Public Complaint Process
Public Complaint Process
Silver Falls School District 4J wants to hear from you. If you have a concern about our schools, our staff, or our programs, we have a process for resolving it, and we will respond within set timelines.
This process is available to:
- Parents and guardians of students who attend school in the district
- Students
- District employees
- Anyone who lives in the district
- Anyone who believes they have been subjected to discrimination, or a third party acting on their behalf
This complaint procedure is also available in print at the district administrative office: 612 Schlador Street, Silverton, OR 97381, or by calling 503-873-5303.
If a student is in immediate danger, call 911. To report suspected child abuse, call the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE (1-855-503-7233). Do not wait for the complaint process.
Start here: talk with us first
Most concerns are resolved fastest by talking directly with the person closest to the situation. If you have a concern, please start by discussing it with the employee involved. If that does not resolve it, the district's recommended order of contact is:
- Teacher or employee
- Principal or supervisor
- Superintendent or designee
- Board of Directors
If talking it through does not resolve the concern, you can file a formal written complaint using the three-step process below.
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You may use the district Complaint Form (PDF) or simply put your complaint in writing. A form is available but is not required.
Step
File with
Your deadline to file
District's deadline to respond
Step 1
The administrator or supervisor (usually your school principal)
Within 5 working days of the employee's response
Decision within 5 working days of receiving the complaint
Step 2
The superintendent or designee
Within 10 working days of the written response from Step 1
Written or electronic report of findings and conclusion within 10 working days of receiving the written complaint
Step 3
The Board of Directors
Within 5 working days of receiving the superintendent's decision
Written or electronic decision within 30 days of the Board receiving the appeal
What to include in your written complaint: your name and contact information, the student's name if you are filing on their behalf, a clear description of the concern, who we should talk to and what evidence we should consider, and your suggested resolution. Please sign and date it.
Step 1 detail. File a written, signed complaint with the administrator or supervisor. They will evaluate it and issue a decision.
Step 2 detail. File a written, signed complaint with the superintendent or designee that clearly states the nature of the complaint and a suggested remedy. The superintendent or designee will investigate, confer with you and the other parties involved, and provide a written report of findings and conclusion. The superintendent's decision on all personnel matters is final. For complaints originating from the athletic department, the high school principal serves as the superintendent's designee.
Step 3 detail. If you are dissatisfied with the Step 2 findings, you may appeal to the Board. The Board will review the superintendent's findings and conclusion in a public meeting to decide what action is appropriate, and may hold a hearing, request more information, or adopt the superintendent's decision as the district's final decision. The Board may use executive session where Oregon law allows. If the Board chooses not to hear the complaint, the superintendent's Step 2 decision is final. The Board's decision will address each allegation and give the reasons for the district's decision, and the Board's decision is final.
Overall timeline. No single step will exceed 30 days, and the full process will not exceed 90 days from the date you first file, unless you and the district agree in writing to a longer period. Any timeline may be extended by written agreement between you and the district.
Mediation. The district may offer mediation or another alternative dispute resolution process if all parties agree in writing to participate.
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If your complaint is about...
File it with
What happens
A district employee (other than the superintendent)
The administration, starting at Step 1
Investigated by the administration; the superintendent makes the final decision. The Board does not hear complaints against employees.
A principal
The superintendent
The superintendent will attempt to resolve it. If it is unresolved after 10 working days, you may request that it be placed on the agenda of the next regular or special Board meeting. The Board issues a final written decision within 30 days of that request.
The superintendent
The Board chair, on behalf of the Board
The chair presents it to the Board. The Board may refer an investigation to a third party, then decides in open session what action is warranted. Final written decision within 30 days of receipt.
The Board as a whole, or an individual Board member
The Board chair, on behalf of the Board
Same process as above. Final written decision within 30 days of receipt.
The Board chair
The Board vice chair, on behalf of the Board
Same process as above. Final written decision within 30 days of receipt.
Retaliation against a student who reported a suspected violation of law in good faith
The superintendent
Reported to and addressed by the superintendent. Appealable to ODE (see below).