100 - SCHOOL DISTRICT

100 - SCHOOL DISTRICT Jen@iowaschool… Tue, 11/23/2021 - 07:53

100 - Legal Status of the School District

Iowa law authorizes the creation of a Common Schools System. As part of this Common Schools System, this school district is a school corporation created and organized under Iowa law. This school district shall be known as the Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District.

This school corporation is located in Palo Alto and Clay counties, and its affairs are conducted by elected school officials, the Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District Board of Directors. This school corporation has exclusive jurisdiction over school matters in the territory of the school district.

Approved:
Reviewed: 01-10-94, 11-11-96, 10-12-98, 10-08-01, 10-11-04, 10-08-07, 11-08-10, 3-10-14, 11-12-18, 11-08-21
Revised: 07-01-92

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 14:49

101 - Educational Philosophy of the School District

It is the purpose of the Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School to equip students with the knowledge, competencies, and confidence needed to live responsibly and successfully in our changing society. In order to fulfill this mission the school will implement programs and establish conditions that maximize learning success for students.

Underlying this mission is our belief that every child can learn and succeed. Every child is exceptional and valued. Each is a separate individual differing from others in learning style and learning rate. Each child comes to us at differing stages of development in social skills, physical maturity, cognitive ability and emotional adjustment. While the rate of growth is not the same for all areas within the child, neither is the rate of growth constant. We also believe children perform according to expectations and that students can be expected to develop to the fullest of his/her potential physically, mentally, socially and morally.

We believe that learning is a lifelong process in which success breeds success. Each person needs a positive self-concept in order to learn effectively. In learning one must: acquire new knowledge, insights, and skills; practice to reinforce and apply those acquisitions in more advanced ways; and then demonstrate proficiency.

Effective learning occurs in a non-threatening, interesting environment where students, parents, teachers, the school, and community take joint responsibility and work cooperatively together to foster a positive learning attitude. In order to achieve excellence, academic efforts cannot be confined to the classroom alone. Community and family partnerships are critical. A desirable learning atmosphere is rich in opportunities and relevant, meaningful, and challenging learning activities which demonstrate high expectations that all students can and will do well. Differing styles of teaching are employed in the constant search for ways to expand success experiences and support for our students every day.

The school will provide future oriented and problem solving educational experiences to enable our students to be “good at life” during their school years and after they graduate. Students will be provided with the time and instruction they need to: acquire knowledge and the skills for learning; develop thinking, initiative, creative ability, and critical judgment; acquire necessary social and moral habits and attitudes; learn to express themselves courteously and thoughtfully; maintain emotional, psychological, and physical health; understand and respect self; make decisions and set goals; develop the responsibility and self-discipline to work independently and do a task thoroughly; understand the interdependence of our global society; be able to use technology; and develop an awareness and respect for the contributions to our multicultural society by diverse ethnic and religious groups and by both sexes.

In order to achieve excellence, academic efforts cannot be confined to the classroom alone. Community and family partnerships are critical.

Just as quality instruction is a priority for the Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District, we are also committed to research based professional development opportunities for our staff. It has been proven that the best way to improve academic achievement is by providing quality staff training alongside providing staff time to work together, observe one another, coach each other and practice new skills.

Just as we hold high expectations for our student body, we hold equally high, if not higher, expectations for our teaching staff and administration. Our board, administration and our staff shall be role models for our students and the community in the pursuit of excellence.

Approved:
Reviewed: 10-12-98, 10-8-01, 10-11-04, 10-8-07, 11-8-10, 3-10-14, 11-12-18
Revised: 01-12-09, 01-10-11, 11-08-21

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 15:09

102 - School District Instructional Organization

The Ruthven/Ayrshire Community School District offers an education program for grades pre-kindergarten through twelve. The levels of instruction are organized by the following levels:

Grades pre-kindergarten through six shall attend Ruthven/Ayrshire Elementary School in Ruthven.

Grades seven through twelve shall attend the Ruthven/Ayrshire High School in Ruthven.

Each school building will have a principal responsible for the administration and management of the school building, the school building employees and the education program. The principals shall work closely with the superintendent, who shall oversee the administration and management of the school district.

Approved:
Reviewed: 10-12-98, 10-08-01, 10-08-07, 11-8-10, 11-12-18, 11-08-21
Revised: 11-11-96

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 14:53

103 - Equal Educational Opportunity

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 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 educational opportunity.

The Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. The belief in 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. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact

Matt Borchers – maborc@gt.ratitans.org

1505 Washington Street

Ruthven, IA 51358

(712) 837-5211

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.

The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors, and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules, and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.

Matt Borchers – maborc@gt.ratitans.org

1505 Washington Street

Ruthven, IA 51358

(712) 837-5211

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 Region VII office of Civil Rights, United States Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 South Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60604 (312) 730-1560, fax (312) 730-1576 OCR.Chicago@ed.gov, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, https://icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121 or the Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building., Des Moines, IA 50319. (515) 281-5294. 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.

Approved 08-13-07
Reviewed 10-08-07, 11-12-18
Revised 12-14-15

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 14:50

103.E1 - Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Business
Industrial Technology
Family Consumer Science
Vocational Agriculture

It is the policy of the Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact:

Matt Borchers – maborc@gt.ratitans.org

1505 Washington Street

Ruthven, IA 51358

(712) 837-5211

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 15:08

103.E2 - Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination

Matt Borchers – maborc@gt.ratitans.org

1505 Washington Street

Ruthven, IA 51358

(712) 837-5211

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 15:06

103.E3 - Notice of Section 504 Student and Parental Rights

The Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of a student's disability. It has been determined that your child has a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made to meet his or her individual needs as adequately as the needs of other students. As a parent, you have the right to the following:

Participation of your child in school district programs and activities, including extracurricular programs and activities, to the maximum extent appropriate, free of discrimination based upon the student's disability and at the same level as students without disabilities;
Receipt of free educational services to the extent they are provided students without disabilities:
Receipt of information about your child and your child's educational programs and activities in your native language;
Notice of identification of your child as having a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made and notice prior to evaluation and placement of your child and right to periodically request a re-evaluation of your child;
Inspect and review your child's educational records including a right to copy those records for a reasonable fee; you also have a right to ask the school district to amend your child's educational records if you feel the information in the records is misleading or inaccurate; and
Hearing before an impartial hearing officer if you disagree with your child's evaluation or placement; you have a right to counsel at the hearing and have the decision of the impartial hearing officer reviewed.

Matt Borchers – maborc@gt.ratitans.org

1505 Washington Street

Ruthven, IA 51358

(712) 837-5211

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 15:07

103.E4 - Discrimination Complaint Form

Date of complaint:	_____________________________________________________
Name of Complainant:	_____________________________________________________
Are you filling out this form for yourself or someone else (please identify the individual if you are submitting on behalf of someone else):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________
Who or what entity do you believe discriminated against you (or someone else)?	_____________________________________________________
Date and place of alleged incident(s):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________
Names of any witnesses (if any):	_____________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination alleged (check all that apply):

	Age		Religion
	Disability		Creed
	Gender Identity		Sex
	Marital Status		Sexual Orientation
	National Origin		Socioeconomic Status
	Race/Color		Other – Please Specify

In the space below, please describe what happened and why you believe that you or someone else has been discriminated against. Please be as specific as possible and attach additional pages if necessary.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 15:05

103.E5 - Witness Disclosure Form

Name of Witness:	_____________________________________________________
Date of interview:	_____________________________________________________
Date of initial complaint:	_____________________________________________________
Name of Complainant (include whether the Complainant is a student or employee):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________
Date and place of alleged incident(s):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination alleged (check all that apply):

	Age		Religion
	Disability		Creed
	Gender Identity		Sex
	Marital Status		Sexual Orientation
	National Origin		Socioeconomic Status
	Race/Color		Other – Please Specify

Description of incident witnessed: _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Additional information: _________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 15:02

103.E6 - Disposition of Complaint Form

Date:	_____________________________________________________
Date of initial complaint:	_____________________________________________________
Name of Complainant (include whether the Complainant is a student or employee):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Date and place of alleged incident(s):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________
Name of Respondent (include whether the Respondent is a student or employee):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination alleged (check all that apply):

	Age		Religion
	Disability		Creed
	Gender Identity		Sex
	Marital Status		Sexual Orientation
	National Origin		Socioeconomic Status
	Race/Color		Other – Please Specify

Summary of Investigation: _______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _________________________

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 15:00

103.R1 - Grievance Procedure

Matt Borchers - maborc@gt.ratitans.org

Matt Borchers – maborc@gt.ratitans.org

1505 Washington Street

Ruthven, IA 51358

(712) 837-5211

Students, parents of students, employees, and applicants for employment in the school district have the right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination. The school district has policies and procedures in place to identify and investigate complaints alleging discrimination. If appropriate, the school district will take steps to prevent the recurrence of discrimination and to correct its discriminatory effects on the complainant and others.

A complainant may attempt to resolve the problem informally by discussing the matter with a building principal or a direct supervisor. However, the complainant has the right to end the informal process at any time and pursue the formal grievance procedures outlined below. Use of the informal or formal grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies. Please note that informal processes and procedures are not to be used in certain circumstances (e.g., sexual harassment and sexual assault).

Filing a Complaint

A complainant who wishes to avail himself/herself of this grievance procedure may do so by filing a complaint with the equity coordinator(s). An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the equity coordinator or superintendent committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 180 days of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the complainant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The equity coordinator(s) shall assist the Complainant as needed.

Investigation

Within 15 working days, the equity coordinator will begin the investigation of the complaint or appoint a qualified person to undertake the investigation (hereinafter “equity coordinator”). If the complainant is under 18 years of age, the equity coordinator shall notify his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) that they may attend investigatory meetings in which the complainant is involved. The complaint and identity of the complainant, respondent or witnesses will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy. The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following:

A request for the complainant to provide a written statement regarding the nature of the complaint;
A request for the individual named in the complaint to provide a written statement;
A request for witnesses identified during the course of the investigation to provide a written statement;
Interviews of the complainant, respondent or witnesses;
An opportunity to present witnesses or other relevant information; and
Review and collection of documentation or information deemed relevant to the investigation.

Within 60 working days, the equity coordinator shall complete the investigation and issue a report with respect to the findings.

The equity coordinator shall notify the complainant and respondent of the decision within 5 working days of completing the written report. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.

Decision and Appeal

The complaint is closed after the equity coordinator has issued the report, unless within 10 working days after receiving the decision, either party appeals the decision to the superintendent by making a written request detailing why he/she believes the decision should be reconsidered. The equity coordinator shall promptly forward all materials relative to the complaint and appeal to the superintendent. Within 30 working days, the superintendent shall affirm, reverse, amend the decision or direct the equity coordinator to gather additional information. The superintendent shall notify the complainant, respondent, and the equity coordinator of the decision within 5 working days of the decision. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.

The decision of the superintendent shall be final.

The decision of the superintendent in no way prejudices a party from seeking redress through state or federal agencies as provided by in law.

This policy and procedures are to be used for complaints of discrimination, in lieu of any other general complaint policies or procedures that may be available.

If any of the stated timeframes cannot be met by the school district, the school district will notify the parties and pursue completion as promptly as possible.

Retaliation against any person, because the person has filed a complaint or assisted or participated in an investigation, is prohibited. Persons found to have engaged in retaliation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures.

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 15:00

104 - The People and Their School District

The board recognizes the value of interaction and participation of the citizens of the school district community with the school district. The board will cooperate and participate, whenever possible, in the school district community while carrying out its elected responsibilities.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to keep the board apprised of opportunities for involvement with the school district community.

Approved: 7-1-92
Revised: 01-10-94, 11-11-96, 10-12-98, 10-08-01, 10-1-04, 10-08-07, 11-08-10, 11-12-18, 11-08-21
Revised:

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 14:58

105 - Long-Range Needs Assessment

Long-range needs assessment enables the school district to analyze assessment data, get feedback from the community about its expectations of students and determines how well students are meeting student learning goals. The board shall conduct ongoing and in-depth needs assessment, soliciting information from business, labor, industry, higher education and community members, regarding their expectations for adequate student preparation as responsible citizens and successful wage earners.

In conjunction with the in-depth needs assessment of the school district, the board shall authorize the appointment of a committee, representing administrators, employees, parents, students and community members, to make recommendations and assist the board in determining the priorities of the school district in addition to the basic skills areas of the education program.

The district will provide various opportunities for the community and students to give feedback on an ongoing basis:

*Annual student surveys

*Student group meetings to provide student opinions

*Open house activities

*Parent/teacher conferences

*Advisory committees

Other activities will be used to meet these needs. This includes a needs assessment survey taken every five years.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure the school district community is informed of students’ progress on state and locally determined indicators. The superintendent shall report annually to the board about the means used to keep the community informed.

As a result of the board and committee's work, the board shall determine major educational needs and rank them in priority order; develop long-range goals and plans to meet the needs; establish and implement short-range and intermediate-range plans to meet the goals and to attain the desired levels of student performance; evaluate progress toward meeting the goals and maintain a record of progress under the plan that includes reports of student performance and results of school improvement projects; and annually report the school district's progress made under the plan to the committee, community and Iowa Department of Education.

Approved: 07-01-92
Reviewed: 01-08-01, 10-11-04, 10-08-07, 11-08-10, 5-23-11, 11-12-18, 11-08-21
Revised: 11-13-00

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 14:55

105R1 - Long-Range Needs Assessment

School districts also need to develop a process for long–range needs assessment. The process needs to include three items

provisions for collecting, analyzing and reporting information derived from local, state and national sources;
provisions for reviewing information acquired on the following:
- state indicators and other locally determined indicators,
- locally established student learning goals,
- specific data collection required by state and federal programs;
provisions for collecting and analyzing assessment data on the following:
- state indicators,
- locally determined indicators,
- locally established student learning goals.

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 14:57

106 - Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment as defined by the regulations implementing Title IX (34 C.F.R. § 106.30), against any individual participating in any education program or activity of the school district. This prohibition on discrimination applies to students, employees, and applicants for employment.

The board authorizes the superintendent to adopt procedures for any individual to report sexual harassment to the school district’s Title IX Coordinator for the provision of supportive measures to anyone who has been subjected to sexual harassment whether or not they proceed with a formal complaint under those procedures, and for the investigation and resolution of such complaints, as required by Title IX. This Title IX grievance process shall be used to respond to all complaints of sexual harassment that fall within the scope of Title IX. For complaints of sexual harassment that do not fall within the scope of Title IX, the school district may still offer supportive measures to the subject of such conduct and shall apply any other policy or procedure applicable to the alleged conduct.

Any individual with questions about the school district’s Title IX policy and procedures or who would like to make a report or file a formal complaint of sex discrimination or sexual harassment may contact the school district’s designated Title Coordinator:

Matt Borchers – maborc@gt.ratitans.org

1505 Washington Street

Ruthven, IA 51358

(712) 837-5211

Retaliation against a person who made a report or complaint of sexual harassment, assisted or participated in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a sexual harassment report or complaint is strictly prohibited. Retaliation includes threats, coercion, discrimination, intimidation, reprisals, and/or adverse actions related to employment or education. Any individual who believes they have been retaliated against in violation of this policy should immediately contact the school district’s Title IX Coordinator.

Approved: 11-08-21
Reviewed:
Revised:

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 12/07/2021 - 14:55