Children in the district community will be allowed to enroll in the district’s regular education program beginning at age five.  The child must be age five on or prior to September 15 to participate in the district’s kindergarten program.  The child must be age six on or prior to September 15 to begin the first grade of the education program.

The residence of a student means the place, abode, or dwelling of the student.  Generally, the legal dwelling of minors is the same as their parents.  A student may establish a dwelling with someone other than the parents and attend public school in the school district without paying tuition if the primary purpose for residing in the school district is not for the purpose of obtaining a free public education.  Further, students who have reached the age of majority and who are still eligible to attend an Iowa secondary school may declare their residence independent of the residence of the parents.

Each case involving the bona fide residence of a student will be decided upon its individual merits by the superintendent.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022        
Revised August 27, 2018

Students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school but who are not legal residents of the school district may be admitted into the school district at the discretion of the superintendent upon application and payment of tuition.  The tuition rate is the current per-pupil cost of the school district as computed by the board secretary and as authorized by the Iowa Department of Education.

Resident students whose families move from the school district after the start of a semester and who wish to complete the semester in the school district may be permitted to attend without the payment of tuition at the discretion of the superintendent and approval of the board.  Students who plan to open enroll to the nonresident district may complete the school year without approval of the superintendent or board.  These students, other than students in grades eleven and twelve, must have the recommendation of the principal.

Students in grades eleven or twelve who are no longer residents of the school district, but were residents in the preceding school year, may continue to attend school until they graduate without the payment of tuition.  These students may be required to identify an adult, who resides in the school district, identified for purposes of administration.

Nonresident students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and who have evidence they will become legal residents of the school district prior to October 1 may be allowed to attend without the payment of tuition.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022       
Revised August 27, 2018

Parents within the school district who have children over age four (4) and enrolled in the statewide preschool program, over age five (5) and enrolled in the district’s kindergarten program, or over age six and under age sixteen by September 15, in proper physical and mental condition to attend school, shall have the children attend the district at the attendance center designated by the board.

Students of compulsory attendance age (i.e., over age six and under age sixteen by September 15, in proper physical and mental condition to attend school) will attend school the number of days school is in session in accordance with the school calendar.  Students not attending the minimum days must be exempted by this policy as listed below or, referred to the county attorney.  Students over age four (4) on September 15 and enrolled in the statewide preschool program and students over age five (5) on September 15 and enrolled in the district’s kindergarten program, may not attend the minimum days only if the student’s parent notifies the district in writing of the parent’s intent to remove the child from the preschool program and/or from enrollment in the district.

Exceptions to this policy include children who:

• have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
• are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
• are attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;
• are attending an accredited nonpublic school; or,
• are receiving competent private instruction.

It is the responsibility of the parent of a child to provide evidence of the child’s mental and physical inability to attend school or of the child’s qualifications for one of the exceptions listed above.

The principal will investigate the cause for a student’s truancy.  If the principal is unable to secure the truant student’s attendance, the principal should discuss the next step with the school board.  If after school board action the student is still truant, the principal will refer the matter over to the county attorney.

The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney.  The superintendent or their designee will represent the school district in mediation.  The school district will monitor the student’s compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney.

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Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed October 24, 2022       
Revised September 26, 2022

Children in the school district community will be allowed to enroll in the school district’s regular education program beginning at age five.  The child must be age five on or prior to September 15 to participate in the school district’s kindergarten program.  The child must be age six on or prior to September 15 to begin the first grade of the education program.

The board will require evidence of age and residency in the form of a birth certificate or other evidence before the student may enroll in the school district’s education program.  It is within the discretion of the superintendent to determine what is satisfactory evidence for proof of age.

Prior to enrollment, the child must provide the administration with their health and immunization certificate.  Failure to provide this information within the time period set by the superintendent is reason for suspension, expulsion or denying admission to the student.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed October 24, 2022         
Revised August 27, 2018

The board will have complete discretion to determine the boundaries for each attendance center, to assign students to the attendance centers, and to assign students to the classrooms within the attendance center.

Parents or guardians of siblings in the same grade level academically in grades kindergarten through grade five may request the siblings be placed in the same or different classrooms.  In order to be valid, the request must be made in writing and submitted to the school principal at the time of registration for classes, or within fourteen days after the children’s first day of attendance during the school year.  If a valid request is received by the school principal, the request must be honored.  While a parent or guardian may make a placement request that siblings be placed together or apart, the district administration retains complete discretion to select the classroom teacher(s) to which siblings are assigned.  If after the initial grading period following the placement of siblings in the same or different classrooms the school principal determines the placement is disruptive to the class; the principal may assign one or more of the siblings to different classrooms.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board annually regarding the assigned attendance center for each student.  In making the recommendation, the superintendent will consider the geographical layout of the school district, the condition and location of the school district facilities, the location of student population, possible transportation difficulties, financial condition of the school district and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent or the board.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022          
Revised September 26, 2022

A student’s parents or the student may transfer the student to the school district.  Students who transfer into the school district must meet the immunization and age requirements set out for students who initially enroll in the school district.

The school district will request the student’s cumulative records from the previous school district.  If the student cannot offer proof of grade level, the superintendent will make the grade level determination.  The superintendent may require testing or other information to determine the grade level.  Students expelled or suspended from their previous school district will only be enrolled after approval of the board.

The superintendent, or the superintendent’s designee will determine the amount of credits to be transferred.  If the student has not previously attended an accredited school, it is within the superintendent’s discretion to accept or reject credits or grades.

The board may deny admission if the student is not willing to provide the board with the necessary information.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022       
Revised August 27, 2018

If the student’s parents wish to withdraw or transfer the student from school prior to completing and graduating from the education program, they should notify the superintendent in writing as soon as possible of the decision to withdraw or transfer the student from the education program.   The notice should state the student’s final day of attendance.  The student or parent should present this written notice at the office and receive instructions regarding the return of textbooks, library books, locker equipment, hot lunch tickets, etc. 

If the student is not enrolling in another school district, the school district will maintain the student’s records in the same manner as the records of students who have graduated from the school district.

If the parents wish to have the student’s cumulative record sent to the new school district, the parents must notify the superintendent in writing.  This notice will include the name of the school district and the person at the new school district to whom the student’s cumulative records should be sent.  If the new school district requests the student’s cumulative records, the school district will forward the cumulative records and notify the parents the records have been sent.  The notice will inform the parents of their right to review the records sent.

If the student is of compulsory education age and not transferring to another public school district or an accredited nonpublic school, the parents will notify the superintendent that the student is receiving competent private instruction and file the necessary competent private instruction reports.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022          
Revised August 27, 2018

As part of the school district’s records, the daily attendance of each student is recorded  electronically with the district’s registrar.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022          
Revised August 27, 2018

Regular attendance by students is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program.  Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence.  Students will attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.

Student absences approved by the principal are excused absences.  All schools will accept parentally excused absences for up to five (5) days during a semester. Excused absences will count as days in attendance for purposes of the truancy law.  These absences include, but are not limited to, personal illness, medical or legal appointments, attendance at a funeral, religious observations or instruction,  family emergencies, appointments that cannot be scheduled outside the school day, and school-sponsored or approved activities.

The district believes that traditional, in-person school attendance leads to the greatest learning opportunities for students.  However, there may be rare and unusual circumstances created by public emergencies declared by state or local officials which temporarily prevent students from attending traditional, in-person school.  In these circumstances, the district may provide parents and students the option to attend school through remote learning opportunities within the available resources of the district and as permitted by law.  The superintendent or designee will also have discretion to make reasonable accommodations for students, on a case-by-case basis. During approved remote learning, attendance will be taken, assessments may be administered, and grades will count towards students’ cumulative grade point average as if they were attending in person.  The provision of special education and accommodations for students who have individualized education programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans will be determined by each respective IEP or Section 504 team.

Students whose absences are approved shall be permitted to make up all missed assignments outside of class under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the appropriate teacher. An exception is that in participation-type classes, a student’s grade may be affected because of the student’s inability to make up the activities conducted during a class period. A student shall be allowed one make-up day for each day of absence. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a procedure with the student's teacher to complete the work missed.

If a student is confined to home or hospital for an extended period, the school shall arrange for the accomplishment of assignments at the place of confinement whenever practical. If the student is unable to do his/her schoolwork, or if there are major requirements of a particular course which cannot be accomplished outside of class, the student may be required to take an incomplete or withdraw from the class without penalty.

Students participating in school activities must be present for each class of the school day, unless permission has been given by the principal for the student to be absent. Students participating in school-sponsored activities (e.g., field trips, athletic events, school arranged college visits, job shadowing, activity events) will not be recorded as an absence on the student’s attendance record.

It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the student’s attendance center as soon as the parent knows the student will not be attending school on that day. The principal may request evidence or written verification of the student’s reason for absence.

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

Legal Reference:  34 C.F.R. sec. 300
                                         28 C.F.R. Pt. 35
                                         Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299.
                                         281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).

Cross Reference:  501      Student Attendance
                                         503      Student Discipline
                                         504      Student Activities
                                         506      Student Records

Approved September 28, 2022             
Reviewed September 12, 2022                          
Revised September 26, 2022

Regular attendance by the students at school is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program.  Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence.  Students will attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.

Truancy is defined as being absent without a reasonable excuse or any absence that occurs without notification from the student’s parent/guardian. Schools must be notified on or before the day of the absence in order for the absence not to be classified as truancy.

Verified Unexcused Absence is defined as any absence that is verified by the parent or guardian, but is not listed in the “Excused” category above would be considered a “Verified Unexcused Absence”.  Verified unexcused absences can occur because of personal reasons and may include, but are not limited to:

1. short notice family trips
2. birthday parties
3. non-school related competitions
4. prom dress shopping
5. graduations
6. trips to the airport
7. car problems
8.  planned family vacations in excess of 3 missed school days

Penalties & Procedures for Verified Unexcused Absences/Truancy

Truancy or Verified Unexcused Absences –

• 1^st  offense - 30 minute detention to be served within 24 hours
• 2^nd offense – 1 day ISS.
• Please note our newly fashioned ISS program will be committed to educational and community service purposes.  Half of the day our students will focus on academics, by completing missing or late work. The second half of the day will be community service based, by way of working with our custodial and maintenance staff on the upkeep of our facilities.
• If a student refuses to accept responsibility for their actions and is not present for the assigned consequence, appropriate administrative action will take place.
• 5^th offense – One day of ISS. Student will remain in ISS until parents meet with Guidance Counselor, Administrator, or Student Support Coordinator. 
• 10^th offenses – Subsequent violations - Please see loss of credit section. 

Students receiving special education services will be assigned appropriate consequences so that the goals and objectives of the student’s Individualized Education Program are capable of being met.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022       
Revised September 26, 2022

Students will be allowed to leave the school district facilities during school hours only with prior authorization from their parents, unless the parent appears personally at the student’s attendance center to arrange for the release of the student during school hours, or with the permission of the principal.

Approved reasons for release of a student during the school day will include, but not be limited to, illness, family emergencies, medical appointments, religious instruction, classes outside the student’s attendance center, employment or any  MOC and other reasons determined appropriate by the principal.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022          
Revised August 27, 2018

The school district will participate in open enrollment as a sending district.  As a sending district, the board will allow resident students  to open enroll to another public school district.

Parents requesting open enrollment out of the school district for their student will notify both the sending and receiving school district in accordance with district practice.  The notice is made on forms provided by the Iowa Department of Education.  The forms are available at the central administration office.

Parents of children who will begin kindergarten in the school district will file in the same manner set forth above may also request open enrollment to a neighboring, either before the year starts or during the kindergarten year. 

The receiving district will approve open enrollment requests according to their local board policy regarding capacity limitations. The parents may withdraw the open enrollment request any time and return to the resident school district by notifying both the receiving and resident district.  The receiving district’s superintendent will notify both the parents and sending school district by mail within five days of the school district’s action to approve or deny the open enrollment request.

The board may approve a student’s request to allow the receiving district to enter the school district for the purposes of transportation.  Conditions for such transportation will be determined annually. Transportation assistance is available to students in families with income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, with the mode of transportation assistance decided by the resident district.

An open enrollment request out of the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  The determining factor for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the receiving school district is appropriate for the student’s needs.  The area education agency director of special education serving the receiving district will determine whether the program is appropriate.  The special education student will remain in the school district until the final determination is made.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to maintain open enrollment request applications and notice forms.  It will also be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures necessary for open enrollment requests.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022        
Revised August 8, 2022

The school district will participate in open enrollment as a receiving district.  As a receiving district, the board will allow nonresident students to open enroll into the school district.  The board will have complete discretion to determine the attendance center of the students attending the school district under open enrollment.

The superintendent will approve incoming kindergarten applications; good cause application for high school varsity athletic participation; or continuation of an educational program application filed by the third Thursday of the following September.  All other applications will be acted upon by the board.

The superintendent will notify the sending school district and parents within five days of the school district’s action to approve or deny the open enrollment request.  The superintendent will also forward a copy of the school district’s action with a copy of the open enrollment request to the Iowa Department of Education.

Open enrollment requests into the school district will not be approved if insufficient classroom space exists.  Open enrollment requests into the school district will also not be approved for students who have been suspended or expelled by the administration or the board of the school district the student is or was attending until the student has been reinstated into the school district from which the student was suspended or expelled.  Once the student is reinstated, the student’s open enrollment request will be considered in the same manner as other open enrollment requests.

Open enrollment requests into the school district that, if denied, would result in students from the same nuclear family being enrolled in different school districts, will be given highest priority.  The board, in its discretion, may waive the insufficient classroom space reason for denial for students of the same nuclear family to prevent the division of a nuclear family between two school districts.  Other open enrollment requests into the school district are considered in the order received by the school district with the first open enrollment request given a higher priority than the second open enrollment request and so forth.

Students in grades nine through twelve open enrolling into the school district will not be eligible for participation in interscholastic athletics, at the varsity level, during the first ninety days of open enrollment into the school district, unless the student meets one of the good cause exceptions identified in Policy 505.7 or both the sending and receiving district school boards agree to allow varsity athletic participation.

Parents of students whose open enrollment requests are approved by the board or superintendent are responsible for providing transportation to and from the receiving school district without reimbursement, unless the family’s income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level at which point, the sending school district determines which method of transportation assistance is appropriate.  The board will not approve transportation into the sending district without approval from the board of the sending district.

An open enrollment request into the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  The determining factors for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the school district is appropriate for the student’s needs and whether the enrollment of the special education student will cause the class size to exceed the maximum allowed.  The area education agency director of special education serving the school district will determine whether the program is appropriate.  The special education student will remain in the sending district until the final determination is made. For children requiring special education, the receiving district will complete and provide to the resident district the documentation needed to seek Medicaid reimbursement for eligible services.

The policies of the school district will apply to students attending the school district under open enrollment.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022         
Revised August 8, 2022

The board will make reasonable efforts to identify homeless children and youth of school age within the district, encourage 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 superintendent of schools, with the designee as an alternate.

“Homeless child or youth” is defined as a child or youth from the age of 5 years through 21 years who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence and includes the following:

1. A child or youth who is sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; is living in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; is living in an emergency or transitional shelter; is abandoned in a hospital; or is awaiting foster care placement;
2. A child or youth who has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
3. A child or youth who is living in a car, park, public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or similar setting; or
4. A migratory child or youth who qualifies as homeless because the child or youth is living in circumstances described in paragraphs “1” through “3” above.

School Records:  For students transferring out of the district, records may be provided directly to the student or the student’s parents.  In addition, students transferring into the school district may provide cumulative records directly to the district.  The school district will not require that such records be forwarded from another school district before that student may enroll.  The school will then request the official records from the previous school.

Immunization Requirements:  Homeless students will not be denied enrollment for lack of immunization records if:

1. They have a statement signed by a physician stating that immunization would be injurious to the student;
2. They provide an affidavit stating such immunization would conflict with their religious beliefs;
3. They are in the process of being immunized; or
4. They are a transfer student from another school.

The school district will make a reasonable effort to locate immunization records from the information provided or will arrange for the student to receive immunizations.

Waiver of Fees and Charges:  Fees and charges which may present a barrier to the enrollment or transfer of a homeless child or youth may be waived in the discretion of the superintendent.

Enrollment Requirements/Placement:   Enrollment requirements which may constitute a barrier to the education of a homeless child or youth may be waived at the discretion of the Superintendent.  If the district is unable to determine the grade level of the student because of missing or incomplete records, the district shall administer appropriate tests to determine the appropriate grade level for the child.

Residency:  For purpose of a homeless child or youth, residence for the purpose of attending school shall be where the child actually resides or the child’s district of origin.  A child’s district of origin is the district where the child was last enrolled.  The deciding factor shall be the welfare of the child. 

Transportation:  Policies or practices regarding transportation of students which might cause a barrier to the attendance of a homeless child or youth may be waived by the Superintendent.

Special Services:   All services which are available to resident students shall be made available to homeless children or youths enrolled in the district.  Services include special education, talented and gifted programs, vocational education, English as a second language programs, health services, and food and nutrition programs.

The contents of this policy shall supersede any and all conflicting provisions in district policies dealing with the seven policy areas discussed above.

To help ensure that homeless children and youth have a full opportunity to enroll, attend, and succeed at school, the board shall:

• Designate the School Counselor as the local homeless children and youth liaison;
• Provide training opportunities for staff so staff may help identify and meet the needs of homeless children and youth;
• Remove barriers, including those associated with fees, fines, and absences, to the identification, enrollment, retention, attendance and/or success in school for homeless children and youth;
• Ensure collaboration and coordination with other service providers;
• Ensure transportation is provided in accordance with legal requirements;
• Provide school stability in school assignment according to the child’s best interests;
• Ensure the privacy of student records, as provided by applicable law, including information about a homeless child or youth’s living situation;
• Engage in the dispute resolution process for decisions relating to the educational placement of homeless children and youth as provided by applicable law; and
• Prohibit the segregation of a homeless child or youth from other students enrolled in the district.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022        
Revised August 27, 2018

In the event a child of compulsory attendance age, over six and under age sixteen, does not attend public school or an accredited nonpublic school the child must receive competent private instruction.

A parent choosing competent private instruction for a student by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner, competent private instruction for a student by a non-licensed individual or independent private instruction must meet the requirements outlined under Iowa law.

A parent choosing competent private instruction for a student must notify the district prior to the first day of school on forms provided by the district.  The forms are available in the central administration office.  One copy of the completed forms will be kept by the district and another copy will be forwarded to the Area Education Agency.

A parent choosing competent private instruction for a student by a non-licensed individual may notify the district prior to the first day of school on forms provided by the district.  The forms are available in the central administration office.  One copy of the completed forms will be kept by the district and another copy will be forwarded to the appropriate Area Education Agency.

A parent choosing independent private instruction for a student may be asked to provide a report identifying the primary instructor, location, name of the authority responsible for the independent instruction, and the names of the students enrolled to the district. 

The Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee will determine whether the completed form is in compliance with the law.  The district shall report noncompliance with the reporting, immunization, attendance, instructor qualifications, and assessment requirements of the compulsory attendance law to the county attorney of the county of residence of the student’s parent, guardian or custodian.

Students receiving competent private instruction are eligible to request open enrollment to another school district.  Prior to the request for open enrollment, the student shall request dual enrollment in the resident district.  The receiving district shall not bill the resident district unless the receiving district complies with the reporting requirements.  If the parent, guardian or custodian fails to comply with the compulsory attendance requirements, the receiving district shall notify the resident district.  The resident district shall then report the noncompliance to the county attorney of the county of residence of the parent, guardian or custodian.

Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner must make adequate progress.  Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner shall be monitored for progress by the supervising teacher.  Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner may be assessed annually.  The district will provide any optional assessments at no cost.

Students receiving competent private instruction by a non-licensed individual must make adequate progress.  Students receiving competent private instruction by a non-licensed individual shall be evaluated annually by the parent, guardian or legal custodian to ensure adequate progress is being made.  Students receiving competent private instruction from a non-licensed individual may be assessed annually.  The district will provide any optional assessments at no cost.

Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner and students receiving competent private instruction from a non-licensed individual may dual enroll with the district.  Students receiving individual private instruction may not dual enroll with the district.

Upon the request of a parent, guardian or legal custodian of a student receiving competent private instruction or upon referral of a licensed practitioner who provides instruction or instructional supervision of a student under competent private instruction, the district shall refer a student who may require special education to the area education agency, Division of Special Education, for evaluation.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022         
Revised August 27, 2018

The parent, guardian, or custodian of a student receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner or by a non-licensed individual may also enroll the student in the district.  The student shall be considered under dual enrollment.  The parent, guardian or custodian requesting dual enrollment for the student should notify the Superintendent prior to October 1st each year on forms provided by the Iowa Department of Education.  On the form, the parent, guardian or custodian shall indicate the extracurricular and academic activities in which the student is interested in participating.  The forms are available at the central administration office.

A dual enrollment student is eligible to participate in the district's extracurricular and academic activities in the same manner as other students enrolled in the district. The policies and administrative rules of the district shall apply to the dual enrollment students in the same manner as the other students enrolled in the district. These policies and administrative rules shall include, but not be limited to, athletic eligibility requirements, the good conduct rule, academic eligibility requirements, and payment of the fees required for participation.

Approved August 27, 2018          
Reviewed September 12, 2022          
Revised August 27, 2018