Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities in federally funded schools at all levels.¹

Title IX protects students, employees, and applicants for admission and employment from all forms of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity of femininity.² In addition, all students (and other persons) are protected by Title IX - regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, gender, identity, part of full time status, disability, race, or national origin - in all educational programs and activities. 

¹ 20 U.S.C. Sections 1681-1688

² Title IX Resource Guide. U.S. Department of Education. Office of Civil Rights, April 2015.

The District’s Title IX Coordinator is:

Claudia Velez, Ed.D.

Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

Perris Elementary School District
143 East First Street
Perris, Ca 92570

(951) 657-3118

claudia.velez@perrisesd.org

The following is a list of rights which are based upon Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

 a) You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.

(b) You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.

(c) You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.

(d) You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.

(e) You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following: equipment and supplies, scheduling of games and practices, transportation and daily allowances, access to tutoring, coaching, locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities, medical and training facilities and services, publicity.

(f) You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws.

(g) You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws.

(h) You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office of Civil Rights or the State Department of Education if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex.

(i) You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.

(j) You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

Internet Resources to Find More Information Regarding Rights & Responsibilities Under Title IX

CA Department of Education Equal Opportunity and Access

US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

Nondiscrimination Statement 

The Perris Elementary School District is committed to ensuring equal, fair, and meaningful access to employment and educational services. The District does not discriminate in any employment practice, educational program, or educational activity on the basis and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, and related conditions, race, religion, retaliation, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, Vietnam Era Veterans’ status, or any other basis prohibited by California state and federal nondiscrimination laws respectively. The Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services is charged with overseeing, leading, and directing the PESD’s efforts to meet the legal obligations set forth in state and federal civil rights laws and regulations in PESD employment and delivery of educational services. Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination and civil rights should be directed to the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services (Title IX Coordinator) of the Perris Elementary School District. Please see the bottom of the page for specific contact information. 

Notice of Student Nondiscrimination/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Perris Elementary School District is committed to making schools free from unlawful discrimination and providing equal opportunities for all individuals in education. The district prohibits discriminatory practices whose purpose or effect has a negative impact on the student’s academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment.  Any student who engages in discrimination of another student or anyone from the district may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Any employee who permits or engages in discrimination may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Any student or parent/guardian who believes that discrimination has occurred should immediately contact the principal for resolution at the site.

Student Sexual Harassment Policy

The Governing Board is committed to maintaining a safe school environment that is free from harassment and discrimination.  The Board prohibits sexual harassment of students at school or at school-sponsored or school-related activities. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against any person who reports, files a complaint or testifies about, or otherwise supports a complainant in alleging sexual harassment.

Prohibited sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, unwanted requests for sexual favors, or other unwanted verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature made against another person of the same or opposite sex in the educational setting, under any of the following conditions:  (Education Code 212.5; 5 CCR 4916)

1. Submission to the conduct is explicitly or implicitly made a term or condition of a student's academic status or progress.

2. Submission to or rejection of the conduct by a student is used as the basis for academic decisions affecting the student.

    

3. The conduct has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact on the student's academic performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.

4. Submission to or rejection of the conduct by the student is used as the basis for any decision affecting the student regarding benefits and services, honors, programs, or activities available at or through any district program or activity.

    

The district strongly encourages any student who feels that he/she is being or has been sexually harassed on school grounds or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity by another student or an adult to immediately contact his/her teacher, the principal, or any other available school employee.  Any employee who receives a report or observes an incident of sexual harassment shall notify the principal or a district compliance officer.

How to File a Discrimination, Bullying or Harassment Complaint

The district believes discrimination, harassment, and bullying issues may be resolved at the school site. As such, students, parents/guardians should report any act of discrimination, harassment, or bullying by a student, staff member or third party to the site principal. Once a complaint is made to the site principal, the following actions will occur:

• The responsible school official will conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the complaint, and acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 10 working days and attempt to resolve the matter informally with the complainant.

• When sexual harassment is reported, interim steps will be taken to stop harassment and protect the victim from further harassment pending outcome of the complaint.

• At any time during the complaint process students, parent/guardian, and/or staff member may contact the Title IX Coordinator to file a complaint directly with the district. A student, parent, or staff member is not required to attempt resolution through the school site before contacting the District Title IX Coordinator.

Filing a Uniform Complaint. At any time during the informal resolution process, students or parent/guardians may file a Uniform Complaint Form that can be obtained from the school site and/or District Office. The Uniform Complaint should be filed with the school site principal and/or District depending on the nature of the complaint:

School addresses: View a list of all PESD schools and addresses.

District Office Address:

Perris Elementary School District
143 East First Street
Perris, Ca 92570

PESD Uniform Complaint Board Policy

PESD Uniform Complaint Form 

Investigation. Perris Elementary School District will immediately undertake an effective, thorough, and objective investigation of the allegations and provide a written summary that shall serve as a closeout letter to the original complaint. The report will include a summary of the facts, a decision on the complaint, reason for the decision and corrective actions that have or will be taken, including remedies for the victim. The complainant has the right to present witnesses and evidence as well throughout this process.

Action. If the district determines that its policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, or bullying has been violated, disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion and/or dismissal will be taken. Remedies will also be provided to the victim and remedial action(s) will be required of the school site.

Remedial actions will be taken that are designed to end the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects on the harassed student.

Follow up with the student and/or staff member will occur to ensure the harassment has stopped and that there is no retaliation.

The district prohibits retaliation against any participant in the complaint process including witnesses. A separate Uniform Complaint may be filed if retaliation occurs against any individual involved in the processing of discrimination, harassment, or bullying complaint. Each complaint shall be investigated promptly and in a way that respects the privacy of all parties concerned.

Student, Parent, & Staff Complaints & Inquiries Contact

A student, parent, or staff member who has a complaint of discrimination and/or sexual harassment should first contact the principal for resolution at the school site. If the complaint cannot be resolved, the district's Title IX Coordinator should be contacted. 

Statute of Limitations 

Any parent, guardian, individual, organization has the right to file a written complaint of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying on the basis of a protected characteristic within six months from the date the alleged incident occurred or the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged incident.

Filing a Complaint Beyond the Statute of Limitations 

The timeline for filing a complaint of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying is extended by the Superintendent or designee, upon written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the extension. Such extension by the Superintendent or designee shall be made in writing. The period for filing may be extended by the Superintendent or designee for good cause for a period not to exceed 90 days following the expiration of the six month time period. The Superintendent shall respond immediately upon a receipt of a request for extension.

Contact Information for the Office of Civil Rights (OCR)

San Francisco Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Education

Phone:  (415) 486-5555

Email San Francisco Office for Civil Rights

Website: United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights