board decides an investigation is warranted, the Board may refer the investigation to a third party. When the investigation is complete, the results will be presented to the Board. After receiving the results of the investigation, the Board shall decide in open session what action, if any, is warranted. A final written decision regarding the complaint shall be issued by the Board within 30 days of receipt of the complaint. The written decision of the Board will address each allegation in the complaint and reasons for the district’s decision. 

The district’s final decision for a complaint processed under this administrative regulation that alleges a violation of OAR Chapter 581, Division 22 (Standards), ORS 339.285 - 339.303 or OAR 581-021-0550 to 581-021-0570 (Restraint and Seclusion), or ORS 659.852 (Retaliation), will be issued in writing or electronic form. The final decision will address each allegation in the complaint and contain reasons for the district’s decision. If the complainant is a student, parent or guardian of a student attending school in the district or a person that resides in the district, and this complaint is not resolved through the complaint process, the complainant may appeal with the district’s final decision to the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction as outlined in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 581-002-0001 – 581-002-0023. 

If the complaint alleges discrimination pursuant to ORS 659.850 (Discrimination) and the complaint is not resolved at the local level through the Board’s administrative regulation AC-AR - Discrimination Complaint Procedure, the complaint may meet the criteria to file an appeal with the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction as outlined in OAR 581-002-0001 - 581-002-0023.