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5270R - Resolution of Staff Complaints

Regulation 5270R

Where not covered by the provisions of an applicable collective bargaining agreement or a specific complaint process under another policy or regulation, the following procedure has been established for resolving a complaint filed by a staff member.

Most complaints can be resolved with informal discussions between the staff members involved. Every effort should be made to resolve a complaint at the earliest possible stage. 

  1. Whenever possible, the staff member should communicate directly with the other staff member(s) to resolve concerns. 
     
  2. Should the matter not be resolved, the immediate supervisor shall attempt to resolve the issue through a conference with the staff member and, as the supervisor deems appropriate, the staff. 
     
  3. If the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved by the immediate supervisor at the building or departmental level, the staff member should file a written complaint with the Superintendent’s Office, which describes the problem and specifies a suggested solution. 

a.    If the community member needs assistance preparing the complaint in writing, accommodations may be provided by contacting the Superintendent’s Office. 

4.    The Superintendent’s office will designate a staff member who will follow up with the complaint. The Designated Staff Member shall acknowledge the assignment to the staff member. The Designated Staff Member shall then use their best efforts to resolve the complaint.

a.    If the staff member’s complaint raises issues addressed by another District Policy (e.g., Discrimination, Harassment), the             complaint will be referred to the Designated Staff Member identified in that policy or procedure (e.g., Civil Rights                           Coordinator). 
b.    The Designated Staff Member may involve other District staff as needed to assist in the inquiry of the complaint.
c.    The Designated Staff Member will issue a written determination in response to the staff member’s complaint.

     
5.    If after receiving the Designated Staff Member’s written determination the matter is still not resolved to the staff member’s satisfaction, the staff member shall submit a written appeal to the Superintendent. The Superintendent may consider the appeal directly or designate a staff member to address the appeal. The Superintendent or Appeal Designee may uphold the Designated Staff Member’s decision without hearing the complaint. The Superintendent or Appeal Designee shall make final determination of the matter. The decision of the Superintendent or Appeal Designee shall be final.

6.    A staff member aggrieved by the final decision of the Superintendent or the Appeal Designee may, within thirty days after the rendition of such decision or order, or of the failure to act upon the same when properly presented, appeal the same to the superior court of the county in which the school district or part thereof is situated, by filing with the secretary of the school board if the appeal is from board action or failure to act, otherwise with the proper school official, and filing with the clerk of the superior court, a notice of appeal which shall set forth in a clear and concise manner the errors complained of. See RCW 28A.645.010.

7.    This regulation does not apply to appeals by teachers, principals, supervisors, superintendents, or other certificated employees from the actions of school boards with respect to discharge or other action adversely affecting their contract status, or failure to renew their contracts for the next ensuing term, which shall be governed by the appeal provisions of chapters 28A.400 and 28A.405 RCW therefor and in all other cases shall be governed by chapter 28A.645 RCW.

Approval Date: 2/26/2002

Revised Date: 12/05/2023

Reference: RCW 28A.645.010