Employees’ use of their position with the school district for financial gain is considered a conflict of interest with their position as employees and may subject employees to disciplinary action.

Employees have access to information and a captive audience that could award the employee personal or financial gain.  No employee may solicit other employees or students for personal or financial gain to the employee without the approval of the superintendent.  If the approval of the superintendent is given, the employee must conduct the solicitations within the conditions set by the superintendent.  Further, the superintendent may, upon five days’ notice, require the employee to cease such solicitations as a condition of continued employment.

Employees will not act as an agent or dealer for the sale of textbooks or other school supplies.  Employees will not participate for personal financial remuneration in outside activities wherein their position on the staff is used to sell goods or services to students or to parents.  Employees will not engage in outside work or activities where the source of information concerning the customer, client or employer originates from information obtained because of the employee’s position in the school district.

It will also be a conflict of interest for an employee to engage in any outside employment or activity which is in conflict with the employee’s official duties and responsibilities.  In determining whether outside employment or activity of an employee creates a conflict of interest, situations in which an unacceptable conflict of interest is deemed to exist will include, but not be limited to, any of the following:

1. The outside employment or activity involves the use of the school district’s time, facilities, equipment and supplies or the use of the school district’s badge, uniform, business card or other evidences of office to give the employee or the employee’s immediate family an advantage or pecuniary benefit that is not available to other similarly situated members or classes of members of the general public.  For purposes of this section, a person is not “similarly situated” merely by being related to an employee who is employed by the school district.

2.  The outside employment or activity involves the receipt of, promise of, or acceptance of more or other consideration by the employee or a member of the employee’s immediate family from anyone other than the school district for the performance of any act that the employee would be required or expected to perform as part of the employee’s regular duties or during the hours during which the employee performs service or work for the school district.

3. The outside employment or activity is subject to the official control, inspection, review, audit or enforcement authority of the employee during the performance of the employee’s duties.

If the outside employment or activity is employment or activity in (1) or (2) above, the employee must cease the employment of or activity.  If the activity or employment falls under (3), then the employee must:

• Cease the outside employment or activity; or

• Publicly disclose the existence of the conflict and refrain from taking any official action or performing any official duty that would detrimentally affect or create a benefit for the outside employment or activity.  Official action or official duty includes, but is not limited to, participating in any vote, taking affirmative action to influence any vote, or providing any other official service or thing that is not available generally to members of the public in order to further the interests of the outside employment or activity.

When procurement is supported by Federal Child Nutrition funds, employees will not participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract if there is a real or apparent conflict of interest in the contract.  Contract, for purposes of this paragraph, includes a contract where the employee, employee’s immediate family, partner, or a non-school district employer of these individuals is a party to the contract.

It is the responsibility of each employee to be aware of and take the necessary action to eliminate a potential conflict of interest should it arise.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14, 2022     
Revised: July 25, 2018                            

 

Appropriate training and professional development of all employees is crucial to the success of all students. The district will provide professional development opportunities appropriate to the duties of school employees.  

For all professional development programs the district requires employees to take, the district will provide to the employee notice indicating the section of the law, or rules adopted by the state board of education or board of educational examiners that the district determines requires the employee to participate in the professional development program. 

 

Approved:  November 29, 2024
Reviewed: October 18, 2024
Revised:

Nepotism is patronage bestowed or favoritism shown on the basis of family relationship.  More than one family member may be an employee of the district.  The decision to employ more than one individual in a family shall be made on the basis of each individual’s qualifications and credentials.

No district employee shall be involved in hiring a family member.  No district employee shall serve in a supervisory capacity over one of their family members who is a contracted employee of the district.  No district employee shall attempt to influence the evaluation or conditions of employment of the employee’s family member with anyone who serves in a supervisory capacity over that family member.

Family members for purposes of this policy include husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, daughters, sons, daughters-in-law, and sons-in-law.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14, 2022    
Revised: July 25, 2018                            

 

The district prohibits any and all forms of harassment including that which is based on an individual’s age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, or genetic information.

It shall be a violation of this policy for any teacher, administrator, or other school personnel of the district to harass a teacher, administrator, or other school personnel through conduct or communication of a sexual nature or regarding an individual’s age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, or genetic information, as defined by this policy.  For purposes of this policy, school personnel include Board members, school employees, agents, volunteers, contractors, or persons subject to the supervision and control of the district.

It shall also be a violation of this policy for any teacher, administrator or other school personnel of this district to tolerate sexual harassment or harassment because of an individual’s age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, or genetic information by a teacher, administrator, other school personnel, or by any third parties who are participating in, observing, or otherwise engaging in activities under the direction of the district.  Any teacher, administrator, or other school personnel who has knowledge or belief that an individual has or may have been the victim of prohibited harassment is required to immediately report the alleged acts to an appropriate district official designated by this policy.  Failure to report the harassing conduct could result in discipline, up to and including termination, for the teacher, administrator, or other school personnel who failed to report.

The district will act to promptly investigate all complaints, either formal or informal, verbal or written, of harassment and to promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further harassment.  If the district determines that unlawful harassment has occurred, it shall promptly and appropriately discipline any teacher, administrator or other school personnel who is found to have violated this policy, up to and possibly including termination, and/or take other appropriate action reasonably calculated to end the harassment.

 

II.         Definitions

   A.  Sexual Harassment:  Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome and unsolicited sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct, or other
        verbal, physical, or written conduct or communication of a sexual nature when:

1. submission to that conduct or communication by an individual is made a term or condition, either explicitly or implicitly, of obtaining or retaining employment;
2. submission to or rejection of that conduct or communication by an individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting the individual’s employment; or
3. that conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment or education, or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment environment.    

     Examples of conduct that may constitute sexual harassment may include, but are not limited to:

1. unwelcome verbal harassment or abuse, or unwelcome written harassment or abuse, including through the Internet or e-mail;
2. unwelcome sexual advances or pressure for sexual activity;
3. unwelcome, sexually motivated or inappropriate patting, pinching, or physical contact, other than necessary restraint of students by teachers, administrators or other school personnel to avoid physical harm to persons or property;
4. unwelcome sexual behavior or words, including demands for sexual favors, accompanied by implied or overt threats concerning an individual’s employment status or implied or overt promises of preferential treatment with regard to an individual’s employment status;
5. unwelcome behavior or words directed at an individual because of gender;
6. coercing, forcing or attempting to coerce or force the touching of anyone’s intimate parts;
7. coercing, forcing or attempting to coerce or force sexual intercourse or a sexual act on another;
8. threatening to force or coerce sexual acts, including the touching of intimate parts or intercourse, on another;
9. graffiti of a sexually offensive nature;
10. sexual gestures or jokes; or
11. spreading rumors about or rating other individuals as to sexual activity or performance.

   B.  Harassment:  Other forms of harassment consist of physical, verbal, or written conduct relating to an individual’s age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender
         identity, national origin, religion, disability, or genetic information when the conduct: 

1. has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment environment;
2. has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment performance; or
3. otherwise adversely affects an individual’s employment opportunities. 

   Examples of conduct that may constitute harassment based on age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, or genetic
   information include, but are not limited to:

1. threatening or intimidating conduct directed at others because of age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, or genetic information, including through the Internet or e-mail;
2. slurs, negative stereotypes and hostile acts based on age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, or genetic information;
3. graffiti containing offensive language that is derogatory to others because of their age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, or genetic information;
4. written or graphic material containing comments or stereotypes which is posted or circulated (including through e-mail or the Internet) and which is aimed at degrading individuals because of age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, or genetic information; or
5. a physical act of aggression or assault upon another because of, or in a manner reasonably related to, the individual’s age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, or genetic information.

 

III.       Reporting Procedures

Any individual who believes he or she has been the victim of harassment by a teacher, administrator or other school personnel of the district, or by any other person who is participating in, observing, or otherwise engaging in activities under the direction of the district, is encouraged to report the alleged act immediately to the individual’s building principal or the district’s Equity Coordinator.

Any teacher, administrator, or other school personnel who has knowledge or belief that an individual has or may have been the victim of prohibited harassment is required to immediately report the alleged acts to the individual’s building principal or the district’s Equity Coordinator.  Failure to report the harassing conduct could result in discipline, up to and including termination, for the teacher, administrator, or other school personnel who failed to report.

Any other person with knowledge or belief that an individual has or may have been the victim of prohibited harassment is encouraged to immediately report the alleged acts to the appropriate building principal or the district’s Equity Coordinator.

The district encourages the reporting party or complainant to use the report form available from the principal of each building and available from the district office, but oral reports shall be considered complaints as well.  Nothing in this policy shall prevent any person from reporting harassment or violence directly to the district’s Equity Coordinator.

The Board hereby designates the Equity Coordinator as the individual responsible for identifying, investigating, preventing, and remedying harassment within the district.  The district shall conspicuously post the name of the Equity Coordinator, including mailing addresses and telephone numbers.

 

IV.       Investigation Procedures

By authority of the Board, the Equity Coordinator, upon receipt of a report or complaint alleging prohibited harassment, shall immediately undertake or authorize an investigation.  The investigation may be conducted by district officials or by a third party designated by the district.

The district may take immediate steps, at its discretion, to protect the complainant, students, teachers, administrators or other school personnel pending completion of an investigation of alleged harassment.

The investigation will be completed as soon as practicable.  The investigator shall make a written report to the Equity Coordinator or designee upon completion of the investigation, which shall include a determination of whether the allegations have been substantiated as factual and whether they appear to be violations of this policy.  Whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of this policy requires a determination based on all the facts and surrounding circumstances.

 

V.        District Action

The district will take appropriate action following a finding that a violation of this policy has occurred.  Such action may include, but is not limited to:  warning, suspension, exclusion, expulsion, transfer, remediation, reprimand, termination or discharge, counseling, training, or mentoring.  District action taken for violation of this policy will be consistent with requirements of applicable collective bargaining agreements, state and federal law, and district policy.

 

VI.       Prohibition on Retaliation

Retaliation against an individual because the individual has filed a harassment complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding is prohibited.    Any teacher, administrator, or other school personnel shall not engage in reprisal, retaliation, harassment, or false accusation against a victim, witness, or an individual who has reliable information, about such an act of harassment.  The superintendent/designee has the right to discipline individuals who knowingly file false harassment complaints or otherwise act in bad faith during a complaint/investigative process.  An individual who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this regulation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and possibly including termination.

 

VII.     Right to Alternative Complaint Procedures

These procedures do not deny the right of any individual to pursue other avenues of recourse which may include filing charges with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 211 E. Maple, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309, (515) 281-4121, or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-4544, (312) 730-1560.  Any inquiry or complaint to a state or federal office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14, 2022    
Revised: March 14, 2022

 

The school district will maintain personnel records on employees.  The records are important for the daily administration of the educational program, for implementing board policy, for budget and financial planning, and for meeting state and federal requirements.

The records will include, but not be limited to, records necessary for the daily administration of the school district, salary records, evaluations, application for employment, references, and other items needed to carry out board policy.  Employee personnel files are school district records and are considered confidential records and therefore are not generally open to public inspection or accessibility.  Only in certain limited instances, when the employee has given a signed consent, will employee personnel records be accessible to individuals other than the employee or authorized school officials.

Employees may have access to their personnel files, with the exception of confidential letters of reference, and copy items from their personnel files at a time mutually agreed upon between the superintendent and the employee.  The school district may charge a reasonable fee for each copy made.  However, employees will not be allowed access to the employment references written on behalf of the employee.  Board members will generally only have access to an employee’s file when it is necessary because of an employee related matter before the board.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to keep employees’ personnel files current.  The board secretary is the custodian of employee records.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for the implementation of this policy.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14, 2022     
Revised: March 14, 2022                 

 

Employees who transport students for school purposes must have the permission of the superintendent.  Generally, transportation of students is in a motor vehicle owned by the school district and driven by an employee.  In some cases, it may be more economical or efficient for the school district to allow an employee of the school district to transport the students in the employee’s motor vehicle.  Employees must have insurance and license on file at the Red Oak Administrative office.

Individuals transporting students for school purposes in private vehicles must have the permission of the superintendent and meet all applicable requirements set by the district.  Prior to transporting students in private vehicles, the district may require the following:

• The vehicle used to transport the student(s)is in good condition and meets all applicable safety requirements;
• The driver transporting the student(s) possesses a valid drivers’ license; and
• Proof of insurance has been supplied to the superintendent and the insurance satisfies the minimum coverage requirements for driving personal vehicles in the State of Iowa.

The school district assumes no responsibility for those students who have not received the approval of the superintendent and who ride in private vehicles for school purposes. If transportation is not provided by the school district, or if transportation provided by the school district is declined by the student or parent/guardian, then the responsibility and corresponding liability for transportation for school purposes shall rest solely with the student and parent/guardian.

This policy statement applies to transportation of students for school purposes in addition to the regular bus route transporting students to and from their designated attendance center.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14,2022     
Revised: March 14, 2022                  

 

Employees traveling on behalf of the school district and performing approved school district business will be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses.  Actual and necessary travel expenses will include, but not be limited to, transportation and/or mileage costs, lodging expenses, meal expenses and registration costs.

Travel Outside the School District

Travel outside of the school district must be pre-approved.  Pre-approval will include an evaluation of the necessity of the travel, the reason for the travel and an estimate of the cost of the travel to qualify as approved school district business.  Travel outside the school district by employees, other than the superintendent, is approved by the superintendent. 

Reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses will be allowed for travel outside the school district if the employee received pre-approval for the travel.  Prior to reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses, the employee must provide the school district with a detailed receipt, other than a credit card receipt, indicating the date, purpose and nature of the expense for each claim item.  In exceptional circumstances, the superintendent may allow a claim without proper receipt.  Written documentation explaining the exceptional circumstances is maintained as part of the school district’s record of the claim.

Failure to have a detailed receipt will make the expense a personal expense.  Personal expenses, including mileage, in excess of that required for the trip are reimbursed by the employee to the school district no later than 10 working days following the date of the expense.

Reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses for travel outside the school district will be limited to the pre-approved expenses.  Pre-approved expenses for registration are limited to the actual cost of the registration.

Pre-approved expenses for transportation within three-hundred miles of the school district administrative office will be by automobile.  If a school district vehicle is not available, the employee will be reimbursed at the mileage rate determined by the board.  Pre-approved expenses for transportation outside of three‑hundred miles of the school district administrative office may be by public carrier.  Reimbursement for air travel will be at the tourist class fares.  Should an employee choose to travel by automobile, reimbursement will be limited to the public carrier amount.  Pre-approved expenses for transportation in a rental car is limited to the cost of a Class “C” rental car at a medium priced agency unless the number of people traveling on behalf of the school district warrants a larger vehicle.

Travel Within the School District

Employees required to travel in their personal vehicle between school district buildings to carry out the duties of their position may be reimbursed at the mileage rate determined by the board.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to approve travel within the school district by employees.  It is the responsibility of the board to review the travel within the school district by the superintendent through the board’s audit and approval process.

Employees who are allowed an in-school district travel allowance will have the amount of the allowance actually received during each calendar year included on the employee’s W-2 form as taxable income according to the Internal Revenue Code.

Use of District-Owned Vehicles

Certain district employment positions may require regular and extensive travel.  Due to the required duties of these positions, the district may provide certain positions with use of district-owned vehicles.  Employees who utilize district-owned vehicles during the course of their job duties are fulfilling the public purpose of meeting the needs of the educational community in an efficient, and time-sensitive manner.  District-owned vehicles are purchased and maintained with public money and must be used strictly in accordance with fulfilling a public purpose.  These vehicles represent the district in carrying out its educational mission.  Therefore, district-owned vehicles will be clearly marked at all times to identify the district. 

The superintendent is responsible for developing administrative regulations regarding actual and necessary expenses, in-school district travel allowances and assignment of school district vehicles.  The administrative regulations will include the appropriate forms to be filed for reimbursement to the employee from the school district and the procedures for obtaining approval for travel outside of and within the school district.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14, 2022     
Revised: March 14, 2022                 

 

Employees may use school district credit cards for the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of work-related duties.  Actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of work-related duties include, but are not limited to, fuel for school district transportation vehicles used for transporting students to and from school and for school-sponsored events, payment of claims related to professional development of the board and employees, and other expenses required by employees and the board in the performance of their duties.

Employees and officers using a school district credit card must submit a detailed receipt in addition to a credit card receipt indicating the date, purpose and nature of the expense for each claim item.  Failure to provide a proper receipt will make the employee responsible for expenses incurred.  Those expenses are reimbursed to the school district no later than ten working days following use of the school district’s credit card.  In exceptional circumstances, the superintendent or board may allow a claim without proper receipt.  Written documentation explaining the exceptional circumstances is maintained as part of the school district’s record of the claim.

The school district may maintain a school district credit card for actual and necessary expenses incurred by employees and officers in the performance of their duties.  The superintendent may maintain a school district credit card for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of the superintendent’s duties.  The transportation director may maintain a school district credit card for fueling school district transportation vehicles in accordance with board policy.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to determine whether the school district credit card use is for appropriate school business.  It is the responsibility of the board to determine through the audit and approval process of the board whether the school district credit card use by the superintendent and the board is for appropriate school business.

If an employee or officer uses a school district credit card for personal purchases/transactions in violation of this policy, the cost of such purchases/transactions will be the financial responsibility of that employee or officer and the employee or officer will be expected to reimburse the district for the full amount of the unauthorized purchase/transaction.  In addition to financial responsibility for any purchases/transactions an employee makes with a company credit card in violation of this policy, such actions may result in revocation of card privileges and/or disciplinary or other legal action, depending upon the severity and nature of the offense.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14, 2022     
Revised: March 14, 2022                 

 

The board recognizes and appreciates the service of its employees.  Employees who retire or resign may be honored by the board, administration and staff in an appropriate manner.

If the form of honor thought appropriate by the administration and employees involves unusual expense to the school district, the superintendent will seek prior approval from the board.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14, 2022     
Revised: March 14, 2022

 

The board encourages licensed employees to attend and participate in professional development activities to maintain, develop, and extend their skills.  The board will maintain and support an in-service program for licensed employees.

Requests for attendance or participation in a development program, other than those development programs sponsored by the school district is made to the superintendent.  Approval of the superintendent must be obtained prior to attendance by a licensed employee in a professional development program when the attendance would result in the licensed employee being excused from their duties or when the school district pays the expenses for the program.

The superintendent will have sole discretion to allow or disallow licensed employees to attend or participate in the requested event.  When making this determination, the superintendent will consider the value of the program for the licensed employee and the school district, the effect of the licensed employee’s absence on the education program and school district operations and the school district’s financial situation as well as other factors deemed relevant in the judgment of the superintendent.  Requests that involve unusual expenses or overnight travel must also be approved by the board.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14, 2022     
Revised: March 14, 2022                 

 

Every effort will be made by the licensed employees to help students with learning problems before recommending that the parents engage a tutor.  Since there are exceptional cases when tutoring will help students overcome learning deficiencies, tutoring by licensed employees may be approved by the superintendent.

Licensed employees may only tutor students other than those for whom the teacher is currently exercising teaching, administrative or supervisory responsibility unless approved by the superintendent.  Licensed employees may only tutor students to the extent permitted by any state or federal laws or state or federal regulatory agencies, including the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

Tutoring for a fee may not take place within school facilities or during regular school hours.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14, 2022     
Revised: March 14, 2022                 

 

Materials and/or products created by employees and the financial gain therefrom are the sole and exclusive property of the school district if any school funding, school materials, or school time were used in their creation and/or if such materials were created in the scope of the employee’s employment.  The employee must seek prior written approval of the superintendent concerning such activities.

Approved:  July 25, 2018       
Reviewed: February 14, 2022     
Revised: March 14, 2022             

 

Employees will not engage in political activity upon property under the jurisdiction of the board including the use of school email accounts.  Activities including, but not limited to, posting of political circulars or petitions, the distribution of political circulars or petitions, the collection of or solicitation for campaign funds, solicitation for campaign workers, use of district e-mail to originate messages of support for a particular candidate or issue, and the use of students for writing or addressing political materials, or the distribution of such materials to or by students are specifically prohibited.

Violation of this policy may be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14, 2022    
Revised: March 14, 2022

 

Complaints of employees against fellow employees should be discussed directly between employees.  If necessary, complaints will be brought directly to the immediate supervisor, principal or superintendent and will be made in a constructive and professional manner.  Complaints will never be made in the presence of other employees, students or outside persons.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: February 14, 2022     
Revised: March 14, 2022