The size of each class shall depend upon the type of instruction needed to assist each student to develop his academic and occupational capacities to the utmost. Effective staff utilization shall also be considered in organizing and scheduling classroom instruction. The administrators of each school shall determine class size for each school unit within the general policy established for class size by the Wapello Board of Directors.
Class size for Special Education students is established by state statues and AEA (Area Education Agency) guidelines.
The Superintendent of Schools, with his administrative staff, are instructed and directed to investigate new approaches and techniques in organizing and scheduling classroom instruction.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3 (1993).
Cross Reference: 603 Instructional Curriculum
Approved: 8/17/95
Reviewed: 10/12/00; 8/16/07; 12/12/18; 9/13/23
Revised:
The Wapello Community School District will continue school ceremonies and observances which have become a tradition and a custom of the education program. These include, but are not limited to, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and observance of holidays, such as Christmas, Halloween and Easter, by programs and performances. Such ceremonies or observances shall have a secular purpose and shall not advocate or sponsor a particular religion.
The district will provide and maintain a suitable flagstaff at each school site and raise the Iowa and United States flags each school day as weather conditions permit. The district will display the United States flag and administer the Pledge of Allegiance in each 1st through 12th grade classroom on school days.
Students who do not wish to participate in these activities may be silent during the ceremony or observance or receive permission from the principal to be excused from the ceremony for religious reasons in compliance with board policy.
Legal Reference: U.S. Const. Amend. I
Lee v. Weisman, 112 S. Ct. 2649 (1992).
Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971)
Graham v. Central Community School District of Decatur County, 608 F.
Supp. 351 (S.D. Iowa 1985).
Iowa Code 279.8; 280.5
Cross Reference: 603 Instructional Curriculum
604.5 Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program
Approved: 8/17/95
Reviewed: 10/12/00; 8/16/07; 12/12/18; 9/13/23
Revised: 9/1/21
Live animals will not be allowed in school district facilities except under special circumstances and only for an educational purpose. Permission from the principal will be required of anyone wishing to bring an animal into school district facilities. Appropriate supervision of animals is required when animals are brought into the school district facilities.
The person bringing the animal must furnish transportation for the animal brought to school. Animals will not be allowed to travel to and from the student's attendance center on the school bus without prior approval from the principal.
It shall be the responsibility of the principal to determine appropriate supervision of animals in the classroom.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (1993).
Cross Reference: 507 Student Health and Well-Being
Approved: 8/17/95
Reviewed: 10/12/00; 8/16/07; 12/12/18; 9/13/23
Revised:
Materials and services produced by students at the expense of the school district are to be the property of the school district. Materials and services produced by students at the student's expense, except for incidental expense to the school district, are to be the property of the student.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to determine incidental expense.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (1993).
Cross Reference: 408.2 Licensed Employee Publication or Creation of Materials
Approved: 8/17/95
Reviewed: 10/12/00; 8/16/07; 12/12/18; 9/13/23
Revised:
The principal may authorize field trips and excursions when such events contribute to the achievement of education goals of the school district. The school district will provide transportation for field trips and excursions.
In authorizing field trips and excursions, the principal shall consider the financial condition of the school district, the educational benefit of the activity, the inherent risks or dangers of the activity, and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent. Written parental permission will be required prior to the student's participation in field trips and excursions. The superintendent's approval will be required for field trips and excursions outside the state. Board approval will be required for field trips and excursions which involve unusual length or expense.
Field trips and excursions are to be arranged with the principal well in advance. A detailed schedule and budget must be submitted by the employee. The school district will be responsible for obtaining a substitute teacher if one is needed. Following field trips and excursions, the teacher may be required to submit a written summary of the event.
Legal Reference: 390 C.F.R. § 390.3(f) (1993).
Iowa Code § 279.8 (1993).
281 I.A.C. 43.9.
Cross Reference: 503.1 Student Conduct
503.4 Good Conduct Rule
711 Transportation
Approved: 8/17/95
Reviewed: 10/12/00; 8/16/07; 2/12/18; 9/13/23
Revised:
It is the goal of the district to create learning environments that encourage the growth and development of each student. Providing classrooms with an appropriate student-teacher ratio is central to achieving this goal. Insufficient classroom space exists when conditions in the district adversely affect the implementation of the district's goals and its educational program.
Insufficient classroom space shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. In making its determination whether insufficient classroom space exists, the board may consider several factors, including but not limited to, the nature of the education program, the grade level, the available licensed employees, the instructional method, the physical space, student-teacher ratios, equipment and materials, facilities either being planned or under construction, facilities planned to be closed, financial condition of the school district and projected to be available, a sharing agreement in force or planned, a bargaining agreement in force, laws or rules governing special education class size, board-adopted school district goals and objectives, and other factors considered relevant by the board.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 282.13(13).
281 I.A.C. 17.6(3).
Cross Reference: 103 Long-Range Needs Assessment
501.15 Open Enrollment Transfers--Procedures as a Receiving District
606.1 Class Size--Class Grouping
Approved: 8/17/95
Reviewed: 10/12/00; 8/16/07; 12/12/18; 9/13/23
Revised: