Handling Tough Complaints, Positive Behavior Support, and Discipline
A school receives a complaint—what happens next? It’s not always clear which process must be followed to investigate the complaint, especially when legal requirements change. Adding another layer, if the complaint is about a student, charter schools must adhere to legal requirements for student discipline, while also balancing student safety and privacy.
This session will demystify the legally required complaint processes, including Title IX and the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP), and when each must be used. The presenters will explore how to design and implement an effective informal resolution process that supports transparency, fairness, and community trust. Beyond procedures, the presenters will dive into student discipline and behavior support—balancing legal requirements with a commitment to equity. Learn how one charter school network uses positive behavior interventions and restorative practices to proactively address student conduct while meeting requirements for fair suspension and expulsion policies.
Join this session for practical tools, legal guidance, and real-world strategies to help respond confidently when complaints arise.
Presented by
Andrew Crowe
Deputy Director
Scholarship Prep
Andrew Crowe is the Deputy Director at Scholarship Prep. Andrew has driven equitable practices as a leader in Philadelphia, Hawai`i, and Southern California. He currently serves as the Chair of the Native American Alumni Board of Notre Dame and a board member of the Orange County Continuum of Care, a cross-agency elected board designed to end homelessness.
Greta Proctor
Partner
Procopio
Greta Proctor is the leader of Procopio’s Education practice. Greta advises on a wide range of operational, governance, and ever-changing regulatory issues for classroom and non-classroom based charter schools. Greta has worked extensively on charter renewals, including appeals. She also counsels schools through special proceedings ranging from OCR complaints to FCMAT extraordinary audits. Greta provides frequent trainings on topics such as teacher credentialing, Board governance, the Brown Act, Public Records Act, avoiding conflicts of interest under the Political Reform Act and Government Code section 1090, and new legislation impacting her clients.
Merrick Wadsworth
Partner
Procopio
Merrick has worked for charter schools for more than a decade. He advises on a variety of operational issues, including charter renewals and material revisions, authorizer relations, student discipline, board policies and governance, contracts, facility issues, entity formation, government funding requirements, and many others. Merrick regularly provides trainings on Title IX, Brown Act, Public Records Act, avoiding conflicts under the Political Reform Act and Government Code section 1090, board governance, and new legislation impacting charter schools. He also has experience assisting with various phases of civil litigation and appeals. Prior to law school, Merrick worked as a substitute teacher in all grade levels at the Kings County, California, Office of Education.
