The board believes inappropriate student conduct causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment, interferes with the rights of others, 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 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 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; 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.

Removal from the classroom means a student is sent to the building principal's office.  It is 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 on a non-school day.  Whether a student will serve detention, and the length of the detention, is within the discretion of the licensed employee or the building principal, disciplining the student.

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 consecutive school days unless due process is provided as required by federal and state law.  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.

This policy is not intended to address the use of therapeutic classrooms or seclusion rooms for students.

Discipline of special education students, including suspensions and expulsions, will comply with the provisions of applicable federal and state laws.

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

 

 

Legal Reference:  No Child Left Behind, Title IV, Sec. 4115, P.L. 107-110 (2002).
                                     Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1975).
                                     Brands v. Sheldon Community School District, 671 F. Supp. 627 (N.D. Iowa 1987).
                                     Sims v. Colfax Comm. School Dist., 307 F. Supp. 485 (Iowa 1970).
                                     Bunger v. Iowa High School Athletic Assn., 197 N.W.2d 555 (Iowa 1972).
                                     Board of Directors of Ind. School Dist. of Waterloo v. Green, 259 Iowa 1260, 147 N.W.2d 854 (1967).
                                     Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 282.44, 282.5; 708.1
                                     281 I.A.C. 12.3(6) (2009).

Cross Reference:  501       Student Attendance
                                      502       Student Rights and Responsibilities
                                      504       Student Activities
                                      603.3   Special Education
                                      903.5   Distribution of Materials

Approved:  3/15/10                             
Reviewed:  4/22/15 
Revised:6/24/20; 8/28/24

 

Only the board may remove a student from the school environment for more than ten (10) consecutive school days. 

Students may be expelled for violations of board policy, school rules or the law.  It is 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 is 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 will keep records of expulsions in addition to the board's records.

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

1.   Notice of the reasons for the proposed expulsion;

2.   The names of the witnesses and an oral or written report on the facts to which each witness testifies unless the witnesses are students whose names may be released at the discretion of the superintendent;

3.   An opportunity to present a defense against the charges and provide either oral testimony or written affidavits of witnesses on the student's behalf;

4.   The right to be represented by counsel; and,

5.   The results and finding of the board in writing open to the student's inspection.

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 guilty of 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.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1975).
                                    Wood v. Strickland, 420 U.S. 308 (1975).
                                    Southeast Warren Comm. School District v. Dept. of Public Instruction, 285
                                    N.W.2d 173 (Iowa 1979).
                                    Iowa Code §§ 21.5; 282.3, .4, .5 (2009).
                                    281 I.A.C. 12.3(6).

 Cross Reference:  502       Student Rights and Responsibilities
                                    503       Student Discipline

Approved:  3/15/10
Reviewed:  4/22/15
Revised:6/24/20; 8/28/24

 

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 will 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.

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

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 256.7(20); 279.8; 280.10, .11; 282.6; 285.1; 301.1 (2009).
                                       281 I.A.C. 18.2
                                       1994 Op. Att'y Gen. 23.
                                       1990 Op. Att'y Gen. 79.
                                       1982 Op. Att'y Gen. 227.
                                       1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 532.

Cross Reference:  501.16 Homeless Children & Youth
                                       502       Student Rights and Responsibilities
                                       503       Student Discipline

Approved:  3/15/10                            
Reviewed:  4/22/15
Revised:6/24/20

 

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 will keep records of violations of the good conduct rule.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop rules and regulations for school activities.  Students wanting to participate in school activities must meet the requirements set out by the school district for participation in the activity.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Bunger v. Iowa High School Athletic Assn., 197 N.W.2d 555 (Iowa 1972).
                                      In re Jason Clark, 1 D.P.I. App. Dec. 167 (1978).
                                      Iowa Code §§ 280.13, .13A (2009).
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.3(6); 36.15(1).

Cross Reference:  502       Student Rights and Responsibilities
                                       503      Student Discipline
                                       504      Student Activities

Approved:  3/15/10                            
Reviewed:  4/22/15
Revised:6/24/20

 

Corporal punishment is defined as the intentional physical punishment of a student and is prohibited.  It includes the use of unreasonable or unnecessary physical force or physical contact made with the intent to harm or cause pain.  No employee is prohibited from:

• Using reasonable and necessary force, not designed or intended to cause pain, in order to accomplish any of the following:
  • To quell a disturbance or prevent an act that threatens physical harm to any person.
  • To obtain possession of a weapon or other dangerous object within a pupil's control.
  • For the purposes of self-defense or defense of others as provided for in Iowa Code section 704.3.
  • For the protection of property as provided for in Iowa Code section 704.4 or 704.5.
  • To remove a disruptive pupil from class or any area of school premises or from school-sponsored activities off school premises.
  • To protect a student from the self-infliction of harm.
  • To protect the safety of others.
• Using incidental, minor, or reasonable physical contact to maintain order and control.

Reasonable physical force should be commensurate with the circumstances of the situation.  The following factors should be considered in using reasonable physical force for the reasons stated in this policy:

1. The size and physical, mental, and psychological condition of the student;
2. The nature of the student's behavior or misconduct provoking the use of physical force;
3. The instrumentality used in applying the physical force;
4. The extent and nature of resulting injury to the student, if any;
5. The motivation of the school employee using physical force.

Upon request, the student's parents are given an explanation of the reasons for physical force.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Ingraham v. Wright, 430 U.S. 651 (1977).
                                       Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1975).
                                       Tinkham v. Kole, 252 Iowa 1303, 110 N.W.2d 258 (1961).
                                       Lai v. Erickson, PTPC Admin. Doc. 83-12 (1983).
                                       Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.21 (2009).
                                       281 I.A.C. 12.3(6); 103.
                                       1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 275.

Cross Reference:  402.3   Abuse of Students by School District Employees
                                        502       Student Rights and Responsibilities
                                        503       Student Discipline

Approved:  3/15/10                            
Reviewed:  4/22/15
Revised:6/24/20

 

It is the goal of the district that all students can learn and grow in a safe and peaceful environment that nurtures the student and models respect for oneself and others.  On occasion, trained district employees and others may have to use behavior management interventions, physical restraint and/or seclusion of students.  The goal of these interventions is to promote the dignity, care, safety, welfare and security of each child and the school community.  With this objective in mind, the district will prioritize the use of the least restrictive behavioral interventions appropriate for the situation.

Physical restraint means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a student to move the student’s arms, legs, body, or head freely.  Physical restraint does not mean a technique used by trained school personnel, or used by a student, for the specific and approved therapeutic or safety purposes for which the technique was designed and, if applicable, prescribed.  Physical restraint does not include instructional strategies, such as physically guiding a student during an educational task, hand-shaking, hugging, or other non-disciplinary physical contact.

Seclusion means the involuntary confinement of a child in a seclusion room or area from which the child is prevented or prohibited from leaving; however, preventing a child from leaving a classroom or school building are not considered seclusion.  Seclusion does not include instances when a school employee is present within the room and providing services to the child, such as crisis intervention or instruction.

Physical restraint or seclusion is reasonable or necessary only:

• To prevent or terminate an imminent threat of bodily injury to the student or others; or
• To prevent serious damage to property of significant monetary value or significant non monetary value or importance; or
• When the student’s actions seriously disrupt the learning environment or when physical restraint or seclusion is necessary to ensure the safety of the student or others; and
• When less restrictive alternatives to seclusion or physical restraint would not be effective, would not be feasible under the circumstances, or have failed in preventing or terminating the imminent threat or behavior; and
• When the physical restraint or seclusion complies with all applicable laws.

Prior to using physical restraint or seclusion, employees must receive training in accordance with the law.  Any individual who is not employed by the district but whose duties could require the individual to use or be present during the use of physical restraint or seclusion on a student will be invited to participate in the same training offered to employees on this topic.

When required by law, the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee will ensure a post-occurrence debriefing meeting is held, maintain documentation and fulfill all reporting requirements for each occurrence of physical restraint or seclusion as required by law.

    

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.21.
                                      281 I.A.C. 103.

Cross Reference:  402.3 Abuse of Students by School District Employees
                                      502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
                                      503 Student Discipline
                                      503.5  Corporal Punishment

Approved  September 2021 

 

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], section 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], section 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], section 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, 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], section 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 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], section. 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], section 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], section 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 voluntaryparticipants 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).

 

ESCALATING RESPONSES BY GRADE BAND

Grades PK-2

Level	Escalating Response
Level 1	• Requires parent or guardian notification. • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP. Responses may include any of the following:  o Parent or guardian conference that includes the student, when appropriate;  o When appropriate and with written parent consent, counseling, and/or mental  health counseling subject to available resources of the district; o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s); o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s); o Detention; and/or  o Temporary removal from class. • Unless the first offense is unusually serious, the administrator will avoid permanent  removal from a class.
Level 2	• Requires parent or guardian notification. • Review of response to prior offense, if applicable, to inform increased level of  response. • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP.  Responses to the incident may include the following:  o Parent or guardian conference that includes the student, when appropriate; o When appropriate, with written parent/guardian consent, counseling, and/or  mental health counseling subject to available resources of the district; o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s); o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s); o Detention; o Temporary or permanent removal from extracurricular activities; o Temporary or permanent removal from class;  o In-school suspension; o Suspension of transportation privileges, if misconduct occurred in a school vehicle;  and/or o Placement in an alternative learning environment, when appropriate.
Level 3	• Requires parent or guardian notification. • Review of response to prior offense, if applicable, to inform increased level of  response. • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP.  Responses to an incident may include the following:  o Parent or guardian conference that includes the student, when appropriate; o When appropriate, with written parent/guardian consent, counseling, and/or  mental health counseling subject to available resources of the district; o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s); o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s). o Detention; o Temporary or permanent removal from extracurricular activities; o Temporary or permanent removal from class;  o In-school suspension;  o Out-of-school suspension; o Suspension of transportation privileges, if misconduct occurred in a school vehicle; o Placement in an alternative learning environment, when appropriate; and/or o Recommendation for expulsion.

 

Grades 3-5

Level	Escalating Response
Level 1	• Requires parent or guardian notification.  • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP.  Responses to an incident may include the following:  o Parent or guardian conference that may include the student, when appropriate;  o When appropriate and with written parent consent, counseling, and/or mental  health counseling subject to available resources of the district;  o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s); o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s);  o Detention; and/or  o Temporary removal from class.  • Unless the first offense is unusually serious, the administrator will avoid permanent  removal from a class.
Level 2	• Requires parent or guardian notification.  • Review of response to prior offense, if applicable, to inform increased level of  response.  • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP. Response to an incident may include, but are not limited to, the following:        o Parent or guardian conference that includes the student, when appropriate;    o When appropriate, with written parent/guardian consent, counseling, and/or  mental health counseling subject to available resources of the district;  o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s); o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s);  o Detention;  o Temporary or permanent removal from extracurricular activities;  o Temporary or permanent removal from class;  o In-school suspension;  o Suspension of transportation privileges, if misconduct occurred in a school vehicle;  and/or  o Placement in an alternative learning environment, when appropriate.
Level 3	• Requires parent or guardian notification.  • Review of response to prior offense, if applicable, to inform increased level of  response.  • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP.   Response to an incident may include the following:  o Parent or guardian conference that includes the student, when appropriate;  o When appropriate and with written parent/guardian consent, counseling, and/or  mental health counseling subject to available resources of the district;  o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s);  o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s);  o Detention;  o Temporary or permanent removal from extracurricular activities;  o Temporary or permanent removal from class;  o In-school suspension;  o Out-of-school suspension;  o Suspension of transportation privileges, if misconduct occurred in a school vehicle;  and/or  o Placement in an alternative learning environment, when appropriate; and/or o Recommendation for expulsion.

 

Grades 6-8

Level	Escalating Response
Level 1	• Requires parent or guardian notification.  • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP.   Responses to an incident may include the following:  o Parent or guardian conference that may include the student, when appropriate;  o When appropriate and with written parent consent, counseling, and/or mental  health counseling subject to available resources of the district;  o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s); o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s);  o Detention; and/or  o Temporary removal from class.
Level 2	• Requires parent or guardian notification.  • Review of response to prior offense, if applicable, to inform increased level of  response.  • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP. Responses to an incident may include, but are not limited to, the following:       o Parent or guardian conference that includes the student, when appropriate;  o When appropriate and with written parent/guardian consent, counseling, and/or  mental health counseling subject to available resources of the district;  o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s); o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s);  o Detention;  o Temporary or permanent removal from extracurricular activities;  o Temporary or permanent removal from class;  o In-school suspension;  o Out-of-school suspension;  o Suspension of transportation privileges, if misconduct occurred in a school vehicle;  and/or  o Placement in an alternative learning environment, when appropriate.
Level 3	• Requires parent or guardian notification.  • Review of response to prior offense, if applicable, to inform increased level of  response.  • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP.   Response to an incident may include the following:  o Parent or guardian conference that may include the student, when appropriate;  o When appropriate and with written parent consent, counseling, and/or mental  health counseling subject to available resources of the district;  o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s); o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s);  o Detention;  o Temporary or permanent removal from extracurricular activities;  o Temporary or permanent removal from class;  o In-school suspension;  o Out-of-school suspension;  o Suspension of transportation privileges, if misconduct occurred in a school vehicle;  o Placement in an alternative learning environment, appropriate; and/or o Recommendation for expulsion.

 

Grades 9-12

Level	Escalating Response
Level 1	• Requires parent or guardian notification.  • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP. Responses to an incident may include, but are not limited to, the following:  o Parent or guardian conference that includes the student, when appropriate;  o When appropriate and with written parent/guardian consent, counseling, and/or  mental health counseling subject to available resources of the district;  o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s); o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s);  o Detention;  o Temporary removal from extracurricular activities;  o Temporary removal from class;  o In-school suspension; and/or  o Suspension of transportation, if misconduct occurred in a school vehicle.
Level 2	• Requires parent or guardian notification.  • Review of response to prior offense, if applicable, to inform increased level of  response.  • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP.   Response to an incident may include the following:  o Parent or guardian conference that includes the student, when appropriate; o When appropriate and with written parent/guardian consent, counseling, and/or  mental health counseling subject to available resources of the district;  o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s); o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s);  o Detention;  o Temporary or permanent removal from extracurricular activities;  o Temporary or permanent removal from class;  o In-school suspension;  o Out-of-school suspension;  o Suspension of transportation privileges, if misconduct occurred in a school vehicle;  and/or  o Placement in an alternative learning environment, when appropriate.
Level 3	• Requires parent or guardian notification.  • Review of response to prior offense, if applicable, to inform increased level of  response.  • Requires individualized educational program (IEP) meeting, if the student has an IEP.   Response to an incident may include the following:  o Parent or guardian conference that includes the student, when appropriate; o When appropriate and with written parent/guardian consent, counseling, and/or  mental health counseling subject to available resources of the district;  o Behavior intervention student agreement coupled with another response(s); o Restitution or opportunities to repair relationships coupled with another response(s);  o Detention;  o Temporary or permanent removal from extracurricular activities;  o Temporary or permanent removal from class;  o In-school suspension;  o Out-of-school suspension;  o Suspension of transportation privileges, if misconduct occurred in a school vehicle;  o Placement in an alternative learning environment, when appropriate; and/or o Recommendation for expulsion.

 

DEFINITIONS - Consistent with the Iowa Department of Education's Data Dictionary  2022-23

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 on a non-school day. Whether a student will serve  detention, and the length of the detention, is within the discretion of the licensed employee or the  building principal disciplining the student.

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.

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.

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  consecutive school days unless due process is provided as required by federal and state law. A  restriction from school activities means a student will attend school and classes and practice but will  not participate in school activities.

PLACEMENT IN AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT means placement of a student in an environment established apart from the regular educational program that includes  rules, staff and resources designed to accommodate student needs and to provide a comprehensive  education consistent with the student learning goals and content standards established by the  school district.

REMOVAL FROM THE CLASSROOM means a student is sent to the building principal's office.  It is within the discretion of the person in charge of the classroom to remove the student.

 

 

Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 279.79; 2023 Iowa Acts, CH 96; HF604 

IASB Reference: 503.08

Approved 2-28-24    
Reviewed               
Revised  

 

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.    

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §

Cross Reference:          

Approved: 9/27/23

 

It is the policy of the Central City Community School District that students may not use personal electronic devices during classroom instructional time.

 

Definitions

For purposes of this policy, a “personal electronic device” is a device that is used by a student to send or receive information or create or review content, including cellular and mobile phones, watches or other wearable devices in a receive or transmit mode, laptop or notebook computers, tablets, video game devices, portable media players, and any applications or programs installed by the student on a school-owned or issued device. A “personal electronic device” does not include a device possessed by the student for documented legal, health, and safety purposes and used solely for those purposes.

The “school day” is defined as once the first bell rings until the end of day school bell minus lunch period.

“Instructional time” is any time during which a student is under the guidance and supervision of licensed instructional staff or instructional assistants, including independent study time (study hall and homeroom) during the school day.

 

General Rules

The following are the district-provided educational technologies and devices that will be made available to students for instructional purposes: iPads, MacBooks.

A student’s personal electronic device may be used for instructional purposes under the following conditions: a member of the school’s instructional staff permits use of personal electronic devices for a specific instructional purpose or activity or a course policy, syllabus, or handbook indicates that personal electronic devices are permitted in the course for a specific purpose or purposes (i.e. journalism class, writing apps, etc.) An educator is required to notify the building principal of the use of a personal device for a specific learning activity, experience, or outcome, documented in a lesson plan or course outline.

Students who require the use of a personal device for Kirkwood classes are required to notify the monitor of their usage.  Personal device usage must be limited to specific instructions by the Kirkwood instructor.

A parent or guardian may communicate with a student through their school office. If there is an emergency requiring the student’s immediate attention, a parent or guardian may contact the school or district office. In the event of an emergency, the school will contact the parent or guardian by the method most recently listed by the parent in the school’s student information system immediately when it becomes safe to do so. In the event of an emergency involving the broader school community, the school will contact parents and guardians through School Messenger.

A student’s personal electronic device, not otherwise allowed to be used under this policy, must be securely stored at all times out of sight, (on their person, in lockers, in backpacks). Personal electronic devices must be off or on silent during instructional periods throughout the school day.

 

Violations of Policy

When cell phone violations occur, students will be expected to surrender their devices to school staff. Students are encouraged to power off devices. Failure to comply will result in further disciplinary action in addition to the personal electronic device infraction. Parents/guardians will be notified of the date and time student personal electronic devices have been surrendered to the school office.

For the first offense of the personal electronic device policy in a semester, the student will surrender the device to school staff, and will be returned to the student at the end of the school day. Confiscated devices will be logged and secured in the school office.

 

For the second offense of the personal electronic device policy in a semester, the student will surrender the device to school staff, and will be returned to a parent, guardian or their designee who is not the “owner” of the personal device.  Confiscated devices will be logged and secured in the school office.

For third or subsequent offenses, a parent / guardian meeting will be held and additional consequences will be applied,  including further restrictions on the student’s use of personal electronic devices. Student may no longer be permitted to have personal electronic devices on their person during the school day.

If the student uses a personal electronic device during the administration of any assessment, the student will be required to retake the assessment and will also face the consequences identified in the prior paragraph. If the student uses a personal electronic device in a state or federal mandated assessment, the school will follow any protocols for that assessment’s security.

 

Student-Specific Exceptions to Policy Petition by Parent or Guardian

A parent or guardian of a student may petition to allow their child to maintain access to a personal electronic device for a legitimate reason related to the student’s physical or mental health, based on the unique facts of the student’s case. The petition shall be addressed to the building principal. If not granted, a parent or guardian may appeal to the superintendent or designee, whose decision shall be final. A parent or guardian has the burden of providing a legitimate reason for allowing the child to maintain access to a personal electronic device contrary to Central City CSD’s policy.

 

Student Plans

A student who has a current Individualized Education Program, a plan under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, or health plan may maintain access to a personal device during an appropriate portion of the school day as documented in the plan. The device should be used solely in the manner necessary and documented.

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code section 279.87
                                       Iowa Code section 279.8

Approved: 8/13/25
Reviewed:
Revised: