The Merced Union High School District Board of Trustees prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying against any protected group as identified under Education Code 200 and 220 and Government Code 11135, including actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, race or ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, nationality, religion, immigration status, color, mental or physical disability, age, marital or parental status, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or on the basis of a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in any District program or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance.  

Students are protected against discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, bullying or intimidation by anyone in any school program or activity, including on the school campus, on the school bus, or off-campus during a school-sponsored activity.  Discriminatory harassment, bullying or intimidation includes: physical, written, or verbal conduct, threats, cyber bullying, causing bodily injury to, or committing hate violence against any other student or school personnel based on the targeted person’s actual, perceived, or association with a protected characteristic, as listed above.

Cyberbullying includes the transmission of harassing communications, direct threats or other harmful texts, sounds, or images on the Internet, social media or other technologies using a telephone, computer of any wireless communication device. It also includes breaking into another person’s electronic account and assuming that person’s identity in order to damage that person’s reputation. (See BP 5131- Conduct; BP 5131.2- Bullying). Cyberbullying will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action, even when the act occurs off campus, if it relates to a school activity or school attendance or causes a substantial disruption, or reasonably foreseeable risk of substantial disruption of school activities.

Complaint to the School District

Step 1. Prepare Your Complaint

In most cases, complaints should be filed within six months from the date of the incident or conduct that is the subject of the complaint. A complaint may be verbal or written. Be sure to describe the conduct or incident and explain why you believe discrimination or harassment has taken place. Communicate your complaint to any District staff member or the District's Title IX Coordinator/Compliance Officer. Each campus will designate two administrative personnel who will process complaints.

Step 2: School District Investigates Your Complaint

Once the District receives your complaint, the Title IX Coordinator/Compliance Officer will give you a copy of the complaint procedure and make sure a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation takes place. When the investigation is completed, you will receive a written response.

Step 3: School District Responds to Your Complaint

In its written response, the District will include a summary of the results of the investigation. If it is determined that discrimination or harassment occurred, the report shall also include any corrective actions that have or will be taken to address the misconduct, to prevent any retaliation or further misconduct, and to inform you about any sanction imposed on the respondent which relates directly to you as the complainant. You will also be notified of any applicable appeal rights and any additional civil law remedies that may be available to you.

Non-discriminatory Bullying, Harassment And Intimidation

Students may also experience bullying, harassment or intimidation which is not based on a protected characteristic. The District also takes these concerns seriously. Students are encouraged to report the matter to a Principal or staff member, who can determine what happened, intervene as necessary, and resolve the situation.