Successful education programs require the support of the school district community.   The Board recognizes this support is dependent on the school district community's understanding of participation in the efforts, goals, problems, and programs of the District.  In striving to obtain the support of the school district community, the Board will:

• Provide access to District records;
• Inform the school district community of the District's goals, objectives, achievements, and needs;
• Invite the input of the school district community; and,
• Encourage cooperation between the District and the school district community as well as with agencies and organizations to best serve the welfare of its students.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

Public records of the District may be viewed by the public during the regular business hours of the administration offices of the District.  These hours are normally 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays and recesses.

Persons wishing to view the District's public records will contact the Board Secretary and make arrangements for the viewing.  The Board Secretary will make arrangements for viewing the records as soon as practicable, depending on the nature of the request.

Persons may request copies of public records in writing, including electronically.  Persons wanting copies may be assessed a fee for the copy.  The District may require pre-payment of the costs prior to copying and providing the copies.  Persons wanting a compilation of information may be assessed a fee for the time to compile the requested information.  Printing of materials for the public at the expense of the District will only occur when the event is sponsored by the District.

It is the responsibility of the Board Secretary to maintain accurate and current records of the District.  It is the responsibility of the Board Secretary to respond in a timely manner to requests for viewing and receiving public records of the District.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Board recognizes the value of and supports open, fair, and honest communication with the news media.  The Board will maintain a cooperative relationship with the news media.  As part of this cooperative relationship, the Board and the media will develop a means for sharing information while respecting each party's limitations.

Members of the news media are encouraged and welcome to attend open Board meetings.  The Board President is the spokesperson for the Board and the Superintendent is the spokesperson for the District.  It is the responsibility of Superintendent, in consultation with the Board President to respond to inquiries from the news media about the District.

Members of the news media seeking information about the District will direct their inquiries to the Superintendent.  The Superintendent will accurately and objectively provide the facts and Board positions in response to inquiries from the news media about the District.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Board President on behalf of the Board and the Superintendent on behalf of the District may hold a news conference or respond to a request for an interview with the news media.  It is the responsibility of the Board President and the Superintendent to keep the Board apprised of news conferences and interviews.

News conferences and interviews planned or pre-arranged for District activities will include a representative of the Board and the Superintendent.  News conferences for issues requiring an immediate response may be held by the Superintendent.  It is within the discretion of the Superintendent to determine whether a news conference or interview is held to provide an immediate response to an issue.

District personnel will refer interview requests and information requests from the news media to the Superintendent.  District personnel may be interviewed or provide information about District matters only after receiving permission from the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee.  It will be within the discretion of the Superintendent to allow the news media to interview and to receive information from District personnel.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Superintendent, in consultation with the Board President when appropriate, will determine when a news release about internal District and Board matters will be issued.  In making this determination, the Superintendent will strive to keep the media and the school district community accurately and objectively informed.  Further, the Superintendent will strive to create and maintain a positive image for the District.  It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to approve news releases originating within the District prior to their release.

News releases will be prepared and disseminated to news media in the school district community.  Questions about news releases will be directed to the Superintendent.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

Individuals may broadcast or video record District events, including open Board meetings, as long as it does not interfere with or disrupt the District event and it does not create an undue burden in adapting the buildings and sites to accommodate the request.

It is within the discretion of the Superintendent to determine whether the request is unduly burdensome and whether the broadcast or video recording will interfere with or disrupt the District event.

Video recording of classroom activities will be allowed at the discretion of the Superintendent.  Parents will be notified prior to video recording of classroom activities.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Board values the participation and the support of District-community groups, including, but not limited to, booster clubs and parent-teacher organizations, which strive for the betterment of the District and the education program.  The Board will work closely with these groups.

Prior to any purchase of, or fund raising for, the purchase of goods or services for the District, the group will confer with the Superintendent to assist the group in purchasing goods or services to meet the District's needs.

Funds raised by these groups for the District may be kept as part of the accounts of the District.

It is the responsibility of the building principal and/or activities director to be the liaison with the District-community groups affiliated with the building principal's attendance center.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Board recognizes the valuable resource it has in the members of the school district community.  District administrators may ask members of the community to make presentations to the students and/or to assist employees in duties other than teaching when volunteering would be appropriate considering the needs of the educational program.  The volunteer may be asked to agree to an appropriate background check as a condition of serving as a volunteer.  The District may officially recognize the contributions made by volunteers.

Recruitment, training, utilization, and the maintenance of records for the purposes of insurance coverage and/or recognition of District volunteers is the responsibility of the Superintendent.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Board welcomes the interest of parents and other members of the school district community and invites them to visit the school buildings and sites.  Visitors, which include persons other than employees or students, must notify the principal of their presence in the facility upon arrival.  Visitors who do not notify the principal of their presence may be considered trespassers.

Persons who wish to visit a classroom while school is in session are asked to notify the principal and obtain approval from the principal prior to the visit so appropriate arrangements can be made and so class disruption can be minimized.  Teachers and other employees will not take time from their duties to discuss matters with visitors.

Visitors will conduct themselves in a manner fitting to their age level and maturity and with mutual respect and consideration for the rights of others while attending school events.  Visitors failing to conduct themselves accordingly may be asked to leave the premises.  Children who wish to visit school must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

It is the responsibility of employees to report inappropriate conduct.  It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent and principals to take the action necessary to cease the inappropriate conduct.  If the Superintendent or principal is not available, a District employee shall act to cease the inappropriate conduct.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

District sponsored or approved activities are an important part of the District program and offer students the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities not offered during the regular school day.  District sponsored or approved activities are provided for the enjoyment and opportunity for involvement they afford the students.

The Board expects that students, employees, and visitors will treat each other with respect, engage in responsible behavior, exercise self-discipline and model fairness, equity, and respect.  Individuals violating this policy will be subject to discipline. Students will be disciplined consistent with the student conduct policies and the law.  Employees will be disciplined with employee discipline policies and laws.  Others will be subject to discipline according to this policy.

Individuals are permitted to attend District sponsored or approved activities or visit school premises only as guests of the District, and, accordingly as a condition of such permission, they must comply with the District’s rules and policies.  Individuals will not be allowed to interfere with or disrupt the enjoyment of the students participating, other spectators or with the performance of students, employees, and officials supervising the District sponsored or approved activity.  Visitors, like the student participants, are expected to display mature, responsible behavior and sportsmanship.  The failure of individuals to do so is not only disruptive but embarrassing to the students, the District, and the entire community.

To protect the rights of students to participate in the education program or activities without fear of interference or disruption and to permit District officials, employees, and activity sponsors and officials to perform their duties without interference or disruption, the following provisions are in effect:

• Abusive, verbal or physical conduct of individuals directed at students, District officials, employees, officials, and activity sponsors of sponsored or approved activities or at other individuals will not be tolerated.
• Verbal or physical conduct of individuals that interferes with the performance of students, District officials, employees, officials, and activity sponsors of sponsored or approved activities will not be tolerated.
• The use of vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression directed at students, District officials, employees, officials, and activity sponsors participating in a sponsored or approved activity or at other spectators will not be tolerated.

If an individual at a District sponsored or approved activity becomes physically or verbally abusive, uses vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression or in any way interrupts an activity, the individual may be removed from the event by the individual in charge of the event and may be excluded from District premises by the Superintendent.  Law enforcement may be contacted for assistance.

If an individual has been excluded from District premises by the Superintendent, the individual will receive a written notice of exclusion.  The notice will advise the individual of the District’s right to exclude the individual from District activities and events and the duration of the exclusion.  If the individual disobeys the notice of exclusion, the individual will be asked to leave and will be advised that the individual’s failure to leave may result in law enforcement authorities being contacted to remove the individual and may result in prosecution.  The District may obtain a court order for permanent exclusion of the individual from future school sponsored or approved activities.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Board recognizes that students, employees, parents or citizens may want to distribute or display materials on District property that are non-curricular.  Non-curricular materials to be distributed or displayed must be approved by the building principal and meet certain standards prior to their distribution.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The use of students’ names and/or likenesses, employees’ names and/or likenesses, the District name and/or likeness, and/or the District’s buildings and sites for advertising and promoting products and/or services of entities and organizations operating for a profit is prohibited unless prior approval has been obtained from the Board.  Nonprofit entities and organizations may be allowed to use students’ names and/or likenesses, employees’ names and/or likenesses, the District’s name and/or likeness, and/or District buildings and sites if the purpose is educationally related, it is permitted under the law, and prior approval has been obtained from the Board in accordance with Board policies and procedures and the law.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Board recognizes that worthy and appropriate educational values accrue from student participation in civic and community affairs.  The Board encourages the use of students for public performances, provided such performances contribute to the educational processes and objectives of the District and provided they do not unduly interfere with the students’ program.

The following guidelines apply:

            1.         All performances shall be approved by the immediate building administrator.

            2.         The extended use of one particular group should be discouraged.

            3.         Extensive travel by any one group should be discouraged.

            4.         Student groups below the senior high school level should engage in public activities on a very limited scale only.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

Students may participate in fund raising activities in the District.  The administration shall determine the nature and extent of such activities.  The Board encourages service type fundraisers.  All fundraisers for District programs or District sponsored programs shall be reviewed and approved by the Board.  Sale type activities should be limited so as not to become a burden to the community.  It is highly recommended that student organizations should be limited to one major sale type fundraiser per school year.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

It shall be the policy of the District to not allow motorized vehicles on District grounds except for the following reasons:

            1.         District sponsored events where parking in designated areas is approved, such as football games, basketball games, contests, etc.

            2.         Vehicles for regular District and general grounds work approved by the Superintendent or Board.

            3.         Other events when approved in advance by the Superintendent or designee for such usage.

Any motorized vehicle owner that ignores this policy will be subject to arrest for public trespassing.  The Board will prosecute owners of such vehicles.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

District facilities and equipment will be made available to local nonprofit entities which promote cultural, educational, civic, community or recreational activities.  "Entities" will include organizations, groups, individuals, and their agents.  Such use will be permitted only when the use does not interfere with or disrupt the education program or a District-related activity, the use is consistent with state law, and will end no later than 11:00 p.m.  It is within the discretion of the Board to allow for-profit entities to use District facilities and equipment.  The Board reserves the right to deny use of the facilities and equipment to an entity.  It is within the discretion of the Superintendent to allow use of District facilities and equipment on Sundays provided that no such use shall commence prior to 1:00 p.m.

Entities that wish to use District facilities or equipment must apply at the Superintendent’s office.  It is the responsibility of the Board Secretary or Superintendent to determine whether the District facility or equipment requested is available and whether the application for use meets Board policy and administrative regulations.  It is the responsibility of the Superintendent and Board Secretary to provide application forms, obtain proof of insurance, and complete an agreement for use of District facilities and equipment. 

Use of District facilities and equipment by entities will be supervised by a District employee unless special prior arrangements are made with the Superintendent.  The District employee will not accept a fee from the entity using District facilities and equipment.  If appropriate, the District employee may be paid by the District.  The District may recoup the cost of paying the employee by charging a fee to the entity. 

Entities that use District buildings or sites must leave the building or site in the same condition it was in prior to its use.  Entities that use District equipment must return the equipment in the same working condition it was in prior to its use.  Inappropriate use of District facilities, sites or equipment may result in additional fees charged to, and/or the inability of the entity to use school district facilities, sites or equipment in the future.   

The Board may allow entities, such as the Boy and Girl Scouts and 4-H, to use the District facilities and equipment without charge for non-fund raising activities.  While such entities may use District facilities and equipment without charge, they may be required to pay a custodial fee. 

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to develop a fee schedule for the Board's approval and to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The use of tobacco and nicotine products; including, but not limited to, cigarettes, nicotine chew, snus, dissolvables, electronic cigarettes, any electronic or other devices that can be used to deliver nicotine to the person inhaling from the device, any other look-alike products in which the original product would include tobacco and/or nicotine and/or other nicotine products that are not approved by the Federal Drug Administration for tobacco cessation; on District property; including in District buildings, on District grounds, in District transportation vehicles or at any District activity; is prohibited. 

This policy extends to all students, employees, volunteers, and visitors.  This policy applies at all times, including during District-sponsored events and during non-District-sponsored events.

Persons violating this policy shall be asked to cease using the tobacco and/or nicotine product, properly dispose of the tobacco and/or nicotine product and refrain from using tobacco and/or nicotine products in the future.  Persons failing to abide by this request shall be required to leave the District premises immediately.

It shall be the responsibility of all District personnel, and specifically District administrators, to enforce this policy.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019