The Wapello Community School District will provide equal opportunity to employees and applicants for employment in accordance with applicable equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws, directives and regulations of federal, state and local governing bodies. Opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment includes hiring, placement, promotion, transfer or demotion, recruitment, advertising or solicitation for employment, treatment during employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and layoff or termination. The school district will take affirmative action in major job categories where women, men, minorities and persons with disabilities are underrepresented. Employees will support and comply with the district's established equal employment opportunity and affirmative action policies. Employees will be given notice of this policy annually.
The board will appoint an affirmative action coordinator. The affirmative action coordinator will have the responsibility for drafting the affirmative action plan. The affirmative action plan will be reviewed by the board at least every two years.
Individuals who file an application with the school district will be given consideration for employment if they meet or exceed the qualifications set by the board, administration, and Iowa Department of Education for the position for which they apply. In employing individuals, the board will consider the qualifications, credentials, and records of the applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. In keeping with the law, the board will consider the veteran status of applicants.
Prior to a final offer of employment the school district will perform the background checks required by law. Based upon the results of the background checks, the school district will determine whether an offer will be extended. If the candidate is a teacher who has an initial license from the BOEE, then the requirement for a background check is waived. The district will perform repeat background checks on applicable employees as required by law.
Advertisements and notices for vacancies within the district will contain the following statement: "The Wapello Community School District is an EEO/AA employer." The statement will also appear on application forms.
Inquiries by employees or applicants for employment regarding compliance with equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, will be directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Wapello Community School District, 406 Mechanic Street , Wapello, Iowa 52653; or by telephoning 319-523-3641.
Inquiries by employees or applicants for employment regarding compliance with equal employment 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, 310 W. Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 800, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53203-2292, (414) 291-1111 or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319-1004, (515) 281-4121 or 1-800-457-4416. This inquiry or complaint to the federal office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.
Further information and copies of the procedures for filing a complaint are available in the school district's central administrative office and the administrative office in each attendance center.
Legal Reference:
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e et seq.
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
Iowa Code §§ 19B; 20; 35C; 73; 216; 279.8;
Cross Reference:
102 Equal Educational Opportunity
104 Bullying/Harassment
405.2 Licensed Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection
411.2 Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection
Approved: 6/2/95
Reviewed: 02/14/08; 10/12/11; 9/14/16; 9/1/21
Revised: 1/10/02; 8/16/07; 12/14/23
Employees' use of their position with the Wapello Community School District for financial gain shall be considered a conflict of interest with their position as employees and may subject employees to disciplinary action.
Employees have access to information and a captive audience that could award the employee personal or financial gain. No employee may solicit other employees or students for personal or financial gain to the employee without the approval of the superintendent. If the approval of the superintendent is given, the employee must conduct the solicitations within the conditions set by the superintendent. Further, the superintendent may, upon five days notice, require the employee to cease such solicitations as a condition of continued employment.
Employees shall not act as an agent or dealer for the sale of textbooks or other school supplies. Employees shall not participate for personal financial remuneration in outside activities wherein their position on the staff is used to sell goods or services to students or to parents. Employees shall not engage in outside work or activities where the source of information concerning the customer, client, or employer originates from information obtained because the employee's position in the school district.
It shall also be a conflict of interest for an employee to engage in any outside employment or activity which is in conflict with the employee's official duties and responsibilities. In determining whether outside employment or activity of an employee creates a conflict of interest, situations in which an unacceptable conflict of interest shall be deemed to exist shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following:
If the outside employment or activity is employment or activity in (1) or (2) above, the employee must cease the employment or activity. If the activity or employment falls under (3), the employee must:
When procurement is supported by Federal Child Nutrition funds, employees will not participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract if there is a real or apparent conflict of interest in the contract. Contract, for purposes of this paragraph, includes a contract where the employee, employee’s immediate family, partner, or a non-school district employer of these individuals is a party to the contract.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 20.7; 68B; 279.8; 301.28.
Cross Reference:
203 Board of Directors' Conflict of Interest
402.4 Gifts to Employees
402.6 Employee Outside Employment
404 Employee Conduct and Appearance
Approved: 6/12/1995
Reviewed: 02/14/2008; 10/12/11; 9/14/16; 9/1/21
Revised: 9/21/2006; 11/9/11
More than one family member may be an employee of the Wapello Community School District. It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to allow one family member employed by the school district to supervise another family member employed by the school district.
The employment by the board of more than one individual in a family shall be on the basis of their qualifications, credentials, and records.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 20; 71; 277.27; 279.8.
Cross Reference:
405.2 Licensed Employee Qualifications, Recruitment Selection
411.2 Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment Selection
Approved: 6/12/1995
Reviewed: 02/14/2008; 10/12/11;9/14/16; 9/1/21
Revised: 9/21 /2006
Complaints of employees against fellow employees should be discussed directly between employees as appropriate for the nature of the complaint. Complaints should be made in a constructive and professional manner. Complaints should generally not be made in the presence of other employees, students, or outside persons.
If the complaint cannot be resolved, the employee may discuss the matter with their immediate supervisor. If the matter cannot be resolved within 5 days of speaking with the immediate supervisor, the employee may discuss it with the principal within 5 days of the supervisor's decision. If the matter cannot be resolved by the principal, the employee may discuss it with the superintendent within 5 days after speaking with the principal.
If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by the superintendent, the employee may ask to have the matter placed on the board agenda of a regularly scheduled board meeting in compliance with board policy. The board retains discretion as to whether to consider or take action on a complaint.
This policy is designed to create an appropriate process for pursuing general employee complaints. However, employees wishing to address a complaint on a topic with a more specialized procedure such as master contract grievances, or bullying or harassment claims should follow the appropriate process set forth in the master contract, employee handbook, or other board policies specific to that topic.
A formal grievance procedure is contained in the master contract between the employee's licensed bargaining unit and the board. This policy shall not apply to a complaint that has been or could be filed at the employee's discretion under the formal grievance procedure.
Legal Reference:
Cross Reference:
210.8 Board Meeting Agenda
Approved: 6/12/1995
Reviewed: 02/14/2008; 10/12/11; 9/14/16; 9/1/21
Revised:
The Wapello Community School District shall maintain personnel records on employees. The records are important for the daily administration of the educational program, for implementing board policy, for budget and financial planning, and for meeting state and federal requirements.
The records shall include, but not be limited to, records necessary for the daily administration of the school district, salary records, evaluations, and applications for employment, references, and other items needed to carry out board policy. Employee personnel files are school district records and are considered confidential records and therefore are not generally open to public inspection or accessibility. Only in certain limited instances, when the employee has given a signed consent, will employee personnel records be accessible to individuals other than the employee or authorized school officials.
Employees made have access to their personnel files, with the exception of letters of reference, and copy items from their personnel files at a time mutually agreed upon between the superintendent and the employee. The school district may charge a reasonable fee for each copy made. However, employees will not be allowed access to the employment references written on behalf of the employee. Board members will generally only have access to an employee's file when it is necessary because of an employee related matter before the board.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to keep employees' personnel files current. The board Secretary shall be the custodian of employee records.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for the implementation of this policy.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code chs. 20; 21; 22; 91B.
Cross Reference:
402.1 Release of Credit Information
403 Employees' Health and Well-Being
708 Care, Maintenance and Disposal of School District Records
Approved: 6/12/1995
Reviewed: 02/14/2008; 10/12/11; 9/14/16; 9/1/21
Revised: 5/11/2000
Employee Personnel Records Content
1. Employee personnel records may contain the following information:
2. Employee health and medical records shall be kept in a file separate from the employee's personnel records. Health and medical records may contain, but are not limited to:
3. The following are considered public personnel records available for inspection:
Applicant File Records Content
Records on applicants for positions with the school district are maintained in the central administration office. The records will include, but not be limited to:
Records Access
Only authorized school officials will have access to an employee’s records without the written consent of the employee. Authorized school officials may include, but not be limited to, the superintendent, building principal, or board secretary. In the case of a medical emergency, the school nurse or other first aid or safety personnel may have access to the employee’s health or medical file without the consent of the employee. Board members will generally only have access to an employee’s personnel file without the consent of the employee when necessary for the conducting of board business.
The district believes in taking appropriate measures to promote the health and welfare of all students. Any school employee, contractor, or agent shall not assist another school employee, contractor, or agent in obtaining a new job, apart from the routine transmission of administrative personnel files, if the individual or agency knows, or has probable cause to believe, that such school employee, contractor, or agent engaged in sexual misconduct regarding a minor or student in violation of the law.
This limitation does not apply if the matter has been properly reported to law enforcement and any other regulatory authorities required by law, and either:
Legal References: 20 U.S.C. §7926; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(14)
Cross References: 401.5 Employee Records
402.2 Child Abuse Reporting
402.3 Abuse of Students by School District Employees
405.2 Licensed Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection
411.2 Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection
Approved 9/1/21 Reviewed Revised
Employees traveling on behalf of the Wapello Community School District and performing approved school district business will be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses. Actual and necessary travel expenses shall include, but not be limited to, transportation and/or mileage costs, lodging expenses, meal expenses, and registration costs.
Travel outside the School District
Travel outside the school district must be pre-approved. Pre-approval shall include the evaluation, the necessity of the travel, the reason for the travel, and an estimate of the cost of the travel to qualify as approved school district business. Travel outside the school district by employees, other than the superintendent, is pre-approved by the superintendent or an immediate supervisor. Travel outside the school district by the superintendent shall be approved by the board president..
Reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses will be allowed for travel outside the school district if the employee received pre-approval for the travel. Prior to reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses, the employee must provide the school district with a detailed, itemized receipt, other than a credit card receipt, indicating the date, purpose, and nature of the expense for each claim item. In exceptional circumstances, the superintendent may allow a claim without proper receipt. Written documentation explaining the exceptional circumstances shall be maintained as part of the school district's record of the claim.
Failure to have a detailed itemized receipt shall make the expense a personal expense. Personal expenses, including mileage, in excess of that required for the trip shall be reimbursed by the employee to the school district no later than 10 working days following the date of the expense.
Reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses for travel outside the school district will be limited to the pre-approved expenses. Pre-approved expenses for registration shall be limited to the actual cost of the registration.
Pre-approved expenses for transportation within 300 miles of the school district administrative office shall be by automobile. If the school district vehicle is not available, the employee will be reimbursed mileage at the Internal Revenue Service standard mileage rate. Travel to/from home and work is never a reimbursable travel expense. Pre-approved expenses for transportation outside of 300 miles of the school district administrative office may be by public carrier. Reimbursement for air travel shall be at the tourist class fares. Should an employee choose to travel by automobile, reimbursement shall be limited to the public carrier amount. Pre-approved expenses for transportation in a rental car is limited to the cost of a Class "C" rental car at a medium priced agency unless the number of people traveling on behalf of the school district warrants some larger vehicle. Travel costs for a spouse or anyone other than the district employee shall be a personal expense not reimbursed by the district.
Travel within the School District
Employees required to travel in their personal vehicle between school district buildings to carry out the duties of the position may be reimbursed mileage at the Internal Revenue Service standard mileage rate. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to approve travel within the school district by employees. It shall be the responsibility of the board to review the travel within the school district by the superintendent through the board's audit and approval process.
Travel allowances within the district will be provided only after Board approval. Employees who are allowed a within district travel allowance shall have the amount of the allowance actually received during each calendar year included on the employee's W-2 form as taxable income according to the Internal Revenue Code.
Use of District-Owned Vehicles
Certain district employment positions may require regular and extensive travel. Due to the required duties of these positions, the district may provide certain position with us of district-owned vehicles. Employees who utilize district-owned vehicles during the course of their job duties are fulfilling the public purpose of meeting the needs of the educational community in an efficient, and time-sensitive manner. District-owned vehicles are purchased and maintained with public money and must be used strictly in accordance with fulfilling a public purpose. These vehicles represent the district in carrying ut its educational mission. Therefore, district-owned vehicles will be clearly marked at all times to identify the district.
The superintendent shall be responsible for developing administrative regulations regarding actual and necessary expenses, in-school district travel allowances, and assignment and proper use of school district vehicles. The administrative regulations shall include the appropriate forms to be filed for reimbursement to the employee from the school district and the procedures for obtaining approval for travel outside of and within the school district.
Legal Reference: Iowa Constitution, Art. III, 31.
Iowa Code 70A.9-.11
1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 512
Cross Reference: 216.3 Board of Directors' Member Compensation and Expenses
401.10 Credit and Procurement Cards
904.1 Transporting Students in Private Vehicles
Approved: 6/12/1995
Reviewed: 02/14/2008; 10/12/11; 9/14/16; 9/1/21
Revised: 4/12/2007
The Wapello Board of Directors recognizes and appreciates the service of its employees. Employees who retire or resign may be honored by the board, administration, and staff in an appropriate manner.
If the form of honor thought appropriate by the administration and employees involves unusual expense to the school district, the superintendent shall seek prior approval from the board.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Const. Art. III, § 31.
Cross Reference:
407 Licensed Employee Termination of Employment
413 Classified Employee Termination of Employment
Approved: 6/12/1995
Reviewed: 02/14/2008; 10/12/11; 9/14/16; 9/1/21
Revised:
Employees shall not engage in political activity upon property under the jurisdiction of the board. Activities including, but not limited to, posting of political circulars or petitions, the distribution of political circulars or petitions, the collection of or solicitation for campaign funds, solicitation for campaign workers, and the use of students for writing or addressing political materials, or the distribution of such materials to or by students are specifically prohibited.
Violation of this policy may be grounds for disciplinary action.
Legal Reference:
Cross Reference:
409.2 Employee Leaves of Absence
Approved: 6/12/1995
Reviewed: 02/14/2008; 10/12/11; 9/14/16; 9/1/21
Revised:
Employees may possess and use cell phones during the school day as outlined in this policy and as provided in the administrative regulation developed by the superintendent. Employees should not use cell phones for personal business while on-duty, including staff development times, parent-teacher conferences, etc., except in the case of an emergency or during prep time or break/lunch times. Employees, except for bus drivers, see below, are prohibited from using cell phones while driving except in the case of an emergency and any such use must comply with applicable state and federal law and district policies and regulations.
Cell phones are not to be used for conversations involving confidential student or employee information.
School bus drivers are prohibited from using any communication device while operating the bus except in the case of an emergency, or to call for assistance, after the vehicle has been stopped. Any such use must comply with applicable state and federal law and district policies and regulations.
Employees violating the policy will be subject to discipline, up to and including, discharge. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal References: Internal Revenue Comment Notice, 2009-46, http://www.irs.gov/irb/2009-23_IRB/ar07.html; Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 321.276.
Cross References: 406 Licensed Employee Compensation and Benefits
412 Classified Employee Compensation and Benefits
707.5 Internal Controls
Approved 9/1/21 Reviewed Revised
Cell phone Usage
Cell Phone Business Procedures
School district employees may be reimbursed for use of privately owned cell phones to conduct school district business in accordance with board policy and this regulation, with prior approval of the superintendent.
The board believes the district has an interest in maintaining an orderly and effective work environment while balancing employees’ First Amendment rights to freedom of expression and diverse viewpoints and beliefs. When employees speak within their official capacity, their expression represents the district and may be regulated. The First Amendment protects a public employee’s speech when the employee is speaking as an individual citizen on a matter of public concern. Even so, employee expression that has an adverse impact on district operations and/or negatively impacts an employee’s ability to perform their job for the district may still result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Employees will comply with Iowa law to the extent that compliance does not infringe on employees’ free speech rights. Employees who use social media platforms are encouraged to remember that the school community may not be able to separate employees as private citizens, from the role within the district. Employee expression on social media platforms that interferes with the district’s operations or prevents the district from functioning efficiently and effectively may be subject to discipline up to and including termination.
A district employee who acts to protect a student for engaging in free expression or who refuses to infringe on students engaging in free expression; and who is acting within the scope of their professional ethics will not be retaliated against or face any adverse employment action based on their behavior provided that expression is otherwise permitted by law and board policy.
If the board or court finds an employee that is subject to licensure, certification, or authorization by the Board of Educational Examiners discriminated against a student or other co-employee, the board will refer the employee to the Board of Educational Examiners for additional proceedings as required by law and which may result in discipline up to and including termination.
Legal Reference: U.S. Const. Amend. I
Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, 597 U.S. (2022)
Iowa Code 279.73; 280.22
Cross Reference: 502.3 Student Expression
504.3 Student Publications
Approved: 9/1/21
Reviewed:
Revised: 10/24/22
Wapello Community School District employees must know their role and duties. New employees may be required to participate in an orientation program for new employees. The employee's immediate supervisor should provide the new employee with a review of the employee's responsibilities and duties. Payroll procedures and employee benefit programs and accompanying forms will be explained to the employee by the board secretary.
Each employee will sign a document stating they have completed the orientation. The signed document will be placed in their personnel file.
Legal Reference:
Cross Reference:
404 Employee Conduct and Appearance
406 Licensed Employee Compensation and Benefits
412 Classified Employee Compensation and Benefits
Approved: 8/17/1995
Reviewed: 02/14/2008; 10/12/11; 9/14/16; 9/1/21
Revised: 9/21/2006