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 be clean and well-groomed  and wear clothes in good  repair and appropriate for the time, place, and occasion.   Clothing, hats and/or head coverings or other apparel promoting products illegal for use by minors or displaying obscene  material, profanity or reference  to prohibited  conduct are disallowed.  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:                  
Reviewed:  07-11-95, 12-08-97, 01-08-01, 11-10-03, 11-13-06, 02-10-10, 11-12-12, 7-13-15
Revised:  4-10-23

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 school district rules and regulations.  They may also be referred to local law enforcement authorities.

Approved:  07-01-92             
Reviewed:  12-12-94, 12-08-97, 01-08-01, 11-13-06, 11-10-03, 02-10-10, 11-12-12, 7-13-15
Revised:  4-10-23

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 attendance center shall only drive to and park at their designated attendance center(s) or at another district’s  attendance center for the purpose of attending extracurricular activities. 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.

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:  1-14-2002           
Reviewed:  11-10-03, 11-13-06, 2-10-10, 11-12-12, 7-13-15
Revised:  4-10-23, 9-18-24

Student Expression

It is the goal of the school district to protect the educational environment for all students to help ensure it is free from substantial disruption or infringement upon their rights.  Student expression should be appropriate to help ensure that the students learn and meet the goals of the school district activity and that the potential audience is not exposed to material that may be harmful or inappropriate for their level of maturity.

While students will generally be allowed to express their viewpoints and opinions, in certain qualifying circumstances, student speech may require administrative regulation to help ensure the safety and welfare of the school district community.  The school district may regulate speech that:  causes or is reasonably anticipated to cause a material and substantial disruption to the education environment; infringes upon the rights of others; is obscene or lewd; is school district sponsored; and/or promotes illegal activity.  The administration, when making this judgment, will consider whether the activity in which the expression was made is school district sponsored and whether review or prohibition of the students' speech furthers an educational purpose.  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.

The superintendent may develop procedures for safely addressing qualifying types of mass protests by students, including walk-ins and walk-outs.  Walk-ins occur when students leave their learning environments during school hours and gather in a group or groups with the purpose of promoting a belief or beliefs.  Walk-outs occur when students leave their learning environments during school hours and gather in a group or groups off school district property with the purpose of promoting a belief or beliefs. 

The superintendent is encouraged to obtain feedback from community stakeholders in the development of these procedures.  The goal of the procedures shall be to address student safety, maintain the education environment and promote communication during demonstrations while remaining viewpoint neutral.

Students who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary measures.  Employees are responsible for helping to ensure students' expression is in keeping with this policy.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Student Publications

Students may produce official school district publications as part of the curriculum under the supervision of a faculty advisor and the principal.  Official school district publications include material produced in 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 district 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 district publications are free from prior restraint by employees or officials except as provided by law.  A faculty advisor will 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 is 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 district publication will follow the grievance procedure outlined in applicable board policy.  Students who believe their freedom of expression in a student-produced official school district publication has been restricted will follow the grievance procedure outlined in applicable board policy.

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

Approved:      
Reviewed:  12-12-94, 12-08-97, 01-08-01, 11-10-03, 11-13-06, 02-10-10, 11-12-12. 7-13-15
Revised:  09-20-94, 4-10-23

Creating an environment where students feel comfortable addressing their concerns in a meaningful manner is vital to the learning process.  It is the goal of the board to resolve student complaints at the lowest organizational level. Student complaints and grievances regarding board policy or administrative regulations or other matters should first be addressed to the student's teacher or another licensed employees, other than the administration, for resolution of the complaint. 

If the complaint cannot be resolved by student’s teacher or other licensed employee, the student may discuss the matter with the principal within five school days.  If the matter cannot be resolved by the principal, the student may discuss it with the superintendent within five school 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.  The board retains discretion as to whether to consider or take action on any complaint.

Approved:  7-1-92                 
Reviewed:  12-12-94, 12-08-97, 01-08-01, 11-13-06, 11-10-03, 02-10-10, 11-12-12, 7-13-15
Revised:  4-10-23

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 the school district. 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 the 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:                  
Reviewed:  12-12-94, 12-08-97, 01-08-01, 11-10-03, 11-13-06, 02-10-10, 11-12-12, 7-13-15
Revised:  07-01-92, 4-10-23

The board believes weapons, other dangerous objects, look-a-likes, and items used as weapons 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, dangerous objects, look-a-likes, and items used as weapons. Weapons, other dangerous objects, look-a-likes, and items used as weapons 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.

Parents of students found to possess weapons, dangerous objects, look-a-likes or items used as weapons on school district property are notified of the incident.  Possession or confiscation of weapons, dangerous objects, look-a-likes or items used as weapons will be reported to law enforcement officials, and students will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

Students bringing firearms to the school district or knowingly possessing firearms at the school district will be expelled for not less than one year.  The superintendent has the authority to recommend this expulsion requirement be modified for students 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 or otherwise defined by applicable law.

Weapons under the control of law enforcement officials or other individuals specifically authorized by the board are exempt from this policy. Students and individuals approved in writing by the Superintendent who are actively engaging in a school district approved firearms safety course, hunter education course or shooting sports activity are exempt from this policy. The superintendent may develop an administrative process or procedures to implement the policy

Approved:
Reviewed: 11/10/03, 11/13/06, 2/10/10, 11/12/12, 7,13/15                  
Revised:  1/3/03, 12/12/16, 7-10-17, 4-10-23, 8-21-24

502.8 

STUDENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The board believes it is imperative to promote the heath and well-being of all students in the district.  The district will provide a substance use prevention program and set restrictions on substance use by students in accordance with applicable law.

The board prohibits the distribution, dispensing, manufacture, possession, use or being under the influence of alcohol, tobacco/nicotine products, controlled substances, or look alike substances that appear to be tobacco/nicotine products, alcohol or controlled substances by students while on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school district owned and/or operated school district or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school district activities; and while away from school district grounds if the misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.  “Controlled substances” in this policy refers to the misuse of both licit and illicit drugs.

The board believes such illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials generally cause material and substantial disruption to the school district environment or present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, or visitors.

Violation of this policy by students will result in disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.  Use, purchase or being in possession of tobacco/nicotine products for those under the age of twenty-one, may be reported to the local law enforcement authorities.  Possession, use or being under the influence of 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 by the principal to satisfactorily complete a substance use assistance or rehabilitation program.  If a student fails to satisfactorily complete such a program, the student may be subject to discipline including suspension or expulsion.

The board believes the substance use prevention program will include:

Age-appropriate, evidence-based substance use prevention curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through twelve, which address the legal, social, and health consequences of tobacco/nicotine, controlled substance and alcohol use and which provide information about effective techniques for resisting social pressure to use tobacco/nicotine, controlled substances or alcohol;

A statement to students that the unlawful possession and use of nicotine, controlled substances, and alcohol is harmful to student well-being;

Standards of conduct for students that clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the unlawful possession, use, being under the influence of or distribution of tobacco/nicotine products, controlled substances, and/or alcohol by students on school 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 complete a substance use evaluation to determine whether substance use disorder treatment is recommended and, if recommended, successfully complete an appropriate rehabilitation program;

Information about tobacco, nicotine, controlled substances, and alcohol counseling 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:  11-11-91

Reviewed:  12-12-84, 12-08-97,01-08-01,11-10-03, 11-13-06, 02-10-10, 11-12-12, 7-13-15

Revised:  07-01-92, 4-10-23, 07-19-2024

School district property is held in public trust by the board. School district authorities may, without a search warrant, search students or protected student areas based on a reasonable and articulable suspicion that a 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 district and provided as a courtesy to a student, even if the student provides the lock for it, will not create a protected student area and will 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, tobacco/nicotine, weapons, explosives, poisons, and stolen property.  Such items are not to be possessed by a student anywhere while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school district owned and/or operated school district or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school district activities; and while away from school district grounds if 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.

The board believes that such illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials may cause material and substantial disruption to the school district environment or present 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.

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

Approved:  07-01-92             
Reviewed:  12-12-94, 12-08-97, 01-08-01, 11-10-03, 11-13-06, 02-10-10, 11-12-12, 7-13-15
Revised:  4-10-23                                                     

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 those 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 district is the most appropriate setting for the interview, and who will be present during the interview.

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

Approved:  7-1-92                 
Reviewed:  12-12-94, 12-08-97, 01-08-01, 11-10-03, 11-13-06, 02-10-10, 11-12-12, 7-13-15
Revised:  4-10-23

Code No. 502.11 

ANTI-BULLYING/HARASSMENT POLICY 

The school district is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school district community are treated with dignity and respect. Bullying and/or harassment of or by students, staff, and volunteers is against federal, state, and local policy and is not tolerated by the board. Bullying and/or harassing behavior can seriously disrupt the ability of school district employees to maintain a safe and civil environment, and the ability of students to learn and succeed. Therefore, school district employees, volunteers, and students shall not engage in bullying or harassing behavior while on school district property, while on school district owned or school district operated vehicles, while attending or participating in school district sponsored or sanctioned activities, and while away from school district grounds if the conduct materially interferes with the orderly operation of the educational environment or is likely to do so. 

Complaints may be filed with the superintendent or superintendent’s designee pursuant to the regulation accompanying this policy. Complaints will be investigated within a reasonable time frame. 

A school district employee, volunteer or student or a student’s parent or guardian who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of bullying or harassment, in compliance with the procedures in the regulation, to the appropriate school district official designated by the school district, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to participation in any administrative or judicial proceeding resulting from or relating to the report. 

Retaliation Prohibited 

Individuals who knowingly file false bullying or harassment complaints and any person who gives false statements in an investigation may be subject to discipline by appropriate measures. 

Any student found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion. Any school district employee found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment. Any school district volunteer found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, removal from service and exclusion from school grounds. 

Definitions 

For the purposes of this policy, the defined words shall have the following meaning: 

• Electronic means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optic cable, electromagnetic or other similar means. Electronic includes, but is not limited to, communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, and electronic text messaging. 

• Harassment and bullying mean any repeated or potentially repeated electronic, written, verbal or physical act or or other ongoing conduct toward a student based on any trait or characteristic of the student which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions: 

• 1) Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property. • 2) Has a substantial detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health. • 3) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance. 

• 4) Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or privileges provided by a school district.

• Trait or characteristic of the student includes but is not limited to age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status or familial status. 

• Volunteer means an individual who has regular, significant contact with students. 

Publication of Policy 

The board will annually publish this policy. The policy may be publicized by the following means: • Inclusion in the student handbook, 

• Inclusion in the employee handbook 

• Inclusion in the registration materials 

• Inclusion on the school district or school district’s web site, 

• Copies available at the central administrative office at: 1505 Washington Street, Ruthven, Iowa 51358

Approved: 4-10-23 Reviewed: 11-15-23 Revised: