Title IX

The Burbank Unified School District is committed to providing educational programs, activities and practices that are free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying based on actual or perceived legally protected characteristics, or association with a person or group with one or more of such characteristics, including sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and California law. Please refer to Board Policy 0410 Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities for more information on the District’s non-discrimination policies. The Title IX information provided here applies to all applicants for admission and employment, students and parents or guardians of elementary and secondary school students, and employees, and to every school site and all District programs and activities.

Title IX

Title IX is a federal law which prohibits discrimination based on sex (including sex-based harassment) in programs or activities that receive federal funding. Title IX requires all individuals in educational settings to be treated equally and fairly, regardless of sex. California law also prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender.

Title IX covers many topics, including athletics, sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, pregnant and parenting students, off-campus school-sponsored and school-related activities, and employment. 

Summary of Student Rights (California Education Code § 221.8)

The following is a list of the rights of all students and the public, included in Education Code 221.8: 

1. You have the right to fair and equitable treatment, and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex. 
2. You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics. 
3. You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school. 
4. You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships. 
5. You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following: 
   1. Equipment and supplies. 
   2. Scheduling of games and practices. 
   3. Transportation and daily allowances. 
   4. Access to tutoring. 
   5. Coaching. 
   6. Locker rooms. 
   7. Practice and competitive facilities. 
   8. Medical and training facilities and services. 
   9. Publicity.
6. You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws. 
7. You have the right to contact the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws. 
8. You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office of 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. 
9. You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against. 
10. You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

Responsibilities of the School District

The District is responsible for operating its educational programs in a non-discriminatory manner. The District must prevent discrimination on the basis of sex in its programs and activities and prohibit retaliation against any person for opposing an unlawful practice or policy, or filing, testifying about, or participating in any complaint under Title IX.

The District has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to allegations of sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. 

For more information about a school district's responsibilities under Title IX, please visit:

• Office of U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission LINK
• California Office of Equal Opportunity LINK

How to File a Title IX Complaint

Anyone who believes they have experienced, witnessed, or received a report of discrimination because of their sex (including sexual harassment) in violation of Title IX may file a complaint with the District and/or the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Consistent with federal and California law, the District has established the following procedures for addressing Title IX complaints. 

Filing a Title IX Complaint with the District

Title IX complaints can be filed with the District by submitting the complaint to the District’s Title IX Coordinator.  

District Title IX Coordinator

Peter Knapik, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services
1900 W. Olive Avenue
Burbank, CA 91506
(818)729-4482
Email

Questions or complaints alleging discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and equity concerning District employees or non-students may also be directed to the Director of Elementary Education and DEI or the Director of Secondary Education and DEI using the contact information below. The Director of Elementary Education or the Director of Secondary Education serves as the District’s Nondiscrimination Coordinator for employment matters and as one of the District’s UCP Compliance Officers.

District Nondiscrimination Coordinators/UCP Compliance Officers

Email    

Federal law requires the District apply different procedures for Title IX sexual harassment complaints than the procedures applicable to Title IX discrimination complaints and employment discrimination complaints. Below is the information applicable to each type of complaint.   

A. Title IX Complaints Alleging Sex Discrimination (excluding Sexual Harassment)

 The District’s Uniform Complaint Procedures (“UCP”) will be used to address most complaints alleging unlawful discrimination (such as discriminatory harassment, intimidation or bullying), including sex discrimination. The District’s UCP are set forth in Board Policy (“BP”) and Administrative Regulation (“AR”) 1312.3, Uniform Complaint Procedure, available here BP 1312.3 and AR 1312.3         

The District’s UCP Complaint Form is available English HERE      Spanish HERE     Armenian HERE     Russian HERE. Complaints may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator or a UCP Compliance Officer in person, by mail, or by email. If someone is unable to put their complaint in writing due to conditions such as disability or illiteracy, District staff will assist them in filing a complaint.   

UCP complaints alleging unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation or bullying, must be filed no later than six (6) months from the date when the alleged unlawful discrimination occurred, or six (6) months from the date when the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged unlawful discrimination. The time for filing may be extended for up to 90 days by the Superintendent or designee for good cause upon written request by the complainant setting forth the reasons for the extension.

Complaints alleging unlawful sex discrimination will be investigated consistent with the investigation procedures set forth in BP 1312.3 and AR 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures.

B. Complaints Alleging Employment Discrimination (excluding Sexual Harassment)

The Board prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex. Reports alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of sex will be addressed in accordance with BP 4030 Nondiscrimination in Employment  and AR 4030 Noniscrimination in Employment. These procedures apply to complaints of employment discrimination by employees, job applicants, interns, volunteers, and other persons contracted to provide services to the District. 

A written complaint may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator or Nondiscrimination Coordinator in person, by mail, or by email. The complaint should contain the complainant’s name, the name of the individual who allegedly engaged in the conduct, a description of the conduct alleged, the date(s) and location(s) where the alleged conduct occurred, any witnesses who may have relevant information, any available evidence of the discrimination, and any other pertinent information which may assist in addressing the complaint.  

A complainant may report a concern to their direct supervisor, another supervisor, the Title IX Coordinator or Nondiscrimination Coordinator, or the Superintendent. 

Complaints alleging unlawful employment discrimination on the basis of sex will be investigated consistent with the investigation procedures set forth in BP 4030 Nondiscrimination in Employment  and AR 4030 Nondiscrimination in Employment

C. Complaints Alleging Sexual Harassment (including Sexual Misconduct)

Anyone who believes they have experienced, witnessed or received a report of sexual harassment is strongly encouraged to report the incident to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, a District administrator, or any District employee with whom the person is comfortable.  District employees receiving a report of or witnessing sexual harassment are required to report it to the Title IX Coordinator.

Upon receiving a report of sexual harassment, the Title IX Coordinator will promptly contact the alleged victim(s) to discuss the availability of supportive measures, inform the them of their right to file a formal complaint and explain the process for filing a formal complaint.

A Formal Title IX Complaint Form is available English HERE      Spanish HERE     Armenian HERE     Russian HERE A formal complaint, with the complainant’s physical or digital signature, may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail, or by email. If someone is unable to put their complaint in writing due to conditions such as disability or illiteracy, District staff will assist them in filling a complaint.

Upon receipt of a report of sexual harassment, the Title IX Coordinator will promptly take appropriate steps to address the allegations consistent with the applicable procedures. The procedures applicable to Title IX sexual harassment complaints are set forth in  AR 4119.12   / AR 4219.12 / AR 4319.12 and AR 5145.71, Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures.  Reports of sexual harassment by non-employees, which are not covered by the definition of Title IX Sexual Harassment, will be addressed in accordance with BP 1312.3 and AR 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures and in accordance with BP 4030 Nondiscrimination in Employment  and AR 4030 Nondiscrimination in Employment for employees. The determination of whether the allegations meet the definition of Title IX Sexual Harassment under Title IX will be made by the District’s Title IX Coordinator. 

The materials used to train the District’s Title IX Coordinator and Title IX Team are available here:

The Title IX Team and Process for K-12 Districts

2025 K12 Title IX Compliance- Sample NOA Respondent

2025 K12 Title IX Compliance - Sample NOA Complainant

Other Types of Complaints 

In addition to the Title IX complaint procedures, complaints concerning other matters can often be filed through the District’s other complaint procedures using the complaint form. Some examples include the following:  

• Complaints Concerning District Employees. (BP 1312.1 and AR 1312.1 -(Complaints Concerning District Employees)
• Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials. (BP 1312.2 and AR 1312.2 - (Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials)
• Uniform Complaint Procedures. These procedures apply to multiple subjects. A list of subjects covered is included in BP 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures. The applicable procedures are set forth in AR 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures. 
• Williams Act Complaints. The subjects covered and applicable procedures are set forth in AR 1312.4 - Williams Act Uniform Complaint Procedures, and the Williams Act Complaint form is provided in Exhibit 1312.4-E - Williams Act Complaint Form.
• Bullying Complaints. (BP 5131.2 and AR 5131.2 - Bullying)

For questions about how to file a Title IX complaint or any other complaint with the District, please contact the appropriate Coordinator: 

Filing a Complaint with OCR

A complainant also has the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights within 180 days of the date of the most recently alleged misconduct. If the complaint involves matters that occurred longer ago than this, a complainant may request a waiver of the requirement from OCR by providing an explanation as to why the complaint was delayed. Information regarding OCR’s investigation process can be found HERE.

Additional information about filing a complaint with OCR is available HERE. OCR complaints can be submitted to OCR using that link, by mail, or by fax.  

Email: OCR@ed.gov

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

Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education
915 Second Avenue Room 3310
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
206-607-1600
206-607-1601
OCR.Seattle@ed.gov

Police Report 

To file a police report, please contact local law enforcement.

Staff Training Materials

The Title IX Team and Process for K-12 Districts

2025 K12 Title IX Compliance- Sample NOA Respondent

2025 K12 Title IX Compliance - Sample NOA Complainant