Title I Complaint Procedures

  • Patchogue-Medford Schools
    Office of Instructional Services
    241 South Ocean Avenue, Patchogue, New York 11772
    Telephone: (631) 687-6350 Fax: (631) 687-6357

     Written Compliant and Appeal Procedures
    For Title I, Parts A, C, and D
    Or Section 100.2(ee) of the Commissioner’s Regulations
    Regarding Academic Intervention Services

    As required by Title IX, General Provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act  (ESEA), the New York State Education Department (NYSED) has adopted the following procedures for receiving and resolving complaints and for reviewing appeals from decisions of local educational agencies (LEAs). Complaints concerning violations of ESEA Title I, Parts A,  C, and D, or of the General Education Provisions Act; or of Section 100.2(ee) Academic  Intervention Services of the Regulations of the Commissioner are covered by these procedures.

    Patchogue-Medford School District must disseminate free of charge, adequate information about the State Complaint and  Appeal Procedures to parents of students, and appropriate private school officials or representatives. [General Provisions Regulations, 34 CFR Sections 299.10-299.12] 

    Procedures for Filing Complaints/Appeals with the Patchogue-Medford Schools:

    Who may submit a complaint?

    Any public or nonpublic school parent or teacher, other interested people, or agency may file a  complaint. 

    What must a complaint contain?

    All complaints must:

    • be written; 
    • be signed by the person or agency representative filing the complaint; 
    • specify the requirement of law or regulation being violated and the related issue,  problem, and/or the concern; 
    • contain information/evidence supporting the complaint; and 
    • state the nature of the corrective action desired.

    What must an appeal from the Patchogue-Medford School District response contain?

    An appeal must contain: 

    • a copy of the original signed complaint;
    • a copy of the district's response to the original complaint or a statement that the district failed to respond in 30 business days; and
    • a statement identifying those parts of the district’s response which the party wishes to appeal.

    Where should a complaint/appeal to the Patchogue-Medford School District be sent? 

    Complaints/appeals regarding Patchogue-Medford School District’s administration and implementation of its ESEA Title I  Grant or Academic Intervention Services for students identified under Commissioner's  Regulations Part 100 should be sent first to the School Superintendent of the LEA against whom  the complaint is made. The Patchogue-Medford School District has a 30-business day period in which to resolve a complaint. 

    Title I complaints should be first sent to the Superintendent of the Patchogue-Medford School District (241 South Ave., Patchogue, NY  11772). If the Patchogue-Medford School District fails to resolve the complaint within 30 business days or fails to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the complainant, the complaint should be sent to the Title I School and Community Services  Office, Room 320 EB, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue,  Albany, NY 12234. 

    Procedures for Filing Complaints/Appeals with the New York State Education  Department:

    The State Education Department will review complaints when the complaint pertains to: 

    • the State’s administration of the ESEA Title I Basic Grant, Migrant Education, or  Neglected or Delinquent Program; 
    • an appeal from the decision of Patchogue-Medford School District regarding an action by the district. 

    Complaints that do not meet any of the above criteria, including complaints concerning the district’s administration of its Title I Program, will be referred for possible resolution to the Patchogue-Medford School District against whom the complaint is made. 

    What timelines pertain to the State Education Department's review of complaints/appeals from a district’s action?

    Within 60 business days of the receipt of the complaint/appeal, Department staff will complete an on-site review (if necessary) and/or records examination and will notify all parties of its findings. An extension of the 60-day complaint resolution period is permitted under CFR Part  299.11 (b), for exceptional circumstances.

    Where shall complaints or appeals to the State Education Department be sent?

    Complaints/appeals regarding Title I should be sent to: 

    New York State Education Department
    Office of ESSA-Funded Programs 
    Room 320 EB 
    89 Washington Avenue 
    Albany, NY 12234 

    How long does a public or nonpublic teacher, parent, or agency have to file an appeal from a decision of the Patchogue-Medford School District? 

    An appeal must be requested and postmarked within 20 business days of receipt of the district’s response to the original complaint. 

    Who shall conduct the review of complaints or appeals?

    The Title I representative in the State Education Department office who is assigned as the program manager for the LEA against which the complaint is made, and other Department staff as may be appropriate shall conduct the review of complaints or appeals.  

    What shall the State Education Department's response to the complaint contain?

    The Department's response shall contain: 

    • the names of persons interviewed; 
    • the records or other evidence examined; 
    • relevant dates/times/locations/events; 
    • summary of findings; and 
    • nature of corrective action to be taken, including applicable timelines. 

    How will State Education Department staff monitor the timely and appropriate implementation of the corrective actions called for in the complaint/appeal resolution?

    Failure of the Patchogue-Medford School District to take corrective action within the time period stipulated in the complaint resolution shall cause to withhold all, or a portion of, the ESEA Title I allocation to the district. 

    Does the State Education Department maintain a record of all complaints/appeals?

    Yes. Copies of correspondence, related documents, investigative reports, and summary reports involved in the complaint/appeal resolution will be maintained by the State Education  Department for five years. Records will be made available to interested parties in accordance with the provisions of the New York State Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law  Sections 84-89).

    What shall constitute exceptional circumstances for extending the 60-day limit for the State  Education Department review of complaints and appeals for relief from the Patchogue-Medford School District action? 

    The State Education Department has determined that exceptional circumstances may include, but  need not be limited to, such occurrences as: 

    • illness of involved parties; 
    • cancellation of scheduled on-site reviews due to unscheduled school closings; 
    • the need for extended review activities beyond those specified in the written notification; and/or 
    • any other mutual agreement to changes in review scope or activity. 

    When exceptional circumstances are identified, the revised date for the completion of the complaint review will be provided in writing to all parties involved in the complaint or appeal.  All parties to the complaint have the right to initiate a request for an extension beyond the 60-business-day complaint resolution period based on exceptional circumstances. All such requests must be presented to the State Education Department. 

    Procedures for Adjudicating Appeals from the Decision of the State Education  Department

    May a person/agency dissatisfied with the State Education Department's complaint resolution file an appeal?

    Yes, parties dissatisfied with the State Education Department's complaint resolution may file an  appeal directly with the United States Department of Education at: 

    United States Department of Education
    Compensatory Education Programs 
    400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. 
    Room 3W230, FOB #6 
    Washington, D.C. 20202-6132