Bellingham Public Schools is committed to providing an educational environment that is free from sex discrimination, sex-based harassment and retaliation for engaging in any protected activity as required by federal and state laws for all students.
һapp Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, often referred to as “Title IX”, is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs. This law is critical in ensuring that all people have an equal opportunity for education, regardless of their sex or gender.
“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 an education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance…”
-Title IX, 20 U.S.C. §1681
Title IX has undergone periodic regulation updates since 1972, most notably in 2020, and again in 2024 with the new 2024 regulations going in to effect on August 1, 2024 for all new allegations occurring on or after August 1, 2024*
*Due to a federal injunction, allegations of sex discrimination occurring at Bellingham High School will follow the district’s policies and procedures based on 2020 Title IX regulations, and whenever necessary, will include other district policy and procedure such as those related to discriminatory harassment, gender inclusive schools, HIB, or hate speech and bias.
In addition to Federal Title IX law, the district also follows Washington State laws, including Chapter 28A.640 RCW and Chapter 392-190 WAC.
What is Sex Discrimination and Sex-based Harassment?
Know Your Rights
Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. All public and private elementary and secondary schools, school districts, colleges, and universities receiving any federal funds must comply with Title IX.
Bellingham Public Schools is committed to a positive and productive education free from discrimination. The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Federal and State laws. This commitment extends to all students involved in academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of the school, whether that program or activity is in a school facility, on school transportation, or at a class or school training held elsewhere.
What should my school do about sex discrimination or sex-based harassment?
When a school becomes aware of possible sex discriminatory or sex-based harassment, it must investigate and stop the harassment. The school must address any effects the harassment had on the student at school, including eliminating the hostile environment, and make sure that the harassment does not happen again.
Review the district’s Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment of Students Policy 3205, Procedure 3205 P.1 (Grievance) and Procedure 3205 P.2 (Implementation)Spanish version: Policy 3205, Procedure 3205 P.1 (Grievance), Procedure 3205 P.2 (Implementation)
The 2024 policy and procedure are in effect for all allegations of sex discrimination occurring on or after August 1, 2024*. Incidents occurring prior to August 1, 2024, will follow the previous policy and procedure under 2020 Title IX regulations.
*Due to a federal injunction, allegations of sex discrimination occurring at Bellingham High School will follow the district’s policies (Spanish) and procedures (Spanish) based on 2020 Title IX regulations, and whenever necessary, will include other district policy and procedure such as those related to discriminatory harassment, gender inclusive schools, HIB, or hate speech and bias.
More information can also be found in the current family handbook.
Who else is here to help?
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
All reports must start locally at the school or district level. However, OSPI can assist students, families, communities, and school staff with questions about state law, the HIB complaint process, and the discrimination and sexual harassment complaint processes.
OSPI School Safety Center (For questions about harassment, intimidation, and bullying)
Website: ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/health-safety/school-safety-center
Email: schoolsafety@k12.wa.us
Phone: 360-725-6068
OSPI Equity and Civil Rights Office (For questions about discrimination and sexual harassment)
Website: ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/equity-and-civil-rights
Email: equity@k12.wa.us
Phone: 360-725-6162
Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO)
The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds works with families, communities, and schools to address problems together so every student can fully participate and thrive in Washington’s K-12 public schools. OEO provides informal conflict resolution tools, coaching, facilitation, and training about family, community engagement, and systems advocacy.
Website:
Email: oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov
Phone: 1-866-297-2597
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces federal nondiscrimination laws in public schools, including those that prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, disability, and age. OCR also has a discrimination complaint process.
Website:
Email: orc@ed.gov
Phone: 800-421-3481
How to Get Help or File a Complaint
If you believe that you or a BPS student or staff member has been subjected to sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment as defined above, you can report the incident(s) to any school staff member or the district’s Title IX Coordinator.
If you are not sure whether you should make a report or file a complaint, you can consult the Title IX Coordinator, Laura Cardinal, at 360-676-6455 or laura.cardinal@bellinghamschools.org. The Title IX Coordinator can help you decide if any action needs to be taken and how best to address your situation.
What can you expect if you notify a staff person or the Title IX Coordinator of possible sex discrimination?
The district takes all allegations of sex discrimination and sex-based harassment very seriously and will respond promptly and effectively. District staff will also provide support to the student(s) or staff member(s) who are involved in or impacted by the conduct.
Upon receipt of notice, reports or knowledge about alleged sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment, the district will take steps, as necessary, to address information that is reported to it by others to the extent that it is feasible to do so while maintaining the confidentiality of the affected student or employee.
Upon notice of possible sex discrimination, employees will always notify the Title IX Coordinator. Additionally, employees will also inform an appropriate supervisor or professional staff member when they receive complaints of sex-based harassment, especially when the complaint is beyond their training to resolve or alleges serious misconduct.
The district will make every effort to protect parties’ privacy. However, in the event of an alleged sexual assault of a student or employee under the age of 18, the school principal will immediately inform law enforcement consistent with mandatory reporting requirements at RCW 26.44.
In the event of an alleged sexual assault, the school principal will also immediately notify the student, parent/guardian or employee of their right to file a criminal complaint with law enforcement and a sex-based harassment complaint with the district. With the consent of the student or employee or when there is a legal requirement to do so, the principal may also help them contact law enforcement.
What can I expect once the Title IX or designee has been notified?
Once the Title IX Coordinator has been notified of possible sex discrimination, the Title IX Coordinator or designee will promptly contact the affected student or employee to:
- Discuss the availability of supportive measures and consider their wishes with respect to supportive measures.
- Explain the district’s procedure and resolution options, including the informal resolution process if appropriate; and
- Provide a copy of the applicable district policy and procedure, including the district’s grievance procedure 3205P-1.
What are some ways I can report sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment?
- Talk to a school employee who is a trusted adult, such as a teacher, counselor, or school nurse.
- Contact the administrator at the targeted student’s school.
- Contact Student Services at the District Office by calling 360-676-6400.
- Use the system to report online, by text, or by phone.
- Contact the Title IX Coordinator
Supportive Measures
Supportive measures are designed to protect the safety of the parties or the district’s educational environment. They also provide support during the informal resolution process and grievance process. They are designed to restore or preserve access to the district’s education program or activity. They are offered without fee or charge to the parties and must not unreasonably burden either party. Supportive measures cannot be imposed for punitive or disciplinary reasons.
Supportive measures are available to both parties and may vary depending on what is reasonably available, but may include:
- A request that an administrator address allegations by meeting with the respondent(s) (with or without the complainant) to discuss concerning behavior, school policies and expectations. Such a conversation must be non-disciplinary, non-punitive and respondent(s) cannot be required to attend such meetings, nor are they required to provide any information if they attend. If it takes place, the conversation will be documented.
- An opportunity for a complainant student or employee, upon request and voluntarily, to meet with an administrator and an alleged harasser to explain to the alleged harasser that their conduct is unwelcome, offensive or inappropriate, either in writing or face-to-face.
- A written statement from a complainant student or employee to an alleged harasser that the alleged conduct is not appropriate and could lead to discipline if proven or repeated.
- A general public statement from an administrator in a building reviewing the district’s sex-based harassment policy without identifying the complainant.
- Developing a safety/support plan; adjustments.
- Mutual restrictions on contact between the parties.
- Increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus or school building.
- Providing employee and/or student training.
- Remote or alternative learning environments for students or leaves of absence for employees.
- Counseling or a referral to the Employee Assistance Program.
- Changes in class or extracurricular or any other activity.
- Modifications of work or class schedules, including extensions of deadlines and other course-related ether there is or is not a comparable alternative; and
- Training and education programs related to sex discrimination or harassment.
If either party is a student with a disability, the Title IX Coordinator or designee may consult, as appropriate, with an individual or office designated to provide support to students with disabilities about how to comply with Section 504 or the IDEA in the implementation of supportive measures.
Pregnancy or Related Conditions Information
Bellingham Public Schools is committed to a positive and productive education and workplace free from sex-based discrimination as required by Federal, State, and local laws for all students and staff in its education programs and activities. These laws prohibit discrimination against any student or staff based on their current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions or marital or parental status. Sex-based harassment is a form of sex-based discrimination and includes harassment on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions or marital or parental status.
The Title IX Coordinator for BPS is here to ensure the protection and equal treatment of students and staff who are or become pregnant, individuals with pregnancy-related conditions, and new parents. The Title IX Coordinator can coordinate with you to prevent discrimination and ensure that you have equal access to the district’s educational programs and activities and/or workplace.
Pregnancy or related conditions include:
- Pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation;
- Medical conditions related to the above; or
- Recovery from above
If you would like more information or to discuss protections based on pregnancy or related conditions, please contact the Title IX Coordinator, Laura Cardinal at 360-676-6455.
Title IX Coordinator
The Title IX Coordinator is the person authorized by the superintendent to coordinate the district’s federal state and sex discrimination and sex-based harassment regulation compliance efforts. Title IX Coordinator must have knowledge of all Title IX requirements, the district’s policies and procedures on sex discrimination, and of all complaints throughout the district that raise Title IX issues.
Title IX Training
The 2020 federal regulations on Title IX required each covered school district or educational service agency to make publicly available on their websites all materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process.
- Training materials website:
- Username: publicuse@bellingham.com
- Password: bԲǴDZ12
For Title IX Coordinator training under 2024 Title IX regulations, training materials are available upon request.