How to File a Complaint at a Public School

Facing problems at a public school can be difficult if you do not know who to contact to get things resolved in a timely manner. There are avenues that anyone can utilize to be heard and treated fairly as set in place by our government to assist us when difficult times arise and we feel a need to file a formal complaint. Follow these steps to complete this process.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Contact the public school administration office for information regarding the school district policy for filing a complaint. Be sure to do this as soon as possible after the incident occurs if it was a discriminatory act as you will be facing Office of Civil Rights deadlines which are normally six months from the date the incident happened.
2. Follow the public schools rules for filing a complaint and go through their process first on your local level before going to a state or national agency for help. The local school will most likely desire to straighten out the problem before it escalates to a higher level.
3. Be sure to make notes of how your complaint was handled, especially if you are not pleased with the end results. Solid, detailed notes will help you should you need to move your complaint up a level to a state or national office.
4. Compose a letter to the Office for Civil Rights or fill out the complaint form provided after you contact them this office if this was a discriminatory incident. Write your personal contact information in the letter so someone will be able to reach you for additional information.
5. Write an overall description of events and the people involved in the incident on all sides. No names are required. Write down exactly where the incident took place including the mailing address.
6. Put in detail the alleged discriminatory act so that it can be easily understood by the Office for Civil Rights. You want them to know exactly what happened and your basis for the allegation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wait too long after the incident occurred, you will not be able to file the complaint.