Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP)

After receiving your complaint, the Compliance Officer may reach out within 3 business days to discuss the option of mediation—a voluntary and informal way to try resolving the issue.

• Mediation is only used if you agree to it.

• If the complaint involves discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, all parties must agree that the mediator can access any confidential information needed to help resolve the issue.

• If mediation doesn’t lead to a resolution you’re satisfied with, we’ll move forward with a full investigation.

• Choosing mediation won’t delay the investigation timeline, unless you agree in writing to extend it.

Mediation is completely optional—but it can be a helpful first step.

If mediation isn’t used—or doesn’t resolve the issue—the Compliance Officer will begin a formal investigation. In most cases, an investigative meeting is held within 5 business days of receiving the complaint or ending mediation.

During the investigation:

• You (and/or your representative) will have the opportunity to speak directly with the Compliance Officer and present any relevant evidence or information.

• Full cooperation is important. If you don’t provide requested information or decline to participate, the complaint may be dismissed due to lack of evidence.

• Likewise, if Richmond College Prep doesn’t cooperate or blocks access to necessary records, a finding in your favor may be made based on the evidence available.

The goal of this step is to ensure a fair, thorough, and timely review of your concerns.

After the investigation is complete, Richmond College Prep will issue a Final Written Decision—also called an investigation report—based on the evidence reviewed.

• You will receive this written decision within 60 calendar days of when we first received the complaint (unless you’ve agreed in writing to extend the timeline).

• The decision will be provided in English and, whenever possible, in the complainant’s primary language.

The Final Decision will include:

• Findings of fact based on the evidence gathered

• Conclusions for each allegation, including whether RCP complied with the law

• Corrective actions, if any, that RCP is taking in response to the complaint

• Your right to appeal to the California Department of Education within 30 calendar days, if applicable

• Instructions on how to file that appeal

If the complaint involved disciplinary action for an employee, the decision will confirm that appropriate steps were taken, but will not include specific disciplinary details (except as required by law).

This written decision marks the conclusion of the formal complaint process at the school level.

For more detailed information about the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP), including types of complaints covered and the full complaint process, please visit the California Department of Education’s website.