Title IX Reporting

Students and staff are protected against sexual harassment by anyone in any ESD 113 program or activity, including on the ESD 113 Program or Administrative sites or off-site during an ESD 113–sponsored activity.

Sexual harassment is unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature when:

A student or employee is led to believe that he or she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communications in order to gain something in return, such as a grade, a promotion, a place on a sports team, or any educational or employment decision; or
The conduct substantially interferes with a student’s educational performance or creates an intimidating or hostile educational or employment environment.

Examples of sexual harassment include:

Pressuring a person for sexual favors
Unwelcome touching of a sexual nature
Writing graffiti of a sexual nature
Distributing sexually explicit texts, e-mails, or pictures
Making sexual jokes, rumors, or suggestive remarks
Physical violence, including rape, and sexual assault

You can report sexual harassment to any ESD staff member or to the ESD’s Title IX Officer, Steve Bigelow, Executive Director – Integrated Student Support & Special Programs. You also have the right to file a complaint.

ESD 113 Policy 3205 - Sexual Harassment of Student Prohibited and ESD 113 Procedure 3205P - Sexual Harassment of Student Prohibited apply to ESD 113 student service programs when students participate in service programs or ESD 113-sponsored events at an ESD 113 program site. Actions that take place while students are being transported to an ESD 113 program via a student’s resident district transportation department are addressed by that district’s policies and procedures.

Compliance Officer

Title IX: Steve Bigelow, Executive Director - Integrated Student Support & Special Programs, and can be reached at 360-464-6732
or through the Contact Us form on this page. He receives copies of complaints and ensures that ESD 113 policy is followed. Title IX program contacts for Expedition Behavioral Education (including Olympic Academy and Summit Academy) and Gravity Learning Centers can also be reached through the Title IX general inquiry form.

Complaint Options: Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

If you believe that you or your child have experienced unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual harassment, you have the right to file a complaint. Before filing a complaint, you can discuss your concerns with your child’s program administrator or with the Title IX Officer, who is listed above. If the concerns are addressed to the satisfaction of the parties involved, then no further action may be necessary.

However, if you feel that you or someone you know is the victim of unresolved harassment or discrimination intimidation, and it requires further investigation and action, then complete the Sexual Harassment/Discrimination Complaint process.

Sexual Harassment Complaint Process

Step 1: Complete the Sexual Harassment/Discrimination Complaint Form

In most cases, complaints must be filed within one year from the date of the incident or conduct that is the subject of the complaint. A complaint must be in writing.

When completing the form, be sure to describe the conduct or incident, explain why you believe discrimination or sexual harassment has taken place, and describe what actions you believe ESD 113 should take to resolve the problem.

Report Sexual Harassment

If you need help completing the form or would prefer to report verbally, please contact the ESD 113 Title IX Officer, Steve Bigelow, Executive Director - Integrated Student Support & Special Programs using the Contact Us form on this page.

Please note:

If a complainant requests that their name not be revealed to the respondent or asks that ESD 113 not investigate or seek action against the respondent, the request will be forwarded to the Title IX Coordinator for evaluation. The Title IX Coordinator will inform the complainant that honoring the request may limit its ability to respond fully to the incident, including pursuing disciplinary action against the respondent.
Title IX and state law prohibit retaliation against any individual who files a complaint or participates in a complaint investigation. When an informal or formal complaint of sexual harassment is made, ESD 113 will take steps to stop further harassment and prevent any retaliation against the person who made the complaint, was the subject of the harassment, or against those who provided information as a witness. ESD 113 will investigate all allegations of retaliation and take actions against those found to have retaliated.

Step 2: What Happens After I Make a Complaint?

Once ESD 113 receives your written complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will give you a copy of the complaint procedure and make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The superintendent or designee will respond to you in writing within 30 calendar days—unless you agree on a different time period. If your complaint involves exceptional circumstances that demand a lengthier investigation, we will notify you in writing to explain why staff need a time extension and the new date for their written response.

Step 3: ESD 113 Responds to Your Complaint

In its written response, ESD 113 will include a summary of the results of the investigation, a determination of whether or not ESD 113 failed to comply with civil rights laws, notification that you can appeal this determination, and any measures necessary to bring ESD 113 into compliance with civil rights laws. Corrective measures will be put into effect within 30 calendar days after this written response — unless you agree to a different time period.

Right to Appeal

Appeal to ESD 113 Board of Directors: If you disagree with ESD 113’s decision, you may appeal to the board of directors. You must file a notice of appeal in writing to the secretary of the school board within 10 calendar days after you receive ESD 113’s response to your complaint. The board will schedule a hearing within 20 calendar days after they receive your appeal unless you agree on a different timeline. The board will send you a written decision within 30 calendar days after the district receives your notice of appeal. The board’s decision will include information about how to file a complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Complaint to OSPI: If you do not agree with ESD 113’s appeal decision, state law provides the option to file a formal complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). This is a separate complaint process that can take place if one of these two conditions has occurred: (1) you have completed ESD 113’s complaint and appeal process, or (2) ESD 113 has not followed the complaint and appeal process correctly. You have 20 calendar days to file a complaint to OSPI from the day you receive the decision on your appeal. You can send your written complaint to the Equity and Civil Rights Office at OSPI:

Email: equity@k12.wa.us ǀ Fax: 360-664-2967
Mail or hand deliver: PO Box 47200, 600 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7200

For more information, visit OSPI's website or contact OSPI’s Equity and Civil Rights Office at 360-725-6162/TTY: 360-664-3631 or by email at equity@k12.wa.us.

Other Discrimination Complaint Options

You may consider other discrimination complaint options, including:

Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 206-607-1600 ǀ TDD: 800-877-8339
Washington State Human Rights Commission, 800-233-3247 ǀ TTY: 800-300-7525