Federal Program Complaint Procedures

A. Overview

The procedures apply specifically to complaints alleging a violation of federal law compliance with ESEA and Carl Perkins V and include specific procedures for carrying out this plan.

B. Grounds for a Complaint

Any individual, organization, or agency (complainant) may file a complaint with the Ware County School District (WCSD) if the complainant believes and alleges that a school or school district is violating a federal statute or regulation of any federal programs listed. The alleged violation occurred not more than one year before the complainant file date unless a more extended period is reasonable because the violation is considered systemic or ongoing.

Program Name

Title I, Part A – Improving Basic Programs

Title I, Part A – Section 1003(a): School Improvement Grant

Title I, Part C – Education of Migrant Children

Title II, Part A – Teacher & Principal Training & Recruiting

Title III, Part A – English Language Acquisition

Title IV, Part A – Student Support & Academic Enrichment

Title V, Part B – Rural Education Initiative

Title IX - Office of Civil Rights & Harassment

Title X, Part C – McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

Carl Perkins V – CTAE

C. Complaints Originating at the Local Level

The LEA accepting federal funds establishes local written procedures for the receipt and resolution of complaints alleging law violations in the covered programs. Therefore, complaints are not filed with the Georgia Department of Education until efforts to resolve the complaint through local written complaint procedures are unsuccessful.

A complainant must address the complaint to the Director of Federal Programs or the Director of CTAE and Ware County Board of Education.

D. Filing a Complaint with the WCSD

A written or typed complaint includes the complainant’s name, address, original signature, and the following information:

  1. A statement that WCSD has violated a requirement of a federal statute or regulation that applies to an applicable program

  2. The date(s) on which the violation(s) occurred

  3. The factual basis for the complaint

  4. The federal statute or regulation violated

  5. The names and telephone numbers of individuals who can provide additional or confirming information

  6. Did the complainant file with any government agency? If yes, include the name of the agency and copies of all related documents

  7. Copies of all other documents supporting the complainant’s position

E. Investigation of Complaint

Within ten (10) business days of receipt of the complaint, the Program Director will issue a Letter of Acknowledgement to the complainant that contains the following information:

  • The date WCSD received the complaint

  • How the complainant may provide additional information

  • A statement of the ways WCSD may investigate or address the complaint

  • Any other pertinent information

WCSD will within 60 calendar days of the receipt of the complaint, issue a Letter of Findings. The 60-day timeline is extended, if exceptional circumstances exist, in which event the Ware County Board of Education will inform the complainant in writing of the additional time required. The WCSD sends the Letter of Findings directly to the complainant. If the Letter of Findings indicates a violation, then included in the letter are details of the corrective action and timeline for its completion.

F. Right of Appeal

Suppose an individual, organization, or agency disagrees with the final decision of Ware County School District. In that case, the individual, organization, or agency has the right to request the Georgia Department of Education review the decision.

For complaints filed pursuant to Section 9503 (20 U.S.C. 7883 / Complaint Process for Participation of Private School Children,) a complainant may appeal to the Georgia Department of Education no later than thirty (30) days from the date on which the complainant receives the Letter of Findings. The appeal must include a copy of the Ware County School District’s decision and include a complete statement of the reasons supporting the request.

If the complainant has tried to file a complaint with Ware County School District to no avail, the complainant may appeal to the Georgia Department of Education. The complaint submitted to the Georgia Department of Education must include written proof of the attempt to resolve the issue with the Ware County School District.