501 - Student Attendance

501 - Student Attendance dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:12

501.1 - Resident Students

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

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:13

501.2 - Nonresident Students

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

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:14

501.2R1 - Foreign Students

Foreign students must meet all district entrance requirements including age, place of residence and immunization. Foreign students must be approved by the board. The board reserves the right to limit the number of foreign students accepted.

Students who are citizens of a foreign country will be considered residents if they meet one of the following requirements:

The student resides with his/her parents(s) or legal guardian;
The student is in the United States with appropriate documentation (Form I-20) from the United States Department of Justice-Immigration and Naturalization Services; or
The student is a participant in a recognized foreign exchange program; and
The student is physically able to attend school and has provided the school district with such proof, including a current TB test.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:14

501.2R2 - Foreign Exchange Students

Introduction

Youth exchanges provide foreign exchange students with an American experience, giving them a more balanced understanding of our country. They encourage new perspectives that open the minds of the students of the school to the entire world. More importantly, these “connections” help students on both sides of the exchanges grow and gain maturity. These cross-cultural experiences offer unique opportunities for American schools to help their students and communities:

Learn first-hand about other cultures and customs;
Create life-long friendships across cultures;
Gain new perspectives on our country and the world;
Begin to understand how tightly connected the peoples and countries of the world are to each other;
Open young minds to the importance of understanding other languages and other cultures, particularly with respect to career and personal opportunities.

At the same time, schools have a right to expect that international exchange students and student exchange programs adhere to guidelines that will minimize problems and make success more likely. The critical element is the ongoing relationship between the exchange program and the school, as well as the responsiveness of the exchange program.

The local school district will control the number of foreign exchange students enrolled in the school system and will limit enrollment to the high school only. District finances, appropriate host family support, and appropriate course offerings for the student are among the factors that will be considered when reviewing the admission of foreign exchange students.

Timing of the Placement Process

The Red Oak Community School District requires that organizations contact the school each year to indicate an interest in placing exchange students. Exchange organizations are to provide the school with advance notice of their intent to place students. The school is to be notified as soon as the student and host family match-ups are confirmed. Recognizing the timing of school staffing and resourcing, exchange organizations should submit student and host family applications as early as possible, or up to two weeks prior to the start of the school year. Acknowledging the difficulty of securing host family commitments, the school will try to accept applications until school starts.

Selecting Student Exchange Programs

The Red Oak Community School District reserves the right to work with exchange organizations that have proven their commitment and responsiveness. The school also will be open to new organizations that demonstrate a serious commitment to the school and community.

School Expectations of Student Exchange Program

The Red Oak Community School District reserves the right of final approval on all student placements. Additionally, the district requires that each individual foreign exchange program must:

Be listed in the most current Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) Advisory List;
Maintain a network of qualified and trained local representatives living in or near the community, with responsibility for each student; the representatives will provide orientation and ongoing support for both the host family and the student;
Provide continuing hands-on monitoring and responsiveness, from local representative to national headquarters, including student selection and preparation, selection and screening of host families, ongoing contact with the host family and the student, and communication with the school and responsiveness to school needs;
Receive school enrollment authorization for placements each year prior to contracting potential host families and follow school policy on timing and requirements;
Screen and prepare exchange students while monitoring their progress during the school year, responding to issues or problems as they develop;
Arrange host family placements before exchange students leave their home country, with the expectation that exchange students are to be in their host family and school placements by the first day of classes;
Personally interview and screen all potential host families, matching student and family interests and personalities;
Not knowingly place exchange students based on their athletic abilities;
In the event that tutoring/ESL help is needed, the organization will make arrangements and ensure that the student accepts financial responsibility for it;
Provide the school with a complete student application that includes the following:
- Personal letter from the student;
- Detailed information on the student and the student’s natural family;
- Proof that the student has sufficient language ability to function in an American classroom;
- Original transcript of the student’s high school grades, with English translation (and this must meet school requirements);
- Necessary medical history, including proof of immunization as required by the State of Iowa, any medical/physical restrictions, and a recent physical exam.

School Expectations for Students on J-1 Visa Sponsorships

The Red Oak Community School District has the following expectations of foreign exchange students:

Each exchange student must be qualified to participate in regular classes and maintain a typical schedule. This means an acceptable level of proficiency in the English language, a commitment to treat coursework as important, and the social skills to enjoy participation in social and extracurricular activities.
Foreign exchange students must be aware that participating in interscholastic athletic teams means they must comply with district and state athletic eligibility regulations.
The school appreciates the difficulty of a student’s move into a different language, culture, and institution, but exchange students are expected to attain passing grades by the end of their first semester.
The enrollment eligibility of exchange students will be for one year only, and exchange students and their host families are expected to know and must follow all school policies and rules.
Exchange students must have medical and accident insurance that meets or exceeds U. S. Department of State guidelines.
Exchange students must understand that they are not guaranteed the ability to graduate or to be granted a diploma.

School Responsibilities

In accepting foreign exchange students, the Red Oak Community School District assumes the following responsibilities:

Students on U. S. Department-sponsored programs (j-1 Visas) generally pay no tuition, but they are expected to pay all normal expenses, such as meals.
Foreign exchange students have all rights and privileges accorded to all enrolled students, along with the accompanying responsibilities, except the right to a diploma.
The school will make every effort to integrate foreign exchange students into the social fabric of the school. In turn, the school encourages foreign exchange students to participate in school activities, to make friends, to make a personal contribution to the school, and to help spread the word about their country and themselves, informally and by making presentations in classes and to community groups and by talking with the media when requested to do so.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:15

501.3 - Compulsory Attendance

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 will attend school the number of days or hours school is in session in accordance with the school calendar. Students of compulsory attendance age will attend school a minimum of 180 days or 1080 hours. Students not attending the minimum days or hours must be exempted by this policy as listed below or, referred to the county attorney. 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 excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge;
are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
are unable to attend school due to legitimate medical reasons; has an individualized education program that affects the child’s attendance; has a plan under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 794, that affects the child’s attendance;
are attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;
are attending an accredited nonpublic school;
are receiving independent private instruction; 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.

Approved August 27, 2018
Reviewed June 26, 2024
Revised August 21, 2024

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:18

501.4 - Entrance - Admissions

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

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:19

501.5 - Attendance Center Assignment

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

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:19

501.6 - Student Transfers In

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

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:20

501.6R1 - Student Transfers in From Non-Accredited Settings

Students who have been taught in a nonaccredited setting are welcome to attend the Red Oak Community Schools upon meeting legal admissions requirements. The district retains the right to determine grade level placement and whether or not to accept credits the student earned in a nonaccredited setting. In determining the grade placement of a student or the credits to be accepted for a student, the following considerations will be made:

Grades K-8
If the student has been receiving instruction in a nonaccredited setting through a licensed practitioner or under the instructional supervision of a licensed practitioner, the grade placement will be based on the recommendation of that licensed practitioner, as long as the recommendation is age-appropriate for the student. For grade placement other than that which is age-appropriate, documentation must be presented to the superintendent to justify the recommended placement. Such documentation may include, but not be limited to, portfolios, a transcript from an organization which provides the curriculum for the competent private instruction program, and/or standardized test scores. If necessary, the superintendent may require that the student take a standardized test to determine whether the student can demonstrate the necessary skills to justify the placement.

Grades 9-12
A student who is entering grade 9 for the first time at the start of the school year will be subject to the same considerations as those given to students entering grades K-8.

A student who is enrolling at any level in grades 9-12 after having receiving instruction in a nonaccredited setting during those grade levels will be required to provide documentation of work accomplished in each subject area considered to be at the high school level. Such documentation may include, but not be limited to, portfolios, actual completed assignments, information from a licensed practitioner who is providing instruction or instructional supervision, or a transcript from an organization which provides the curriculum for the instructional program in the nonaccredited setting. If concerns exist about the documentation provided to the school, the superintendent may require the student to pass the semester test for a given subject with at least a “C –” grade before approving credit. Credits approved from instruction in a nonaccredited setting will be recorded as a “P” on the student’s transcript and will not be included in computing grade point average, class ranking, or any academic awards.

Unless there are extenuating circumstances, a student who has received instruction in a nonaccredited setting must attend Red Oak High School for his/her full senior year to be eligible for a diploma from Red Oak High School. Students transferring in from nonaccredited settings will only be eligible for honors and awards for the actual period of time they have been enrolled as regular students in the school district. Students transferring into the high school from a nonaccredited setting will not be eligible for class ranking unless he/she has been enrolled for four (4) or more semesters. Such students must meet the graduation requirements of the school district in order to be eligible for a diploma. The combination of credits approved from instruction in the nonaccredited setting and those earned at Red Oak High School must total fifty-two (52) credits. Any requests for exceptions to this policy and regulation must be presented to the board for action.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:21

501.7 - Student Transfers Out or Withdrawals

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

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:22

501.8 - Student Attendance Records

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

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:23

501.9 - Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy

The district believes that traditional, in-person school attendance leads to the greatest learning opportunities for students. Students who are present in school and engaged active learners take greater ownership over their educational outcomes. For this reason, it is the priority of the district to foster regular student attendance throughout the school year and reduce barriers to regular attendance for students in the district.

Chronic absenteeism/absences means any absence from school for more than ten percent of the days in the quarter/semester established by the district.

Truant/truancy means a child of compulsory attendance age who is absent from school for any reason for at least twenty percent of the days in the quarter/semester. Truancy does not apply to the following students who:

have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or has obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
are excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge;
are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
are attending a private college preparatory school accredited or probationally accredited;
are excused under Iowa Code §299.22; and
are exempt under Iowa Code §299.24.

Students are subject to disciplinary action for truancy including suspension and expulsion. It is within the discretion of the principal to determine, in light of the circumstances, whether a student may make up work missed because of truancy. Students receiving special education services will not be assigned to in-school suspension unless the goals and objectives of the student's Individualized Education Program are capable of being met.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the designated school officials, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. The administrative regulations will indicate the disciplinary action to be taken for truancy.

Approved September 28, 2022
Reviewed July 26, 2024
Revised August 21, 2024

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:23

501.9R1 - Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy Regulation

Daily, punctual attendance is an integral part of the learning experience. The education that goes on in the classroom builds from day to day and absences can cause disruption in the educational progress of the absent student. Irregular attendance or tardiness by students not only limits their own studies, but also interferes with the progress of those students who are regular and prompt in attendance. Attendance is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation and communication among students, parents and the school.

This regulation is divided into two sections: Section I addresses legal requirements related to chronic absenteeism and truancy and Section II addresses additional academic, disciplinary and extracurricular consequences students face due to chronic absenteeism and truancy. It is important for students to recognize that chronic absenteeism and truancy impacts all these facets of their educational experience.

SECTION I – Legal Requirements

Chronic Absenteeism

When a student meets the threshold to be considered chronically absent, the school official will send notice by mail or e-mail to the county attorney where the district’s central office is located. The school official will also notify the student, or if a minor, the student’s parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian via certified mail that includes information related to the student’s absences from school and the policies and disciplinary processes associated with additional absences.

School Engagement Meeting

If a student is absent from school for at least fifteen percent of the days in the grading period, the school official will attempt to find the cause of the absences and start and participate in a school engagement meeting. All of the following individuals must participate in the school engagement meeting:

The student;
The student’s parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian if the student is an unemancipated minor; and
A school official.

The purpose of the meeting is to understand the reasons for the student’s absences and attempt to remove barriers to the student’s ongoing absences; and to create and sign an absenteeism prevention plan.

Absenteeism Prevention Plan

The absenteeism prevention plan will identify the causes of the student’s absences and the future responsibilities of each participant. The school official will contact the student and student’s parent/guardian at least once per week for the remainder of the school year to monitor the performance of the student and the student’s parent/guardian under the plan. If the student and student’s parent/guardian do not attend the meeting, do not enter into a plan or violate the terms of the plan, the school official will notify the county attorney.

SECTION II – Academic and Disciplinary Requirements

Students are required to be in attendance each day, pursuant to board policy and the approved school calendar, unless their absences have been excused by the principal for illness (absences of five or more consecutive days due to illness requires a doctor's note), family emergencies, doctor or dental appointment, recognized religious observances and school sponsored or approved activities. Reasonable excuses may also include family trips or vacations approved by the building principal if the student's work is finished prior to the trip or vacation. Absences that do not fall within the categories listed above will be considered unexcused unless approved by the principal. Parents are expected to telephone the school office to report a student's absence prior to 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence.

If a student accumulates 6 unexcused absences in a class, he or she may lose credit for the class if the student was previously warned at 4 unexcused absences that two more may result in loss of credit. Prior to imposing the loss of credit in one or more classes, the principal or designee will provide the student an opportunity for an informal hearing.

School work missed because of absences must be made up within two times the number of days absent, not to exceed 10 days. The time allowed for make-up work may be extended at the discretion of the classroom teacher or building principal.

Students will remain enrolled in class until the principal or designee makes a decision regarding loss or restoration of credit. Full credit is awarded to all assignments and tests submitted that meet the teacher's specifications until a decision regarding credit has been made.

If a student loses credit, this will be recorded in the student's record as an "AW" (administrative withdrawal).

A student who loses credit due to excessive absences is assigned to supervised study hall and/or in-school suspension for the period(s) in which the course(s) meets or the student may be reassigned to another class or location. A student who, after an informal hearing, loses credit in any courses due to unexcused absences, will not be allowed to participate in any school activities until the following semester. However, the student is eligible to participate in practice if all other eligibility criteria have been met.

The administration and guidance staff will make reasonable efforts to advise and counsel and may impose discipline upon any student approaching 4 unexcused absences. Such advice, discipline and counseling is in addition to the requirements listed in Section I of this regulation and includes, but is not limited to, oral or written notices to the student and his or her parents, conferences with the student and parents, written contracts, or loss of non-academic privileges such as extracurricular activities, open campus, late arrival, early dismissal, etc.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:24

501.10 - Rescinded

Rescinded by the Board on August 21, 2024

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:25

501.11 - Student Release During School Hours

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

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:27

501.12 - Open Enrollment Transfers-Procedures as a Sending District

The school district will participate in open enrollment as a sending district. As a sending district, the board will allow resident students who meet the requirements 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 no later than March 1 in the school year preceding the first year desired for open enrollment. 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 are exempt from the open enrollment March 1 deadline. Parents of children who will begin kindergarten and prekindergarten children enrolled in special education programs and included in the district’s basic enrollment will file in the same manner set forth above by September 1. Parents who have good cause as defined by law for failing to meet the March 1 deadline may make an open enrollment request by September1 unless another deadline applies.

The receiving district will approve open enrollment requests according to the timelines established by law. The parents may withdraw the open enrollment request prior to the start of the school year. 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.

Subject to applicable laws, the board may approve a student's request to allow the receiving district to enter the school district for the purposes of transportation.

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 August 21, 2024
Revised August 21, 2024

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:27

501.13 Open Enrollment Transfers-Procedures as a Receiving District

The school district will participate in open enrollment as a receiving district. As a receiving district, the board will allow nonresident students, who meet the legal requirements, 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 all timely filed applications by June 1 and incoming kindergarten applications, good cause applications, or continuation of an educational program applications filed by September 1. The superintendent may approve but not deny open enrollment requests.

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.

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 provided the required timelines are met. The district reserves the right to deny continued open enrollment to any students who meet the definition of truant. The district will notify the truant student’s parent or guardian and district of residence of the decision to deny enrollment in the future in accordance with applicable laws. .

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, in accordance with applicable law.

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. If an open enrolled student’s primary residence is closer to the receiving district’s attendance center than the distance from the student’s primary residence to the sending attendance center, the sending district will allow the student’s receiving district to send school vehicles no more than two miles into the sending district’s boundaries to pick up the student.

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 August 21, 2024
Revised August 21, 2024

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:31

501.14 - Homeless Children and Youth

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:

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;
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;
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
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:

They have a statement signed by a physician stating that immunization would be injurious to the student;
They provide an affidavit stating such immunization would conflict with their religious beliefs;
They are in the process of being immunized; or
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

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:29

501.15 - Competent Private Instruction

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

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:34

501.16 - Dual Enrollment

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

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 09/17/2020 - 13:35