Note: District 7 Office of Civil Rights address change: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin

It is the policy of the Board of Directors of the Montezuma Community School District to extend equal opportunities to all employees and to applicants for employment who meet the qualifications established for the class or position for which they apply. No employee or applicant shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, marital status and sexual orientation or gender identity. Inquires or grievances related to this policy may be directed to:

? Superintendent of Montezuma Community School District, Box 580 Montezuma, IA 50171

? Director of Civil Rights Commission, 211 E. Maple, Des Moines, IA

? Director Region VII Office, US Department of Education, 310 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 800, Milwaukee, WI 53202

As required by law, the Montezuma Community School District has approved policies relating to providing drug free and tobacco free work areas. These policies apply to students, staff, parents and visitors in all school district facilities including school vehicles and school grounds. These policies are in effect at all times including school sponsored and non-school sponsored events.

The Montezuma Community School District will make reasonable efforts to identify homeless children and youth of school age within the district, encourage their enrollment and eliminate existing barriers to their receiving an education which may exist in district polices or practices. The designated coordinator for identification of homeless children and for tracking and monitoring programs and activities for these children is the Mary Jo Steele-Sheets who can be reached at 641-623-5121.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (eligible students) certain rights with respect to the student's education records. They are:

(1) The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the district receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

 

(2) The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading or in violation of

the student's privacy rights. Parents or eligible students may ask the school district to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the district decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the district will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

 

(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit

personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor,

AEA employees, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee or student

assistance team, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an

education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the district discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. (Note: FERPA requires a school district to make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent or eligible student of the records request unless it states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records request.

(4) The right to inform the school district that the parent does not want directory information, as defined below, to be released. Any student over the age of

eighteen or parent not wanting this information released to the public must make object in writing by fall registration to the principal. The objection needs to be

renewed annually. NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE LISTING, DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH, E-MAIL ADDRESS, GRADE LEVEL, ENROLLMENT STATUS, MAJOR FIELD OF

STUDY, PARTICIPATION IN OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS, WEIGHT AND HEIGHT OF MEMBERS OF ATHLETIC TEAMS, DATES

OF ATTENDANCE, DEGREES AND AWARDS RECEIVED, THE MOST RECENT PREVIOUS SCHOOL OR INSTITUTION ATTENDED BY THE STUDENT, PHOTOGRAPH AND LIKENESS AND OTHER SIMILAR INFORMATION.

 

(5) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The

name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC, 20202-4605.

 

The School District may share any information with the Parties contained in a student's permanent record, which is directly related to the juvenile justice system's ability to effectively serve the student. Prior to adjudication information contained in the permanent record may be disclosed by the School District to the Parties without parental consent or court order. Information contained in a student's permanent record may be disclosed by the School District to the Parties after adjudication only with parental consent or a court order. Information shared pursuant to the agreement is used solely for determining the programs and services appropriate to the needs of the student or student's family or coordinating the delivery of programs and services to the student or student';s family. Information shared under the agreement is not admissible in any court proceedings, which take place prior to a disposition hearing, unless written consent is obtained from a student's parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian. This agreement only governs a school district’s ability to share information and the purposes for which that information can be used.

Harassment and bullying of students and employees are against federal, state and local policy, and are not tolerated by the board. The board is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect. To that end, the board has in place policies, procedures, and practices that are designed to reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment as well as processes and procedures to deal with incidents of bullying and harassment. Bullying and harassment of students by students, school employees, and volunteers who have direct contact with students will not be tolerated in the school or school district.

The board prohibits harassment, bullying, hazing, or any other victimization, of students, based on any of the following actual or perceived traits or characteristics, including but 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. Harassment against employees based upon race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, age or disability is also prohibited. This policy is in effect while students or employees are on property within the jurisdiction of the board; while on school-owned or school-operated vehicles; while attending or engaged in school-sponsored activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school or school district. If, after an investigation, a student is found to be in violation of this policy, the student shall be disciplined by appropriate measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion. If after an investigation a school employee is found to be in violation of this policy, the employee shall be disciplined by appropriate measures up to, and including, termination. If after an investigation a

school volunteer is found to be in violation of this policy, the volunteer shall be subject to appropriate measures up to, and including, exclusion from school grounds. “Volunteer” means an individual who has regular, significant contact with students. Harassment and bullying mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student which is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student and which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

? Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property;

? Has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health;

? Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance; or

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

 

“Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optical cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, electronic text messaging or similar technologies.

Harassment and bullying may include, but are not limited to, the following behaviors and circumstances:

? Verbal, nonverbal, physical or written harassment, bullying, hazing, or other victimization that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim;

? Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim;

? Implied or explicit threats concerning one's grades, achievements, property, etc. that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim;

? Demeaning jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim; and/or

? Unreasonable interference with a student's performance or creation of an intimidating, offensive, or hostile learning environment. Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

? Submission to the conduct is made either implicitly or explicitly a term or condition of the student’s education or benefits;

? Submission to or rejection of the conduct by a school employee is used as the basis for academic decisions affecting that student; or

? The conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive education environment. In situations between students and school officials, faculty, staff, or volunteers who have direct contact with students, bullying and harassment may also include the following behaviors:

? Requiring that a student submit to bullying or harassment by another student, either explicitly or implicitly, as a term or condition of the targeted student’s education or participation in school programs or activities; and/or

? Requiring submission to or rejection of such conduct as a basis for decisions affecting the student. Any person who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of bullying or harassment under this policy to a school official, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to the person’s participation in any administrative, judicial, or other proceeding relating to the report. Individuals who knowingly file a false complaint may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Retaliation against any person, because the person has filed a bullying or harassment complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding, is also prohibited. Individuals who knowingly file false harassment complaints and any person who gives false statements in an investigation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures, as shall any person who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy. Any student found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion. Any school employee found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment. Any school volunteer found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, exclusion from school grounds. The school or school district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of bullying or harassment. The building principal or designee will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging bullying or harassment. The superintendent or designee will be responsible for handling all complaints by employees alleging bullying or harassment. It also is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the investigator and principals, to develop procedures regarding this policy. The superintendent also is responsible for organizing training programs for students, school officials, faculty, staff, and volunteers who have direct contact with students. The training will include how to recognize harassment and what to do in case a student is harassed. It will also include proven effective harassment prevention strategies. The superintendent will also develop a process for evaluating the effectiveness of the policy in reducing bullying and harassment in the board. The superintendent shall report to the board on the progress of reducing bullying and harassment.

Parents/guardians in the Montezuma Community School District have the right to learn about the following regarding their child’s teacher’s qualifications: state licensure status, special endorsements for grade level/subject area taught, and the baccalaureate/graduate certification/degree. Parents/guardians may request this information from the Superintendent of Schools, 641-623-5185.

Parents/guardians considering the use of the open enrollment option to enroll their child or children in another public school district in the state of Iowa should be aware of the following dates: March 1, 2021 is the last date for regular open enrollment requests for the 2021-22 school year and September 1, 2021 is the last date for open enrollment requests for students entering kindergarten for the 2021-22 school year. For further details and information contact the Superintendent of Schools at 641-623-5185.

In accordance with Iowa Code Section 279.50, the Montezuma Community School District shall provide instruction regarding human sexuality, self-esteem, stress management, interpersonal relationships, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome as required in section 256.11 for grades one through twelve. We are also required to annually provide to parents/guardians of any students enrolled in the school district information about human growth and development curriculum used in the student’s grade level and the procedure for inspecting the instructional materials prior to their use in the classroom. This notification serves to meet the state

requirements.

 

The instructional materials used in Human Growth and Development may be inspected by contacting the student’s teacher or building principal. A student shall not be require to take instruction in human growth and development if the student’s parent or guardian files a written request on the form provided by the building principal that the student be excused from the instruction.

Students in grades nine through twelve may receive academic or vocational-technical credits that count toward the graduation requirements set out by the board for courses successfully completed in post-secondary educational institutions. The student may receive academic or vocational-technical credits through an agreement between a post-secondary educational institution or with the board's approval on a case-by-case basis. Students in grades nine through twelve who successfully complete courses in post-secondary educational institutions under an agreement between the school district and the post-secondary educational institution will receive academic and vocational-technical credits in accordance with the agreement.

 

Students who have completed the eleventh grade but who have not completed the graduation requirements set out by the board may take up to seven semester hours of credit at a post- secondary educational institution during the summer months when school is not in session if the student pays for the courses. Upon successful completion of these summer courses, the students will receive academic or vocational-technical credit toward the graduation requirements set out by the board. The post-secondary educational institution determines successful completion of the course. The board will have complete discretion to determine the academic credit to be

awarded to the student for the summer courses. The following factors are considered in the board's determination of whether a student will receive academic or vocational-technical credit toward the graduation requirements set out by the board for a course at a post-secondary educational institution:

? The course is taken from a public or accredited private post-secondary educational institution;

? A comparable course is not offered in the school district. A comparable course is one in which the subject matter or the purposes and objectives of the course are similar, in the judgment of the board, to a course offered in the school district;

? The course is in the discipline areas of mathematics, science, social sciences, humanities, vocational-technical education, or a course offered in the community college career options program;

? The course is a credit-bearing course that leads to a degree;

? The course is not religious or sectarian; and

? The course meets any other requirements set out by the board.

 

Students in grades eleven and twelve who take courses, other than courses taken under an agreement between the school district and the post-secondary educational institution, are responsible for transportation without reimbursement to and from the location where the course is being offered. Ninth and tenth grade talented and gifted students and all students in grades eleven and twelve will be reimbursed for tuition and other costs directly related to the course up to $250. Students who take courses during the summer months when school is not in session are responsible for the costs of attendance for the courses. Students who fail the course and fail to receive credit will reimburse the school district for all costs directly related to the course. Prior to registering for the course, students under age eighteen will have a parent sign a form indicating that the parent is responsible for the costs of the course should the student fail the course and fail to receive credit for the course. Students who fail the course and fail to receive credit for the course for reasons beyond their control, including, but not limited to, the student's incapacity, death in the family or a move to another district, may not be responsible for the costs of the course. The school board may waive reimbursement of costs to the school district for the previously listed reasons. Students dissatisfied with a school board's decision may appeal to the AEA for a waiver of reimbursement.