SCHOOL CALENDAR

The school calendar shall accommodate the education program of the school district. The school calendar shall be for a minimum of 1,080 hours and include, but not be limited to, the days for student instruction, staff development, in-service days, and teacher conferences.

The academic school year for students shall be for a minimum of 1,080 hours in the school calendar. The academic school year for students shall not begin sooner than August 23. Employees may be required to report to work at the school district prior to this date.

Special education students may attend school on a school calendar different from that of the regular education program consistent with their Individualized Education Program.

The board, in its discretion, may excuse graduating seniors from up to 30 hours of instruction after the school district requirements for graduation have been met. The board may also excuse graduating seniors from making up days missed due to inclement weather if the student has met the school district's graduation requirements.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the school calendar for recommendation, approval, and adoption by the board annually.  The board may amend the official school calendar when the board considers the change to be in the best interests of the school district's education program.

 

SCHOOL DAY

The student school day for grades one through twelve shall consist of a minimum of five and one-half hours, not including the lunch period. The school day consists of the schedule of class instruction and class activities as established and sponsored by the school district. Time during which students are released from school for parent/teacher conferences may be counted as part of the student's instructional time. The minimum school day shall meet the requirements as established for the operation of accredited schools.

The board may define the number of days kindergarten will be held and the length of each school day for the students attending kindergarten. The school day shall consist of a schedule as recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board.

The school district may also record a day of school with less than the minimum instructional hours if the total hours of instructional time for grades one through twelve in any five consecutive school days equals a minimum of twenty-seven and one-half hours, even though any one day of school is less than the minimum instructional hours because of a staff development opportunity provided for the instructional staff or parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled beyond the regular school day. If the total hours of instructional time for the first four consecutive days equal at least twenty-seven and one-half hours because parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled beyond the regular school day, the school district may record zero hours of instructional time on the fifth consecutive school day as a school day. Schedule revisions and changes in time allotments will be made by the superintendent.

 

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS

The superintendent of schools for the District or the superintendent’s designee shall have the authority to close schools because of extreme weather or other emergency conditions for the length of time the conditions exist. The superintendent shall make provisions to publicly announce such closings via available mass communication media as soon as possible after the decision to close.

Every reasonable effort shall be made to have students attend the total amount of school days annually as specified by statute, state departmental rules, the district's Return to Learn Plan, and local school board policy.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Curriculum development shall be an ongoing process in the school district. Each curriculum area shall be reviewed and revised when necessary according to the timelines set out by the superintendent. These timelines will provide for periodic review of each curriculum area.

The superintendent shall be responsible for curriculum development and for determining the most effective way of conducting research of the school district's curriculum needs and a long-range curriculum development program. In making recommendations to the board, the superintendent shall propose a curriculum that will:

• fulfill the mission, beliefs, and vision of the school district;
• reflect current research and best practice;
• reflect the educational and operational assessments of the school district;
• identity Standards, Benchmarks, and Critical Objectives for each course or grade level;
• articulate courses of study from kindergarten through grade twelve;
• provide for continual assessment of a student's progress;
• improve instructional practice;
• meet the long and short range student achievement goals found in the District's School Improvement Plan;
• meet the requirements of the Iowa Department of Education in meeting General Accreditation Standards.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to keep the board apprised of necessary curriculum changes and revisions and to develop administrative regulations for curriculum development.

CURRICULUM ADOPTION

Curriculum of the school district will be recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board.

The District's Curriculum Plan shall contain a framework that describes the processes and procedures that will be followed to assist all staff in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully implement the developed curriculum in each content area. This framework shall:

• be data driven;
• review both standardized and district assessment data for existing standards, benchmarks, and critical objectives;
• identify the strengths and weaknesses (gap analysis);
• study and identify best instructional practices;
• identify and develop research that demonstrates how students learn best;
• focus on developing plans that address weaknesses;
• provide ongoing staff development;
• describe procedures for purchase of instructional materials;
• communicate with both the external and internal customers using data; and
• continually assess changes in curriculum.

CURRICULUM EVALUATION

When deemed necessary by the superintendent and whenever a new program is proposed, the board will review the curriculum to determine its strengths and weaknesses. The board may authorize the superintendent to appoint an ad hoc advisory committee to review the curriculum.

The board shall review the student performance on standardized tests, district created assessments, courses, and other indicators of student achievement as it related to the District's Standards and Benchmarks and Critical Objectives. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to provide the board/parents/community with the assessment scores on an annual basis.

ADULT EDUCATION

The board recognizes that the general objectives of post-high school and adult education programs shall be the same as those of other levels of public education. These general objectives include the preparation of individuals for democratic citizenship, providing individuals with means for economic improvement and cultural development, and the enrichment of the personal lives of all the participating individuals.

The post-high school and adult education programs shall be administered by the school district’s administrative staff.  The physical facilities of the school district shall be made available for use in these programs when there is no conflict with regular school activities.  Recommendations for extension and expansion of adult education programs shall be made through the prescribed lines of authority and shall be presented to the board by the superintendent.

 

SUMMER SCHOOL INSTRUCTION

The board, in its discretion, may offer summer school for one or more courses, including Driver’s Education and student activities for students who need additional assistance and instruction or for enrichment in those areas.

Upon receiving a request for summer school, the board shall weigh the benefit to the students and the school district as well as the school district's budget and availability of licensed employees to conduct summer school.  The decision whether the school district will offer summer school shall be within the discretion of the board.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

The board recognizes some students have different educational needs than other students.  The board shall provide a free appropriate education program and related services to students identified in need of special education.  Special education services will be provided from birth until the appropriate education is completed, age twenty-one or the maximum age allowable in accordance with the law.  Students requiring special education shall attend regular education classes, participate in non-academic and extracurricular services and activities and receive services in a regular education setting to the maximum extent possible appropriate to the needs of each individual student.

The appropriate education for each student shall be written in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).  Special education students shall be required to meet the requirements stated in board policy as modified in their Individualized Education Programs (IEP) consistent with board policy, for graduation.  However, beginning with the graduating class of 2022, students receiving special education services shall meet the state requirement of completing four years of English-language arts and three years each of mathematics, science and social students, known as 4-3-3-3, aligned to state required standards, with support and accommodations as described in their IEP for graduation with a regular diploma.  A student’s IEP Team may determine how a particular student meets 4-3-3-3.

The superintendent may provide a certificate of completion/attendance to those students receiving special education services who do not complete requirements for graduation with a regular diploma, including 4-3-3-3.  Student who receive a certificate of completion/attendance remain eligible for special education services until they reach maximum age of twenty-one.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent and the area education agency director of special education to provide or make provisions for appropriate special education and related services.

Children from birth through age 2 and age 3 through 5 shall be provided comprehensive special education services within the public education system.  The school district shall work in conjunction with the area education agency to provide services, at the earliest appropriate time, to children with disabilities from birth through age 2.  This shall be done to ensure a smooth transition of children entitled to early childhood special education services. 

MULTICULTURAL/GENDER FAIR EDUCATION

Students will have an equal opportunity for a quality education without discrimination, regardless of their race, religion, creed, socioeconomic status, color, gender, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.  The education program will be free of discrimination and provide equal opportunity for students and will foster knowledge of, respect, and appreciation for the historical and contemporary contributions of diverse cultural groups, as well as men and women, to society with special emphasis on Asian-Americans, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and persons with disabilities. It will also reflect the wide variety of roles open to both men and women and provide equal opportunity to both sexes.

HEALTH EDUCATION

Students shall receive, as part of their health education, instruction about personal health; food and nutrition; environmental health; safety and survival skills; consumer health; family life; human growth and development; substance abuse and non-use, including the effects of alcohol, nicotine, drugs, and poisons on the human body; human sexuality; self-esteem; stress management; interpersonal relationships; emotional and social health; health resources; prevention and control of disease; communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; and current crucial health issues.  The purpose of the health education program is to help each student protect, improve, and maintain physical, emotional, and social well-being.

The instruction provided shall be adapted in each grade level to aid understanding by the students.  Parents who object to health education instruction in human growth and development may file a written request that the student be excused from that instruction.  The written request shall include a proposed alternate activity or study acceptable to the superintendent.  The superintendent shall have the final authority to determine the alternate activity or study.

 

 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Students in grades one through twelve shall be required to participate in physical education courses unless they are excused by the principal of their attendance center.  Students may be excused from physical education courses if the student presents a written statement from a doctor stating that such activities could be injurious to the health of the student or the student has been exempted because of a conflict with the student's religious beliefs, provided such excuse fits within federal and state laws.

Students in grades nine through twelve may also be excused from physical education courses if the student is enrolled in academic courses not otherwise available or the student has obtained a physical education waiver for a semester because the student is actively involved in an athletic program.  Twelfth grade students may also be excused from physical education courses if the student is enrolled in a cooperative, work study or other educational program authorized by the school which requires the student's absence from school.  Students who will not participate in physical education must have a written request or statement from the parents.

CAREER EDUCATION

Preparing students for careers is one goal of the education program.  Career education will be written into the education program for grades kindergarten through twelve.  This education shall include, but not be limited to, awareness of self in relation to others and the needs of society, exploration of employment opportunities, experiences in personal decision-making, and experiences of integrating work values and work skills into their lives.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to assist licensed employees in finding ways to provide career education in the education program.  Special attention should be given to courses of vocational education nature.  The board, in its review of the curriculum, shall review the means in which career education is combined with other instructional programs.

ACADEMIC FREEDOM

The board believes students should have an opportunity to reach their own decisions and beliefs about conflicting points of view.  Academic freedom is the opportunity of licensed employees and students to study, investigate, present, interpret, and discuss facts and ideas relevant to the subject matter of the classroom and appropriate to and in good taste with the maturity and intellectual and emotional capacities of the students.

It shall be the responsibility of the teacher to refrain from advocating partisan causes, sectarian religious views or biased positions in the classroom or through teaching methods.  Teachers are not discouraged from expressing personal opinions as long as students are aware it is a personal opinion and students are allowed to reach their own conclusions independently.  It shall be the responsibility of the principal to ensure academic freedom is allowed but not abused in the classroom.

TEACHING CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

A "controversial issue" is a topic of significant academic inquiry about which substantial groups of citizens of this community, this state or this nation hold sincere, conflicting points of view.  It is the belief of the board that controversial issues should be fairly presented in a spirit of honest academic freedom so that students may recognize the validity of other points of view but can also learn to formulate their own opinions based upon dispassionate, objective, unbiased study and discussion of the facts related to the controversy.

It shall be the responsibility of the teacher to present a full and fair opportunity and means for students to study, consider and discuss all sides of controversial issues including, but not limited to, political philosophies.  It shall be the responsibility of the teacher to protect the right of the student to study pertinent controversial issues within the limits of good taste and to allow the student to express personal opinions without jeopardizing the student's relationship with the teacher.  It shall be the responsibility of the teacher to refrain from advocating partisan causes, sectarian religious views or selfish propaganda of any kind through any classroom or school device; however, an instructor shall not be prohibited from expressing a personal opinion as long as students are encouraged to reach their own decisions independently.

The board encourages full discussion of controversial issues in a spirit of academic freedom that shows students that they have the right to disagree with the opinions of others but that they also have the responsibility to base the disagreement on facts and to respect the right of others to hold conflicting opinions.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS SELECTION

The board recognizes that the selection of instructional materials is a vital component of the school district's curriculum.  The board has sole discretion to approve instructional materials for the school district.  The board delegates its authority to determine which instructional materials will be utilized and purchased by the school district to licensed employees.  The licensed employees will work closely together to ensure vertical and horizontal articulation of textbooks in the education program.

The board may appoint an ad hoc committee for the selection of instructional materials. The committee may be composed of school district employees, parents, students, community members or representatives of community groups.  In reviewing current instructional materials for continued use and in selecting additional instructional materials. the licensed employees will consider the current and future needs of the school district as well as the changes and the trends in education and society.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to report to the board the action taken by the selection committee.  In making its recommendations to the superintendent, the licensed employees will recommend materials which:

• Support the educational philosophy, goals and objectives of the school district;
• Consider the needs, age, and maturity of students;
• Are within the school district's budget;
• Foster respect and appreciation for cultural diversity and difference of opinion;
• Stimulate growth in factual knowledge and literary appreciation;
• Encourage students to become decision-makers, to exercise freedom of thought and to make independent judgment through the examination and evaluation of relevant information, evidence and differing viewpoints;
• Portray the variety of careers, roles, and lifestyles open to persons of both sexes; and
• Increase an awareness of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of each member of a multicultural society.

In the case of textbooks, the board will make the final decision after a recommendation from the superintendent.  The criteria stated above for selection of instructional materials will also apply to the selection of textbooks. The superintendent may appoint licensed employees to assist in the selection of textbooks.

Gifts of instructional materials must meet these criteria stated above for the selection of instructional materials.

SELECTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

I. Responsibility for Selection of Instructional Materials

A.  The board is responsible for matters relating to the operation of the school district.

B.  The responsibility for the selection of instructional materials is delegated to the professionally trained and licensed employees of the school system.  For the purpose of this rule the term "instructional materials" includes printed and multimedia materials (not equipment), whether considered text materials or library materials.  The board retains the final authority for the approval of textbooks.

C.  While selection of materials may involve many people including principals, teachers, teacher-librarians, students, parents, and community members, the responsibility for coordinating the selection of most instructional materials and making the recommendation for the purchase rests with licensed employees.

D.  Responsibility for coordinating the selection of text materials for distribution to classes will rest with the licensed employees, principals, and superintendent.  For the purpose of this rule the term “text materials” includes textbooks and other printed and unprinted material provided in multiple copies for use of a total class or major segment of a class.

E.  If the board appoints an ad hoc committee to make recommendations on the selection of instructional materials, the ad hoc committee is formed and appointed in compliance with the board policy.

1.  The superintendent will inform the committee as to their role and responsibility in the process.

2.  The following statement will be provided to the ad hoc committee members:

Bear in mind the principles of the freedom to learn and to read and base your decision on these broad principles rather than on defense of individual materials. Freedom of inquiry is vital to education in a democracy.

Study thoroughly all materials referred to you and read available reviews. The general acceptance of the materials should be checked by consulting standard evaluation aids and local holdings in other schools.

Passages or parts should not be pulled out of context. The values and faults should be weighed against each other and the opinions based on the material as a whole.

Your report, presenting both majority and minority opinions, will be presented by the principal to the complainant at the conclusion of our discussion of the questioned material.

II. Material selected for use in libraries and classrooms will meet the following guidelines:

A.   Religion - Material will represent the major religions in a factual, unbiased manner. The primary source material of the major religions is considered appropriate, but material which advocates rather than informs, or is designed to sway reader judgment regarding religion, will not be included in the school libraries or classrooms.

B.  Racism - Material will present a diversity of race, custom, culture, and belief as a positive aspect of the nation's heritage and give candid treatment to unresolved intercultural problems, including those which involve prejudice, discrimination, and the undesirable consequences of withholding rights, freedom, or respect from an individual.

C. Sexism - Material will reflect sensitivity to the needs, rights, traits and aspirations of men and women without preference or bias.

D. Age - Material will recognize the diverse contributions of various age groups and portray the continuing contributions of maturing members of society.

E. Ideology - Material will present basic primary and factual information on an ideology or philosophy of government which exerts or has exerted a strong force, either favorably or unfavorably, over civilization or society, past or present. This material will not be selected with the intention to sway reader judgment and is related to the maturity level of the intended audience.

F.  Profanity and Sex - Material is subjected to a test of literary merit and reality by the teacher-­librarians and licensed staff who will take into consideration their reading of public and community standards of morality .

G.  Controversial issues materials will be directed toward maintaining a balanced collection representing various views.

The selection decision should be made on the basis of whether the material presents an accurate representation of society and culture, whether the circumstances depicted are realistically portrayed, or whether the material has literary or social value when the material is viewed as a whole.

These guidelines will not be construed in such a manner as to preclude materials which accurately represent the customs, morals, manners, culture, or society of a different time or a different place.

III. Procedure for Selection

A. Material purchased for libraries and classrooms is recommended for purchase by licensed employees, in consultation with administrative staff, school library staff, students or an ad hoc committee as appointed by the board.  The material recommended for purchase is approved by the appropriate building administrator.

1.  The materials selected will support stated objectives and goals of the school district.  Specifically, the goals are:

a. To acquire materials and provide service consistent with the demands of the curriculum;

b. To develop students' skills and resourcefulness in the use of libraries and learning resources;

c. To effectively guide and counsel students in the selection and use of materials and libraries;

d. To foster in students a wide range of significant interests;

e. To provide opportunities for aesthetic experiences and development of an appreciation of the fine arts;

f.  To provide materials to motivate students to examine their own attitudes and behaviors and to comprehend their own duties and responsibilities as citizens in a pluralistic democracy;

g. To encourage life-long education through the use of the library; and,

h. To work cooperatively and constructively with the instructional and administrative staff in the school.

2. Materials selected are consistent with stated principles of selection. These principles are:

a. To select materials, within established standards that will meet the goals and objectives of the school district;

b. To consider the educational characteristics of the community in the selection of materials within a given category;

c. To present the sexual, racial, religious and ethnic groups in the community by:

1. Portraying people, both men and women, adults and children, whatever their ethnic, religious or social class identity, as human and recognizable, displaying a familiar range of emotions, both negative and positive.

2. Placing no constraints on individual aspirations and opportunity.

3. Giving comprehensive, accurate, and balanced representation to minority groups and women - in art and science, history and literature, and in all other fields of life and culture.

4. Providing abundant recognition of minority groups and women by showing them frequently in positions of leadership and authority.

d. To intelligently, quickly, and effectively anticipate and meet needs through awareness of subjects of local, national and international interest and significance; and,

e.  To strive for impartiality in the selection process.

3. The materials selected will meet stated selection criteria. These criteria are:

a. Authority-Author's qualifications - education, experience, and previously published works.

b.   Reliability -

1.  Accuracy-meaningful organization and emphasis on content, meets the material's goals and objectives, and presents authoritative and realistic factual material.

2. Current-presentation of content which is consistent with the findings of recent and authoritative research.

c. Treatment of subject-shows an objective reflection for the multi-ethnic character and cultural diversity of society.

d.  Language -

1.  Vocabulary –

a. Does not indicate bias by the use of words which may result in negative value judgments about groups of people;

b. Does not use "man" or similar limiting word usage in generalization or ambiguities which may cause women to feel excluded or dehumanized.

2. Compatible to the reading level of the student for whom it is intended.

e. Format -

1.  Book –

a.  Adequate and accurate index;

b.  Paper of good quality and color;

c.  Print adequate and well spaced;

d.  Adequate margins;

e.  Firmly bound; and,

f.   Cost.

2.  Non-book, including software and electronically available materials –

a.  Flexibility, adaptability;

b. Curricular orientation of significant interest to students;

c. Appropriate for audience;

d. Accurate authoritative presentation;

e. Good production qualities (fidelity, aesthetically adequate);

f.  Durability; and,

g. Cost.

3. Illustrations of book and non-book materials should:

a.  Depict instances of fully integrated grouping and settings to indicate equal status and non-segregated social relationships.

b.  Make clearly apparent the identity of minorities;

c.  Contain pertinent and effective illustrations;

4. Flexible to enable the teacher to use parts at a time and not follow a comprehensive instructional program on a rigid frame of reference.

f. Special Features -

1. Bibliographies.

2. Glossary.

3. Current charts, maps, etc.

4. Visual aids.

5. Index.

6. Special activities to stimulate and challenge students.

7. Provide a variety of learning skills.

g. Potential use:

1. Will it meet the requirement of reference work?

2. Will it help students with personal problems and adjustments?

3.  Will it serve as a source of information for teachers and librarians?

4. Does it offer an understanding of cultures other than the student's own and is it free of racial, religious, age, disability, ethnic, and sexual stereotypes?

5. Will it expand students' sphere of understanding and help them to understand the ideas and beliefs of others?

6. Will it help students and teachers keep abreast of and understand current events?

7. Will it foster and develop hobbies and special interests?

8. Will it help develop aesthetic tastes and appreciation?

9. Will it serve the needs of students with special needs?

10. Does it inspire learning?

11. Is it relevant to the subject?

12. Will it stimulate a student's interest?

4. Gifts of library or instructional materials may be accepted if the gift meets existing criteria for library and instructional materials.  The acceptance and placement of such gifts is within the discretion of the board.

5.  In order to provide a current, highly usable collection of materials. teacher-librarians will ensure constant and continuing renewal of the collection, not only the addition of up-to-date materials, but by the judicious elimination of materials which no longer meet school district needs or find use.  The process of reviewing and eliminating instructional materials will be done according to established and accepted standards for determining the relevance and value of materials in a given context

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS INSPECTION

Parents and other members of the school district community may view the instructional materials used by the students.  All instructional materials, including teacher's manuals, films, tapes or other supplementary material which will be used in connection with any survey, analysis, or evaluation as part of any federally funded programs must be available for inspection by parents.  The instructional materials must be viewed on school district premises.  Copies may be obtained according to board policy.  It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding the inspection of instructional materials.

 

 

Signature:_______________________________                  Date:____________________

RECONSIDERATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS REGULATION

A.         A member of the school district community may raise an objection to instructional materials used in the school district's education program despite the fact that the individuals selecting such material were duly qualified to make the selection and followed the proper procedure and observed the criteria for selecting such material.

1.         The school official or employee receiving a complaint regarding instructional materials will try to resolve the issue informally. The materials generally will remain in use pending the outcome of the reconsideration procedure.

a.         The school official or employee initially receiving a complaint will explain to the individual the board's selection procedure, criteria to be met by the instructional materials, and qualifications of those persons selecting the material.

b.         The school official or employee initially receiving a complaint will explain to the individual the role of the objected material in the education program, its intended educational purpose, and additional information regarding its use. In the alternative, the employee may refer the individual to the teacher-librarian who can identify and explain the use of the material.

2.         The employee receiving the initial complaint will advise the building principal of the initial contact no later than the end of the school day following the discussion with the individual, whether or not the individual has been satisfied by the initial contact. A written record of the contact is maintained by the principal in charge of the attendance center. Each building principal shall inform employees of their obligation to report complaints.

3.         In the event the individual making an objection to instructional materials is not satisfied with the initial explanation, the individual is referred to the principal or to the teacher­-librarian of the attendance center. If, after consultation with the principal or teacher-­librarian, the individual desires to file a formal complaint, the principal or teacher-librarian will assist in filling out a Reconsideration Request Form in full and filing it with the superintendent.

B. Request for Reconsideration

1.         A member of the school district community may formally challenge instructional materials on the basis of appropriateness used in the school district's education program. This procedure is for the purpose of considering the opinions of those persons in the school district and the community who are not directly involved in the selection process.

2.         Each attendance center and the school district's central administrative office will keep on hand and make available Reconsideration Request Forms. Formal objections to instructional materials must be made on this form.

3.         The individual will state the specific reason the instructional material is being challenged.  The Reconsideration Request Form is signed by the individual and filed with the superintendent.

4.         The superintendent will promptly file the objection with the reconsideration committee for re-evaluation.

5.         Generally, access to challenged instructional material will not be restricted during the reconsideration process. However, in unusual circumstances, the instructional material may be removed temporarily by following the provisions of Section B.6.d. of this rule.

6.         The Reconsideration Committee

a.         The reconsideration committee is made up of eight members.

1.         One licensed employee designated annually, as needed, by the superintendent.

2.         One teacher-librarian designated annually by the superintendent.

3.         One member of the administrative team designated annually by the superintendent.

4.         Three members of the community appointed annually, as needed, by the board.

5.         Two high school students, selected annually by the high school principal.

b.         The committee will select their chairperson and secretary.

c.         The committee will meet at the request of the superintendent.

d.         Special meetings may be called by the board to consider temporary removal of materials in unusual circumstances. A recommendation for temporary removal will require a two-thirds vote of the committee.

e.         Notice of committee meetings is made public through appropriate publications and other communications methods.

f.          The committee will receive the completed Reconsideration Request Form from the superintendent.

g.         The committee will determine its agenda for the first meeting which may include the following:

1.         Distribution of copies of the completed Reconsideration Request Form.

2.         An opportunity for the individual or a group spokesperson to talk about or expand on the Reconsideration Request Form.

3.         Distribution of reputable, professionally prepared reviews of the challenged instructional material if available.

4.         Distribution of copies of the challenged instructional material as available.

h.         The committee may review the selection process for the challenged instructional material and may, to its satisfaction, determine that the challenge is without merit and dismiss the challenge. The committee will notify the individual and the superintendent of its action.

i.          At a subsequent meeting, if held, interested persons, including the individual filing the challenge, may have the opportunity to share their views. The committee may request that individuals with special knowledge be present to give information to the committee.

j.          The individual filing the challenge is kept informed by the reconsideration committee secretary on the status of the Reconsideration Request Form throughout the reconsideration process. The individual filing the challenge and known interested parties is given appropriate notice of meetings.

k.         At the second or a subsequent meeting the committee will make its final recommendation. The committee's final recommendation may be to take no removal action, to remove the challenged material from the school environment, or to limit the educational use of the challenged material. The sole criterion for the final recommendation is the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use. The written final recommendation and its justification are forwarded to the board, the individual and the appropriate attendance centers. The superintendent my also make a recommendation but if so, it should be independent from the committee's.

Following the superintendent's decision with respect to the committee's recommendation, the individual or the chairperson of the reconsideration committee may appeal the decision to the board for review. Such appeal must be presented to the superintendent in writing within five days following the announcement of the superintendent's decision. The board will promptly determine whether to hear the appeal.

l.          A recommendation to sustain a challenge will not be interpreted as a judgment of irresponsibility on the part of the individuals involved in the original selection or use of the material.

m.        Requests to reconsider materials which have previously been reconsidered by the committee must receive approval of two-thirds of the committee members before the materials will again be reconsidered.

n.         If necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the committee, the committee may appoint a subcommittee of members or nonmembers to consolidate challenges and to make recommendations to the full committee. The composition of this subcommittee will approximate the representation of the full committee.

o.         Committee members directly associated with the selection, use, or challenger of the challenged material are excused from the committee during the deliberation of the challenged instructional materials. The superintendent may appoint a temporary replacement for the excused committee member, but the replacement must be of the same general qualifications as the member excused.

 

APPROPRIATE USE OF DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY, COMPUTERS, COMPUTER NETWORK SYSTEMS, AND INTERNET ACCESS

The Board of Directors of the Central Decatur Community School District is committed to making available to students and staff members access to a wide range of electronic learning facilities, technology (including, but not limited to, computers, tablets, and hand held devices), equipment, software, network systems, and internet access.  The goal in providing this technology and access is to support the educational objectives and mission of the Central Decatur Community School District and to promote resource sharing, innovation, problem solving, and communication.  The District’s technology, network, and/or internet access is not a public access service or a public forum.  The District has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the material accessed and/or posted through the use of its technology, network, and/or internet access, including the use of personal technology brought into the District by students and staff and the ability of students and staff to access the District’s network systems and internet access using personal technology.

The District’s technology, network systems, and internet access shall be available to all students and staff within the District.  However, access is a privilege, not a right.  Each student and staff member must have a signed acceptable use agreement on file prior to using the District’s technology, network systems, and internet access.  The amount of time and type of access available for each student and staff member may be limited by the District’s technology and the demands for the use of the District’s technology.  Even if students have not been given access to and/or use of the District’s technology, network systems, and the internet, they may still be exposed to information from the District’s technology, network systems, and/or the internet in guided curricular activities at the discretion of their teachers.

Every item of technology in the District having internet access shall not be operated unless internet access from the technology is subject to a technology protection measure (i.e. filtering software).  The technology protection measure employed by the District shall be designed and operated with the intent to ensure that students are not accessing inappropriate sites that have visual depictions that include obscenity, child pornography or are otherwise harmful to minors.  The technology protection measure may only be disabled for an adult’s use if such use is for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

The technology coordinator may close a user account at any time as required and administrators, faculty, and staff may request the technology coordinator to deny, revoke or suspend user accounts.  Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with appropriate use may be denied access to the District’s technology, the District’s network systems, and/or the District’s internet access.  Students and staff members will be instructed, at a minimum, on an annual basis by the District’s technology coordinator or other appropriate personnel on the appropriate use of the District’s technology, network systems, and internet access.

The use of the District’s technology, network systems, and internet access shall be for educational purposes only.  Students and staff members shall only engage in appropriate, ethical, and legal utilization of the District’s technology, network systems, and internet access.  Student and staff member use of the District’s technology, network systems, and internet access shall also comply with all District policies and regulations.  The following rules provide guidance to students and staff for the appropriate use of the District’s technology, network systems, and internet access.  Inappropriate use and/or access will result in the restriction and/or termination of the privilege of access to and use of the District’s technology, network systems, and internet access and may result in further discipline for students up to and including expulsion and/or other legal action and may result in further discipline for staff members up to and including termination of employment and/or other legal action.  The District’s administration will determine what constitutes inappropriate use and their decision will be final.  Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to:

*    Making or disseminating offensive or harassing statements or using offensive or harassing language including disparagement of others based on 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.

*    Swearing or using vulgarities or any other inappropriate language.

*    Failing to be polite and/or not following the same privacy, ethical, educational, and other considerations observed regarding other forms of communication.

*    Accessing, creating or disseminating any material that is obscene, libelous, indecent, vulgar, profane or lewd; any material regarding products or services that are inappropriate for minors including products or services that the possession and/or use of by minors is prohibited by law; any material that constitutes insulting or fighting words, the very expression of which injures or harasses others; and/or any material that presents a clear and present likelihood that, either because of its content or the manner of distribution, will cause a material and substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities, will cause the commission of unlawful acts or will cause the violation of lawful school regulations.

*    Disseminating or soliciting sexually oriented messages or images.

*    Transmitting personal credit card information or other personal identification information, including home addresses or telephone numbers from any District item of technology.

*    Publishing personal or private information about yourself or others on the internet without prior written permission.

*    Reposting a message that was sent to you privately without permission of the person who sent the message.  Any information regarding students should be limited to the student’s first name and the initial of the student’s last name only.

*    Arranging or agreeing to meet in person with someone met online.

*    Using the District’s technology, network systems, and/or internet access to participate in illegal activities, including but not limited to, gambling, fraud, and pornography.

*    Creating and/or accessing personal social media accounts (i.e. Facebook, Twitter) without prior permission from the technology coordinator or other appropriate personnel.  Accessing District-created, District-sponsored or District-related social media accounts to support the educational objectives and mission of the District is allowed as long as the individual’s conduct is in compliance with District policy.

*    Using, possessing or attempting to make or distribute illegal/unauthorized copies of software or other digital media, including any software or other digital media that has been downloaded or copied or is otherwise in the user’s possession or is being used without the appropriate registration and/or license for the software or in violation of any applicable trademarks and/or copyrights, including the payment of any fees to the owner of the software or other digital media.

*    Altering, modifying, corrupting or harming in any way the software stored on the District’s technology or network systems, including installing any software on District technology or on the District’s network systems or running any personal software from either floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD, flash drives or other storage media or altering or modifying any data files stored on the District’s technology or network systems without prior permission and supervision from the technology coordinator or other appropriate personnel. Staff may install software to their computer that is for educational purposes and acquired from a trusted site or purchased from a reputable source. The technology coordinator should be consulted prior to installation to confirm software viability and compatibility.

*    Downloading programs or files from the internet without prior permission from the District’s technology coordinator or other appropriate personnel.  Any programs or files downloaded from the internet shall be strictly limited only to those that the technology coordinator or other appropriate personnel have approved for download.

*    Using encryption software from any access point within the District.

*    Accessing the internet from District technology using a non-District internet, e-mail or social network account.

*    Sharing personal user account information with anyone or leaving your account open or unattended.

*    Accessing the District’s technology or network systems or the District’s internet connection from a non-District owned technology without prior authorization from the technology coordinator or other appropriate personnel.

*    Using an instant messenger service or program, internet relay chat or other forms of direct electronic communication (i.e. Facebook, Twitter) or entering a chat room while using the District’s technology, network systems, and/or the District’s internet access for personal or non-school activities.

*    Disabling, circumventing or attempting to disable or circumvent filtering software.

*    Playing non-educational games or running programs that are not related to the District’s educational program.

*    Vandalizing the District’s technology or its network systems, including, but not limited to, any attempt to harm, modify, deface or destroy physical equipment or the functionality of the equipment or the network and any attempt to harm or destroy data stored on the District’s technology or network or the data of another user.  All users are expected to immediately report any problems or vandalism of technology equipment or network systems to the administration, the technology coordinator or the instructor responsible for the equipment or network.

*    Committing or attempting to commit any act that disrupts the operation of the District’s technology or network systems or any network connected to the internet, including, but not limited to, the use or attempted use or possession of viruses or worms or participation in hacking or other unlawful/inappropriate activities on line.  Users must report any security breaches or system misuse to the administration or technology coordinator.

*    Demonstrating any security or other network problems to other users; giving passwords to other users for any reason; and/or using another individual's account.  

*    Attempting to log on to any device as a system administrator.

*    Using the network in such a way to cause a disruption in the use of the network by other users or wasting system resources (e.g. listening to internet radio, printing web pages without prior permission from the technology coordinator or other appropriate personnel, staying on the network longer than is necessary to obtain needed information).

*    Using the District’s technology, network systems, and/or internet access for any commercial or for-profit purposes, personal or private business, (including but not limited to shopping or job searching), product advertisement or political lobbying.

*    Using the District’s technology, network systems, and/or internet access, to download, transmit, and/or disseminate any material in violation of any federal or state law, copyrighted material, obscene material, hate literature, material protected by trade secret, viruses and/or worms, offensive material, spam e-mails, any threatening or harassing materials, and/or any material that will cause a material and substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities.  If a user encounters potentially inappropriate information, the user shall immediately terminate contact with such information and notify the technology coordinator or other appropriate personnel of the contact with inappropriate information.

*    Plagiarizing information accessed through the District’s technology, network systems, and/or the internet.  Students and staff shall obtain permission from appropriate parties prior to using copyrighted material that is accessed through the District’s technology, network systems, and/or the internet.

Although reasonable efforts will be made to make sure students will be under supervision while on the network, it is not possible to constantly monitor individual students and what they are accessing on the network.  Some students may encounter information that may not be of educational value and/or may be inappropriate.  If a student encounters such information, the student should terminate access to the information immediately and notify supervisory personnel or other appropriate personnel of what occurred.

Students will be able to access the District’s technology and network systems, including use of the internet, through their teachers and/or other appropriate supervisors.  Students will be allowed to use e-mail under very specific, limited educational circumstances. Elementary students in grades 3-6 may be provided with individual e-mail accounts at the request of their teacher and with the approval of their parent. Middle and high school students in grades 7-12 will be provided with individual e-mail accounts. If a student has an electronic mail address that has been set up outside of school, the student will not be permitted to access that e-mail account or use that address to send and receive mail at school.

Parents will be required to sign a permission form to allow their students to access the District’s technology, network systems, and the internet.  Students and staff members will sign a form acknowledging they have read and understand the District’s policies and regulations regarding appropriate use of the District’s technology and network systems, that they will comply with the policies and regulations, and understand the consequences for violation of the policy or regulations.  Prior to publishing any student work and/or pictures on the internet, the District will obtain written permission from the student’s parents to do so.

The District has the right, but not the duty, to monitor any and all aspects of its technology, network systems, and internet access including, but not limited to, monitoring sites students and staff visit on the internet and reviewing e-mail. The administration and the technology coordinator shall have both the authority and right to examine all technology and internet activity including any logs, data, e-mail, storage and/or other technology related records of any user.  The use of e-mail is limited to District and educational purposes only.  Students and staff waive any right to privacy in anything they create, store, send, disseminate or receive on the District’s technology and network systems, including the internet.

No warranties, expressed or implied, are made by the District for the technology and internet access being provided.  Although the District has taken measures to implement and maintain protection against the presence of viruses, spyware, and malware on the District’s technology, network systems, and internet access, the District cannot and does not warranty or represent that the District’s technology, network systems or internet access will be secure and free of viruses, spyware or malware at all times.  The District, including its officers and employees, will not be responsible for any damages including, but not limited to, the loss of data, delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries or service interruptions caused by negligence or omission.  Individual users are solely responsible for making backup copies of their data.  The District is not responsible for the accuracy of information users access on the internet and is not responsible for any unauthorized charges students or staff members may incur as a result of their use of the District’s technology, network systems, and/or internet access.  Any risk and/or damages resulting from information obtained from the District’s technology, network systems, and/or internet access is assumed by and is the responsibility of the user.

Students, parents, and staff members may be asked from time to time to sign a new consent and/or acceptable use agreement to reflect changes and/or developments in the law or technology.  When students, parents, and staff members are presented with new consent and/or acceptable use agreements to sign, these agreements must be signed for students and/or staff to continue to have access to and use of the District’s technology, network systems, and the internet.

The interpretation, application, and modification of this policy are within the sole discretion of the Central Decatur Community School District.  Any questions or issues regarding this policy should be directed to the Superintendent, any building principal or the technology coordinator.  The Board of Directors will review and update this policy as necessary.

 

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION MEASURES REGARDING THE USE OF THE DISTRICT’S COMPUTERS, COMPUTER NETWORK SYSTEMS, AND INTERNET ACCESS

The purpose of this policy is to provide a safe environment for students through the use of technology protection measures (i.e. filtering software) to enhance education in the school district.

The internet is an ever expanding resource that adds large quantities of content on a daily basis. However, some of the content is inappropriate for student use and may even be harmful to students' health, safety and welfare.  Therefore, the school district has determined that it will establish this policy to limit student access to certain undesirable topics, including but not limited to, information and images that are obscene, constitute child pornography or are otherwise harmful to minors.  Since it is not feasible for the District to continually monitor the content of the internet, the school district will employ technology protection measures in the form of internet filtering software in an attempt to block access to these types of harmful and inappropriate materials.

The school district’s implementation of internet filtering software does not guarantee that students will be prevented from accessing materials that may be considered inappropriate and/or harmful.  However, it is a meaningful effort on the part of the school district to prevent students from accessing inappropriate and/or harmful materials on the internet.  The school district makes no guarantee that the filtering software will be available at all times or that the filtering software will block all inappropriate and/or harmful material.

If there is an accessible Uniform Resource Locator [URL] that may be inappropriate, students, staff, and parents may request a review by designated District personnel, by completing an Add URL to Blocked Status form.  Upon review, the technology coordinator or other appropriate personnel will make a determination about blocking access to that site.  If there is an educationally valuable URL that is blocked, students, staff, and parents may fill out the Remove URL from Blocked Status grievance form.  The technology coordinator or other appropriate personnel will review the request and make a determination about unblocking the site.

Staff members may request that the internet filtering software be disabled for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.  A bona fide research form will need to be filled out and reviewed by the technology coordinator or other appropriate personnel before the internet filtering software is disabled.

CONSENT TO STUDENT USE OF THE DISTRICT’S COMPUTERS, COMPUTER-LIKE EQUIPMENT, COMPUTER NETWORK SYSTEMS, AND INTERNET ACCESS

 

I                                                     , am the parent or guardian of                                               , who is in                 grade.

I hereby certify that I have received, read, understand and agree to the Central Decatur Community School District’s Appropriate Use of Computers, Computer Network Systems, and the internet policy.

I recognize that although the Central Decatur Community School District has taken measures to restrict access to controversial materials, it cannot guarantee that students will be protected from accessing any controversial materials during the student’s use of the District’s computers, computer network systems, and the internet.

I accept full responsibility for my student’s use of the District’s computers, computer-like equipment, computer network systems, and the internet through the District in accordance with the terms, conditions, and guidelines as stated by the District in its policies and regulations and as set out in federal and state law.  I relieve the Central Decatur Community School District and its officers and employees, from any and all financial responsibility that may be incurred by my student’s use of the District’s computers, computer-like equipment, computer network systems, and the internet.

There is significant student use of Internet resources in our classrooms.  In selecting No, I acknowledge that my child may have limited access to instructional materials and resources making full mastery of 21^st Century technology literacy skills and other assignments more difficult than if Internet access was allowed. 

My child may have access to internet: _____ Yes    _____ No

I hereby give the District permission to publish my child’s work, picture, and/or first name on the internet through the District’s web site.  _____ Yes              ____ No

 

                                                                                       __________________

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE                                                 DATE

If you have consented to your child’s use of the District’s computers, computer-like equipment, computer network systems, and internet access, please have your child review and sign the following:

I have read the Central Decatur Community School District’s Appropriate Use of Computers, Computer-Like Equipment, Computer Network Systems, and the internet policy and agree to abide by its provisions.  I understand that violation of these provisions will result in the restriction and/or termination of my ability to use the District’s computers, computer-like equipment, computer network systems, and internet access and may result in further discipline up to and including expulsion and/or other legal action.  I agree to be responsible for payment of costs incurred by accessing any internet services that have a cost involved.

 

                                                                                                                                                                         

STUDENT SIGNATURE                                                                   DATE

STAFF ACCEPTABLE USE AGREEMENT

I hereby certify that I have received, read, and understand the Central Decatur Community School District’s Appropriate Use of Technology, Network Systems, and Internet Access policy.  I accept full responsibility for my use of the District’s technology, network systems, and internet access through the District in accordance with the terms, conditions, and guidelines as stated by the District in its policies and regulations and as set out in federal and state law.  I understand that violation of these provisions will result in the restriction and/or termination of my ability to use the District’s technology, network systems, and internet access and may result in further discipline up to and including termination of my employment with the District and/or other legal action.

I will not hold the District responsible in any way for materials accessed through the District’s technology, network systems, and/or the District’s internet access.  I relieve the Central Decatur Community School District and its officers and employees from any and all financial responsibility that may be incurred by my use of the District’s technology, network systems, and the internet.

 

__________________________________

Signature

 

__________________________________

Printed Name

USE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES

In order for students to experience a diverse curriculum, the board encourages employees to supplement their regular curricular materials with other resources. In so doing, the board recognizes that federal law makes it illegal to duplicate copyrighted materials without authorization of the holder of the copyright, except for certain exempt purposes. Severe penalties may be imposed for plagiarism, unauthorized copying or using of media, including, but not limited to, print, electronic and web-based materials, unless the copying or using conforms to the "fair use" doctrine. Under the "fair use” doctrine, unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials is permissible for such purposes as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship or research providing that all fair use guidelines are met.

While the school district encourages employees to enrich the learning programs by making proper use of supplementary materials, it is the responsibility of employees to abide by the school district's copying procedures and obey the requirements of the law. In no circumstances shall it be necessary for school district staff to violate copyright requirements in order to perform their duties properly. The school district will not be responsible for any violations of the copyright law by employees or students. Violation of the copyright law by employees may result in discipline up to, and including, termination. Violation of the copyright law by students may result in discipline, up to and including, suspension or expulsion.

Parents or others who wish to record, by any means, school programs or other activities need to realize that even though the school district received permission to perform a copyrighted work does not mean outsiders can copy it and re-play it. Those who wish to do so should contact the employee in charge of the activity to determine what the process is to ensure the copyright law is followed. The school district is not responsible for outsiders violating the copyright law or this policy.

Any employee or student who is uncertain as to whether reproducing or using copyrighted material complies with the school district's procedures or is permissible under the law should contact the teacher-­librarian who will also assist employees and students in obtaining proper authorization to copy or use protected material when such authorization is required.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

USE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES REGULATION

Employees and students may make copies of copyrighted materials that fall within the following guidelines. Where there is reason to believe the material to be copied does not fall within these guidelines, prior permission shall be obtained from the publisher or producer with the assistance of the librarian. Employees and students who fail to follow this procedure may be held personally liable for copyright infringement and may be subject to discipline by the board.

Under the "fair use'' doctrine, unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials is permissible for such purposes as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship or research. Under the fair use doctrine, each of the following four standards must be met in order to use the copyrighted document:

• Purpose and Character of the Use - The use must be for such purposes as teaching or scholarship.
• Nature of the Copyrighted Work - The type of work to be copied.
• Amount and Substantiality of the Portion Used - Copying the whole of a work cannot be considered fair use; copying a small portion may be if these guidelines are followed.
• Effect of the Use Upon the Potential Market for or value of the Copyrighted Work - If resulting economic loss to the copyright holder can be shown, even making a single copy of certain materials may be an infringement, and making multiple copies presents the danger of greater penalties.

Authorized Reproduction and Use of Copyrighted Material Reminders

• Materials on the Internet should be used with caution since they may, and likely are, copyrighted.
• Proper attribution (author, title, publisher, place and date of publication) should always be given.
• Notice should be taken of any alterations to copyrighted works, and such alterations should only be made for specific instructional objectives.
• Care should be taken in circumventing any technological protection measures. While materials copied pursuant to fair use may be copied after circumventing technological protections against unauthorized copying, technological protection measures to block access to materials may not be circumvented.

In preparing for instruction, a teacher may make or have made a single copy of:

• A chapter from a book;
• An article from a newspaper or periodical;
• A short story, short essay or short poem; or,
• A chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon or picture from a book, periodical or newspaper.

A teacher may make multiple copies not exceeding more than one per pupil, for classroom use or discussion, if the copying meets the tests of “brevity, spontaneity and cumulative effect" set by the following guidelines. Each copy must include a notice of copyright.

• Brevity
• A complete poem, if less than 250 words and two pages long, may be copied: excerpts from longer poems cannot exceed 250 words;
• Complete articles, stories or essays of less than 2500 words or excerpts from prose works less than 1000 words or 10% of the work, whichever is less may be copied; in any event, the minimum is 500 words;
• Each numerical limit may be expanded to permit the completion of an unfinished line of a poem or prose paragraph;
• One chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon or picture per book or periodical issue may be copied. "Special" works cannot be reproduced in full; this includes children's books combining poetry, prose or poetic prose. Short special works may be copied up to two published pages containing not more than 10 percent of the work.
• Spontaneity - Should be at the "instance and inspiration" of the individual teacher when there is not a reasonable length of time to request and receive permission to copy.
• Cumulative Effect - Teachers are limited to using copied material for only one course for which copies are made. No more than one short poem, article, story or two excerpts from the same author may be copied, and no more than three works can be copied from a collective work or periodical column during one class term. Teachers are limited to nine instances of multiple copying for one course during one class term. Limitations do not apply to current news periodicals, newspapers and current news sections of other periodicals.

Copying Limitations

Circumstances will arise when employees are uncertain whether or not copying is prohibited. In those circumstances, the librarian should be contacted. The following prohibitions have been expressly stated in federal guidelines:

• Reproduction of copyrighted material shall not be used to create or substitute for anthologies, compilations or collective works.
• Unless expressly permitted by agreement with the publisher and authorized by school district action, there shall be no copying from copyrighted consumable materials such as workbooks, exercises, test booklets, answer sheets and the like.
• Employees shall not:
• Use copies to substitute for the purchase of books, periodicals, music recordings, consumable works such as workbooks, computer software or other copyrighted material. Copy or use the same item from term to term without the copyright owner's permission;
• Copy or use more than nine instances of multiple copying of protected material in anyone term;
• Copy or use more than one short work or two excerpts from works of the same author in any one term;
• Copy or use protected material without including a notice of copyright. The following is a satisfactory notice: NOTICE: THIS MATERIAL MAY BE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW.
• Reproduce or use copyrighted material at the direction of someone in higher authority or copy or use such material in emulation of some other teacher's use of copyrighted material without permission of the copyright owner.
• Require other employees or students to violate the copyright law or fair use guidelines.                                     

Authorized Reproduction and Use of Copyrighted Materials in the Library

A library may make a single copy or three digital copies of:

• An unpublished work in its collection;
• A published work in order to replace it because it is damaged, deteriorated, lost or stolen, provided that an unused replacement cannot be obtained at a fair price.
• A work that is being considered for acquisition, although use is strictly limited to that decision. Technological protection measures may be circumvented for purposes of copying materials in order to make an acquisition decision.

A library may provide a single copy of copyrighted material to a student or employee at no more than the actual cost of photocopying. The copy must be limited to one article of a periodical issue or a small part of other material, unless the library finds that the copyrighted work cannot be obtained elsewhere at a fair price. In the latter circumstance, the entire work may be copied. In any case, the copy shall contain the notice of copyright and the student or staff member shall be notified that the copy is to be used only for private study, scholarship or research. Any other use may subject the person to liability for copyright infringement.

Authorized Reproduction and Use of Copyrighted Music or Dramatic Works

Teachers may:

• Make a single copy of a song, movement, or short section from a printed musical or dramatic work that is unavailable except in a larger work for purposes of preparing for instruction;
• Make multiple copies for classroom use of an excerpt of not more than 10% of a printed musical work if it is to be used for academic purposes other than performance, provided that the excerpt does not comprise a part of the whole musical work which would constitute a performable unit such as a complete section, movement, or song;
• In an emergency, a teacher may make and use replacement copies of printed music for an imminent musical performance when the purchased copies have been lost, destroyed or are otherwise not available,
• Make and retain a single recording of student performances of copyrighted material when it is made for purposes of evaluation or rehearsal;
• Make and retain a single copy of excerpts from recordings of copyrighted musical works for use as aural exercises or examination questions; and,
• Edit or simplify purchased copies of music or plays provided that the fundamental character of the work is not distorted. Lyrics shall not be altered or added if none exist.

Performance by teachers or students of copyrighted musical or dramatic works is permitted without the authorization of the copyright owner as part of a teaching activity in a classroom or instructional setting. The purpose shall be instructional rather than for entertainment.

Performances of non-dramatic musical works that are copyrighted are permitted without the authorization of the copyright owner, provided that:

• The performance is not for a commercial purpose;
• None of the performers, promoters or organizers are compensated; and,
• Admission fees are used for educational or charitable purposes only.        

All other musical and dramatic performances require permission from the copyright owner. Parents or others wishing to record a performance should check with the sponsor to ensure compliance with copyright.

Recording of Copyrighted Programs

Television programs, excluding news programs, transmitted by commercial and non-commercial television stations for reception by the general public without charge may be recorded off-air simultaneously with broadcast transmission (including simultaneous cable retransmission) and retained by a school for a period not to exceed the first forty-five (45) consecutive calendar days after date of recording. Upon conclusion of this retention period, all off-air recordings must be erased or destroyed immediately. Certain programming such as that provided on public television may be exempt from this provision; check with the librarian or the subscription database, e.g. unitedstreaming.

Off-air recording may be used once by individual teachers in the course of instructional activities, and repeated once only when reinforcement is necessary, within a building, during the first 10 consecutive school days, excluding scheduled interruptions, in the 45 calendar day retention period. Off-air recordings may be made only at the request of and used by individual teachers and may not be regularly recorded in anticipation of requests. No broadcast program may be recorded off-air more than once at the request of the same teacher, regardless of the number of times the program may be broadcast. A limited number of copies may be reproduced from each off-air recording to meet the legitimate needs of teachers. Each additional copy shall be subject to all provisions governing the original recording.

After the first ten consecutive school days, off-air recordings may be used up to the end of the 45 calendar day retention period only for evaluation purposes, i.e., to determine whether or not to include the broadcast program in the teaching curriculum. Permission must be secured from the publisher before the recording can be used for instructional purposes after the 10 day period.

Off-air recordings need not be used in their entirety, but the recorded programs may not be altered from their original content. Off-air recordings may not be physically or electronically combined or merged to constitute teaching anthologies or compilations. All copies of off-air recordings must include the copyright notice on the broadcast program as recorded.

Authorized Reproduction and Use of Copyrighted Computer Software

Schools have a valid need for high-quality software at reasonable prices. To assure a fair return to the authors of software programs, the school district shall support the legal and ethical issues involved in copyright laws and any usage agreements that are incorporated into the acquisition of software programs. To this end, the following guidelines shall be in effect: • All copyright laws and publisher license agreements between the vendor and the school district shall be observed;

• Staff members shall take reasonable precautions to prevent copying or the use of unauthorized copies on school equipment;
• A back-up copy shall be purchased, for use as a replacement when a program is lost or damaged. If the vendor is not able to supply a replacement, the school district shall make a back-up copy that will be used for replacement purposes only;
• A copy of the software license agreement shall be retained by the technology director or librarian; and,
• A computer program may be adapted by adding to the content or changing the language. The adapted program may not be distributed.

Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia

Students may incorporate portions of copyrighted materials in producing educational multimedia projects such as videos, Power Points, podcasts and web sites for a specific course, and may perform, display or retain the projects.

Educators may perform or display their own multimedia ­based instructional activities. These projects may be used:

• In face-to-face instruction;
• In demonstrations and presentations, including conferences;
• In assignments to students;
• For remote instruction if distribution of the signal is limited;
• Over a network that cannot prevent duplication for fifteen days, after fifteen days a copy may be saved on-site only: or,
• In their personal portfolios.

Educators may use copyrighted materials in a multimedia project for two years, after that permission must be requested and received.

The following limitations restrict the portion of any given work that may be used pursuant to fair use in an educational multimedia project:

• Motion media: ten percent or three minutes, whichever is less;
• Text materials: ten percent or 1,000 words, whichever is less:
• Poetry: an entire poem of fewer than 250 words, but no more than three poems from one author or five poems from an anthology. For poems of greater than 250 words, excerpts of up to 250 words may be used, but no more than three excerpts from one poet or five excerpts from an anthology:
• Music, lyrics and music video: Up to ten percent, but no more than thirty seconds. No alterations that change the basic melody or fundamental character of the work;
• Illustrations, cartoons and photographs: No more than five images by an artist, and no more than ten percent or fifteen images whichever is less from a collective work;
• Numerical data sets: Up to ten percent or 2,500 field or cell entries, whichever is less;

Fair use does not include posting a student or teacher's work on the Internet if it includes portions of copyrighted materials. Permission to copy shall be obtained from the original copyright holder(s) before such projects are placed online. The opening screen of such presentations shall include notice that permission was granted and materials are restricted from further use.

STUDENT PRODUCTION OF MATERIALS AND SERVICES

Materials and services produced by students at the expense of the school district are to 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, are to be the property of the student. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to determine incidental expense.

STUDENT FIELD TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS

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

In authorizing field trips and excursions, the principal shall consider the financial condition 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 superintendent. Written parental permission will be required prior to the student's participation in field trips and excursions. The superintendent's approval will be required for field trips and excursions outside the state. Board approval will be required for field trips and excursions which involve unusual length or expense.

Field trips and excursions are to be arranged with the principal well in advance and a detailed schedule and budget must be submitted by the employee to the principal along with the request for authorization of the field trip or excursion. The school district will be responsible for obtaining a substitute teacher if one is needed. Following field trips and excursions, the teacher may be required to submit a written summary of the event.

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES

Health services are an integral part of comprehensive school improvement assisting all students to increase learning, achievement, and performance. Health services coordinate and support existing programs to assist each student in achievement of an optimal state of physical, mental, and social well being. Student health services ensure continuity and create linkages between school, home, and community service providers. The school district's comprehensive school improvement plan, needs, and resources determine the linkages.

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES REGULATION

Student Health Services Administrative Regulations

I.          Student Health Services - Each school building may develop a customized student health services program within comprehensive school improvement based on its unique needs and resources. Scientific advances, laws, and school improvement necessitate supports to students with health needs to receive their education program.

A.         Supports to improve student achievement include:

1.         qualified health personnel;

2.         school superintendent, school nurse, and school health team working collaboratively;

3.         family and community involvement;

4.         optimal student health services program with commitment to its continuing improvement.

B.         Components provided within a coordinated school health program include:

1.         health services;

2.         health education;

3.         nutrition;

4.         physical education and activity;

5.         healthy, safe environment;

6.         counseling, psychological, and social services;

7.         staff wellness;

8.         family and community involvement.

Student health services are provided to identify health needs; facilitate access to health care; provide for health needs related to educational achievement; promote health, well-being, and safety; and plan and develop the health services program.

II.         Student Health Services Essential Functions

A.         Identify student health needs:

1.         Provide individual initial and annual health assessments.

2.         Provide needed health screenings.

3.         Maintain and update confidential health records;

4.         Communicate (written, oral, electronic) health needs as consistent with confidentiality laws.

 

B.         Facilitate student access to physical and mental health services:

1.         Link students to community resources and monitor follow through.

2.         Promote increased access and referral to primary health care financial resources such as Medicaid, HAWK-I, social security, and community health clinics.

3.         Encourage appropriate use of heath care.

C.        Provide for student health needs related to educational achievement:

1.         Manage chronic and acute illnesses.

2.         Provide special health procedures and medication including delegation, training, and supervision of qualified designated school personnel.

3.         Develop, implement, evaluate, and revise individual health plans (IHPs) for all students with special health needs according to mandates in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), and American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

4.         Provide urgent and emergency care for individual and group illness and injury.

5.         Prevent and control communicable disease and monitor immunizations.

6.         Promote optimal mental health.

7.         Promote a safe school facility and a safe school environment.

8.         Participate in and attend team meetings as a team member and health consultant.

D.        Promote student health, well-being, and safety to foster healthy living:

1.         Provide developmentally appropriate health education and health counseling for individuals and groups.

2.         Encourage injury and disease prevention practices.

3.         Promote personal and public health practices.

4.         Provide health promotion and injury and disease prevention education.

E.         Plan and develop the student health services program collaboratively with the superintendent, school nurse, and school health team:

1.         Gather and interpret data to evaluate needs and performance.

2.         Establish health advisory council and school health team.

3.         Develop health procedures and guidelines.

4.         Collaborate with staff, families, and community.

5.         Maintain and update confidential student school health records.

6.         Coordinate program with all school health components.

7.         Coordinate with school improvement.

8.         Evaluate and revise the health service program to meet changing needs.

9.         Organize scheduling and direct health services staff.

10.       Develop student health services annual status report.

11.       Coordinate information and program delivery within the school and between school and major constituents.

12.       Provide health services by qualified health professionals to effectively deliver services, including multiple levels of school health expertise such as registered nurses, physicians, and advanced registered nurse practitioners.

13.       Provide for professional development for school health services staff.

Ill.         Expanded Health Services

These additional health services address learning barriers and the lack of access to health care. Examples include school-based services in the school, school-linked services connected to the school, primary care, mental health, substance abuse, and dental health.

 

 

Suicide Prevention and ACES Training Requirements

The District considers child exposure to adverse childhood experience, child mental health, and suicide as serious matters which impact learning opportunities for students, classroom, and instructional challenges for staff and ultimately, if not addressed, can lead to lifelong struggles, attempted suicide and loss of life. The District will follow all laws and regulations regarding the training required to inform staff of identification and referral to services for students with mental health challenges. 

The District shall provide suicide prevention and postvention training and training on the identification of adverse childhood experiences and strategies to mitigate toxic stress response for all school personnel who hold a license, certificate, authorization or statement of recognition issued by the board of educational examiners and who have regular contact with students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The training shall begin July 1, 2019, and occur annually between July 1 and June 30, thereafter.  The content of the training shall be based on nationally recognized best practices.

“Adverse childhood experience” means a potentially traumatic event occurring in childhood that can have negative, lasting effects on an individual’s health and well-being.

“Postvention” means the provision of crisis intervention, support, and assistance for those affected by a suicide or suicide attempt to prevent further risk of suicide.

The suicide prevention and postvention training shall be evidence-based, evidence-supported and be at least one hour in length.  The content of the training shall be based on nationally recognized best practices.

The identification of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and strategies to mitigate toxic stress response training shall be evidence-based, evidence-supported, and be at least one hour in length or as determined by the Superintendent. The content of the training shall be based on nationally recognized best practices