EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Series 100

 

Policy Title:  Legal Status of the School District                                                                                                  Code No.  100

 

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 is known as the Oskaloosa Community School District.

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

 

Approved:  December 12, 2023

Reviewed:  May 9, 2017

Revised:  12/17/2021

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 274.1, .2, .6, .7; 278.1(9); 279.8; 594A (2013).

Cross Reference:  200 Legal Status of the Board of Directors

 

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Series 100

 

Policy Title:  Educational Philosophy of the School District

Code No  101

 

As a school corporation of Iowa, the Oskaloosa Community School District, acting through its Board of Directors, is dedicated to promoting an equal opportunity for a quality public education to its students.  The Board’s ability may be limited by the school district’s ability and willingness to furnish financial support in cooperation with student’s, parents and school district community.  The Board is also dedicated to providing 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 is 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.

 

Approved:       December 10, 2002

Reviewed:       May 9, 2017

Revised: 

Legal Reference:    Iowa Code §§ 256.11 (2013).

Cross Reference:   102 Equal Educational Opportunity; 103 Long-Range Needs Assessment; 209 Board of Directors’ Management Procedures; 600 Goals and Objectives of the Education Program; 602 Curriculum Development

 

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Series 100

 

Policy Title:  Equal Educational Opportunity

Code No.  102

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 Oskaloosa Community School District does not to 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 Marcia DeVore, 1800 North 3rd Street, 641-673-8345, devorem@oskycsd.org.

Board policies, rules, and regulations affect students while they are on school district 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, Oskaloosa Community School District, 1800 North 3rd Street, Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577; or by telephoning 641-673-8345.

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 the 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.

 

 

Approved:       December 10, 2002

Reviewed:       May 9, 2017

Revised:         February 27, 2024

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; 280.3.

281 I.A.C. 12

Cross Reference:   101 Educational Philosophy of the School District; 401.1 Equal Employment Opportunity; 500 Objectives for Equal Educational Opportunities for Students; 506.1 Student Records

 

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Series 100

 

Policy Title:  Long-Range Needs Assessment

Code No.  103

 

Long-range needs assessment enables the school district to analyze assessment data, get feedback from the community about its expectation of students and determines how well students are meeting student learning.  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.

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.

The school district will, at a minimum, report annually to the local community about the district’s progress on the state and other locally determined indicators.  The district will provide other opportunities for informing the community of the long-range needs assessment process.  These opportunities include but shall not be limited to, reports at the Board of Directors’ meetings, at District Advisory Council meetings, publication in the local media, district publications, and posting the information on the district’s web site.

It is 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 and prioritize major educational needs; 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.

 

Approved:       December 10, 2002

Reviewed:       May 9, 2017

Revised:

Legal Reference:    Iowa Code §§ 21; 256.7; 280.12, .18 (2013).

                                 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

 

 

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Series 100

 

Policy Title:  Anti-Bullying/Harassment                                                                                                                                                           Code No.  104

ANTI-BULLYING/ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY [SS1]

The Oskaloosa 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, visitors, and volunteers is against federal, state, and local policy and is not tolerated by the board.

Accordingly, school employees, volunteers, visitors, and students shall 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.  Complaints will be investigated within a reasonable time frame.

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.

The District has separate procedures for reports or complaints of sexual harassment governed by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.  These procedures are available at [link to manual etc to be added later].  For reports or complaints of sexual harassment outside of the District’s Title IX jurisdiction, the District may follow any other applicable policy or procedure to respond to such a report or complaint.

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 shall 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 shall 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 shall 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.  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

 

Approved:    July 10, 2007

Reviewed:    August 11, 2020

Revised:      August 11, 2020

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; 280.28; 280.3.; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(6).; Morse v. Frederick, 551 U.S. 393 (2007).

Cross References: 102 Equal Educational Opportunity; 106 Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex Prohibited; 502 Student Rights and Responsibilities; 503 Student Discipline; 506 Student Records

 

[SS1]This policy and the accompanying regulation have been revised and are being re-released in their entirety.  The purpose of this change was to clarify that the policy applies to all individuals in the district.  The revisions also clarify the procedures to follow in investigating a complaint.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Series 200

 

Policy Title: Service and Assistance Animals                                                                                                                                                 Code No.  105

It is the policy of Oskaloosa 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 shall allow the use of qualified service animals and may allow the use of assistive 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 other animals trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. Assistive animals are animals specially trained or in the process of being trained to assist a person with a disability.

Service animals and assistive animals must be current on all required vaccinations. Service animals and assistive 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 or assistive 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.

Establishing the Need for a Service Animal

When no prior notice is given to the district of the use of a service or assistive 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 and Assistive Animals in training

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

Exclusion of Service and Assistive Animals

In certain limited circumstances, it may be reasonable to exclude the use of a service or assistive animal from district property. The Superintendent is permitted to exclude service and assistive 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.

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.

 

Approved:  January 14, 2020

Reviewed:

Revised:

Legal Reference:   29 U.S.C. §794; 42 U.S.C. §12132; 28 C.F.R. 35.

                                Iowa Code §216C

Cross Reference:   606.3  Animals in the Classroom

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Series 100 Policy

Title: Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex                                                                                                                                         Code No. 106

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Oskaloosa 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 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 shall 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 measure to the target of such conduct and shall 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, Melanie Hatch, Director of Student Services, 1800 North 3rd Street, Oskaloosa, Iowa, 52577, (641)673-8345, hatchm@oskycsd.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.

Approved: November 10,2020

Reviewed:

Revised:

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

Cross Reference: