Employees must know their role and their duties as school district employees.  School district personnel shall be required to participate in an orientation program for new employees.  It shall be the responsibility of the direct supervisor to provide the new employee with a review of the employee’s responsibilities, duties and appropriate procedures.  Payroll procedures and employee benefit programs on accompanying forms will be explained to the employee by the Business Manager and outlined in the Employees Guide Handbook.

New employees will be required to assume the responsibilities of their position immediately.  The administration and the immediate supervisor shall be available to answer questions.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code Chapter 20 and §279.8 (1991).

Cross Reference:  401.7     General Personnel Relations to Administration and to the Board
                                       402.6     General Personnel Relations to the Public
                                       404        General Personnel Conduct and Appearance

Approved:  3-31-92                            
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:  8-9-99

The Bennett Community School District shall provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action laws, directives and regulations of federal, state and local governing bodies.  An opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment includes hiring, placement, upgrading, transfer or demotion, recruitment, advertising or solicitation for employment, treatment during employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and layoff or termination.

Individuals who file an application with the school district will be given consideration for employment if they meet or exceed the qualifications set by the board, administration, and State Department of Education for the class or position for which they apply.  In employing school district personnel, the board shall consider the qualifications, credentials, and records of the applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, marital status, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  In keeping with the law, the board shall consider the veteran status of applicants.

This policy shall be reviewed by the administration at least one time per year.  Employees shall be given notice of this policy annually.

Inquiries by employees or applicants for employment regarding compliance with equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, including but not limited to complaints or discrimination, shall be directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Bennett Community School District, Box D, Bennett, Iowa 52721; or by telephoning him/her at 563-890-2226.

Inquiries by employees or applicants for employment regarding compliance with equal employment opportunity, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed, in writing, to the Director of Region VII office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Kansas City, Missouri.  Such inquiry or complaint to the federal office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level. 

Further information and copies of the procedures for filing a grievance are available in the district’s central administrative office.

Legal Reference:  29 U.S.C. §§621-634.
                                       42 U.S.C. §§2000e et seq.
                                       Iowa Code Chapter 20, 70 and 601A, §279.8 (1991).
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.4, 84-88.

Cross Reference:  405.2    Licensed Personnel Recruitment, Qualifications, Selection
                                       411.2    Support Personnel Recruitment, Qualifications, Selection

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:  6-10-02, 2-11-13

School district employee’s use of their position with the school district for personal financial gain shall be considered a conflict of interest with their position as a school district employee and may subject the employee to disciplinary action.

Employees of the school district have access to information and a captive audience that could award the employee personal or financial gain.  No school district employee may solicit other employees or students for personal or financial gain to the employee without the approval of the superintendent.  If the approval of the superintendent is given, the employee must conduct the solicitations within the conditions set by the superintendent.  Further, the superintendent may, upon five (5) days notice, require the employee to cease such solicitations as a condition of continued employment.

School district personnel shall not act as an agent or dealer for the sale of textbooks or other school supplies to the school district.  School district employees shall not participate for personal financial remuneration in outside activities wherein their position on the staff is used to sell goods or services to pupils or to parents.  School district employees shall not engage in outside work or activities where the source of information concerning the customer, client, or employer originates from information obtained because of the employee’s position in the school system.

It shall be the responsibility of each employee to be aware of and take the necessary action to eliminate a potential conflict of interest should it arise.

The approval of the board will be required prior to solicitation of other employees, students, or community members for school-sponsored activities or for nonschool-related charitable organizations by school district personnel acting as representatives of the school district.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§20.7, 273.1, 279.8, 301.28 (1991).

Cross Reference:  402.3    Solicitations from Outside
                                       402.4    Gift to Employees
                                       402.7    General Personnel Outside Employment
                                       407.5    Licensed Personnel Suspension

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-08-13, 7-11-16. 7-08-19
Revised:             

More than one family member may be an employee of the school district.  It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to allow one family member employed by the school district to supervise another family member employed by the school district.

The employment by the board of more than one individual in a family shall be on the basis of their qualifications, credentials and records.

Legal References:  Iowa Code §§20, 273.1, 277.27, 279.8 (1991).

Cross Reference:  203      Board of Directors Member Conflicts of Interest
                                       405.2   Licensed Personnel Recruitment, Qualifications, Selection
                                       411.2   Support Personnel Recruitment, Qualifications, Selection

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-11-16              
Revised:             

Complaints of employees against fellow employees should be discussed directly between employees.  If necessary, complaints will be brought directly to the immediate supervisor, principal, or superintendent and will be made in a constructive and professional manner. Complaints will never be made in the presence of other employees, students or outside persons.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§20; 279.8.

Cross Reference:  307    Communication Channels

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:  2-12-18

For the benefit of the school district employees, only the superintendent, the principal, the employee’s immediate supervisor, and the employee shall have access to the employee’s personnel file.

Information for federal tax purposes, wage garnishment or for completing a credit application shall be released as needed and as allowed by board policy.

Employees who have listed the school district as a reference or place of employment on a job application shall be deemed to have granted authority for the school district to release information of the same nature as released for credit information.  Others who wish access to a personnel file must have the approval of the employee.

During regular business hours an employee, upon request and in the presence of the superintendent, may have access to and view the employee’s personnel file.  Information contained in the file may be viewed by the employee except for information obtained prior to the employment of the employee, contained in the evaluation file, or received from an examination considering reassignment, transfer or promotion of the employee.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to keep school district employees’ personnel files current.  The superintendent shall be the custodian of school district personnel files.

Cross Reference:  402.1    Release of Credit Information
                                       1001.1  Public Examination of School District Records

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:             

The school district will maintain personnel records on employees.  The records are important for the daily administration of the educational program, for implementing board policy, for budget and financial planning, and for meeting state and federal requirements.

The records will include, but not be limited to, records necessary for the daily administration of the school district, salary records, evaluations, application for employment, references, and other items needed to carry out board policy.  Employee personnel files are school district records and are considered confidential records and therefore are not generally open to public inspection or accessibility.  Only in certain limited instances, when the employee has given a signed consent, will employee personnel records be accessible to individuals other than the employee or authorized school officials.

Employees may have access to their personnel files, with the exception of letters of reference, and copy items from their personnel files at a time mutually agreed upon between the superintendent and the employee.  The school district may charge a reasonable fee for each copy made.  Employees, however, will not be allowed access to the employment references written on behalf of the employee.  Board members will generally only have access to an employee's file when it is necessary because of an employee related matter before the board.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to keep employees' personnel files current.  The board secretary is the custodian of employee records.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for the implementation of this policy. 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code chs. 20; 21; 22; 91B (2007).
                                      Clymer v. City of Cedar Rapids, No. 209/97-1705 (Iowa 1999).
                                      Des Moines Independent Community School District v. Des Moines Register and Tribune Company, 487 N.W. 2d 666 (Iowa 1992).
                                      City of Dubuque v. Telegraph Herald, Inc., 297 N.W. 2d 523 (Iowa 1980).

Cross Reference:  402.01  Release of Credit Information
                                      403        General Personnel Health and Well-Being
                                      808        Care, Maintenance and Disposal of School District Records

Approved:                                     
Reviewed:                                      
Revised:             

School district personnel are encouraged to attend school board meetings.  School district personnel shall be available to provide information and assist in providing recommendations to the board upon request.  The employees shall keep the board informed through the administration about educational trends and issues that may assist the board.  It shall be the responsibility of the employees to keep the administration informed about the day-to-day occurrences in their work areas.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop avenues for communication between the board and the employees.  These avenues of communication will not be construed as denying the right of any employee to appeal any action or decision of the superintendent to the board.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§273.1, 279.8 (1991).

Cross Reference:  401.5     General Personnel Complaints
                                      401.8     General Personnel Involvement in Decision-Making

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-11-16              
Revised:             

Input from school district personnel regarding the students, the educational program and other school district operations will be considered by the administration and the board.  School district personnel may be requested to make a presentation to the board.  The administration, in its discretion, may consult with employees about proposed changes in the educational program and operations in the school district.

Teachers having suggestions for changes for improvements in administrative procedure or policy should take such suggestions directly to the principal and/or the superintendent.  The principal or superintendent will give the teacher a fair and courteous hearing regarding the same.  After a final decision is made on any policy or procedure, teachers will be expected to accept the same in their subsequent actions, discussions and relations.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§273.1, 279.8 (1991).

Cross Reference:  302.2     Administration and School District Personnel
                                      401.7     General Personnel Relations to Administration and to the Board

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:             

The primary purpose of the school district facilities and equipment is the delivery of the educational program.  Resources for school equipment are limited.  Each user must operate the equipment with the utmost care.  School district employees may use school equipment for any school purpose or activity held during the school day or for a school-sponsored event.  School district personnel may not use school equipment for non-school sponsored events without prior approval from the Superintendent or his designee.

School district facilities will be open at 7:00 A.M. on regular school days.  School district personnel shall be issued a key to the building to which they are assigned, unless their position requires additional keys be issued to them.  Employees shall be responsible for the keys assigned to them.  If lost keys require the locks to the school facility be changed, the employee losing the keys may be responsible for payment of the cost to change the locks.

A request by an employee to use the facilities for nonschool-related business must be approved by the principal. Such a request will not supersede any prior request made by another individual or organization. The employee will be responsible to meet the same requirements as other individuals or organizations using the facilities.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§256.12, 273.1, 279.8, 297.9 (1991).

Cross Reference:  1006     Use of School District Facilities and Equipment

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:  8-09-99, 6-10-02

School materials are purchased and used for the delivery of the educational program. School district employees may use the school district materials for internal communication between themselves when the communication is directly related to the educational program. Communications distributed to or between school district personnel shall also be distributed to the building principal and the superintendent.

When the communication will involve unusual expense or use of materials, the employee must first have permission of the principal.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§273.1, 279.8 (1991).

Cross Reference:  401.9     Use of School Facilities & Equipment by General Personnel

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:             

Generally, transportation of students shall be in a motor vehicle owned by the school district and driven by a school bus driver.  In some cases, it may be more economical or efficient for the school district to allow another employee of the district to transport the students in their personal motor vehicle or in a school district motor vehicle, other than a school bus. The administration may allow school approved transportation by others.

School district employees who transport students for school purposes must have the permission of the superintendent/designee.

This policy statement applies to transportation of students for school purposes in addition to the regular bus routes transporting students to and from their designated attendance center.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§273.1, 285, 321 (1991).
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 22

Cross Reference:  712     Transportation

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:  7-14-95, 8-09-99

School district personnel traveling on behalf of the school district and performing approved school business will be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses.  Reimbursement for expenses will be allowed only if the employee received authorization for the expenses from the principal prior to the trip.

It shall be the responsibility of the principal to determine whether the requested trip is appropriate school business for which actual and necessary expenses should be reimbursed to the employee.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§79.9-.11 (1991).
                                       1980 Op. Att’y Gen. 512.

Cross Reference:  219.3     Board of Directors Member Compensation and Expenses
                                       712        Transportation

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:             

The board recognizes and appreciates the service of its employees.  Employees who retire or resign may be honored by the administration and staff in a manner fitting to the retiring or resigning employee.

If the form of honor thought appropriate by the administration and staff involves unusual expense to the school district, the superintendent shall seek prior approval from the board.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§273.1, 279.8 (1991).
                                      1980 Op. Att’y Gen. 102.

Cross Reference:  407.3     Licensed Personnel Retirement
                                       413.2     Support Personnel Retirement

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:             

No employee shall engage in political activity upon property under the jurisdiction of the board.  Activities including, but not limited to, posting of political circulars or petitions, the distribution of political circulars or petitions, the collection of and/or solicitation for campaign funds, solicitation for campaign workers, and the use of students for writing or addressing political materials, or the distribution of such materials to or by students, are specifically prohibited.

Violation of this policy may be grounds for disciplinary action.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code Chapter 55, §279.8 (1991).

Cross Reference:  401.3     General Personnel Conflict of Interest
                                      409.8      Licensed Personnel Political Leave
                                      414.7      Support Personnel Political Leave

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:             

School vehicles are to be used only by licensed drivers approved by the administration. School personnel may use the vehicles only after receiving the approval of the administration. The administration shall be responsible for granting prior approval of the use of buses, suburban, and school card in regard to regular runs and activity trips.

Approved:  10-14-96                          
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised:  10-14-96, 8-09-99

Employees may use school district credit cards for the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of work-related duties.  Actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of work-related duties include, but are not limited to, fuel for school district transportation vehicles used for transporting students to and from school and for school-sponsored events, payment of claims related to professional development of the board and employees, and other expenses required by employees and the board in the performance of their duties.

Employees and officers using a school district card must submit a detailed receipt in addition to credit card receipt indicating the date, purpose and nature of the expense for each claim item.  Failure to provide a proper receipt will make the employee responsible for expenses incurred.  Those expenses are reimbursed to the school district no later than ten working days following use of the school district’s credit card.  In exceptional circumstances, the superintendent or board may allow a claim without proper receipt.  Written documentation explaining the exceptional circumstances is maintained as part of the school district’s record of the claim.

The school district may maintain a school district credit card for actual and necessary expenses incurred by employees and officers in the performance of their duties.  The superintendent may maintain a school district credit card for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of the superintendent’s duties.  The transportation director may maintain a school district credit card for fueling school district transportation vehicles in accordance with board policy.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to determine whether the school district credit card use is for appropriate school business.  It is the responsibility of the board to determine through the audit and approval process of the board whether the school district credit card use by the superintendent and the board is for appropriate school business.

The superintendent is responsible for developing administrative regulations regarding actual and necessary expenses and use of a school district credit card.  The administrative regulations will include the appropriate forms to be filed for obtaining a credit card.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Constitution, Art. III §31.
                                      Iowa Code   Code §§279.8, .29, .30 (2003).
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.3(1).

Cross Reference:  219.3    Board of Directors’ Member Compensation and Expenses
                                      401.7    Employee Travel Compensation

Approved:  11-10-03            
Reviewed:  7-08-19              
Revised: