904 - Public Participation in the School District
904 - Public Participation in the School District dawn.gibson.cm… Thu, 02/18/2021 - 12:41904.1 - School - Community Groups
904.1 - School - Community Groups
The board values the participation and the support of school district-community groups which strive for the betterment of the school district and the education program. The board will work closely with these groups.
Prior to any purchase of, or fund raising for, the purchase of goods or services for the school district, the group shall confer with the superintendent to assist the group in purchasing goods or services to meet the school district's needs.
Funds raised by these groups for the school district are separate from the accounts of the school district.
It will be the responsibility of the building principal to be the liaison with the school district-community groups affiliated with the building principal's attendance center.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8
Cross Reference: 104 The People and Their
904 Public Participation in the
Approved 11/01/2004 Reviewed 06/15/2015 Revised 04/19/2010
12/21/2020 10/18/2021
10/18/2021
904.2 - Community Resource Persons and Volunteers
904.2 - Community Resource Persons and Volunteers
The board recognizes the valuable resource it has in the members of the school district community. When possible and in concert with the education program, members of the school district community may be asked to make presentations to the students or to assist employees in duties other than teaching. The school district may officially recognize the contributions made by volunteers.
Recruitment, training, utilization, and the maintenance of records for the purposes of insurance coverage and/or recognition of school district volunteers is the responsibility of the superintendent.
Volunteers within the district are held to the same high standards of behavior as school employees and will be subject to background checks prior to interacting with student in a volunteer capacity. It will be the responsibility of the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee to create regulations necessary to carry out this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 670.
Cross Reference: 603.1 Basic Instruction Program
904.3 Visitors to
Approved 11/01/2004 Reviewed 04/19/2010 Revised 10/18/2021
06/15/2015
12/21/2020
10/18/2021
904.3 - Visitors to School District Buildings & Sites
904.3 - Visitors to School District Buildings & SitesThe board welcomes the interest of parents and other members of the school district community and invites them to visit the school buildings and sites. Visitors, which include persons other than employees or students, must notify the principal of their presence in the facility upon arrival.
Persons who wish to visit a classroom while school is in session are asked to notify the principal and obtain approval from the principal prior to the visit so appropriate arrangements can be made and so class disruption can be minimized. Teachers and other employees shall not take time from their duties to discuss matters with visitors.
Visitors shall conduct themselves in a manner fitting to their age level and maturity and with mutual respect and consideration for the rights of others while attending school events. Visitors failing to conduct themselves accordingly may be asked to leave the premises. Children who wish to visit school must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.
It shall be the responsibility of employees to report inappropriate conduct. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent and principals to take the action necessary to cease the inappropriate conduct. If the superintendent or principals are not available, a school district employee shall act to cease the inappropriate conduct.
General Principles
1. The Volunteer Program of the Independence Community School District operates with the approval of the
Board of Education and the School Administration, and it is at all times guided by the principles and policies
of the school district.
2. Volunteers serve only in an auxiliary capacity under the direction and supervision of professional school
personnel.
3. A volunteer supplies supplemental and supportive service and is not a substitute for a member of a school staff.
4. Wherever possible, volunteers are assigned to the particular school where they wish to serve.
5. A volunteer does not have access to confidential files and records.
6. The relationship between volunteers and the school staff should be one of mutual respect and
confidence.
Volunteers – Screening Statement
A screening statement is required of all volunteers whose primary role is that of working directly with students or assisting staff on a regular basis; supervising/chaperoning students; or acting as an authority figure.
a. Categories of volunteers included in screening statement:
Classroom volunteers/teacher assistants
Field trip supervisor, trip chaperones
Business Partnership Volunteers
Volunteer sport coaches/assistants
b. Categories of volunteers excluded from the screening statement:
(i.e. volunteers whose primary role is not the supervision of students)
Classroom resource speakers
Concession workers, ticket-takers, etc.
The screening statement shall be collected on a separate card and kept on file in the district office. This protects the privacy of the volunteers and keeps the cards readily available and in a central location.
The screening statement can be completed in conjunction with the Volunteer registration information, or at the time volunteer assignment is made, depending on operational procedures at the building.
Coaching Volunteers
All Volunteer Coaches, in order to work with Independence Community Student-Athletes must possess a current Coaching Authorization or Coaching Endorsement. The Coaching Authorization or Coaching Endorsement, background checks and any other necessary paperwork must be on file with the Central Administration Office before the Candidate has contact with the athletic team or individuals. Volunteer Coaches must have the permission of the Head Varsity Coach and the Candidate must also be approved by the Independence School Activities Director before any student contact.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 716.7 (2003).
Cross Reference: 220 School Visitation by Board of Directors
902 Press, Radio and Television News Media
904.2 Community Resource Persons and Volunteers
Approved 11/01/2004 Reviewed 06/15/2015 Revised 12/21/2009
12/21/2020 06/18/2012
904.3E1 - Volunteer Interest Information
904.3E1 - Volunteer Interest InformationSCHOOL _________________ NAME ____________________________________________
__ Parent __ Non-Parent __ Senior Citizen __ Youth DOB (mm/dd/yy) ____/____/____
Street Address_________________________________________________________________
City/State Zip______________________________________ Phone _____________________
Volunteer Disclosure Statement
It is the policy of the Independence Community School District Board of Education to make every reasonable effort to provide a safe learning environment for students working with volunteers. Therefore, the district requires the following information:
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? _____YES _____ NO
Have you ever been convicted, or had an administrative finding, of violating any law involving child abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, sexual harassment or exploitation, or any other crime related to children? _____ YES _____ NO
Do you currently have charges pending relating to any of the aforementioned? _____ YES _____ NO
As a volunteer for the Independence Community School District, I understand that it is my responsibility to treat information about students, staff, and other situations of a professional nature as confidential.
Signature Date
904.4 - Public Conduct on School Premises
904.4 - Public Conduct on School PremisesSchool sponsored or approved activities are an important part of the school program and offer students the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities not offered during the regular school day. School sponsored or approved activities are provided for the enjoyment and opportunity for involvement they afford the students.
Spectators are permitted to attend school sponsored or approved activities only as guests of the school district, and, accordingly as a condition of such permission, they must comply with the school district's rules and policies. Spectators will not be allowed to interfere with the enjoyment of the students participating, other spectators or with the performance of employees and officials supervising the school sponsored or approved activity. Spectators, like the student participants, are expected to display mature behavior and sportsmanship. The failure of spectators to do so is not only disruptive but embarrassing to the students, the school district and the entire community.
To protect the rights of students to participate without fear of interference, and to permit the sponsors and officials of sponsored or approved activities to perform their duties without interference, the following provisions are in effect:
- Abusive, verbal or physical conduct of spectators directed at participants, officials or sponsors of sponsored or approved activities or at other spectators will not be tolerated.
- Verbal or physical conduct of spectators that interferes with the performance of students, officials or sponsors of sponsored or approved activities will not be tolerated.
- The use of vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression directed at students, officials or sponsors participating in a sponsored or approved activity or at other spectators will not be tolerated.
If a spectator at a sponsored or approved activity becomes physically or verbally abusive, uses vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression, or in any way impedes the performance of an activity, the spectator may be removed from the event by the individual in charge of the event and the superintendent may recommend the exclusion of the spectator at future sponsored or approved activities. The WAMAC Athletic Conference has approved this policy for conference-wide implementation.
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, the board shall cause a notice of exclusion from sponsored or approved activities to be sent to the spectator involved. The notice shall advise the spectator of the school district's right to exclude the individual from school district activities and events and the duration of the exclusion. If the spectator disobeys the school official or district's order, law enforcement authorities may be contacted and asked to remove the spectator. If a spectator has been notified of exclusion and thereafter attends a sponsored or approved activity, the spectator shall be advised that his/her attendance will result in prosecution. The school district may obtain a court order for permanent exclusion from future school sponsored or approved activities.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 716.7 (2003).
Cross Reference: 205.1 Board Security and Protection
504 Student Activities
802.6 Parking
802.7 Vandalism
904 Public Participation in the School District
Approved 11/01/2004 Reviewed 04/19/2010 Revised
06/15/2015
12/21/2020
904.5 - Distribution of Materials
904.5 - Distribution of MaterialsThe board recognizes that students, employees, parents or citizens may want to distribute materials within the school district that are non-curricular. Non-curricular materials to be distributed must be approved by the building principal and meet certain standards prior to their distribution.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the building principals to draft administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: U.S. Const. amend. I.
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).
Bethel School District v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986).
New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985).
Tinker v. Des Moines Ind. Comm. Sch. Dist., 393 U.S. 503 (1969).
Bystrom v. Fridley High School, 822 F.2d 747 (8th Cir. 1987).
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.22 (2003).
Cross References: 502.5 Freedom of Expression
503.1 Student Conduct
504 Student Activities
603.8 Academic Freedom
Approved 11/01/2004 Reviewed 04/19/2010 Revised 07/28/2015
12/21/2020
904.5R1 - Distribution of Materials Regulation
904.5R1 - Distribution of Materials RegulationI. Guidelines.
Individuals, including students, may have the right to distribute on school premises, at reasonable times and places, unofficial written material, petitions, buttons, badges or other insignia, except expression which:
1. is obscene to minors;
2. is libelous;
3. contains indecent, vulgar, profane or lewd language;
4. advertises any product or service not permitted to minors by law;
5. constitutes insulting or fighting words, the very expression of which injures or harasses other people (e.g., threats of violence, defamation of character or of a person's race, color, creed, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or national origin);
6. presents a clear and present likelihood that, either because of its content or the manner of distribution, it will cause a material and substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities, will cause the commission of unlawful acts or the violation of lawful school regulations.
Distribution on school premises of material in categories (1) through (4) to any student is prohibited. Distribution on school premises of material in categories (5) and (6) to a substantial number of students is prohibited.
- Procedures.
Anyone wishing to distribute unofficial written material must first submit for approval a copy of the material to the building principal at least twenty-four hours in advance of desired distribution time, together with the following information:
1. Name and phone number of the person submitting request and, if a student, the homeroom number;
2. Date(s) and time(s) of day of intended display or distribution;
3. Location where material will be displayed or distributed;
4. The grade(s) of students to whom the display or distribution is intended.
Within twenty-four hours of submission, the principal will render a decision whether the material violates the guidelines in subsection I or the time, place and manner restrictions in subsection III of this policy. In the event that permission to distribute the material is denied, the person submitting the request should be informed in writing of the reasons for the denial. Permission to distribute material does not imply approval of its contents by either the school, the administration, the board or the individual reviewing the material submitted.
If the person submitting the request does not receive a response within twenty-four hours of submission, the person shall contact the building principal's office to verify that the lack of response was not due to an inability to locate the person. If the person has made this verification and there is no response to the request, the material may be distributed in accordance with the time, place and manner provisions in subsection III.
If the person is dissatisfied with the decision of the principal, the person may submit a written request for appeal to the superintendent. If the person does not receive a response within three school days of submitting the appeal, the person shall contact the superintendent to verify that the lack of response is not due to an inability to locate the person. If the person has made this verification and there is no response to the appeal, the material may be distributed in accordance with the time, place and manner provisions in subsection III.
At every level of the process the person submitting the request shall have the right to appear and present the reasons, supported by relevant witnesses and material, as to why distribution of the written material is appropriate.
Permission to distribute material does not imply approval of its contents by either the school district, the board, the administration or the individual reviewing the material submitted.
III. Time, place and manner of distribution.
The distribution of written material is prohibited when it blocks the safe flow of traffic within corridors and entrance ways of the school or otherwise disrupts school activities. The distribution of unofficial material shall be limited to a reasonable time, place and manner as follows:
1. The material shall be distributed from a table set up for the purpose in a location designated by the principal, which location shall not block the safe flow of traffic or block the corridors or entrance ways, but which shall give reasonable access to students.
2. The material shall be distributed either before and/or after the regular
instructional day.
3. No written material may be distributed during and at the place of a normal school activity if it is reasonably likely to cause a material and substantial disruption of that activity.
IV. Definitions.
The following definitions apply to the following terms used in this policy:
1. "Obscene to minors" is defined as:
(a) The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the written material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest of minors of the age to whom distribution is requested;
(b) The material depicts or describes, in a manner that is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community concerning how such conduct
should be presented to minors of the age to whom distribution is requested, sexual conduct such as intimate sexual acts (normal or perverted),
masturbation, excretory functions, and lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
(c) The material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for minors.
2. "Minor" means any person under the age of eighteen.
3. "Material and substantial disruption" of a normal school activity is defined as follows:
(a) Where the normal school activity is an educational program of the district for which student attendance is compulsory, "material and substantial disruption" is defined as any disruption which interferes with or impedes the implementation of that program.
(b) Where the normal school activity is voluntary in nature (including, without limitation, school athletic events, school plays and concerts, and lunch periods), "material and substantial disruption" is defined as student rioting, unlawful seizures of property, widespread shouting or boisterous demonstration, sit-in, stand-in, walk-out, or other related forms of activity.
In order for expression to be considered disruptive, there must exist specific facts upon which the likelihood of disruption can be forecasted including past experience in the school, current events influencing student activities and behavior, and instances of actual or threatened disruption relating to the written material in question.
4. "School activities" means any activity of students sponsored by the school and includes, by way of example but not limited to, classroom work, library activities, physical education classes, official assemblies and other similar gatherings, school athletic contests, band concerts, school plays and in-school lunch periods.
5. "Unofficial" written material includes all written material except school newspapers, literary magazines, yearbooks, and other publications funded and/or sponsored or authorized by the school. Examples include leaflets, brochures, flyers, petitions, placards and underground newspapers, whether written by students or others.
6. "Libelous" is a false and unprivileged statement about a specific individual that tends to harm the individual's reputation or to lower him/her in the esteem of the community.
7. "Distribution" means circulation or dissemination of written material by means of handing out free copies, selling or offering copies for sale and accepting donations for copies. It includes displaying written material in areas of the school which are generally frequented by students.
V. Disciplinary action.
Distribution by any student of unofficial written material prohibited in subsection I or in violation of subsection III may be halted, and students may be subject to discipline including suspension and expulsion. Any other party violating this policy may be requested to leave the school property immediately and, if necessary, local law enforcement officials will be called.
VI. Notice of policy to students.
A copy of this policy will be published in student handbooks and posted conspicuously in school buildings.