It is within the sole discretion of the board to determine the size of classes and to determine whether class grouping will take place. The board shall review the class sizes annually.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board on class size based upon the financial condition of the school district, the qualifications of and number of licensed employees, and other factors deemed relevant to the board.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3.

Cross Reference:
606.6 Insufficient Classroom Space

Reviewed: 01/17/22             Revised: 05/19/14             Approved: 02/21/22

The 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 will have a secular purpose and will 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. 531 (S.D. Iowa 1985).
Iowa Code § 279.8, 280.5.

Cross Reference:
603 Instructional Curriculum
604.5 Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program

Reviewed: 01/17/22             Revised: 05/19/14             Approved: 02/21/22

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 is the responsibility of the principal to determine appropriate supervision of animals in the classroom.  This policy is not intended to address the use of service animals, assistive animals, therapy animals or emotional support animals on District property.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code § 279.8

Cross Reference:
105 Assistance Animals
507 Student Health and Well-Being

Reviewed: 01/17/22             Revised: 05/19/14             Approved: 02/21/22

Materials and services produced by students at the expense of the school district are 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 be the property of the student.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to determine incidental expense.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code § 279.8.

Cross Reference:
408.2 Licensed Employee Publication or Creation of Materials

Reviewed: 01/17/22             Revised: 05/19/14             Approved: 02/21/22

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 will 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 board's approval will be required for field trips and excursions outside the state.

Field trips and excursions are to be arranged with the principal well in advance. A 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. Pt. 390.3(f).
Iowa Code § 279.8.
281 I.A.C. 43.9.

Cross Reference:
503.1 Student Conduct
503.4 Good Conduct Rule
603 Instructional Curriculum
711 Transportation

Reviewed: 01/17/22             Revised: 05/19/14             Approved: 02/21/22

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 is 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.

This policy is reviewed by the board annually. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to bring this
policy to the attention of the board each year.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code § 282.18(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

Reviewed: 01/17/22             Revised: 05/19/14             Approved: 02/21/22