The following procedure has been established to resolve a written complaint filed by an unrepresented staff member.

Step One

The staff member (“complainant”) will present the complaint in writing to their immediate supervisor within 15 calendar days of the action or incident that gave rise to the complaint.  The written statement of the complaint will contain:

• The facts upon which the complaint is based as the complainant sees them;
• A reference to the policy(s) or procedure(s) of the district that have allegedly been violated; and
• The remedies sought.

Failure to submit a written complaint within the timeline specified will result in a waiver of the complaint.

If a written complaint is filed in compliance with the above timeline, the complainant will discuss this complaint with their immediate supervisor.  If the complaint is against an administrator or another staff member, such individual may be present at the meeting to present the facts as they see them.  A sincere effort will be made to resolve the complaint at this level. At this level a written response will be provided to the complainant. 

If the complaint is against the complainant’s immediate supervisor, the complainant will file the complaint with the next person in the complainant’s reporting hierarchy. A sincere effort will be made to resolve the complaint at this level. At this level a written response will be provided to the complainant. 

If the complaint is against a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet (other than the Chief Talent Officer), the complainant will file the complaint with the Chief Talent Officer who may assign the complaint to a district human resources representative or outside third party.  A sincere effort will be made to resolve the complaint at this level.  At this level a written response will be provided to the complainant. 

If the complaint is against the Chief Talent Officer, the complainant will file the complaint with the Superintendent who will determine the methods and means to investigate. Such methods and means will be communicated to the complainant.  A sincere effort will be made to resolve the complaint at this level.  At this level a written response will be provided to the complainant. 

If the complainant does not appeal the complaint response in writing within 10 calendar days from receiving the step one response, the complaint will be considered resolved.

Step Two

If the complainant disagrees with the decision in Step One, they may appeal to the Chief Talent Officer/designee.  The appeal must be in writing and received within 10 calendar days from the date the complainant received the Step One decision.

The Chief Talent Officer/designee will, within 10 calendar days of the receipt of the complainant’s written appeal, meet with the complainant to hear their claim.  If the complaint is against an administrator or another staff member, such person may be present at the hearing to present the facts as they see them.

The Chief Talent Officer/designee will render a decision regarding the appeal within 10 calendar days of the complainant’s meeting with the Chief Talent Officer/designee.

If the complainant disagrees with the decision of the Chief Talent Officer/designee, they may file a written appeal with the Superintendent within 10 calendar days after receipt of the Chief Talent Officer’s/designee’s decision.

If the complainant does not appeal the Chief Talent Officer’s/designee’s decision in writing to the Superintendent within 10 calendar days after receipt of the Chief Talent Officer’s/designee’s decision, the complaint will be considered resolved.

If the complaint is against the Chief Talent Officer, the complainant will file the appeal with the Superintendent who will determine the methods and means to investigate the appeal. Such methods and means will be communicated to the complainant. 

The Superintendent’s designee will, within 10 calendar days of the receipt of the complainant’s written appeal, meet with the complainant to hear their claim.  The Chief Talent Officer may be present at the hearing to present the facts as they see them.

The Superintendent’s designee will render a decision regarding the appeal within 10 calendar days of the complainant’s meeting with the designee.

If the complainant disagrees with the decision of the designee, they may file a written appeal with the Superintendent within 10 calendar days.

If the complainant does not appeal the designee’s decision in writing to the Superintendent within 10 calendar days after receipt of the designee’s decision, the complaint will be considered resolved.

Step Three

If the complainant properly appeals their complaint to the Superintendent as provided in this procedure, the Superintendent will empanel three administrators not involved in either of the previous steps to hold a hearing to hear the appeal of the Chief Talent Officer’s/designee’s decision.  If administrators or other staff are involved, they may be present at the hearing to present the facts as they see them.

If the complainant chooses to bring legal counsel to the hearing the district will be entitled to have legal counsel present.  The panel of administrators will, within 15 calendar days of the complaint hearing, present its decision with respect to the complaint.

The panel of administrators’ decision will be considered final.

The district may extend timelines for the purposes of scheduling and investigating. Any extensions shall be communicated in writing to the complainant.

Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board: October 26, 1983
Revised by the Superintendent: 08.00, 06.04, 01.16, 08.23