Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) Annual Notice for 2025-2026

Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) Annual Notice for 2025-2026

The Burbank Unified School District annually notifies our students, employees, parents and/or guardians of students, the district advisory committee, school advisory committee, appropriate private school officials, and other interested parties of the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) process.

The Burbank Unified School District is primarily responsible for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, including those related to unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying against any protected group, and all programs and activities that are subject to the UCP in:

  • Accommodations for pregnant and parenting students 
  • Adult Education   
  • After-School Education and Safety
  • Agricultural Career Technical Education
  • American Indian Education
  • Bilingual Education
  • California Peer Assistance and Review Programs for Teachers
  • Career Technical and Technical Education
  • Career Technical and Technical Training
  • Child Care and Development
  • Child Nutrition
  • Compensatory Education
  • Consolidated Categorical Aid
  • Course Periods without Educational Content (Grades 9-12)
  • Education and Graduation Requirements of Students in Foster Care
  • Education and Graduation Requirements of Students who are Experiencing Homeless
  • Education and Graduation Requirements of Students from Military Families
  • Education and Graduation Requirements of Students formerly in Juvenile Court now          enrolled in a School District
  • Early Childhood Education and Assessment
  • English Learner Programs
  • Every Student Succeeds Act/No Child Left Behind (Titles I - VII)
  • Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP)
  • Migrant Education
  • Physical Education Instructional Minutes (Grades 1 - 6)
  • Student Fees
  • Reasonable Accommodations for a Lactating Pupil
  • Regional Occupational Centers and Programs
  • School Plans for Student Achievement
  • School Safety Plans
  • School Site Councils
  • Special Education
  • State Preschool
  • Tobacco-Use Prevention Education
  • Any Complaint Alleging Retaliation

Education of Pupils in Foster Care and Pupils Who Are Homeless

The Burbank Unified School District adheres to the educational rights of pupils in foster care, pupils who are homeless, and former juvenile court pupils now enrolled in a school district as specified in EC Sections 48853, 48853.5, 49069.5, 51225.1, and 51225.2. This notice shall include information on the complaint process, as applicable.

Types of Complaints

A description of the types of formal complaints that can be filed may be found in Board Policies and Administrative Regulations. 

Although complaints may be filed anonymously, confidentiality cannot be assured in all cases. Additionally, the ability to successfully investigate a complaint and take any subsequent necessary corrective action often depends on the willingness of individuals to substantiate the claims alleged in their complaint.

Anyone wishing to file a formal complaint anonymously using the Uniform Complaint Form should use the name “anonymous”  to initiate the complaint. All other required fields can be completed with “declined to state”.  Available English HERE      Spanish HERE     Armenian HERE     Russian HERE

Retaliation against individuals providing information related to any complaint is prohibited under numerous State and Federal laws. Retaliation includes any attempt to coerce, harass, intimidate, threaten, cajole, dissuade, or in any other way discriminate against a witness. Disciplinary measures will be imposed on any individuals engaged in retaliation against complainants or witnesses.

Pupil Fees:

A pupil fee includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:

A fee charged to a pupil as a condition for registering for school or classes, or as a condition for participation in a class or an extracurricular activity, regardless of whether the class or activity is elective or compulsory, or is for credit.

A security deposit, or other payment, that a pupil is required to make to obtain a lock, locker, book, class apparatus, musical instrument, clothes, or other materials or equipment.

A purchase that a pupil is required to make to obtain materials, supplies, equipment, or clothes associated with an educational activity.

A complaint about pupil fees may be filed with the principal of a school or our superintendent or his or her designee. A pupil fees and/or an LCAP complaint may be filed anonymously. However, the complainant must provide evidence or information leading to evidence to support the complaint.

A pupil enrolled in a school in our district shall not be required to pay a pupil fee for participation in an educational activity.

A pupil fee complaint shall be filed no later than one year from the date the alleged violation occurred.

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT | BP & AR 5145.3 

The Governing Board desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access to and opportunities in the district’s academic, extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities.

The Board prohibits, at any district school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidates, and bullying of any student by anyone based on the student's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected status or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. (Education Code 234.1; 5 CCR 4621)

·       BP 5145.3 Nondiscrimination/Harassment       

·       AR 5145.3 Nondiscrimination/Harassment       

UNIFORM COMPLAINT PROCEDURES/ BP and AR 1312.3

The Governing Board recognizes that the district has the primary responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable State and federal laws and regulations governing educational programs. The Board encourages early resolution of complaints whenever possible. To resolve complaints which may require a more formal process, the Board adopts the uniform system of complaint processes specified in 5 CCR 4600, as applicable, and the accompanying administrative regulation.

Complaints will be investigated and a written report with a Decision will be sent to the complainant within sixty (60) days from the receipt of the complaint. This time period may be extended by written agreement of the complainant. The person responsible for investigating the complaint shall conduct and complete the investigation in accordance with our UCP policies and procedures.

The complainant has a right to appeal the complaint decision regarding specific programs and activities subject to the UCP and pupil fees to the California Department of Education (CDE) by filing a written appeal within 15 days of receiving the decision. The appeal must be accompanied by a copy of the originally filed complaint and a copy of our Decision.

We advise any complainant of civil law remedies, including, but not limited to, injunctions, restraining orders, or other remedies or orders that may be available under state or federal discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying laws, if applicable.

Copies of our Uniform Complaint Procedures process shall be available free of charge. 

The district's uniform complaint procedures (UCP) shall be used to address complaints outlined in BP 1312.3. Non-UCP complaints shall not be subject to the district's UCP but shall be referred to the specified agency or addressed as described in BP 1312.3.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT STATEMENT | BP & AR 5145.7 Students

The Governing Board is committed to maintaining a safe school environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. The Board prohibits, at school or at school-sponsored or school-related activities, sexual harassment targeted at any student by anyone. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against a person who reports, files a complaint or testifies about, or otherwise supports a complainant in alleging sexual harassment.

Sexual Harassment Complaints

Complaints will be addressed through either Uniform Complaint Procedures or Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures.

The District’s Title IX Coordinator will assess and determine which complaint procedure is applicable. Complaints of behavior that meet the federal definition of sexual harassment will be addressed through the Title IX complaint procedures.

General Procedures for UCP Complaints

The investigation process for California's Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) is conducted by local educational agencies (LEAs) and must be completed within 60 calendar days of receiving a written complaint. The Investigation steps generally include appointing a compliance officer, gathering evidence, and issuing a written report with the findings and conclusions.

Step 1: File the complaint. Form available English HERE      Spanish HERE     Armenian HERE     Russian HERE

The process begins when a written and signed UCP complaint is submitted to the district superintendent, school administrator, or designee. Complaints may be filed anonymously and must include relevant details, such as dates, specific actions, and witness names. A complaint regarding unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying must be filed within six months of the incident.

Step 2: Assign a compliance officer

The school district designates a compliance officer to oversee the investigation. The officer can be a school official or an outside investigator who is knowledgeable about the laws and programs in question.

Step 3: Optional mediation

Before or during the investigation, the compliance officer may offer mediation to the parties involved, with their consent, to resolve the dispute.

Step 4: Gather Evidence                                                                                                                              

 The compliance officer conducts a thorough and impartial investigation, which includes:

Interviews: Interviewing the complainant, alleged victim, alleged offender, and any relevant witnesses.

Document review: Reviewing all relevant records, statements, or other evidence related to the complaint.

Site visits: Visiting any relevant locations where the alleged incident occurred.

Step 5: Issue the investigation report 

 After completing the investigation, the compliance officer prepares a final written report. This report is sent to the complainant and includes:                                                                                       

•    Findings of fact based on the evidence gathered.

•    Conclusions of law.

•    Disposition of the complaint (whether it was substantiated or dismissed).

•    Corrective actions, if any, are warranted to resolve the non-compliance.

Notice of the complainant's right to appeal the decision to the California Department of Education (CDE).

Step 6: Follow-up and appeal process

Implement corrective action: The LEA is responsible for implementing any necessary corrective actions identified in the report to remedy the complaint.

Appeal the decision: If the complainant disagrees with the LEA's decision, they have 30 calendar days to file a written appeal with the COE. The appeal must explain the basis for the disagreement, such as incorrect findings of fact or misapplication of law.