GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION Regulation
1110 (Form
1110)
Religion
Religious Expression
In order to ensure clarity in application of the District’s religious expression policy, the
following guidelines have been developed and implemented.
Prayer During
Noninstructional Time
Students are permitted to engage in religious expression during noninstructional time, i.e., before school, after school,
during lunch and recess and while not engaged in school activities. Religious
expressions permitted include Bible reading, prayer, scripture reading, saying grace before meals. However, the exercise of
constitutional rights of religious expression may not be engaged in when the
expression disrupts educational activities or school-sponsored activities. The
decision to participate or not participate in religious expression is a matter
of individual choice. No student will be permitted to harass or intimidate
other students to participate or refrain from participating in religious
expression.
Access of Student Religious
Groups to School Media
Religious related student groups will be given the same access to
school facilities and school communications as are given to other noncurricular
student groups. For example, and to the extent that noncurricular student
groups are permitted to advertise in school media, participate in school
announcements, make use of student activity bulletin boards and hand out
leaflets announcing group activities, religious related groups will be given
the same privileges. In all instances, the District maintains the right to
control the means and timing of such activities. In all such matters, the
District neither favors nor disfavors religious related student groups or the
activities sponsored by such groups.
Release Time for Religious
Activities
Upon written parental request, students may be released from school to
participate in off-premises religious instruction or to satisfy religious
obligations. Students who are released from class for religious activities will
not be penalized for missing school. However, such students will be responsible
for all assignments and for the content of lessons missed. The District will
not provide transportation to or from off-premises for religious observances
and will not be responsible for the safety or welfare of students while away
from school.
Religious Expression in Class
Assignments
Students are free to express their personal beliefs
about religion in homework assignments, artwork or other written or oral
assignments. Such assignments will be evaluated by teachers based upon
academic standards of
substance, quality and relevance. Students will neither be rewarded nor
penalized because of the religious content or lack of religious content in
their assignments.
Student Assemblies and
Extracurricular Activities
Generally,
school administrators will determine or substantially control the content of
what is expressed at student assemblies and at extracurricular activities. In
such cases religious expression will not be permitted as the religious
expression may be attributed to the school or seen as an endorsement of a
particular religious belief or expression. However, in instances where students
are selected to speak at assemblies based upon neutral selection criteria and
where the student speaker has primary control over the content of his/her oral
presentation, the school will not restrict the student speech because of its
religious or anti-religious content. In such cases, school authorities will
publicly clarify that the content of the student’s speech is the speaker’s and
not the school’s.
Prayer at
Graduation/Baccalaureate Ceremonies
Where
students or other graduation speakers are selected on the basis of neutral
criteria and retain control over the content of their speech, the content of
the speech will not be restricted because of the religious or anti-religious
content of the speech. The school disclaims responsibility for such speech –
neither encouraging nor discouraging its content. However, neither District nor
school officials may direct or encourage prayer at graduation or select
speakers because of the expectation that such speakers will include religious
expressions in their speech.
To
the extent that the District makes its facilities and related services
available to private groups, the District will provide similar access and on
similar terms to private groups for a baccalaureate ceremony. The District and
the school will not mandate student attendance nor participate in the
organization of the ceremony. School employees are free to attend but will not
be required to attend the private baccalaureate ceremony.
Religious
Activities of School Employees
When
not engaging in work-related activities, i.e., before school or during lunch,
school employees may take part in religious activities such as prayer or Bible
study. Such activities should be conducted in private in order to avoid the
appearance that the employees are acting in their employment responsibilities.
School employees are prohibited from encouraging or discouraging religious
expression and from actively participating in religious expression with
students.
Religious Emblems or Garments
School personnel shall not require
students to remove religious emblems or garments if they are worn in a
non-disruptive manner.
The District will provide annual written
certification of compliance that the District does not maintain any policy that
prevents or denies participation in constitutionally protected prayer in public
elementary and secondary schools. This
certification will be provided to the Missouri Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education on or by October 1 annually. A copy of the certification will be
maintained in the District's administration office and will be available for
public review.
Nov 04
GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION Regulation
1210
School Year and School Day
Alternative
Methods of Instruction
Beginning
in school year 2020-21, the District may use a DESE approved alternative method
of instruction to compensate for certain hours lost due to exceptional and/or
emergency circumstances. “Exceptional or emergency circumstances”
include, inclement weather, a utility outage or an outbreak of a contagious
disease.
Notification of
Parents and Students
If
the District utilizes such DESE approved alternative method of instruction
plan, the District will notify students and parents on each day of the closure.
In these circumstances, the District will ensure that each student receives
assignments for that day in hard copy or receives instruction through virtual
learning or another form of instruction.
Limitation on
Utilization of Instruction Method
Alternative
methods of instruction can be utilized for a maximum of thirty-six (36) hours
during a school year. Days lost or cancelled beyond thirty-six (36)
hours, will be made up in the scheduling of replacement days.
Application for
Use of Alternative Methods of Instruction
The
District’s application to DESE will describe:
1. Manner in which the District intends to strengthen and
reinforce instructional content.
2. Means of communicating to students and parents the
decision to implement alternative methods.
3. Process for communicating the purpose and expectation
of alternative changes.
4. Communication of proposed expectations.
5. Assignments and materials to be used.
6. Manner in which attendance will be determined.
7. Instruction methods to reach students electronically
and to reach students without internet access.
8. Instructional methods for IEP students.
9. Role and responsibility of certified personnel to be
available to communicate with students.
August 2019
Equal
Opportunity
Prohibition Against
Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation
Harassment or discrimination because of an individual’s
race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, disability, age, genetic
information, or any other characteristic protected by law is prohibited in this
District. The District also prohibits
retaliation against a person who files a complaint of discrimination or
harassment or participates in an investigation of allegations of harassment or
discrimination.
This Regulation governs and outlines the procedure for
filing a complaint of harassment or discrimination based on a protected
classification by students, employees, parents, and patrons of the District.
Students with a complaint regarding the identification, evaluation, educational
program, or placement of a child with a disability under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 should be filed in accordance with the procedures
outlined in Regulation 2110.
DISTRICT’S
COMPLIANCE OFFICER
The following person has been designated as the
District’s Compliance Officer to handle inquiries or complaints regarding the
District’s non-discrimination policies:
Name: Shelly
Shipman
Title: Superintendent
Address: 205 W. Dewey Street, Brashear, MO 63533
Telephone Number:
660.323.5272
The District has designated the Compliance Officer with
the responsibility to identify, prevent, and remedy unlawful discrimination and
harassment in the District. The
Compliance Officer is in charge of assuring District compliance with this
Policy and Regulation, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
as well as other state and federal nondiscrimination laws.
The Compliance Officer will:
1.
Receive complaints of discrimination or
harassment based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, ancestry,
religion, sex, disability, age, genetic information, or any other
characteristic protected by law.
2.
Oversee the investigative process.
3.
Assess the training needs of District staff
and students in connection with the dissemination, comprehension, and
compliance with this Regulation.
4.
Arrange for necessary training required for
compliance with this Regulation.
5.
Insure that investigations are conducted by an
impartial investigator.
6.
In the event the complaint is about the
Compliance Officer or Compliance Officer’s immediate supervisor, the District
will consider appointment of an outside investigator.
*If any complaint involves the Compliance Officer, the
Complaint shall be filed directly with the Superintendent or President of the
Board of Education.
DEFINITIONS
For the
purpose of this Regulation and Policy 1300, the following terms are defined:
Compliance
Officer: The District employee(s) designated by the
Board of Education to coordinate the District’s compliance with District
policy, Missouri statutes, and federal laws regarding discrimination,
harassment and retaliation based on an individual’s race, color, national origin,
ancestry, religion, sex, disability, age,
genetic information, or any other characteristic that is protected by law.
Disability: A
physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life
activity.
Discrimination: Adverse conduct
directed at an individual or group based on race, color,
national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, disability, age, genetic information,
or any other characteristic that is protected
by law. The encouragement, cooperation,
coercing, or support of adverse conduct that is based on race, color, national origin,
ancestry, religion, sex, disability, age, genetic information, or any other characteristic that is protected by law is
discrimination.
Harassment: Harassment is
conduct, including but not limited to, intimidation, ridicule or insult, toward
an individual or group because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex,
disability, age, genetic information, or any other characteristic that is protected by law and is so severe or pervasive
that it:
·
Affects an individual’s ability to work in, participate
in, or benefit from an educational program or activity; and
·
Creates an intimidating, threating, abusive hostile or
offensive environment; or
·
Has the purpose or effect of substantially or
unreasonably altering the work or educational environment.
For the purposes of
this Regulation, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual
nature or based upon sex when a) benefits or decisions are implicitly or
explicitly conditioned upon submission to, or consequence is applied for
refusing to comply with, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors
or conduct of a sexual nature; or b) the school or work environment becomes
permeated with intimidation, ridicule or insult that is based on sex or is
sexual in nature and that is sufficiently severe or pervasive enough to alter
the conditions of participation in the district’s programs and activities or
the conditions of employment.
A student
regardless of age cannot consent to behavior of a sexual nature with an adult
irrespective of the circumstances.
Retaliation: Adverse conduct including, but not limited
to, conduct of a coercive, intimidating, threatening, discriminatory, or
harassing nature because of an individual’s good faith complaint, participation
in the investigation, testifying, or resolution of discriminatory or harassing
conduct based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex,
disability, age, genetic information, or any other characteristic that is protected by law.
Student: An individual
that is currently enrolled as a student of the District.
Illustrations and Examples of Prohibited Harassment
For the purpose of this Regulation and Policy
1300 the determination if conduct as unwelcome is a fact-intensive question
that shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Examples of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment may
include a range of subtle and not-so-subtle behaviors and may involve
individuals of the same or different gender. Legitimate, non-sexual physical
conduct necessary to avoid physical harm to persons or property, to console an
individual, or spontaneous movement during a sporting activity is not sexual
harassment.
Depending
on the circumstances, examples of conduct, which may constitute sexual
harassment as defined in this Regulation, include, but are not limited to:
1.
sexual
advances;
2.
request
for sexual favors;
3.
threatening
an individual for not agreeing to submit to sexual advancement;
4.
sexually
motivated touching of an individual’s intimate parts;
5.
coercing,
forcing, or attempting to coerce or force the touching of an individual’s intimate parts;
6.
display
of drawings, graffiti, cartoons, pictures, symbols or other written material of a sexual nature;
7.
sexual
gestures;
8.
sexual
or dirty jokes;
9.
sexually
provocative or explicit speech;
10.
communications
about or rating an individual as to
his/her body, sexual activity, or performance; and
11.
verbal abuse of a sexual nature.
Examples of Race, Color, Nation Origin, Ancestry,
Religion, Disability, Age or Genetic Information Harassment
As defined in this Regulation, examples of
conduct that may be considered harassment based on an individual’s race, color, national origin,
ancestry, religion, disability, age, or genetic information, or any other
characteristic that is protected by law include, but are not limited to:
·
display
of drawings, graffiti, cartoons, pictures, symbols or other written material;
·
jokes;
·
gestures;
·
slurs,
derogatory stereotypes or remarks, rumors, name-calling, insults, teasing, or
taunting;
·
threats
or intimidating conduct;
·
hostile
action, physical aggression or violence; and
·
damage or theft of
property.
OBLIGATION TO REPORT
The District is steadfastly committed to providing an
inclusive environment that is free from discrimination and harassment for all
of its students and staff. Unless a
concern is informally resolved, staff and students shall report all incidents
of discrimination, harassment and retaliation to the Compliance Officer as set
forth in this Regulation. When a formal complaint is filed with the Compliance
Officer, the investigation and complaint process detailed below will be used,
including a possible determination by the Compliance Officer that the incident
has been appropriately addressed through the informal process. Reports of discrimination, harassment and/or
related retaliation must contain as much specific information as possible to allow
for proper assessment of the nature, extent and urgency of preliminary
investigative procedures.
INTERIM MEASURE
The
District will take action to protect a complainant or persons subjected to
discrimination, harassment, or retaliation as necessary during the course of an
investigation. Appropriate interim
measures will be offered and may include, but are not limited to, physical
separation, contact limitations, reassignment, alternative work or assignments,
altering class or bus seating assignments, additional supervision, counseling,
training, warning, conferences, exclusion and employee suspension pending an
investigation as permitted by the District’s policies and law. Additional interim measures to prevent
retaliation may include, but are not limited to, notification of the
retaliation prohibition, confirming the individual knows how to report
retaliation, and follow-up contact.
INVESTIGATION AND RESPONSE
The
District will investigate allegations of harassment, discrimination, and/or
retaliation and take appropriate steps reasonably calculated to resolve the
situation, eliminate the misconduct, prevent its recurrence and as appropriate,
remedy its effects. The District will take equitable and remedial action within
its authority on complaints that come to the attention of the District, either
formally or informally.
Allegations
of criminal misconduct will be reported to law enforcement and suspected child
abuse will be reported to law enforcement and/or the Children’s Division.
Regardless of whether the misconduct is reported to law enforcement and/or the
Children’s Division, school staff will investigate to determine what occurred
and take appropriate steps to resolve the situation, to the extent that such
investigation does not interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation.
Engaging
in harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation will result in appropriate
discipline or other appropriate sanctions against offending students, staff or
other third parties involved in District activities. Anyone else who engages in harassment,
discrimination, and retaliation on school property or at school activities will
have their access to school property and activities restricted, as appropriate.
Employees
and students should fully cooperate with investigation process.
Informal Process for Resolution
The
District takes seriously the obligation to investigate complaints of
discrimination, harassment, or retaliation and to take appropriate remedial
measures when necessary. The District recognizes that the obligation to
investigate and remedy may be accomplished through an informal process,
depending on the circumstances.
Anyone
may use informal procedures to report and resolve complaints of harassment,
discrimination, and retaliation. If a staff member receives an informal
complaint of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation and the complaint
cannot be resolved informally, the staff member shall inform their relevant
building administrator or supervisor. The
administrator/supervisor may attempt to resolve the matter informally and
should inform complainants of Policy & Regulation 1300.
Building
administrators/supervisors shall provide information to the Compliance Officer
on a regular basis about complaints reported and resolved through the informal
process.
Informal
complaints may become formal complaints at the request of the complainant,
parent/guardian, or the District.
During
the course of the informal complaint process, the District will take prompt and
effective steps reasonably calculated to end the harassment, discrimination,
and retaliation and to correct any effects on the complainant.
Informal remedies may include, but are not
limited to:
·
If
the complainant so desires, an opportunity for the complainant to explain to
the alleged harasser that his or her conduct is unwelcome, offensive or
inappropriate, either in writing or face-to-face;
·
A
statement from a staff member to the alleged harasser that the alleged conduct
is not appropriate and could lead to discipline if proven or repeated;
·
A
general public statement from an administrator in a building reviewing the
District’s nondiscrimination and harassment policy without identifying the
complainant;
·
Developing
a safety plan;
·
Separating
students; or
·
Providing
staff and/or student training.
The
District will inform the complainant (and their parent/guardian when
applicable) how to report any subsequent problems. Additionally, the District may
conduct follow-up inquiries to see if there have been any new incidents or
instances of retaliation, and to promptly respond and appropriately address
continuing or new problems.
Formal Process for Resolution
Step One – Complaint to District
Anyone may
initiate a formal complaint of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation by
filing a written complaint with the District’s Compliance Officer. At any step
in the formal resolution process, where appropriate, the District will take
interim measures to protect the complainant or alleged victim before the final
outcome of the District’s investigation.
Additionally, the District may appoint an outside investigator at any
step of the informal or formal resolution process. A subordinate shall not investigate his/her
supervisor.
The
following process will be followed at Step One:
Filing of Complaint
·
All
formal complaints will be in writing and will set forth the specific acts,
conditions or circumstances alleged to have occurred and to constitute
harassment, discrimination or retaliation. The Compliance Officer may draft the
complaint based on the report of the complainant for the complainant to review
and approve. The Compliance Officer may also conclude that the District needs
to conduct an investigation based on information in his or her possession,
regardless of the complainant’s interest in filing a formal complaint.
·
Formal
complaints must be submitted to the Compliance Officer.
·
A
charge or complaint of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation filed with an
outside agency does not constitute a formal complaint or trigger an obligation
to follow the formal complaint investigation procedures as contemplated under
this Regulation.
Investigation of
Complaint
•
The Compliance Officer will receive and investigate all
formal, written complaints of harassment, discrimination or retaliation or will
investigate if information in the Officer’s possession leads them to believe
further investigation is required. The Compliance Officer will delegate his or
her authority to participate in this process if such action is necessary to
avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Upon receipt of a complaint, the
Compliance Officer will provide the complainant a copy of this Regulation.
•
Investigations will be carried out in a manner that is
adequate in scope, reliability and impartiality. During the investigation
process, the complainant and accused party or parties, if the complainant has
identified an accused party, will have an opportunity to identify witnesses and
present relevant evidence. The District and complainant may also agree to
resolve the complaint in lieu of an investigation.
•
When the investigation is completed, the Compliance
Officer will compile a written report of the investigation. The report may
include a recommendation of appropriate action to remedy the allegations
included in the complaint. The Compliance Officer will forward the report and
recommendations to the Superintendent.
If the Superintendent is the subject of the complaint, the report and
recommendations will be forwarded to the Board President.
Response to Complaint
•
The Superintendent will review the report completed by
the Compliance Officer.
•
The Superintendent will respond in writing with a Letter
of Outcome to the complainant and the accused party within thirty (30) calendar days of the Compliance Officer’s receipt of
the written complaint, unless otherwise agreed to by the complainant or if
circumstances related to the complaint require an extension of the time limit.
In the event an extension is needed, the District will notify the complainant
in writing of the reason for the extension and the anticipated response date.
•
The Letter of Outcome will include: 1) a statement of the
outcome of the investigation including whether a preponderance of the evidence
establishes that harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation occurred in
violation of Policy 1300; 2) if violation of Policy 1300 is found to have
occurred, the assurance that the District will take steps to prevent recurrence
and remedy its effects on the complainant and others, if appropriate; and 3)
notice of the right to appeal to the school board and the necessary filing
information.
•
Any corrective measures deemed necessary will be
instituted as promptly as reasonable.
•
The District will inform the complainant (and their
parent/guardian if the complainant is a student) how to report any subsequent
problems. Additionally, where appropriate the District will conduct follow-up
inquiries to see if there have been any new incidents or instances of
retaliation, and to respond and appropriately address continuing or new
problems.
•
If the Superintendent is the subject of the complaint,
the actions set forth herein to be completed by the Superintendent will be
completed by the Board President.
Step Two – Appeal to Board of Education
Notice of Appeal
•
The complainant or accused party may appeal to the Board
of Education by filing a written notice of appeal with the secretary of the
Board within ten (10) calendar days
following receipt of the Letter of Outcome.
•
On receipt of the written appeal, the matter shall be
placed on the agenda of the Board for consideration not later than their next
regularly scheduled meeting, unless otherwise agreed to by the complainant and
the superintendent or for good cause.
•
Parties will be allowed to provide comment and
information as the Board deems relevant and material.
Board Decision
•
Unless otherwise agreed to by the appealing
party, the Board will provide written notice of its determination within thirty (30) calendar days following the
filing of the notice of appeal and provide the appealing party with a copy of
the determination.
RETALIATION
The District prohibits retaliation against a person who
files a complaint of discrimination or harassment, and further prohibits
retaliation against a person who participates in related proceedings or
investigations.
Notwithstanding this provision, employees or students
found to have intentionally made false or materially misleading allegations of
suspected discrimination, harassment and/or related retaliation under this
Regulation may be disciplined, up to and including dismissal or expulsion.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The District will respect the privacy of the complainant,
the individuals against whom the complaint is filed, and the witnesses to the
extent possible, consistent with applicable law, the District’s legal
obligations to investigate, to take appropriate action, and to conform with any discovery or disclosure obligations. However, pursuant to the District’s
discretion, information may be disclosed, if necessary, to aid in the
investigation, resolution, or appeal of the complaint.
CONSEQUENCES AND REMEDIES
The
District will take prompt, effective and appropriate action to address
substantiated discrimination, harassment or retaliation, prevent its recurrence
and remedy its effects.
Consequences
Consequences
for violations of this Policy and Regulation may have educational, restorative,
rehabilitative and/or punitive components.
Conduct constituting
harassment, discrimination or retaliation as defined in this Regulation will be
subject to discipline including, but not limited to, written warning or
reprimand, conference, required training, “no contact” order, reassignment,
probation, suspension or termination for employees, suspension or expulsion for
students, or exclusion from District property.
In the event that the
evidence suggests that the conduct at issue is also a crime in violation of a
Missouri criminal statute, the District Compliance Officer shall report the
conduct to the appropriate law enforcement agency charged with responsibility
for handling such crimes.
As required by and in
compliance with law and District policy, a report will be made to the Missouri
Children’s Division if there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect of
a child.
Students, employees
and others will not be disciplined for speech in circumstances where it is
protected by law.
Remedies
The District will
consider remedies for the victim as appropriate including, but are not limited
to, providing additional resources such as counseling, moving or reassignment
of the perpetrator, or allowing the victim to retake or withdraw from a class.
An allegation of discrimination, harassment and/or
related retaliation complaint may not necessarily stop, delay or affect pending
personnel actions. This includes, but is
not limited to, performance evaluations or disciplinary actions related to a
reporter who is not performing at acceptable levels or standards or who has
violated district policies or regulations.
TRAINING & PUBLICATION OF POLICY
The District will train its employees on this Policy and
Regulation. The training will include
the requirements of nondiscrimination and the appropriate responses to
discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
The District will notify its employees to report complaints of
discrimination, harassment or retaliation in accordance with this Policy. This training will be provided to employees
on an annual basis, and at such other times as the Superintendent, in
consultation with the District’s Compliance Officer, determines is necessary or
appropriate. Additionally, the District
will provide additional training to the District Compliance Officer on
identifying, investigating, and reporting on acts that may constitute
discrimination, harassment or retaliation.
District students will be notified regarding this Policy. This Policy
will be posted on the District’s website and available in Central Office.
January 2018, Copyright © 2018 Missouri Consultants for
Education, LLC
GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION Regulation 1405
School/Community
Relations
Parent/Family
Involvement in Education
In order to implement the Board’s
commitment to parent/family involvement in students’ education, the District
has implemented an educational involvement plan with the following features:
1.
Regular
two way communication between school and parents/families. Such communication
will include but not be limited to scheduled parent visits to school,
electronic communication, use of translators, parent volunteers, and other
programs recommended by the Parent/Family Involvement Committee.
2.
Assist
parents in developing positive, productive parenting skills, as well as
positive productive means of interacting with District administrators and
staff.
3.
Provide
professional development opportunities for District staff to facilitate
productive parent/school involvement in promoting education of District
students.
4.
Involve
parents in meaningful activities to enhance student learning.
5.
Enhance
opportunities for parents/families to visit schools in a safe and open
atmosphere. Such opportunities will
include, but are not limited to, identifying roles for parent volunteers,
providing training for volunteers and provision of family activities at school.
6.
Affirmatively
involve parents in school decisions which affect their children.
7.
Utilize
community resources to promote and strengthen school programs, family
practices, and student learning.
8.
The
Plan will be reviewed annually with input from parents and staff. Meeting agenda sign-in sheets and meeting
minutes will be prepared and maintained by the District.
9.
Full
opportunity for parent participation will be provided to all parents including,
but not limited to, parents with limited English proficiency, parents with
disabilities, and parents of migratory children.
10.
Conduct
an annual evaluation of the policy to identify and resolve any barriers that
would limit the involvement of parents.
(Examples of barriers include, but are not limited to, economically
disadvantaged, limited English proficiency, limited literacy, disabled or are
of any racial or minority background).
July 2014
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION Regulation
1420
School/Community
Relations
Community Use of
School Facilities
Use of Buildings
In accordance with the law, buildings may be used for free discussion
of public questions and subjects of general public interest, for the meeting of
organizations of citizens and for such other civic, social and educational
purposes as will not interfere with the use of the building for school
purposes. No part of the building is to
be used without permission being granted by the Superintendent/designee.
Applications for Use
Applications for the use of the premises shall be made in writing and
shall state the date and purpose of the use, and, if an admission charge is to
be made, the purpose of raising said funds and such other information as the
Board or the Superintendent may require.
Parent organizations, Scout, educational and other school activity
organizations which may be granted use of certain rooms for regular meeting
purposes shall not use other rooms in the building to hold meetings or
entertainment on other than the regular meeting night unless written
application is made for the use of same as provided above.
Any cancellation of reserved dates must be made in writing at least
twenty-four hours before the date on which meetings are scheduled. The Board reserves the right to cancel any
arrangements for use of buildings upon due notice in advance.
Rental Charges
No charge will be made for any “strictly school” activities or for
regular meetings of parent organizations.
No charge will be made to Scouts and similar organizations so long as no
additional cost is incurred in custodial support who would not normally be on duty
and if no extra work is incurred in setting up chairs, equipment, etc.
All rental charges for use of buildings are due and payable at least
twenty-four hours before the date on which the building is to be used. When the buildings are rented on Saturday or
Sunday, an additional charge over and above the minimum charge may be
required. Other payment arrangements may
be made with the Superintendent/designee.
Prohibitions
1. Special permission must
be received to serve meals.
2. The sale, consumption or possession of
alcoholic beverages shall not be permitted on School District premises at anytime. Nor shall any person who is in a drunken or
intoxicated condition, or who is under the influence of liquor, be permitted on
School District premises. The person in charge of the meeting will be held
responsible for the enforcement of this rule.
3. Damage
or breakage occurring in any building or grounds on account of the activities
of an organization using it as a meeting place shall be paid for by the
organization.
4. No use of equipment
shall be granted unless an instructor or attendant, approved by the
Board, is in charge of
the rooms or equipment.
5. Smoking is not
permitted in any school building.
6. The use of profane language or
gambling in any form is not permitted in any school building.
Jan. 2003
GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION Regulation
1431
School/Community
Relations
Code of Conduct –
Adults
In order to ensure a safe and orderly environment in which our students
can maximize their educational and social development, the following
regulations are enacted with respect to the conduct of adult visitors:
1 Verbally
aggressive behavior, which would include, but not be limited to, threats,
intimidation, and profanity, will result in limited access to
school premises and school
activities for up to one (1) year. The length of the restriction will be
determined by the
Superintendent
of Schools.
2. Physical
or violent behavior will result in a ban by the Board of Education from school
premises and activities and will be referred to law
enforcement.
3. Failure
to comply with the restricted access provided in these regulations will result
in the
filing of civil and/or criminal charges.
Jan. 2003
GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION Regulation
1440 (Form 1440)
School/Community
Relations
Research Requests
The following steps must be taken by the researcher:
1. Obtain a copy of the
District's policy statement on research requests.
2. Present a letter of introduction
and authentication from the responsible official, i.e.,
department chairman or above,
of the institution of higher education or the professional
organization.
3. Submit a copy of the
research proposal to include an outline of the research design, copies
of the instruments to
be used, and an outline or summary of techniques and procedures to
be used in the study,
including an anticipated date the District can expect a report of the
findings.
4. Obtain approval by the
Superintendent/designee.
5. Obtain approval from
the principal(s) of the school (s) to be involved so that the District
will
be assured that data collecting will not in any way disrupt ongoing school
programs.
6. Obtain written
permission from parents of children to be directly involved.
7. Sign an agreement using
the form provided by the Superintendent's office. Jan. 2003
GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION Regulation
1450 (Form
1450)
School/Community
Relations
Public Access to
District Documents
The following regulations are intended to ensure full and open
disclosure of the District’s public records.
Public Records
As defined by state statute and provided in Board policy, public
records include but are not limited to reports, surveys, memoranda,
documents/studies prepared and presented to the Board by consultants or other
professional service paid for in any part by public funds, provided that such
“records” are retained by the District.
The phrase “public records” does not include:
1. Creation of a document not retained or
creation of a summary/compilation of District data where such compilation or
summary is not an existing, retained record.
2. Internal
memoranda or correspondence received by or prepared by or on behalf of the
Board where such documents involve advice, opinions, or recommendations related
to the Board’s decision making process.
However, if such memoranda or correspondence is retained by the District
or are presented at a public meeting, they will be deemed public records
subject to public access.
3. District
records closed to public access by the Board including but not limited to
appropriate legal actions, real estate matters, information related to the
performance or merit of individual employees, academic discipline and testing
records of personally identifiable students, testing and examination materials,
software codes, preparation for employee negotiations, specifications for
competitive bidding, personnel records, and sealed bidding.
Request for Inspection and/or Duplication
1. Requests for access or duplication of the
District’s public records must be made to the District’s designated custodian
of records.
2. Upon
receipt, the custodian/designee will provide or deny access within three (3)
business days of the request. The date
of request will not be counted as one of the three (3) business days provided
for response. Where reasonable cause
exists the three day response period may be exceeded.
3. If access is not immediately provided,
the custodian/designee will provide the person requesting access with a
detailed explanation of the reason for the delay. The custodian/designee will advise of the
earliest date, time, and place when access will be provided.
4. If access is denied, the
custodian/designee will provide the person requesting access with a written
explanation of the reason for denial of access.
The written explanation will provide the specific provision of law
relied upon in denying access and will be provided within three (3) days of the
date when access was denied.
5.
Fees for duplication of the District's public records must be
received prior to copying unless the fee has been waived by the Board. Upon request of the person requesting
duplication, the custodian/designee will certify that the actual cost of
document search and duplication does not exceed the allowable charges for
public records set out in state law.
Unauthorized Removal of Public Records
No person is permitted to remove original public records from District
facilities without written permission of the custodian of
records/designee. Employees who violate
this provision are subject to discipline up to and including termination. Violators may be referred to law enforcement
officials.
Commercial Use of District
Records
No person or business entity will be provided with the exclusive right
to have access to, control over, duplication of, and dissemination of the
public records of the District. Jan.
2003
GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION Regulation
1460
School/Community
Relations
Community
Involvement in Decision Making
As elected officials, members of the Board of Education will be open to
input from members of the community.
While accountable to the Electorate of the District, Board members will
act in what they believe is in the best interest of District students given
existing finances and circumstances of the District.
As required by State or Federal Law or Regulations the Superintendent
or designated representative shall:
1. Solicit parents'
suggestions in the planning, development, and operation of programs.
2. Consult
with parents about how the school can work with parents to achieve the
program's objectives.
3. Provide to parents
timely information concerning program evaluations.
4. Facilitate willing
participation by parents in program activities.
5. Provide timely
responses to parents' recommendations.
6.
Establish parent advisory councils as needed.
7. Inform parents concerning the selection of students for programs,
objectives for the child, the child's progress, advice on ways parents may help
the child, and provide when possible materials to help parents assist their
children in special programs. Jan. 2003
The Board
of Education will annually issue a report to each household with a student
enrolled in the District. Copies of the
School Accountability Report Card shall be available at all school or
administrative buildings and shall also be distributed to all media outlets
serving the District. The School
Accountability Report Card for each school building will include the following
information:
1.
Accreditation Status
2.
Preschool Enrollment
3.
K-12 Enrollment
4.
Rates of Pupil Attendance
5.
High School Dropout Rate
6.
High School Graduation Rate
7.
Number of Suspensions of Ten (10) Days or
Longer
8.
Rate of Suspensions of Ten (10) Days or
Longer
9.
District Ratio of Students to
Administrators
10.
District Ratio of Students to Teachers
11.
Average Years of Experience of the
Professional Staff
12.
Number of Advanced Degrees Earned by the
Professional Staff
13.
Student Achievement Measured the District
Assessment System
14.
Student Scores of ACT
15.
Percentage of District Graduates Taking
the ACT
16.
Average Teachers’ Salaries Compared to
State Average
17.
Average Administrators’ Salaries Compared
to State Average
18.
Average Per Pupil Expenditures for the
District
19.
Average Per Pupil Expenditures by
Attendance Center
20.
Adjusted Tax Rate of the District
21.
District’s Assessed Valuation
22.
Percentage of District’s Operating Budget Derived
from State, Federal and Local Sources.
23.
Percentage of Students Eligible for Free
or Reduced-Price Lunch
24.
Percentage of Students Continuing their
Education in Post-Secondary Programs
25.
Placement Rate for Students who Complete
District Vocational Education Programs
26.
Existence of a State-Approved Gifted
Education Program
27.
If a District Gifted Program exists, the
Number of Students Currently Being Served in Such Program
School Report Card
The District Report Card will permit
disclosure of data on a school-by-school basis.
However, school reporting will not be personally identifiable to any
student or professional staff member.
GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION Regulation 1620
Private, State and
Federal Programs Administration
Private, State and
Federal Funding
Steps to be followed in securing grants are:
1. Identify
a significant District problem or need for program improvement that may be
helped through outside funds.
2. Match the need or problem
with a funding source that subscribes to a relevant purpose.
3. Study the background,
resources, and funding prospects of the agency.
4. Clear with the
Superintendent the general idea for a proposal.
5. Involve prospective
participants in planning for a proposal. Secure parents’ written permission if children are to be involved in
experimental types of instruction.
6. Prepare
the application, using the format and following the timeline prescribed by the
funding agency.
7. Discuss the funding of personnel,
including the project director, with the Personnel
Director, making sure
to apply for full outside funding of all fringe benefits, including
unemployment
insurance.
8. Submit
copies as required to the Superintendent for recommendation to the Board for
approval.
9. If
approved, complete the process of submission to the funding agency and its
subsidiaries as required, with copies provided to participants. Jan. 2003
The
responsibility for implementation of the Title I policy is shared between the
Title I Director and each building principal. The designation of these duties
is described below.
1.
Development of the District’s Plan will
include input from parents of eligible students, teachers, administrators and
related personnel.
2.
Provide letters to parents regarding Title
I programs and curriculum, how their children were selected for Title I, how
their progress will be measured, how much progress they are expected to make
during the school year, and how their performance compares to that of their
schoolmates.
3.
Provide an orientation meeting for parents
each school year before the end of the first quarter.
4.
Provide parents of each school with the
results of the annual review. This review is to include the individual school
performance profiles.
5.
Provide timely notification to parents, in
the form of letters and flyers, regarding Title I meetings and workshops.
6.
Offer professional development
opportunities for teachers on increasing their effectiveness in teaching all
students eligible for Title I services and on addressing the needs of Title I
parents.
7.
Offer workshops for parents on how to help
assist in the instruction of their children.
8.
The District will conduct an annual review
meeting of Title I activities which will include, but not be limited to, parent
evaluations and the school-parent compact.
Meeting agenda sign-in sheets for parents and staff, as well as, meeting
minutes will be maintained by the District.
9.
Send data regarding year-end Title I
program evaluation results to all parents.
10.
Invite parents to and include parents in
Title I program review team meetings.
11.
Notify parents regarding the professional
qualifications of their student's classroom teachers.
Title I Staff
Qualifications
Title
I teachers hired after the first day of school for 2002-2003 must meet the
following qualifications:
1.
Have obtained full state certification as
a teacher.
2.
Hold at least a bachelor's degree.
3.
Elementary teachers - have demonstrated
subject knowledge and teaching skills in reading, writing, mathematics and
other areas of the basic elementary school curriculum.
4.
Secondary teachers - have demonstrated a
high level of competency in each of the academic subjects that they teach.
Title
I teachers hired prior to 2002-2003 must meet the same qualifications by the
end of 2005-2006.
Title
I paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002, must have a secondary school
diploma or a GED and meet one of the following qualifications:
1.
Completed at least two (2) years of study
at an institution of higher education, or
2.
Obtained an associate's (or higher)
degree, or
3.
Have demonstrated knowledge of, and the
ability to assist in instructing reading readiness, writing readiness and
mathematics readiness, as appropriate.
Title
I paraprofessionals hired prior to January 8, 2002, must meet the above
qualifications by January 8, 2006. Exceptions to these qualifications would
apply to those Title I paraprofessionals who primarily serve as translators or
whose duties consist solely of conducting parental involvement activities.
Each
Title I building administrator will invite all parents to attend their school's
program planning meetings, school review and improvement meetings.
Title
I teachers will provide parents with quarterly written reports on the progress
of their children, so that parents can know the extent to which they are
learning. Teachers will be available for individual conferences at the
regularly scheduled District Parent/Teacher Conference dates and at other times
by appointment through each building office. Meeting times will take into
account the need to accommodate a variety of parent work schedules.
Through
these reports and conferences, Title I teachers will provide parents with the
results of evaluations of student progress. These evaluations will include, but
will not be limited to, test results, measurements of homework turned in,
homework completed, student attitudes and student behavior.
Each Title I school will:
1.
Design and sponsor activities to address
the needs of children which are unmet due to the absence of one parent.
2.
Design types of parent involvement that do
not involve being at school, such as helping teachers by assembling materials
at home for use in classroom activities.
3.
Offer opportunities and materials for parents
to participate in classroom activities.
At the
beginning of each school year, the District will notify the parents of each
student attending any school receiving Title I funds that they may request information
regarding the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers,
including, at a minimum, the following:
1.
Whether the teacher has met state
qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in
which the teacher provides instruction;
2.
Whether the teacher is teaching under
emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or
licensing criteria have been waived;
3.
Whether the child is provided services by
paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications; and
4.
What baccalaureate degree major and any
other graduate certification or degree is held by the teacher, and the field of
discipline of the certification or degree.
In
addition to the information that parents may request, the District will provide
to each individual parent:
1.
Information on achievement level of the
parent's child in each of the state academic assessments as required under this
part; and
2.
Timely notice that the parent's child has
been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by, a
teacher who is not highly qualified.
Requests
by parents for this information must be provided in a timely manner.
This
grievance procedure applies to all complaints regarding District operations
under all programs authorized under the Federal Every Student Succeeds Act
including Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV (Part A), Title V, Title VI,
Title VII and Title IX (Part C).
A
formal complaint may be filed by parents, member of the public, teachers, or
other District employees. Complaints
must be in writing; must be signed by the complainant; and must include facts,
including documentary evidence that supports the complaint and the specific
requirement, statute,
or regulation alleged to have been violated.
All
complaints must be filed with the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee
and will be addressed in a prompt and courteous manner.
3.
The complaint findings and resolutions
will be disseminated to all parties and to the Board of Education.
4.
If dissatisfied with the District’s
determination, complainant may appeal to DESE within fifteen (15) days of
receipt of the District’s determination.
GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION Regulation
1720
Administrative
Organization and Roles
Superintendent of
Schools
1. Attend
and participate in all meetings of the Board, except when his/her own
employment status is being considered.
2. Formulate and present
for Board action policies, plans, programs and proposals for
curriculum revision with full
information which will assist the Board in making fully
informed decisions. Short
and long term educational goals shall be presented along with
regular population studies.
3. Enforce all provisions
of applicable municipal, state and federal laws, policies and
regulations of the Board of
Education, make recommendations for any changes of policy
or regulation which
may be needed.
4. Make recommendations
for the employment, promotion, assignment, transfer, or
dismissal, of any school
employee in accordance with school policy.
5. Prepare, or direct the
preparation of, the annual School District budget for the Board's
consideration
and action.
6. Administer the budget
as approved by the Board and interpret it to the community.
7. Conduct a program of
public relations which will keep the community fully informed of
the
activities, successes and needs of the School District. The Superintendent
shall
maintain a cooperative
working relationship between the School District and the
community by regularly
attending community and school activities.
8. Initiate citizen committees
which includes professional consultants to act in an advisory capacity in areas such as curriculum,
government programs, school projects, research,
school finance and evaluations subject to the Board's approval.
9. Respond to situations
requiring discretion because they are not covered by Board existing
policies,
reporting the action to the Board as soon as possible thereafter.
10. Assist the Board in
fulfilling its legislative function for the schools in an efficient and just manner.
11. Assume direct
operational responsibility for all duties and responsibilities not specifically
assigned to an assistant
Superintendent, director, or others.
12. Maintain
accurate up‑to‑date records and reports as required by law, the
Missouri Department of
Elementary and Secondary
Education, and/or the Board.
13. Provide an orientation
program for new Board members and inform Board members of conferences, workshops and other meetings
that will assist them in their duties and responsibilities.
14. Provide an agenda to
Board members prior to all regular Board meetings, with appropriate background information.
15. Provide leadership for
all School District personnel which encourages team effort to
provide
quality education and services.
16. Supervise and evaluate
central office administrative personnel and all principals, making
annual
recommendations to the Board for administrative employment and compensation.
17. Resolve student
disciplinary problems resulting from principals’ referrals.
18. Serve as spokesperson
for the Board team in discussions with the representative teacher organization.
19. Perform other duties as
may be assigned by the Board of Education or as may be required
to
implement the policies and regulations of the Board of Education.