Iowa law authorizes the creation of a Common Schools System. As part of this Common Schools System, this school district is a school corporation created and organized under Iowa law. The school district shall be known as the Wapello Community School District.
This school corporation is located in Louisa County, and its affairs are conducted by elected school officials, the Wapello Community School District Board of Directors. This school corporation has exclusive jurisdiction over school matters in the territory of the school district.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code 274.1, .2, .6, .7; 279.8; 594A
Cross Reference: 200 Legal Status of the Board of Directors
Approved: 08/17/95
Reviewed: 11/21/06; 10/12/11; 8/26/15; 6/8/20; 4/9/25
Revised: 7/13/06
As the school corporation of Iowa, the Wapello Community School District, acting through its Board of Directors, is dedicated to promoting an equal opportunity for a quality public education to its students within the limitations of the school district's ability and willingness to furnish financial support to provide for students in cooperation with their parents and the school district community, the opportunity to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in a learning environment that provides guidance to and encourages critical thinking in the students for a lifetime.
The board endeavors through the dedication of the school district's resources, to encourage students, who come to the school district from a variety of backgrounds, to look forward to the time when they will have jobs, homes, families, places in the school district community, and attain recognition as individuals. In order to achieve this goal, the board will seek qualified employees dedicated to development of their professional skills for the betterment of the education program and for the expertise for educational productivity.
Instructional and curriculum are the key elements of a public education. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will assist the students' preparation for life shall be instructed as part of a sequentially coordinated curriculum. The school district strives to prepare students for employment, to discover and nurture creative talent, and to prepare them to meet and cope with social change in an atmosphere conducive to learning.
The support and involvement of the home and the school district community are essential to achieve educational excellence in the school district. The school district strives to maintain an active relationship with the home and the school district community to create within the students an awareness of dignity and worth of the individual, civic responsibility, and respect for authority.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 275.1 (1993).
Cross Reference: 102 Equal Educational Opportunity
200 Legal Status of the Board of Directors
600 Goals and Objectives of the Education Program
Approved: 08/17/95
Reviewed: 11/21/06; 10/12/11; 8/26/15; 6/8/20; 4/9/25
Revised: 7/13/06
It is the goal of the board to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in the students enrolled in the school district. Each student attending school will have the opportunity to use its education program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual growth. In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that assures each student the same educational opportunity.
The board does not discriminate in its educational activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. The belief in equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to school district facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Kelci Eakins, 501 Buchanan, Wapello, IA 52653, 319-523-3641, kelci.eakins@wapellocsd.org
Board policies, rules, and regulations affect students while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management, and welfare of the school district.
The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, are directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to Kelci Eakins, Affirmative Action Coordinator, Wapello Community School District, Wapello Iowa 52353; or by telephoning 319-523-3641
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Region VII office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 (312 730-1560, fax (312) 730-1576 OCR, Chicago@ed.gov, the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner, 6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50321-1270, https://icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121 or the Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319. (515) 281-5294. This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1221 et seq.
20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
20 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq.
29 U.S.C. § 206 et seq.
29 U.S.C. § 794
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d and 2000e.
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
34 C.F.R. Pt. 100.
34 C.F.R. Pt. 104
Iowa Code §§ 216.6;-216.9; 256.11; 280.3.
281 I. A.C. 12.
Cross Reference: 101 Educational Philosophy of the School District
104 Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy
401.1 Equal Employment Opportunity
502.3 Student Expression and Student Publications Code
506.1 Education Records Access
603.1 Basic Instruction Program
603.4 Multicultural/Gender Fair Education
802.5 Buildings & Sites Adaptation for Persons with Disabilities
Approved: 8/17/95
Reviewed: 11/21/06; 10/12/11; 8/26/15; 6/8/20;
Revised: 7/13/06; 11/21/06; 8/16/07; 6/10/13; 12/9/20; 4/9/25
Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination
The Wapello Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
It is the policy of the Wapello Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance realted to this policy please contact
Kelci Eakins
500 Buchanan Street
Wapello, IA 52653
319-523-3241 Ex. 1120
It is the policy of the Wapello Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact
Kelci Eakins
Wapello High School
501 Buchanan
Wapello, IA 52653
319-523-3241
The Wapello Community School District does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of a student's disability. It has been determined that your child has a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made to meet his or her individual needs as adequately as the needs of other students. As a parent, you have the right to the following:
It is the policy of the Wapello Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact:
Kelci Eakins
Wapello High School
501 Buchanan
Wapello, IA 52653
319-523-3241
DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT FORM
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Who or what entity do you believe discriminated against, harassed, or bullied you (or someone else)?
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In the space below, please describe what happened and why you believe that you or someone else has been discriminated against, harassed, or bullied. Please be as specific as possible and attach additional pages if necessary.
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I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________
WITNESS DISCLOSURE FORM
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Description of incident witnessed: _________________________________________________________
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Additional information: _________________________________________________________________
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I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________
DISPOSITION OF COMPLAINT FORM
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Summary of Investigation: _______________________________________________________________
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I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _________________________
It is the policy of the Wapello Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Kelci Eakins, 500 Buchanan, Wapello, IA 52653, 319-523-3641, kelci.eaking@wapellocsd.org
Students, parents of students, employees, and applicants for employment in the school district have the right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination. The district has policies and procedures in place to identify and investigate complaints alleging discrimination. If appropriate, the district will take steps to prevent the recurrence of discrimination and to correct its discriminatory effects on the Complainant and others.
A Complainant may attempt to resolve the problem informally by discussing the matter with a building principal or a direct supervisor. However, the Complainant has the right to end the informal process at any time and pursue the formal grievance procedures outlined below. Use of the informal or formal grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies. Please note that informal processes and procedures are not to be used in certain circumstances (e.g., sexual harassment and sexual assault).
Filing a Complaint
A Complainant who wishes to avail himself/herself of this grievance procedure may do so by filing a complaint with the equity coordinator(s). An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the equity coordinator or superintendent committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 180 days of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the Complainant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The Complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The equity coordinator(s) shall assist the Complainant as needed.
Investigation
Within 15 working days, the equity coordinator will begin the investigation of the complaint
or appoint a qualified person to undertake the investigation (hereinafter “equity coordinator”). If the Complainant is under 18 years of age, the equity coordinator shall notify his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) that they may attend investigatory meetings in which the Complainant is involved. The complaint and identity of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy. The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following:
Within 60 working days, the equity coordinator shall complete the investigation and issue a
report with respect to the findings.
The equity coordinator shall notify the Complainant and Respondent of the decision within 5 working days of completing the written report. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.
Decision and Appeal
The complaint is closed after the equity coordinator has issued the report, unless within 10
working days after receiving the decision, either party appeals the decision to the superintendent by making a written request detailing why he/she believes the decision should be reconsidered. The equity coordinator shall promptly forward all materials relative to the complaint and appeal to the superintendent. Within 30 working days, the superintendent shall affirm, reverse, amend the decision, or direct the equity coordinator to gather additional information. The superintendent shall notify the Complainant, Respondent, and the equity coordinator of the decision within 5 working days of the decision. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.
The decision of the superintendent shall be final.
The decision of the superintendent in no way prejudices a party from seeking redress through state or federal agencies as provided by in law.
This policy and procedures are to be used for complaints of discrimination, in lieu of any other general complaint policies or procedures that may be available.
If any of the stated timeframes cannot be met by the district, the district will notify the parties and pursue completion as promptly as possible.
Retaliation against any person, because the person has filed a complaint or assisted or participated in an investigation, is prohibited. Persons found to have engaged in retaliation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate
measures.
At least every five years the Wapello Board of Directors shall conduct an in-depth needs assessment, soliciting information from business, labor, industry, higher education, and community members, regarding their expectations for adequate student preparation. One purpose of this assessment is to assist the Board in developing and evaluating the statement of philosophy for the school district. The second purpose of this assessment is to determine the areas of student performance, knowledge, and attitudes and the areas of school district operations which are judged to be most crucial in meeting school or school district goals. As part of this assessment, the Board shall develop a process for communicating with business, industry, labor, and higher education regarding their expectations for adequate student preparation. The statement of philosophy shall describe the Board's beliefs about topics which shall include the nature of learning, the purpose of the school district, the scope of educational experiences that the school district should provide, the nature of its learners, and a description of a desirable learning atmosphere.
In conjunction with the in-depth needs assessment of the school district, the Board shall authorize the appointment of a committee, representing administrators, employees, parents, students, and community members, to make recommendations and assist the Board in determining the priorities of the school district in addition to the basic skills areas of the education program.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to insure the school district community is informed of the Board's policies, programs and goals and has an opportunity to express their thoughts and suggestions for the operation of the school district. At the June meeting, the superintendent shall report to the Board about the means used to keep the community informed.
As a result of the Board and committee's work, the Board shall determine major educational needs and rank them in priority order; develop long-range goals and plans to meet the needs; establish and implement short-range and intermediate-range plans to meet the goals and to obtain the desired levels of student performance; evaluate progress toward meeting the goals and maintain a record of progress under the plan that includes reports of student performance and results of school improvement projects; and annually report the school district's progress made under the plan to the committee, community, and Iowa Department Of Education.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 21; 256.7; 280.12, .18 (1997).
281 I.A.C 12.8(1)(b).
Cross Reference: 101 Educational Philosophy of the School District
200 Legal Status of the Board of Directors
603.1 Basic Instruction Program
801.1 Buildings and Sites Long-Range Planning
801.2 Buildings and Sites Surveys
Approved: 08/17/95
Reviewed: 11/21/06; 10/12/11; 6/8/20; 4/9/25
Revised: 7/13/06; 11/21/06; 8/26/15
The school district's long range needs assessment process includes these items:
Harassment and bullying of students and employees are against federal, state and local policy, and are not tolerated by the board. The board is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect. To that end, the board has in place policies, procedures, and practices that are designed to reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment as well as processes and procedures to deal with incidents of bullying and harassment.
Bullying and harassment of students by other students, by school employees, and by volunteers who have contact with students will not be tolerated in the school or school district.
This policy is in effect while students or employees are on property within the jurisdiction of the board; while on school-owned or school-operated vehicles; while attending or engaged in school-sponsored activities.
Complaints may be filed with the superintendent or superintendent’s designee pursuant to the regulation accompanying this policy. The superintendent is responsible for implementation of this policy and all accompanying procedures. Complaints will be investigated within a reasonable time frame. Within 24 hours of receiving a report that a student may have been the victim of conduct that constitutes bullying and/or harassment, the district will notify the parent or guardian of the student.
If as a result of viewing surveillance system data or based on a report from a school district employee, the district determines that a student has suffered bullying or harassment by another student enrolled in the district, a parent or guarding of the student may enroll the student in another attendance center within the district that offers classes at the student’s grade level, subject to the requirements and limitations established in Iowa law related to this topic.
Any person who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of bullying or harassment under this policy to a school official, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to the person’s participation in any administrative, judicial, or other proceeding relating to the report. Individuals who knowingly file a false complaint may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
Retaliation Prohibited
Retaliation against any person, because the person has filed a bullying or harassment complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding, is also prohibited.
Individuals who knowingly file false harassment complaints and any person who gives false statements in an investigation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures, as shall any person who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy.
Any student found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion. Any school employee found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment.
Any school volunteer found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, exclusion from school grounds.
Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, the defined words shall have the following meaning:
“Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optic cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, and electronic text messaging.
“Harassment” and “Bullying” mean any repeated or potentially repeated electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or other ongoing conduct toward an individual based on any trait or characteristic of the individual which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one of more of the following conditions:
Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property;
Has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health;
Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance; or
Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.
“Trait or characteristic of the individual” includes but is not limited to age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status
“Volunteer” means an individual who has regular significant contact with students.
Publication of Policy
The board will annually publish this policy. The policy may be publicized by the following means:
Inclusion in the student handbook,
Inclusion in the employee handbook
Inclusion in the registration materials
Inclusion on the school or school district’s website, and a copy shall be made to any person at the central administrative office at 406 Mechanic.
Legal References: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1221-1234i.
29 U.S.C. § 794.
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d-2000d-7.
42 U.S.C. 12100 2et. Seq.
Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 280.3 .28
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6)
Morse v. Frederick, 551 U.S. 393 (2007)
Cross Reference: 102 Equal Educational Opportunity
502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
503 Student Discipline
506 Education Records
Adopted: 7/12/07
Reviewed: 10/12/11; 8/26/15; 6/8/20; 4/9/25
Revised: 12/12/07; 7/12/23
ANTI-BULLYING/HARASSMENT COMPLAINT FORM
Name of complainant:
Position of complainant:
Name of student or employee target:
Date of complaint:
Name of alleged harasser or bully:
Date and place of incident or incidents:
Nature of Discrimination or Harassment Alleged (Check all that apply)
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Description of misconduct:
Name of witnesses (if any):
Evidence of harassment or bullying, i.e., letters, photos, etc. (attach evidence if possible):
Any other information:
I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.
Signature:
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Description of incident witnessed: _________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional information: _________________________________________________________________
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I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________
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Description of incident witnessed: _________________________________________________________
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Additional information: _________________________________________________________________
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I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________
Filing a Complaint
Individuals who feel that they have been harassed or bullied may file a complaint with the superintendent or superintendent’s designee. The complaint form is available at www.wapello.csd.org
An alternate investigator will be designated in the event it is claimed that the superintendent or superintendent’s designee committed the alleged bullying or harassment or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 10 days of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the Complainant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The Complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The Complainant shall receive assistance as needed.
Investigation
The school district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of bullying or harassment upon receipt of a written complaint. The investigator will be responsible for handling all complaints alleging bullying or harassment.
The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following:
The Investigator shall consider the totality of circumstances presented in determining whether conduct objectively constitutes bullying or harassment as defined in board policy. Upon completion of the investigation, the Investigator shall issue a report with respect to the findings, and provide a copy of the report to the appropriate building principal or Superintendent if the investigation involved the building principal.
The complaint and identify of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy. Similarly, evidence uncovered in the investigation shall be kept confidential to the extent reasonably possible.
Decision
The investigator, building principal, or superintendent, depending on the individuals involved, shall inform the Complainant and the accused about the outcome of the investigation. If,, after an investigation, a student is found to be in violation of the policy, the student shall be disciplined by appropriate measures which may include suspension and expulsion. If after an investigation a school employee is found to be in violation of this policy, the employee shall be disciplined by appropriate measures, which may include termination. If after an investigation a school volunteer is found to be in violation of this policy, the volunteer shall be subject to appropriate measures, which may include exclusion from school grounds.
Individuals who knowingly file false bullying and/or harassment complaints and any person who gives false statements in an investigation may be subject to discipline by appropriate measures, as shall any person who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy. Any student found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion. Any school employee found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment. Any school volunteer found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, exclusion from school grounds.
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Community School District prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment as defined by the regulations implementing Title IX (34 C.F.R. § 106.30), against any individual participating in any education program or activity of the District. This prohibition on discrimination applies to students, employees, and applicants for employment.
The Board authorizes the Superintendent to adopt procedures for any individual to report sexual harassment to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, for the provision of supportive measures to anyone who has been subjected to sexual harassment whether or not they proceed with a formal complaint under those procedures, and for the investigation and resolution of such complaints, as required by Title IX. This Title IX grievance process shall be used to respond to all complaints of sexual harassment that fall within the scope of Title IX. For complaints of sexual harassment that do not fall within the scope of Title IX, the District may still offer supportive measures to the subject of such conduct and shall apply any other policy or procedure applicable to the alleged conduct.
Any individual with questions about the District’s Title IX policy and procedures, or who would like to make a report or file a formal complaint of sex discrimination or sexual harassment may contact the District’s designated Title Coordinator,
Kelci Eakins, Professional School Counselor
501 Buchanan Avenue
Wapello, IA 52653
319-523-3641
Retaliation against a person who made a report or complaint of sexual harassment, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a sexual harassment report or complaint is strictly prohibited. Retaliation includes threats, coercion, discrimination, intimidation, reprisals, and/or adverse actions related to employment or education. Any individual who believed they have been retaliated against in violation of this Policy should immediately contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.
34 C.F.R. 106 et seq.
Cross Reference: 501.12 Pregnant Students
Adopted: 7/12/07
Reviewed: 10/12/11; 8/26/15; 6/8/20; 4/9/25
Revised: 12/12/07; 7/12/23