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Pullman Public Schools

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Discrimination & Sexual Harassment

Guide to Reporting Discriminatory Incidents/Behavior

Our schools stand against discrimination

Discrimination can happen when someone is treated differently or unfairly because of a protected status, including their race, ethnicity, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, homelessness, religion, creed, disability, neurodivergence, use of a service animal, or veteran or military status.

  • Discriminatory harassment can include teasing and name-calling; graphic and written statements; or other behavior that is threatening, harmful, or humiliating. It happens when the behavior is based on a student’s protected status and is serious enough to create a hostile environment. A hostile environment is created when behavior is so severe, pervasive, or persistent that it limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the school’s services, activities, or opportunities.

    To review the district’s Nondiscrimination Policy 3210 and Procedure 3210P, visit our website. 

  • Sexual harassment is unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature and seriously interferes with a student's educational performance or creates an intimidating or hostile environment. Sexual harassment can also occur when a student is led to believe they must accept unwelcome sexual behavior or communication to receive something in return, such as a better grade or a place on a sports team.

    Examples of sexual harassment include:

    • Pressuring a person for sexual actions or favors.
    • Unwelcome sexual touching.
    • Written, graphic, or electronic messages that are sexual in nature.
    • Sharing sexually explicit texts, emails, or pictures.
    • Making sexual jokes, spreading sexual rumors, or making suggestive comments.
    • Physical violence, including rape and sexual assault.

    Our school does not discriminate based on sex. We prohibit sex discrimination in all education programs, activities, and employment, as required by Title IX and state law.

    To review the district’s Sexual Harassment Policy 3205 and Procedure 3205P, visit our website.

  • When a school learns about possible discriminatory harassment or sexual harassment, it must investigate and take steps to stop the unwanted behavior. The school must address any effects of the harassment on the student at school, including eliminating the hostile environment, and prevent the harassment from happening again.

  • Talk to a Coordinator or submit a written complaint. You may contact the following school district staff to report your concerns, ask questions, or learn more about how to resolve your concerns. If English isn’t your first language, you can request an interpreter or prepare the complaint in your language. If you have a disability and need accommodations to make a complaint, let the school know your disability needs.

    Concerns about discrimination:

    Civil Rights Coordinator

    Ryan Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent

    240 SE Dexter Street, Pullman, WA 99163

    P: (509) 332-3144

    E: rmulvey@psd267.org.

     

    Concerns about sex discrimination, including sexual harassment:

    Title IX Coordinator:

    Ryan Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent

    240 SE Dexter Street, Pullman, WA 99163

    P: (509) 332-3144

    E: rmulvey@psd267.org.

     

    Concerns about disability discrimination:

    Section 504 Coordinator

    Dom Ventresco, Assistant Director of Special Services

    240 SE Dexter Street, Pullman, WA 99163

    P: (509) 332-3144

    E: dventresco@psd267.org.

     

    Concerns about discrimination based on gender identity:

    Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator

    Ryan Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent

    240 SE Dexter Street, Pullman, WA 99163

    P: (509) 332-3144

    E: rmulvey@psd267.org.

     

    To submit a written complaint, describe the behavior or incident that you believe may be discriminatory. Send it by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery to the school principal, district superintendent, or civil rights coordinator. Submit the complaint as soon as possible so the school district can investigate it promptly. You must submit your complaint within one year of the behavior or incident.

  • The Civil Rights Coordinator will give you a copy of the school district’s discrimination complaint procedure. The Civil Rights Coordinator will make sure your complaint is investigated promptly and thoroughly. The investigation will be completed within 30 calendar days unless you agree to a different timeline. If exceptional circumstances require more time, the Civil Rights Coordinator will notify you in writing and tell you the expected date for the response.

    When the investigation is complete, the school district superintendent or the staff member leading the investigation will send you a written response. The response will include:

    • A summary of the investigation results.
    • A determination of whether the school district failed to comply with civil rights laws.
    • Any corrective actions or remedies that are needed.
    • Information about how to appeal the decision.

  • If you disagree with the decision about your complaint, you may appeal the decision to the school board. You may then file a complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). For more information about this process, including important deadlines, see the school district’s Nondiscrimination Procedure (3210P) and Sexual Harassment Procedure (3205P).

     

    Pullman Public Schools Policies & Procedures.

  • Harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB) can be discrimination if it is based on a protected status. If you give your school a written report of HIB that involves discrimination or sexual harassment, your school will notify the Civil Rights Coordinator. The school district will investigate the complaint using both the Nondiscrimination Procedure (3210P) and the HIB Procedure (3207P) to fully address your concerns.

    Pullman Public Schools Policies & Procedures

  • Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

    All reports must start locally at the school or district level, even if the complaint involves the school or school district. School personnel should not retaliate against students or families for making a formal complaint.

     

    OSPI can assist students, families, communities, and school staff with questions about state law, the HIB complaint process, and the discrimination and sexual harassment complaint processes, as well as complaints alleging willful noncompliance with state law under ESHB 1296. 

    OSPI School Safety Center (For questions about harassment, intimidation, and bullying)

     

    OSPI Equity and Civil Rights Office (For questions about discrimination and sexual harassment)

     

    OSPI Office of Legal Affairs (For more details on the willful noncompliance complaint process)

     

    Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO)

    The Washington State Office of the Education Ombuds works with families, communities, and schools to help solve problems so every student can fully participate and thrive in Washington’s K-12 public schools. OEO provides informal conflict resolution, coaching, facilitation, and training on family and community engagement and systems advocacy.

     

    U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

    The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces federal nondiscrimination laws in public schools, including those that prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, disability, and age. OCR also has a discrimination complaint process.

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