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Williams Facilities Complaints and Appeals

Facilities complaint and appeals procedures under the Williams Case.

Complaints

School facility complaints are filed at the school first, with the school principal. If the complaint is beyond the principal's authority, the principal forwards the complaint to the school district within 10 working days. Reasonable efforts to investigate are made, and valid complaints should be remedied within 30 working days from the date of initial filing. A resolution is sent to the complainant (and to the school district if the principal responds) within 45 working days from the date of the initial filing. A complaint may be filed anonymously. A complainant who identifies himself or herself is entitled to a response if he or she indicates that a response is requested.

Appeals

A complainant dissatisfied with the local agency's resolution of a facility condition that poses an emergency or urgent threat may appeal to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction at the California Department of Education (CDE). Appeals must be filed within 15 days from the date the complainant receives the local agency's resolution. The complainant should specify the basis for the appeal of the resolution and whether the facts are incorrect and/or the law is misapplied. The appeal should also be accompanied by a copy of the locally filed complaint and a copy of the resolution. The CDE shall notify the local educational agency of the appeal. Upon notification, the local educational agency shall forward to the CDE a copy of the original complaint, a copy of the resolution, a summary of the nature and extent of the investigation conducted, a copy of the investigation file, a report of actions taken to resolve the complaint, a copy of the local educational agency complaint procedures, and such other relevant information. If substantial evidence exists, CDE will issue a proposed remedy to the complainant and local agency. A report is submitted to the State Board of Education outlining the complaint, the local agency's resolution, and the proposed remedy.

Mail appeal to:
California Department of Education
School Facilities and Transportation Services Division
Attention: Juan Mireles, Director
1430 N Street, Suite 1201
Sacramento, CA 95814

Emergency or Urgent Health and Safety Threats

Emergency or urgent health and safety threats and include, but are not limited to, the following types of facility repair or replacements of:

  1. Gas leaks
  2. Nonfunctioning heating, ventilation, fire sprinklers, or air-conditioning systems
  3. Electrical power failure
  4. Major sewer line stoppage
  5. Major pest or vermin infestation
  6. Broken windows or exterior doors or gates that will not lock and that pose a security risk
  7. Abatement of hazardous materials previously undiscovered that pose an immediate threat to pupil or staff
  8. Structural damage creating a hazardous or uninhabitable condition
  9. Any other emergency condition which the school district deems appropriate

 

Questions:   Diane Waters | dwaters@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-2884
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
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