|
|
0000 |
ORGANIZATION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0100 |
Legal Status |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0110 |
District Name and Identification Codes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0200 |
School District Philosophy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0300 |
School Board Organization |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0310 |
School Board Purpose and Roles |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0311 |
Statement of Practices |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
0320 |
School Board Elections |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
0321 |
School Board Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0323 |
Resignation |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0324 |
Filling Board Vacancies |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0330 |
Oath of Office |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0340 |
Code of Ethics |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
0342 |
Nepotism, Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0350 |
School Board Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0351 |
School Board Travel |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0360 |
Board Committees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0400 |
Meetings |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
0410 |
Meetings |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
0411 |
Meeting Agenda |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0412 |
Meetings - Participation by Public |
|
|
|
|
|
PF |
0420 |
Minutes |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0430 |
Executive Sessions |
|
|
|
|
|
PF |
0440 |
Notification of Board Meetings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0500 |
Policy Development and Review |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
0510 |
Policy Development, Adoption and Review |
|
|
7000 |
FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7100 |
Facilities Planning and Design |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
7110 |
Educational Specifications |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
7120 |
Procurement of Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
7130 |
Construction Manager Selection |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7200 |
Facilities Construction |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
7210 |
Construction Contracts, Bidding and Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
7220 |
Board Inspection and Acceptance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
7300 |
Site/Facilities Retirement |
The School District is organized under the authority of the State Legislature and exercises powers delegated directly and indirectly by the Missouri State Legislature.
The official, corporate name of the School District shall be _____________________________ .
___________________________________________
District Name
___________________________________________
District Address
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Phone
Identification Codes
___________________________________________
County/District Code
___________________________________________
Federal Identification Number
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Board of Education is guided by the desire to use the resources of its community, its staff and its students to provide the highest quality education permitted by its financial resources. In reaching decisions the Board will attempt in every case to act in the best interests of its students.
The School Board of Education performs three basic functions in the management of the School District:
The School Board shall exercise full legislative rule and management authority for the District by adopting policy and directing all procedures necessary for the governance of District educational and administrative responsibilities.
The School Board shall delegate to the Superintendent the responsibility of implementing all Board policy.
The School Board shall determine the effectiveness of policy implementation through evaluation of school operations, practices and program outcomes. The achievement level of students shall be the guiding standard through which all success shall be measured.
Members shall attend all regularly scheduled Board of Education meetings insofar as possible. Any member failing to attend the meeting of the Board for three (3) consecutive regular meetings, unless excused by a majority of the Board for reasons satisfactory to the Board, shall be deemed to have vacated the seat; and the secretary of the Board shall certify that fact to the Board. The vacancy shall be filled as other vacancies occurring in the Board. Attendance for purposes of this provision shall be defined as actual, physical attendance at the Board meeting until all of the business of the Board has been completed unless a member is excused by a majority of the Board.
Members shall come to Board of Education meetings informed concerning the issues to be considered.
Members shall avoid abstaining except when required by statute or Board policy. The members of the Board have been elected to make difficult decisions on behalf of the students, parents, patrons and employees of the district. The concept of trusteeship requires each member to review the issues under the Board's consideration and to take a stand regarding those issues. A member who has conformed to the above-described tenets of knowledge, open discussion, independent judgment, and independent and civility should be prepared to cast a vote on each of the issues before that member.
Members shall work with other Board members to establish effective Board policies and to delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the Superintendent. Members shall not attempt to by-pass, undermine, or usurp the Superintendent's authority and responsibility for the daily operation of the schools.
Members shall avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest, and shall not use the Board position for personal or partisan gain. Members shall conduct themselves in accordance with the conflict of interest policy and disclosure requirements prescribed by statute and Board policy.
Members shall not disclose confidential information. Information is confidential if it is (a) communicated during executive session; or (b) otherwise communicated with a mutual understanding of confidentiality.
Members shall not solicit or accept gifts, payments, or anything greater than a nominal value item or holiday gifts of nominal value from any person, organization, group, or entity doing business or desiring to do business with the School District.
Members, if contacted by a vendor requesting information about the District's bidding procedures, whether of a general nature or with regard to specific goods or services to be bid, shall provide the vendor with the name and business telephone number of the administrator responsible for purchasing such goods or services. The member shall request that the vendor contact the relevant administrator and direct all questions and concerns to that administrator.
All official communications, policies, and directives of staff interest and concern will be communicated to staff members through the Superintendent, and the Superintendent will employ such media as are appropriate to keep the staff fully informed of the Board's concerns and actions.
Individual Board members who, in their parental capacity, wish to visit the school(s) or classroom(s) of their child(ren) will follow the regular procedures for visitors. Board members who wish to visit other schools or classrooms as an informal expression of interest in school affairs will inform the Superintendent who will arrange such visit(s) through appropriate principal(s). Official visits by Board members will be conducted only with the full knowledge of the Superintendent and principal(s) involved.
Members shall remember always that the first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the School District.
The qualified voters of the School District shall annually on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of April, elect two directors for terms of three years, except, effective for Board elections beginning in April of 1993, and each three years thereafter, when three directors shall be elected in compliance with regulations specified in state law.
An election shall not be held if the number of candidates who have filed for the Board is equal to the number of positions available.
An individual must be a registered voter in order to vote in a school election. In order to vote, a person must be eighteen (18) years of age or older, must be a citizen of the United States, and must reside in the School District thirty (30) days.
Qualified applicants for the Board may file for office beginning at 8:00 a.m. in the Superintendent's office commencing on the sixteenth (16th) Tuesday prior to the election and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the eleventh (11th) Tuesday before the election. The candidate shall declare his/her intent to become a candidate, in person and in writing to the secretary of the Board of Education. The names of qualified candidates shall be placed on the ballot in the order of filing. The notice of election and certification of candidates must be submitted to the county clerk by the tenth Tuesday prior to the election. Candidates must comply with all of the prevailing laws concerning eligibility and campaign financing.
A candidate who files for one vacancy and later decides to run for another shall be positioned on the ballot according to the time when his/her change of declaration is received by the secretary of the Board, not on the basis of when the first petition was filed.
Candidates must be citizens of the United States and resident taxpayers of the District, reside in his/her state for one year next preceding their election or appointment, and be at least twenty-four (24) years of age. Each newly elected or appointed director shall qualify and take his/her oath of office in the manner prescribed by law and according to Policy 0330 - Oath of Office.
Within fourteen (14) days after the annual Board election in April, the Board will meet to administer the oath of office to new Board members and to elect a president and vice-president. Thereafter, on or before the 15th day of July of each year, the Board shall elect a secretary and a treasurer, who shall enter upon their respective duties on the 15th day of July. The secretary and treasurer may or may not be members of the Board (RSMo. Section 162.301(2)).
Any School Board member who wishes to resign from office shall inform the School Board secretary in writing. The School Board secretary shall certify to the Board that the office is vacant. The Board will then appoint a replacement to serve until the next School Board election, at which time the position shall be filled by election to complete the unexpired term.
Whenever a vacancy occurs on the Board of Education, the remaining members of the Board will, by majority vote, select an individual to fill the vacant position until the next annual school election.
In filling the vacancy the Board will inform the community and solicit applications. In addition, the Board may affirmatively solicit qualified community members to apply for the vacant position. The Board, or a committee designated by the Board will screen the applicants and will select no more than three applicants for Board interview. Candidate interviews and the vote taken to fill the vacancy will occur in an open session meeting of the Board.
Within fourteen (14) days after their election, the newly elected members of the Board shall take the oath of office proscribed by Article VII, Section II, of the Constitution of Missouri, RSMo. Section 162.301(1).
OATH OF OFFICE
I, __________________________________________________ , do solemnly swear that I am
Board Member
at least twenty-four (24) years of age, that I am a citizen of the United States and a resident
taxpayer of the __________________________________________________ , in
School District
__________________________________________________ in the State of Missouri, and that
County
I will support the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Missouri, and that I will
abide by and uphold the __________________________________________________
School District
Board Member Code of Ethics, and will faithfully demean myself in office.
The purpose of the Board of Education is:
1. To govern and control the affairs of the District as provided by law.
2. To discover and interpret the educational needs, attitudes and interests throughout the District as a guide to developing and setting priorities for an educational program.
3. To exercise judgment in reviewing, considering and voting on district wide policies affecting the operation of the schools.
4. To oversee the management and fiscal control of the schools as provided by law and to review, evaluate and judge the effectiveness of the educational program.
The roles of members of the Board of Education are:
1. To recognize that it is the responsibility of the Board to see that the schools are properly administered, not to administer them.
2. To hold the Superintendent responsible for the implementation of Board policies and the administration of the District.
3. To give the Superintendent authority commensurate with his/her responsibility.
4. To vote on Board matters only after considering the recommendation of the Superintendent and any interested citizens.
5. To maintain a working rapport with other members of the Board and the Superintendent.
6. To respect and encourage the right of others to hold and express opinions.
7. To support the Board once a legal decision has been made by a majority vote.
8. To avoid inappropriate or disparaging remarks, in or out of Board meetings, about other Board members or their opinions.
9. To realize that the responsibilities are district-wide.
10. To recognize that authority rests with the School Board in legal session and no individual Board member has legal authority to request action from the staff.
11. To avoid any comments which may be interpreted as undermining the administration of the District.
12. To assure that special committees, when appointed, have a well defined objective and that there is understanding that the committee serves in an advisory capacity.
In addition, members of the Board of Education will:
1. Work through the Superintendent and his/her staff.
2. Support the Superintendent's efforts to appoint the most qualified persons as employees of the District.
3. Reinforce the efforts of the Superintendent and the staff so that they may perform their assigned responsibilities in the most effective manner.
4. Provide the Superintendent counsel as requested or required.
5. Make every effort to keep all citizens informed about the quality and condition of public school education in the District.
6. Initiate and implement all efforts to secure adequate financial support for the District.
7. Assure that all transactions of the District are ethical, open and aboveboard.
The Board may employ a person related within the fourth degree to a Board member (see Form 0342), provided the related Board member does not debate or vote upon the employment issue. However, the Board may not under any circumstances employ one of its own members.
In order to consider employment of a Board member's spouse, the position must have been advertised as required in Policy 4120 - Employment Procedures. In addition, the Superintendent must consider and submit a written affirmative recommendation to the Board. The names of all applicants for that position, as well as the name of the applicant hired, are to be included in the Board minutes.
Members of the Board of Education will conduct themselves in a manner which complies not only with the letter of conflict of interest laws, but also in the spirit of those provisions. Board members will at all times make good faith efforts to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. If a situation arises which involves the potential for a conflict of interest, the individual Board member will declare his interest and will refrain from debating or voting upon the question of engaging or using the business entity in question.
No member of the Board shall accept a salary from, or be employed by the Board, or profit financially in any manner by reason of any dealings with the Board.
Travel and accompanying expenses may be authorized by a majority of the Board of Education for any of its members to attend conferences, meetings, seminars, conventions, etc., at the state, regional and national levels. Travel expenses may include transportation, lodging, meals and registration fees.
Each Board member who has been approved for travel shall file with the Business and Finance Office an itemized account of anticipated expenses and may request and receive an advance for these expenses. Upon completion of travel, an actual expense account report, with appropriate receipts, shall be filed with the Business and Finance Office within the next two weeks.
Travel requests will not normally be approved in the three months prior to the completion of a Board member's term.
Travel and accompanying expenses may be authorized by a majority of the Board of Education for any of its members to attend conferences, meetings, seminars, conventions, etc., at the state, regional and national levels. Travel expenses may include transportation, lodging, meals and registration fees.
Each Board member who has been approved for travel shall file with the Business and Finance Office an itemized account of anticipated expenses and may request and receive an advance for these expenses. Upon completion of travel, an actual expense account report, with appropriate receipts, shall be filed with the Business and Finance Office within the next two weeks.
Travel requests will not normally be approved in the three months prior to the completion of a Board member's term.
The Board may appoint committees to assist it in carrying out the Board's responsibilities. However, the Board may not delegate those functions which, by law, must be exercised by the Board of Education.
1. Committees created by the Board of Education will be assigned specific tasks to be performed and will be assigned a specific time frame within which to accomplish assigned tasks.
2. Upon completion of these tasks or upon expiration of the time allotted, the committee will be dissolved unless extended by the Board.
3. Reports of Board committees may be made in written form or be presented verbally at a Board meeting at the discretion of the Board.
Meetings of committees appointed by the Board or at the Board's direction including advisory committees appointed for the specific purpose of recommending policy, policy revisions, expenditures of public funds to the Board or to the Superintendent will comply with the notice and open meeting provision applicable to Board of Education meetings. The District's custodian of records will maintain a current list of such advisory committees.
The regular meeting of the Board shall be held on the _________________________ in each month, at the hour of ______ p.m., except when a majority of the Board agrees in advance and public notice is given. Public meetings may be conducted in person or by conference call, video chats, Internet conferences, e-mails and Internet message board.
Special meetings may be held at the time set by the Board or on the call of the Board president or a majority of the Board. (Not less than twenty-four (24) hours written notice, stating the time and place of the meeting and the business to be considered, will be given to each member.) Simultaneously with the giving of notice of such meeting to the members of the Board, a written notice of the meeting and the matters to be considered will be posted in the same manner as postings for regular Board meetings.
The presence of a majority of the Board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. However, the letting of contracts, employment of personnel, approval of bills for payment and the ordering of warrants require an affirmative vote of a majority of the Board.
The Board may vote to conduct closed executive sessions as provided for in Policy 0430 – Executive Sessions. In order to enter into executive session, such motion must be approved by a roll call majority vote. The motion to enter executive session must reference the specific statutory matters to be discussed.
Any Board member may object to the closing of a meeting, record or vote if the member believes the motion to close violates the Sunshine Law; such member(s) must object at or before the motion to close is voted upon and must vote against closing. The member(s) shall be allowed to fully participate in any subsequent meeting or vote. The objecting member(s) shall be immune from any liability for improper closure of a meeting.
Recording of Board Meetings
The open sessions of Board meetings may be audio or video taped. The Board has adopted guidelines set forth in Regulation 0410 to minimize the potential disruptive effect of such recordings.
Possession of firearms and weapons are prohibited from all school premises and school activities. This prohibition specifically applies to meetings and activities of the Board of Education and applies to all attendees, including members of the Board. The firearm prohibition includes permitted weapons. (See also Policy 1432 – Prohibition Against Firearms and Weapons.)
A tentative agenda for each regular, special or proposed closed meeting of the Board shall be prepared by the Superintendent, in consultation with the Board president, and shall be included in any public notice of such meetings. Any member of the Board may request items to be placed on the agenda. The tentative agenda, related materials and minutes of the previous meeting shall be mailed to each member of the Board at least four days prior to the stated meeting unless a special emergency meeting is called at a time which makes the four day prior notice impossible.
The agenda for each meeting of the Board shall be adopted or modified by a motion by a majority of those Board members present. Once the agenda is approved, it shall require a vote of majority of the Board members present to make additional modifications.
The agenda for closed sessions shall be on a separate document; however, the motion to close a meeting must be voted on during a public meeting and must also include the reasons for closing the meeting with references to the specific topics under the provision of Section 610.021, RSMo. as valid grounds for a closed meeting session.
A designated period of time may be provided for public comments at all regular Board meetings. The Board is very interested in citizen viewpoints and problems; however, citizens are encouraged to work through problems at the building and/or administrative levels before coming to the Board. Remarks may be limited to three minutes and to one appearance, thus allowing a maximum number of participants in the allotted time period in which citizens are to speak to issues. Questions directed to the Board may not always be answered immediately. All questions will be responded to by an appropriate person as soon as possible. Persons who wish to suggest items for the agenda should contact the Superintendent.
Minutes of the Board of Education meetings shall be available to District residents for inspection at the Superintendent of Schools office, at reasonable hours. The minutes will include the date, time, place, members present, members absent, and a record of any votes taken.
A separate minute book used solely for the purpose of executive sessions shall be used to record the minutes. Under such circumstances, the Board members and others in attendance are honor-bound not to disclose the details or discussions or minutes of the executive session. Any vote taken during a closed session will be taken and recorded by a roll call vote.
The Board reserves the right, as provided by law, to close meetings, records and votes as they relate to the matters below. All discussion and action by the Board in executive session must be related to the reasons set forth in the motion to enter executive session. The minutes of the executive session shall be recorded and maintained in a separate, confidential minute book. (See Policy 0420 – Minutes.)
Litigation including privileged communications between the Board, its representatives, and its attorneys. Upon completion of the litigation or upon the execution of a settlement agreement, the vote, minutes, and settlement agreement will be made public unless subject to a court order closing the record.
The lease, purchase or sale of real estate where public knowledge of the details of the proposed acquisition might adversely affect the District's interests. Any vote or public record approving such a contract shall become available to the public upon execution of the contract.
Actions related to the hiring, firing, disciplining or promotion of a District employee when the performance or individual merits of this employee is considered. Any vote on a final decision to hire, fire, promote or discipline will be available to the public within seventy-two (72) hours of the close of the meeting, except that good faith efforts will be made to notify the affected employee prior to the information becoming publicly available. Disclosure of Board action on such personnel matters will include notice of how each Board member voted on the proposition.
Scholastic probation, expulsion, discipline, or graduation of identifiable persons, including records of individual test or examination scores subject to the provisions of the Board's student records policy and regulations.
Preparations for negotiations with employees and employee representatives, including any work
product of the Board.
Testing and examination materials before the test or examination is given and until use of the test is discontinued.
Competitive bidding specifications, until officially approved or published for bids. Sealed bids, until the earlier of the time all are opened or all are accepted or rejected.
Individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records related to employees or applicants for employment. However, the public will have access to the names, positions, salaries, and length of service of employees of the District.
Confidential and privileged communication between the Board and its auditor, including all auditor's work product. However, final audit reports issued by the auditor will be open.
Information provided to the District by outside consultants relating to the security of District facilities. However, expenditures of public funds for the purchase of security systems are considered to be open public records.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, consultant reports involving open records matters which were prepared for the District are deemed to be open records.
Notice of meetings of the Board of Education, including committees of the Board as provided in Policy 0360 – Board Committees, will be given in a manner to reasonably inform the public of the matters to be considered by the Board.
Notice of the time, date, and place of the meeting as well as the tentative agenda will be provided at least twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of holidays and weekends, prior to the meeting unless for good cause it is impossible or impractical to provide such notice. In such instances, the nature of the impossibility or impracticality will be stated in the minutes. In order to maximize public participation, notice of Board meetings will be posted in each District school and at the District's administrative offices. Upon request, members of the media will be provided with notice of the meeting at the same time notice is provided to members of the Board. Meetings will be scheduled at a location reasonably accessible to the public in a room of sufficient size to accommodate the anticipated attendance by the public.
Where meetings are conducted by telephone or other electronic means, written notice of such meetings will include the specific mode by which the meetings will be conducted and the location where the public may attend such electronic meetings. If a meeting is conducted through the Internet or other computer link, notice of such meeting will be posted on an existing District web site.
The development and adoption of policies to govern operation of the School District are the responsibility of the Board of Education. In developing policy, the Board may solicit input from the community, staff and other professionals.
At any meeting of the Board, policies governing the schools may be enacted, amended or repealed by a majority vote. The formal adoption of policies shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board. Only those written statements so adopted and so recorded shall be regarded as official Board policy.
The Superintendent of Schools is assigned the responsibility for insuring that all Board policies, rules and regulations are implemented. The Board authorizes the Superintendent to develop administrative guidelines in order to implement Board policy. The Superintendent shall notify all employees and students of their need to abide by Board policies and regulations. Administrators shall prepare staff, student and parent handbooks that interpret Board policies and state rules and regulations that affect each population set. The handbooks shall be revised annually and distributed within the first month of the school term.
The Board shall review written policies on a continuing basis to ensure consistency and legality of Board action and administrative decisions. Policies shall be reviewed and revised as a result of newly enacted state and/or federal legislation, court decisions, as a result of research and/or policy development as presented by state and/or national organizations and agencies, or for other reasons as determined by the Board.
During periods of time in which the District maintains a District web site, the Board’s policies and regulations along with student handbooks will be posted on the web site.
|
|
1000 |
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1100 |
Religion |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
1110 |
Religious Expression |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1200 |
Calendar Requirements |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1210 |
School Year and School Day |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1300 |
Equal Opportunity |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
1310 |
Civil Rights, Title IX, Section 504 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1400 |
School/Community Relations |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1410 |
Relations with Law Enforcement Authorities |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
1420 |
Community Use of School Facilities |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1425 |
School Volunteers |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1430 |
Visitors to Schools |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
1431 |
Code of Conduct – Adults |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1432 |
Prohibition Against Firearms and Weapons |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
1440 |
Research Requests |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
1450 |
Public Access to District Documents |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
1460 |
Community Involvement in Decision-Making |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1470 |
Public Gifts to Schools |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1480 |
Public Complaints |
|
|
1500 |
Office Methods and Data Management |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1510 |
Records |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
1520 |
School District Annual Report |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1600 |
Private, State and Federal Programs Administration |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1610 |
Protection of Student Rights |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
1620 |
Private, State and Federal Funding |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
1621 |
Title I |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1700 |
Administrative Organization and Roles |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1710 |
Administrative Reports |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
1720 |
Superintendent of Schools |
|
|
|
|
|
PF |
1722 |
Superintendent's Contract |
|
|
|
|
|
PF |
1723 |
Evaluation of the Superintendent |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
1730 |
Building Administration |
Religious Expression
The District is committed to provide educational services and to maintain a learning environment, which does not limit or deny participation in constitutionally protected prayer or other protected religious expression. Consistent with the provisions of the First Amendment, the District and its employees, who are engaged in official duties, will not sponsor any religious activity or expression. Conversely, the District and its employees, who are engaged in official duties, will not discourage or preclude religious expression that is privately initiated, consistent with this policy and regulation. (For Board policy regarding instruction and religious or controversial issues, refer to Policy 6242 - Religious or Controversial Issues.)
The Board will annually adopt a school calendar that will provide for a minimum of 174 days and 1,044 hours of pupil attendance.
The length of the school day will meet State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements for six (6) clock hours of instruction. A school year and school day in excess of the state required minimum may be recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the Board.
If the District's schools are dismissed due to inclement weather after school has been in session for three or more hours, that day shall count as a full day, including kindergarten. When the total hours lost due to inclement weather exceed twelve (12) hours, the time must be made up in half- or full-day additions to the school term.
The District shall be required to make up no more than eight (8) school days lost or canceled due to inclement weather and half the number of days lost or canceled in excess of eight days.
The District is committed to providing equal opportunity in all areas of education, recruiting, hiring, retention, promotion and contracted service. The District further commits itself to the policy that there shall be no unlawful discrimination against any person because of race, color, religion, disability, age, gender or national origin.
The District's equal opportunity policy extends to prohibitions against unlawful harassment of students or employees because of the individual's race, color, religion, disability, age, gender or national origin.
The District assures that it will comply with:
1. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq., which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance.
2. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), as amended, 29 U.S.C. 794, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance.
3. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. The provisions of Title IX apply to students with regard to educational opportunities and freedom from harassment, employees with regard to employment opportunities and freedom from harassment, and to individuals with whom the Board does business.
4. The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended 42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq., which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance.
5. All regulations, guidelines, and standards lawfully adopted under the above statutes by the United States Department of Education.
The District shall appoint an administrator(s) to assure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. A District may designate only one employee to serve as both the Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator. In that case, the individual must assume the responsibilities of both coordinators. Those responsibilities are outlined in Regulation 1310.
It is the policy of the District to process all grievances in a fair and expeditious manner, with the intent of resolving them in a mutually agreeable manner. Regulation 1310 provides mechanisms for the resolution of grievances/complaints by employees, patrons and/or students relating to discrimination under Section 504 and Title IX.
This policy and the corresponding regulation do not pertain to the identification, evaluation or placement of students under Section 504. The topics of the identification, evaluation and
It is the District policy to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies in promoting the welfare of District's students, staff and the community. As provided in Policy and Regulation 2673, District officials will satisfy the reporting requirements of the Safe Schools Act. (See also Policy 2150 - Searches by School Personnel, and Policy 2160 - Interviews, Interrogations and Removal from School.)
School District facilities are available for community use when facilities are not required for instructional or administration purposes. Use of District facilities is subject to approval of the community group's application and is subject to conditions established by the Board of Education as set forth in administrative regulations.
To the extent that school facilities are available for community use, such facilities will be open, under the same terms and conditions, to youth groups including but not limited to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Little League Baseball and similar groups. When outside groups are permitted to use school facilities under this policy, the District will not unlawfully discriminate against groups based upon a group's religious, political or philosophical content of the speech at such meetings.
The District encourages participation of parents and citizens of the community to volunteer in the schools in order to serve as additional resources to the teachers and students. Prior to serving as a volunteer, each individual who may have unsupervised contact with a child must complete an application for the position, have a satisfactory criminal records check, and have a satisfactory check of the child abuse/neglect records maintained by the Missouri Department of Social Services.
Principals and teachers shall welcome and encourage visits by parents/guardians, Board members, volunteers and patrons of the schools. All visitors shall report to the principal's office on entering the building so that the office will be aware of their presence. When a patron of the school has a need for a conference with a teacher or counselor, an appointment should be made so the staff member may proceed with his/her assigned duties without undue interruption.
Groups of visitors wishing to visit the school or facilities shall notify the Superintendent as far in advance as possible.
Students dismissed earlier in one school than others are not permitted to be on the grounds of any other school in the District.
All persons who do not obtain permission from the principal's office to visit the school, or visitors who create serious distractions to the learning environment in the building or on the premises, shall be considered trespassers and subject to arrest and prosecution.
The Board of Education believes in and fosters a safe and orderly environment for all students, staff, and visitors.
Therefore, the Board of Education has established a code of conduct for parents, patrons, and visitors on school premises and at school activities. All parents, patrons, and visitors will be expected to conduct themselves in a manner reflective of a positive role model for children. Public displays contrary to this expectation as provided in Regulation 1431 will result in sanctions which will limit a person's access to school activities and school premises.
The presence of firearms and weapons poses a substantial risk of serious harm to District students, staff and community members. Therefore, possession of firearms and weapons is prohibited on school premises at all times except for law enforcement officials. As used in this policy, the phrase school premises includes all District buildings, grounds, vehicles and parking areas. This prohibition also extends to the sites of school activities, whether or not those school activities are conducted on School District property.
Individuals found to be in violation of this policy will be dealt with severely. Students will be disciplined up to and including expulsion as provided in Policy and Regulation 2620 - Firearms and Weapons in School. Law enforcement officials will be notified and the individual violating this policy will be directed to leave school premises. Non-students violating this policy will be barred from all school premises and school activities for a period of one (1) year. Subsequent violations by the same individual will result in a permanent bar from school premises and school activities.
Student participation in school sanctioned gun safety courses, student military or ROTC courses, or other school sponsored firearm related events does not constitute a violation of this policy, provided the student does not carry a firearm or other weapon into any school, school bus, or onto the premises of any other activity sponsored or sanctioned by school officials. In addition, persons passing through school district property for purposes of dropping off or picking up a student do not violate this policy if they possess a lawful permitted weapon in the vehicle during this time.
Requests for research studies involving students and/or staff of the School District must be submitted to the Superintendent of Schools or the Superintendent's designee for approval. Any research utilizing human subjects must be authenticated by the sponsoring university. Written permission from parents of the students to be involved must also be obtained as well as approval of each principal whose school is to be involved.
The District provides public access for the inspection and copying of the District's public records. As a general practice, the District requires advance payment of a copy fee which does not exceed ten (10) cents per page for pages not larger than nine by fourteen inches and a search and duplication fee that does not exceed the average hourly rate of pay for District clerical staff. However, copies of the District's public records may be provided without a fee or at a reduced fee when the Board determines that a reduction is in the public interest. In assessing fee reductions, the Board will consider the potential that the reduction will significantly contribute to public understanding of the District's operations and will consider the degree of commercial value to be gained by the person requesting a fee reduction. In accordance with state law, search time that would require more than clerical duplication of documents may be charged at the actual cost of research time.
Similarly, the District will provide public access for inspection and duplication of the District's public records maintained on audio, video, or similar media. Public access includes but is not limited to computer facilities, recording tapes, disks, video tapes, films, pictures, slides, graphics, and illustrations. The District requires advance payment not to exceed the cost of copies, staff time (not to exceed the average hourly rate of pay for clerical staff), and the cost of the disk or tape used for duplication.
In order to facilitate public access to the District's public records, the Board will appoint a custodian of records. The custodian will be responsible for maintaining the District's public records as well as for assuring access to the District's public records. The identity, business address, and office telephone number of the custodian of records will be published annually and will be available at the District's administrative office. The procedures for implementing public access provided in this policy are set forth in Regulation 1450.
The Board of Education recognizes that many residents of the District may be especially qualified to take an active part in school affairs because of their training, experience, or personal characteristics and encourages them to take an active part in school affairs.
The Board shall give substantial weight to the advice it receives from individuals and community groups interested in the District's schools, but shall use its own judgment in arriving at decisions.
The Board of Education recognizes the educational value of appropriate gifts to schools from Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO), other civic groups, corporations, or individuals, and encourages their use to enrich the instructional program. Therefore, gifts which may serve to enhance and extend the work of the schools may be received by the District as approved by the Board.
Although no member of the community shall be denied the right to petition the Board of Education for redress of a grievance, the complaints will be referred through the proper administrative channels for solution before investigation or action by the Board. Exceptions are complaints that concern Board actions or Board operations only.
The Board advises the public that the proper channeling of complaints involving instruction, discipline, or learning materials is as follows:
1. Teacher
2. Principal
3. Appropriate Central Office Administrator
4. Superintendent
5. Board of Education
Any complaint about school personnel will be investigated by the Administration before consideration and action by the Board.
The Board of Education will designate the custodian of District records who shall maintain, protect, and make such records accessible to authorized persons.
School District officials will submit to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education all data and reports as required by law and/or by regulations of the Missouri State Board of Education. The Annual Report will be completed and submitted in accordance with department regulations.
The Annual Report will be distributed to all media outlets serving the District, and will be made available to all District patrons, and to each member of the General Assembly representing a legislative District that contains a portion of the School District.
Where appropriate the District will seek to participate in private, state and federal grant programs as recommended by the Administration and approved by the Board of Education. Procedures for development of grant proposals are set forth in Regulation 1620 - Private, State and Federal Funding.
All instructional materials, including teachers' manuals, films, tapes or other supplementary material which will be used in connection with any student survey, analysis or evaluation shall be available for inspection by parents/guardians of the students. This requirement also applies to the collection, disclosure or use of student information for marketing surveys.
No student shall be required to submit to a survey, analysis, or evaluation as part of a school program or marketing survey that requires students to reveal personal information concerning:
1. Political affiliations of the student or student's family;
2. Mental and psychological problems of the student or his/her family;
3. Sexual behavior and attitudes;
4. Illegal, antisocial or self-incriminating behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6. Religious practices and affiliations;
7. Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers; or
8. Income, other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance.
The District will give parents notice of their right to inspect surveys and instructional materials used in educating their children, and of the right to opt their child out of participating in activities that concern any of the above eight areas.
Grants from outside agencies are to be related to the needs and priorities of the District in the form of program improvement. Outside funds are to be regarded as supplemental in nature, intended to enhance or augment the usual efforts toward desired goals, quality of learning, inservice education, or capital improvement. Grants may lead to research and development that will be of value to the District. All such funds will be deposited, accounted, and reported through the District's accounting office. The Board directs that the Administration keep financial and program records to document the compliance with all state and federal requirements and to corroborate program success.
All employees of the School District who plan to apply to an outside agency (private, corporate, or governmental) for grants or other types of funds for District use must clear the request with the Superintendent of Schools or designee before preparing an application. The application must then be approved by the Board of Education before submission to the source of funding.
Grants cannot be requested that would require District expenditures not budgeted in the current fiscal year. District funds may not be obligated in advance for future years by the terms of a grant without prior Board approval.
If a grant requires participation by children in experimental types of instruction, written permission of parents must be secured.
The Board recognizes the importance of parental involvement with the Title I program and will provide a variety of opportunities for parents to be involved in policy design and in the planning, implementation and review of Title I programs.
Title I teachers and paraprofessionals must meet the qualifications outlined in Regulation 1621.
Pursuant to the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the District will submit its Federal Title I LEA Plan, describing the District's Title I services.
The Board of Education may require reports from the Superintendent and other administrative officials concerning the status of District programs, educational needs and long-term District planning. The Board will take steps to monitor the success of District schools in achieving their educational objectives.
The Superintendent is the chief administrative officer of the School District. The Superintendent, under the direction of the Board, is responsible for the general supervision of the schools and all District personnel. The Superintendent is the chief executive officer of the Board and shall be responsible to the Board for the execution of the policies, rules and regulations and directives given by the Board, and for the functions listed in Regulation 1720.
The Superintendent is the authorized representative and signatory for all official matters pertaining to the School District.
The Superintendent shall hold Missouri Teacher's and Superintendent's Certificates and have prior teaching experience. Prior experience as a school administrator is desirable.
The Superintendent’s contract will be based on a twelve-month year, with salary and work year to be established by the Board. (Refer to Policy 1722 – Superintendent’s Contract.)
The Superintendent of Schools may be employed by the Board of Education for a term of from one (1) to three (3) years. The terms of the Superintendent's employment will be contained in a written contract signed by the Superintendent, the Board President and the Board Secretary. During the term of the Superintendent's contract, the amount of compensation and benefits provided in the contract may not be changed.
The employment of the Superintendent terminates upon expiration of the Superintendent’s contract. The decision to extend the Superintendent’s contract or to deny such extension lies in the total discretion of the Board.
In addition, and as provided in the Superintendent’s employment contract, the Superintendent’s contract may be terminated by mutual consent, termination for cause, or death or incapacity.
The Board of Education will evaluate the performance of the Superintendent in or by February in each contract year. The Superintendent's evaluation will be based, in part, upon the Superintendent's annual goals provided to the Board of Education.
Under the supervision of the Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee, the building principals serve as the instructional leaders of their assigned buildings. In that capacity, building administrators are responsible for the implementation of Board policies and regulations. Each building administrator will be evaluated on his/her instructional leadership and the success of his/her students.
Placement of students under Section 504 are addressed in the following separate District policies and regulations: Policy and Regulation 2110 - Equal Education Opportunity, and Policy and Regulation 6250 - Instruction for Students with Disabilities.
For issues pertaining to freedom from harassment, refer to Policy and Regulation 2130 - Harassment, and Policy and Regulation 4810 - Sexual Harassment.
|
|
2000 |
STUDENTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2100 |
Nondiscrimination and Student Rights |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2110 |
Equal Education Opportunity |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2120 |
Students of Legal Age |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
2130 |
Harassment |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2140 |
Marital, Parental Status of Students |
|
|
|
|
|
PF |
2150 |
Searches by School Personnel |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2160 |
Interviews, Interrogation and Removal from School |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2170 |
Distribution of Noncurricular Publications by Students |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2180 |
Pledge of Allegiance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2200 |
Admission and Withdrawal |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2210 |
Entrance Age |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2220 |
Compulsory Attendance Ages |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
2230 |
Admission of Resident Students |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2240 |
Admission and Tuition - Nonresident Students |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2245 |
Transfer Students |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2250 |
Admission of Exchange Students |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2260 |
Admission of Homeless Students |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2270 |
Admission of Migrant Students |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2280 |
Admission of Home Schooled Students |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2290 |
Student Withdrawal from School |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2300 |
Attendance |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2310 |
Student Attendance |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2320 |
Part-time Attendance |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2330 |
Student Early Dismissal Procedures |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2340 |
Truancy and Educational Neglect |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
2400 |
Student Educational Records |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2410 |
Health Information Records |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2500 |
Student Academic Achievement |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2520 |
Promotion and Retention |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2530 |
Graduation Requirements - Students with Disabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2540 |
Early Graduation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2600 |
Discipline |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2610 |
Behavioral Expectations |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2620 |
Firearms and Weapons in School |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2630 |
Closed Campus |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2640 |
Student Use of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2641 |
Drug-Free Schools |
|
PF |
2650 |
Student Vehicle Use |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2651 |
Student Dress |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2652 |
Student Conduct on Buses |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2653 |
Student Participation in Secret Organizations and Gangs |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2654 |
Student Use and Care of School Property |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2660 |
Detention |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2661 |
In-School Suspension |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
2662 |
Suspension |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
2663 |
Expulsion |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2664 |
Enrollment or Return Following Suspension and/or Expulsion |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2670 |
Corporal Punishment |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
2671 |
Student Discipline Hearings |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2672 |
Discipline of Students with Disabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
2673 |
Reporting of Violent Behavior |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2700 |
Student Welfare |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2710 |
Reporting Child Abuse |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2720 |
Employment of Students |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2730 |
Supervision of Students |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2740 |
Student Safety |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2750 |
Wellness |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2800 |
Student Services |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2810 |
Guidance and Counseling Services |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2815 |
Assessment and Referrals to Outside Services |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2820 |
Psychological Testing of Students |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2830 |
Health Services |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2840 |
Student Accident Insurance |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
2850 |
Inoculations of Students |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2860 |
Students with Communicable Diseases |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
2870 |
Administering Medicines to Students |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2880 |
Student Physical Examination |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
2890 |
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2900 |
Activities and Athletics |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2910 |
Student Publications |
|
|
|
|
|
PRF |
2920 |
Interscholastic Activities and Athletics |
|
|
|
|
|
PR |
2940 |
Student Group Use of School Facilities |
The Board of Education reaffirms its belief that every student regardless of race, creed, color, sex, cultural or socioeconomic status or disabling condition be given equal opportunity for educational development.
The Board recognizes the importance of providing each student with a school environment conducive to intellectual, emotional and social growth through participation in a full range of educational programs and activities. Board and staff commitments insure equal educational opportunities in course offerings, guidance and counseling, test procedures, extracurricular activities, discipline procedures and student support services
It is the policy of the Board of Education to provide a free and appropriate education for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are those who, because of certain atypical characteristics, have been identified by professionally qualified personnel as requiring special educational planning and services. Students with disabilities will be identified on the basis of physical, health, sensory, and/or emotional handicaps, behavioral problems or observable exceptionalities in mental ability. It is possible that a student may have more than one type of disability.
The District's programs and services available to meet the needs of these students will be in accordance with The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, The Education for All Handicapped Students Act of 1975, The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, and § 162.670 - .995 RSMo., Missouri Special Education Services. In addition, the identification of students with disabilities and the services provided by the District will be in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Current Plan for Part B of The Education of the Handicapped Act, as amended. (See Policy and Regulation 6250 - Instruction for Students with Disabilities.)
Upon attainment of the age of eighteen (18), students will be deemed to be adults for purposes of educational records, placement and reporting.
It is the policy of the District to maintain a learning environment that is free from harassment because of an individual's race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or perceived sexual orientation. The School District prohibits any and all forms of unlawful harassment and discrimination because of race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or perceived sexual orientation.
It shall be a violation of District policy for any student, teacher, administrator, or other school personnel of this District to harass or unlawfully discriminate against a student through conduct of a sexual nature, or regarding race, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or perceived sexual orientation as defined by this Policy.
It shall also be a violation of District policy for any teacher, administrator, or other school personnel of this District to tolerate sexual harassment or harassment because of a student's race, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or perceived sexual orientation, as defined by this Policy, by a student, teacher, administrator, other school personnel, or by any third parties who are participating in, observing, or otherwise engaged in activities, including sporting events and other extracurricular activities, under the auspices of the School District.
For purposes of this Policy, the term "school personnel" includes school board members, school employees, agents, volunteers, contractors, or persons subject to the supervision and control of the District.
The school system will act to promptly investigate all complaints, either formal or informal, verbal or written, of unlawful harassment or unlawful discrimination because of race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or perceived sexual orientation; to promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further harassment or discrimination; and, if it determines that unlawful harassment or discrimination occurred, to promptly and appropriately discipline any student, teacher, administrator, or other school personnel who is found to have violated this Policy, and/or to take other appropriate action reasonably calculated to end the harassment/discrimination.
Students who are married, pregnant or who have given birth will be treated in a like manner as other students with respect to academic matters, student activities and other educational benefits provided by the District.
School lockers and desks are the property of the Board of Education and are provided for the convenience of students, and as such, are subject to periodic inspection without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant. The lockers and desks may be searched by school administrators or staff who have a reasonable suspicion that the lockers or desks contain drugs, alcohol, material of a disruptive nature, stolen properties, weapons, items posing a danger to the health or safety of students and school employees, or evidence of a violation of school policy. In addition, the Board of Education authorizes the use of trained dogs to sniff lockers or other school property to assist in the detection of the presence of drugs, explosives, and other contraband.
Students or student property may be searched based on reasonable suspicion of a violation of District rules, policy or state law. Reasonable suspicion must be based on facts known to the administration, credible information provided or reasonable inference drawn from such facts or information. The privacy and dignity of students shall be respected. Searches shall be carried out in the presence of adult witnesses, if such witnesses are available. Students may be asked to empty pockets, remove jackets, coats, shoes and other articles of exterior clothing for examination if reasonable under the circumstances.
No employee shall perform a strip search of any student. The exception to this would be if a school administrator reasonably believes that a student possesses a weapon, explosive, or substance that poses an imminent threat of physical harm to himself or herself or another person, and if a commissioned law enforcement officer is not immediately available. Strip searches may be conducted by, or under the authority of, a commissioned law enforcement officer.
Students are permitted to park on school premises as a matter of privilege, not of right. The school retains the authority to conduct routine patrols of the student parking lots. The interior of a student's automobile on school premises may be searched if a school administrator has reasonable suspicion to believe that illegal, unauthorized or contraband items, or evidence of a violation of school policy is contained inside the vehicle.
Law enforcement officials shall be contacted if the search produces a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, weapons, stolen goods or evidence of a crime, in any case involving a violation of law when a student refuses to allow a search, or where the search cannot safely be conducted. Parents may also be contacted. A student who refuses to submit to a search may be appropriately disciplined by school officials.
The School District has legal jurisdiction over students during the school day and hours of approved extracurricular activities. The school administration is responsible for making an effort to protect each student's rights with respect to interrogations by law enforcement officials. When law enforcement officials find it necessary to question students during the school day or periods of extracurricular activities, the school principal or designee will be present and the interview will be conducted in private.
The principal will verify and record the identity of the officer or other authority and request an explanation of the need to question or interview the student at school. The principal ordinarily will make reasonable efforts to notify the student's parents/guardians.
Before a student at school is arrested or taken into custody by a law enforcement or other legally authorized person, the principal will verify the official's authority to take custody of the student. The school principal will attempt to notify the student's parent/guardian that the student is being removed from school.
The District recognizes that student expression regarding a variety of topics may be beneficial to the District's educational mission. Discussion and debate regarding serious issues can engender tolerance for diverse viewpoints. The District, however, has the obligation to ensure that student expression is consistent with the District's educational mission. Accordingly, the District has adopted guidelines to regulate student expression in a manner consistent with the District's educational goals.
Schools shall ensure that the Pledge of Allegiance is recited in at least one scheduled class of every student no less than once a week.
No student shall be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The admission of all students shall be under the direction of the Superintendent, subject to the approval of the Board of Education. All persons seeking admission to the District and its instructional programs must satisfactorily meet all residency, academic, age, immunization, health and other eligibility prerequisites as established by Board policies, rules and regulations, and by state law. Students entering the School District will be required to present a birth certificate or some other acceptable proof of age.
Students who are entering kindergarten or first grade are encouraged to pre-register in the spring prior to the fall semester in which they are to begin attendance.
To be admitted to kindergarten or to summer school prior to the student's regular term, a student must be five (5) years old before August 1st preceding entrance.
To be admitted to first grade a student must be six (6) years old before August 1st preceding entrance. However, students who have completed an accredited kindergarten program will be considered for enrollment in the first grade regardless of the August 1st cut-off date.
A birth certificate will be required as proof of age.
The Board of Education shall abide by the compulsory attendance laws of the state by requiring District resident students between the ages of seven and sixteen years to attend school full time, with the exception of those students who may be excused from full-time attendance by the Superintendent. Individual petitions for any deviation from full-time attendance shall be considered by the Superintendent on the merits of the individual student's application and in compliance with state law and regulations.
Any student age sixteen years or older who drops out of school for any reason other than to attend another school, college or university, or to enlist in the armed services, shall be reported to the state literacy hotline office by the School District.
All students, five to twenty-one (5-21) years of age, who reside within the boundaries of the District may attend District schools tuition free. In order to "reside" within the District, the student must be physically domiciled within District boundaries. The domicile of a minor child is the domicile of a parent, military guardian pursuant to a military issued guardianship, or court-appointed legal guardian.
The residency provisions of this policy are not applicable to homeless students, students with only one parent living, inter-District desegregation students, wards of the state, students placed in a residential care facility due to a mental illness or developmental disability, students placed in a residential facility by a juvenile court, or students attending regional or cooperative alternative education programs. The exemptions are expressly established by state law and entitle such students to tuition-free school attendance.
Nonresident students of District teachers or regular District employees may be permitted to attend school without payment of tuition. Such students will be considered to be "resident" students for purposes of state aid.
Nonresident students may be permitted to attend the District schools upon payment of tuition provided the student is not barred from enrollment by provisions of the Safe Schools Act. (See Policy 2664.) Tuition rates will be determined annually by the Board of Education on the basis of the per-pupil cost for the preceding year including operation, maintenance, and debt service of the schools.
Within two (2) business days of enrollment in the District by state officials of a nonresident student pursuant to state statute, the Superintendent/designee will request the student's transfer and discipline records from all schools or facilities previously attended and from other state agencies and entities involved in the placement of the student within the twenty-four (24) month period preceding enrollment. The Superintendent/designee is authorized to share relevant portions of such student's transfer and discipline records with District employees who, based upon their duties, have a need to know such information. Such records will be maintained in confidence for purposes of maintaining discipline and for assistance to the student. The student's transfer and discipline records will not be a part of the student's permanent record nor used as the sole basis for denying educational services to a pupil.
All students entering the District from other educational settings are required to submit evidence of their achievement in the last grade attended. Grade placement of a student may be adjusted on the basis of examination of the student's previous record, achievement tests administered, or other factors that the principal and staff believe are appropriate under the circumstances. A transcript of all entering secondary school students is required before enrollment can be completed. However, a student may be permitted to enroll temporarily until a full transcript is obtained.
Parents/guardians should be advised that if they choose to transfer their student to the public school from an unaccredited school, the student will not be guaranteed comparable placement in the public schools. Students transferring will be assigned an appropriate grade level and class assignment based on their educational and developmental level as determined by the principal through assessment of student's age, educational experience, achievement tests and consultation with parent/guardian and personnel from the student's former school.
The Superintendent may authorize the transfer of a student from one District school to another. Reasons for the transfer may include, but are not limited to:
1. Welfare of the student
2. Disciplinary concerns
3. Curriculum offerings
4. Special education placement
5. Parent/guardian custody
6. Relocation of residence
7. Student of a District employee
8. Transportation
The request for transfer may be initiated by the building principal and/or the parent/guardian. The request shall outline the reasons for the transfer, the positive and negative impact upon the student, and any differences of opinion about the transfer. A request for a student transfer will be submitted to the Superintendent.
Resident foreign exchange students under the auspices of an organization or association accredited by the state and/or federal governments for that purpose may enroll in the School District, and shall have all the rights and privileges of a resident student during the period of enrollment. Those sponsoring agencies which comply with the standards for foreign student exchange programs as established by the U.S. Department of State are those which will be recognized by the District.
The Board of Education is committed to providing equal access for all eligible homeless students to a free, appropriate education in the same manner as is provided to other District students. In carrying out this commitment, the District will identify and assess the needs of the District's homeless students; provide for the placement of its homeless students in the school of best interest; provide access to the District's programs; and appoint a homeless coordinator. The Superintendent will review all District policies to determine whether they act as barriers to the enrollment of homeless students. Special attention will be given to policies regarding transportation, immunization, residency, birth certificates, school records and guardianship. (See also Policy and Regulation 6273 – Instruction for Homeless Students.)
The Board of Education is committed to the identification, needs assessment and enrollment of migrant students living within the District. The District's Coordinator of Programs for Homeless Students is also responsible for implementation and maintenance of the District's program for migrant students. (See also Policy 6274 – Instruction for Migrant Students.)
Students who enroll in the District from a home-schooled status must meet residency requirements as stipulated in Policy 2230.
Grade placement will be determined by an administrative evaluation of records from the home-school setting and assessment of student's age, total educational experience, achievement tests administered at the time of District registration, and consultation with parents/guardians.
Students who withdraw from school for any reason are required to notify the building principal and provide a specific reason for withdrawal.
Each building principal will submit a monthly report to the Superintendent concerning the identity and reason of each student withdrawing from school.
Building principals will respond within five (5) business days to requests by other schools for the records of students transferring from District schools. Records transferred pursuant to such requests will include the written notification of criminal charges/adjudications by law enforcement officials for criminal acts listed in Regulation 2673.
The Board of Education believes that regular attendance is essential to achieving success in school. Education is a total process based upon continual communication and shared responsibilities among parents, students, teachers and school. As students mature and progress through the educational system, they should increasingly assume responsibility for regular attendance. However, parents have a legal and moral responsibility to require regular attendance at school.
Students may attend District schools on a part-time basis as provided by state law and regulations of the Board of Education.
Students are to be released from school during school hours only with permission of the building principal/designee.
Early dismissal of a student may be approved only by the principal/designee. Normally requests for early dismissal must be in writing, signed and dated by a parent/guardian.
The Board of Education believes regular attendance is important to academic success. Therefore, the Board directs that problems with attendance on the part of any student be investigated and acted upon promptly.
Truancy is defined as deliberate absence from school on the part of the pupil with or without the knowledge of the parent/guardian and for which no justifiable excuse is given. When a pattern of truancy becomes evident, the principal will investigate and take such action as circumstances dictate.
Section 210.115 R.S.Mo. mandates reporting to the Division of Family Services when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a student's nonattendance is due to the educational neglect of the parents/guardians.
Any school official or employee who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a student is being subjected to home conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in truancy will immediately report or cause a report to be made to the building principal, or his/her designee, who will then become responsible for making a report via the Student Abuse Hotline to the Missouri Division of Family Services (DFS). The building principal shall inform the Superintendent/designee that a report has been made, and keep the Superintendent apprised of the status of the case.
A cumulative educational record shall be maintained for each student from his/her entrance into school through the last date of attendance or through graduation, whichever occurs first.
Each student's educational record will include information required by state and federal statutes, regulations or agencies and shall include other information considered necessary by school officials.
The District will comply with the mandates of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Safe Schools Act regarding confidentiality of student records and disclosure of personally identifiable information.
The parents/guardians of students who are attending or have attended the District's schools have the right to inspect and review the educational records of their students and to request amendment of their students’ educational records. The District has adopted procedures for the
granting of parental requests for access to the educational records of their students within a reasonable period of time, but in no case more than forty-five (45) days after the request is made.
All information contained in a student's educational record, except information designated as directory information by the District, shall be confidential and shall be directly accessible only to school officials who demonstrate a legitimate educational interest in the student's records and to parents/guardians or eligible students.
Upon request by military recruiters or an institution of higher learning, the District will provide students' names, addresses and telephone listings. Parents will be notified annually of their right to individually request that such information not be released without prior parental consent. Military recruiters will be provided the same access to students as is given to institutions of higher learning.
Except as otherwise required to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), records containing student health information will be stored separately from other student records in a locked file cabinet or in a secure computer file.
The purpose of promotions and retentions is to provide maximum consideration for the long-range welfare of the student and to provide an opportunity for each student to progress through school according to his/her own needs and abilities.
It is expected that most students in the schools will be promoted annually from one grade level to another upon completion of satisfactory work, however, a student may be retained when his/her standards of achievement or social, emotional, mental, or physical development would not allow satisfactory progress in the next higher grade. Retention normally occurs before the student leaves the primary grades.
Parents/guardians who wish to appeal the decision for retention must first contact the building principal. If parents/guardians do not accept the decision at the building level, an appeal may be made in writing to the Superintendent. All appeals must be requested within two (2) weeks after the close of school.
The process for reading assessments and remediation, and retention guidelines for students who fail to meet the District's objectives for reading, are contained in Regulation 2520 - Promotion and Retention.
Students with disabilities must meet graduation requirements outlined in District Policy subject to Individual Education Program (IEP) modifications.
Graduation, with all attendant privileges, will be allowed any time after six (6) semesters of attendance beginning with grade nine and attainment of all requirements as set by the state and local School Boards. Early graduation should be part of a cooperative plan arrived at by students, their parent/guardian, and the school.
The above requirements may be modified in exceptional cases with approval of the Board of Education, upon recommendation of the Superintendent.
The District has the authority to control student conduct which is prejudicial to good order and discipline in the schools as provided by state law. School officials are authorized to hold students accountable for misconduct in school, on school property, during school-sponsored activities and for conduct away from school or in nonschool activities which affect school discipline.
Students forfeit their right to a public school education by engaging in conduct prohibited in Regulation 2610 and related provisions. Disciplinary consequences include, but are not limited to, withdrawal of school privileges (athletics, intramurals, student clubs and activities and school social events); the reassignment of the student to another school; removal for up to ten (10) school days by school principals; extension of suspensions for a total of 180 days by the Superintendent; and longer term suspension and expulsion from school by the Board of Education.
The District will provide annual inservice training to all employees concerning the District's discipline regulations and their implementation. Annual training will also include, but will not be limited to, approved methods of dealing with school violence, discipline of students with disabilities, and the requirements of student confidentiality.
All students attending school in District schools will be expected to accept the obligation and responsibility to attend school on a regular basis and to comply with the District's discipline code set forth in Regulation 2610. Those students who choose not to fulfill their responsibilities at school will be held accountable for their conduct. Consequences for individual acts of misconduct are calculated to discipline the student, to deter future misconduct, and to provide a safe and positive environment in which students can maximize their learning potential.
The District recognizes firearm and weapon possession as a potential threat to the health, safety and security of students, employees, and other persons. The District will not tolerate the presence of firearms or weapons on the premises of our schools. This prohibition includes possession of firearms and weapons on school playgrounds, school parking lots, school buses, and at school activities, whether on or off school property. The District complies with the provisions of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and other applicable federal and state law.
Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the District from permitting a Civil War re-enactor to bring a Civil War era weapon to school for educational purposes so long as the weapon is not loaded.
Students who violate this policy will be suspended for no less than one (1) year and are subject to permanent expulsion. However, the Superintendent may recommend to the Board a modification of the suspension on a case-by-case basis.
This policy will be annually submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education together with a report of disciplinary action taken for possession of a "firearm" or "weapon" as defined in Regulation 2620.
With the safety and welfare of the students in mind, the Board of Education has closed all campuses during the school day. Permission to leave school will be granted only for valid reasons, and only with a written request signed by a parent/guardian. In emergency situations, a telephone call from a parent/guardian may suffice, with approval of the building principal.
The Board of Education believes that smoking and the use of any tobacco product is detrimental to the health and well-being of staff and students. Therefore the Board prohibits the use, sale, transfer and possession of tobacco products at school and at school activities.
The improper use of controlled substances, alcohol and substances represented to be such is detrimental to the health and welfare of students and is detrimental to discipline in school. Such conduct as well as the possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited and is subject to disciplinary action as set forth in Regulation 2610.
Pursuant to requirements of the 1989 amendments of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and to the requirements of the Safe Schools Act, and for the purpose of preventing the use of illicit drugs and alcohol by students, the District shall provide age-appropriate, developmentally based drug and alcohol education and prevention programs to all students from early childhood level through grade twelve (12). (See also Policy 6130 - Drug Education.) Such programs will address the legal, social and health consequences of drug and alcohol use, and provide information about effective techniques for resisting peer pressure to use illicit drugs or alcohol.
The District shall provide information about any drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation and re-entry programs that are available to students. Students may be required to participate in such programs in order to avoid suspension or expulsion if they are found to be in violation of this policy. All parents/guardians and students shall annually be provided with a copy of this policy.
The District certifies that it has adopted and implemented the drug prevention program described in this policy in the form required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or the United States Department of Education. The District conducts a biennial review of such program to determine its effectiveness, to implement necessary changes and to ensure that the disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.
Building principals have the authority to regulate student use of automobiles at school. Use of school property for student parking purposes is a privilege that may be denied due to violation of District regulations and school policies. Student vehicles parked on District property are subject to search by school officials where there is reason to believe a vehicle contains materials prohibited by District regulations.
The Board of Education expects student dress and grooming to be neat, clean and in keeping with community standards, so that each student may share in promoting a positive, healthy and safe atmosphere within the School District. This expectation includes the school day and school sponsored extracurricular activities.
The safety of students during their transportation to and from school is a responsibility which they and their parents/guardians share with the bus drivers and school officials. Therefore, the rules of student conduct will be issued to all students at the beginning of the school year, and to new students upon enrollment.
The Board of Education prohibits membership in secret fraternities or sororities, or in other clubs or gangs not sponsored by established agencies or organizations recognized by the School District.
The Board of Education feels that the presence of gangs and gang activities can cause a substantial disruption of or material interference with school and school activities. A "gang" as defined in this policy is any group of two or more persons whose purposes include the commission of illegal acts. By this policy, the Board of Education acts to prohibit existence of gangs and gang activities as follows:
No student on or about school property or at any school activity:
1. Shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display, or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign, or other things which are evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang.
2. Shall commit any act or omission or use any speech either verbal or non-verbal (gestures, handshakes, etc.) showing membership or affiliation in a gang.
3. Shall use any speech or commit any act or omission in furtherance of the interests of any gang or gang activity, including but not limited to:
a Soliciting others for membership in any gangs.
b Requesting any person to pay protection or otherwise intimidating or threatening any person.
c Committing any other illegal act or other violation of school District policies.
d Inciting other students to act with physical violence upon any other person.
The Board of Education recognizes that acts of destruction, defacing, trespassing, burglary and theft of District property are contrary to the interests of students, staff and tax payers. The District officials will cooperate fully with all law enforcement agencies in the prevention of crimes against District property as well as in the prosecution of persons involved in such conduct.
The District will seek restitution from students and other persons who have damaged or destroyed District property. As permitted by law, the District will also seek restitution from the parent/guardian of children involved in such misconduct.
The provisions of a detention program for student violations of policies, rules and regulations shall provide principals with an additional alternative for dealing with disciplinary problems that occur in the schools. Detention is an assigned before-school and/or after-school period, during which student activity is closely monitored and severely restricted. Students are expected to be quiet during the entire detention period and to work exclusively on assigned tasks.
In-school suspension is a structured disciplinary action in which a student is isolated or removed from regular classroom activities, but is not dismissed from the school setting. The principal/ designee may assign students to the in-school suspension program for a reasonable and specified period of time.
Suspension refers to an exclusion from school for a specific period of time short of permanent exclusion. Building principals are authorized to suspend students for periods of time not to exceed ten (10) school days for violation of District regulations. Building principals may also recommend extensions of suspension for periods of time up to 180 school days by the Superintendent. The Superintendent of schools may suspend students for periods up to 180 school days and recommend longer suspensions and expulsions to the Board of Education. Only the Board may impose suspensions in excess of 180 school days.
The term "expulsion" refers to permanent exclusion from school.
If a student consistently or egregiously refuses to conform to school policies, rules and/or regulations, the Principal and Superintendent may recommend to the Board of Education that the student be expelled from school. The Board will review such recommendations and decide whether to proceed with an expulsion hearing.
No student shall be readmitted, or permitted to enroll or otherwise attend school (except as may otherwise be required by law), following a suspension or expulsion from this or any other school until the District has conducted a conference to review the conduct that resulted in the expulsion or suspension, and any remedial actions needed to prevent any future occurrences of such or related conduct.
Corporal punishment should be used only after other methods have failed and when there is reason to believe it will be helpful in maintaining discipline or in the development of the student's character and power of self-control.
All instances of corporal punishment shall be witnessed by at least one other adult member of the school staff and will only be administered by a principal or other District administrator.
No person employed by or volunteering for the School District shall administer or cause to be administered corporal punishment upon a student attending District schools.
A staff member may, however, use reasonable restraint against a student without advance notice to the principal, if it is essential for self-defense, the preservation of order, or for the protection of other persons or the property of the School District.
Parents/guardians of students suspended for more than ten (10) school days may make a written request for a hearing before the Board of Education. This request will be addressed to the Superintendent who will review all matters concerning the suspension and refer the request for a Board hearing.
In conducting a discipline hearing the Board will carefully consider the information presented by the administration and by the parent/guardian. In making its decision concerning guilt and innocence as well as punishment, the Board will be mindful of Board discipline policies in place, the effect of its decision upon the individual student, and the safety and welfare of District students and staff.
The obligation and the responsibility to attend school regularly and to comply with the District's discipline policies applies to all students. When appropriate, the District may discipline a student with a disability who has not complied with the District's discipline policies in a manner that is consistent with the District's policies and applicable law. Special education services will be provided to a disabled student if the student has been removed from school for more than ten (10) school days. If a student with a disability is removed for less than ten (10) cumulative days, educational services will be provided only if such services are provided to students without disabilities who have been similarly removed.
The District requires school administrators to report acts of school violence to teachers and other District employees who are directly responsible for the student's education or who interact with the student in the performance of the employee's duties. School administrators will also disclose to appropriate staff members portions of any student's individualized education program that is related to past or potentially future violent behavior. Violent behavior and the phrase acts of school violence are defined as the use of physical force by a student with the intent to do serious physical injury to another person while on school property, including a school bus, or while involved in school activities.
In addition the Superintendent/designee will report to law enforcement officials, as soon as is reasonably practicable, the commission of any of the acts or related juvenile offenses listed in Regulation 2673, which are committed on school property, including school buses, or while involved in school activities.
The Board of Education believes that school staff members are in a unique position to assist children, families, and the community in dealing with the issue of child abuse and neglect. In addition, school employees are required by law to report instances of suspected child abuse when the employee has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected.
Child abuse is defined as any physical injury, sexual abuse or emotional abuse inflicted on a child other than by accidental means.
Neglect is defined as the failure to provide the proper or necessary support, education, nutrition or medical, surgical or other care necessary for the child's well being.
District employees who know or have reason to believe that another District employee has sexually or physically abused a student have an additional duty to notify their immediate supervisor immediately.
The Superintendent of Schools will make provision for the issuance of work permits to students between the ages of fourteen (14) and sixteen (16).
Students are to be under supervision of the professional staff at all times during school hours and at school sponsored activities.
It is the responsibility of principals to arrange for adequate supervision. It is the duty of teachers to perform assigned supervision. Students are not to be left unsupervised during the school day whether in instructional areas or on the playground.
The District places a high priority on the safety of its students and employees. When a student or employee is the victim of a violent criminal offense, severe disciplinary consequences will be imposed. (See also Regulation 2610 - Behavioral Expectations.) In addition and pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, student victims of a violent criminal offense that was committed on school premises will be offered transfer to another District school. To insure awareness of this policy, the parents of student victims will be notified in writing of their right to a school transfer.
For purposes of this policy, a victim is a student who has suffered personal injury or injuries to his or her property as a direct result of a violent criminal offense. This definition does not include bystanders or witnesses to the act unless they suffered personal or property injury as a direct result of a violent criminal offense while on school premises.
The District will notify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) of all violent criminal offenses committed on school premises when the victim is a student or employee. Reportable offenses are set out in Regulation 2740.