RESIDENT STUDENTS

All children are entitled to an education in the public schools of Iowa free of payment of tuition from the age of five until their graduation or until they reach the age of 21, for certain children requiring special education.  The right to attend public school free of tuition is limited to the child’s district of residence, pursuant to compliance with the Open Enrollment Act, or as otherwise provided by law.

Resident students are those students who reside within the boundaries of the Decorah Community School District.  Ordinarily, students will be deemed to have the same residence as that of their parents or guardians having legal physical custody.  Consistent with Iowa law, a student may have residency with some other person in the District and attend District schools tuition-free as a resident student as long as the primary purpose of residing in the District is not for the sake of attending school in the District tuition-free.  A student may establish his/her own residency if the student is an emancipated minor.

The Superintendent may require evidence to support a claim of residency.

 

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019

Legal References: 256B.2, 256B.8, 257.6, Chapter 282, Code of Iowa;                                281 I.A.C. Chapters 17, 33, 41

01643629

 

DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NONRESIDENT STUDENTS

Students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school but who are not residents of the District and who are not admitted under a whole grade sharing agreement or under open enrollment may be admitted to school at the discretion of the Superintendent upon application and payment of tuition.  The tuition rate shall be the current per-pupil cost of the District as authorized by the Iowa law.  Tuition shall be due and payable in advance of each semester, unless other arrangements are approved by the Superintendent.

A student who moves out of the Decorah District may continue enrollment in the District tuition-free as an open enrollment student as allowed by law.  If the student is an eleventh or twelfth grader, the student may continue to be enrolled in the Decorah District and need only notify the Decorah District of continuation.  The parents or guardians shall be responsible for transportation for students who reside outside of the District.

Nonresident students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and who show positive evidence they will become residents of the District by October 1 may be allowed to attend from the start of the school year without the payment of tuition.  The parents or guardians shall be responsible for transportation for students who reside outside of the District.

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019

Legal References: 257.6, 280.14, 280.19A, Chapter 282, Code of Iowa;                       281 I.A.C. Chapter 17

Code No. 501.3

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

 

Any child at least six years of age and under sixteen years of age by September 15 who is a resident of the District must enroll in the District schools unless:

1. The child is enrolled in another accredited school; or
2. The child has completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or has obtained a high school equivalency diploma; or
3. The child is excused for sufficient reason by a court of record or judge; or
4. The child is attending religious services or receiving religious instruction; or
5. The child is attending a private accredited college preparatory school; or
6. The child is blind or deaf, and the superintendent of the state school determines that the child is excused from attendance because he/she is physically or mentally unable to attend school; or
7. The child is exempted by the Director of the Iowa Department of Education based on religious beliefs and principles of the child's parents or guardians; or
8. The child is receiving competent private instruction.
9. The child is receiving independent private instruction.

If a child reaches the age of sixteen (16) on or after September 15, the child shall be subject to the provisions of this paragraph until the end of the regular school year.  In addition, a parent or guardian who has enrolled a child age five (5) in kindergarten or enrolled a child age four (4) in the statewide voluntary preschool program shall be subject to the requirements of this paragraph unless the parent or guardian notifies the District in writing of his or her intent to withdraw the child from school.

It shall be the primary responsibility of the parents, guardians, and custodians to cause students to attend school regularly and in accordance with District policies or to demonstrate that the child is exempt from the compulsory attendance law.

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019                         01643637

Legal References: Chapter 259A, 279.8, 279.10, 279.11, 280.2, 280.3, 280.14, 282.3, Chapters 299 and 299A, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C., Chapter 12

ENTRANCE - ADMISSIONS

 

No child shall be admitted to kindergarten unless the child is five years of age on or before the fifteenth day of September of the current school year. 

No child shall be admitted to first grade unless the child is six years of age on or before the fifteenth day of September of the current school year, except that a five year old child who has previously completed kindergarten may be admitted to the first grade if the child demonstrates the possession of sufficient ability to profit by first grade work.

A birth certificate or other satisfactory evidence of a student's age shall be required before a student may enroll in the District for the first time.  It shall be within the discretion of the Superintendent to determine what is satisfactory evidence for proof of age. 

No student shall be enrolled in the District without adequate evidence of immunization against Hepatitis B, varicella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rubeola and rubella, unless exempted under Iowa law.  A student may be provisionally enrolled if the student has begun the required immunizations and continues to receive the necessary immunizations in accordance with Iowa law.

A child enrolling in kindergarten must have evidence of blood lead testing or provide a certificate of exemption under Iowa law.  Students without evidence of blood lead testing or a valid certificate of exemption shall be enrolled in the District, but their parents or guardians shall be provided with community blood lead testing program information.

Proof of Dental Screening.  Parents and guardians of students enrolling in elementary school must provide evidence of a dental screening conducted between the ages of three and six years of age at a minimum, unless exempted under Iowa law.  Parents and guardians enrolling high school students must provide evidence of a dental screening within the prior year, unless exempted under Iowa law.

Proof of Vision Screening.  Upon enactment of applicable law, parents and guardians of students must provide evidence of a vision screening conducted at least once before entering kindergarten and again before entering third grade unless exempted under Iowa law.  Students without evidence of vision screening or proper exemption under Iowa law shall be enrolled in the District, but the District shall provide parents with vision screening referral resources as required by law.

A student enrolling for the first time in the District should have a physical examination by a licensed practitioner.  Each student shall submit an up-to-date certificate of health upon request of the Superintendent.

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019 

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019    01643640

Legal References: 135.17, 135.39D, 139, 256B.2, 279.8, 280.3, 280.7,            280.14, 282.1, 282.3, 299.1A, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C.                       Chapters 12, 31, 31.2(1), 33, 33.5; 641 I.A.C. Chapter 7

STUDENT TRANSFERS IN

 

Students who transfer into the District must meet the proof of age, immunization, lead testing, dental and vision screening requirements set for students who initially enroll in the District. 

A student transferring into the District will be assigned for grade placement according to recommendations from the district or school from which the student has transferred; however, the District reserves the right to evaluate each student individually and make placements accordingly.

If a student wishing to transfer into the District has been suspended or expelled from the student's prior school, the District may refuse the request to transfer until the student has been reinstated in the former school.

 

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019    01643641

Legal References: 22.7, 279.8, 279.9A, 280.14, 280.19A, Code of   Iowa; 281 I.AC. Chapters 12, 33, 41; General Education Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g; 34 C.F.R. Part 99

STUDENT TRANSFERS OUT OR WITHDRAWALS

If a student wishes to withdraw or transfer from the District prior to completing and graduating from the educational program, the student or parent shall notify the administration as soon as possible.  Arrangements shall be made for the return of school materials and payment of all fees.  The notice shall state the student's final day of attendance.

Student records will be sent to the new district or school upon receipt of a request signed by the student's parent or guardian if the student is under eighteen years of age, or upon receipt of a request by the student if the student is eighteen years of age or older, or upon receipt of a request from the new district or school.

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019    01643644

Legal References: 22.7, 279.8, 279.9A, 280.14, 280.19A, Code of   Iowa; 281 I.A.C. Chapters 12, 33, 41; General Education Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g; 34 C.F.R. Part 99

FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Because of the cultural advantage to District students, and in order to promote the cause of international understanding, the District will accept on a tuition-free basis a limited number of foreign exchange students per year. 

These students will be responsible for all school expenses, excluding tuition.  The students must reside within District boundaries and may attend District schools for only one year.  Arrangements for these students must be approved in advance by the superintendent or building principal.  The students must be sponsored by responsible community organizations which meet requirements of the United States State Department.  Any organization intending to sponsor a foreign exchange student shall make arrangements with the District and complete all necessary forms prior to the time the student enters the United States. 

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019                            01643647

Legal References: 279.8, Code of Iowa; 8 C.F.R. pt. 214

 

STUDENT ABSENCES - EXCUSED

Regular attendance by the students at school is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the educational program, to develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline and responsibility, and to assist in minimizing disruptions to the educational environment. 

The Board of Directors requires attendance of all regularly enrolled students for the entire time when schools are in session during the regular school year, which shall be at least 180 days or 1080 hours each school year, as permitted by law and as determined by the District, provided that students may be excused from attendance pursuant to policies and rules of the Board and the administration.

Excused student absences are those approved by the principal of the attendance center.  All work missed due to an excused absence shall be made up with full credit.  It shall be the responsibility of the student to initiate a procedure with the student's teacher to complete the work missed.

Students who wish to participate in school-sponsored activities must attend school the half day prior to the activity unless special permission has been given by the principal.

It shall be the responsibility of the parent to notify the student's attendance center as soon as the parent knows the student will not be attending school on that day.  The principal may request evidence or written verification of the student's reason for absence.

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019                      01643648

Legal References: 259A, 279.8, 279.10, 279.11, 280.3,              280.14, 282.3, 282.4, 282.5, Chapter 299, Chapter                        299A, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(6);

STUDENT ABSENCES - UNEXCUSED

Any absence from school or a class, including tardies, which are not approved by the building principal or its designee shall be unexcused absences.  Students are subject to disciplinary action for unexcused absences.  All work missed due to unexcused absences may be made up with credit, provided the student makes up the work on time.  It shall be the responsibility of the student to initiate a procedure with the students' teacher to complete the work missed.

 

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019

Legal References: 259A, 279.8, 279.10, 279.11, 280.3, 280.14,         282.3, 282.4, 282.5, Chapter 299, Chapter 299A,         Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(6)

01643656

PROCEDURES FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

Definition.  Regular attendance is very important if a student is to receive maximum benefits from the instructional program.  There are times when a student has no control over his/her attendance because of illness or other emergencies.  However, a student and/or his/her parents does have control over unexcused absences.  Therefore, a student who has an unexcused absence may be subject to disciplinary action.

Any of the following shall be deemed an unexcused absence:

1. Failure to  attend school without consent of the building principal or its designee.
2. Leaving the school building or grounds without first obtaining permission from the office.
3. Failure to report to a class, assigned study hall, or other area without permission from the office, faculty member, or nurse.
4. Leaving any assigned area without the permission of the person in charge.

Responding to Unexcused Absences.

The attendance liaison officer shall make contact with the student and/or the student's parents.  If a student has three unexcused absences from a class, the parents will be contacted to develop a plan for intervention and will be provided written notice that additional unexcused absences may result in loss of credit for the class.  If a high school student has five unexcused absences from a class in a semester, the student may be dropped from the class with loss of credit for the class.  The student may appeal this decision utilizing the student complaint procedure.  The student will remain enrolled in the class while the appeal is pending.

After a student has accrued five instances of unexcused absences and the building-level administration has exhausted means available to the school to assure that the student is in regular attendance a registered letter will be forwarded to the County Attorney and to the parent/guardian.  The County Attorney's Office will make the final decision in regard to mediation and/or prosecution.

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision:   October 14, 2019

01643661

Code No. 501.10

STUDENT RELEASE DURING SCHOOL HOURS

Students will be allowed to leave the school facilities during school hours only with prior authorization of their parents or guardians and the approval of the principal or its designee.

Approved reasons for release of a student during the school day shall include, but not be limited to, illness, family emergencies, medical appointments, religious instruction, classes outside the student's attendance center, and other appropriate reasons as determined by the principal or its designee.  

Seniors will have the option of having open campus.  Open campus means that the student may be allowed to leave the school during times that the student does not have a scheduled class.  Juniors and seniors may also leave the school during their scheduled lunch time.  The building principal may suspend or revoke this privilege as a disciplinary sanction.  Students having open campus must leave school grounds or be in designated areas.

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: July 15, 2013

Legal References: 279.8 Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(6)

00959255

DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Participation.

             The Decorah Community School District shall participate in open enrollment, both as a receiving district and as a sending district, pursuant to the Open Enrollment Act and the rules of the Iowa Department of Education.

 

Procedures As A Receiving District.

Application.

Parents and guardians of nonresident students who wish to enroll their children in the Decorah Community School District must file an application on the form provided by the Department of Education and available in the Superintendent’s office with both the student’s resident district and with the Decorah District by March 1 preceding the school year in which enrollment is sought.  Applications may be filed after March 1 but no later than October 1 (or by the following Monday if October 1 is on a Saturday or Sunday) of the school year in which enrollment is first sought in the Decorah District in the following situations:

1. there is “good cause” as defined in the law and this policy for not meeting the March 1 deadline; or
2. the child was a resident of the Decorah District and moved out of the District after March 1 but the parents or guardians wish the child to remain enrolled in the Decorah District.  (Students in 11th and 12th grade who move out of the District need only file notice they wish to remain enrolled in the District with the Decorah District and do not need to file open enrollment applications.)

Parents and guardians of kindergarten children must make application by September 1.

Applications may be filed after the March 1 deadline if the child has been the victim of repeated acts of harassment or has a serious health condition that the resident district cannot adequately address.

Applications not filed by the dates above and not meeting the conditions for the filing, may be approved with approval of both the resident district and the Decorah District in their discretion.

Superintendent Approval.  The Superintendent may approve the following applications on behalf of the Decorah District:

1. Applications for enrollment in the Decorah District that were timely filed by March 1 (by September 1 for kindergarten students); and
2. Applications for students already enrolled in the Decorah District seeking continuation of enrollment in the Decorah District after changing residence.

 

Board Action.

The Decorah Board of Directors (or the Superintendent in authorized situations) shall act no later than June 1 to accept or reject applications to open enroll into the District which were filed by March 1 (or shall act no later than October 30 for kindergarten students).  The Board shall act within thirty calendar days if the application was filed after March 1. The Board Secretary shall then provide notice to the student’s resident district and to the student’s parents or guardians within five calendar days of the Board (or Superintendent) action.

Requests for transfer into the District by nonresident students under the Open Enrollment Act will be considered in the order in which they are received in the District, with special preference given to siblings of a student already enrolled in the Decorah District.  The Decorah District will enroll all students whose requests are timely received unless sufficient classroom space or an appropriate program is not available for the student. In the event siblings of currently enrolled students submit requests, or in the event siblings applying for first time enrollment in the District submit requests, and sufficient classroom space does not exist in one or more of the grades requested, the Board in its sole discretion may waive the criterion for sufficient classroom space in order to prevent the division of siblings between two school districts.

If the student has been suspended or expelled by the sending district, the Board may refuse the request for transfer until the student has been reinstated in the sending district.

If the application for enrollment is for a student requiring special education, the request shall be granted only if the Decorah District has a special education program which will provide an appropriate instructional program to meet the student’s educational needs.  This determination shall be made by the Decorah District administration, after consultation with the sending district and with the Area Education Agency, before approval of the application. 

 

Alternative Receiving District.

The application for enrollment into the Decorah District shall be for a minimum of one school year.  The parent or guardian may withdraw the open enrollment application prior to the start of the school year.  The student may be enrolled in the student’s resident district at any time.  If a child is open enrolled into the Decorah District and the parent or guardian wishes to enroll the child in another district which is not the child’s resident district (an “alternative receiving district”), a new open enrollment application must be filed by the parent or guardian with the Decorah District no later than March 1 preceding the school year for which the transfer is sought (except in cases of alleged harassment or failure to meet health care needs).  Denial of an application to attend an alternative receiving district during the term of a school year is not subject to appeal (except in cases of alleged harassment or failure to meet health care needs).  Approval of an application is subject to approval of the alternative receiving district.

 

Continuation Students.

If, after open enrolling into the Decorah District, the student moves to another district and the parents or guardians wish the student to continue to be enrolled in the Decorah District, the parents or guardians shall notify the original district of residence, the Decorah District, and the new district of residence of this decision no later than October 1.

If a resident student moves out of the Decorah District and the parents or guardians wish the student to continue to be enrolled in the Decorah District, the parents or guardians shall notify the new district of residence and the Decorah District no later than October 1, except that students who are juniors or seniors need not file such an application but need only notify the Decorah District.

 

Insufficient Classroom Space.

The Decorah District may refuse to enroll a nonresident student because of a lack of sufficient space which, for purposes of this policy, shall mean conditions exist which adversely affect the District’s ability to implement the educational philosophy and program of the District.  The Board shall determine whether there is sufficient space on an annual basis giving consideration to such factors as the grade level, available personnel, educational program, instructional methods, physical space, pupil-teacher ratio, equipment and materials available, finances available, collective bargaining obligations, projected enrollment and facility needs, and District goals and objectives. 

 

Attendance Center.

The Decorah District has the authority to determine which attendance center students enrolled pursuant to this policy shall attend.

 

Transportation.

The parents or guardians of students enrolled in the Decorah District pursuant to this policy, including students who are continuation students and students requiring special education, shall be responsible for transporting their students without reimbursement to and from a point on a regular school bus route of the Decorah District unless the parents or guardians financially qualify for transportation assistance under the rules of the Iowa Department of Education.

 

Procedures as a Sending District.

 

Application.

Parents and guardians of students who are residents of the Decorah Community School District who wish to enroll their children in another district in the State of Iowa under the Open Enrollment Act must file an application on the form provided by the Iowa Department of Education and available in the Superintendent’s office with both the Decorah District and with the desired receiving district by March 1 preceding the school year in which enrollment is sought.  Applications may be filed after March 1 but no later than October 1 (or by the following Monday if October 1 is on a Saturday or Sunday) of the school year in which enrollment is first sought in the following situations:

1. there is “good cause” as defined in the law and this policy for not meeting the March 1 deadline; or
2. the student moved to the Decorah District after March 1.

Parents and guardians of kindergarten children must make application by September 1.

Applications may be filed after the March 1 deadline if the child has been the victim of repeated acts of harassment or has a serious health condition that the Decorah District cannot adequately address.

Applications not filed by the dates above and not meeting conditions for late filing may be approved with approval of both the receiving District and of the Decorah District Board of Directors in their discretion.

 

Board Action.

Generally, the Decorah District takes no action on applications for resident students to open enroll out of the Decorah District to another district.  The Decorah District Board of Directors shall take action to approve or disapprove open enrollment applications of resident students out of the District in the following situations:

1. it is alleged there is good cause not to meet the March 1 deadline; or
2. it is alleged that the student was a victim of repeated acts of harassment or that the student has a serious health condition which the Decorah District cannot adequately address.

In such situations, the Decorah Board of Directors will act on the application within 30 calendar days.  If the application is approved, notice of approval of the application shall be given to the parents or guardians within three days and the District shall forward the application to the proposed receiving district within five days of Board action.  If the Board of Directors denies the application, the parent or guardian shall be notified within three days of Board action.  The parents or guardians have the right to appeal the denial to the Iowa Department of Education if there is an allegation the student was the victim of repeated acts of harassment or that the Decorah District cannot adequately address a health need.

 

Good Cause Exception.

For purposes of this policy, "good cause" for failure to meet the March 1 application deadline means (1) a change in the status of a child's residence after March 1, including:

a.           A change in the family residence due to the family moving from the district of residence.

b.          A change in the state of residence allowing a parent/guardian moving into an Iowa school district from out-of-state to obtain open enrollment.

c.           A change in the marital status of the student's parents.

d.          A guardianship or custody proceeding.

e.           Placement of the student in foster care.

f.           Adoption of the student.

g.          Participation of the student in a foreign exchange program.

h.          Participation of the student in a substance abuse or mental health treatment program.

or (2) a change in the status of the student's resident district or nonpublic school of attendance after March 1, including:

a.           Reorganization--failure of the AEA board to vote in favor of a reorganization proposal, failure of the AEA board to act on objections to exclude territory from a reorganization proposal, or failure of a reorganization election.

b.          Dissolution action--failure of a dissolution commission to make a recommendation to the board, failure of the board to take positive action on objections filed by residents of the district to a dissolution proposal, failure of contiguous districts to accept a dissolution proposal, or failure of an election on a dissolution proposal.

c.           Whole-grade sharing action--failure of the board to pursue negotiations for a whole-grade sharing agreement for which it has given public notice by board action of its intent to pursue, failure of the board to approve a request by a parent or guardian to send a student to a contiguous district, failure of the board to extend or renew a whole-grade sharing agreement, or unilateral rejection by the board of a whole-grade sharing agreement prior to expiration of the agreement.

d.          Loss of accreditation -- the removal or surrender of accreditation.

e.           School closing -- the permanent closing of a nonpublic school attended by the student.

             Open enrollment requests for good cause related to a change in status of the district must be made by the parent/guardian and received by the district within 45 days of the last board action or within 30 days of the certification of an election, whichever circumstance is applicable.

 

Notice.

By September 30 of each year, the District shall give notice to parents or guardians of the open enrollment deadlines, of transportation assistance for eligible families, of the possible loss of athletic eligibility for open enrolled students, and of the fact that a parent or guardian may, within 30 days of a denial, file an appeal with the Iowa Board of Education only if the request was based on an allegation of harassment or a serious health condition that the District cannot adequately address, and that all other denials can only be approved to district court in the county where the primary business office of the District is located.

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019  01643664

Legal References: 257.6 279.11, 282.1, 282.4, 282.6, 282.18, 299.1, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. Chapter 17

 

 

HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Responsibility.  The District shall make reasonable efforts to identify homeless children and youth within the District, shall encourage their enrollment in school, shall eliminate existing barriers in District policies and procedures which may serve as barriers to their enrollment, and shall ensure that homeless children and youth have equal access to the same free public education, including public preschool education, as is provided to other children and youth.

Definitions.

“Homeless children and youth” means individuals from age 3 through age 21 who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are:

• sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
• living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
• living in emergency or transitional shelters;
• abandoned in hospitals;
• awaiting foster care placement;
• living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;
• children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
• migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described in this definition.

Incarcerated children and youth and children and youth in foster care are not considered homeless.

“School of origin” means the school that the homeless child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the homeless child or youth was last enrolled.

“Unaccompanied youth” means a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, including youth living in runaway shelters, abandoned buildings, cars, on the streets, or in other inadequate housing, youth denied housing by their families, and school-age unwed mothers, living in homes for unwed mothers, who have no other housing available.

 

HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH

 

Liaison.  The John Cline Elementary School principal, or another principal designated by the Superintendent, shall serve as the District’s liaison for homeless children and youth.  The liaison shall ensure that: 

• homeless children and youth are identified by school personnel and through coordination activities with other entities and agencies;
• homeless children and youth enroll in school and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in school;
• homeless children and youth receive educational services for which they are eligible, including Head Start and preschool programs administered by the District, and referrals to health, mental health, dental and other appropriate services;
• parents and guardians of homeless children and youth are informed of available educational and related opportunities provided to their children and of the opportunities for the parents and guardians to participate in the education of their children;
• the District disseminates public notices in places in which homeless children and youth receive services of their educational rights;
• the District informs parents, guardians, and unaccompanied youth of transportation services, including to and from the school of origin, and provides assistance in accessing the transportation to school;
• enrollment disputes are properly mediated.

The liaison shall also assist parents, guardians and unaccompanied youth in enrolling in school and accessing school services, obtaining student records, arranging for immunizations, and shall help to coordinate transportation services.

No Segregation.  Homeless children and youth shall not be separated from the mainstream school environment on the basis of their status as homeless.  Homeless children and youth may be segregated from other students only for short periods of time as necessary for health or safety reasons or to provide temporary, special and supplemental services to meet the unique needs of homeless students.  Homeless children and youth shall not be stigmatized or isolated on the basis of their status as homeless.  Records indicating their status as homeless shall be maintained in accordance with confidentiality requirements.

Immunization Records.  A homeless child or youth will not be denied enrollment for lack of immunization records if the child is transferring from another school and the school confirms the presence of the immunization record.  The District liaison will make a reasonable effort to locate immunization records from the information provided or will arrange for the student to receive immunizations.

Student Records.  Homeless children and youth transferring into the District may provide student records directly to the District.  The District will not require that the records be forwarded from another district or school before the child may enroll.  The District will then request the student’s records from the previous district or school attended by the student.  Homeless children and youth transferring out of the District may be provided directly copies of student records to take with them.

 

HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Waiver of School Fees.  School fees shall be waived in accordance with the District’s policy on waiver of fees or if necessary for the homeless child or youth to obtain equal access to a free public education.  The District liaison shall also assist students in accessing resources for appropriate school clothing.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals.  The application process for free and reduced price meals shall be expedited for homeless children and youth.  The District may determine if a student is homeless and requires free meals without completing the full application process.

School Placement.  School placement determinations for homeless children and youth shall be made on the basis of the best interests of the homeless child or youth.  The District will, to the extent feasible, keep a homeless child or youth in the school of origin, unless the parent or guardian or unaccompanied youth requests another school and the District concurs in attendance at the preferred school.  If the District sends a homeless child or youth to a school other than the school of origin or a school requested by the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth, the District will provide a written explanation of its decision with notice of the right to appeal the decision pursuant to State appeal procedures.  

The placement determination shall be a student-centered, individualized determination.  Factors to be considered may include the age of the student, the distance of the commute and the impact on the student’s education, personal safety issues, the student’s need for special education and related services, the length of the anticipated stay in temporary shelter or other temporary location, and the time remaining in the school year.  Homeless children and youth may be assigned to other schools if necessary to receive a free and appropriate public education in accordance with a special education IEP.

Transportation.  If a homeless child or youth continues to live in the District but in a different attendance area than the school the student was previously attending in the District, the District, at the request of the parent, guardian, or at the request of the District liaison on behalf of an unaccompanied youth, shall provide or arrange for transportation to and from the school previously attended.  If the homeless child or youth is no longer living in the District, but is continuing his or her education in the District, the District will apportion the responsibility and costs for providing the child with transportation with the district where the child is currently living.

Conflicts With Other Policies.  Provisions in this policy shall supersede any conflicting provisions in other District policies, regulations or procedures.

 

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019    01643669

Legal References:   McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42  U.S.C. §11431 et seq.; 281 I.A.C. Chapter 33

 

 

FEES AND FEE WAIVERS

It is the goal of the Board of Directors to keep student fees to a minimum.  Students may be charged fees for textbook (including electronic textbooks) rental and other supplementary instructional material charges, for damages, fines, and lost materials, for upgraded expendable materials for the student’s individual work, if basic alternative materials are provided by District, for special activities, for activity tickets, for meal tickets, for graduation cap, gown, tassel and diploma cover, for towel fees, for musical instrument rental, for eye and ear protective devices, for parking stickers/permits, for summer school courses, for driver’s education courses, for class rings, for yearbook, and for other items allowed by law and approved by the Board of Directors.   The Board of Directors shall approve general student fees.  The building principal may approve fees and charges for expendable materials and special activities. 

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 or guardian.  When an application for a fee waiver is granted, the fees waived are not collectable.  The following need not be waived:  fines for overdue, lost, or damaged materials, or fees for expendable materials for individual use if the District provides an alternative material in a course.  The Superintendent shall establish a procedure for students unable to pay fees.

 

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision: October 14, 2019                    01643670

Legal References: 256.7 279.8, 279.8A, 279.9, 280.10, 280.11,   282.6, 282.20, 283A.2, 285.1, 285.10, 301.1, Code                               of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. Chapter 18

 

DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                                                          STUDENT FEE WAIVER AND REDUCTION PROCEDURES

The Decorah Community School District recognizes that while certain fees charged students are appropriate and authorized, certain students and their families are not financially able to pay the fees.  The District will grant either full, partial, or temporary waivers depending upon the circumstances and the student's or student’s parents’ ability to meet the financial criteria.

1. Waivers –

1. Full Waivers – a student will be granted a full waiver of fees charged by the District if the student or student’s parents meet the financial eligibility criteria for free meals under the Child Nutrition program, Family Investment Program, or transportation assistance under open enrollment.  Students in foster care are also eligible for full waivers.
2. Partial Waivers – a student will be granted a partial waiver of fees charged by the District if the student or the student’s parents meet the financial eligibility criteria for reduced price meals offered under the Child Nutrition program.  A partial waiver shall be based on the same percentage as the reduced price meals.
3. Temporary Waivers – a student may be eligible for a temporary waiver of fees charged by the District in the event the student's parents are facing a temporary financial difficulty. Temporary waivers may be applied for at any time throughout the school year and shall not extend beyond the end of the school year.

1. Application – Parents or students eligible for a fee waiver shall make an application on the form provided by the District.  Applications may be made at any time but must be renewed annually.
2. Confidentiality – The District will treat the application and application process as any other student record, and student confidentiality and access provisions will be followed.
3. Appeals – Denials of a waiver may be appealed under the Student Complaint Procedure of Board Policy.  If the decision of the Board on review is to deny the application, the applicant may appeal to the Director of the Iowa Department of Education by filing a notarized statement within 30 days of the applicant’s receipt of the final decision.
4. Fines - Fines or charges assessed for damage or loss to school property are not fees and will not be waived.
5. Notice – the District will annually notify parents and students of the waiver.  The following information will be included in registration materials:

                                                                            

STUDENT FEE WAIVER AND REDUCTION PROCEDURES

Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free and reduced price lunch, the Family Investment Plan (FIP), transportation assistance under open enrollment, or who are in foster care are eligible to have their student fees waived or partially waived.  Students whose families are experiencing a temporary financial difficulty may be eligible for a temporary waiver of student fees.  Parents or students who believe they may qualify for a full, partial or temporary waiver should contact the principal at registration time for a waiver form.  This waiver does not carry over from year to year and must be completed annually.

 

 

Date of Last Review:  October 14, 2019

Date of Revision:   March 10, 2008

 

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