804 - Safety Program

804 - Safety Program dawn.gibson.cm… Thu, 02/18/2021 - 13:58

804.01 - Facilities Inspections

A program for annual inspection, in addition to those conducted by authorized agencies, of the equipment, facilities, and grounds shall be conducted as part of the maintenance schedule for school district buildings and sites. The results of this inspection shall be reported to the board at its annual meeting. Further, the board may conduct its own inspection of the school district buildings and sites annually.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (2003).

Cross Reference: 802 Maintenance, Operation and Management

Approved 11/1/2004                             Reviewed 02/22/2010                           Revised
  04/20/2015
  11/16/2020

dawn.gibson.cm… Thu, 02/18/2021 - 14:03

804.02 - District Emergency Operations Plans

The safety and security of the school community is paramount to the Independence Community School District. While there is no absolute guarantee of safety, it is the goal of the district to encourage and support a physically secure learning and working environment within its buildings. The district shall work in conjunction with community stakeholders including local emergency management coordinators and local law enforcement agencies to create emergency operations plans for all district buildings and school buildings where students are educated.

The superintendent shall be responsible for the development, review and implementation of the district emergency operations plan. The plan shall include procedures for transmitting alerts regarding emergency situations to school personnel, students, and employers for non-school employees whose presence is regularly required in the school building. The emergency operations plan shall be updated and reviewed annually by the board and shall address responses to natural disasters, active shooter scenarios and other emergencies as determined by the district. The emergency operations plans are confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure under Iowa Code Chapter 22. However, the district shall publish procedures for students, school personnel, parents, and family members to report possible safety threats on school grounds and at school activities.

The administration shall hold annual emergency operations drills at each district building covered by an emergency operations plan in accordance with law. The district shall determine which school personnel shall participate and whether local law enforcement and students participate in annual drills.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code 280.30

Cross Reference: 800 Objectives of Building and Sites

Approved 05/20/2019 Reviewed 05/20/2019 Revised
11/16/2020

dawn.gibson.cm… Thu, 02/18/2021 - 14:05

804.03 - First Aid

The board encourages employees to be trained in emergency first aid care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The school district may provide a program annually for those employees who wish to learn or update emergency first aid care.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 613.17 (2003).

Cross Reference: 403.2 Employee Injury on the Job
507.4 Student Illness or Injury at School

Approved 11/1/2004                             Reviewed 02/22/2010                           Revised
  04/20/2015
  11/16/2020

dawn.gibson.cm… Thu, 02/18/2021 - 14:06

804.04 - Facilities Security

To protect the school district buildings and sites and equipment, the facilities shall be locked when school is not in session. When school activities or public activities are held in the school district facilities, only the appropriate doors, as determined by the superintendent and the building principals, shall be unlocked for access to the school district facilities.

It shall be the responsibility of employees and users of the school district facilities to abide by this policy.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14 (2003).

Cross Reference: 401.9   Use of School District Facilities & Equipment by Employees
                                      709      Insurance
                                      906      Use of School District Facilities & Equipment

Approved 11/1/2004                             Reviewed 02/22/2010                           Revised
  04/20/2015
  11/16/2020

dawn.gibson.cm… Thu, 02/18/2021 - 14:07

804.05 - Employee Safety Inservice

The administration and custodians may conduct in-services for employees to review safety practices and accident prevention.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14 (2003).

Cross Reference: 804 Safety Program

Approved 11/1/2004                             Reviewed 02/22/2010                           Revised
  04/20/2015
  11/16/2020

dawn.gibson.cm… Thu, 02/18/2021 - 14:08

804.06 - Use of Recording Devices on School Property

District-Generated Recordings

The district believes in the importance of providing a safe and enriching learning environment possible for its students. The district uses digital recording devices on school property including school transportation vehicles to help protect the safety of district students, employees and community members; and to safeguard district property which is funded using public resources. Additionally, district-generated recordings of students engaging in the district’s educational and extracurricular programs can be essential to engage positively with the school community and promote the value of public education.

In order to balance privacy and safety interests, no recording devices will be utilized on district property where individuals maintain a reasonable expectation of privacy. These areas include but are not limited to: the school nurse’s office, restrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, lactation spaces and employee break areas.

Recordings of students have the potential to be considered education records. Any recordings will be maintained and accessed in compliance with the requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and the district’s policy on student records.

Recordings will be digitally maintained and stored for an appropriate amount of time to maintain the safety of the educational environment and to safeguard district property, after which they will be destroyed. The superintendent or superintendent’s designee will establish any necessary regulations related to the secure storage, maintenance, viewing and destruction of digital recordings.

Non-District Generated Recordings

The use of non-district owned recording devices on school property and at school events will be regulated. Students, parents and community members will not be permitted to take recordings of other students or employees during school hours unless the recording is authorized in advance by building administration. Students and employees found to violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary measures consistent with board policy and applicable student and employee handbooks. This policy will not be construed or enforced in a way that infringes on employee activity otherwise protected by law.

It is important to foster a community spirit and sense of unity within the district. However, the district acknowledges that not every student or staff member feels comfortable or safe being recorded. At district-sponsored extracurricular events and activities, the use of non-district owned recording devices by the public may be monitored by administration if a concern is made known to district administration by a student, employee or parent. Any individuals determined to be making recordings considered bothersome to students or staff may be asked to stop or destroy their recording and may be asked to leave the event.

Legal Reference: 20 USC 1232

Iowa Code §§ 279.8

Cross Reference: 506.01 Student Records

Approved 11/15/2021 Reviewed 11/15/2021 Revised

lschaul@indeek12.org Fri, 11/19/2021 - 10:23

804.06R1 - Use of District Owned Recording Devices on District Property Regulation

The board supports the use of recording devices on district property as a means to monitor and maintain a safe environment for students and employees. District property includes district-owned land, buildings, vehicles, buses and any other property as needed. The contents of the recordings may be used as evidence in a student or employee disciplinary proceeding.

Student Records

The content of the recordings may be a student record subject to federal and state law, board policy and administrative regulations regarding confidential student records. Generally, surveillance video that does not capture any specific incident is not a student record or personnel record and may be disclosed as a public record upon request. Only those persons with a legal basis or legitimate educational purpose may view the recordings. In most instances, individuals with a legitimate educational purpose may be the superintendent, building principal, classroom teacher, transportation director, bus driver, HR director and special education staffing team. A parent may inspect, review or be informed of the content of the recording without consent from any student or parent of a minor student also shown in the recording, whether the student is a bystander to an incident or directly involved. The district may, but is not obligated by law to provide a copy of a recording to a parent or student upon request. A recording during a school-sponsored trip, such as an athletic event, may also be accessible to the sponsor or coach of the activity. If the content of the recording becomes the subject of a student disciplinary proceeding, it will be treated like other evidence in the proceeding.

Notice

The school district will annually provide the following notice to students, employees, and parents:

The Independence Community School District Board of Directors has authorized the use of recording devices on school district owned property. The recording devices will be used to enhance safety and security within the educational environment. Students, employees, and parents are hereby notified that the content of the recording may be used in a student or employee disciplinary proceeding. The content of the recordings may be considered confidential student records and will be retained with other student records. Recordings will only be retained if necessary for use in a student or employee disciplinary proceeding or other matter as determined necessary by the administration. Parents may request to view the recording of their child.

The following notice will also be placed on all school buses equipped with recording devices:

This building/bus is equipped with a recording /audio monitoring system.

Review of Recording Devices

The school district will review the recordings when necessary, as a result of an incident reported by an employee or student. The recordings may be re-circulated for erasure after 30 days.

If not public records, the viewing of the recordings is limited to the individuals having a legitimate educational purpose. A written log, as appropriate, may be kept of those individuals viewing the recordings stating the time, name of individual viewing and the date the recordings was viewed.

Student Conduct

Students are prohibited from tampering with the recording devices on the school property. Students found in violation of this regulation will be disciplined in accordance with the school district discipline policy and Activity Standards Policy and will reimburse the school district for any repairs or replacement necessary as a result of the tampering.

Employee Conduct

District-generated recordings may be used as evidence in employee disciplinary matters, as appropriate. Employees are prohibited from tampering with recording devices on school property. Employees found to be in violation of this regulation will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the employee handbook and relevant board policies.

lschaul@indeek12.org Fri, 11/19/2021 - 10:28

804.07 - Asbestos Containing Material

Friable and nonfriable asbestos containing materials will be maintained in good condition and appropriate precautions will be followed when the material is disturbed. If there is a need to replace asbestos it will be replaced with nonasbestos containing materials. Each school building will maintain a copy of the asbestos management plan.

The school district will annually notify, appoint and train appropriate employees as necessary.

Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq. (1994).
40 C.F.R. Pt. 763.84 (2002).
Iowa Code §§ 279.52-.54 (2003).

Cross Reference: 403.04 Hazardous Chemical Disclosure
802 Maintenance, Operation and Management

Approved 11/1/2004 Reviewed 02/22/2010 Revised
04/20/2015
11/16/2020

dawn.gibson.cm… Thu, 02/18/2021 - 14:09

804.08 - Stock Medication for Life Threatening Incidents

The Independence Community School District seeks to provide a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors who are at risk of potentially life-threatening incidents including severe allergic reactions, respiratory distress and opioid overdose. Therefore, it is the policy of the district to annually obtain a prescription for epinephrine auto-injectors, bronchodilator canisters and spacers and/or opioid antagonists from a licensed health care professional, in the name of the school district, for administration by a school nurse or personnel trained and authorized to administer to a student or individual who may be experiencing an anaphylactic reaction, respiratory distress or acute opioid overdose.

Procurement and maintenance of supply: The district shall stock a minimum of the following for each attendance center:

One pediatric dose and one adult dose epinephrine auto-injector,
One pediatric and one adult dose bronchodilator canister and spacer;
One dose of naloxone or other opioid antagonist.

The supply of such medication shall be maintained in a secure easily accessible area for an emergency within the school building, or in addition to other locations as determined by the school district.

The school nurse shall routinely check stock of medication and document in a log monthly:

The expiration date;
Any visualized particles; or color change for epinephrine auto-injectors; or
Bronchodilator canister damage.

The employee shall be responsible for ensuring the district replaces, as soon as reasonably possible, any logged epinephrine auto-injector, bronchodilator canister or spacer, or opioid antagonist that is empty after use, damaged, or close to expiration. The district shall dispose of stock medications and delivery devices in accordance with state laws and regulations.

Training: A school nurse or personnel trained and authorized may provide or administer any of the medications listed in the policy from a school supply to a student or individual if the authorized personnel or school nurse reasonably and in good faith believes the student or individual is having an anaphylactic reaction, respiratory distress, asthma or other airway-constricting disease, or opioid overdose. Training to obtain a signed certificate to become personnel authorized to administer an epinephrine auto-injectors, bronchodilator canisters or spacers or opioid antagonists shall consist of the requirements of medication administration established by law and an annual anaphylaxis, asthma, other airway-constricting disease, opioid overdose training program approved by the Department of Education.

Authorized personnel will be required to retake the medication administration course, training program and provide a procedural skills demonstration to the school nurse demonstrating competency in the administration of stock epinephrine auto-injectors, bronchodilator canisters or spacers and opioid antagonists to retain authorization to administer these medications if the following occur:

Failure to administer an epinephrine auto-injector, bronchodilator canisters or spacers or opioid antagonists according to generally accepted standards of practice (“medication error”); or
Accidental injury to school personnel related to improperly administering the medication (“medication incident”).

Reporting: Authorized personnel will contact the school nurse or emergency medical services (911) immediately after a stock bronchodilator canister is administered to a student or individual. The school nurse retains accountability for professional nursing judgment with the administration of stock bronchodilator and whether to contact emergency medical services in accordance with Iowa laws.

The district will contact emergency medical services (911) immediately after any stock epinephrine auto-injector, or stock opioid antagonists is administered to a student or individual. The school nurse or authorized personnel will remain with the student or individual until emergency medical services arrive.

Within 48 hours, the district will report to the Iowa Department of Education:

Each medication incident with the administration of stock epinephrine; bronchodilator canisters or spacers or opioid antagonists;
Each medication error with the administration of stock epinephrine; bronchodilator canisters or spacers or opioid antagonists or
The administration of a stock epinephrine auto-injector, bronchodilator canisters or spacers or opioid antagonists.

As provided by law, the district, board, authorized personnel or school nurse, and the prescriber shall not be liable for any injury arising from the provision, administration, failure to administer, or assistance in the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector, bronchodilator canisters or spacers or opioid antagonists provided they acted reasonably and in good faith.

The superintendent may develop an administrative process to implement this policy.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 135.185; .190; 279.8.

281 I.A.C. 14.3.

655 IAC 6.2(2).

Cross Reference: 507.02 Administration of Medication

Approved: 05/16/2016

Reviewed: 11/16/2020

Revised: 08/15/2022, 10/16/2023

dawn.gibson.cm… Thu, 02/18/2021 - 14:10

804.08E1 - Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of a Voluntary School Supply of Stock Medication for Life Threatening Incidents

_________________________________ ___/___/___ _________________ ___/___/___

Student's Name (Last), (First), (Middle) Birthday School Date

The district seeks to provide a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors who are at risk of potentially life-threatening incidents. The district supplies the following prescription medications for life threatening incidents that are listed below. Generic brands may be substituted, (select all that apply):

• Epinephrine auto-injectors

• Bronchodilator

• Bronchodilator Canisters and Spacers

• Opioid Antagonist

Pursuant to state law, the school district and its employees are to incur no liability for any injury arising from the provision, administration, failure to administer, or assistance in the administration of the selected prescription medications supplied by the school for life threatening incidents provided they have acted reasonably and in good faith.

The parent or guardian shall sign consent for the student to receive the voluntary school supply of stock medication listed for life threatening incidents and sign a statement acknowledging that the school district is to incur no liability as a result of administration of a prescription medication for life threatening incidents provided the school district to have acted reasonably and in good faith.

Electronic signature meets the requirement of written signature.

I request the above-named student be administered the voluntary stock supply of prescription medication, in the name of the school district, by a school nurse or personnel trained and authorized to administer to a student who acting reasonably and in good faith perceives the student may be experiencing symptoms associated with a life threatening incident following the administration instructions listed as identified in the required annual awareness training associated with the stock medication(s) above and after completion of the medication administration course requirements.

I understand the school district and its employees acting reasonably and in good faith shall incur no liability as a result of administration of the prescription medication(s) for life threatening incidents provided the school district to have acted reasonably and in good faith.

______________________________________ __________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

(agreed to the above statement)

lschaul@indeek12.org Thu, 10/19/2023 - 15:32

804.9 - Radon Mitigation

The district recognizes the importance of providing healthy learning environments for students, employees and community members in district buildings. The district will take appropriate measures as required by law to assess radon levels in attendance centers and provide for mitigation or other measures where appropriate.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to create administrative regulations necessary to carry out this policy.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 280.32

Cross Reference:

Approved 08/15/2022 Reviewed 08/15/2022 Revised

lschaul@indeek12.org Thu, 08/18/2022 - 14:00

804.9R1 - Radon Mitigation Regulation

The district will create and the board will approve a plan to assess levels of radon gas present in district attendance centers. Funding for any costs related to radon testing or mitigation will be paid from the state school foundation aid received to the district or from revenues received from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education fund.

Each district attendance center will undergo a short-term test for the presence of radon gas at least once by July 1, 2027. Short-term test means a test using a device that remains in an area for two to seven days to determine the amount of radon in the air.

Radon testing will be performed by an individual certified to conduct such testing pursuant to Iowa Code section 136B.1 or by district employees who have completed a school radon testing training program approved by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Public Health.

If the results of any short-term test at an attendance center are at or above four picocuries per liter, the district will conduct a second short term test in spaces with elevated levels within sixty days of the first test. If the averaged test results of the first and second tests are at or above four picocuries per liter, the district will retain an individual credentialed to develop a radon mitigation plan.

The plan may include further diagnostic testing, corrective measures, and active mitigation. The mitigation plan will be completed within two years of first short-term test unless the district plans to abandon or renovate the attendance center within five years and renovation includes radon mitigation.

All new school construction will include radon resistant construction techniques.

lschaul@indeek12.org Thu, 08/18/2022 - 14:01

804.09 Radon Mitigation

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to create administrative regulations necessary to carry out this policy.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 280.32

Cross Reference:

Approved: 08/15/2022

Reviewed: 05/15/2023

Revised: 05/15/2023

lschaul@indeek12.org Mon, 07/03/2023 - 14:34

804.09R1 - Radon Mitigation Regulation

If the results of any short-term test at an attendance center are at or above four picocuries per liter, the district will conduct a second short-term test in spaces with elevated levels within sixty days of the first test. If the averaged test results of the first and second tests are at or above four picocuries per liter, the district will retain an individual credentialed to develop a radon mitigation plan.

All new school construction will include radon-resistant construction techniques.

lschaul@indeek12.org Mon, 07/03/2023 - 14:36