Iowa law authorizes the creation of a Common Schools System.  As part of this Common Schools System, this school district is a school corporation created and organized under Iowa law.  This school district will be known as the Independence Community School District.

This school corporation is located in Buchanan County, and its affairs are conducted by elected school officials, the Independence Community School District Board of Directors.  This school corporation has exclusive jurisdiction over school matters in the territory of the school district.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 274.1, .2, .6, .7; 279.8; 594A.

Cross Reference:  200      Legal Status of the Board of Directors

Approved 11/01/2004                           Reviewed 11/17/2008                           Revised 10/17/2022
                                                                              09/17/2012
                                                                              08/21/2017                                                                                                                                                                                    10/17/2022 

                                                                                                      

 

As a school corporation of Iowa, the Independence Community School District, acting through its board of directors, is dedicated to promoting an equal opportunity for a quality public education to its students within the limitations of the school district's ability and willingness to furnish financial support to provide for students in cooperation with their parents and the school district community, the opportunity to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in a learning environment that provides guidance to and encourages critical thinking in the students for a lifetime.

The board endeavors through the dedication of the school district's resources, to encourage students, who come to the school district from a variety of backgrounds, to look forward to the time when they will have jobs, homes, families, places in the school district community, and attain recognition as individuals.  In order to achieve this goal, the board will seek qualified employees dedicated to development of their professional skills for the betterment of the education program and for the expertise for educational productivity.

Instruction and curriculum are the key elements of a public education.  Critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will assist the students' preparation for life will be instructed as part of a sequentially coordinated curriculum.  The school district strives to prepare students for employment, to discover and nurture creative talent and to prepare them to meet and cope with social change in an atmosphere conducive to learning.

The support and involvement of the home and the school district community are essential to achieve educational excellence in the school district.  The school district strives to maintain an active relationship with the home and the school district community to create within the students an awareness of dignity and worth of the individual, civic responsibility and respect for authority.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A (2003).

Cross Reference:          103      Equal Educational Opportunity
                                      105      Long-Range Needs Assessment
                                      210      Board of Directors' Management Procedures
                                      600      Goals and Objectives of the Education Program
                                      602      Curriculum Development

 

 

 

Approved 11/01/2004                           Reviewed 11/17/2008                           Revised 10/17/2022

                                                                             09/17/2012

                                                                             08/21/2017

                                                                                  10/17/2022

 

 

 

It is the goal of the board to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in the students enrolled in the school district.  Each student attending school will have the opportunity to use its education program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual growth.  In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that assures each student the same educational opportunity.

The Independence Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. The belief in equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to school district facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students.  There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact:

Equity Coordinator:	Erin Burmeister, Director of School Improvement
Contact Address:	1207 1st Street West, Independence, IA  50644
Contact Telephone Number:	(319) 334-7400
Contact Email Address:	eburmeister@indeek12.org

 

Board policies, rules and regulations affect students while they are on school property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.

The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.

Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, are directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Independence Community School District, 1207 1st Street West, Independence, Iowa 50644; or by telephoning (319) 334-7400.

Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Region VII office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60604 (312) 730-1560, fax (312) 730-1576 OCR.Chicago@ed.gov, the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner, https://icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121 or Iowa Dept. of Education, Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319. (515) 281-5294.  This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.

 

 

Legal Reference:  20 U.S.C. §§ 1221 et seq. 
                                       20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
                                       20 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq.
                                       29 U.S.C. § 206 et seq.
                                       29 U.S.C. § 794
                                      42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d and 2000e.
                                      42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
                                      34 C.F.R. Pt. 100.
                                      34 C.F.R. Pt. 104.
                                      Iowa Code §§ 216.6; 216.9; 256.11, .11; 280.3.
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.

Cross Reference:  101      Educational Philosophy of the School District
                                      401.1   Equal Employment Opportunity
                                      506.1   Student Records

Approved 11/01/2004                           Reviewed 06/19/2007                           Revised 06/19/2007                                                                                                                     11/17/2008                                         04/26/2010
                                                                              04/26/2010                                         09/17/2012                   
                                                                                   09/17/2012                                          03/17/2014                                                                                                                     03/17/2014                                         09/15 2014
                                                                              09/15/2014                                         04/18/2016
                                                                              04/18/2016                                         09/21/2020                                                                                                                      09/18/2017                                         01/18/2021                                                                                                                      09/21/2020                                         10/17/2022                                                                                                                      01/18/2021                                                                                                                                                                                10/17/2022 

                                                                               

Long-range needs assessment enables the school district to analyze assessment data, get feedback from the community about its expectations of students and determines how well students are meeting student learning goals.  The board will conduct ongoing and in-depth needs assessment, soliciting information from business, labor, industry, higher education and community members, regarding their expectations for adequate student preparation as responsible citizens and successful wage earners.

In conjunction with the in-depth needs assessment of the school district, the board will authorize the appointment of a committee, representing administrators, employees, parents, students and community members, to make recommendations and assist the board in determining the priorities of the school district in addition to the basic skills areas of the education program.

Every five years, the school district will conduct an assessment of needs from its stakeholders.

It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure the school district community is informed of students’ progress on state and locally determined indicators.  The superintendent will report annually to the board about the means used to keep the community informed.

As a result of the board and committee's work, the board will determine major educational needs and rank them in priority order; develop long-range goals and plans to meet the needs; establish and implement short-range and intermediate-range plans to meet the goals and to attain the desired levels of student performance; evaluate progress toward meeting the goals and maintain a record of progress under the plan that includes reports of student performance and results of school improvement projects; and annually report the school district's progress made under the plan to the committee, community and Iowa Department of Education.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 21; 256.7; 280.12, .18 (2003).
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.8(1)(b).

Cross Reference:  101      Educational Philosophy of the School District
                                      200      Legal Status of the Board of Directors
                                      208      Committees of the Board of Directors
                                      603.1   Basic Instruction Program
                                      801.1   Buildings and Sites Long Range Planning
                                      801.2   Buildings and Sites Surveys

Approved 11/01/2004                      Reviewed 10/15/2007                                 Revised 10/17/2022
                                                                         09/17/2012
                                                                         09/18/2017                                                                                                                                                                                   10/17/2022 

                        

The Independence Community School District is committed to providing all students, employees, and volunteers with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect.  Bullying and/or harassing behavior can seriously disrupt the ability of school employees to maintain a safe and civil environment, and the ability of students to learn and succeed. 

Bullying and/or harassment of or by students, employees, and volunteers is against federal, state, and local policy and is not tolerated by the board.

Accordingly, school employees, volunteers, and students will not engage in bullying or harassing behavior while on school property, while on school-owned or school-operated vehicles, while attending or participating in school-sponsored or sanctioned activities, and while away from school grounds if the conduct materially interferes with the orderly operation of the educational environment or is likely to do so.

Complaints may be filed with the superintendent or superintendent’s designee pursuant to the regulation accompanying this policy.  The superintendent is responsible for implementation of this policy and all accompanying procedures.  Complaints will be investigated within a reasonable time frame.  Within 24 hours of receiving a report that a student may have been the victim of conduct that constitutes bullying and/or harassment, the district will notify the parent or guardian of the student.

 

If as a result of viewing surveillance system data or based on a report from a school district employee, the district determines that a student has suffered bullying or harassment by another student enrolled in the district; a parent or guardian of the student may enroll the student in another attendance center within the district that offers classes at the student’s grade level, subject to the requirements and limitations established in Iowa law related to this topic.

A school employee, volunteer, or student, or a student’s parent or guardian who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of bullying or harassment, in compliance with the procedures in the regulation, to the appropriate school official designated by the school district, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to participation in any administrative or judicial proceeding resulting from or relating to the report.

Retaliation Prohibited

Individuals who knowingly file false bullying or harassment complaints and any person who gives false statements in an investigation may be subject to discipline by appropriate measures.

Any student found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy will be subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion.  Any school employee found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy will be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment.  Any school volunteer found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy will be subject to measures up to, and including, removal from service and exclusion from school grounds. 

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, the defined words shall have the following meaning: 

• “Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optic cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means.  “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, and electronic text messaging. 
• “Harassment” and “bullying” mean any repeated or potentially repeated electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or other ongoing conduct toward an individual based on any trait or characteristic of the individual which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

            (1)        Places the individual in reasonable fear of harm to the individual’s person or property.

            (2)        Has a substantial detrimental effect on the individual’s physical or mental health. 

            (3)        Has the effect of substantially interfering with the individual’s academic or career performance.             

            (4)        Has the effect of substantially interfering with the individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or                                   privileges provided by a school.

•     “Trait or characteristic of the individual” includes but is not limited to age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status,                   sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference,                 political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status.

•     “Volunteer” means an individual who has regular, significant contact with students.

 

Publication of Policy

The board will annually publish this policy. The policy may be publicized by the following means:

·     Inclusion in the student handbook,

·     Inclusion in the employee handbook,

·     Inclusion in the registration materials,

·     Inclusion on the school or school district’s website, and

·     a copy will be made to any person making a request at the Central Administrative Office located at 1207 1st Street West, Independence,            IA.

 

Legal References:         20 U.S.C. §§ 1221-1234i.

                                    29 U.S.C. § 794.

                                    42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d-2000d-7.

                                    42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 2et. seq.

                                    Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 280.3, .28

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.3(6).

                                    Morse v. Frederick, 551 U.S. 393 (2007)

 

Cross References:         103      Equal Educational Opportunity

                                    502      Student Rights and Responsibilities

                                    503      Student Discipline

                                    506      Student Records

Approved:  09/21/2020

Reviewed: 

Revised:  10/17/2022, 10/16/2023

It is the policy of the Independence Community School District to foster an equal education environment for all students, employees and community members within the district.  The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to the district on the proper use of assistance animals while on district property.  The district will allow the use of qualified service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in all areas of district buildings where the public is normally allowed to go.  This can include classrooms, cafeteria and school buses.  Individuals with disabilities are people who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.  Service animals are dogs and in some instances miniature horses trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. 

Service animals must be current on all required vaccinations.  Service animals also must be under control while on district grounds.  The animal may be under control by either the individual with a disability, or a handler of the service animal.  Under control means harnessed, leashed or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the animal’s work, in which case under voice or other directive control.

 

Miniature Horses as Service Animals

Miniature horses will be allowed as service animals within the district whenever it is reasonable to allow them.  Factors to consider when determining reasonableness include: whether the miniature horse is house broken; whether the miniature horse is under the owner’s control; whether the facility can accommodate the miniature horse’s type, size, and weight; and whether the miniature horse’s presence will not compromise legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation of the facility.

 

Establishing the Need for a Service Animal

When no prior notice is given to the district of the use of a service animal, the superintendent and/or school administrators are permitted to ask the following questions: 

“Do you need/require this animal because of a disability?”

If the animal’s trained tasks are not readily apparent, the administrator may ask: 

“What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?”

 

Service Animals in Training

Assuming the handler and animal are otherwise allowed, individuals who train service animals will also be allowed access with their service animal in training to public areas of district buildings and property.  The service animal in training is expected to abide by the same requirements as a service animal.

 

Exclusion of Service Animals

In certain limited circumstances, it may be reasonable to exclude the use of a service animal from district property.  The superintendent is permitted to exclude service animals from district buildings and property in the following circumstances:  The presence of the animal poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others; the owner or handler is unable to control the animal; the animal is not house broken; the presence of the animal significantly disrupts or interferes with the educational process; or the presence of the animal would require a fundamental alteration to the program.  If a service animal is properly excluded from district property, the district shall provide the student served by the animal the opportunity to participate in the program, service or activity without having the service animal on district property. 

 

Emotional Support Animals and Therapy Animals

Emotional support animals are medically prescribed to provide therapeutic benefit through dedicated companionship.  Emotional support animals’ sole function is to provide emotional support or comfort. 

Therapy animals are involved in an animal-assisted therapy program involving animals as a form of treatment.

Emotional support animals and therapy animals do not meet the definition of service animals.  However, the district recognizes their value in our community.  The superintendent will evaluate the use of emotional support animals and therapy animals on a case-by-case basis.  District employees may use therapy animals in the course of their regular duties only after receiving permission from the superintendent. 

 

Student use of Emotional Support Animals and Therapy Animals

Factors the superintendent should consider in making the determination include but are not limited to: 

1. Whether the animal is housebroken
2. Whether the animal has a current vaccination certificate
3. Whether the animal has been recommended through an individual education plan (IEP) or a 504 plan as necessary for the student to receive free access to public education
4. Whether the facility can accommodate the animal’s type, size, and weight, and
5. Whether the animal’s presence will not compromise legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation of the facility 

 

Employee use of Therapy Animals as part of Education Environment

Before permission to use therapy animals is granted, staff members must provide: 

1. Proof that the animal is certified to be a therapy animal;
2. An explanation of how the animal will be used, including research supporting the use of therapy animals;
3. A plan for how the staff member will provide for the care and control of the animal;
4. A plan for how the staff member will accommodate students with allergies to the animal; and
5. A current vaccination certificate for the animal.

 

 

Legal References:       29 U.S.C. §794

                                    42 U.S.C. §12132

                                    28 C.F.R.   35

                                    Iowa Code §216C

 

Cross References:      606.5   Animals in the Classroom

 

 

Approved 05/20/2019                         Reviewed 05/20/2019                              Revised 01/17/2022

                                                                            01/17/2022                                                                                                                                                                                10/17/2022    

 

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Independence Community School District prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment as defined by the regulations implementing Title IX (34 C.F.R. § 106.30), against any individual participating in any education program or activity of the District.  This prohibition on discrimination applies to students, employees, and applicants for employment.

 The board authorizes the superintendent to adopt procedures for any individual to report sexual harassment to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, for the provision of supportive measures to anyone who has been subjected to sexual harassment whether or not they proceed with a formal complaint under those procedures, and for the investigation and resolution of such complaints, as required by Title IX.  This Title IX grievance process will be used to respond to all complaints of sexual harassment that fall within the scope of Title IX.  For complaints of sexual harassment that do not fall within the scope of Title IX, the District may still offer supportive measures to the subject of such conduct and will apply any other policy or procedure applicable to the alleged conduct.

Any individual with questions about the District’s Title IX policy and procedures, or who would like to make a report or file a formal complaint of sex discrimination or sexual harassment may contact the District’s designated Title Coordinator:

Title IX Coordinator:	Erin Burmeister, Director of School Improvement
Contact Address:	1207 1st Street West, Independence, IA  50644
Contact Telephone Number:	(319) 334-7400
Contact Email Address:	eburmeister@indeek12.org

Retaliation against a person who made a report or complaint of sexual harassment, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a sexual harassment report or complaint is strictly prohibited. Retaliation includes threats, coercion, discrimination, intimidation, reprisals, and/or adverse actions related to employment or education.  Any individual who believed they have been retaliated against in violation of this policy should immediately contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator.

 

Legal References:  20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.
                               34 C.F.R. § 106 et seq.

 

Approved:  09/21/2020

Reviewed:  

Revised:  10/17/2022, 09/16/2024