This series of the board policy manual is devoted to the board’s goals and objectives for assisting the students of the school district in obtaining an education.  Each student will have an opportunity to obtain an education in compliance with the policies in this series and federal and states laws, rules, and regulations.

It is the goal of the board to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in the students enrolled in the school district.  Each student attending school will have the opportunity to use it and its education program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual growth.  In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that assures each student the same opportunity.

The board supports the delivery of the education program and services to students free of discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, creed, marital status, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or disability.  This concept of equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to school district facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students.

In the delivery of the education program, students will treat the employees with respect and students will receive the same in return.  Employees have the best interests of the students in mind and will assist them in school-related or personal matters if they are able to do so.  Students should feel free to discuss problems, whether school-related or personal, with the counselor or other employees.

Board policies, rules and regulations affect students while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.

Board policy refers to the term “parents” in many of the policies.  The term parents for purposes of this policy manual means the legal parents, the legal guardian or custodian of a student, and students who have reached the age of majority or are otherwise considered an adult by law.

Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, shall be directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Interstate 35 Community School District, Truro, Iowa 50257; or by telephoning 641-765-4291.

Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, Chicago Office, United States Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-4544 or Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319.  This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.

Further information and copies of the procedures for filing a complaint are available in the school district’s central administrative office and the administrative office in each attendance center.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Resident Students

Children who are residents of the school district community will attend the school district without paying tuition.

The residence of a student means the place, abode, or dwelling of the student.  Generally, the legal dwelling of minors is the same as their parents.  However, a student may establish a dwelling with someone other than the parents and attend public school in the school district without paying tuition if the primary purpose for residing in the school district is not for the purpose of obtaining a free public education.  Further, students who have reached the age of majority and who are still eligible to attend an Iowa secondary school may declare their residence independent of the residence of the parents.

Each case involving the bona fide residence of a student will be decided upon its individual merits by the superintendent.

Students who have attained legal age may continue the education program without payment of tuition as long as they are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and are residents of the school district.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2022

Non-Resident Students

Students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school but who are not legal residents of the school district may be admitted into the school district at the discretion of the superintendent upon application and payment of tuition.  The tuition rate shall be the current per-pupil cost of the school district as computed by the board secretary and as authorized by the Iowa Department of Education.

Resident students whose families move from the school district after the start of a semester and who wish to complete the semester in the school district may be permitted to attend without the payment of tuition at the discretion of the superintendent and approval of the board.  Students who plan to open enroll to the nonresident district may complete the school year without approval of the superintendent or board. 

Students in grades eleven or twelve who are no longer residents of the school district, but were residents in the preceding school year, may continue to attend school until they graduate without the payment of tuition.  These students may be required to identify an adult, who resides in the school district, identified for purposes of administration.

Nonresident students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and who have evidence they will become legal residents of the school district prior to October 1 may be allowed to attend without the payment of tuition.

International Students in Student Foreign Exchange Programs

Qualified international students may be enrolled and attend school without charge for tuition if they are part of an approved Student Foreign Exchange Program.  The principal must give final approval before any such student can enroll. 

Upon enrollment, the following items are provided at no cost to the student, natural parent or host parent: Class Dues and Student Activity Pass.  The student must pay for his/her own class ring, hot lunch.

Before being able to participate in athletics, the student must have on file an approved physical examination.  The examination form provided by the IHSAA and IGHSAU must be used.

Programs or activities for which foreign exchange students are not eligible are: Driver Education and National Honor Society.

For those items not specifically mentioned above, a foreign exchange student has the same rights and responsibilities of all other students.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2022

The board will make reasonable efforts to identify homeless children and youth of school age within the district, encourage their enrollment and eliminate existing barriers to their receiving an education which may exist in district policies or practices.  The designated coordinator for identification of homeless children and for tracking and monitoring programs and activities for these children is the High School At Risk Coordinator.

“Homeless child or youth” is defined as a child or youth from the age of 3 years through 21 years who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes the following:

1. A child or youth who is sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; is living in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; is living in an emergency or transitional shelter; is abandoned in a hospital; or is awaiting foster care placement;
2. A child or youth who has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
3. A child or youth who is living in a car, park, public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or similar setting; or
4. A migratory child or youth who qualifies as homeless because the child or youth is living in circumstances described in paragraphs “1” through “3” above.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2022

Compulsory Attendance

Parents within the school district who have children over age six and under age sixteen by September 15, in proper physical and mental condition to attend school, shall have the children attend the school district at the attendance center designated by the board.

Students shall attend school the number of days school is in session in accordance with the school calendar.  Students of compulsory attendance age shall attend school.  Students not attending the minimum days must be exempted by this policy as listed below or be referred to the county attorney.  Exceptions to this policy include children who:

• have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
• are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
• are attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;
• are attending an accredited nonpublic school; or,
• are receiving independent or competent private instruction
• is participating in a district attendance plan

It is the responsibility of the parent of a child to provide evidence of the child’s mental and physical inability to attend school or of the child’s qualifications for one of the exceptions listed above.

The truancy officer, principal or school designee shall investigate the cause for a student's truancy.  If the truancy officer is unable to secure the truant student's attendance, the truancy officer should discuss the next step with the building administrator.  If after intervention on the part of the building administrator and guidance counselor, the student is still truant, the truancy officer shall refer the matter over to the county attorney.

The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney.  The superintendent shall represent the school district in mediation.  The school district will monitor the student's compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Children in the school district community will be allowed to enroll in the school district’s regular education program beginning at age five.  The child must be age five on or prior to September 15 to participate in the school district’s kindergarten program.  The child must be age six on or prior to September 15 to begin the first grade of the education program.

The board shall require evidence of age and residency in the form of a birth certificate or other evidence before the student may enroll in the school district’s education program.  It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to determine what is satisfactory evidence for proof of age.

Prior to enrollment, the child must provide the administration with their health and immunization certificate.  Failure to provide this information within the time period set by the superintendent shall be reason for suspension, expulsion or denying admission to the student.  An exception to this would be a homeless student.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Students who transfer into the school district must meet the immunization and age requirements set out for students who initially enroll in the school district.

The school district shall request the student’s cumulative records from the previous school district.  If the student cannot offer proof of grade level, the superintendent will make the grade level determination.  The superintendent may require testing or other information to determine the grade level.  Students expelled or suspended from their previous school district will only be enrolled after approval of the board.

The superintendent shall determine the amount of credits to be transferred.  If the student has not previously attended an accredited school, it is within the superintendent’s discretion to accept or reject credits or grades.  A student not attending grades nine through eleven at an accredited school shall be unranked for class ranking purposes.

The board may deny admission if the student is not willing to provide the board with the necessary information.

Any student declared ineligible under the prior school district’s good conduct code, and then without having the full period of ineligibility at that school transfers to the school district, will not be eligible for interscholastic competition until the full period of ineligibility has been completed.  Once that time period of ineligibility has been completed, the student then is immediately eligible for interscholastic competition in the school district.

Approved:  November 17, 2015

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

If the student’s parents wish to withdraw or transfer the student from school prior to completing and graduating from the education program, they should notify the superintendent in writing as soon as possible of the decision to withdraw or transfer the student from the education program.  The student or parent should present this written notice at the office and receive instructions regarding the return of textbooks, library books, locker equipment, hot lunch tickets, etc.

The notice should state the student’s final day of attendance.  If the student is not enrolling in another school district, the school district shall maintain the student’s records in the same manner as the records of students who have graduated from the school district.

If the parents wish to have the student’s cumulative record sent to the new school district, the parents shall notify the school.  This notice shall include the name of the school district and the person at the new school district to whom the student’s cumulative records should be sent.  If the new school district requests the student’s cumulative records, the school district will forward the cumulative records and notify the parents the records have been sent.  The notice shall inform the parents of their right to review the records sent.

If the student is of compulsory education age and not transferring to another public school district or an accredited nonpublic school, the parents shall notify the superintendent that the student is receiving competent private instruction and file the necessary competent private instruction reports.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

As part of the school district’s records, the daily attendance of each student shall be recorded and maintained on file with the permanent records of the board secretary.

It shall be the responsibility of the principals to ensure that such reports are filed with the board secretary, the custodian of school records.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Regular attendance by students is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program.  Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence.  Students shall attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.

Student absences approved by the principal shall be excused absences.  Excused absences shall count as days in attendance for purposes of the truancy law.  These absences include, but are not limited to, illness, family emergencies, recognized religious observances, appointments that cannot be scheduled outside the school day and school-sponsored or approved activities.

Students whose absences are approved shall make up the work missed and receive full credit for the missed school work.  It shall be the responsibility of the student to initiate a procedure with the student’s teacher to complete the work missed.

Students who wish to participate in school-sponsored activities must attend school the full day the day of the activity unless permission has been given by the principal for the student to be absent.

It shall be the responsibility of the parent to notify the student’s attendance center as soon as the parent knows the student will not be attending school on that day.  The principal may request evidence or written verification of the student’s reason for absence.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Regular attendance by the students at school is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program.  Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence.  Students shall attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.

Truancy is the act of being absent without an approved excuse.

Students are subject to disciplinary action for truancy including suspension and expulsion.  It shall be within the discretion of the principal to determine, in light of the circumstances, whether a student may make up work missed because of truancy.

The truancy officer shall investigate the cause for a student’s truancy.  If the truancy officer is unable to secure the truant student’s attendance, the truancy officer should discuss the next step with the school board.  If after school board action, the student is still truant, the truancy officer shall refer the matter over to the county attorney.

The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney.  The superintendent shall represent the school district in mediation.  The school district will monitor the student’s compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Students will be allowed to leave the school district facilities during school hours only with prior authorization from their parents, unless the parent appears personally at the student’s attendance center to arrange for the release of the student during school hours, or with the permission of the principal.

Approved reasons for release of a student during the school day shall include, but not be limited to, illness, family emergencies, medical appointments, religious instruction, classes outside the student’s attendance center, employment for which the student has been issued a work permit and other reasons determined appropriate by the principal.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

The board encourages pregnant students to continue to attend the education program as long as they are physically able to do so.  The pregnant student may notify the principal or the guidance counselor as soon as she is aware of the pregnancy.  The school may require that a pregnant student provide the principal with a written note from her doctor relative to special conditions that might exist and specific suggestions as to how long the student may continue to attend classes.  If the student is unable to attend school because of her physical condition, the student may be excused and arrangements made to continue her studies during her absence.  The student shall resume classes upon the recommendation of her physician.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

The school district will participate in open enrollment as a sending district.  As a sending district, the board will allow resident students who meet the requirements to open enroll to another public school district.

Parents requesting open enrollment out of the school district for their student will notify the sending and receiving school district in accordance with district practice.  The notice is made on forms provided by the Iowa Department of Education.  The forms are available at the central administration office.

Parents of children who will begin kindergarten and prekindergarten children enrolled in special education programs and included in the district’s basic enrollment will file in the same manner set forth above.

The receiving district will approve or deny open enrollment requests according to the timelines established by law.  The parents may withdraw the open enrollment request prior to the board's approval of the application.  The receiving district’s superintendent will notify the parents and sending school district by mail within five days of the school district’s action to approve or deny the open enrollment request.

The board will not approve a student’s request to allow the receiving district to enter the school district for the purposes of transportation.

An open enrollment request out of the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  The determining factor for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the receiving school district is appropriate for the student's needs.  The area education agency director of special education serving the receiving district will determine whether the program is appropriate.  The special education student will remain in the school district until the final determination is made.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to maintain open enrollment request applications and notice forms.  It will also be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.

Approved:  February 18, 2001

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

The school district will participate in open enrollment as a receiving district.  As a receiving district, the board will allow nonresident students, who meet the legal requirements, to open enroll into the school district.  The board will have complete discretion to determine the attendance center of the students attending the school district under open enrollment.

The superintendent will approve within 30 days; incoming kindergarten applications or continuation of an educational program application

The superintendent will notify the sending school district and parents within five days of the school district’s action to approve or deny the open enrollment request. 

Open enrollment requests into the school district will not be approved if insufficient classroom space exists.  Insufficient classroom space exists when conditions adversely affect the implementation of the educational philosophy and program of the board.  The board shall determine insufficient classroom space on a case by case basis.  Criteria to be used by the board in its determination may include, but not be limited to, available personnel, grade level, educational program, instructional method, physical space, equipment and materials available, finances available, facilities either being planned or currently under consideration, sharing agreements in force, and district goals and objectives.

Open enrollment requests into the school district will also not be approved for students who have been suspended or expelled by the administration or the board of the school district the student is or was attending until the student has been reinstated into the school district from which the student was suspended or expelled.  Once the student is reinstated, the student's open enrollment request will be considered in the same manner as other open enrollment requests provided the required timelines are met.

Open enrollment requests into the school district that, if denied, would result in students from the same nuclear family being enrolled in different school districts, will be given highest priority.  The board, in its discretion, may waive the insufficient classroom space reason for denial for students of the same nuclear family to prevent the division of a nuclear family between two school districts.  Other open enrollment requests into the school district are considered in the order received by the school district with the first open enrollment request given a higher priority than the second open enrollment request and so forth.

Students in grades nine through twelve open enrolling into the school district will  be eligible for participation in interscholastic athletics, at the varsity levelin accordance with applicable laws.

Parents of students whose open enrollment requests are approved by the board or superintendent are responsible for providing transportation to and from the receiving school district without reimbursement unless the parents qualify for transportation assistance.  The board will not approve transportation into the sending district.

An open enrollment request into the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  The determining factors for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the school district is appropriate for the student's needs and whether the enrollment of the special education student will cause the class size to exceed the maximum allowed.  The area education agency director of special education serving the school district will determine whether the program is appropriate.  The special education student will remain in the sending district until the final determination is made.

The policies of the school district will apply to students attending the school district under open enrollment.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

In the event a child of compulsory attendance age does not attend public school or an accredited non-public school, the child must receive competent private instruction or independent private instruction.

A parent choosing competent private instruction for a student by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner, competent private instruction for a student by a non-licensed individual or independent private instruction must meet the requirements outlined under Iowa law.

A parent choosing competent private instruction for a student by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner shall notify the school district prior to the first day of school on forms provided by the school district.  The forms are available in the central administration office.  One copy of the completed forms will be kept by the school district and another copy will be forwarded to the appropriate Area Education Agency.

A parent choosing competent private instruction for a student by a non-licensed individual may notify the school district prior to the first day of school on forms provided by the school district.  The forms are available in the central administration office.  One copy of the completed forms will be kept by the school district and another copy will be forwarded to the appropriate Area Education Agency.

A parent choosing independent private instruction for a student may be asked to provide a report identifying the primary instructor, location, name of the authority responsible for the independent instruction, and the names of the students enrolled to the school district. 

The superintendent or superintendent’s designee will determine whether the completed form or report is in compliance with the law.  The school district shall report non-compliance with the reporting, immunization, attendance, instructor qualifications, and assessment requirements of the compulsory attendance law to the county attorney of the county of residence of the student's parent, guardian, or custodian.

Students receiving competent private instruction or independent private instruction are eligible to request open enrollment to another school district.   The receiving school district shall not bill the resident school district unless the receiving school district complies with the reporting requirements.  If the parent, guardian, or custodian fails to comply with the compulsory attendance requirements, the receiving school district shall notify the resident school district.  The resident school district shall then report the non-compliance to the county attorney of the county of residence of the parent, guardian, or custodian.

Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner must make adequate progress.  Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner shall be monitored for progress by the supervising teacher.  Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner may be assessed annually.  The school district will provide any optional assessments at no cost.

Students receiving competent private instruction by a non-licensed individual must make adequate progress.  Students receiving competent private instruction by a non-licensed individual shall be evaluated annually by the parent, guardian or legal custodian to ensure adequate progress is being made.  Students receiving competent private instruction from a non-licensed individual may be assessed annually.  The school district will provide any optional assessments at no cost.

Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner and students receiving competent private instruction from a non-licensed individual may dual enroll with the school district.  Students receiving individual private instruction may not dual enroll with the school district.

Upon the request of a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a student receiving competent private instruction or upon referral of a licensed practitioner who provides instruction or instructional supervision of a student under competent private instruction, the school district shall refer a student who may require special education to the appropriate Area Education Agency, Division of Special Education, for evaluation.

Approved: June 29, 2015

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

The parent, guardian, or custodian of a student receiving independent or competent private instruction may also enroll the student in the school district. The student shall be considered under dual enrollment. The parent, guardian, or custodian requesting dual enrollment for the student should notify the elementary principal prior to October 1st each year on forms provided by the Iowa Department of Education. On the form, they shall indicate the extracurricular and academic activities in which the student is interested in participating. The forms are available at the central administration office.

A dual enrollment student is eligible to participate in the school district's extracurricular and academic activities in the same manner as other students enrolled in the school district. The policies and administrative rules of the school district shall apply to the dual enrollment students in the same manner as the other students enrolled the school district. These policies and administrative rules shall include, but not be limited to, athletic eligibility requirements, the good conduct rule, academic eligibility requirements, and payment of the fees required for participation.

A dual enrollment student whose parent, guardian, or custodian who has chosen standardized testing as the form of the student's annual assessment will not be responsible for the cost of the test or the administration of the test.

Approved: June 29, 2015

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

The board believes inappropriate student appearance causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors.

Students are expected to adhere to standards of cleanliness and dress that are compatible with the requirements of a good learning environment.  The standards will be those generally acceptable to the community as appropriate in a school setting.

The Board expects students to come to school looking clean and neat, dressed in a manner which is accepted as being in good taste, and consistent with an attitude and atmosphere that is conducive to study and learning.  Extreme hairstyle and dress that is unduly immodest, distracting or inappropriate for a school environment will not be allowed.  Clothing or other apparel promoting or referring products illegal for use by minors, (i.e. alcohol, nicotine, drugs) and/or clothing displaying obscene material or profanity or referring to inappropriate or prohibited conduct are not allowed.  Low riding pants and low cut tops are not acceptable.  Bare midriffs will not be acceptable for boys or girls.  Clothes with holes or tears in inappropriate places are not acceptable.  Hats or any head coverings may not be worn in the building during school time, except for medical reasons or in observance of religious practices.  Any accessories deemed unsafe (such as chains or jewelry/accessories with spikes) will not be allowed.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principals, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

While the primary responsibility for appearance lies with the students and their parents, appearance disruptive to the education program will not be tolerated.  When, in the judgment of a principal, a student’s appearance or mode of dress disrupts the educational process or constitutes a threat to health or safety, the student may be required to make modifications.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

Students shall treat school district property with the care and the respect they would treat their own property.  Students found to have destroyed or otherwise harmed school district property may be required to reimburse the school district.  They may be subject to discipline under board policy and the school district rules and regulations.  They may also be referred to local law enforcement authorities.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative rules regarding this policy.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Student expression, other than student expression in student-produced official school publications, made on the school district premises or under the jurisdiction of the school district or as part of a school-sponsored activity may be attributed to the school district; therefore, student expression must be responsible.  Student expression must be appropriate to assure that the students learn and meet the goals of the school activity and that the potential audience is not exposed to material that may be harmful or inappropriate for their level of maturity.

Students will be allowed to express their viewpoints and opinions as long as the expression is responsible.  The expression shall not, in the judgment of the administration, encourage the breaking of laws, defame others, be obscene or indecent or cause a material and substantial disruption to the educational program.  The administration, when making this judgment, shall consider whether the activity in which the expression was made is school-sponsored and whether review or prohibition of the student’s speech furthers an educational purpose.  Further, the expression must be done in a reasonable time, place, and manner that is not disruptive to the orderly and efficient operation of the school district.

Students who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary measures.  Employees shall be responsible for insuring students’ expression is in keeping with this policy.

Approved:  November17, 1997                            

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Student complaints and grievances regarding board policy or administrative regulations and other matters should be addressed to the student’s teacher or another licensed employee, other than the administration, for resolution of the complaint.  It is the goal of the board to resolve student complaints at the lowest organizational level.

If the complaint cannot be resolved by a licensed employee, the student may discuss the matter with the principal within five days of the employee’s decision.  If the matter cannot be resolved by the principal, the student may discuss it with the superintendent within five days after speaking with the principal.

If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by the superintendent, the student may ask to have the matter placed on the board agenda of a regularly scheduled board meeting in compliance with board policy.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Student lockers are the property of the school district.  Students shall use the lockers assigned to them by the school district for storing their school materials and personal belongings necessary for attendance at school.  It shall be the responsibility of each student to keep their assigned lockers clean and undamaged.

To ensure students are properly maintaining their assigned locker, the principal of the building may periodically inspect all or a random selection of lockers.  Either students or another individual will be present during the inspection of lockers.  Student lockers may also be searched, at any time and without advance notice, in compliance with board policy regulating search and seizure.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

The board believes weapons, look-a-likes, other dangerous objects, and any instrument used as a weapon in school district facilities cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, and visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district.

School district facilities are not an appropriate place for weapons, look-a-likes, dangerous objects or any instrument used as a weapon.  Weapons, look-a-likes, other dangerous objects, and any instrument used as a weapon will be taken from students and others who bring them onto the school district property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the school district or from students who are within the control of the school district.  Students bringing a weapon, look-a-like, other dangerous object or any instrument used as a weapon onto school district property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the school district may be suspended or expelled from school.

Parents of students found to possess a weapon, look-a-like, dangerous object or any instrument used as a weapon on school property shall be notified of the incident.  Confiscation of weapons, look-a-likes, dangerous objects or any instruments used as a weapon will be reported to the law enforcement officials, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

Students bringing a firearm to school or knowingly possessing firearms at school will be expelled for not less than twelve months and will be referred to law enforcement authorities.  The superintendent has the authority to recommend this expulsion requirement be modified for a student on a case-by-case basis.  For purposes of this portion of this policy, the term “firearm” includes, but is not limited to, any weapon which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, the frame or receiver of any such weapon, a muffler or silencer for such a weapon, or any explosive, incendiary or poison gas.

For purposes of this policy, the term “dangerous object” includes any instrument or device designed primarily for use in inflicting death or injury upon a human being or animal, and which is capable of inflicting death upon a human being when used in the manner for which it was designed.  The term “dangerous object” also includes any instrument or device or any sort whatsoever which is actually used in such a manner as to indicate that the individual intends to inflict death or injury upon the other, and which, when so used, is capable of inflicting death upon a human being.

In addition, dangerous objects or any instrument used as a weapon in the school includes any object used to intimidate, coerce, scare or threaten a student, school district employee or visitor.  Dangerous objects therefore include, but are not limited to, clubs, nunchakus, brass knuckles, knives regardless of blade length, stun guns, BB and pellet guns, toy guns used or displayed as real guns, and unloaded guns.

Weapons under the control of law enforcement officials shall be exempt from this policy.  The principal may allow authorized persons to display weapons, other dangerous objects or look-alikes for educational purposes.  Such a display shall also be exempt from this policy.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

As an educational institution, the District seeks to educate students in the dangers associated with the use of alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs.  The Board believes such materials and substances generally cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment and/or present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees or visitors.  Hence, the following shall be regarded as serious violations of the school's disciplinary policy:

1. Sale, distribution, use, possession or being under the influence of tobacco, nicotine or devices that can be used to deliver nicotine, including, but not limited to electronic cigarettes and vaping devices on District property or at District sponsored or approved events off District grounds at any time, including official District events at other schools.
2. Sale, distribution, use, possession or being under the influence of alcohol on District property or at District sponsored or approved events off District grounds at any time, including official District events at other schools.
3. Sale, distribution, use, possession or being under the influence of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia or the unauthorized sale, distribution, use, possession or being under the influence of otherwise lawful drugs on District property or at District sponsored or approved events off District grounds at any time, including official District events at other schools.
4. Sale, distribution, use, possession or being under the influence of a hazardous substance on District property or at District sponsored or approved events off District grounds at any time, including official District events at other schools.

Each violation of this policy shall be reviewed by the appropriate administrator within a reasonable time after the alleged violation.  Both the student and the student’s parents shall have the opportunity to discuss the matter with the administrator before the administrator makes a decision.

Violation of this policy by students will result in disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.  Use, purchase or being in possession of any products or devices containing nicotine for students under the age of eighteen, may be reported to the local law enforcement authorities.  Possession, use or being under the influence of beer, wine, alcohol and/or of a controlled substance may also be reported to the local law enforcement authorities.

Students who violate the terms of this policy may be required to satisfactorily complete a substance abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved by the Board.  If a student fails to satisfactorily complete a substance abuse assistance or rehabilitation program, the student may be subject to discipline including suspension or expulsion.

The Board believes the substance abuse prevention program will include:

• Age-appropriate, developmentally-based nicotine, alcohol, and controlled substances curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through twelve, which address the legal, social, and health consequences of the use of nicotine, alcohol, and controlled substances and which provide information about effective techniques for resisting peer pressure to use nicotine, alcohol, and controlled substances;
• A statement to students that the use of nicotine, alcohol, and controlled substances and the unlawful possession and use of nicotine, alcohol, and controlled substances is wrong and harmful;
• Standards of conduct for students that clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the   unlawful possession, use, being under the influence of or distribution of nicotine, alcohol, and controlled substances by students on District premises or as part of any of its activities;
• A clear statement that disciplinary sanctions, up to and including suspension or expulsion and referral for prosecution, will be imposed on students who violate the policy and a description of those sanctions;
• A statement that students may be required to successfully complete an appropriate rehabilitation program;
• Information about substance abuse counselling and rehabilitation and re-entry programs available to students;
• A requirement that parents and students be given a copy of the standards of conduct and the statement of disciplinary sanctions required; and
• Notification to parents and students that compliance with the standards of conduct is mandatory.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

School district property is held in public trust by the board.  The board believes that illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials may cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees or visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district.

School district authorities may, without a search warrant, search students or protected student areas based on a reasonable suspicion that school district policy, rule, regulation or law has been violated.  The search shall be in a manner reasonable in scope to maintain order and discipline in the schools, promote the educational environment, and protect the safety and welfare of students, employees, and visitors to the school district facilities.

The furnishing of a locker, desk or other facility or space owned by the school and provided as a courtesy to a student, even if the student provides the lock for it, shall not create a protected student area and shall not give rise to an expectation of privacy with respect to the locker, desk or other facility.

School authorities may seize any illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials discovered in the search.  Items of contraband may include, but are not limited to, nonprescription controlled substances, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, apparatus used for controlled substances, alcoholic beverages, nicotine, weapons, explosives, poisons, and stolen property.  Such items are not to be possessed by a student while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management, and welfare of the school district.  Possession of such items will be grounds for disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion and may be reported to local law enforcement officials.

Approved:  October 20, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

District officials and employee may interview students during the school day.  Generally, students may not be interviewed during the school day by persons other than parents and school district officials and employees.

Requests from law enforcement officers and from persons other than parents, school district officials, and employees to interview students shall be made through the principal’s office.  Upon receiving a request, it shall be the responsibility of the principal to determine whether the request will be granted.  Generally, prior to granting a request, the principal shall attempt to contact the parents to inform them of the request and to ask them to be present.

If a child abuse investigator wishes to interview a student, the principal will defer to the investigator’s judgment as to whether the student should be interviewed independently from the student’s parents, whether the school is the most appropriate setting for the interview, and who will be present during the interview.

Students will not be taken from school without the consent of the principal and without proper warrant.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

1. Investigation Conducted in the Educational Environment
   1. Interviews Initiated by School Administrators
      1. Conducted by Administrators
         1. Principals shall have the authority to conduct investigations and to question students pertaining to infractions of school rules, whether or not the alleged conduct is a violation of criminal law.
      2. Conducted by Law Enforcement Officers
         1. The principal/designee shall determine when the necessity exists that law enforcement officers be contacted to conduct an investigation of alleged criminal behavior.
         2. The principal/designee may request that law enforcement officers conduct an investigation of alleged criminal behavior during school hours.  A reasonable attempt shall be made to contact the student's parents, guardian or representative prior to questioning of students by law enforcement officers.  Such contacts or attempted contacts with parents, guardian or representative shall be documented by the administrator involved.  In the absence of a student's parents, guardian or representative during any questioning of such students, the principal or other designated certificated school staff person shall be present.
         3. If the investigation has centered on any particular student suspected of such alleged criminal activity, the procedure of taking students into custody by the police set forth in Section II shall be followed to the extent that they do not interfere with reasonable law enforcement procedures.
   2. Interviews Initiated by Law Enforcement Officers
      1. Although cooperation with law enforcement officers will be maintained, it should not normally be necessary for law enforcement officers to initiate and conduct any investigation and questioning on the school premises during school hours pertaining to criminal activities unrelated to the operation of the school.  Only in demonstrated emergency situations, when law enforcement officers find it absolutely necessary, will they be voluntarily permitted to conduct such an investigation during school hours.  These circumstances should ordinarily be limited to those in which delay might result in danger to any person, or flight from the jurisdiction of a person reasonably suspected of a crime or destruction of evidence.
      2. In such cases, the officers shall be requested to obtain prior approval of the principal/designee before beginning such an investigation on school premises.  The administrator shall document the circumstances of such investigations as soon as practicable.  Alleged criminal behavior related to the school environment brought to the principal's attention by law enforcement officers shall be dealt with under Iowa law.
   3. Questioning of Students During Investigation
      1. Violations of School Rules
         1. In instances where school rules have allegedly been violated, the principal/designee may contact the suspected rule violator or potential witness to the infraction.
         2. The suspected student shall be advised orally or in writing of the nature of the alleged offense and of the evidence, if any, against the student.
         3. In questioning a potential student witness to an alleged disciplinary infraction, care should be taken by the administrator to insure that there is a reasonable likelihood that the student was indeed a witness.
      2. Violations of Criminal Law
         1. During an investigation of violation of school rules, it may come to the attention of the administrator that the investigated activity may also be a violation of criminal law.  In proceeding with the investigation, the principal/designee can attempt to ascertain whether there is sufficient justification to believe that a criminal offense was committed that warrants contacting law enforcement officials.
         2. Where a suspected violation of criminal law has occurred on the school grounds, involving the operation of the school or during a school-sponsored activity, law enforcement officials may be notified and their presence requested for the questioning of suspected students.  Unless circumstances dictate otherwise, questioning of the student shall not begin or continue until the law enforcement officers arrive.  Reasonable attempts shall be made to contact a student's parents, guardian or representative who, unless an emergency exists, shall be given the opportunity to confer with the student and to be present with the student during such questioning.  The administrator shall document the contact or attempted contact with the student's parents, guardian or representative.  The law enforcement officers may wish to advise the student of his/her legal rights.
2. Taking a Student into Custody
   1. Students may not be released to law enforcement authorities voluntarily by school officials unless the student has been placed under arrest or unless the parent, guardian or representative and the student agrees to the release.  Administrators shall make reasonable objections to law enforcement authorities who attempt to remove students from school without placing them under arrest or without the acquiescence of the parent, guardian or representative and the student.  When students are removed from school for any reason by law enforcement authorities, reasonable efforts will be made to contact the student's parents, guardian or representative immediately.  Such effort shall be documented.  The superintendent's office shall be notified immediately of any removal of a student from school by law enforcement officers under any circumstances.
   2. Where it is necessary to take a student into custody on school premises, and the time permits, the law enforcement officer shall be requested to contact the school principal/designee and relate the circumstances necessitating such action.  When possible, the principal/designee shall have the student summoned to the principal's office where the student may be taken into custody.
   3. When an emergency exists, the school principal/designee may summon law enforcement officials to the school to take a student into custody.
   4. When a student has been taken into custody or arrested on school premises without prior notification to the principal/designee, the school staff present shall encourage the law enforcement officers to notify the principal/designee of the circumstances as quickly as possible.  In the event that the officers decline to notify the principal/designee, the school staff members present shall immediately notify the principal/designee.
   5. If possible, parents, guardian or representative of the student shall be notified by the principal or other school administrator before the student is taken into custody by law enforcement officers or as quickly thereafter as can be accomplished.  The administrator shall document such notification or attempted notification.
3. Disturbance of School Environment
   1. Law enforcement officers may be requested to assist in controlling disturbances of the school environment which the principal or other school administrator has found to be unmanageable by school personnel or has the potential of causing harm to students and other persons or to property.  Such potential of possible harm includes members of the general public who have exhibited inappropriate or illegal conduct on school premises or at a school event held on school property and who have been requested to leave by an administrator, but have refused or failed to do so.
4. Disseminating and Reviewing Policies
   1. This policy shall regularly be disseminated to staff members.  School staff members shall be apprised of the contents of these provisions as they are updated, and at least annually.
   2. School administrators are encouraged to meet at least annually with local law enforcement officials to discuss the school district’s policy and rules regarding law enforcement contacts with the school district.  Law enforcement officials will be asked to instruct their staffs as to the terms of the school's policy and rules.

    Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

The board recognizes the convenience to families and students of having students drive to and park at their school attendance center.  Driving a motor vehicle to and parking it at the student's attendance center is a privilege.

Students who drive to and park at their school attendance center shall only drive to and park at their designated attendance center.  Students may not loiter around or be in their vehicle during the school day without permission from the principal.  Students shall leave their attendance center when there is no longer a legitimate reason for them to be at their attendance center.  Students who drive shall enter and leave the parking lot by the routes designated by the principal.

Cars will remain parked from the time the student arrives at school until school is dismissed for the day, unless the student has specific permission from the high school principal or superintendent to drive.  There is to be no eating of lunches or loitering in parked vehicles.

Students who wish to drive to and park at their school attendance center shall comply with the rules and regulations established by the building principal.  Failure to comply with this policy or the school district rules shall be reason for revocation of school driving and parking privileges as well as other disciplinary action including suspension and expulsion.

Approved:  February 18, 2002

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

The board believes inappropriate student conduct causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment, interferes with the rights of others, and/or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, and visitors on school premises.  Appropriate classroom behavior allows teachers to communicate more effectively with students.

Students will conduct themselves in a manner fitting to their age and maturity and with respect and consideration for the rights of others while on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management, and welfare of the school district.  Consequences for the misconduct will be fair and developmentally appropriate in light of the circumstances.

Students who fail to abide by this policy and the administrative regulations supporting it may be disciplined for conduct which disrupts or interferes with the education program; conduct which disrupts the orderly and efficient operation of the school district or school activity; conduct which disrupts the rights of other students to participate in or obtain their education or participation; conduct that is violent or destructive; or conduct which interrupts the maintenance of a disciplined atmosphere.  Disciplinary measures include, but are not limited to, removal from the classroom, detention, suspension, probation, and expulsion.

Teachers and/or others who are in charge of a classroom must be the administrators of classroom discipline.  Therefore, minor disciplinary offenses are the responsibility and obligation of the classroom teacher.  When a situation arises wherein the educational process is substantially interfered with, it then becomes the responsibility of the administration to assist in the disposition of the discipline problem.

The school district may impose a range of disciplinary measures for acts of misconduct.  Disciplinary measures include, but are not limited to, removal from the classroom, detention, suspension, probation, and expulsion.  Discipline will be administered depending on the severity and frequency of the acts of misconduct.  The imposition of discipline will be within the discretion of the individual responsible for imposing the discipline.  In instances where there has been a violation of the law, as well as school rules, appropriate law enforcement officials will be contacted and may become involved in the school district's administration of discipline.  The school reserves the right to seek restitution from the parents/guardians of a student or the student for damage caused by the student.

Removal from the classroom means a student is sent to the building principal’s office.  It shall be within the discretion of the person in charge of the classroom to remove the student.

Detention means the student’s presence is required during non-school hours for disciplinary purposes.  The student can be required to appear prior to the beginning of the school day, after school has been dismissed for the day or a non-school day.  Whether a student will serve detention, and the length of the detention, is within the discretion of the licensed employee disciplining the student or the building principal.

Suspension means either an in-school suspension, an out-of-school suspension, a restriction from activities or loss of eligibility.  An in-school suspension means the student will attend school but will be temporarily isolated from one or more classes while under supervision.  An in-school suspension will not exceed ten consecutive school days.  An out-of-school suspension means the student is removed from the school environment, which includes school classes and activities.  An out-of-school suspension will not exceed ten days.  A restriction from school activities means a student will attend school and classes and practice but will not participate in school activities.

Probation means a student is given a conditional suspension of a penalty for a definite period of time in addition to being reprimanded.  The conditional suspension will mean the student must meet the conditions and terms for the suspension of the penalty.  Failure of the student to meet these conditions and terms will result in immediate reinstatement of the penalty.

Expulsion means an action by the board to remove a student from the school environment, which includes, but is not limited to, classes and activities, for a period of time set by the board but no longer than one school year.

Following the suspension of a special education student, an informal evaluation of the student’s placement will take place.  The Individual Education Program (IEP) is evaluated to determine whether it needs to be changed or modified in response to the behavior that led to the suspension.

If a special education student’s suspensions, either in or out of school, equal ten days on a cumulative basis, a staffing team will meet to determine whether the IEP is appropriate.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Students may be expelled for violations of board policy, school rules or the law.  The long term removal of a student from the school environment, which includes, but is not limited to, classes and activities, is an expulsion from school.  It shall be within the discretion of the board to discipline a student by using an expulsion for a single offense or for a series of offenses depending on the nature of the offense and the circumstances surrounding the offense.

It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to recommend to the board the expulsion of a student for disciplinary purposes.  Only the board may take action to expel a student and to readmit the student.  The principal shall keep records of expulsions in addition to the board’s records.

When a student is recommended for expulsion by the board, the student shall be provided with:

1. Notice of the reasons for the proposed expulsion;
2. Notice of the date, time, and place of the expulsion hearing sufficiently in advance of the hearing to enable the student to obtain the assistance of counsel and to prepare a defense.
3. Notice that the student is entitled to a closed hearing unless an open hearing is specifically requested.
4. The names of the witnesses the superintendent will present, if available, and a statement of the facts to which each witness will testify.
5. Notice that the student will be given an opportunity to present a defense against the charges, to provide either oral testimony or written affidavits of witnesses, to present documents, to be given copies of documents which will be introduced by the administration, and to cross-examine adverse witnesses if available.
6. Notice that the students has the right to be represented by counsel. and,
7. Notice that the student has the right to the results and finding of the board to be in writing and open to the student’s inspection.

At the hearing, the student will have all of the rights given in the notice and may give an opening and closing statement in addition to calling witnesses and cross-examining adverse witnesses.  The Board hearing the expulsion matter must be impartial (i.e. have no prior involvement in the situation, have no stake in the outcome, and have no personal bias or prejudice).

After the board has heard the expulsion matter, it shall go into deliberations.  No one who advocated a position at the hearing of the matter should be present during the board’s deliberations unless the other party or parties are also permitted to attend deliberations.  The student has a right to a decision based solely on the evidence presented at hearing.  There must be an adequate factual basis for the board’s decision.  A preponderance of the evidence standard is sufficient to find the student violated the rule or policy at issue.  Following the board’s deliberations, the board shall reconvene in open session and render its decision on the superintendent’ recommendation for expulsion.  The student is entitled to a written decision setting out the board’s findings and conclusions as to the charges and the penalty.

In addition to these procedures, a special education student must be provided with additional procedures.  A determination should be made of whether the student is actually participated in the misconduct.  A staffing team should determine whether the student’s behavior is caused by the student’s disability and whether the conduct is the result of inappropriate placement.  Discussions and conclusions of this meeting should be recorded.

If the special education student’s conduct is not caused by the disability, the student may be expelled or suspended for a long-term period following written notice to the parent and pursuant to the school district’s expulsion hearing procedures.  If the misconduct is caused by the disability and a change in placement is recommended, the change must be made pursuant to the placement procedures used by the school district.  If a change in placement is not recommended, a determination shall be made within the student’s IEP and the law as to how to manage the student’s behavior to prevent the student’s possible future misconduct.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

The board believes students should respect school district property and assist in its preservation for future use by others.  Students may be assessed fines, charges or fees for the materials needed in a course, for overdue school materials, for participating in activities or for misuse of school property.

The superintendent shall inform the board of the dollar amount to be charged to students or others for fines, charges or fees annually.  Parents of students meeting specific financial eligibility standards will be eligible for a waiver of student fees or a reduction of student fees based upon the request of the parent.  Fines or charges assessed for damage or loss to school property are not fees and will not be waived.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Participation in school activities is a privilege.  School activities provide the benefits of promoting additional interests and abilities in the students during their school years and for their lifetimes.

Students who participate in extracurricular activities serve as ambassadors of the school district throughout the calendar year, whether away from school or at school.  Students who wish to have the privilege of participating in extracurricular activities must conduct themselves in accordance with board policy and must refrain from activities which are illegal, immoral or unhealthy.

Students who fail to abide by this policy and the administrative regulations supporting it may be subject to disciplinary measures.  The principal shall keep records of violations of the good conduct rule.

Students wanting to participate in school activities must meet the requirements set out by the school district for participation in the activity.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

It is the goal of the district to provide a safe and supportive educational environment in which all students may learn.  As part of creating that safe educational environment, no employee of the district will provide false or misleading information to the parent/guardian of a student regarding that student’s gender identity or intention to transition to a gender that is different from their birth certificate or certificate issued upon adoption.

If a student makes a request to a licensed employee to accommodate a gender identity, name, or pronoun that is different than what was assigned to the student in the student’s registration forms or records, the licensed employee is required by Iowa law to report the request to an administrator. The school administrator receiving the report is required by Iowa law to report the request to the student’s parent/guardian.  This requirement also applies to all nicknames.

To maintain compliance with Iowa law and also provide efficiency in the reporting requirements listed above, the Superintendent will provide the opportunity for parents and guardians to list in the student’s registration paperwork any and all nicknames used for students.

Approved:  April 22, 2024

Revised/Reviewed:

Introduction:  The 2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), signed by Governor Reynolds on May 26, 2023, requires the Iowa Department of Education to develop and distribute a model policy for school districts and charter schools that, if adopted, satisfies a school district's or charter school’s responsibilities under Iowa Code 279.79 established by the Act. These model policies are intended to support a school district and charter school in meeting the requirements of new Iowa Code section 279.79 and in developing policies for different grade levels that describe how a school district or charter school may discipline a student for making a threat of violence or causing an incident of violence that results in injury or property damage or assault. Districts are required to:

• Publish the district policy on the district website (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsection 1).

• Provide each parent or guardian with a copy of the policy and require the parent or guardian acknowledge receipt of the policy in writing or electronically (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 8).

Discipline Policy: Discipline is designed to promote behavior that will enable students to learn and successfully participate in their educational and social environments. The district discipline policy for students who make a threat of violence or commit an act of violence is developed to help students understand their obligations to others in the school setting, secure the safety of all students, staff and the community, and to correct student behavior if a violation occurs (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsection 1).

Students will conduct themselves in a manner fitting their age, grade level, and maturity, and with respect and consideration for the rights of others while on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district. Consequences for the misconduct will be fair and tailored to the age, grade level and maturity of the student.

Discipline and other responses to threats or incidents of violence by a student with a disability, including removal from a class, placement in a therapeutic classroom, suspensions, and expulsions, will comply with the provisions of applicable federal and state laws including, but not limited to, the IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsection 3).

District Response to a Threat or Incident of Violence by a Student

Reporting a Threat of Violence or Incidence of Violence: In the case of any threat of violence or incident of violence that results in injury, property damage or assault by a student, the teacher will report to the school principal or lead administrator within 24 hours of the incident. The principal or lead administrator will notify the parent or guardian of the student(s) who threatened or perpetrated an act of violence and the student(s) who the threatened or perpetrated act of violence was made against within 24 hours after receipt of the teacher’s report and complete an investigation of the Iowa Department of Education   2 incident as soon as possible. The classroom teacher may also notify the parent or guardian of the student who made the threat or caused the incident, and the parent or guardian of the student against whom the threat or incident was directed (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 4). 

An investigation will be initiated by the principal or lead administrator upon learning of an incident of violence or threat of violence through any credible means. If the principal or lead administrator finds that an incident of violence or threat of violence did occur, the administrator will determine the level of threat or incident by considering all aspects of the situation, including the student's intent and knowledge of the impact of their actions, their developmental level and context of the incident. The resolution will focus on identifying the cause behind the behavior and appropriate corrective action (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsections 1 and 4). 

A student who makes a threat of violence, causes an incident of violence that results in injury or property damage, or who commits an assault, will be subject to escalating levels of discipline for each occurrence. When appropriate, referrals will be made to local law enforcement. The district retains the authority to assign the level of disciplinary measures appropriate to the severity of the threat of violence or incident of violence (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsection 5).

Threat of Violence: Threat of violence means a written, verbal, electronic or behavioral message that either explicitly or implicitly expresses an intention to inflict emotional or physical injury, property damage, or assault.

Incident of Violence: Incident of violence means the intentional use of physical force or power against oneself, another person, a group or community or property resulting in injury, property damage or assault. 

Injury: Injury means “physical pain, illness or any impairment of physical condition.” State v. McKee, 312 N.W.2d 907, 913 (Iowa 1981).

Property Damage: Property damage means any destruction, damage, impairment or alteration of property to which the individual does not have a right to take such an action. Property means real property, which includes any real estate, building, or fixture attached to a building or structure, and personal property, which includes intangible property (Iowa Code section 4.1(21)).

Assault:  Assault means when, without justification, a student does any of the following “an act which is intended to cause pain or injury to, or which is intended to result in physical contact which will be insulting or offensive to another, coupled with the apparent ability to execute the act; or any act which is intended to place another in fear of immediate physical contact which will be painful, injurious, insulting or offensive, coupled with the apparent ability to execute the act; or intentionally points any firearm toward another or displays in a threatening manner any dangerous weapon toward another.”  

The act is not an assault when the person doing any of the above and the other person are voluntary participants in a sport, social or other activity, not in itself criminal, when the act is a reasonably foreseeable incident of such sport or activity, and does not create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or breach of the peace (Following Iowa Code section 708.1).

Each student handbook will contain an escalating response chart by grade band.

Approved: December 18, 2023

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

Introduction:  The 2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), signed by Governor Reynolds on May 26, 2023, requires the Iowa Department of Education to develop and distribute a model policy for school districts and charter schools that, if adopted, satisfies a school district's or charter school’s responsibilities under Iowa Code 279.79 established by the Act. These model policies are intended to support a school district and charter school in meeting the requirements of new Iowa Code section 279.79 and in developing policies for different grade levels that describe how a school district or charter school may discipline a student for making a threat of violence or causing an incident of violence that results in injury or property damage or assault. Districts are required to:

• Publish the district policy on the district website (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsection 1).

• Provide each parent or guardian with a copy of the policy and require the parent or guardian acknowledge receipt of the policy in writing or electronically (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 8).

Discipline Policy: Discipline is designed to promote behavior that will enable students to learn and successfully participate in their educational and social environments. The district discipline policy for students who make a threat of violence or commit an act of violence is developed to help students understand their obligations to others in the school setting, secure the safety of all students, staff and the community, and to correct student behavior if a violation occurs (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsection 1).

Students will conduct themselves in a manner fitting their age, grade level, and maturity, and with respect and consideration for the rights of others while on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district. Consequences for the misconduct will be fair and tailored to the age, grade level and maturity of the student.

Discipline and other responses to threats or incidents of violence by a student with a disability, including removal from a class, placement in a therapeutic classroom, suspensions, and expulsions, will comply with the provisions of applicable federal and state laws including, but not limited to, the IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsection 3).

District Response to a Threat or Incident of Violence by a Student

Reporting a Threat of Violence or Incidence of Violence: In the case of any threat of violence or incident of violence that results in injury, property damage or assault by a student, the teacher will report to the school principal or lead administrator within 24 hours of the incident. The principal or lead administrator will notify the parent or guardian of the student(s) who threatened or perpetrated an act of violence and the student(s) who the threatened or perpetrated act of violence was made against within 24 hours after receipt of the teacher’s report and complete an investigation of the Iowa Department of Education   2 incident as soon as possible. The classroom teacher may also notify the parent or guardian of the student who made the threat or caused the incident, and the parent or guardian of the student against whom the threat or incident was directed (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 4). 

An investigation will be initiated by the principal or lead administrator upon learning of an incident of violence or threat of violence through any credible means. If the principal or lead administrator finds that an incident of violence or threat of violence did occur, the administrator will determine the level of threat or incident by considering all aspects of the situation, including the student's intent and knowledge of the impact of their actions, their developmental level and context of the incident. The resolution will focus on identifying the cause behind the behavior and appropriate corrective action (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsections 1 and 4). 

A student who makes a threat of violence, causes an incident of violence that results in injury or property damage, or who commits an assault, will be subject to escalating levels of discipline for each occurrence. When appropriate, referrals will be made to local law enforcement. The district retains the authority to assign the level of disciplinary measures appropriate to the severity of the threat of violence or incident of violence (2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 96 (House File 604), sec. 7, new section 279.79, subsection 5).

Threat of Violence: Threat of violence means a written, verbal, electronic or behavioral message that either explicitly or implicitly expresses an intention to inflict emotional or physical injury, property damage, or assault.

Incident of Violence: Incident of violence means the intentional use of physical force or power against oneself, another person, a group or community or property resulting in injury, property damage or assault. 

Injury: Injury means “physical pain, illness or any impairment of physical condition.” State v. McKee, 312 N.W.2d 907, 913 (Iowa 1981).

Property Damage: Property damage means any destruction, damage, impairment or alteration of property to which the individual does not have a right to take such an action. Property means real property, which includes any real estate, building, or fixture attached to a building or structure, and personal property, which includes intangible property (Iowa Code section 4.1(21)).

Assault:  Assault means when, without justification, a student does any of the following “an act which is intended to cause pain or injury to, or which is intended to result in physical contact which will be insulting or offensive to another, coupled with the apparent ability to execute the act; or any act which is intended to place another in fear of immediate physical contact which will be painful, injurious, insulting or offensive, coupled with the apparent ability to execute the act; or intentionally points any firearm toward another or displays in a threatening manner any dangerous weapon toward another.”  

The act is not an assault when the person doing any of the above and the other person are voluntary participants in a sport, social or other activity, not in itself criminal, when the act is a reasonably foreseeable incident of such sport or activity, and does not create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or breach of the peace (Following Iowa Code section 708.1).

Each student handbook will contain an escalating response chart by grade band.

Approved: December 18, 2023

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

The student council provides for student activities, serves as a training experience for student leaders, promotes the common good, gives students a share in the management of the school, develops high ideals of personal conduct, acts as a clearinghouse for student activities, seeks to interest students in school district affairs, and helps solve problems that may arise.  Members of the council are student representatives who have direct access to the administration.

The principal, in conjunction with the students and licensed employees, shall set forth the guidelines for the student government’s elections, operations, and other elements of the government.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

No student organization shall exist which is not approved by the Board of Directors.  The superintendent shall determine qualifications and regulations for student groups and make recommendations to the Board for groups seeking approval.  Applications for organizing shall be relayed to the superintendent through the building principal.

Secondary and/or student-initiated curriculum-related organizations and secondary and/or student-initiated non-curriculum-related organizations are encouraged.

Curriculum-Related Organizations

It shall also be the responsibility of the principal to determine whether a student group is curriculum-related.  One or more of the following questions will be answered affirmatively if the group is curriculum-related:

• Is the subject matter of the group actually taught in a regularly offered course?
• Will the subject matter of the group soon be taught in a regularly offered course?
• Does the subject matter of the group concern the body of courses as a whole?
• Is participation in the group required for a particular course?
• Does participation in the group result in academic credit?

Secondary and/or student-initiated curriculum-related student organizations, upon receiving permission from the principal, may use the school district facilities for meetings and other purposes during non-instructional time.

Non-instructional time will mean any time before the first period of the day and after the last period of the day in which any student attends class.  Meetings will not interfere with the orderly conduct of the education program or other school district operations.  It is within the discretion of the principal to determine whether the meetings will interfere with the orderly conduct of the education program or other school district operations.  Activities relating to any part of the education program will have priority over the activities of another organization.

Employees shall be assigned to monitor approved meetings and may interact with curriculum-related organizations.

Non-curriculum-Related Organizations

Secondary and/or student-initiated, non-curriculum-related organizations shall be provided access to meeting space and school district facilities.  Only students may attend and participate in meetings of non-curriculum-related groups.  Such attendance shall be strictly voluntary and student-initiated.  As a means of determining whether a student’s attendance is voluntary, the principal may require parental consent for the student to attend the meetings.

Employees shall be assigned to monitor approved meetings.  Employees shall not participate in the meeting or assist in planning, criticizing or encouraging attendance.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Students may produce official school publications as part of the curriculum under the supervision of a faculty advisor and the principal.  Official school publications include material produced in the journalism, newspaper, yearbook or writing classes and distributed to the student body either free or for a fee.

Any expression made by students, including student expression in official school publications, is not an expression of official school policy.  The school district, the board, and the employees or officials are not liable in any civil or criminal action for any student expression made or published by students unless the employees or officials have interfered with or altered the content of the student speech or expression.  The liability, if any, is only to the extent of the interference or alteration of the speech or expression.

Official school publications are free from prior restraint by employees or officials except as provided by law.  A faculty advisor shall supervise student writers to maintain professional standards of English and journalism and to comply with the law including, but not limited to, the restrictions against unlawful speech.  The production of official school publications shall be guided by the law and by the ethical standards adopted by professional associations or societies of journalism.

Persons, other than students, who believe they have been aggrieved by student expression in a student-produced official school publication shall follow the grievance procedure outlined in board policy found in the 200 Series.  Students who believe their freedom of expression in a student-produced official school publication has been restricted shall follow the grievance procedure outlined in board policy 502.6.

The superintendent shall be responsible for developing a student publications code.  This code shall include, but not be limited to, reasonable rules including time, place, and manner of restrictions.  The superintendent shall also be responsible for distributing this policy and the student publications code to the students and their parents.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Students, as part of the education program, may participate in contests or other public and private events approved by the superintendent that will be of benefit to the student and the education program.  Performance at such events is a privilege.

Students, who perform at such events, serve as ambassadors of the school district and must conduct themselves in the same manner as required in the regular school day.  Students who fail to abide by this policy and the administrative regulations supporting it may be subject to disciplinary measures.

Students will be allowed to perform in these events only with proper permission and supervision and when the events do not disrupt the education program or other school district operations.  The events must be approved by the superintendent, unless it involves unusual travel and expense, in which case the board must approve of the performance.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. In developing the administrative regulations, these guidelines should be followed:

• Performances by student groups below the high school level should be allowed on a very limited basis;
• All groups of students should have an opportunity to participate; and,
• Extensive travel by one group of students should be discouraged.

It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to determine whether the event will benefit the education program and the participating students.  Contests or other performances by students unapproved by the superintendent shall be the responsibility of the parent and the student.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Students may raise funds for school-sponsored events with the permission of the principal.  Fundraising by students for events other than school-sponsored events is not allowed.  Collection boxes for school fundraising must have prior approval from the principal before being placed on school property.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Participation in school activities is a privilege.  School activities provide the benefits of promoting additional interests and ability in the students during their school years and for their lifetime.

Students may participate in interscholastic athletics, music, speech, and other contests or events approved by the administration subject to the rules and regulations which govern participation in general for each event or contest.  Any such events must be supervised by licensed employee.

The district is affiliated and pays dues as a member or organizations such as Iowa FFA Association, Iowa State Music Association, Iowa State Speech Association, Iowa High School Athletic Association, the Iowa High School Girls' Athletic Union, and the Iowa Association of Student Councils.  The district is, therefore, subject to all the rules and regulations of these associations and the Department of Education.

Student activity events must be approved by the superintendent unless it involves unusual travel expense, in which case the board will take action.  The events must not disrupt the education program or other school district operations.

A high school student who participates in school sponsored athletics may participate in a non-school sponsored sport during the same season with written approval of the athletic director.  This allowance is with the understanding that the school-sponsored team participation takes precedence over the non-school team participation.  Such outside participation shall not conflict with the school sponsored athletic activity.  The determination of whether a non-school sponsored sport conflicts with a school sponsored athletic activity shall be determined by the supervising coach.

If a student misses a school practice or competition due to the non-school athletic participation, the student is subject to disciplinary action by the coach/sponsor in charge of that sport.

Students wanting to participate in school activities must meet the requirements set out by the school district for participation in the activity.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22 2024

Students utilizing school transportation shall conduct themselves in an orderly manner fitting to their age level and maturity with mutual respect and consideration for the rights of the bus driver and the passengers.  Students who fail to behave in an orderly manner will be subject to disciplinary measures.

The school vehicle driver shall have the authority to maintain order on the school vehicle.  It shall be the responsibility of the driver to report misconduct to the building administrator.  Once an infraction occurs, the following bus discipline procedure shall be used to maintain an orderly atmosphere on the school vehicle:

School Transportation Discipline Procedure

In the event a general education student's conduct is inappropriate while being transported to and from school, the following actions could result:

Step 1)             A student/driver conference will be held centering around the student’s behavior, the rule that was violated, and the expectations for the future.  The parents of the student will be contacted by the driver.  A written report will be filed with the building principal of the student and a copy forwarded to the parents along with a copy of the bus policy.

Step 2)             A student/driver/principal conference will be held concerning the incident.  A written report will be filled out by the driver and principal.  The building principal will contact the parents of the student and an accompanying letter will be sent to the parents along with a copy of the bus policy.  The student will be suspended from bus privileges from one to five days.

Step 3)             A student/driver/principal conference will be held concerning the incident.  A written report will be filled out by the driver and principal.  The building principal will contact the parents of the student and an accompanying letter will be sent to the parents along with a copy of the bus policy.  The student will be suspended from bus privileges from five to ten days. A parent/student/driver/principal conference will be held prior to the return of the student to bus privileges.

Step 4)             A student/driver/principal conference will be held concerning the incident.  A written report will be filled out by the driver and principal.  The building principal will contact the parents of the student and an accompanying letter will be sent to the parents. At this time the bus policy and the due process hearing procedure will be presented to the parent/guardian.  The student will be suspended from bus privileges pending the result of a hearing by the board.

In the event a special education student's conduct is inappropriate while being transported to and from school, the following actions could result:

Step 1)             A student/driver conference will be held centering around the student’s behavior, the rule that was violated, and the expectations for the future.  The parents of the student will be contacted by the driver.  A written report will be filed with the building principal of the student and a copy forwarded to the parents along with a copy of the bus policy.

Step 2, 3, and 4)          A student/driver/principal conference will be held concerning the incident.  In addition, the student's IEP Team will meet to determine appropriate educational options and transportation for the student.  A written report will be filled out by the driver and principal.  The building principal will contact the parents of the student and an accompanying letter will be sent to the parents along with a copy of the bus policy. 

Those student riders whose privileges have already been suspended by the board during one academic year could start on step 2 or 3 of this procedure the next academic year.  If the offense jeopardizes the safety of other students and the bus driver, action may be processed at step 3.

Approved:  October 20, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Students shall receive a progress report at the end of each semester or trimester.  Students who are doing poorly, and their parents, shall be notified prior to the end of the semester in order to have an opportunity to improve their grade.  The board encourages the notification of students who have made marked improvement prior to the end of the semester.

Parents, teachers or principals may request a conference for students in grades kindergarten through twelve in addition to the scheduled conference time.  Parents and students are encouraged to discuss the student’s progress or other matters with the student’s teacher whenever appropriate.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Student Promotion - Retention - Acceleration

The district recognizes that not all students grow and develop at the same rate and that some students may need more time at a particular level.  Students will be promoted to the next grade level at the end of each school year based on the student’s achievement, age, maturity, emotional stability, and social adjustment.

The retention of a student will be determined based upon the judgment of the licensed employee and the principal.  When it becomes evident a student in grades kindergarten through eight may be retained in a grade level for an additional year, the parents will be informed.  It shall be within the sole discretion of the board through the superintendent to retain students in their current grade level.

Students in grades nine through twelve will be informed of the required course work necessary to maintain adequate progress toward graduation.  When it becomes evident a student in these grades will be unable to meet the minimum credit requirements for the year, the student and parents will be informed.  It shall be within the sole discretion of the board to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.

Students in grades kindergarten through twelve with exceptional talents may, with the permission of the principal and parents, take classes beyond their current grade level.  Enrichment opportunities outside the school district may be allowed when they do not conflict with the school district’s graduation requirements.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Student Honors and Awards

The school district will provide a program that establishes honors and awards including, but not limited to, academic letters, scholarships, and good citizenship awards for students to assist students in setting goals.  Students will be made aware of honors and awards and the action necessary on the part of the student to achieve them.  Students who have not attended the school district for their entire education or have not attended an accredited public or private school may not be eligible for honors and awards.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Testing, Evaluation, and Survey Program

A comprehensive testing program is established and maintained to evaluate the education program of the school district and to assist in providing guidance or counseling services to students and their families.

No student is required, as part of any applicable program, to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning:

• political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent/guardian:
• mental or psychological problems of the student or the student's family;
• sex behavior or attitudes;
• illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;
• critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
• legally recognized, privileged and analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers;
• religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; or
• income, (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program);

Without the prior consent of the student (if the student is an adult or emancipated minor), or in the case of an unemancipated minor, without the prior written consent of the parent.

Prior to an employee or contractor of the district providing information on a student enrolled in the district on any survey related to the social or emotional abilities, competencies or characteristics of the student; the district will provide the parent/guardian of the student detailed information related to the survey and obtain written consent of the parent/guardian of the student.  This includes the person who created the survey, the person who sponsors the survey, how the information generated by the survey is used and how information generated by the survey is stored. This requirement will not prohibit a district employee from answering questions related to a student enrolled in the district as part of developing or implementing an individualized education program for the student.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

It is the responsibility of the board to review and approve the evaluation and testing program.

Approved:  January 15, 2003

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Graduation Requirements

The following are the course requirements for students to graduate from Interstate 35 Community School District High School:

1. Science:  Six (6) credits.  All freshmen must enroll for a full year laboratory science course, which meets half of this requirement.
2. Mathematics:  Six (6) credits of mathematics.  All freshmen must enroll for a full year mathematics course.
3. Social Studies:  Six (6) credits of social studies, including two (2) credits of world history, two (2) credits of American history, and one (1) credit each of government and economics.
4. Language Arts:  Eight (8) credits.  Four (4) credits must be earned in the area of basic English mechanics and composition.  One (1) credit must be earned in either American Literature or World Literature.  One (1) credit must be earned in another literature course.  Two (2) credits may be earned in any of the courses listed under language arts.
5. Technology Education:  At least one (1) credit in computer-related class work.
6. Vocational:  Two (2) elective credits.
7. Fine Arts:  Two (2) elective credits.  Foreign language may be used to meet this requirement.
8. Physical Education:  One (1) semester of physical education (1 credit) per year.
9. Financial Literacy: One-half (1/2) credit of financial literacy, which may but is not required to fulfill either one-half (1/2) credit of mathematics, one-half (1/2) credit of social studies or one-half (1/2) credit of Career and Technical Education content.*
10. Special Education Classes:  Special education students must attend classes pursuant to Board Policy.
11. Elective requirements may be waived by the building principal for those students who have been enrolled in Band and Chorus for four (4) years and have scheduled a full course load for four (4) years.

The Board may determine whether the financial literacy course falls into mathematics, social studies or CTE areas of curriculum or is a stand-alone requirement in addition to other graduation requirements. The board delegates the superintendent make the determination of curricular areas that best meets the needs of students based on staffing capacity and certifications.  The required courses of study will be reviewed by the Board annually.  

Prior to graduation, the district will advise students on how to successfully complete the free application for federal student aid.

Graduation requirements for special education students include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies and three years of science.

Students who complete a regular session in the Legislative Page Program of the general assembly at the state capitol will be credited ½ credit of social studies.

Students enrolled in a junior officers’ training corp will receive 1/8th physical education credit for each semester the student is enrolled in the program.

  Credits for Foreign Study

Interstate 35 Community School students who choose to travel abroad for foreign study may attend classes in a foreign country and receive credit toward graduation under the following conditions:

1. Course length and contact hours shall be approximately the same as if taken in the Interstate 35 School District.
2. If an elective course, local credits shall be based on successful completion of the course and shall be pass/fail credit only.
3. If a required course, credit shall be based on an examination to be structured and supervised by Interstate 35 School District officials, and may be administered before or after travel is completed.  The grade shall be pass/fail.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Generally, students will be required to complete the necessary course work and graduate from high school at the end of grade twelve.  Students may graduate prior to this time if they meet the minimum graduation requirements stated in board policy and the student has the approval of the board and a recommendation by the superintendent and building principal.

A student who graduates early will no longer be considered a student and will become an alumnus of the school district.  Therefore, the student who graduates early can no longer participate in any school activities.  However, the student who graduates early may participate in commencement exercises.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Students who have met the requirements for graduation will be allowed to participate in the commencement proceedings provided they abide by the proceedings organized by the school district.  It shall be the responsibility of the principal to solicit input from each graduating class regarding the proceedings for their commencement.

Attendance at commencement exercises is optional.  Failure of a student to participate in commencement will not be a reason for withholding the student’s final progress report or diploma certifying the student’s completion of high school.  A student may be excluded from participation in commencement for violation of school policy, rules or the law.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

It is the policy of Interstate 35 Community Schools that parents and family members of participating children shall have the opportunity to be involved jointly in the development of the district plan and in the district's review process for the purpose of school improvement. Recognizing that parental involvement is the key to academic achievement, we seek to involve parents in an effective home-school partnership that will provide the best possible education for our students. The district provides coordination, technical assistance and other supports necessary to aid in the planning and implementation of parent involvement activities. The district encourages parent involvement and supports this partnership through providing information about standards and assessments; providing training and materials for parents to help their children; educating school personnel about involving parents and the value of parent contributions; and developing roles for community organizations and businesses to work with parents and schools.

1. This policy is distributed to parents and family members of participating Title I children through the Parent Information which is distributed to every family at the time of registration. In schoolwide buildings, this will include all parents. (ESSA Section 1116(a)(2))
2. The district will provide technical assistance and support to schools in planning and implementing effective parent and family engagement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance through professional development regarding parent and family engagement. The district will partner with community groups as a means to engage families more creatively and successfully. (ESSA Section 1116(a)(2)(B))
3. The district will work to find ways to work cooperatively with other Federal, state, and local programs. The Title I program will work with local public preschool programs, local library programs, and special education programs (IDEA). Our homeless education program coordinates with the local backpack program to offer support to students that are food insecure, especially over the weekends. (ESSA Section 1116(a)(2)(C))
4. The district conducts an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness for the Parent and Family Engagement Policy. The evaluation includes parents in a meaningful manner.  Parents and families have a voice. The evaluation tools and methods identify the type and frequency of school-home interactions and the needs of parents and families have to better support and assist their children in learning. The evaluations will target at least three key areas: barriers, ability to assist learning, and successful interactions. (ESSA Section 1116(a)(2)(D)(i-iii))
5. The district uses the findings for the annual evaluation to design evidenced-based strategies for more effective parent and family engagement. The evaluation results will help uncover best practices that are working and adapt those ideas to the district and individual school needs. (ESSA Section 1116(a)(2)(E))
6. The district involves parents and family members in activities of the school. The district has established a parent advisory committee comprised of a sufficient number and representative group of parents or family members to adequately represent the needs to the population, revised, and reviewed the Parent and Family Engagement Policy. (ESSA Section 1116(a)(2)(F))
7. At least one annual meeting will be held to inform parents and family members of the school's participation in the Title I program and to explain the requirements of the program and their right to be involved. The meeting shall be for parents of both public and private school. The Interstate 35 elementary will hold an annual meeting in the fall. Notification will be sent in the district and building newsletter. (ESSA Section 1116(c)(1))
8. Parent and family meetings, including parent conferences, will be held at different times during the day and Title I funds may be used to pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with parent and family engagement activities, including transportation, childcare, or home visit expenses to enable parents to participate in school-related meetings and training sessions. (ESSA Section 1116(c)(2))
9. The district will involve parents in the planning, review, and improvement of the school’s Title I program through participation in stakeholder groups and in-person meetings where parents give input and feedback. (ESSA Section 1116(c)(3))
10. In a schoolwide program plan, parents are asked to be involved in the joint development of the building’s schoolwide plan through in-person meetings, surveys and electric feedback as appropriate. Applies only to Title I schools operating a Schoolwide Program. (ESSA Sections 1116(c)(3) and 1114))
11. Parents and family members of participating children are given assistance in understanding the Title I program, with timely information about the Title I program. Through annual meetings and parent teacher conferences, the school will provide parents and family members of participating children with a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet. Parents and family members receive an explanation of the school's performance profile, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the expected proficiency levels in the annual progress report distributed to all stockholders in the spring of the year, through individual reports given to parents at conference time, and through report cards. (ESSA Section 1116(c)(4)(A) & (B))
12. If requested by parents, the school will provide opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any such suggestions as soon as practicably possible. (ESSA Section 1116(c)(4)(C))
13. If the schoolwide plan under Section 1114(b) is not satisfactory, parents of participating students may comment. Comments may be made in writing to the school principal. (ESSA Section 1116(c)(5))
14. A jointly developed school/parent compact outlines how parents and family members, the entire school staff, and students all share responsibility for improved student achievement. The compact also describes the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve our local high standards. It is distributed in the parent handbook and is reviewed at the annual meetings. (ESSA Section 1116(d))
15. Parents will be notified of this policy in an understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, provided in a language the parents can understand. The policy will be provided in English and Spanish and will be free of educational jargon. (ESSA Section 1116(b)(1))
16. In order to ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the school involved, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement, each school and local educational agency shall:
    1. Provide assistance to parents in understanding challenging State academic standards, State and local academic assessments, the requirements of this part, and how to monitor a child’s progress and work with educators to improve the achievement of their children;
    2. Provide materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children’s achievement, such as literacy training and using technology (including education about the harms of copyright piracy), as appropriate, to foster parental involvement;
    3. Educate teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, principals, and other school leaders, and other staff, with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and the school;
    4. Coordinate and integrate parent involvement programs and activities with other Federal, State, and local programs, including public preschool programs, and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children;
    5. Ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is sent to the parents of participating children in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand; and
    6. Provide such other reasonable support for parental involvement activities under this section as parents may request. (ESSA Section 1116(e)(1-14))
17. The school, to the extent practicable, will provide opportunities for the informed participation of parents and family members (including parents and family members who have limited English proficiency, parents and family members with disabilities, and parents and family members of migratory children) by providing information and school reports required under Section 1111 in a format and language the parties can understand. (ESSA Section 11116(f))

Approved:  January 19, 2004

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

The board recognizes the importance of maintaining student records and preserving their confidentiality.  For purposes of this policy and other policies relating to student records, student is defined as an enrolled individual in a pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, including children in school district-sponsored child care programs.

Student records containing personally identifiable information shall be kept confidential at collection, storage, disclosure, and destruction stages.  The board secretary is the custodian of student records.  Student records may be maintained in the central administration office or administrative office of the student's attendance center.

Parents and eligible students will have access to the student’s records during the regular business hours of the school district.  An eligible student is a student who has reached eighteen years of age or is attending an institution of post-secondary education at the post high school level. Parents of an eligible student are provided access to the student records only with the written permission of the eligible student unless the eligible student is defined as a dependent by the Internal Revenue Code.  In that case, the parents may be provided access without the written permission of the student.  A representative of the parents or eligible student, who has received written permission from the parents or eligible student, may inspect and review a special education student’s records.  Parents, other than parents of an eligible student, may be denied access to a student’s records if the school district has a court order stating such or when the district has been advised under the appropriate laws that the parents may not access the student records.  Parents may inspect an instrument used for the purpose of collection of student personal information prior to the instrument’s use.

A student record may contain information on more than one student.  Parents shall have the right to access the information relating to their student or to be informed of the information.  Eligible students will also have the right to access the information relating to themselves or be informed of the information.

Parents and eligible students will have a right to access the student’s records upon request without unnecessary delay and in no instance more than forty-five calendar days after the request is made.  Parents, an eligible student or an authorized representative of the parents shall have the right to access the student’s records prior to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting or hearing.

Copies of student records will only be provided if failure to do so would effectively prevent the parents or student from exercising the right to access the student records.  Fees for copies of the records shall be waived if it would prevent the parents or student from accessing the records.  A fee may not be charged to search or retrieve information from student records.

Upon the request of parents or an eligible student, the school district shall provide an explanation and interpretation of the student records and a list of the types and locations of education records collected, maintained or used by the school district.

If the parents or an eligible student believes the information in the student records is inaccurate, misleading or violates the privacy or other rights of the student, the parents or an eligible student may request that the school district amend the student records.  The school district will decide whether to amend the student records within a reasonable time after receipt of the request.  If the school district determines an amendment shall be made to the student record, the school district shall make the amendment and inform the parents or the eligible student of the decision in writing.

If the school district determines that amendment of the student's record is not appropriate, it shall inform the parents or the eligible student of their right to a hearing before the hearing officer provided by the school district.  If the parents' and the eligible student's request to amend the student record is further denied following the hearing, the parents or the eligible student shall be informed that they have a right to place an explanatory letter in the student record commenting on the school district's decision and setting forth the reasoning for disagreeing with the school district.  Additions to the student's records will become a part of the student record and be maintained like other student records.  If the school district discloses the student records, the explanation by the parents will also be disclosed.

Student records may be disclosed in limited circumstances without parental or eligible student’s written permission.  This disclosure is made on the condition that the student record will not be disclosed to a third party without the written permission of the parents or the eligible student.  This disclosure may be made to the following individuals or under the following circumstances:

• to school officials within the school district and AEA personnel whom the superintendent has determined to have a legitimate educational interest, including, but not limited to, board members, employees, school attorney, auditor, health professionals, and individuals serving on official school committees;
• to officials of another school district in which the student wishes to enroll, provided the other school district notifies the parents the student records are being sent and the parents have an opportunity to receive a copy of the records and challenge the contents of the records unless the annual notification includes a provision that records will automatically be transferred to new school districts;
• to authorized representatives of the United States Comptroller General, the United States Secretary of Education, the United States Attorney General, or state and local educational authorities;
• in connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received if the information is necessary to receive the financial aid;
• to organizations and/or their authorized representatives studies for, or on behalf of, educational agencies or institutions for the purpose of developing, validating or administering predictive tests, administering student aid programs, and improving instruction, if such studies are conducted in such a manner as will not permit the personal identification of students and their parents by persons other than representatives of such organizations and such information will be destroyed when no longer needed for the purpose for which it is conducted;
• to accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions;
• to parents of a dependent student as defined in the Internal Revenue Code;
• to comply with a court order or judicially issued subpoena consistent with an interagency agreement between the school district and juvenile justice agencies;
• in connection with a health or safety emergency;
• to authorized representatives of the Secretary of Agriculture or authorized representative from the Food and Nutrition Service for the purposes of conducting program monitoring, evaluations, and performance measurements of state and local educational and other agencies and institutions receiving funding for or providing a school lunch program for which the results will be reported in an aggregate form that does not identify any individual, provided that the data collected shall be protected in a manner that will not permit the personal identification of students and their parents to anyone other than those authorized under this paragraph and any personally identifiable data shall be destroyed when the data are no longer needed for program monitoring, evaluations, and performance measurements;
• to an agency caseworker or other representative of a state or local child welfare agency or tribal organization authorized to access a student’s case plan when such agency or organization is legally responsible for the care and protection of the student, provided that the education records or the personally identifiable information contained in such records of the student will not be disclosed by such agency or organization, except to an individual or entity engaged in addressing the student’s education needs and authorized by such agency or organization to receive such disclosure and such disclosure is consistent with the state or tribal laws applicable to protecting the confidentiality of a student’s education records; or
• as directory information.

The superintendent will keep a list of the individuals and their positions who are authorized to view a special education student’s records without the permission of the parents or the eligible student.  Individuals not listed are not allowed access without parental or an eligible student's written permission.  This list must be current and available for public inspection and updated as changes occur.

The superintendent will also keep a list of individuals, agencies, and organizations which have requested or obtained access to a student’s records, the date access was given, and their legitimate educational interest or purpose for which they were authorized to view the records.  The superintendent, however, does not need to keep a list of the parents, authorized educational employees, officers, and agencies of the school district who have accessed the student's records.  This list for a student record may be accessed by the parents, the eligible student, and the custodian of student records.

Permanent student records, including a student’s name, address, phone number, grades, attendance record, classes attended, grade level completed and year completed may be maintained without time limitation.  Permanent student records will be kept in a fire-safe vault.

When personally identifiable information, other than permanent student records, no longer needs to be maintained by the school district to provide educational services to a special education student, the parents or eligible student are notified.    This notice is normally given after a student graduates or otherwise leaves the school district.  If the parents or eligible student request that the personally identifiable information be destroyed, the school district will destroy the records.  Prior to the destruction of the records, the school district must inform the parents or eligible student the records may be needed by the parents or eligible student for social security benefits or other purposes.  In the absence of parents or an eligible student’s request to destroy the records, the school district must maintain the records for at least three years after an individual is determined to be no longer eligible for special education.

The school district will cooperate with the juvenile justice system in sharing information contained in permanent student records regarding students who have become involved with the juvenile justice system.  The school district will enter into an interagency agreement with the juvenile justice agencies involved.  The purpose of the agreement shall be to allow for the sharing of information prior to a student's adjudication in order to promote and collaborate between the school district and the agencies to improve school safety, reduce alcohol and illegal drug use, reduce truancy, reduce in-school and out-of-school suspensions, and to support alternatives to in-school and out-of-school suspensions and expulsions which provide structured and well supervised educational programs supplemented by coordinated and appropriate services designed to correct behaviors that lead to truancy, suspension, and expulsions and to support students in successfully completing their education.

The school district may share any information with the agencies contained in a student's permanent record which is directly related to the juvenile justice system's ability to effectively serve the student.  Prior to adjudication, information contained in the permanent record may be disclosed by the school district to the parties without parental consent or court order.  Information contained in a student's permanent record may be disclosed by the school district to the agencies after adjudication only with parental consent or a court order.  Information shared pursuant to the agreement is used solely for determining the programs and services appropriate to the needs of the student or student's family or coordinating the delivery of programs and services to the student or student's family.  Information shared under the agreement is not admissible in any court proceedings which take place prior to a disposition hearing, unless written consent is obtained from a student's parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian.

Confidential information shared between the school district and the agencies will remain confidential and will not be shared with any other person, unless otherwise provided by law.  Information shared under the agreement is not admissible in any court proceedings which take place prior to a disposition hearing, unless written consent is obtained from a student's parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian.  The school district may discontinue information sharing with an agency if the school district determines that the agency has violated the intent or letter of the agreement.

Agencies will contact the principal of the attendance center where the student is currently or was enrolled.  The principal will then forward copies of the records within 10 business days of the request.

The school district will provide training or instruction to employees about parents' and eligible students' rights under this policy.  Employees will also be informed about the procedures for carrying out this policy.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to annually notify parents and eligible students of their right to inspect and review the student's records.  The notice shall be given in a parents' or eligible student's native language.  Should the school district collect personal information from students for the purposes of marketing or selling that information, the school district will annually notify parents of such activity.

The notice shall include a statement that the parents have a right to file a complaint alleging the school district failed to comply with this policy.  Complaints shall be forwarded to Family Policy Compliance Office, United States Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue Washington, D.C.  20202-4605.

Approved:  January 19, 2004

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Student directory information is designed to be used internally within the school district.  For purposes of this policy and other policies relating to student directory information, student is defined as an enrolled individual in a pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, including children in school district-sponsored child care programs.  Directory information is defined in the annual notice.  It may include the student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, e-mail address, grade level, enrollment status, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student, student ID number that is displayed on a student identification card (provided it cannot be solely used to access the student’s educational records), user ID or other unique personal identifier that is displayed on a student identification card (provided it cannot be solely used to access the student’s educational records), photograph and other likeness, and other similar information. 

The district may designate that certain directory information is available to specific parties and/or for a specific purpose.

Prior to developing a student directory or to giving general information to the public, parents of students, including those open enrolled out of the district and parents of children homeschooled in the district, will be given notice annually of the intent to develop a directory or to give out general information and have the opportunity to deny the inclusion of their child's information in the directory or in the general information about the students.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to provide notice and to determine the method of notice that will inform parents.

Approved:  February 18, 2001

Revised/Reviewed:   April 22, 2024

Student Photographs

The board will permit student “portrait” photographs to be taken on school premises by a commercial photographer as a service to the students and their families.

Parents will be notified prior to the taking of pictures by a commercial photographer for student “portraits.”  In no case will students be required to have their picture taken or be pressured to purchase pictures.

Students or commercial photographers may take pictures of students upon consent for such things as the yearbook or student newspaper.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed:   April  22, 2024

Student library circulation records are designed to be used internally to assist in the orderly administration of the school district libraries.  As a general rule, student library circulation records are considered confidential records and will not be released without parental consent.  Individuals who may access such records include a student's parents, the student, authorized licensed employees, authorized government officials from the United States Comptroller General, the Secretary of Education, the Commissioner and Director of the National Institute of Education, and the Assistant Secretary for Education and State Education Department.

Appropriate authorities in a health or safety emergency may access the student's library circulation records without the approval or the notification of the student's parents.  Parents may not access records, without the student's permission, of a student who has reached the age of majority or who is attending a post-secondary educational institution unless the student is considered a dependent for tax purposes.

It is the school librarian's responsibility, as the person maintaining the student library circulation records, to approve requests for access to student library circulation records.  Students' library circulation records may be accessed during the regular business hours of the school district.  If copies of documents are requested, a fee for such copying may be charged

.Approved:  June 29, 2015

Revised/Reviewed:  April 22, 2024

Student Surveys

The board recognizes the importance of conducting student surveys and gathering information from students.  Surveys relating to and/or gathering certain information from students are subject to the parent’s consent and/or right to opt his/her student in/out of the survey.

The school district shall require parental consent before a student is required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information surveys”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED):

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parents;
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family;
3. Sex behaviors or attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of others with whom the respondents have close family relationships;
6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the students or parents; or
8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

The school district shall provide an opportunity for parents to opt their child in  any of the following surveys and/or information gathering processes:

1. A protected information survey, which concerns any of the protected areas outlined above, regardless of the source of funding of the survey;
2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical examination or screening permitted or required under Iowa law; and
3. Activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others

The school district shall provide parents an opportunity to inspect upon request and before administration or use, any of the following information:

1. Protected information surveys of students;
2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and
3. Instructional materials used as part of the educational curriculum.

Approved:  June 29, 2015

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

Student Health and Immunization Certificates

Students desiring to participate in athletic activities or enrolling in kindergarten or first grade in the school district will have a physical examination by a licensed physician and provide proof of such an examination to the school district.  A physical examination and proof of such an examination may be required by the administration for students in other grades enrolling for the first time in the school district.

A certificate of health stating the results of a physical examination and signed by the physician is on file at the attendance center.  Each student will submit an up-to-date certificate of health upon the request of the superintendent.  Failure to provide this information may be grounds for disciplinary action.

Students enrolling in kindergarten or any grade in elementary school in the school district will have, at a minimum, a dental screening performed by a licensed medical professional (physician, nurse, physician assistant, dentist, dental hygienist) sometime between the student turning three (3) years of age and four (4) months following the student’s enrollment in the school district, and will provide proof of such a screening to the school district.  Students enrolling in any grade in high school in the school district will have, at a minimum, a dental screening performed by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist sometime between one (1) year prior to the student’s enrollment in the school district and four (4) months following the student’s enrollment in the school district, and will provide proof of such a screening to the school district.

Parents or guardians of students enrolling in kindergarten in the school district shall be provided a student vision card provided by the Iowa optometric association and as approved by the department of education.  The goal of the school district is that every child receives an eye examination by age seven, as needed.

Students enrolling for the first time in the school district will also submit a certificate of immunization for all immunizations required by law.  The student may be admitted conditionally to the attendance center if the student has not yet completed the immunization process but is in the process of doing so.  Failure to meet the immunization requirement will be grounds for suspension, expulsion or denial of admission.  Upon recommendation of the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Department of Public Health, students entering the district for the first time may be required to pass a TB test prior to admission.  The district may conduct TB tests of current students.

Exemptions from the immunization requirement in this policy will be allowed only for medical or religious reasons recognized under the law.  The student must provide a valid Iowa State Department of Health Certificate of Immunization Exemption to be exempt from this policy.

Approved:  November 17, 1997                                

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

The board is committed to the inclusion of all students in the education program and recognizes that some students may need prescription and nonprescription medication to participate in their educational program. 

Medication shall be administered when the student's parent or guardian (hereafter "parent") provides a signed and dated written statement requesting medication administration and the medication is in the original, labeled container, either as dispensed or in the manufacturer's container. Administration of medication may also occur consistent with board policy 804.05 – Stock Prescription Medication Supply.

When administration of the medication requires ongoing professional health judgment, an individual health plan shall be developed by licensed health personnel working under the auspice of the school with collaboration from the parent or guardian, individual’s health care provider or education team pursuant to 281.14.2(256).   Students who have demonstrated competence in administering their own medications may self-administer their medication. A written statement by the student's parent shall be on file requesting co-administration of medication, when competence has been demonstrated. By law, students with asthma, airway constricting diseases, respiratory distress or students at risk of anaphylaxis who use epinephrine auto-injectors may self-administer their medication upon the written approval of the student’s parents and prescribing licensed health care professional regardless of competency.

Persons administering medication shall include authorized practitioners, such as licensed registered nurses and physician, and persons to whom authorized practitioners have delegated the administration of medication (who have successfully completed a medication administration course conducted by a registered nurse or pharmacist that is provided by the department of education). The medication administration course is completed every five years with an annual procedural skills check completed with a registered nurse or a pharmacist. A record of course completion shall be maintained by the school.

A written medication administration record shall be on file including: 

• date; 
• student’s name; 
• prescriber or person authorizing administration; 
• medication; 
• medication dosage;
• administration time; 
• administration method; 
• signature and title of the person administering medication; and 
• any unusual circumstances, actions, or omissions.

Medication shall be stored in a secured area unless an alternate provision is documented.  The development of emergency protocols for medication-related reactions is required. Medication information shall be confidential information as provided by law.

Disposal of unused, discontinued/recalled, or expired abandoned medication shall be in compliance with federal and state law. Prior to disposal school personnel shall make a reasonable attempt to return medication by providing written notification that expired, discontinued, or unused medications needs to be picked up. If medication is not picked up by the date specified, disposal shall be in accordance with the disposal procedures for the specific category of medication. 

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

Students with a communicable disease will be allowed to attend school provided their presence does not create a substantial risk of illness or transmission to other students or employees.  The term "communicable disease" will mean an infectious or contagious disease spread from person to person, or animal to person, or as defined by law.

Prevention and control of communicable diseases is included in the school district's bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan.  The procedures will include scope and application, definitions, exposure control, methods of compliance, universal precautions, vaccination, post-exposure evaluation, follow-up, communication of hazards to employees, and record keeping.  This plan is reviewed annually by the superintendent and school nurse.

The health risk to immune suppressed students is determined by their personal physician.  The health risk to others in the school district environment from the presence of a student with a communicable disease is determined on a case-by-case basis by the student's personal physician, a physician chosen by the school district or public health officials.

A student’s parent or guardian shall notify the superintendent or the school nurse when the student learns the student has a communicable disease. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, when the superintendent or school nurse, upon investigation, has knowledge that a reportable communicable disease is present, to notify the Iowa Department of Public Health. Health data of a student is confidential and it shall not be disclosed to third parties.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

When a student becomes ill or is injured at school, the school district will attempt to notify the student's parents as soon as possible.

The school district, while not responsible for medical treatment of an ill or injured student, will have employees present administer emergency or minor first aid if possible.  An ill or injured child will be turned over to the care of the parents or qualified medical employees as quickly as possible.

It is the responsibility of the principal to file an accident report with the superintendent within twenty-four hours after the student is injured.  Reports will be kept in the administrative office for that year and then filed in the student’s cumulative folder.

Annually, parents are required to complete a medical emergency authorization form indicating the procedures to be followed, if possible, in an emergency involving their child.  The authorization form will also include the phone numbers of the parents and alternative numbers to call in case of an injury or illness.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

Emergency Plans and Drills

Students will be informed of the appropriate action to take in an emergency.  Emergency drills for fire, weather, and other disasters are conducted each school year.  Fire and tornado drills are each conducted regularly during the academic school year with a minimum of two before December 31 and two after January 1.

Each attendance center will develop and maintain a written plan containing emergency and disaster procedures.  The plan will be communicated to and reviewed with employees.  The emergency plan will include:

• assignment of employees to specific tasks and responsibilities;
• instructions relating to the use of alarm systems and signals.  If combination visual and auditory warning devices do not exist, the plan shall include specific provisions for warning individuals with hearing impairments
• information concerning methods of fire containment;
• systems for notification of appropriate persons and agencies;
• information concerning the location and use of firefighting equipment;
• specification of evacuation routes and procedures;
• posting of plans and procedures at suitable locations throughout the facility;
• evacuation drills which include the actual evacuation of individuals to safe areas;
• an evaluation for each evacuation drill.

Employees will participate in emergency drills.  Licensed employees are responsible for instructing the proper techniques to be followed in the drill.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

Students participating in intramural or extracurricular athletics shall be required to have health and accident insurance.  Students, whether they are or are not participating in intramural or extracurricular athletics, will have the opportunity to participate in the health and accident insurance plan selected by the school district.  

The cost of the health and accident insurance program is borne by the student.  Participation in the insurance health and accident plan is not a contract with the school district, but rather, a contract between the insurance company and the student.

Whenever a student is injured while under the supervision of a member of the school district staff, the faculty member will file an accident report with the school nurse and the principal's office.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

Disagreements between family members are not the responsibility of the school district.  The school district will not take the “side” of one family member over another in a disagreement about custody or parental rights.  Court orders that have been issued shall be followed by the school district.  It shall be the responsibility of the person requesting an action by the school district to inform and provide the school district the court order allowing such action.

This policy does not prohibit an employee from listening to a student’s problems and concerns.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

The board recognizes that some special education students need special health services during the school day.  These students will receive special health services in conjunction with their individualized education program. 

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024

The Interstate 35 Community School District promotes healthy students by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment.  The school district supports a healthy environment where students learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices.  By facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, schools contribute to the basic health status of students.  Improved health optimizes student performance potential.

The school district provides a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong wellness behaviors.  The entire school environment, not just the classroom, shall be aligned with healthy school district goals to positively influence a student's understanding, beliefs, and habits as they relate to good nutrition and regular physical activity. 

Wellness Goals

The district has the following goals that will encourage wellness in students and staff:

1. Encouraging physical activity, as outlined in the Student Wellness Plan Physical Activity policy.
2. Providing nutrition education and promotion, as outlined in the Student Wellness Plan – Nutritional Guidelines policy.
3. Establishing other school-based activities that are designed to promote student and staff wellness, as outlined in the Student Wellness Plan – Other Activities to Promote Wellness policy.

Plan for Measuring Implementation of the Wellness Plan and Nutrition Guidelines

1. Wellness Policy Committee.
   
   1. The district will establish a local wellness policy committee that may be comprised of any of the following: representatives of the board; representatives of the district, including administrators; representatives of the public; parents; students; representatives of the school food authority; and nutrition/wellness experts, including teachers of physical education and/or school health professionals.
   2. The wellness policy committee will implement, monitor, evaluate/ measure and update the wellness policy.  This committee will report annually to the board and to the general public regarding these efforts.
   3. The district will designate one or more officials from the wellness policy committee to ensure that each school within the district and the district as a whole complies with the local wellness policy.
2. Implementation
   
   1. The district, through the committee and/or the designated official, will inform and update the public, including parents, students and the general community, about the content and implementation of the district’s wellness policy.
3. Monitoring.
   
   1. The superintendent, the principal at each school, and the committee and/or designee will ensure compliance with established district-wide nutritional and physical activity wellness policies.
   2. Additionally, the following actions will occur:
      
      1. food service staff, at the school or district level, will ensure compliance with nutritional policies within food service areas and will report on this matter to the superintendent or principal;
      2. the school district will report on the most recent USDA School Meals Initiative (SMI) review findings and any resulting changes;
      3. the Food Service Director and/or the superintendent will develop a summary report on school district-wide compliance with the school district’s wellness policy, based on input from schools within the school district; and
      4. the report will be provided to the school board and also distributed to the district.
4. Policy Review
   
   1. To help with the initial development of the district’s wellness policy, each school in the school district has conducted a baseline assessment of the school’s existing nutritional and physical activity environments and practices.  The results of those school-by-school assessments will be compiled at the school district level to identify and prioritize needs.
   2. Periodic assessments will be conducted to review implementation and compliance, to assess progress, and to determine areas in need of improvement.  As part of that review, the committee and/or the designated official will do the following:
      
      1. generally consider whether there exists an environment that supports healthy eating and physical activity;
      2. review the nutritional and physical activity policies and practices to determine the extent to which the district and schools within the district are in compliance with the local wellness policy;
      3. consider the extent to which the district’s local wellness policy compares to the model local wellness policy;
      4. assess the progress the district has made in attaining the goals of its local wellness policy;
      5. provide to the board any recommended updates to the district’s wellness policy.

The committee and/or the designated official will make the assessment available to the general public.  The board will revise the wellness policies and develop plans to facilitate their implementation.

Approved:       April 22, 2024

The board welcomes gifts to the school district from a class or student group.  While class gifts to the school district do not require the approval of the superintendent, the board encourages students to consult with the superintendent or other licensed employees prior to selecting a gift for the school district.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed: February 25, 2019

In keeping with good community relations, student school activities will not be scheduled beyond 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday and on Sunday whenever possible.  It shall be the responsibility of the principal to oversee the scheduling of school activities for compliance with this policy.

Approved:  November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed: February 25, 2019

The following are the requirements for graduation for students to earn an Interstate 35 Community School District High School diploma:

1. The accumulation of a minimum of fifty (50) credits.  The specific course requirements are outlined elsewhere in the Policy.
2. A student may be eligible for graduation when the number of credits have been obtained, but not before the end of the third year of high school.
3. The high school principal/designee shall submit a list of persons eligible for diplomas or certificates of attendance to the Board for approval in the month of May each year.
4. The Home School Assistance Program Coordinator shall submit a list of persons eligible for certificates of completion to the Board of Directors for approval in the month of May each year.
5. Students must have successfully completed the District and state requirements for graduation to be eligible for participation in graduation exercises.  The only exception will be for extenuating circumstances involving unforeseen and unavoidable situations.  Such exceptions may be made at the discretion of the high school principal/designee.
6. Any student may, after four (4) years of attendance, make-up their failed classes through correspondence work or by returning to school.  When these failed classes have been made-up, the student may receive a regular diploma.
7. Required courses taken at a post-secondary institution, which are duplicates of courses offered at the Interstate Community School District High School, will not count toward graduation requirements unless a course has been previously failed at Interstate 35__ Community School District High School.
8. A maximum of four (4) elective courses taken at a post-secondary institution may be counted toward meeting the graduation requirements.  These courses must be approved in advance by the principal/designee.
9. Any post-secondary courses that are duplicates of courses offered at Interstate 35 Community School District High School will not qualify for funding under the Post Secondary Enrollment Options Act.

Graduation requirements for special education students will be in accordance with this policy, unless an individual student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) requires some other arrangement.  This may include additional services or courses, if those additional services or courses are determined by an individual student’s IEP Team to be necessary for a free appropriate public education (FAPE).  The IEP Team may waive particular graduation requirements in this policy, based on a particular child’s disability-related needs.  However, beginning with the graduating class of 2022, students receiving special education services shall meet the state requirement of completing four years of English-language arts, and three years each of mathematics, science, and social studies (known as 4-3-3-3), with support and accommodations as described in their IEPs for graduation with a regular high school diploma.  An IEP Team may determine, based on a particular child’s educational needs, how the 4-3-3-3 requirements are met; however, an IEP Team may not waive this requirement.

According to the Iowa Administrative Rules of Special Education: “Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 14, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP team, and updated annually, thereafter, the IEP must include: a. Appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills; and b.  The transition services, including courses of study, needed to assist the child in reaching those goals.”

Prior to the special education student’s graduation, the IEP team will determine whether the graduation criteria have been met.  The superintendent may provide a certificate of completion/attendance to those students receiving special education services who do not complete 4-3-3-3 based on their IEP.  Students who receive a certificate of completion/attendance remain eligible for special education services until they reach maximum age of twenty-one.

Approved:  November 25, 2019

Reviewed/Revised:  April 22, 2024

Students may be exposed to irritants that pose a risk to the student’s health and safety during the school day.  Parents and students shall take all precautions to ensure that they are not exposed to such irritants and/or allergens.

If the parent(s) requests a meeting, the District will meet with the parent(s) and/or student to discuss the student’s exposure to irritant(s) and/or allergen(s), and, if appropriate, develop a plan based on the student’s physician’s recommendation to limit the above student’s exposure to irritant(s) and/or allergen(s).  Every such plan to avoid exposure shall include a completed Parental Identification of Student Irritant and/or Allergen Form and a completed Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of Medication to Student.

The District cannot guarantee that the student will never be exposed to such irritants and/or allergens.  If a student is exposed to such an irritant and/or allergen and/or suffers from an allergic reaction, the District may administer medication to the student as necessary according to its policies and procedures.

Approved: January 24, 2022

Revised/Reviewed:

The District considers concussions and head injuries serious matters, and will follow all laws and regulations regarding the identification and management of such injuries.  The District shall provide annually to each parent or guardian of each student in grades seven through twelve a concussions and brain injury information sheet, as provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.  The student and the student’s parent or guardian shall sign the sheet and return it to the District prior to the student’s participation in any extra-curricular interscholastic activity.

If a student’s coach or activity sponsor observes signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion or brain injury during an extra-curricular interscholastic activity, the student shall be immediately removed from the activity.  Extra-curricular interscholastic activity means any dance or cheerleading activity or extracurricular interscholastic activity, contest or practice governed by the Iowa High School Athletic Association or the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union that is a contact or limited contact activity as identified by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The student’s parent or guardian shall be contacted as soon as possible following the injury, and told that the student cannot return to participate in the activity until evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional.  The student shall not return to participate in the activity or practice on the same day of a concussion. The student shall not return to participation in an extracurricular interscholastic activity, contest or practice until a written clearance to participation signed by the appropriate health care provider is given to the district. The student shall be examined by an appropriate health-care professional the same day the injury occurs.  A licensed health care provider means a physician, physician’s assistant, chiropractor, advanced registered nurse practitioner, nurse, physical therapist or licensed athletic trainer.  There may be situations when the Iowa High School Athletic Association, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and/or the District specifically designates individuals to act as the health-care professional during an activity or event.  In such situations, the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s, and/or the District’s decision regarding the designation of the health-care professional is final. The written release shall be maintained as part of the student’s cumulative record.

For students who participate in an extracurricular interscholastic activity which is a contest in grades seven through twelve, the District shall adopt a return to play protocol consistent with the Department of Public Health’s rules and a return to learn plan based on guidance developed by the Brain Injury Association of America in cooperation with a student removed from participation in an extracurricular interscholastic activity and diagnosed with a concussion or brain injury, the student’s parent or guardian, and the student’s licensed health care provider to accommodate the student as the student returns to the classroom.

Approved:  November 25, 2019