Student Handbook

Our School is Committed to Students and State Law 

Students have the right to learn in schools that follow state law and protect their rights. Willful noncompliance happens when a school district leader or school board member does something—or fails to do something—that they knew, or reasonably should have known, would violate state law. Under ESHB 1296, OSPI is responsible for investigating complaints about willful noncompliance and working to find fair solutions.

These laws include requirements related to: 

· Civil rights and nondiscrimination (RCWs 28A.640 and 28A.642) 

· Harassment, intimidation, or bullying (RCW 28A.600.477) 

· Curriculum requirements and instructional materials policies (RCWs 28A.150.230, 28A.300.475, 28A.320.170, 28A.320.230, and 28A.320.235) 

· Use of restraint or isolation (RCW 28A.600.485) 

· Student discipline (chapter 28A.600 RCW) 

 

How do I make a complaint about willful noncompliance with state law?  You must first use available complaint processes to try to resolve your concern. This means the available complaint processes start with your school district, even if the school district superintendent or a school board member is the subject of your complaints. School personnel are not allowed to retaliate for making a formal complaint. 

If no available complaint processes are available, you must check OSPI's website for other OSPI complaint procedures at How to File a Complaint, and follow any applicable processes. If none exist, or you have completed all other processes, you must send written notice to the district superintendent at least 30 calendar days before filing a complaint with OSPI. 

Complaints to OSPI must be submitted within 30 calendar days after a final decision in the local complaint process, when one applies. The complaint must be in writing and include enough information to describe the concern and the actions or failures to act that may be willful noncompliance. You may send the complaint by mail, email, or hand delivery to OSPI. 

When OSPI receives a complaint that meets the requirements for investigation, it will open an investigation. OSPI will send you a written notice of the allegations under investigation. After the investigation is complete, OSPI will issue written findings to you and your school. These findings will state whether noncompliance occurred and may require the school to take actions to fix the issue. 

Who else can help with HIB, Discrimination, or Willful Noncompliance Concerns? 

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 

All reports must start locally at the school or district level, even if the complaint involves the school or school district. School personnel should not retaliate against students or families for making a formal complaint. 

OSPI can assist students, families, communities, and school staff with questions about state law, the HIB complaint process, and the discrimination and sexual harassment complaint processes, as well as complaints alleging willful noncompliance with state law under ESHB 1296. 

OSPI School Safety Center (For questions about harassment, intimidation, and bullying) ● Website: ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/health-safety/school-safety-center ● Email: schoolsafety@k12.wa.us 

● Phone: 360-725-6068 

OSPI Equity and Civil Rights Office (For questions about discrimination and sexual harassment) ● Website: ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/equity-and-civil-rights

● Email: equity@k12.wa.us 

● Phone: 360-725-6162 

OSPI Office of Legal Affairs (For more details on the willful noncompliance complaint process) ● Website: ospi.k12.wa.us/educator-support/educator-conduct/state-law-noncompliance-complaints ● Email: OLA@k12.wa.us 

Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) 

The Washington State Office of the Education Ombuds works with families, communities, and schools to help solve problems so every student can fully participate and thrive in Washington’s K-12 public schools. OEO provides informal conflict resolution, coaching, facilitation, and training on family and community engagement and systems advocacy. 

● Website: www.oeo.wa.gov 

● Email: oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov 

● Phone: 1-866-297-2597 

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) 

The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces federal nondiscrimination laws in public schools, including those that prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, disability, and age. OCR also has a discrimination complaint process. 

● Website: www.ed.gov/ 

● Email: ocr@ed.gov 

● Phone: 800-421-3481 

Our School is Committed to Safety at School Activities and Events Washington State wants school activities and events, like athletic competitions, performances, and other extracurricular activities, to be safe for everyone who takes part in them or watches them. 

What does state law say? 

Washington State law has long banned intimidation, force, and threats of violence at school events. ESB 5272 (which takes effect in 2026) made those protections stronger. It now also covers officials and volunteers at extracurricular athletic activities, and it has created new consequences for breaking the law. For non-students, if they are convicted of a crime, they may be banned from school activities for up to 18 months, receive a fine, or go to jail for no more than 6 months. For students, other school consequences, including removal from school, may also apply under RCW 28A.600.015. 

How is this different from HIB? 

This is different from our school's HIB policy, which deals with conduct between students through a school process. ESB 5272 covers more people and more situations and is enforced through criminal law and school discipline procedures instead of the school's HIB process. 

The expectations in this section are broader. They apply to everyone at school activities — students, parents, and community members alike — and they cover behavior toward everyone involved, not just students. This section and the HIB section work together but cover different situations. 

What should I do if I experience or witness this conduct?

· Call 911 if there is an immediate safety concern. 

· Report to a coach, event supervisor, school administrator, or other trusted adult as soon as possible. · If a student was the target of the conduct, you may also be able to file a report under HIB. 

Who can I contact with questions? 

For questions about safety at school events, contact your school principal or: 

Dracy Blue, Executive Director of Students Services & Achievement 

200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328 

d.blue@eatonville.wednet.edu 

(360) 641-1809 

For questions about whether conduct student-to-student may also be HIB, contact the HIB Compliance Officer: 

Dracy Blue, Executive Director of Students Services & Achievement 

200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328 

d.blue@eatonville.wednet.edu 

(360) 641-1809