Successful education programs require the support of the school district community. The board addresses the importance of the role of the school district community in the school district in this series of the policy manual. The board recognizes this support is dependent on the school district community's understanding of participation in the efforts, goals, problems and programs of the school district.
In this section, the board sets out its policies defining its relationship with the school district community. In striving to obtain the support of the school district community, the board will:
• Provide access to school district records;
• Inform the school district community of the school district's goals, objectives, achievements, and needs;
• Invite the input of the school district community; and,
• Encourage cooperation between the school district and the school district community.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: December 14, 2009
Revised: January 26, 2015
Tentative agendas for official board meetings shall be published as required under Iowa law and shall be made available to the public as appropriate. Information necessary for consideration of items on the agenda may also be made available to the public.
All official proceedings of the board shall be made a matter of public record, except where prohibited and/or otherwise permitted. The minutes of regularly scheduled board meetings shall be a matter of public record.
Approved: January 26, 2015
Reviewed:
Revised:
Public records of the District may be viewed by the public during the regular business hours of the administration offices of the District. These hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays and recesses.
Persons wishing to view the District's public records shall contact the board secretary and make arrangements for the viewing. Persons may request copies of public records by telephone or in writing, including electronically. The board secretary will make arrangements for viewing the records as soon as practicable, depending on the nature of the request.
Persons wanting copies may be assessed a fee for the copy. Persons wanting compilation of information may be assessed a fee for the time of the employee to compile the requested information. The District may require pre-payment of the costs prior to copying and mailing. Printing of materials for the public at the expense of the District will only occur only when the event is sponsored by the District.
Records defined by law as confidential records are viewed or copied upon receipt of written permission by the board secretary or superintendent from the person or entity whose confidential records are being requested.
It is the responsibility of the board secretary to maintain accurate and current records of the District. It is the responsibility of the board secretary to respond in a timely manner to requests for viewing and receiving public information of the District.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2007-2008; 2012-2013, January 26, 2015
The board recognizes the value of and supports open, fair, and honest communication with the news media. The board will maintain a cooperative relationship with the news media. As part of this cooperative relationship, the board and the media will develop a means for sharing information while respecting each party's limitations.
Members of the news media are encouraged and welcome to attend open board meetings. The board President is the spokesperson for the board, and the superintendent is the spokesperson for the School District. It is the responsibility of the board President and superintendent to respond to inquiries from the news media about the District.
Members of the news media seeking information about the District will direct their inquiries to the superintendent. The superintendent will accurately and objectively provide the facts and board positions in response to inquiries from the news media about the District.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
The superintendent, on behalf of the board and the District, may hold a news conference or respond to a request for an interview with the news media. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to keep the board apprised of news conferences and interviews.
The superintendent will respond accurately, openly, honestly, and objectively to inquiries from the news media about the District.
News conferences and interviews planned or pre-arranged for District activities will include the board and the superintendent. News conferences for issues requiring an immediate response may be held by the superintendent. It is within the discretion of the superintendent to determine whether a news conference or interview is held to provide an immediate response to an issue.
District personnel shall refer interview requests and information requests from the news media to the superintendent. District personnel may be interviewed or provide information about District matters only after receiving permission from the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee. It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to allow news media to interview and to receive information from District personnel.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
The superintendent will determine when a news release about internal District and board matters will be issued. In making this determination, the superintendent will strive to keep the media and the District community accurately and objectively informed. Further, the superintendent will strive to create and maintain a positive image for the District. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to approve news releases originating within the District prior to their release.
News releases will be prepared and disseminated to news media in the District community. Questions about news releases will be directed to the superintendent.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
Individuals may broadcast or videotape District events, including open board meetings, as long as it does not interfere with or disrupt the District event and it does not create an undue burden in adapting the buildings and sites to accommodate the request.
It is within the discretion of the superintendent to determine whether the request is unduly burdensome and whether the broadcast or videotaping will interfere with or disrupt the District event.
Videotaping of classroom activities will be allowed at the discretion of the superintendent. Parents will be notified prior to videotaping of classroom activities.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
The board values the participation and the support of District community groups, including, but not limited to, the booster club and parent-teacher organizations, which strive for the betterment of the District and the education program. The board will work closely with these groups.
Membership and rules governing school-community organizations shall be determined by each individual organization and/or organization at each attendance unit. Activites of individual organizations and/or units, when related to school purposes, shall be evaluated by the adminstrator assigned to that attendance unit.
Prior to any purchase of, or fund raising for, the purchase of goods or services for the District, the group will confer with the superintendent to assist the group in purchasing goods or services to meet the District's needs.
Funds raised by these groups for the District may be kept as part of the accounts of the District.
It is the responsibility of the building principal to be the liaison with the District community groups affiliated with the building principal's attendance center.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
The board recognizes the valuable resource it has in the members of the District community. When possible and in concert with the education program, members of the District community may be asked to make presentations to the students or to assist employees in duties other than teaching. The District may officially recognize the contributions made by volunteers. Whether an individual will be permitted to volunteer for the District will be the sole discretion of the superintendent.
The volunteer may be asked to agree to a criminal background check and/or a sexual abuse check prior to volunteering.
Recruitment, training, utilization, and the maintenance of records for the purposes of insurance coverage and/or recognition of District volunteers is the responsibility of the superintendent.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
The board welcomes the interest of parents and other members of the District community and invites them to visit school buildings and sites. Visitors, which include persons other than employees or students, must notify the principal of their presence in the facility upon arrival.
Persons who wish to visit a classroom while school is in session are asked to notify the principal and obtain approval from the principal prior to the visit so appropriate arrangements can be made and so class disruption can be minimized. Teachers and other employees shall not take time from their duties to discuss matters with visitors.
Visitors shall conduct themselves in a manner fitting to their age level and maturity and with mutual respect and consideration for the rights of others while attending school events. Visitors failing to conduct themselves accordingly may be asked to leave the premises. Children who wish to visit school must follow the procedures as set forth by the building principal. This procedure can be found in the student handbook.
It shall be the responsibility of employees to report inappropriate conduct. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent and principals to take the action necessary to cease the inappropriate conduct. If the superintendent or principals are not available, a District employee shall act to cease the inappropriate conduct.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
The board expects that students, employees, and visitors will treat each other with respect, engage in responsible behavior, exercise self-discipline, and model fairness, equity, and respect. Individuals violating this policy will be subject to discipline. Students will be disciplined consistent with the student conduct policies. Employees will be disciplined consistent with employee discipline policies and laws. Others will be subject to consequences according to this policy.
Individuals are permitted to attend school sponsored or approved activities or visit school premises only as guests of the District, and, as a condition, they must comply with the District's rules and policies. Individuals will not be allowed to interfere with or disrupt the education program or activity. Visitors, like the participants, are expected to display mature, responsible behavior. The failure of individuals to do so is not only disruptive but embarrassing to the students, the District and the entire community.
To protect the rights of students to participate in the education program or activities without fear of interference or disruption and to permit the school officials, employees, and activity sponsors and officials to perform their duties without interference or disruption, the following provisions are in effect:
If an individual becomes physically or verbally abusive, uses vulgar. obscene or demeaning expression, or in any way interrupts an activity, the individual may be removed from the event by the individual in charge of the event. Law enforcement may be contacted for assistance.
Individuals removed from school premises have the ability to follow the board's chain of command and complaint policies should they choose to do so. The exclusion is in effect should the individual choose to appeal the decision of the superintendent. The term "individual" as used in the policy also includes students and employees.
If an individual has been notified of exclusion and thereafter tries to enter a school building or attends a sponsored or approved activity, the individual will be advised that their attendance will result in prosecution. The District may obtain a court order for permanent exclusion from the school building or from future school sponsored or approved activities.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2007-2008; 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
It shall be the policy of the board to encourage good character, sportsmanship and citizenship in all school activities. It is the expectation of the board and the responsibility of all persons, student participants, staff, parents, student fans, and adult fans, to cheer, applaud, and support all students involved in contests and activities. All in attendance are encouraged to stand at ceremonial activities.
Displays of poor sportsmanship and/or inappropriate behavior such as booing or making demeaning gestures are discouraged. Persons involved in inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave the activity. Continued inappropriate behavior may result in the person being barred from activities.
Any person approaching a student participant, a coach, a sponsor, an official, or a judge before, during, or after an event in an aggressive, complaining, or threatening manner will be asked to leave that activity. Failure to cease the inappropriate behavior, to comply with the request of staff to leave, or a flagrant violation of this policy, may result in the person being barred from future activities of the District.
Approved: January 26, 2015
Reviewed
Revised
Series 900
Code No. 905.1
Title: Distribution of Materials
The board recognizes that students, employees, parents or citizens may want to distribute materials within the District that are non-curricular. Noncurricular materials to be distributed must be approved by the building principal and meet certain standards prior to their distribution.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
I. Guidelines
Students have the right to exercise freedom of speech. This includes the right to distribute, at reasonable times and places, unofficial written material, petitions, buttons, badges or other insignia, except expression which
1. is obscene to minors;
2. is libelous;
3. contains indecent, vulgar, profane or lewd language;
4. advertises any product or service not permitted to minors by law;
5. constitutes insulting or fighting words, the very expression of which injures or harasses other people (e.g., threats of violence, defamation of character or of a person’s race, religion, gender, disability, age or ethnic origin);constitutes insulting or fighting words, the very expression of which injures or harasses other people (e.g., threats of violence, defamation of character or of a person’s race, religion, gender, disability, age or ethnic origin);
6. presents a clear and present likelihood that, either because of its content or the manner of distribution or display, it will cause a material and substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities, will cause the commission of unlawful acts or the violation of lawful school regulations.
Distribution or display on school premises of material in categories (1) through (4) above to any student is prohibited. Distribution or display on school premises of material in categories (5) and (6) above to a substantial number of students is prohibited.
II. Procedures
Anyone wishing to distribute unofficial written material must first submit for approval a copy of the material to the building principal at least twenty-four hours in advance of the desired distribution or display time, together with the following information:
3. The location(s) where the material will be displayed or distributed;
4. The grade(s) of the students to whom the display or distribution is intended.
Within twenty-four hours of submission, the principal will render a decision whether the material violates the guidelines in subsection I or the time, place, and manner restrictions in subsection III of this policy. In the event that permission to distribute the material is denied, the person submitting the request should be informed in writing of the reasons for the denial. Permission to distribute or display material does not imply approval of its contents by either the school, the administration, the board or the individual reviewing the material submitted.
If the person submitting the request does not receive a response within twenty-four hours of submission, the person shall contact the building principal’s office to verify that the lack of response was not due to an inability to locate the person. If the person has made this verification and there is no response to the request, the material may be distributed in accordance with the time, place, and manner provisions in subsection III.
If the person is dissatisfied with the decision of the principal, the person may submit a written request for appeal to the superintendent. If the person does not receive a response within three school days of submitting the appeal, the person shall contact the superintendent to verify that the lack of response is not due to an inability to locate the person. If the person has made this verification and there is no response to the appeal, the material may be distributed in accordance with the time, place, and manner provisions in subsection III.
At every level of the process, the person submitting the request shall have the right to appear and present the reasons, supported by relevant witnesses and material, as to why distribution or display of the written material is appropriate.
Permission to distribute or display material does not imply approval of its contents by either the District, the board, the administration or the individual reviewing the material submitted.
III. Time, Place, and Manner of Distribution
The distribution or display of written materials is prohibited when it negatively affects the safety of students on school premises or otherwise disrupts school activities. The distribution or display of unofficial material shall be limited to a reasonable time, place, and manner as follows:
1. The material shall be displayed at or distributed from a table set up for the purpose in a location designated by the principal. The location shall not block the safe flow of traffic, block the corridors or entrance ways or negatively affect the safety of students and shall give reasonable access to students.
2. The material shall be distributed or displayed either before and/or after the regular instructional day.
3. No written material may be displayed or distributed during and at the place of a normal school activity if it is reasonably likely to cause a material and substantial disruption of the activity.
IV. Definitions
The following definitions apply to the terms used in this policy:
1. “Obscene to minors” is defined as:
(a) The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the written material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest of minors of the age to whom distribution is requested;
(b) The material depicts or describes, in a manner that is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community concerning how such conduct should be presented to minors of the age to whom distribution is requested, sexual conduct such as intimate sexual acts (normal or perverted), masturbation, excretory functions, and lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
(c) The material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for minors.
2. “Minor” means any person under the age of eighteen.
3. “Material and substantial disruption” of a normal school activity is defined as follows:
(a) Where the normal school activity is an educational program of the district for which student attendance is compulsory, “material and substantial disruption” is defined as any disruption which interferes with or impedes the implementation of that program.
(b) Where the normal school activity is voluntary in nature (including, without limitation, school athletic events, school plays and concerts, and lunch periods), “material and substantial disruption” is defined as student rioting, unlawful seizures of property, widespread shouting or boisterous demonstrations, sit-ins, stand-ins, walk-outs or other related forms of activity.
In order for expression to be considered disruptive, there must exist specific facts upon which the likelihood of disruption can be forecast including past experience in the school, current events influencing student activities and behavior, and instances of actual or threatened disruption relating to the written material in question.
4. “School activities” means any activity of students sponsored by the school and includes, by way of example, but not limited to, classroom work, library activities, physical education classes, official assemblies and other similar gatherings, school athletic contests, band concerts, school plays, and in-school lunch periods.
5. “School premises” means District property and/or property within the jurisdiction of the District and school owned and/or operated transportation. “School premises” includes, but is not limited to, school buildings, school grounds, school busses, and locations under the jurisdiction of the District where school activities are held.
6. “Unofficial written material” includes all written material except school newspapers, literary magazines, yearbooks, and other publications funded and/or sponsored or authorized by the school. Examples include leaflets, brochures, fliers, petitions, placards, and underground newspapers, whether written by students or others.
7. “Libelous” is a false and unprivileged statement about a specific individual that tends to harm the individual’s reputation or to lower him or her in the esteem of the community.
8. “Distribution” means circulation or dissemination of written material by means of handing out free copies, selling or offering copies for sale and accepting donations for copies. It includes displaying written material in areas of the school which are generally frequented by students.
V. Disciplinary Action
Distribution by any student of unofficial written material prohibited in subsection I or in violation of subsection III may be halted and students may be subject to discipline including suspension and expulsion. Any other party violating this policy may be requested to leave the school premises immediately, and if necessary, local law enforcement officials will be contacted.
VI. Notice of Policy to Students
A copy of this policy will be published in student handbooks or posted conspicuously in school buildings.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
The use of students, the school district name or its buildings and sites for advertising and promoting products and/or services of entities and organizations operating for a profit shall be disallowed. Non-profit entities and organizations may be allowed to use students, the school district name or its buildings and sites if the purpose is educationally related, it is permitted under law and prior approval has been obtained from the board.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2005-2006; 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
The board encourages wise and careful use of District buildings and equipment to the fullest extent, providing the activities conducted are not contrary to public interests as determined by the board or as provided by the law.
The buildings, sites, and equipment of the District will be made available for a fee to local nonprofit entities which promote cultural, educational, civic, community or recreational activities. “Entities" shall include organizations, groups, and individuals and their agents. Such use will be permitted only when the use does not interfere with or disrupt the education program or school-related activity, the use is consistent with state law, and will end no later than midnight. It is within the discretion of the board to allow for-profit entities to District buildings, equipment and sites. The board reserves the right to deny use of the buildings, sites, and the equipment to any group. It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to allow use of District buildings, sites, or equipment on Sundays.
Organizations, individuals, and other entities who wish to use such District property must apply at the superintendent's office or with the designated person. It shall be the responsibility of the board secretary or superintendent to determine whether the District facility, site, or equipment requested is available and whether the application for use meets board policy and administrative regulations. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent and board secretary to provide application forms, obtain proof of insurance, and draw up the contract for use of District property.
Activities in the District buildings and sites shall be supervised by an employee of the District unless special prior arrangements are made with the superintendent. The employee shall not accept a fee from the user. If appropriate, the school district employee may be paid by the District.
Entities that use District buildings or sites must leave the building or site in the same condition it was in prior to its use. Entities that use District equipment must return the equipment in the same working condition it was in prior to its use.
Inappropriate use of District facilities, sites, or equipment may result in additional fees charged to, or the inability of, the organization, individual, or entity to use District facilities or equipment in the future.
The District will sponsor education related organizations' use of the ICN upon approval of the superintendent. Sponsored ICN users’ mission must be consistent with the mission of the District. Costs associated with the use of the ICN will be passed on by the District to the sponsored user.
Authorized users of the ICN shall ensure their use of the ICN is consistent with their written mission. The ICN will not be used for profit making ventures. Authorized users may not resell time on the ICN. Entities that wish to use the District's ICN classroom to originate, receive, or broadcast programming must follow the state scheduling requirements. However, it is recommended that entities that wish to use the District's ICN classroom to originate, receive, or broadcast programming contact the school district's ICN scheduler's office to inform them of their needs.
It shall be the responsibility of the entities that wish to use the District's ICN classroom to originate, receive or broadcast programming in compliance with the law regarding authorized use of and content of the programming on the ICN. The District assumes no responsibility or liability for entities using the ICN classroom in violation of the law, the authorized user's mission or District policy and its supporting administrative regulations. The District reserves the right to charge all costs, including attorney fees, that may arise to the entity for the entity's failure to comply with the law or District’s policies and its supporting administrative regulations.
The board may allow non-profit groups to use the buildings and sites without charge. While such groups may use the buildings and sites without charge, they may be required to pay a custodial fee as so defined on the District's rental agreement "For Use of School Property."
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2006-2007; 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
4. A custodian or employee must be present while the District building is being used.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2006-2007; 2012-2013: January 26, 2015
The district’s swimming pool is available to the public, student swimming lessons, physical education classes, and private parties.
The swimming pool will use funds from the Public Education and Recreation Levy (PERL), entry fees, donations from outside groups, and the District’s general fund to support the operation of the pool.
Oversight and daily operations will be done by a certified pool operator (CPO). The CPO will oversee the water quality of the pool, the hiring of summer personnel, training, and assigning and supervising the actions of the summer personnel. The CPO will do monthly testing in accordance with state health department guidelines. The CPO is also responsible for any recordkeeping of pool maintenance and communicating to the Maintenance Director or superintendent the needs of the pool. Preparing for the annual inspection is also a responsibility of the CPO.
Hiring of summer personnel will be done in accordance with District hiring practices and the board will set pay rates. A certified lifeguard will be on duty whenever the pool is in use, whether it be open swim, swimming lessons, physical education classes, school groups, school personnel, or by an outside group.
Private lessons, given by summer pool staff, will be made available to the public. Payments for private lessons will be paid to the District and the instructors of the lessons will be paid through the District’s payroll system.
Renting of the pool is available. The board sets rates. Available times for rental must be other than regular hours.
Approved: 2003-2004
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2012-2013; January 26, 2015
The use of tobacco and nicotine products; including, but not limited to, cigarettes, nicotine chew, snus, dissolvables, electronic cigarettes and/or other nicotine products that are not approved by the Federal Drug Administration for tobacco cessation; on District property; including in District buildings, on District grounds, in District transportation vehicles, or at any District activity; is prohibited.
This policy extends to all students, employees, volunteers and visitors. This policy applies at all times, including during school-sponsored events and during non-school-sponsored events.
Persons violating this policy shall be asked to cease using the tobacco and/or nicotine product, properly dispose of the tobacco and/or nicotine product and refrain from using tobacco and/or nicotine products in the future. Persons failing to abide by this request shall be required to leave the District premises immediately.
It shall be the responsibility of all District personnel, and specifically District administrators, to enforce this policy.
Approved: 1997-1998
Reviewed: 2009-2010
Revised: 2008-2009; 2012-2013; January 26, 2015