Complaint Procedure
Parent/Guardian and Student Complaint Procedures
Saint Paul Public School staff at all its sites work to resolve academic complaints from students and families in a timely, respectful and confidential manner. Schools rely on educators, teachers, social workers, counselors, educational assistants, IB Coordinators, and administrators to reach agreement with students and their families with regards to their academic complaints.
The following staff may be involved to listen and try to resolve complaints:
- Teachers
- Counselors
- Social Workers
- IB Coordinators
- Principals
- SPPS Ombudsperson
The school IB DP/CP coordinator and Head of School are the first points of contact when a student or family member has an IB complaint. The complaints can include:
- IB students’ complaints about the school
- Students’ or family members’ complaints about IB
- An appeal about a decision taken by the school related to IB
St. Paul Public Schools employs an Ombudsperson to support students and staff, when a complaint cannot be resolved internally. The Ombudsperson does not take sides — working with parents, community members and the school district to clarify and resolve questions, concerns and complaints in a fair and timely manner. The services of the Ombudsperson are free.
The Ombudsperson is an objective, third party who works with you to listen, investigate, clarify, and resolve your questions, concerns and complaints about Saint Paul Public Schools. The Ombudsperson will assist families when they:
- Cannot get a response from a teacher, principal, employee or the school district
- Strongly disagree with a decision--grades, discipline or policies--made by a teacher, principal, employee or the school district
- Have requests for information that go unanswered
- Cannot get a fair resolution to your problem
- Do not know who else to turn to for answers or help
Saint Paul Public Schools parents and students can contact the ombudsperson using this form. The district ombudsperson is Desiree Payne, and can be reached at desiree.payne@spps.org. All relevant facts will be established and examined fairly before any action is taken. Additionally, St. Paul Public Schools provides a handbook for all students, families and staff: Rights and Responsibilities Handbook 2024-25.
Decisions and investigations regarding academic dishonesty and awarding of IB exam scores are handled by the IB. Harding staff can assist in the process of appeal, but the ultimate decision comes from the IB. SPPS is not responsible for the decisions made by the IB.
These procedures are available to students and families on the Harding High School website.