606 - Instructional Arrangements
606 - Instructional Arrangements dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 13:59606.1 - Shared Students
606.1 - Shared StudentsThe board may make arrangements for sharing students with neighboring school districts in order to expand the opportunities available in the education program or in the operation of the school district. It will be within the discretion of the board to determine when and with which school district sharing agreements will be made.
It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to bring to the board's attention opportunities for sharing students with neighboring school districts.
Legal Reference:
Cross Reference: 217.3 Board of Directors and Adjoining District Board of Directors
302.3 Administration and Adjoining District Administration
410.2 Shared Licensed Employees
Approved: 11/01/2004
Reviewed: 05/27/2008, 02/15/2013, 05/21/2018, 03/20/2023
Revised: 03/20/2023
606.2 - Class Size - Class Grouping
606.2 - Class Size - Class GroupingIt will be within the sole discretion of the board to determine the size of classes and to determine whether class grouping will take place. The board will review the class sizes annually.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board on class size based upon the financial condition of the school district, the qualifications of and number of licensed employees, and other factors deemed relevant to the board.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3 (2003).
Cross Reference: 606.9 Insufficient Classroom Space
Approved: 11/01/2004
Reviewed: 05/27/2008, 02/15/2013, 05/21/2018, 03/20/2023
Revised: 03/20/2023
606.3 - Homework
606.3 - HomeworkHomework, extra class activities or assignments beyond the regular classroom instruction program are a part of the education program. Homework will be an extension and an enrichment of the classroom instruction.
Homework will be an opportunity for students to practice skills and activities, to share and discuss ideas, to review materials, to become acquainted with resources, to organize thoughts, to prepare for classroom activity, or to make up incomplete assignments.
The amount of homework in grades one through six will be appropriate. A reasonable amount of homework is required in grades seven through twelve.
Guidelines regarding homework will be developed in conjunction with the curriculum of the education program.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14 (2003).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
606 Instructional Arrangements
Approved: 11/01/2004
Reviewed: 05/27/2008, 02/15/2013, 05/21/2018, 03/20/2023
Revised: 03/20/2023
606.4 - School Ceremonies and Observances
606.4 - School Ceremonies and Observances
The school district will continue school ceremonies and observances which have become a tradition and a custom of the education program. These include, but are not limited to, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and observance of holidays, such as Christmas, Halloween and Easter, by programs and performances. Such ceremonies or observances will have a secular purpose and will not advocate or sponsor a particular religion.
The district will provide and maintain a suitable flagstaff at each school site and raise the Iowa and United States flags each school day as weather conditions permit. The district will display the United States flag and administer the Pledge of Allegiance in each 1st through 12th grade classroom on school days.
At school sites with more than two flagstaffs, the following are allowed on the additional flagstaffs:
- Flags representing the Independence Community School District.
- Flags representing the cities of Brandon, Independence, Rowley, or Buchanan County, Iowa.
- Flags representing U.S. armed forces.
- Flags representing U.S. law enforcement agencies.
- Flags representing other U.S. government entities.
- Flags representing schools, including post-secondary institutions, participating in the activity or event at the site.
- Flags of the nations of currently enrolled foreign students.
Students who do not wish to participate in these activities may be silent during the ceremony or observance or receive permission from the principal to be excused from the ceremony for religious reasons in compliance with board policy.
Legal Reference: U.S. Const. amend. I.
Lee v. Weisman, 112 S.Ct. 2649 (1992).
Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403
Graham v.
Iowa Code § 279.8, 280.5
Shurtleff v. City of Boston, 596 U.S. ___ (2022)
Cross Reference: 603 Instructional Curriculum
604.6 Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program
906.1 Community Use of School District Facilities & Equipment
604.10 Foreign Students
Approved: 11/01/2004
Reviewed: 05/27/2008, 02/15/2013, 05/21/2018, 09/20/2021, 03/20/2023
Revised: 09/20/2021, 03/20/2023
606.5 - Animals in the Classroom
606.5 - Animals in the ClassroomLive animals will not be allowed in school district facilities except under special circumstances and only for an educational purpose. Permission from the principal will be required of anyone wishing to bring an animal into school district facilities. Appropriate supervision of animals is required when animals are brought into the school district facilities.
The person bringing the animal must furnish transportation for the animal brought to school. Animals will not be allowed to travel to and from the student's attendance center on the school bus without prior approval from the principal.
It will be the responsibility of the principal to determine appropriate supervision of animals in the classroom. This policy is not intended to address the use of service animals, assistive animals, therapy animals or emotional support animals on district property.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8
Cross Reference: 507 Student Health and Well-Being
107 Assistance Animals
Approved: 11/01/2004
Reviewed: 05/27/2008, 02/15/2013, 05/21/2018, 09/17/2018, 03/20/2023
Revised: 09/17/2018
606.6 - Student Production of Materials and Services
606.6 - Student Production of Materials and ServicesMaterials and services produced by students at the expense of the school district are the property of the school district, unless released by the superintendent. Materials and services produced by students at the student's expense, except for incidental expense to the school district, are the property of the student.
It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to determine incidental expense.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (2003).
Cross Reference: 408.2 Licensed Employee Publication or Creation of Materials
Approved: 11/01/2004
Reviewed: 05/27/2008, 02/15/2013, 05/21/2018, 03/20/2023
Revised:
606.7 - Student Field Trips and Excursions
606.7 - Student Field Trips and ExcursionsThe principal may authorize field trips and excursions when such events contribute to the achievement of education goals of the school district. The school district will provide transportation for field trips and excursions.
In authorizing field trips and excursions, the principal shall consider the financial condition of the school district, the educational benefit of the activity, the inherent risks or dangers of the activity, and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent. Written parental permission will be required prior to the student's participation in field trips and excursions. The superintendent's approval will be required for field trips and excursions outside the state. Board approval will be required for field trips and excursions which involve unusual length or expense.
Field trips and excursions are to be arranged with the principal well in advance. A detailed schedule and budget must be submitted by the employee. The school district will be responsible for obtaining a substitute teacher if one is needed. Following field trips and excursions, the teacher may be required to submit a written summary of the event.
Legal Reference: 390 C.F.R. Pt. 390.3(f) (2002).
Iowa Code § 279.8 (2003).
281 I.A.C. 43.9.
Cross Reference: 503.1 Student Conduct
503.4 Good Conduct Rule
603 Instructional Curriculum
711 Transportation
Approved 11/1/2004 Reviewed Revised 10/27/2008
02/15/2013
05/21/2018
606.7R1 - Protocols for Contractually Binding the District/Protocols for Student Trips
606.7R1 - Protocols for Contractually Binding the District/Protocols for Student TripsProtocols For Contractually Binding The District
1. No teacher has the authority to contractually obligate the district.
2. Principals and other administrators may contractually obligate the district if there is a specific delegation of authority from the Board of Directors.
3. The ability to contractually obligate the District is the sole prerogative and obligation of the Board of Directors except to the extent clearly delegated to an employee of the district.
Protocols For Student Trips
1. Any contact between an employee of the district and a third party vendor offering to any extent a district authorized student trip shall immediately contact the superintendent prior to proceeding further.
2. All negotiations for such a student trip shall be conducted through the superintendent’s office. The involvement of any teacher and administrator in such negotiations shall be at the request of the superintendent.
3. At the point that the intended student trip can be adequately described, the proposed trip should be presented to the Board of Directors for its initial authority to proceed.
4. Due diligence shall be performed by the superintendent’s office, including but not limited to examination of references, satisfactory evidence of vendor’s financial strength, resources, adequate bonding, insurance. The superintendent may have the district’s legal counsel review all vendor contracts and bond documents.
5. All site visits and designation of chaperones shall occur with the superintendent’s approval or his/her designee’s approval. Any complimentary offerings by the vendor shall belong to the District for its use in conducting the trip. Any complimentary offerings will be determined by the Board of Directors or designee (superintendent). No employee of the district may receive complimentary offerings directly from the vendor.
6. Formal board review of due diligence results, contractual documents, and opinion of legal counsel if any and board approval are required prior to a binding contractual obligation which shall be in writing.
7. All student trips outside of the State of Iowa (three nights or more) may include at least one school district administrator. Administration shall have final authority on trip. Board shall determine which trips require an administrator.
8. A list of persons traveling with students who are not school district employees must be turned in to the superintendent or his/her designee at least one week prior to departure.
9. The superintendent or his/her designee shall confirm that the district’s liability policy will cover the trip or that additional insurance has been secured, if necessary.
10. The superintendent or his/her designee shall receive a copy of all written communications distributed to students or parents.
11. Trip arrangements must include contingency plans for emergencies and student discipline.
12. All student fundraising activities must be approved in advance by the building principal, and then submitted to the activities director for final approval. If the fund raiser is projected to raise more than $3,500.00, prior approval from the Board of Education will be required.
13. The proceeds from fundraising using the Independence School District name or students are the property of the Independence Community School District.
14. Preference will be given to vendors who have primary business in Iowa, but it is not an absolute (vendor range will include Iowa and bordering states).
606.8 - School Assembly
606.8 - School AssemblyThe building principal may authorize programs or activities in the form of a school assembly when such events contribute to the achievement of education goals of the school district. School assemblies will comply with the school calendar.
In authorizing a school assembly, the building principal will consider the financial condition of the school district, the educational benefit of the activity, the inherent risks or dangers of the activity, and other factors the building principal or superintendent consider relevant.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14 (2003).
Cross Reference: 504 Student Activities
Approved: 11/01/2004
Reviewed: 05/27/2008, 03/18/2013, 09/17/2018, 04/17/2023
Revised: 04/17/2023
606.9 - Insufficient Classroom Space
606.9 - Insufficient Classroom SpaceIt is the goal of the district to create learning environments that encourage the growth and development of each student. Providing classrooms with an appropriate student-teacher ratio is central to achieving this goal. Insufficient classroom space exists when conditions in the district adversely affect the implementation of the district’s goals and its educational program.
Insufficient classroom space will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
In making its determination whether insufficient classroom space exists, the board may consider a number of factors, including but not limited to, the nature of the education program, the grade level, the available licensed employees, the instructional method, the physical space, student-teacher ratios, equipment and materials, facilities either being planned or under construction, facilities planned to be closed, financial condition of the school district and projected to be available, a sharing agreement in force or planned, a bargaining agreement in force, laws or rules governing special education class size, board-adopted school district goals and objectives, and other factors considered relevant by the board.
It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to make annual recommendations to the board. In making the recommendations, the superintendent will consider enrollment, space availability, the number of sections per grade level, and consultation with building administrators. It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to bring this policy to the attention of the board each year.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 282.18(13) (2003).
281 I.A.C. 17.6(3).
Cross Reference: 105 Long-Range Needs Assessment
501.15 Open Enrollment Transfers - Procedures as a Receiving District
606.2 Class Size - Class Grouping
Approved: 11/01/2004
Reviewed: 05/27/2008, 03/18/2013, 09/17/2018, 04/17/2023
Revised: 09/17/2018, 01/17/2022, 04/17/2023
606.10 - Early Release for Seniors
606.10 - Early Release for SeniorsThe school academic year for students will be for a minimum of 1,080 hours of instruction in the school calendar. Seniors may be excused up to 30 hours of instruction after they have met the district's requirements for graduation. The board may also excuse graduating seniors from making up days due to inclement weather if the student has met the school district's graduation requirements.
The superintendent has the authority to deny early release, or reduce the number of days for which graduating seniors may be excused, if a senior has failed to meet the requirements for graduation, as a form of discipline for an individual or for the class as a whole, or if the academic year has been disrupted by school closings for severe weather or other emergencies.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 279.10 (2003).
281 I.A.C. 12.2(1).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
601.1 School Calendar
Approved: 11/01/2004
Reviewed: 05/27/2008, 03/18/2013, 09/17/2018, 04/17/2023
Revised: 09/17/2018, 04/17/2023