The following information will be released to an entity with whom an employee has applied for credit or has obtained credit:  title of position, income, and number of years employed.  This information will be released without prior written notice to the employee.  Confidential information about the employee will be released to an inquiring creditor with a written authorization from the employee.

It will be the responsibility of the board secretary or superintendent to respond to inquiries from creditors.

 

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 22.7; 279.8 (2003).

 

Cross Reference:          401.6   Employee Records

 

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  09/17/2007, 09/19/2011, 09/19/2016

Revised:  04/11/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

In compliance with state law and to provide protection to victims of child abuse, the board believes incidents of alleged child abuse should be reported to the proper authorities.  All licensed school employees, teachers, coaches and paraeducators and all school employees 18 years of age or older are mandatory reporters as provided by law and are to report alleged incidents of child abuse they become aware of within the scope of their professional duties.

When a mandatory reporter suspects a student is the victim of child abuse, the mandatory reporter shall make an oral report of the suspected child abuse to the Iowa Department of Human Services within 24 hours of becoming aware of the abusive incident and shall make a written report to the Iowa Department of Human Services within 48 hours following the oral report.  If the mandatory reporter believes the child is in immediate danger, the local law enforcement agency will also be notified.  It is not the responsibility of employees to prove that a child has been abused or neglected.  Employees should not take it upon themselves to investigate the case or contact the family of the child.  DHS is responsible for investigating the incident of alleged abuse.

Within three months of their initial employment, mandatory reporters will take a two-hour training course involving the identification and reporting of child abuse and dependent adult abuse, or submit evidence they’ve taken the course within the previous three years.  Once the training course has been taken, the certificate will remain valid for three years.  Employees who have taken the two-hour training course will take the one-hour follow up training course every three years and prior to the expiration of their certificate.

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 232.67-.77; 232A, 235A; 280.17.

                                    441 I.A.C. 9.2; 155; 175.

                                   

Cross Reference:          402.03 Abuse of Students by School District Employees

                                    502.11 Interviews of Students by Outside Agencies

                                    507      Student Health and Well-Being

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  10/15/2007

Revised:  09/19/2011, 08/17/2015, 03/21/2016, 08/15/2016, 05/20/2019, 09/21/2020, 04/11/2022, 08/15/2022,                                                                              10/16/2023                                                                 

 

 

 

Physical or sexual abuse of students, including but not limited to sexual or physical relationships, grooming behavior, and otherwise inappropriate relationships with students, by employees will not be tolerated.  The definition of employees for the purpose of this policy includes not only those who work for pay but also those who are volunteers of the school district under the direction and control of the school district.  Employees found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge.

The school district will respond promptly to allegations of abuse of students by school district employees by investigating or arranging for the investigation of an allegation, and timely reporting to all relevant agencies as required by law.  The processing of a complaint or allegation will be handled confidentially to the maximum extent possible.  Employees are required to assist in the investigation when requested to provide information and to maintain the confidentiality of the reporting and investigation process.

The school district has appointed a Level I investigator and alternate Level I investigator.  The school district has also arranged for a trained, experienced professional to serve as the Level II investigator.  The Level I investigator and alternate will be provided training in the conducting of an investigation at the expense of the school district.  The names of the investigators will be listed in the student handbook, published annually in the local newspaper and posted in all school facilities.

The superintendent is responsible for drafting administrative regulations to implement this policy.

Complaint forms may be picked up at the District Office or by contacting the Level I Investigator for the district.

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 232.67, .70, .73, .75; 235A; 272A; 280.17; 709; 728.12(1) 

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.3(6), 102; 103.

                                    441 I.A.C. 155; 175.

                               

Cross Reference:          402.2   Child Abuse Reporting

                                    106      Anti-Bullying/Harassment

                                    503.5   Corporal Punishment

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  10/15/2007

Revised:  09/19/2011, 10/17/2016, 04/11/2022, 10/21/2024

 

 

Employees may receive a gift on behalf of the school district.  Employees will not, either directly or indirectly, solicit, accept or receive any gift, series of gifts or an honorarium unless the donor does not meet the definition of "restricted donor" stated below or the gift or honorarium does not meet the definition of gift or honorarium stated below.

A "restricted donor" is defined as a person or other entity which:

•                 Is seeking to be, or is a party to, any one or any combination of sales, purchases, leases or                              contracts to, from or with the school district;
•                 Will be directly and substantially affected financially by the performance or nonperformance of the                    employee's official duty in a way that is greater than the effect on the public generally or on a                            substantial class of persons to which the person belongs as a member of a profession, occupation,                  industry or region; or
•                 Is a lobbyist or a client of a lobbyist with respect to matters within the school district's jurisdiction.

A "gift" is the giving of anything of value in return for which something of equal or greater value is not given or received.  However, "gift" does not include any of the following:

•                 Contributions to a candidate or a candidate's committee;
•                 Information material relevant to an employee's official function, such as books, pamphlets, reports,                  documents, periodicals or other information that is recorded in a written, audio or visual format;
•                 Anything received from a person related within the fourth degree by kinship or marriage, unless the                  donor is acting as an agent or intermediary for another person not so related;
•                 An inheritance;
•                 Anything available or distributed to the general public free of charge without regard to the official                      status of the employee;
•                 Items received from a charitable, professional, educational or business organization to which the                      employee belongs as a dues paying member if the items are given to all members of the                                  organization without regard to an individual member's status or positions held outside of the                               organization and if the dues paid are not inconsequential when compared to the items received;
•                 Actual expenses of an employee for food, beverages, travel and lodging for a meeting, which is                        given in return for participation in a panel or speaking engagement at the meeting when the                              expenses relate directly to the day or days on which the employee has participation or presentation                  responsibilities;
•                 Plaques or items of negligible resale value given as recognition for public service;
•                 Nonmonetary items with a value of less than three dollars that are received from any one donor                        during one calendar day;
•                 Items or services solicited or given to a state, national or regional organization in which the state of                  Iowa or a school district is a member for purposes of a business or educational conference,                              seminar or other meeting or solicited by or given for the same purposes to state, national or                              regional government organizations whose memberships and officers are primarily composed of                        state or local government officials or employees for purposes of a business or educational                                conference, seminar or other meeting; representatives of members of state, national or regional                        government organizations whose memberships and officers are primarily composed of state or                        local government officials or employees;
•                 Items or services received by members or representatives of members as part of a regularly                            scheduled event that is part of a business or educational conference, seminar or other meeting that                  is sponsored and directed by any state, national or regional government organization in which the                    state of Iowa or a political subdivision of the state of Iowa is a member or received at such an event                  by members;
•                 Funeral flowers or memorials to a church or nonprofit organization;
•                 Gifts which are given to an employee for the employee's wedding or twenty-fifth or fiftieth wedding                    anniversary;
•                 Payment of salary or expenses by the school district for the cost of attending a meeting of a                              subunit of an agency when the employee whose expenses are being paid serves on a board,                            commission, committee, council or other subunit of the agency and the employee is not entitled to                    receive compensation or reimbursement of expenses from the school district for attending the                          meeting; 
•                 Gifts other than food, beverages, travel and lodging received by an employee which are received                      from a person who is a citizen of a country other than the United States and is given during a                            ceremonial presentation or as a result of a custom of the other country and is of personal value                        only to the employee; 
•                 Actual registration costs for informational meetings or sessions which assist a public official or                          public employee in the performance of the person's official functions.  The costs of food, drink,                          lodging and travel are not "registration costs" under this paragraph.  Meetings or sessions which a                    public official or public employee attends for personal or professional licensing purposes are not                      "informational meetings or sessions which assist a public official or public employee in the                                performance of the person's official functions" under this paragraph.

An "honorarium" is anything of value that is accepted by, or on behalf of, an employee as consideration for an appearance, speech or article.  An honorarium does not include any of the following:

•                 Actual expenses of an employee for registration, food, beverages, travel or lodging for a meeting,                    which is given in return for participation in a panel or speaking engagement at a meeting when the                    expenses relate directly to the day or days on which the employee has participation or presentation                  responsibilities;
•                 A nonmonetary gift or series of nonmonetary gifts donated within thirty days to a public body, an                        educational or charitable organization or the Iowa Department of General Services; or 
•                 A payment made to an employee for services rendered as part of a private business, trade or                            profession in which the employee is engaged if the payment is commensurate with the actual                            services rendered and is not being made because of the person's status as an employee of the                        district, but rather because of some special expertise or other qualification.

It will be the responsibility of each employee to know when it is appropriate to accept or reject gifts or an honorarium.

 

Legal References:         Iowa Code ch. 68B (2003).

                                    1972 Op. Att'y Gen. 276.

                                    1970 Op. Att'y Gen. 319.

 

 

Cross References:         221      Gifts to Board of Directors

                                    401.3   Employee Conflict of Interest

                                    704.4   Gifts-Grants-Bequests

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  10/15/2007, 09/19/2011, 10/17/2016

Revised:  04/11/2022

 

 

 

 

 

Appropriate training and professional development of all employees is crucial to the success of all students.  The district will provide professional development opportunities appropriate to the duties of school employees. 

For all professional development programs, the district requires employees to take, the district will provide to the employee notice indicating the section of the law, or rules adopted by the state board of education or board of educational examiners that the district determines requires the employee to participate in the professional development program.

 

 

 

 

Legal Reference:           Iowa Code § .

                                   

Cross Reference:        302.6 Superintendent Professional Development

                                    303.7 Administrator Professional Development

                                    408.1 Licensed Employee Professional Development

 

 

 

Approved: 09/21/2023

Reviewed:

Revised: 

Members of the school district community will be treated with respect by employees.  The board encourages active participation by employees in community activities and events.

It will be the responsibility of employees as they participate in various community groups and events, to make a conscientious effort to make the school district and its events a real part of the community.  Employees will take advantage of their participation in the community to look for opportunities in which the community and school district can join forces for the betterment of the school district and the community.

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code § 279.8 (2003).

 

 

Cross Reference:          303.7   Superintendent Civic Activities

                                    304.8   Administrator Civic Activities

                                    904      Public Participation in the School District

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  10/15/2007, 09/19/2011, 10/17/2016

Revised:  04/11/2022

 

 

 

 

The board believes the primary responsibility of employees is to the duties of their position within the school district as outlined in their job description.  The board considers an employee's duties as part of a regular, full-time position as full-time employment.  The board expects such employees to give the responsibilities of their positions in the school district precedence over any other employment.

It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to counsel employees, whether full-time or part-time, if, in the judgment of the superintendent and the employee's immediate supervisor, the employee's outside employment interferes with the performance of the employee's duties required in the employee's position within the school district.

The board may request the employee to cease the outside employment as a condition of continued employment with the school district.

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 20.7; 279.8 (2003).

 

Cross Reference:          401.3   Employee Conflict of Interest

                                    408.3   Licensed Employee Tutoring

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  10/15/2007, 09/19/2011, 10/17/2016

Revised:  04/11/2022

 

                                                                            

 

The board recognizes the need of employees to receive and make telephone calls during working hours.

Employees may receive and make personal telephone calls during lunches, breaks, or preparation periods.  Employees may receive and make emergency telephone calls at any time.

The district telephones may only be used for local personal telephone calls; all other calls must be paid for by the employee.  It will be the responsibility of the employee to exercise discretion in making and receiving telephone calls during working hours.

 

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 279.8 (2003).

 

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

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  10/15/2007, 09/19/2011, 10/17/2016

Revised:  04/11/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generally, employees should be free from solicitations at their place of employment.  No organization or individuals, including employees, may solicit or distribute flyers or other materials within school district facilities or on school district grounds without the approval of the superintendent.

No employee will be made responsible, or assume responsibility, for the collection of money or the distribution of fund drive literature within the school district unless such activity is voluntary and has been approved by the superintendent.

 

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code § 279.8 (2003).

 

 

Cross Reference:          401.15 Employee Political Activity

                                    504.6   Student Fund-Raising

                                    905      Community Activities Involving Students

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  10/15/2007, 09/19/2011, 10/17/2016

Revised:  04/11/2022

 

 

 

The district provides telephones to employees because communication is essential for the performance of their duties, especially in times of emergency or when addressing safety issues.  In addition, the district provides a voice mail system which permits employees to receive and retrieve messages from locations outside of their offices.

The landline and cellular telephones provided by the district to employees are to be used for school business. 

Certain employees are required to perform work outside of their offices or assigned work spaces, outside of the Independence Community School District, or outside of the district’s regular business hours.  It is important to the mission of the district to provide for communication with these employees when they are not in their offices.  Telephone communication is greatly enhanced by the use of cellular telephones.  With a cellular telephone, an employee may receive and respond to calls regardless of the time of day or the employee’s location and retrieve and respond to messages in the district’s voice mail system.

If a cellular telephone assigned to an employee is lost, damaged or is malfunctioning, the Business Office must be notified immediately.  Employees who fail to notify the Business Office immediately of a lost telephone may be responsible for all unauthorized calls made from their assigned cellular telephone and replacement costs.

The district will not reimburse employees for business use of their own cellular telephone.  Employees are encouraged to use their office telephone for business telephone calls.  Employees who have a personal cellular telephone are not expected to use that telephone for district business.

The superintendent or his/her designee is authorized to review the use of district-issued cellular telephones by employees and to revoke the privilege of using a district-issued cellular telephone if it is determined that the cellular telephone is being used primarily for personal business or is being used in any other manner which is contrary to district policy.  

 

 

 

Approved 10/26/2009                           Reviewed 09/19/2011                           Revised 07/19/2010

                                                                             10/17/2016

                                                                             04/11/2022