Complaint Procedures

The Berkeley Unified School District takes all concerns and complaints seriously. The District values the concerns of our parents, staff, students and community. Complaints are respected and honored; there are no negative consequences for filing a complaint.  No reprisals or retaliation shall be invoked against any student, parent or employee for processing, in good faith, a complaint, either on an informal or formal basis, or for participating in any way in these complaint procedures.  Every attempt is made to resolve complaints informally and at the lowest level possible. In the instances when that is not possible, a formal process is in place.
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For any concern or complaint against any Berkeley Unified School District policy, practice, or procedure; any school site practice or procedure; or a District employees.

  • Step 1: Informal Resolution with Principal or Department Head
  • Step 2: Filing a Written Formal Complaint
  • Step 3: Site or Department Conference (within 5 working days)
  • Step 4: District Review (within 5 working days)
  • Step 5: Superintendent’s or Designee’s Review (within 5 working days; written response w/in 10 working days of review)
  • Step 6: Requesting a Board of Directors’ Hearing

Uniform Complaint Process Concerning Categorical Aid Programs
Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 1312.3
For discrimination under any protected category or school program receiving federal and state funds, such as Adult Education, Child Nutrition, Childcare & Development Programs, Vocational Education, Special Education.

  • Step 1: Filing a complaint
  • Step 2: Mediation (within 3 days)
  • Step 3: Investigation of the complaint (within 5 days)
  • Step 4: Response to the complaint (within 30 days)
  • Step 5: Final Written Decision

Sexual Harassment Complaint Form 
Board Policy 4319.11
The Berkeley Unified School District is committed to provide an educational environment free of unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature including sexual advances, requests for sexual favor, and other verbal or physical conduct or communications constituting sexual harassment, as defined and otherwise prohibited by state and federal law.

  • Contact Site Administrator (Principal or Department Head)
  • If the incident involves students only, contact the Student Services Office, Director of Student Services Dr. Susan Craig, 510-883-5224.
  • If the incident involves a BUSD employee, contact the Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources Department Delia Ruiz, 510-644-6150.

Williams Uniform Complaint Procedure 
Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 1312.4
For instructional materials, teacher vacancy or misassignment, facility condition, support to complete CAHSEE requirement after exiting high school.

Draft of Anti-Bullying Policy

Draft of Anti-Bullying AR

The Director of Student Services is responsible for receiving and investigating formal complaints.  Please file all complaints, except where noted at:

Student Services Office
BUSD Compliance Officer
1835 Allston Way, Room 5
Berkeley, CA 94704
tel. (510) 883-5224

Detailed information on all procedures and forms can be found in the Parent-Student Handbook.