Sex-Based Discrimination is Prohibited
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is committed to providing a safe school and work environment that allows all students and staff equal access and opportunities in academic and other educational support programs, services, and activities.
What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in all educational programs and activities, including athletic programs. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity operated by the District. Title IX protects all participants in the District’s educational programs and activities, including students, parents, employees, and job applicants. The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment and sexual violence.
The County Office of Education and the Title IX Coordinator are aware of and acknowledge the revised Title IX regulations released on April 19, 2024 and effective as of August 1, 2024.
Our Title IX team received training on these new regulations in 2024.
In addition to Title IX, the California Education Code prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools. (California Education Code §§ 220-221.1.) Other state and federal laws also prohibit discrimination and ensure equality in education. Please refer to Superintendent Policies SP4119 and SP 4030 and Administrative Regulations AR4119 and AR 4030 for more information on the District’s anti-discrimination policies.
What are my rights under Title IX?
You have the following rights under Title IX, to the extent applicable at the District:
- You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
- You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.
- You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school or appropriate District personnel as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
- You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships if the District offers any.
- You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following related to athletics, if any are provided by the District:
- 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; and
- Publicity.
- You have the right to have access to a sex/gender equity coordinator, referred to as the Title IX Coordinator, to answer questions regarding sex/gender equity laws.
- You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on sex/gender equity laws.
- You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the California 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.
- You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
- You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint. (California Education Code § 221.8.)
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE) has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. If the Santa Cruz COE knows or reasonably should know about sex discrimination, it must take action to eliminate the sex discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. The Santa Cruz COE must resolve complaints of sex discrimination promptly and equitably. Information on filing a complaint alleging sex-based discrimination is below, including contact information for the Santa Cruz COE’s Title IX Coordinator.
For more information specific to anti-discrimination in Santa Cruz COE employment, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.
Who is the Title IX Coordinator?
The Santa Cruz COE has a Title IX Coordinator who oversees the County Office of Education’s compliance with Title IX requirements and promotes sex equity in the Santa Cruz COE programs. Contact the Santa Cruz COE’s Title IX Coordinator:
Troy Cope, Title IX Coordinator
Santa Cruz County Office of Education
400 Encinal Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Telephone: 831-466-5751
Email: tcope@santacruzcoe.org
How do I file a complaint of sex discrimination?
A student, parent, guardian, employee, individual, or organization may file a written complaint alleging discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying on the basis of a protected characteristic under the Santa Cruz COE’s Uniform Complaint Procedure by sending a complaint to:
Troy Cope, Title IX Coordinator
Santa Cruz County Office of Education
400 Encinal Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Telephone: 831-466-5751
Email: tcope@santacruzcoe.org
Title IX Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment Procedures
If you need assistance putting your complaint in writing, please contact Troy Cope, Chief Human Resources Officer at 831-466-5751. You may file a complaint anonymously, but the Santa Cruz COE’s ability to investigate and respond may be limited by a lack of information.
You may also file a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and/or an electronic complaint form with the California Office for Civil Rights.
For information about how to file other types of complaints and the procedures for those complaints, please contact the Santa Cruz County Office of Education at 831-466-5751.
When must a complaint be filed?
How will a complaint be investigated?
Complaints filed under the Santa Cruz COE’s Uniform Complaint Procedure will be investigated and a decision made within sixty calendar days of the Santa Cruz COE’s receipt, unless the complainant agrees to an extension. The Santa Cruz COE’s compliance officer or designee may interview alleged victims, alleged offenders, and relevant witnesses. The compliance officer may review available records, statements, or notes related to the complaint, including evidence or information received from the parties during the investigation. The compliance officer may visit reasonably accessible locations where discrimination is alleged to have occurred. As appropriate, the Santa Cruz COE’s compliance officer periodically will inform the parties of the status of the investigation. The complainant will be notified when a decision is made. Complaints that are not filed under the Santa Cruz COE’s Uniform Complaint Procedure will be investigated and decided pursuant to the applicable procedure.
What happens when the investigation is complete?
For complaints filed under the Uniform Complaint Procedure, the compliance officer will prepare and send a final written decision to the complainant and respondent, if any, within 60 calendar days of the Santa Cruz COE’s receipt of the complaint (unless this deadline is extended by mutual agreement).
Department of Education’s Uniform Complaint Procedures:
For complaints alleging unlawful discrimination based on state law, the complainant may pursue available civil law remedies, including seeking assistance from mediation centers or public/private interest attorneys, sixty calendar days after filing an appeal with the California Department of Education. (California Education Code § 262.3.) Note that this sixty day moratorium does not apply to complaints seeking injunctive relief in state courts or to discrimination complaints based on federal law. (California Education Code § 262.3.)
Complaints may also be filed with the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. For contact information, see the section above on “How do I file a complaint of sex discrimination?”
If the compliance officer finds that a complaint has merit, the Santa Cruz COE will take appropriate corrective action.
How do I get more information?
Additional Information and Resources:
California Department of Education – Equal Opportunity & Access
California Department of Education – Gender Equity/Title IX
California Department of Education – Office of Equal Opportunity
California Department of Education – Uniform Complaint Procedures
United States Department of Education – Know Your Rights
United States Department of Education – Office for Civil Rights
United States Department of Education – Sex Discrimination Information
Santa Cruz County Office of Education – Administrative Regulations and Superintendent Policies
Santa Cruz County Office of Education – Board Policies and Resolutions
For more information regarding Title IX and sex equity in education or in District employment, please contact the Santa Cruz COE’s Title IX Coordinator.