Title IX: Prohibiting Sex-Based Discrimination

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 Pioneer Union Elementary School District (PUESD). Title IX protects all participants in PUESD’s educational programs and activities, including students, parents, employees, and job applicants. PUESD does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment and sexual violence.

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 an overview of all PUESD’s nondiscrimination policies and the following specific policies and procedures regarding sexual harassment:

Information provided here applies to every PUESD school site and all PUESD programs and activities.

For more information about Title IX, please visit:

Pupil and Public Rights under Title IX

  • 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 have access to a sex/gender equity coordinator, referred to as the Title IX
    Coordinator (find contact information below), to answer questions regarding sex/gender equity laws.
  • You have the right to contact the State Department of Education 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.)

How to File a Title IX Complaint

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against in violation of Title IX may file a complaint with the District or the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). If a crime is involved, such as sexual assault, individuals may also file a report with the local police department. A person may pursue one or all of these avenues at the same time. Below is a summary of each process.

District Complaint: Title IX complaints may be filed using the District’s uniform complaint procedure, Board Policy No. 1312.3.

A complaint alleging unlawful discrimination or retaliation must be filed no later than six months from the date the discrimination or retaliation occurred, or six months from when the complainant first learned of the unlawful discrimination. The Superintendent or designee may extend this timeline by up to ninety days for good cause, upon written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the extension.

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 PUESD’s Uniform Complaint Procedure by sending a complaint to PUESD’s Title IX Coordinator:

Superintendent
Pioneer Union Elementary School District
1888 Mustang Dr.
Hanford, CA 93230
559-585-2400
title9coordinator@puesd.net

If you need assistance putting your complaint in writing, please contact Personnel Services at 559-585-2400 or lemonsl@puesd.net. You may file a complaint anonymously, but PUESD’s ability to investigate and respond may be limited by a lack of information.

Investigation Procedure: Upon receipt of any complaint related to a potential Title IX violation, the District will ensure every allegation is investigated promptly, adequately and impartially. The District will also take steps to protect complainants from retaliation and ensure all parties are treated fairly throughout the District’s investigation process. As part of its Title IX obligations, the District also takes steps to prevent recurrence of any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or sexual violence and remedy discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, as appropriate. The District’s procedure for investigating a Title IX complaint can be found at Board Policy No. 1312.3. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator if you have any questions.

You may also file a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. For more information, visit

OCR Complaint

The complainant has a right to appeal the District’s decision to the California Department of Education’s Office of Equal Opportunity by filing a written appeal within 15 days of receiving the findings. A discrimination complaint may also be filed directly with the
U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.

Time Requirement: OCR requires complaints to be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged discrimination. Please contact OCR, if you have any questions about this time requirement.

Investigation Procedure: Information regarding OCR’s investigation process.

For information regarding filing a complaint with OCR, please contact the California regional office at:

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
Mail Box 1200, Room 1545
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: 415-486-5555
FAX: 415-486-5570
TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov