Sequoia Union staff present Title IX, sexual‑harassment policy updates to trustees

District counsel and staff told trustees the packet includes cleanups and clarifications to board policies and administrative regulations that respond to changing federal guidance and a court decision that vacated 2024 Title IX rule language.

Presenters said the district restored the 2020 Title IX framework (after a 2024 rule change was vacated) and revised policy language to make clear that uniform‑complaint procedures handle discrimination complaints, while a separate Title IX grievance process governs sexual‑harassment allegations. Staff emphasized that removing an accused individual from a setting should not be treated as disciplinary action until an investigation establishes wrongdoing, and they recommended restorative practices for both alleged victims and respondents in appropriate cases.

The packet includes changes to BP/AR 5145.3 (nondiscrimination/harassment), BP/AR 5145.7 (sexual harassment), and AR 5145.71 (Title IX grievance procedures), and updates to other related personnel and student‑services policies. Staff noted one lengthy district‑created definitions section (highlighted in green in the packet) was included to make Title 34 federal definitions explicit for local implementation. Trustees asked clarifying questions about which edits were district-created versus CSBA template language; staff confirmed the green text had been drafted locally to add specificity.

No vote was taken at the meeting; a trustee asked whether the policies could be returned on the consent agenda for adoption in a future meeting.