The board may make arrangements for sharing students with neighboring school districts in order to expand the opportunities available in the educational and extra-curricular programs or in the operation of the school district.  It shall be within the discretion of the board to determine when and with which school district sharing agreements will be made.

It shall be the responsibility of the administration to bring to the board’s attention opportunities for sharing students with neighboring school districts.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§280.15, 282.10-.12, 442.39, 442.39A (1991).

Cross Reference:  217.3 Board of Directors and Adjoining District Board of Directors
                                       302.3 Administration and Adjoining District Administration
                                       410.2 Shared Licensed Personnel

Approved:  4-13-92              
Reviewed:  5-13-19              
Revised:  3-13-00

It shall be within the sole discretion of the board to determine the size of classes and to determine whether class grouping shall take place.  The board shall review the class size annually.

It shall be the responsibility of the administration to make a recommendation to the board on class size based upon the budget of the school district, the qualifications of and number of licensed personnel, and other factors deemed relevant to the board.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§279.8, 280.3 (1991).

Cross Reference:  603    Instructional Curriculum

Approved:  4-13-92              
Reviewed:  5-13-19              
Revised:  6-10-96

Homework can be an effective teaching-learning activity.  It is important that students develop the daily habit of independent learning outside of the classroom.  Plus, it is recognized that home involvement in a student’s academic development further promotes the parent-school partnership in the education of our youth.

All homework should have a specific purpose relative to the curriculum and previous instruction and not be assigned as busy work.  It should not be given for disciplinary purposes.  The quantity of homework should also be reasonable.

All homework should involve some type of immediate follow-up and evaluation, so skills and knowledge are reinforced and students are kept informed of their academic standing.

It is important that the schools teach study skills so students know how to be independent, self-directed learners.

Approved:  4-10-00              
Reviewed:  5-13-19              
Revised:  12-9-02

The school district will continue school ceremonies and observances which have become a tradition and a custom to the educational program.  These include, but are not limited to, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and observance of legal holidays, such as Christmas, by programs and performances.  Such ceremonies or observances shall have a secular purpose and shall not advocate or sponsor a particular religion.

Students who do not wish to participate in these activities may be silent during the ceremony or observance, or receive permission from the principal to be excused from the ceremony for religious reasons, in compliance with board policy.

Legal Reference:  U.S. Const. Amend. I.
                                      Lemon v Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602, 91 S.Ct. 2105 (1971).
                                      Graham v Central Community School District of Decatur County, 608 F.
                                      Supp. 531 (Iowa 1985).
                                      Iowa code §279.8 (1991).

Cross Reference:  603    Instructional Curriculum
                                       604.6 Religion-Based Exclusion From a School Program

Approved:  4-13-92              
Reviewed:  5-13-19              
Revised:             

Live animals will not be allowed in the school facilities or on school property, including activities being held outside of the school facilities, such as in attendance at extra-curricular activities, except under special circumstances, and it must be for an educational purpose.  Permission from the principal will be required of anyone wishing to bring an animal into the school facilities.  Appropriate supervision of animals is required when animals are brought into the school facilities. 

The person bringing the animal must furnish transportation for the animal brought to school.  Animals will not be allowed to travel to and from the student’s attendance center on the school bus.

It shall be the responsibility of the building principal to determine appropriate supervision of animals in the classroom.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991).

Cross Reference:  507    Student Health and Well-Being

Approved:  4-13-92              
Reviewed:  5-13-19              
Revised:  3-13-00

Materials and services produced by students at the expense of the school district shall be the property of the school district.  Materials and services produced by students at the student’s expense, except for incidental expense to the school district, shall be the property of the student.

It shall be the responsibility of the administration to determine incidental expense.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991).

Cross Reference:  408.2   Licensed Personnel Publication or Creation of Materials

Approved:  4-13-92              
Reviewed:  5-13-19              
Revised:  6-10-96

The principal may authorize field trips and excursions when such events contribute to the achievement of education goals of the school district. 

In authorizing such field trips and excursions, the principal shall consider the budget of the school district, the educational benefit of the activity, the inherent risks or dangers of the activity, and other factors deemed relevant by the administration.  Parents will be notified by a written communication prior to a student’s participation in a field trip or excursion outside the school district.  The principal/classroom teacher will make an alternate assignment for students who do not wish to participate.  The Board’s approval will be required for field trips or excursions outside the continental United States.

Field trips are to be arranged with the office well in advance and planned in detail by the classroom teacher.  The office will be responsible for obtaining a substitute teacher if one is needed.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991).
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 43.9.

Cross Reference:  503.1   Student Conduct
                                       503.4   Good Conduct Rule
                                       712      Transportation

Approved:  4-13-92              
Reviewed:  5-13-19              
Revised:  5-14-07

The administration may authorize programs or activities in the form of a school assembly when such events contribute to the achievement of education goals of the school district.  Such assemblies shall comply with the school calendar.

In authorizing a school assembly, the administration shall consider the budget of the school district, the educational benefit of the activity, the inherent risks or dangers of the activity, and other factors as the administration deems relevant.

It shall be the responsibility of the administration to inform the board of the approved school assemblies.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§279.8, 280.3, .14 (1991).

Cross Reference:  605     Instructional Materials
                                       904.2  Community Resource Persons and Volunteers

Approved:  4-13-92              
Reviewed:  5-13-19              
Revised:  6-10-96

Insufficient classroom space exists when conditions adversely affect the implementation of the educational philosophy and program of the board.  The board shall determine insufficient classroom space on a case-by-case basis.  Criteria to be used by the board in its determination may include, but not be limited to, available personnel, grade level, educational program, instructional method, physical space, equipment and materials available, finances available, facilities either being planned or currently under construction, sharing agreements in force, bargaining agreements in force, and district goals and objectives.

This policy shall be reviewed by the board annually between the months of July and October.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §282.18 (1991).

Cross Reference:  101     Educational Philosophy of the School District
                                       103     Equal Educational Opportunity
                                       105     Educational and Operational Planning and Needs Assessment
                                       602     Curriculum Development
                                       603     Instructional Curriculum
                                       606.2   Class Size – Class Grouping

Approved:  4-13-92              
Reviewed:  5-13-19              
Revised: