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Parent Guide to Resolution

Parent Guide to Resolution

As a parent you may have a question or concern about an aspect of your child's educational experience from time to time.The following model represents some of the best practices for handling complaints fairly and respectfully.

  • Always begin with the teacher or staff member. A face-to-face meeting between teacher, parent and student may be the best approach. Most problems can be successfully solved at this level.

    Before your meeting, think about the nature of your concern and try to write down the details. Focus on:

    • What your specific concerns are
    • When and where the incident occurred
    • Who else was involved
    • Whether anyone saw it happen
    • Whom you have spoken to already
    • What you want to happen as a result of your concern/complaint

  • You need to fill out a Public Complaint form, available on this page. Contact the principal or assistant principal of your school. He/she will make every effort to solve the problem at the school level.

  • If you are not satisfied with the answer or proposed solution to your concern at the principal/supervisor level, you may then contact the district office to speak with the Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership Monica Zuber at (360) 874-7004. In some circumstances, a formal hearing will be held to review the matter. In all cases, the issue will be reviewed with you and others concerned in an effort to reconcile the concerns and move forward.

  • If your concern is about a district-wide matter or about a superintendent-level decision, you may wish to contact the Office of the Superintendent of the South Kitsap School District at (360) 874-7001.

  • If at the point you are not satisfied with the above process, and cannot arrive at a result you can accept, you may write a letter to the Board of Directors to ask them to review your concern. In some matters, like student discipline, the Board may make a decision about the issue. Personnel and student matters are handled in closed sessions with the Board. Other matters may be presented to the Board in writing or at their regular meetings, usually the first and third Wednesday of each month.

Public Complaint Form

This form should only be used if you've already contacted your students school (teacher, principal) and your concern was not addressed. When this form is submitted, district leadership are notified.

 

To report an Active Threat, Bullying, COVID Concern, Drugs/Alcohol, Fighting, Personal Crisis, Vandalism, or Weapons please use our Tip Line instead of this form.

Complaints Related to Federal Programs

A citizen complaint is a written statement that alleges a violation of a federal rule, law or regulation or state regulation that applies to a federal program.

Anyone can file a citizen complaint. There is no special form. There is no need to know the law that governs a federal program to file a complaint.

See links listed below, or visit the OSPI website for more information.

Resource for Families, Staff, and Students: Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds

The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) is an independent state agency that helps to reduce educational opportunity gaps by supporting families, students, educators, and other stakeholders in communities across WA in understanding the K-12 school system and resolving concerns collaboratively. OEO services are free and confidential. Anyone can contact OEO with a question or concern about K-12 public schools.

The Washington State Office of Education Ombuds (OEO) listens, shares information and referrals, and works with families, communities, and schools to address concerns so that every student can fully participate and thrive in our state’s public schools. OEO provides support in multiple languages and has telephone interpretation available. To get help or learn more about what OEO does, please visit our website, email oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov, or call: 1-866-297-2597 (interpretation available).