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

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

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3 (1995).

Cross Reference:  606.6  Insufficient Classroom Space

Approved 10/9/95                
Reviewed   11/15/21                
Revised                 

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

The district will provide and maintain a suitable flagstaff at each school site and raise the Iowa and United States flags each school day as weather conditions permit.  The district will display the United States flag and administer the Pledge of Allegiance in each 1st through 12th grade classroom on school days.

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

Legal Reference:  U.S. Const. amend. I.
                                       Lee v. Weisman, 112 S.Ct. 2649 (1992).
                                       Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971).
                                       Graham v. Central Community School District of Decatur County, 608 F.Supp. 531 (S.D. Iowa 1985).
                                       Iowa Code § 279.8, 280.5.

Cross Reference:  603       Instructional Curriculum
                                       604.5    Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program

Approved 10/9/95     
Reviewed 11/15/21             
Revised  11/15/21                

Live animals will not be allowed in school district facilities except under special circumstances and only for an educational purpose.  Permission from the principal will be required of anyone wishing to bring an animal into school district facilities.  Appropriate supervision of animals is required when animals are brought into the school district facilities.

The person bringing the animal must furnish transportation for the animal brought to school.  Animals will not be allowed to travel to and from the student's attendance center on the school bus without prior approval from the principal.

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

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code § 279.8 (1995).

Cross Reference:  507  Student Health and Well-Being

Approved 10/9/95     
Reviewed  11/15/21                    
Revised                  

Materials and services produced by students at the expense of the school district are 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 the property of the student.

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

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code § 279.8 (1995).

Cross Reference:  408.2  Licensed Employee Publication or Creation of Materials

Approved 10/9/95     
Reviewed 11/15/21               
Revised            

 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.  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.  A detailed schedule and budget must be submitted by the employee.  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.

Legal Reference:  390 C.F.R. Pt. 390.3(f) (1993).
                                       Iowa Code § 279.8 (1995).
                                       281 I.A.C. 43.9.

Cross Reference:  503.1  Student Conduct
                                       503.4  Good Conduct Rule
                                       603    Instructional Curriculum
                                       711    Transportation

Approved  7/10/89     
Reviewed 11/15/21                  
Revised  10/9/95   

Insufficient classroom space shall be determined on a case-by-case basis.  In making its determination whether insufficient classroom space exists, the board may consider several factors, including but not limited to, the nature of the education program, the grade level, the available licensed employees, the instructional method, the physical space, student-teacher ratios, equipment and materials, facilities either being planned or under construction, facilities planned to be closed, financial condition of the school district and projected to be available, a sharing agreement in force or planned, a bargaining agreement in force, laws or rules governing special education class size, board-adopted school district goals and objectives, and other factors considered relevant by the board.

This policy shall be reviewed by the board annually.  It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to bring this policy to the attention of the board each year.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code § 282.18(13) (1995).
                                       281 I.A.C. 17.6(3).

Cross Reference:  103     Educational and Operational Planning
                                       501.15  Open Enrollment Transfers - Procedures as a Receiving District
                                       606.1   Class Size - Class Grouping

Approved 10/9/95     
Reviewed 11/15/21                     
Revised                   

The Board of Directors recognizes that study programs outside the country are sometimes desirable and justifiable.

Plans for such study programs must be approved in advance by the Board of Directors.  Separate approval shall be gained for each trip.  Trips that do not have Board approval are not the responsibility of the school and are no way associated with the school.

Proper insurance and liability protection must be guaranteed for the protection and safety of participants.  The school system can in no way be placed in a position of personal liability.

There should be no monetary profit motive for any school employee.  Bookkeeping shall be available for public view.

Approved  7/10/89                   
Reviewed 11/15/21      
Revised       1/11/93

Homework should be an integral and relevant part of every student's instructional program.  It should be used consistently throughout the grades and classes.

Homework is defined to be the extra-class activities and assignments which may properly be considered as extensions and enrichment of the regular classroom instructional program.

The purpose of carefully assigned homework should be:

• practicing research and exploratory activities,
• sharing and discussing ideas,
• reviewing and summarizing materials studied,
• becoming acquainted with references and resource materials,
• organizing students' thoughts and thinking processes in preparation for classroom activities, and
• making up incomplete course or subject assignments.

The superintendent or his/her designee is directed to develop rules and regulations for the assignment of homework for students in grades K-12.

Approved  7/10/89                
Reviewed 11/15/21                   
Revised  1/11/93   

The Board of Directors recognizes that the people of the community are one of the greatest resources of the school system, and that they have special knowledge and particular talents to contribute to the school program.  The Board of Directors therefore encourages the use of community resources and citizens to assist in furthering the educational program.  Use of outside personnel and resources shall be under regulations approved by the superintendent of schools. 

As a matter of courtesy, the classroom teacher shall notify the building principal of a visiting speaker at least one week before the expected visit takes place.

Approved: 7/10/89        
Reviewed 11/15/21                                                          
Revised ________

In meeting the needs of the students, the Board may grant credit by performance testing for course work which is ordinarily included in the school curriculum.  Students wishing to receive credit by testing shall have the approval of the superintendent prior to taking the test.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code 256.11 (1989)
                                          281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.5(19)  (new standards)

Cross Reference:  Graduation Requirements
                                          Testing Program

Approved:  7/10/89       
Reviewed  11/15/21     
Revised 12/11/95