100 - SCHOOL DISTRICT

100 - SCHOOL DISTRICT admin@iowascho… Mon, 11/04/2019 - 12:50

100 - Legal Status of the School District

Iowa law authorizes the creation of a Common Schools System. As part of this Common Schools System, this school district is a school corporation created and organized under Iowa law. This school district shall be known as the Webster City Community School District.

This school corporation is located in Hamilton, Wright and Webster Counties, and its affairs are conducted by elected school officials, the Webster City Community School District Board of Directors. This school corporation has exclusive jurisdiction over school matters in the territory of the school district.

Cross Reference: 200 - Legal Status of the Board of Directors

Approved: March 2017
Reviewed: December 2022

Jen@iowaschool… Fri, 11/15/2019 - 15:19

101 - Educational Philosophy of the School District

The Webster City Community School District, acting through its board of directors, is dedicated to promoting an equal opportunity for a quality public education to its students.

In cooperation with parents and the school district community, The District will furnish financial support to provide students with a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept that provides guidance to and encourages critical thinking for a lifetime.

The Board endeavors, through the dedication of the school district's resources, to encourage students, who come from a variety of backgrounds, to anticipate and prepare for their future. In order to achieve this goal, the Board will seek qualified employees dedicated to development of their professional skills for the betterment of the education program.

The support and involvement of the home and the community are essential to achieve educational excellence in the District. The District strives to maintain an active relationship with the home and the community to create within the students an awareness of dignity and worth of the individual, civic responsibility and respect for authority.

Approved: March 2007
Reviewed: September 2022

Revised: September 2022

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 12/05/2019 - 10:23

102 - Equal Educational Opportunity Policy and Multicultural and Gender Approaches to the Educational Program

The District and the Board will not discriminate in its educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, creed, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities), marital status, or genetic information. Further, the District and the Board affirm the right of all students and staff to be treated with respect and to be protected from intimidation, discrimination, physical harm and harassment.

The District and the Board shall encourage and engage in multicultural approaches to the educational program, which shall include approaches which foster knowledge of, and respect and appreciation for historical and contemporary contributions of diverse cultural groups, including race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, and socioeconomic background; and which shall include the contributions and perspectives of Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, European Americans, and persons with disabilities.

The District and the Board shall encourage and engage in gender fair approaches to the educational program, which shall include approaches which foster knowledge of, and respect and appreciation for, the historical and contemporary contributions of women and men to society; shall reflect the wide variety of roles open to both women and men; and shall provide equal opportunity to both sexes.

The District and the Board will require all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the District to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.

Inquiries or grievances related to this policy may be directed to the Superintendent, 820 Des Moines Street, Webster City, IA. 50595, 1-515-832-9200; to the Director of Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 400 East 14th Street, Des Moines, IA. 50319-1004, 1-800-457-4416; to the Office for Civil Rights Chicago Office, United States Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL. 60661-4544, 1-312-730-1560; or to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chicago Office, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL. 60661, 1-800-669-4000. Inquiries may also be directed to the Director, Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0146.

Approved: September 2016
Reviewed: September 2022
Revised: September 2022

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 12/05/2019 - 10:27

102.E1 CONTINUOUS NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

Students, parents, employees and others doing business with or performing services for the District are hereby notified that this District does not discriminate on the basis of age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, socioeconomic status, genetic information, disability, race, national origin, color, religion, and creed in admission or access to, or treatment in, its programs and activities.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, socioeconomic status, genetic information, disability, race, national origin, color, religion, and creed in admission or access to, or treatment in, its its hiring and employment practices. Any person having inquiries concerning the District's compliance with federal and/or state nondiscrimination law is directed to contact:

Name: Dr. Mandy L. Ross

Title: Superintendent

Location: Webster City Community School District Administration Building, PO Box 10, 820 Des Moines Street, Webster City, IA. 50595

Telephone Number: 515-832-9200

This individual has been designated by the District to coordinate the District's efforts to comply with federal and/or state non-discrimination laws.

mary_ellen_dra… Tue, 09/13/2022 - 11:02

102.E2 ANNUAL NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The Webster City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agricultural, Food, and Natural Resources
Applied Science, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing
Arts, Communication, and Information Systems
Business, Finance, Marketing, and Management
Health Science
Human Services

It is the policy of the Webster City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. A grievance procedure exists for processing complaints of discrimination. For questions or a grievance related to this policy, contact the District’s Equity Coordinator, Dr. Mandy Ross, Webster City Community School District, 820 Des Moines Street, Webster City, IA 50595, Phone: 515-832-9200, email address: mandy_ross@webster-city.k12.ia.us.

mary_ellen_dra… Tue, 09/13/2022 - 11:19

103 - Participation in Decision Making

The Board recognizes the value of interaction and participation of students and community members to maintain mutual confidence and respect to work together to improve the quality of education for students.

The District and the Board endorse the concept that participation in the affairs of the schools by the students and the community is essential if the school system, the students and the community are to maintain mutual confidence and respect and work together to improve the quality of education for students.

The Board encourages open, free communications between District students, staff, administration, and the Board itself. Such communications will usually go through established channels. Students have the rights to bring individual concerns and suggestions to the attention of teachers, administrators, and the Board. In addition, students have the right, as do all citizens of the District, to attend open Board meetings and address the Board in accordance with the Board's policy on public participation at Board meetings.

Citizens are encouraged to express ideas, concerns, and judgments about the schools to school administration, staff, any appointed advisory bodies, and the Board via established channels. Consideration shall be given to the advice that community groups and individuals may give the Board and the staff, especially to the advice that comes from individuals and groups invited to offer advice on specific issues, but in making decisions, the administration and the Board shall use their own best judgment.

Approved: September 2022
Reviewed: September 2022
Revised: September 2022

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 12/05/2019 - 10:29

104 - Long-Range Needs Assessment

Long-range needs assessment enables the District to analyze assessment data, get feedback from the community about its expectations of students and determine how well students are meeting student learning goals. The Board shall conduct ongoing and in-depth needs assessment, soliciting information from business, labor, industry, higher education and community members, regarding their expectations for adequate student preparation as responsible citizens and successful wage earners.

In conjunction with the in-depth needs assessment of the school District, the Board shall authorize the appointment of a committee, representing administrators, employees, parents, students and community members, to make recommendations and assist the Board in determining the priorities of the District in addition to the basic skills areas of the education program.

The District receives feedback on an ongoing basis though meetings of the School Improvement Advisory Committee, parent-teacher conferences, parent-teacher organizations, annual public meeting to review student achievement, open comments on board agendas, and with interaction with community service organizations.

The Superintendent will ensure the school district community is informed of students’ progress on state and locally determined indicators and annually report these to the Board.

As a result of the Board and committee's work, the Board shall determine major educational needs and rank them in priority order; develop long-range goals and plans to meet the educational needs; establish and implement short-range and intermediate-range plans to meet the goals and to attain the desired levels of student performance; evaluate progress toward meeting the goals and maintain a record of progress under the plan that includes reports of student performance and results of school improvement projects; and annually report the school district's progress made under the plan to the committee, community and Iowa Department of Education.

Approved: March 2007
Reviewed: December 2017

Revised: September 2022

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 12/05/2019 - 11:01

104.R1 - Long Range Needs Assessment Regulation

The Districts long range needs assessment process includes providing resources for:

collecting, analyzing and reporting information derived from local, state and national sources;
reviewing information acquired on the following:
- state indicators and other locally determined indicators,
- locally established student learning goals,
- specific data collection required by state and federal programs;
collecting and analyzing assessment data on the following:
- state indicators,
- locally determined indicators,
- locally established student learning goals.

The long-range needs assessment process is mandatory but it does not need to be an administrative regulation supporting the long-range needs assessment policy. It is, however, recommended that it become an administrative regulation to support the policy to ensure completeness and consistency.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 12/05/2019 - 11:03

104 - The People and Their School District

The board recognizes the value of interaction and participation of the citizens of the school district community with the school district. The board will cooperate and participate, whenever possible, in the school district community while carrying out its elected responsibilities.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to keep the board apprised of opportunities for involvement with the school district community.

Cross Reference:
209      Committees of the Board of Directors
215      Public Participation in Board Meetings
703.1   Budget Planning
901      Public Communications
904      Public Participation in the School District

Approved: March 2007
Reviewed: December 2017

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 12/05/2019 - 10:59

105 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy

The Webster City Community School District is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect. Bullying and/or harassment of or by student, staff, and volunteers is against federal, state, and local policy and is not tolerated by the board. Bullying and/or harassing behavior can seriously disrupt the ability of school employees to maintain a safe and civil environment, and the ability of students to learn and succeed. Therefore, it is the policy of the state and the school district that school employees, volunteers, and students shall not engage in bullying or harassing behavior in school, on school property, or at any school function or school-sponsored activity.

Definitions
For the purposed of this policy, the defined words shall have the following meaning:

“Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, race, optic cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, and electronic text messaging.
“Harassment” and “bullying” shall mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student based on the individual’s actual or perceived 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, and which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.
Has a substantial detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.
Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance.
Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

“Trait or characteristic of the student” includes but is not limited to age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belier, socioeconomic status, or familial status.
“Volunteer” means an individual who has regular, significant contact with students.

Filing a Complaint
A complainant who wishes to avail himself/herself of this procedure may do so by filing a complaint with the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee. An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 180 days of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the Complainant could reasonable become aware of such occurrence. The Complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The Complainant shall receive assistance as needed.

School employees, volunteers, and students shall not engage in reprisal, retaliation, or false accusation against a victim, witness, or an individual who has reliable information about an act of bullying or harassment.

Investigation
The District will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of bullying or harassment. The Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee – the Principal (hereinafter “Investigator”) will be responsible for handling all complaints alleging bullying or harassment. The Investigator shall consider the totality of circumstances presented in determining whether conduct objectively constitutes bullying or harassment. The Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee shall also be responsible for developing procedures regarding this policy.

Decision
If, after an investigation, a student is found to be in violation of this policy, the student shall be disciplined by appropriate measures, which may include suspension and expulsion. If after an investigation a school employee is found to be in violation of this policy, the employee shall be disciplined by appropriate measures, which may include termination. If after an investigation a school volunteer is found to be in violation of this policy, the volunteer shall be subject to appropriate measures, which may include exclusion from school grounds.

A school employee, volunteer, or student, or a student’s parent or guardian who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of bullying or harassment, in compliance with the procedures in the policy adopted pursuant to this section, to the appropriate school official designated by the school district, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to participation in any administrative or judicial proceeding resulting from or relating to the report.

Individuals who knowingly file false bullying or harassment complaints and any person who gives false statements in an investigation may be subject to discipline by appropriate measures, as shall any person who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy. Any student found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion. Any school employee found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment. Any school volunteer found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, exclusion from school grounds.

Publication of Policy
The Board will annually publish this policy. The policy may be publicized by the following means:

Inclusion in the student handbook,
Inclusion in the employee handbook
Inclusion in registration materials
Inclusion on the school or school district’s web site,
(other)____________________________________

Approved: March 2007
Reviewed: September 2022

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 12/05/2019 - 11:05

106.E1 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Complaint Form

Name of complainant: __________________________________________________________

Position of complainant: ________________________________________________________

Date of complaint: _____________________________________________________________

Name of alleged harasser
or bully: _____________________________________________________________________

Date and place of incident or incidents: _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Description of misconduct: _______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Name of witnesses (if any): ______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Evidence of harassment or bullying, i.e. letters, photos, etc. (attached evidence if possible):
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: ___________________________________

Date: ____________________________

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 12/05/2019 - 11:07

106.E2 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Witness Disclosure Form

Name of witness: ________________________________________________________________

Position of witness: _______________________________________________________________

Date of testimony, interview: ________________________________________________________

Description of incident witnessed: ____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Any other information: _____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: ________________________________________

Date: ________________________________

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 12/05/2019 - 11:12

106.R1 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Investigation Procedures

Definitions
For the purposed of this policy, the defined words shall have the following meaning:

“Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, race, optic cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, and electronic text messaging.
“Harassment” and “bullying” shall mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student based on the individual’s actual or perceived 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, and which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.
Has a substantial detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.
Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance.
Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

“Trait or characteristic of the student” includes but is not limited to age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belier, socioeconomic status, or familial status.
“Volunteer” means an individual who has regular, significant contact with students.

Filing a Complaint
A complainant who wishes to avail himself/herself of this procedure may do so by filing a complaint with the superintendent or superintendent’s designee. An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the superintendent or superintendent’s designee committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 180 days of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the Complainant could reasonable become aware of such occurrence. The Complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The Complainant shall receive assistance as needed.

Investigation
The school district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of bullying or harassment. The building principal (hereinafter “Investigator”) will be responsible for handling all complaints alleging bullying or harassment.

If the Complainant is under 18 years of age, the Investigator shall notify his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) that they may attend investigatory meetings in which the Complainant is involved. The complaint and identity of the

Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy. The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following:

A request for the Complainant to provide a written statement regarding the nature of the complaint;
A request for the individual named in the complaint (hereinafter “Respondent”) to provide a written statement;
A request for witnesses identified during the course of the investigation to provide a written statement; and
Review and collection of documentation or information deemed relevant to the investigation.

The Investigator shall consider the totality of circumstances presented in determining whether conduct objectively constitutes bullying or harassment. Upon completion of the investigation, he Investigator shall issue a report with respect to the findings.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 12/05/2019 - 11:15

106 - Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex Prohibited

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Webster City Community School District prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment as defined by the regulations implementing Title IX (34 C.F.R. § 106.30), against any individual participating in any education program or activity of the District. This prohibition on discrimination applies to students, employees, and applicants for employment.

The Board authorizes the Superintendent to adopt procedures for any individual to report sexual harassment to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, for the provision of supportive measures to anyone who has been subjected to sexual harassment whether or not they proceed with a formal complaint under those procedures, and for the investigation and resolution of such complaints, as required by Title IX. This Title IX grievance process shall be used to respond to all complaints of sexual harassment that fall within the scope of Title IX. For complaints of sexual harassment that do not fall within the scope of Title IX, the District may still offer supportive measures to the subject of such conduct and shall apply any other policy or procedure applicable to the alleged conduct.

Any individual with questions about the District’s Title IX policy and procedures, or who would like to make a report or file a formal complaint of sex discrimination or sexual harassment may contact the District’s designated Title Coordinator, Will Brock, PO Box 10, Webster City, IA 50595, 515-832-9220, wbrock@webster-city.k12.ia.us.

Retaliation against a person who made a report or complaint of sexual harassment, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a sexual harassment report or complaint is strictly prohibited. Retaliation includes threats, coercion, discrimination, intimidation, reprisals, and/or adverse actions related to employment or education. Any individual who believes they have been retaliated against in violation of this Policy should immediately contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator.

Approved: February 2022

Reviewed: September 2022

Revised:

mary_ellen_dra… Wed, 03/02/2022 - 09:51