The Wapello Board of Directors believes inappropriate student conduct causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment, interferes with the rights of others, or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, and visitors on school premises. Appropriate classroom behavior allows teachers to interact more effectively with students.

 

 

Students shall conduct themselves in a manner fitting to their age level and maturity with respect and consideration for the rights of others while on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered buses; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management, and welfare of the school district. Consequences for the misconduct will be fair and developmentally appropriate in light of the circumstances.

 

 

Students who fail to abide by this policy and the administrative regulations supporting it may be disciplined for conduct which disrupts or interferes with the education program; conduct which disrupts the orderly and efficient operation of the school district or school activity; conduct which disrupts the rights of other students to participate in or obtain their education; conduct that is violent or disruptive; or conduct which interrupts the maintenance of the disciplined atmosphere. Disciplinary measures include, but are not limited to, removal from the classroom, detention, suspension, probation, and expulsion.

 

 

Removal from the class means a student is taken out of their regular learning environment and sent to an alternative location.  Removal of students from the classroom for violent or nonviolent disruptions shall occur in accordance with the district’s “Disruptive Behavior” policy.  Removal of students form the classroom for reasons other than violent or nonviolent disruption shall occur at the discretion of the licensed staff member in charge of the classroom.  

 

 

Detention means the student's presence is required during non-school hours for disciplinary purposes. The student can be required to appear prior to the beginning of the school day, after school has been dismissed for the day, or on a non-school day. Whether a student will serve detention, and the length of the detention, is within the discretion of the licensed employee disciplining the student or the building principal.

 

 

In-school suspension means the student will attend school but will be temporarily isolated from one or more classes while under supervision. An in-school suspension will not exceed 10 consecutive school days. 

 

 

Out-of-school suspension means the student is removed from the school environment, which includes school classes and activities.  An out-of-school suspension will not exceed 10 days. A restriction from school activities means a student will attend school and classes and practice but will not participate in school activities.

 

 

Probation means a student is given conditional suspension of a penalty for a definite period of time in addition to being reprimanded. The conditional suspension shall mean the student must meet the conditions and terms of the suspension of the penalty. Failure of the student to meet these conditions and terms shall result in immediate reinstatement of the penalty.

 

 

Expulsion means an action by the board to remove a student from the school environment, which includes, but is not limited to, classes and activities, for a period of time set by the board.

 

Discipline of special education students, including suspensions and expulsions, will comply with the provisions of applicable federal and state laws.

 

This policy is not intended to address the use of therapeutic classrooms or seclusion rooms for students.

 

 

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

 

 

 

 

Legal Reference:    Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1975).

 

 

 

Brands v. Sheldon Community School District, 671 F. Supp. 627 (N.D. 

Iowa 1987).

Sims v. Colfax Communkty School District, 307 F. Supp. 485 (Iowa 

1970).

Bunger v. Iowa High School Athletic Association, 197 N.W. 2d 555 (Iowa 

1972).

Board of Directors of Independent School District of Waterloo v. Green, 

259 Iowa 1260, 147 N.W. 2d 854 (1967).

Iowa Code 279.8; 282.3, 282.4, 282,5; 708.1; 281 I.A.C. 12.3 (6)

 

 

 

Cross Reference:    501    Student Attendance; 

 

 

 

502      Student Rights and Responsibilities;  

503.6      Physical Restraint and Seclusion of Students; 

504      Student Activities; 

603.3      Special Education;     

903.5      Distribution of Materials

 

 

 

Approved:     8/17/95

 

 

Reviewed:     1/9/03; 02/14/08; 1/12/12; 12/13/2017; 9/20/22

Revised:     1/9/2003; 12/14/23; 7/8/26

Only the Wapello Board of Directors may remove a student from the school environment for more than ten (10) consecutive scvhool days.

Students may be expelled for violations of board policy, school rules, or the law. It shall be within the discretion of the board to discipline a student by using an expulsion for a single offense or for a series of offenses depending on the nature of the offense and circumstances surrounding the offense.

It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to recommend to the board the expulsion of a student for disciplinary purposes. Only the board may take action to expel a student and to readmit the student. The principal shall keep records of expulsions in addition to the board's records.

When a student is recommended for expulsion by the board, the student shall be provided with:

1. Notice of the reasons for the proposed expulsion;
2. The names of the witnesses and an oral or written report on the facts to which each witness testifies unless the witnesses are students whose names may be released at the discretion of the superintendent;
3. An opportunity to present a defense against the charges and provide either oral testimony or written affidavits of witnesses on the student's behalf;
4. The right to be represented by counsel; and,
5. The results and finding of the board in writing open to the student's inspection.

In addition to these procedures, a special education student must be provided with additional procedures. A determination should be made of whether the student is actually guilty of misconduct. A staffing team should determine whether the student's behavior is caused by the student's disability and whether the conduct is the result of inappropriate placement. Discussions and conclusions of this meeting should be recorded.

If the special-education student's conduct is not caused by the disability, the student may be expelled or suspended for a long-term period following written notice to the parent and pursuant to the school district's expulsion hearing procedures. If the misconduct is caused by the disability and a change in placement is recommended, the change must be made pursuant to the placement procedures used by the school district.

 

Legal Reference:           Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1975).

                                    Wood v. Strickland, 420 U.S. 308 (1975).

Southeast Warren Comm. School District v. Dept. of Public Instruction, 

285 N.W.2d 173 (Iowa 1979).

                                    Iowa Code §§ 21.5; 282.3, .4, .5 (1993).

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.3(8).

 

Cross Reference:        502  Student Rights and Responsibilities

                                    503  Student Discipline

 

Approved: 8/17/1995

Reviewed: 1/11/2001; 02/14/2008; 1/12/12; 12/13/2017; 9/20/22

Revised:  12/14/23

The Wapello Board of Directors believes students should respect school district property and assist in its preservation for its future use by others. Students may be assessed fines, charges, or fees for the materials needed in a course, for overdue school materials, for participating in activities, or for misuse of school property.

The superintendent shall inform the board of the dollar amount be charged to students or others for fines, charges, or fees annually. Parents of students meeting specific financial eligibility standards will be eligible for a waiver of student fees or a reduction of student fees based upon the request of the parent. It shall be the responsibility the

superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference:           Iowa Code § 279.8 (1993).

                                    1982 Op. Att'y Gen. 227.

                                    1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 532.

 

Cross Reference:        502  Student Rights and Responsibilities

                                    503  Student Discipline

 

Approved: 12/12/1996

Reviewed: 1/11/2001; 02/14/2008; 1/12/12; 12/13/2017; 9/20/22

 Revised:

 

Approved: 8/17/1995

Reviewed: 1/11/2001; 02/14/2008; 1/12/12; 12/13/2017; 9/20/22

Revised:

The use of corporal punishment, mechanical restraint and/or prone restraint is prohibited in all schools.  Corporal punishment is defined as the intentional physical punishment of a student and is prohibited. It includes the use of unreasonable or unnecessary physical force or physical contact made with the intent to harm or cause pain. No employee is prohibited from:

Using reasonable and necessary force, not designed or intended to cause pain, in order to accomplish any of the following:

• To quell the disturbance that threatens physical harm to any person.
• To obtain possession of a weapon or other dangerous object(s) within a student's control.
• For the purposes of self-defense or defense of others as provided for in Iowa Code section 703.3.
• For protection of property as provided for in Iowa Code section 704.4 or 704.5.
• To remove a disruptive student from class or any area of school premises or from school-sponsored activities off school premises.
• To protect a student from the self-infliction of harm.
• To protect the safety of others.
• Using incidental, minor, or reasonable physical contact to maintain order and control.

Mechanical restraint means the use of a device as a means of restricting a student's freedom of movement.  Mechanical restraint does not mean a device used by a trained individual for specific approved therapeutic or safety pusposes for which the device was designed and, if applicable, prescribec, including restraints for medical immobilization, adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possible without use of such devices or mechanical supports; and vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a student in a moving vehicle.

Prone restraint means any restraint in which the student is held face down on the floor.

Reasonable force should be commensurate with the circumstances of the situation. The following factors should be considered in using reasonable physical force for the reasons stated in this policy:

1. The size and physical, mental, and psychological condition of the student;
2. The nature of the student's behavior or misconduct provoking the use of physical force;
3. The instrumentality used in applying the physical force;
4. The extent and nature of resulting injury to the student, if any; including mental and psycholgical injury
5. The motivation of the school employee using physical force.

Upon request, the student's parents shall be given an explanation of the reasons for physical force.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

 

Legal REference:  Ingraham v. Wright, 430 U.S. 651 (1977).; Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1975).; Tinkham v. Kole, 252 Iowa 1303, 110 N.W. 2d 258 (1961).; Iowa Code 279.8; 280.21; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(6); 103.

 

Cross Reference:  402.3--Abuse of Students by School District Employees; 502--Student Rights and Responsibilities; 503--Student Discipline; 503.6--Physical Restraint and Seclusion

 

Approved: 8/17/1995

Reviewed: 1/11/2001; 02/14/2008; 1/12/12; 12/13/2017' 9/20/22

Revised:

It is the goal of the district to provide a safe and supportive educational environment in which all students may learn.  As part of creating that safe educational environment, no employee of the district will provide false or misleading information to the parent/guardian of a student regarding that student’s gender identity or intention to transition to a gender that is different from their birth certificate or certificate issued upon adoption.

 

If a student makes a request to a licensed employee to accommodate a gender identity, name, or pronoun that is different than what was assigned to the student in the student’s registration forms or records, the licensed employee is required by Iowa law to report the request to an administrator.  The school administrator receiving the report is required by Iowa law to report the request to the student’s parent/guardian.  This requirement also applies to all nicknames.

 

To maintain compliance with Iowa law and also provide efficiency in the reporting requirements listed above, the Superintendent will provide the opportunity for parents and guardians to list in the student’s registration paperwork any and all nicknames used for students.

 

 

Legal Reference:       Iowa Code

 

 

Cross Reference:

 

 

Approved:  8/9/23

Reviewed:

Revised:

This is the model policy published by the Iowa Department of Education, which all districts are required to adopt as a result of HF 604 passed in 2023. 

 

Adopted:  12/14/23

Reviewed:

Revised:

In order to promote the best educational experience, students should feel connected to their educational environment and to others in the school community. Building meaningful connections can occur in a variety of ways. Technology has advanced peoples' ability to connect with one another across a variety of virtual platforms, and when used appropriately, adds value to the learning environment. However, it is vital to the developmental health and growth of students that the district provides opportunities for students to connect with peers and other

members of their school community in-person whenever possible. In-person learning and interactions teach vital life and social skills that students will need for their continued success in the community.

 

For this reason, student use of personal electronic devices during instructional time is prohibited. Students have access to district-owned electronic devices as appropriate for the instructional needs of the learning environment and authorized by the classroom teacher. Parents or guardians who need to communicate with students during instructional time may contact the school building administrative office.

 

Instructional time is defined to mean periods of classroom instruction from the beginning of class bell until the end of class bell.

 

Personal electronic devices means any device that is capable of electronically communicating, sending, receiving, storing, recording, reproducing and/or displaying information and data. This may include but is not limited to electronic communication equipment, mobile phones, smart phones, video game devices and portable media players. Students may wear smart or electronic watches but may not use any communication applications or features that are prohibited from use on other electronic devices and all notifications must be turned off. Personal electronic

devices that have been specifically authorized under a current individual education plan (IEP), a Section 504 plan, or an Individual Health Plan (IHP) are exempt from this policy.

 

Parents or guardians of students may request to building level administration that a student retain access to the student's personal electronic device during instructional time if the parent or guardian can establish there is a legitimate reason related to the student's mental or physical health for the student to retain access during instructional time. This reason must be tied to the student's multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework. Any denials may be appealed to the Superintendent, who will be the final decisionmaker on the request.

 

Students who choose to use personal electronic devices outside instructional time but while on school property, at school-sponsored events, or in a manner that may impact the educational environment must use these devices in accordance with all applicable laws and board policies. Students who violate this policy may face disciplinary consequences up to and including suspension or expulsion. The Superintendent, in conjunction with building level administration, will develop administrative regulations in accordance with this policy.

 

 

 

Legal References:       16 C.F.R. 312

34 C.F.R. pt. 99

47 C.F.R. 54.520

Iowa Code 279.8

I.C. Iowa Code

 

 

 

Cross References:       401.12 Employee Use of Cell Phones

 

 

 

Approved:       5/13/25

Reviewed:

Revised:

The District supports creating an orderly educational environment for students.  Classroom teachers have authority to remove students from the classroom who cause violent or nonviolent disruptions to instruction, however, this authority is not absolute.  Students who are removed from the classroom must be afforded due process that is consistent with applicable laws and board policy.

 

Discipline will be administered consistent with law and board policy and accompanying regulations.  Removal and discipline of students with disabilities will comply with the provisions of applicable federal and state laws.

 

Each teacher providing instruction to a student with a plan under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act shall review the plan and provide written confirmation of that review to the student’s case manager.

 

Each district employee who is responsible for implementation of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) shall read all changes to the accommodations or modifications to a student’s IEP.  Regular education teachers who have reviewed the changes or modifications to a student’s program shall provide written confirmation of that review to the student’s special education teacher.

 

Written confirmation of review of a 504 Plan or IEP may be satisfied by entering confirmation of the date and time to review into the District’s student information system.

 

The district will also ensure that at least one paraeducator or other employee who assists a teacher in providing classroom instruction to the student attends meetings related to the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan.

 

All members of a student’s IEP team will be provided training on the least restrictive environment requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.  Teachers who become injured due to a student’s violent disruption occurring in the performance of the teacher’s work duties shall be granted a leave of absence for physical recovery no more than three (3) days with full pay.  If the teacher requests additional physical recovery time, the school board will consider the request if accompanied by a note from a physician indicating a need for longer absence.  It is within the discretion of the school board to grant or deny such requests.

 

Upon the request of a teacher as defined by Iowa Code 256.145, the principal will ensure that a mental health professional, guidance counselor, or behavioral interventionist is made available to students, teachers, and other school employees to address immediate trauma arising from a violent or nonviolent disruption.  Students less than the age of 18 must have consent from a parent or guardian in order to receive mental health services unless they are an emancipated minor.

 

Each attendance center within the school district must create an oversight committee that is responsible for developing building level policy (regulation) that establishes when a student who has been removed from the classroom for violent or nonviolent disruption may be readmitted to the classroom.

 

Legal Reference:    20 U.S.C. 1232g

            20 U.S.C. 1400

            42 U.S.C. 12101

            Iowa Code 279.8, 279.65B, 279.89, 279.90

 

Adopted:    8/10/26        

Reviewed:

Revised: