Policy 505: Miscellaneous Related Matters
505.1 Student Directory Information
Student directory information is designed to be used internally within the school district. Directory information shall be defined in the annual notice. It may include the student’s name, address, telephone number, state and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received by the student, and other similar information.
Parents will be given notice annually of the intent to develop a student directory and the opportunity to deny the inclusion of their child’s information in the directory.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to provide notice and to determine the method of notice that will inform parents.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. Section 1232g (1988); 34 C.F.R. Pt.99, 300.560 - .574 (1993) Iowa Code Section 22; 622.10 (1995); 281 I.A.C. 12.3 (6); 41.20. 1980 Op. Att’y Gen. 720
Date of Adoption: January 23, 1973
Reviewed: March 9, 1992; June 9, 1997; Dec. 3, 2001; Jan. 9, 2006; Dec. 13, 2010; Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Amended: July 14, 1997
505.1A Use of Student Directory Information
The following statement shall be published at least annually in a newspaper of general circulation in the school district or the student handbook:
The following information may be released to the public in regard to any individual student of the school district: NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE LISTING Any student over the age of eighteen or parent not wanting this information released to the public must make objection in writing by August 15 to the principal. The objection needs to be renewed annually.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to post notice and to determine the method of notice that will inform parents.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. Section 1232g (1988); 34 C.F.R. Pt.99, 300.560 - .574 (1993) Iowa Code Section 22; 622.10 (1995); 281 I.A.C. 12.3 (6); 41.20 1980 Op. Att’y Gen. 720
Date of Adoption: July 14, 1997
Reviewed: December 3, 2001; January 9, 2006; Dec. 13, 2010; Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Amended:
505.1B Parental Authorization For Releasing Student Directory Information
The Mount Pleasant Community School District has adopted a policy designed to assure parents and students the full implementation, protection and enjoyment of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. A copy of the school district’s policy is available for review in the office of the principal of all of our schools. This law requires the school district to designate as “directory information” any personally identifiable information taken from a student’s educational records prior to making such information available to the public.
The school district has designated the following information as directory information: student’s name, address and telephone number.
Parents have the right of refusing the designation of any or all of the categories of personally identifiable information as directory information as with respect to their student provided that they notify the school district in writing not later than the first day of this school year. If parents desire to make such a refusal, please complete and return the slip attached to this notice.
If parents have no objection to the use of student information, they do not need to take any action.
Date of Adoption: July 14, 1997
Reviewed: December 3, 2001; January 9, 2006; Dec. 13, 2010; Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Amended:
505.2 Internal Accounts
Collection of any funds for school activities must have the approval of the Superintendent and the recommendation of the building principal. All such funds shall be under the financial control of the Board.
Records and procedures relating to internal accounts shall be in accordance with those found in Uniform Financial Accounting for Iowa Schools published by the Department of Education. An audit of these accounts shall be made at the same time as the annual audit of school funds.
Date of Adoption: January 23, 1973
Reviewed: March 9, 1992; December 3, 2001; January 9, 2006; Dec. 13, 2010; Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Amended:
505.3 Class or Group Gifts to School
Student groups may make expenditures for gifts to the district upon securing the recommendation of the building principal and the approval of the Superintendent. Gifts may be accepted and acknowledged by the Superintendent or a designated representative acting for the Board.
Date of Adoption: January 23, 1973
Reviewed: March 9, 1992; December 3, 2001; January 9, 2006; Dec. 13, 2010; Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Amended:
505.4 Commencement
Students who have successfully completed high school shall be granted diplomas and are eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies. If a student desires to be excused from graduation activities, the student may make application to the high school principal stating the student's reasons.
Date of Adoption: January 23, 1973
Reviewed: March 9, 1992; December 3, 2001; January 9, 2006; Dec. 13, 2010; Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Amended: June 8, 2009
505.5 Interviews with Students
School-Policy Cooperation
- Interviews by Police and Court Officers in the School Building
- No interviews should be granted or information given without proper identification of the police or court officer. In the case of officers in plain clothes the principal should not accept the badge, but should insist on seeing the official identification card with picture attached.
- Interviews of students by police and court offices should take place in the presence of the principal or the principal's representative. The interview should take place in a private room with a female member present when girls are involved. In some cases the principal may consider it advisable to invite the parent to be present.
- Service of Subpoenas
- Subpoenas should be served in private, but in the presence of the principal or the principal's representative.
- When the immediate presence of a student is required in court, they school should communicate with the school attorney at once.
- Interviews and Requests for Information by Other Than Police or Court Officers
- Information about Pupils
Requests from government agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Civil Service Commission, the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, the United States Armed Forces, etc. for information from school records of students are to be referred to the Superintendent's Office. Schools should continue to furnish transcripts of academic records, and to answer inquiries from other schools, health and welfare agencies, and employers. Note: It is essential that no information be given over the telephone without verifying the source of the request (by a return telephone call if necessary) if the person calling is unknown to the school.
- Requests for Interviews with or Information about Employees
Whenever representatives of any investigating agencies of the federal, state, or city government call the school, either to request information or to interview a school employee, the investigator should be referred to the office of the Superintendent.
- When an Arrest is to be made:
- Principal's Responsibility
- The proceeding should be kept private.
- The parent or guardian should be notified by telephone.
- The release must take place in the principal's office in the presence of the principal or the principal's representative
- The names of pupils released should be reported by telephone to the office of the Superintendent.
- Release Without a Warrant
Students may not be released unless an arrest is to be made and then only to a properly identified police or court officer. A record should be kept of the name of the student and the name and number of the officer.
- Release With a Warrant
When the police or court officer has a warrant the student must be released in the officer's custody. A record should be kept of the name and number of the officer, the number of the warrant and the place to which the student is being taken.
Date of Adoption: January 23, 1973
Reviewed: March 9, 1992; December 3, 2001; January 9, 2006; Dec. 13, 2010; Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Amended:
505.6 Non-School Team Participation
A student, grades 7 - 12, may participate in non-school athletics. School sponsored contests will take precedence over non-school events.
Date of Adoption: March 9, 1998
Reviewed: December 3, 2001; January 9, 2006; Dec. 13, 2010; Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Amended:
505.7 Student Records
The administrative staff shall be responsible for developing and maintaining records for all students.
An accurate record shall be maintained for each student attending the Mount Pleasant Community School District. Student records shall be reasonably accessible to students eighteen (18) years of age or older, or to parents of students under eighteen (18) years of age and dependent students. Educational records shall remain confidential in compliance with federal and state law.
Release of Information: Written consent for disclosure of educational records, including both permanent and cumulative information, shall be signed and dated by the parent or student eighteen (18) years of age or older. Permission for release may not be general in nature but shall include a specification of the records to be disclosed, the reasons for such disclosure and names of the party or class of parties to whom such records may be disclosed.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code Ch. 22 (1999); 20 U. S. C. s 1232(g); 34 C.F.R. Part 99
Date of Adoption: November 12, 1974
Reviewed: April 13, 1992; May 14, 2001; January 9, 2006; Dec. 13, 2010; Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Amended: June 11, 2001
505.8 Student Progress Reports and Conferences
Students shall receive a progress report at the end of each nine-week grading period. Students, who are doing poorly, and their parents, shall be notified prior to the end of the semester in order to have an opportunity to improve their grade.
Parent-teacher conferences will be held during the second and third quarters at all schools to keep the parents informed.
Parents, teachers, or principals may request a conference for students in addition to the scheduled conference time. Parents and students are encouraged to discuss the student's progress or other matters with the student's teacher.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code SS 256.11, 11A; 280 (1999). Iowa Code SS 256E.1 (1) (b) (1) (supp. 1999). 281 1.A.C. 12.3 (6), .3 (7), .5(16).
Date of Adoption: November 8, 1999
Reviewed: May 14, 2001; December 3, 2001; January 9, 2006; Dec. 13, 2010; Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Amended: January 14, 2002
505.9 Homeless
The board will make reasonable efforts to identify homeless children and youth of school age within the district, facilitate their enrollment and eliminate existing barriers to their receiving an education which may exist in district policies or practices. The designated coordinator for identification of homeless children and for tracking and monitoring programs and activities for these children is the school social worker.
Legal Reference: No Child Left Behind, Title X, Sec. 722, P.L. 107-110 (2002). 42 U.S.C. §§ 11431 et seq. (1994). 281 I.A.C. 33 (2005).
Date of Adoption: April 10, 2006
Reviewed: Dec. 13, 2010; Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Amended:
505.10 Student Record Library Circulation
Student library circulation records are designed to be used internally to assist in the orderly administration of the school district libraries. As a general rule, student library circulation records are considered confidential records and will not be released without parental consent. Individuals who may access such records include a student's parents, the student, authorized licensed employees, authorized government officials from the U.S. Comptroller General, the Secretary of Education, the Commissioner and Director of the National Institute of Education, and the Assistant Secretary for Education and State Education Department. Appropriate authorities in a health or safety emergency may access the student's library circulation records without the approval or the notification of the student's parents. Parents may not access records, without the student's permission, of a student who has reached the age of majority or who is attending a post-secondary educational institution unless the student is considered a dependent for tax purposes.
It is the teacher-librarian's responsibility, as the person maintaining the student library circulation records, to approve requests for access to student library circulation records. Students' library circulation records may be accessed during the regular business hours of the school district. If copies of documents are requested, a fee for such copying may be charged.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the teacher or teacher-librarian, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232g (2010).
34 C.F.R. Pt. 99 (2010).
Iowa Code §§ 22 (2011).
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4), (12).
1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 720, 825.
Date of Adoption: October 10, 2011
Date Reviewed: Aug. 11, 2014; March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Date Amended:
505.11 Open Night
In keeping with good community relations, during the regular school year student activities will not be scheduled on Wednesday night beyond 6:30pm whenever possible. It shall be the responsibility of the school administration to oversee the scheduling of school activities for compliance with this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code 279.8 (1997)
Date of Adoption: Dec. 12, 2016
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2018; Feb. 8, 2021
Date Amended: