The following information will be released to any entity with whom a school district 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 not be released to an inquiring creditor without a written authorization from the employee.

It shall be the responsibility of the board secretary or superintendent to respond to inquires from creditors.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§22.7, 273.1, 279.8 (1991).

Cross Reference:  401.6        General Personnel Records
                                       1001.1      Public Examination of School District Records

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  8-08-22              
Revised:             

In compliance with state law and to provide protection to victims of child abuse, the board requires that incidents of alleged child abuse be reported to the proper authorities. Licensed and General Personnel employees are required as mandatory reporters to report alleged incidents of child abuse they become aware of within the scope of their professional duties.

“Child abuse” is defined as:

• Any non-accidental physical injury, or injury which is at variance with the history given it, suffered by a child as a result of the acts or omissions of a person responsible for the care of the child.
• The commissions of a sexual office with or to a child…as a result of the acts or omissions of the person responsible for the child…Sexual offense includes sexual abuse, incest, and sexual exploitation of a minor.
• The failure of the part of a person responsible for the care of a child to provide/provide for the adequate food, shelter, clothing or other care necessary for the child’s welfare when financially able to do so.  A parent or guardian legitimately practicing religious beliefs who does not provide specified medical treatment for a child for that reason alone shall not be considered abusing the child.
• The acts or omissions of a person responsible for the care of a child which allow, permit or encourage the child to engage in acts prohibited pursuant to Iowa Code, section 725.1 which deals with prostitution.

When a mandatory reporter (any licensed or general personnel employee) suspects a student is the victim of child abuse, the mandatory reporter shall orally or in writing notify the Iowa Department of Human Services.  Within forty-eight hours of the oral report, the mandatory reporter shall file a written report with the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS).

If the mandatory reporter believes the child is in immediate danger, the local law enforcement agency shall also be notified.

All mandatory reporters shall take a two-hour training course involving the identification and reporting of child abuse within six (6) months of their initial employment and as required to keep their license current.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§232.67-77; 232A; 235A; 280.17 (2001)
                                       441 I.A.C. 9.2; 155, 175
                                       1982 Op. Att’y Gen. 390, 417
                                       1980 Op. Att’y Gen. 275

Cross Reference:  402.3     Abuse of Students by School District Employees
                                       501.11   Interviews of Students by Outside Agencies
                                       507          Student Health and Well-Being

Approved:  7-15-02              
Reviewed:  8-08-22              
Revised:  8-12-19

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

No employee shall be made responsible, or assume responsibility, for the collection of money or the distribution of fund drive literature within the schools unless such activity has been approved by the superintendent/designee.

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

Cross Reference:  504.6    Student Fund-Raising
                                      1005     Community Activities Involving Students

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  8-08-22              
Revised:  7-14-95

The board understands the desire of students, parents, or others to give gifts to show appreciation of a school district employee.  Rather than giving gifts, the board encourages, as more welcome and more appropriate, the writing of letters to express gratitude and appreciation.

An employee shall not, either directly or indirectly, solicit, accept or receive any gift having a value of $35 or more from parents, students, or other individuals in one calendar day.  A gift to an employee or an employee’s family member made because of the employee’s position with the school district, with a value of $15 or more, shall be reported on a form provided by the county auditor.  It shall be the responsibility of both the employee accepting a gift and the donor to file the disclosure report.

Employees are prohibited from accepting things of material value from a company or entity doing business or hoping to do business with the school district.  However, employees may accept minor items which are generally distributed by companies through public relations programs.  It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to determine what qualifies as a minor item.

Gifts of food and beverage to a school district employee, with a value of $15 or more, need not be reported if the food or beverage is consumed in the presence of the donor.

Employees shall refrain from giving gifts to school district employees who exercise administrative or supervisory jurisdiction over them indirectly or directly.  Further, the collection of money for gifts for other employees shall also be discouraged except in special circumstances, such as, but not limited to, bereavement, serious illness, or retirement.

Gifts received and accepted from immediate family members or relatives of the fourth degree shall be exempt from this policy unless the relative is acting as an agent for a person not so related.

An employee may receive a gift on behalf of the school district, if the gift is in conformance with board policy.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§68B.1, .5, .8, .11(4), 722.1, .2 (1991).
                                      1972 Op. Att’y Gen. 276.
                                      1970 Op. Att’y Gen. 319.

Cross Reference:  221    Gifts to Board of Directors Members

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  8-08-22              
Revised:             

The board recognizes situations may arise in the operation of the school district which are of concern to the parents and other members of the school district community.  While constructive criticism is welcomed, the board desires to support its employees and their actions to free them from unnecessary, spiteful, or negative criticism and complaints that do not offer advice for improvement or change.

The board firmly believes concerns should be resolved at the lowest organizational level by those individuals closest to the concern.  Whenever a complaint or concern is brought to the attention of the board it will be referred to the administration to be resolved if the following has not been completed:

(a)         Matters concerning an individual student, teacher, or other employee should first be addressed to the teacher or employee.

(b)         Unsettled matters from (a) above or problems and questions about individual attendance centers should be addressed to the employee’s building principal for licensed personnel and the superintendent for support personnel.

(c)          Unsettled matters regarding licensed personnel from (b) above or problems and questions concerning the school district should be directed to the superintendent.

(d)         If a matter cannot be settled satisfactorily by the superintendent, it may then be brought to the board.  To bring a concern about a school district employee, the individual may notify the board president in writing, who will bring it to the attention of the entire board, or the item may be placed on the board agenda of a regularly scheduled board meeting in accordance with board policy.

The board will address complaints from the members of the school district community if they are in writing, signed, and the complainant has complied with this policy.

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

Cross Reference:  214.1    Board Meeting Agenda
                                      215        Public Participation in Board of Directors Meetings

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  8-08-22              
Revised:             

Members of the school district community shall be treated with respect by school district personnel. The board encourages active participation by school district employees in community activities and events as a means to show respect for the district community.

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

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

Cross Reference:  303.7    Superintendent Civic Activities
                                      304.8    Administrative Civic Activities
                                      1004      Public Participation in the School District
                                      1005      Community Activities Involving Students

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  8-08-22              
Revised:             

The board believes the primary responsibility of school district personnel is to the duties of their position with the school district as outlined in their job description.  The board considers a school 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 shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to counsel school district 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 with 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, 273.1, 279.8 (1991).

Cross Reference:  401.3    General Personnel Conflict of Interest
                                      407.6    Licensed Personnel Reduction in Force
                                      413.4    Support Personnel Dismissal

Approved:  3-31-92              
Reviewed:  8-08-22              
Revised:             

Pursuant to Iowa law, an individual required to register on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for a conviction involving a sex offense against a minor (“registrant”) is prohibited from being on school property or in any school vehicle. The only exceptions are as follows:

Students, note that a student on the Sex Offender Registry must have board approval to attend a particular school.

A registrant who is a parent or legal guardian of a minor is allowed on school property solely during the period of time reasonably necessary to transport the parent’s own minor child or legal guardian’s own ward to or from a place on school property.

A registrant who is legally entitled to vote shall be allowed on the school property solely for the period of time reasonably necessary to exercise the right to vote in a public election if the polling location of the offender is located on school property.

If written permission is received from the school principal or superintendent. To request written permission, registrant must complete and submit the Registrant Request Form.  The form can be obtained by contacting the administrative office by telephone or email.  This provision does not apply to a registrant requesting permission to be on school property in his or her role as employee, contractor, vendor, or volunteer. No written exception is allowed for operating, managing, being employed by, or acting as a contractor or volunteer on school property.