Annual Parent Notifications

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that is designated to eliminate disability discrimination in programs and activities that receive federal funds.

The district shall provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to all outside youth groups. District programs shall be free from sexual harassment.

For more information, check the resources below or contact the district’s 504 Coordinator and K-12 Student Services Director BJ Wilson at (509) 222-6534 or bj.wilson@ksd.org

Your Child’s Education

Your child has the right to:

• Receive a free and appropriate public education.

• Participate in and benefit from the district’s educational programs without discrimination.
• Be provided an equal opportunity to participate in the district’s nonacademic and extracurricular activities.
• Be educated with students who do not have disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate.
• Be educated in facilities and receive services that are comparable to those provided to students without disabilities.
• Receive accommodations and/or related aids and services to allow your child an equal opportunity to participate in school activities.
• Receive educational and related aids and services without cost, except for those fees imposed on the parents of children without disabilities.
• Receive special education services if needed.

Your Child’s Educational Records

You have the right to:

• Review your child’s educational records and to receive copies at a reasonable cost. You will not be charged if the cost would keep you from reviewing the records.
• Ask the district to change your child’s education records if you believe that they are wrong, misleading, or are otherwise in violation of your child’s privacy rights. If the district refuses this request, you have the right to challenge the refusal by requesting an impartial hearing.
• A response to your reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of your child’s education records.

The Section 504 Process

Your child has the right to an evaluation before the school determines if he or she is eligible under Section 504.

You have the right to:

• Receive notice before the district takes any action regarding the identification, evaluation, and placement of your child.
• Have evaluation and placement decisions made by a group of persons, often called a “504 team,” including persons who know your child, the meaning of the evaluation information, and the placement options available.
• Have evaluation decisions based on a variety of sources, such as aptitude and achievement tests, teacher recommendations, physical conditions, medical records, and parental observations.
• Refuse consent for the initial evaluation and initial placement of your child.

If your child is eligible under Section 504, your child has a right to periodic re-evaluations, including re-evaluations before any significant change is made in your child’s placement.

If You Disagree with the District

If you disagree with the district’s decisions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, educational program, or placement under Section 504, you may request mediation or an impartial due process hearing. You and your child have the right to take part in the hearing and have an attorney represent you. Hearing requests and other concerns can be made to your district’s Section 504 Coordinator:

BJ Wilson
K-12 Student Services Director
1000 W. 4th Avenue
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 222-6534 | bj.wilson@ksd.org

You have the right to file a complaint of discrimination with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), or to file a complaint in federal court. Generally, an OCR complaint may be filed within 180 calendar days of the act that you believe was discriminatory. The regional office is located at 915 Second Ave, Room 3310, Seattle, WA 98174-1099.

Phone: (206) 607-1600 | TDD: (206) 607-1647

Website: http://www.ed.gov/OCR

Associated Student Body (ASB) funds are public monies raised on behalf of students and used for optional extra-curricular events of a cultural, athletic, recreational or social nature. In general, carryover amounts from one year to another are due to anticipated expenditures for student activities which take more than a year of fundraising. These funds are not available for curricular or graded student activities.

Visit www.ksd.org/departments/business to view a record of ASB funding at each school and ASB activity club reports, as required by the State of Washington. Please contact the Business Department at (509) 222-5040 for more information.

Teachers shall provide the principal and parents of their students with a written explanation of how semester/yearly grades will be determined for the classes that they teach.  This may be done as a separate document or as part of an overall course syllabus.  These written explanations shall be completed prior to the first posting of grades in Power School / Power Grade. 

2420 Grading and Progress Reports
2420 R Procedures
2422 Parent Notification of Student Grades

2420 Grading and Progress Reports
2420 R Procedures
2422 Parent Notification of Student Grades

Policy 3232 STUDENTS: Parent and Student Rights in Administration of Surveys, Analysis or Evaluations

All instructional materials, including supplementary materials and teachers’ manuals, used with any survey, analysis, or evaluation in a program or project are available for inspection by parents and guardians. No student will be required as part of any project or program to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning the following without prior written consent of the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, or the student’s parent:

A. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent;

B. Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family;

C. Sex behavior or attitudes;

D. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;

E. Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom the student has close family relationships;

F. Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers;

G. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; or

H. Income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).

The district will make arrangements to protect student privacy during the administration of surveys and the collection, disclosure or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution purposes. The superintendent or designee will develop procedures consistent with this policy.

Annual School Performance Report

Each year, the Kennewick School District notifies staff and the parents/guardians of students of its Asbestos Management Plan (AMP). The district has established an AMP for each school and building within the district. Every three years, facilities are re-inspected by an accredited asbestos inspector. The most recent three-year inspection results are available by contacting Facility Services at (509) 222-6535.

Dear Parent/Guardian,

This year, Kennewick School District is making a special effort to ensure that all students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly. Student attendance is an essential first step for students to learn. The pandemic created many barriers for students, and we want you to know that our school is committed to supporting your student to attend and access their education. Your students’ future is our priority, and we want to partner with you to ensure their success.

DID YOU KNOW?

• By being present at school, your child learns valuable social skills and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.
• Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with schoolwork, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.
• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences (excused and unexcused) can cause children to fall behind in school.
• Missing 10 percent (just two days a month or about 18 days in a year) increases the chance that your student will not read or master math at the same level as their peers.
• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
• By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

We miss your student when they are not in school, and we value their contributions to our community. We would like you to help ensure that your student attends regularly and is successful in school. KSD Policy and Procedure 3122 provides information regarding district and parent responsibilities for excused and unexcused absences. If your student is going to be absent, please contact your school office. You can also contact us via email, written note or ParentSquare.

OUR PROMISE TO YOU

We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. Should your child struggle with attendance, there are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time. You can contact your child’s counselor, the school nurse, an administrator, or your child’s teacher. We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school.

SCHOOL POLICIES AND STATE LAWS

It is important that you understand our school policies and procedures, as well as Washington State Law, to ensure your child is successful in school. State law for mandatory attendance, called the Becca Bill, requires children from age 8 to 17 to attend a public school, private school, or a district-approved home school program. Children that are 6- or 7-years-old are not required to be enrolled in school. However, if parents enroll their 6- or 7-year-old, the student must attend full-time. Youth who are 16 or older may be excused from attending public school if they meet certain requirements. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=28A.225

We, the school, are required to take daily attendance and notify you when your student has an unexcused absence. If your student has three unexcused absences in one month, state law (RCW 28A.225.020) requires us to schedule a conference with you and your student to identify the barriers and support available to ensure regular attendance. The district is obligated to develop a plan that requires an assessment to determine how to best meet the needs of your student and reduce absenteeism if they are in middle or high school.

In elementary school after five excused absences in any month, or ten or more excused absences in the school year, the school district is required to contact you to schedule a conference at a mutually agreeable, reasonable time with at least one district employee, to identify the barriers and supports available to you and your student. A conference is not required if your student has provided a doctor’s note or pre-arranged the absence in writing and the parent, student and school have made plan, so your student does not fall behind academically. If your student has an Individualized Education Program or a 504 Plan the team that created the plan needs to reconvene.

We are required by state law to file a petition with the Juvenile court sometime between your child’s seventh unexcused absences in any month or fifteen unexcused absences within the school year, alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010, the mandatory attendance laws. The petition will be automatically stayed, and your student and family will be referred to a Community Engagement Board or other coordinated means of intervention. Community Engagement Board information is provided on the KSD website. If our collective efforts are not enough to increase your student’s attendance, the stay may be lifted, and the court may require a hearing.

At Kennewick School District, we have established the following rules on attendance that will help you ensure your student is attending regularly. These may be found in your Parent-Student Handbook.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
• Prepare for school the night before, finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
• Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required immunizations.
• Follow our district and state health guidelines on when to keep your child home due to illness.
• Avoid appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
• Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
• Keep track of your student’s attendance. Missing more than 9 days could put your student at risk of falling behind.
• Talk to your student about the importance of attendance.
• Talk to your students’ teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
• Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.

Sincerely,

Kennewick School District

The superintendent shall be responsible for scheduling all bus transportation, including the determination of routes and bus stops as well as overseeing the transportation program.

8100 Transportation
8101 Student Walking Distance
8101 R Procedure
8110 Routes and Schedules
8110 R  Procedure

The district shall provide school breakfasts and lunches which meet the nutritional standards required by state and federal school breakfast and lunch programs. Meals served in school before the end of the last lunch period shall conform to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  

8230 Nutrition
8230 R Procedure

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. Click here for information on filing a citizen complaint related to a federal program offered in the Kennewick School District.

Kennewick School District is a sponsor of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services’ (FNS) Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) at all schools in the district. The Kennewick School District provides benefits to all eligible individuals without discrimination in accordance with federal civil rights laws and USDA policy, as governed by FNS Instruction 113-1. The USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs, are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, and disability.

Program participants who feel they have been discriminated against while participating in the Child Nutrition Programs, including during the serving of meals, will be instructed to contact the Assistant Superintendent of Operations at (509) 222-5000 for procedures to voice their complaint. All complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability, either written or verbal, must be processed within the established time frames.

Right to File
Any person or representative alleging discrimination based on a prohibited basis has the right to file a complaint within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory action. Only the Secretary of Agriculture may extend this time under special circumstances. The complainant must be advised of confidentiality and Privacy Act applications. The executive director of business services will not attempt to resolve the complaint themselves, without first providing the complainant with information on how they can file a complaint.

Forms
The executive director of business services will provide all persons wishing to file a complaint with instructions on where to obtain the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form online or where they can obtain a hard copy. However, use of this form will not be a prerequisite for acceptance of the complaint.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish) for assistance in filing a complaint.

Filing a Complaint
The executive director of business services will provide instructions to the complainant on where to forward the completed USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form by:

• Mail: 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

• Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

• Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

Verbal Complaints
In the event a complainant wishes to make the allegations verbally or in person and refuses or is not inclined to place such allegations in writing, the executive director of business services will write up the elements of the complaint for the complainant utilizing the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form.

Acceptance of Written or Verbal
All complaints received by the executive director of business services, written or verbal, will be forwarded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OCR). Anonymous complaints will be handled as any other complaints, to the extent feasible, based on available information. Complaints will be forwarded to OCR via:

• Mail: 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

• Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

• Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

State Agency Notification
If the executive director of business services is notified that a program participant has filed a civil rights complaint or they have filed a complaint on behalf of a program participant, they will notify their program specialist at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Child Nutrition. The executive director of business services will provide information as requested by OSPI during the OCR investigation of the complaint.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Board recognizes the need for all high school students to have greater access to rigorous advanced courses, including dual credit programs.

2167 R Procedure
2167 Academic Acceleration

2410 R F-8 Running Start - Contract for Success 

3200 Student Rights and Responsibilities
3200 R Rights, Responsibilities and Authority of Certificated Staff

If the student is accused of breaking a rule, he/she has the right to explain his/her description of events to a teacher, counselor, or administrator before the consequences are given. Parents/guardians are also allowed to meet with school staff to help identify concerns or solve problems, while also considering appropriate consequences. Parents may appeal a disciplinary action through a hearing appeal process referred to in Policy and Procedure 3200. 

Kennewick School District elementary and middle schools (except for Highlands and Park middle schools) dismiss early on Wednesdays to provide teachers time for training and collaboration. High schools have early release about once a month.

During these teacher collaboration sessions, teachers work together to improve their instructional skills, implement new instructional practices and share ideas that will improve student achievement. Research shows that improving instruction is the single most effective factor for improving student achievement.

For questions, please contact your school. 

Policy 2151 Education of Students with Disabilities According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) and WAC 392-172
2151 R Procedure

Education of Students with Disabilities (IDEA)

Education of Student with Disabilities Policy and Procedure 2151 (Policy 2151 and Procedure 2151) addresses education of students with disabilities as it pertains to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Questions pertaining to IDEA and Section 504 should be directed to the Special Services Department at (509) 222-5026. 

ChildFind

A child with a disability may be eligible for services through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or special education and related services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004. If you have reason to suspect your child or another child may have a disability which affects his/her education, please contact the school or Special Services Department at (509) 222-5026 for additional information or to refer the child for an evaluation to determine eligibility for services. (WAC 392-172A)

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Individuals with disabilities who may need a modification to participate in a school-related meeting or activity need to contact the school or district office location no later than three (3) days before the meeting, or as soon as possible so that arrangements for the modification or accommodations can be made.

Winter may bring ice or snow to roadways around the district. To keep students, staff and families safe during inclement weather, we may close schools and delay or cancel classes and activities. 

Road conditions can vary throughout the district, depending on where you live. The district supports a parent’s or guardian’s decision to pick their child up early or not send their child to school. Absences due to winter weather will be considered excused with parent permission.

For information about school closures, the district uses ParentSquare to notify staff, students, families and community members. The information is also posted on the district website and sent out to local radio and television stations. Community members may sign-up to receive an email notification when schools are delayed or closed. 

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA provides parents and eligible students certain rights in regard to the student’s education records, including:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s education record
   
• The right to request amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate or misleading. If the district decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the district will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
   
• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent (See Directory Information). One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by Kennewick School District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom Kennewick School District has outsourced services or functions it would otherwise use its own employees to perform (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
   
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA
   
• The right to information about who to contact to seek access or amendment of education records

Gender-Inclusive Schools - Policy 3211
Gender-Inclusive Schools - Procedure 3211

Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, and Cyber Bullying

Learn more:

• Reporting a Concern
• Board Policies and Reporting Forms
• Resources
• Contacts

Kennewick School District is committed to engaging Spanish-speaking families to help students succeed by providing language assistance to parents and guardians who do not speak, listen, read, or write English proficiently because it is not their primary language. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW DO I REQUEST LANGUAGE SUPPORT IN SPANISH?

If your primary language is Spanish, please contact the school office or your student's teacher to request language support.

WHY IS KENNEWICK SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO SPANISH-SPEAKING FAMILIES, BUT NOT OTHER LANGUAGES? 

By law in Washington, school districts with either at least 1,000 total enrolled students or at least 10 percent English learner students in a language, must provide access to information to families in that language. In Kennewick School School District, Spanish meets this requirement.

DOES MY CHILD’S SCHOOL NEED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ME IN SPANISH?

Yes. Schools must communicate information to families who speak Spanish and have limited English so that they can understand any program, service, or activity that is called to the attention of parents who are proficient in English. This includes, but is not limited to, information related to:

• Registration and enrollment in school programs
• Grievance procedures and notices of school programs nondiscrimination
• Language assistance programs
• Parent handbooks
• Report cards
• Gifted and talented programs
• Student discipline policies and procedures
• Special education and related services, and meetings to discuss special education
• Requests for parent permission for student participation in school activities
• Parent-teacher conferences

DOES A SCHOOL PROVIDE LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE IF I REQUEST IT EVEN IF MY CHILD IS PROFICIENT IN ENGLISH AND I AM SOMEWHAT PROFICIENT IN ENGLISH?

Yes. Schools must respond to a parent’s request for language assistance in Spanish and remember that parents can be limited English proficient even if their child is proficient in English.

MAY MY CHILD’S SCHOOL ASK MY CHILD, OTHER STUDENTS, OR UNTRAINED SCHOOL STAFF TO TRANSLATE OR INTERPRET FOR ME?

No. Schools must provide translation or interpretation from appropriate and competent individuals and may not rely on or ask students, siblings, friends, or untrained school staff to translate or interpret for parents.

WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD I EXPECT FROM THE SCHOOL IF MY CHILD IS AN ENGLISH LEARNER?

When your child enrolls, you should receive a home language survey or similar form to fill out that helps the school identify potential English learners, who are eligible for language assistance services. If your child is identified as an English learner, the school must notify you in writing within 30 days of the school year starting with information about your child’s English language proficiency level, programs and services available to meet your child’s educational needs, and your right to opt your child out of a program or particular services for English learners.

For more information about the rights of English learners, visit http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-factsheet-el-students-201501.pdf

WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE QUESTIONS, WANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, OR BELIEVE A SCHOOL IS NOT COMPLYING WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS?

• You may visit the website of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at www.ed.gov/ocr or contact OCR at (800) 421-3481 (TDD: 800-877-8339) or at ocr@ed.gov. For more information about filing a complaint, visit www.ed.gov/ocr/complaintintro.html.
• You may visit the website of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division at www.justice.gov/crt/about/edu/ or contact DOJ at (877) 292-3804 or at education@usdoj.gov. For more information about filing a complaint, visit www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/#three.
• For more information about school districts’ obligations to English learner students and limited English proficient parents, additional OCR guidance is available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/ellresources.html.

The Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has information regarding the Learning by Choice law. The booklet contains answers to the most commonly asked questions about the law, options created by the No Child Left Behind Act, descriptions of programs that may be available to students if they meet program eligibility criteria, and other enrollment options available to students in public, private and home-based instruction. 

Any child or youth, including unaccompanied youth, who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence is considered homeless and McKinney-Vento eligible for assistance and services. This includes children and youth who are temporarily sharing housing with others due to economic hardship; those who are living in motels, campgrounds, emergency shelters, cars, or other similar settings; those in transitional housing programs, and those awaiting permanent foster care. Contact a school counselor or (509) 222-5031 for additional information.

The Kennewick School District participates in the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), the largest nationally representative assessment of students across the country. Administered by the National Center for Education Statistics within the U.S. Department of Education, NAEP provides a common measure of student achievement across the country. 

The results of NAEP are released as the Nation's Report Cards, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers, and the public.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Kennewick School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. 

Student Non-Discrimination

Policy 3210 STUDENTS Non-Discrimination
Procedure 3210 STUDENTS Non-Discrimination

Student Sexual Harassment

Policy 3206 STUDENTS Sexual Harassment Prohibited - Students
Procedure 3206 STUDENTS Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited

3210 Non-Discrimination
3210 R Procedure

The Kennewick School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Officer:
Dr. Tom Brillhart
Assistant Director of Operations
Kennewick School District
1000 W 4th Ave. 
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 222-5335 | thomas.brillhart@ksd.org

Title IX Officer: 
BJ Wilson
Director of K-12 Student Services
Kennewick School District
1000 W 4th Ave. 
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 222-6534 | bj.wilson@ksd.org

You can report discrimination and discriminatory harassment to any school staff member or to the district’s civil rights coordinator, listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint (see below). For a copy of the district’s nondiscrimination policy and procedure, see links above or contact your school or the district office: Kennewick School District 1000 W. 4th Ave Kennewick, WA 99336.

Complaint Options: Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

If you believe that you or your child have experienced unlawful discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment at school, you have the right to file a complaint.

Before filing a complaint, you can discuss your concerns with your child’s principal or with the school district’s Section 504 coordinator, Title IX officer, or civil rights coordinator, who are listed above. This is often the fastest way to resolve your concerns.

In most cases, complaints must be filed within one year from the date of the incident or conduct that is the subject of the complaint. A complaint must be in writing. Once the district receives your written complaint, the coordinator will give you a copy of the complaint procedure and make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. 

File a Complaint of Discrimination with Your School District

Anyone can file a formal complaint that alleges discrimination in a Washington State public school—based on a protected class. Anyone could include parents, students, teachers, administrators, and advocates. We encourage you to follow the complaint procedure closely. If you have questions, go directly to your district or and ask for the information you need to move forward.

Step 1 Write Out and Send Your Complaint

• Describe the conduct or incident. Use facts: what, who and when.

• Explain why you believe discrimination has taken place.

• Describe what actions you believe the district or charter school should take to resolve the problem.

Send your written complaint—by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery—to the district superintendent, charter school administrator, or civil rights coordinator. OSPI maintains a list of websites for all state school districts. Contact information should be on these district websites.

Deadline for Filing a Complaint

School districts can adopt a filing deadline for complaints. This deadline must be at least one year after the incident or conduct — the subject of the complaint — took place. Find out if your district has a deadline for filing a complaint related to discrimination.

Step 2 School District Investigates Your Complaint

Your civil rights coordinator has an important role to play once the school district receives your written complaint. 

The coordinator must:

• Give you a copy of the procedure to follow for discrimination complaints
• Make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place

Important! At this point, you could decide to resolve your complaint immediately instead of proceeding with the investigation.

30 Calendar Days to Respond to Your Complaint

Once the district receives your written complaint, the superintendent or administrator must respond to you in writing within 30 calendar days — unless you agree on a different time period.

If your complaint involves exceptional circumstances that demand a lengthier investigation, the district or charter school must notify you in writing with (1) why staff need this time extension and (2), a new date for their written response.

Step 3 School District Responds to Your Complaint

In its written response, the district or charter school must include this information:

• Summary of the results of the investigation
• Determination that states clearly whether or not the district or charter school failed to comply with civil rights law
• Notification that you can appeal this determination: how and where to file a appeal, and to whom it must addressed
• Any measures, determined through the investigation, necessary to bring the district or charter school into compliance with civil rights law

Important! Any necessary corrective measures must be put into effect within 30 calendar days after this written response—unless you agree to a different time period.

Read More

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

None listed.

Public School Education - Parent Rights

Initiative I 2081, “A Parents’ Bill of Rights,” was passed into law and took effect on June 6, 2024.

The legislature finds that a) parents are the primary stakeholders in their children's upbringing; b) parental involvement is a significant factor in increasing student achievement; and (c) access to student information encourages greater parental involvement.

Parents and legal guardians of public school children younger 12 than 18 years old have all of the following rights:

1. To examine the textbooks, curriculum, and supplemental material used in their child's classroom.
2. To inspect their child's public school records in accordance with RCW 28A.605.030. Public school records include all the following:
   a.  Academic records including, but not limited to, test and assessment scores in accordance with RCW 28A.230.195;
   b.  Medical or health records;
   c.   Records of any mental health counseling;
   d.   Records of any vocational counseling;
   e.   Records of discipline, including expulsions and suspensions under RCW 28A.600.015;
   f.    Records of attendance, including unexcused absences in accordance with RCW 28A.225.020;
   g.   Records associated with a child's screening for learning challenges, exceptionalities, plans for an individualized education program, or plan adopted under section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973; and,
   h.   Any other student-specific files, documents, or other materials that are maintained by the public school.

3. To receive prior notification when medical services are being offered to their child, except where emergency medical treatment is required. In cases where emergency medical treatment is required, the parent and legal guardian must be notified as soon as practicable after the treatment is rendered.

4.  To receive notification when any medical service or medications have been provided to their child that could result in any financial impact to the parent's or legal guardian's health insurance payments or copays.

5.  To receive notification when the school has arranged directly or indirectly for medical treatment that results in follow-up care beyond normal school hours.

6.  To receive immediate notification if a criminal action is deemed to have been committed against their child or by their child.

7.  To receive immediate notification if law enforcement personnel question their child, except in cases where the parent or legal guardian has been accused of abusing or neglecting the child.

8. To receive immediate notification if their child is taken or removed from the public school campus without parental permission, including to stay at a youth shelter or "host home" as defined in RCW 74.15.020.

9.  To receive assurance their child's public school will not discriminate against their child based upon the sincerely held religious beliefs of the child's family in accordance with Chapter 28A.642 RCW.

10. To receive written notice and the option to opt their child out of any surveys, assignments, questionnaires, role-playing activities, recordings of their child, or other student engagements that include questions about any of the following:
   a.     The child's sexual experiences or attractions;
   b.     The child's family beliefs, morality, religion, or political affiliations;
   c.     Any mental health or psychological problems of the child or a family member; and,
   d.     All surveys, analyses, and evaluations subject to areas covered by the protection of pupil rights amendment of the family educational rights and privacy act.

11.  To receive written notice and have the option to opt their child out of instruction on topics associated with sexual activity in accordance with RCW 28A.300.475.

12.  To receive from the public school the annual school calendar, no later than 30 days prior to the beginning of the school year, and to be notified in writing as soon as feasible of any revisions to such calendar. Such calendar must be posted to the public school's website and must include, at a minimum, student attendance days and any event that requires parent or student attendance outside of normal school days or hours.

13.  To receive in writing each year or to view on the public school's website a comprehensive listing of any required fee and its purpose and use and a description of how economic hardships may be addressed.

14.  To receive in writing each year or to view on the school's website a description of the school's required dress code or uniform established pursuant to RCW 28A.320.140, if applicable, for students.

15.  To be informed if their child's academic performance, including whether their child is provided a student learning plan under RCW 28A.655.270, is such that it could threaten the child's  ability to be promoted to the next grade level and to be offered an  in-person meeting with the child's classroom teacher and principal to  discuss any resources or strategies available to support and encourage the child's academic improvement.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a public school  shall not be required to release any records or information regarding  a student's medical or health records or mental health counseling  records to a parent during the pendency of an investigation of child  abuse or neglect conducted by any law enforcement agency or the  department of children, youth, and families where the parent is the target of the investigation, unless the parent has obtained a court order.

RCW 28A.320.165 
RCW 17.21.415[2]

State law requires school districts to notify parents/guardians of students and employees of the school’s pest control policies and methods. The Kennewick School District uses only licensed sprayers to make applications as needed for weed and pest control. For more information regarding the use of pesticides in the school district, please contact Facility Services at (509) 222-5070.

Release of Student Directory Information (English)

Release of Student Directory Information (Spanish)

For transfer of resident students inter-district: 
3130 Release of Resident Students
3130 R-F1 Transfer Request (English)
3130 R-F1 Transfer Request (Spanish)

For transfer of non-resident students inter-district:
3131 Acceptance of Non-resident Students

For transfer of resident students: 
3132 R Procedure
3133 Transfer of Resident Students

4340 Disclosure of Public Records
4340 R Procedure

State law requires school districts to provide parents/guardians with information regarding their rights under the Washington Public Records Act to request public records regarding school employee discipline. (RCW 28A.320.160).

To make a public records request, please see 4340 Disclosure of Public Records and 4340 R Procedure.

Kennewick School District adheres to HB 2610-2017-18, Creating the hunger-free students' bill of rights act.

8200 R Procedure
8210 Surplus Commodities
8220 Free and Reduced Price Food Services
8220 R Procedure

3413 Student Immunization and Life-Threatening Health Conditions
3413 R1 Verifying Immunizations
3413 R2 Life Threatening Conditions
3416 Medication at School
3416 R Procedure
3416 R-F1 Parental Request Form

Policy and Procedure 3413 (see above) explain that it is the affirmative obligation of each parent to provide the necessary immunization and medical information. This information must be current and up-to-date. 

As a condition for attending schools, students shall present evidence of their having been immunized against all of the diseases identified by the State of Washington in WAC 246-105-030. 

On enrollment, a certificate of immunization status, distributed by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), shall be completed by the student’s parent. The certificate shall be made a part of the student’s permanent record. 

Exemptions from one or more vaccines shall be granted for medical reason upon certification by a physician that there is a medical reason for not administering the vaccine. Exemptions for personal or religious reasons require a “Certificate of Exemption,” signed by a parent or guardian and a licensed health care provider. 

Prior to attendance at school, each child with a life-threatening health condition shall present a medical or treatment order addressing the condition. A life threatening health condition means a condition that will put the child in danger of death during the school day if a medication or treatment order and health plan are not in place. Following submission of the medication or treatment order, a health plan shall be developed.

Vision and hearing screenings may be conducted at schools. Parents or guardians will be notified and provided with a copy of the test results when their child’s screening shows that there are possible problems with the student’s vision and/or hearing. 

Policy and Procedure 3416 allows school personnel to administer oral medication during school hours under limited conditions which include a written request by a parent/guardian and the student’s LHP. All medication must be accompanied by a form which may be obtained at any school office or at ksd.org. Additional requirements are mandated for students who self-carry/administer medication for asthma or severe allergy (RCW 28.A.210.370). These requirements will be provided to parents upon request at each school.

3600 Student Records
3600 R1 Disposition of Records
3600 R2 Student Records
3600 R-3 Receiving and Transferring of Student Records

Under federal law and district Policy 3600, Kennewick School District is prohibited from releasing identifiable student records (except student directory information) without parent/guardian permission. Student records include, but are not limited to:

• Grades
• Achievement test scores
• Attendance records
• Disciplinary records

You should know the following regarding student records:

• You have the right to review your child’s student records in the presence of school personnel.
• You may ask the school to amend a record you believe is inaccurate. To do so, clearly identify in writing the change requested and specify why the record is inaccurate.
• Student records may be disclosed without consent to school officials with legitimate educational interests.

If you have questions or concerns about the student records policy or wish to review or amend student records, contact your school principal.

If you believe the school district has failed to protect your student’s privacy rights, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. Contact:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-590

The requirements for ensuring educational stability for children in foster care under section 1111 (g)(1)(E) apply to all children in foster care enrolled in public schools. Consistent with the Fostering Connections Act, “foster care” means 24-hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents, but is not limited to placements in foster family homes, foster homes of relatives, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, child care institutions, and pre-adoptive homes. A child is in foster care in accordance with this definition regardless of whether the foster care facility is licensed and payments are made by the state, tribal or local agencies for the care of the child, whether adoption subsidy payments are being made prior to the finalization of an adoption, or whether there is federal matching of any payments that are made.  (45 C.F.R.  1355.20 (a)).

FOSTER CARE STUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

• Attend school in the area they are currently living.

• When in the best interest of the child, attend the school of origin (the school they attended at the time they entered care), or the school in which they were last enrolled.

• Immediate enrollment and support from district foster care liaison in obtaining school records and coordinating services.

• Transportation to their school, if necessary.

• Free school meals.

• Services for English Language Learners, Special Education, and/or Highly Capable Education.

• Tutoring services focusing on academic assistance.

• Support with on-time grade progression and graduation of students.

For more information, call your child’s school or the Health & Social Services Department at (206) 631-3011.

ESSA/Sec. 1111 (h) (6) (A);34C.F.R. 200.61

Under federal law, parents and guardians are entitled to request information about the professional qualifications of their child’s teachers. Such requests can be made to the school principal or the associate superintendent of human resources at (509) 222-6547.
 

The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds works with families, communities, and schools to address problems together so every student can fully participate and thrive in Washington’s K-12 public schools. OEO provides informal conflict resolution tools, coaching, facilitation, and training about family, community engagement, and systems advocacy. · Website: www.oeo.wa.gov · Email: oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov

• Website: www.oeo.wa.gov

• Email: oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov

• Phone: (866) 297-2597