401.8 Discipline and Discharge

Code No. 401.8

DISCIPLINE AND DISCHARGE

Expected Behavior.  All employees shall perform their assigned duties cooperatively and competently and in accordance with District policies, rules, regulations and directives.  All employees are also expected to obey the laws, to adhere to professional ethics, and to abstain from behavior which adversely affects their job performance.

Sanctions.  The Superintendent of Schools may impose the following disciplinary sanctions for breach of expected behavior: verbal or written warnings or reprimands, disciplinary probation, and disciplinary suspensions not to exceed ten (10) work days (with or without pay).  The nature and duration of the disciplinary sanction shall depend upon the seriousness of the offense, extenuating or exacerbating circumstances, and the employee's prior work record.  The sanctions listed in this policy are not intended to provide a rank ordering of sanctions, and probation or suspension may be imposed without first imposing a warning, or an employee may be discharged without first applying any of these sanctions.

Procedures.  Prior to imposing a disciplinary sanction, the employee shall be told orally or in writing of the charges and given a summary of the evidence supporting the charges.  The employee shall be given an opportunity to respond to the charges.  No delay need be given between notice of the charges and the chance to respond.  Written notice of the terms of the disciplinary action shall be given to the employee other than for oral warnings or reprimands.  If the employee believes that the disciplinary sanction is unwarranted, the employee may file a complaint utilizing the employee complaint procedures of Code No. 400.4.  At any step of the complaint procedure, the person hearing the complaint may impose a less severe or more severe disciplinary sanction.

Suspensions Pending Action.  An employee may be suspended by the Superintendent with or without pay, pending an investigation into charges against an employee or pending the commencement of discharge proceedings.  This shall not be deemed a disciplinary suspension and shall not be covered by the procedures set forth in this policy.

Discharge.  The Board of Directors may terminate the contract of a licensed employee in accordance with applicable provisions of Chapter 279 of the Code of Iowa.  Other sanctions specified in this policy need not be first utilized.  The Board of Directors may terminate the employment of an individual who holds an interscholastic coaching contract with the District or who is authorized but not licensed to coach at any time or in accordance with the terms of the contract.

The Superintendent may terminate the employment of a classified employee or of an employee with an extra-curricular contract (other than for coaching interscholastic athletics) immediately for cause or upon fourteen (14) calendar days notice for any reason.  The employee may appeal the action utilizing the procedures of Code No. 400.4.

 

Date of Revenue:
August 12, 2019

 

Date of Revision:
August 12, 2019

 

Legal References:

 

20.7, 279.13, 279.15-.19B, 279.23, 279.24, 279.25,                                                                 

279.27, Chapter 284, 285.5, Code of Iowa         

 

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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS