Code No. 501.1
RESIDENT STUDENTS
Children who are residents of the school district community will attend the school district without paying tuition.
The residence of a student means the place, abode, or dwelling of the student. Generally, the legal dwelling of minors is the same as their parents. However, a student may establish a dwelling with someone other than the parents and attend public school in the school district without paying tuition if the primary purpose for residing in the school district is not for the purpose of obtaining a free public education. Further, students who have reached the age of majority and who are still eligible to attend an Iowa secondary school may declare their residence independent of the residence of the parents.
Each case involving the bona fide residence of a student will be decided upon its individual merits by the superintendent.
Legal Reference: Lakota Cons. Ind. School v. Buffalo Center-Rake Comm. School,
334 N.W.2d 704 (Iowa 1983). Mt. Hope School Dist. v. Hendrickson, 197
N.W. 47 (Iowa 1924). Oshel v. Creston Comm. School Dist., DPI
Admin. Doc. 570 (1981). 33 D.P.I. Dec. Rule 80 (1984). Iowa Code §§
257.6; 282.2, .6, .7; 285.4 (2005). 1956 Op. Att'y Gen. 185. 1946 Op. Att'y
Gen. 197. 1938 Op. Att'y Gen. 69. 1930 Op. Att'y Gen. 147.
Cross Reference: 102 School District Instructional Organization
501 Student Attendance
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised
Students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school but who are not legal residents of the school district may be admitted into the school district at the discretion of the superintendent upon application and payment of tuition. The tuition rate shall be the current per-pupil cost of the school district as computed by the board secretary and as authorized by the Iowa Department of Education.
Resident students whose families move from the school district after the start of a semester and who wish to complete the semester in the school district may be permitted to attend without the payment of tuition at the discretion of the superintendent and approval of the board by completing an open enrollment application.
Nonresident students who wish to open enroll must do so by the established deadlines. Grades 1 - 12 by March 1st of the year prior to enrollment. Kindergarten students by September 1. The guidelines established by the Iowa Department of Education will be followed.
Students in grades eleven or twelve who are no longer residents of the school district, but were residents in the preceding school year, may continue to attend school until they graduate without the payment of tuition. These students do not have to file for open enrollment.
Nonresident students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and who have evidence they will become legal residents of the school district prior to the third Friday in September may be allowed to attend without the payment of tuition.
Legal Reference: Lakota Cons. Ind. School v. Buffalo Center-Rake Comm. School, 334
N.W.2d 704 (Iowa 1983). Mt. Hope School Dist. v. Hendrickson, 197
N.W. 47 (Iowa 1924). Oshel v. Creston Comm. School Dist., DPI
Admin. Doc. 570 (1981). Iowa Code §§ 257.6; 282.1, .2, .6, .7, .24 (2005).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised November 15, 2021
COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
A student of compulsory attendance is described as a child enrolled in preschool, kindergarten or a child who is age six and under age sixteen by September 15. Parents within the school district who have children in proper physical and mental condition to attend school will have the children attend the school district at the attendance center designated by the board. Students will attend school the number of days school is in session in accordance with the school calendar. Students of compulsory attendance criteria will attend school a minimum of 175 days. Students not attending the minimum days must be exempted by this policy as listed below or may be referred to the Juvenile Court School Liaison.
Exceptions to this policy include children who:
• have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
• are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
• are attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;
• are attending an accredited nonpublic school;
• are receiving independent private instruction; or
• are receiving competent private instruction,
It is the responsibility of the parent of a child to provide evidence of the child's mental and physical inability to attend school or of the child's qualifications for one of the exceptions listed above.
Excessive absences/truancies will be investigated by the Juvenile Court School Liaison. If the Building Principal or other school official is unable to secure the truant student's attendance, the JCSL will proceed per the Chariton Community School District’s Attendance Policy as outlined in each building’s Student Handbook.
Students of compulsory attendance age who continue to be absent/truant after a Building Level Attendance Contract has been signed, will be referred by the district JCSL to the County Attorney’s office for mediation and/or prosecution.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 239.5B; 259A; 279.10-.11; ch. 299; 299A (2005).
441 I.A.C. 41.25(8). 1978 Op. Att'y. Gen. 379.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
601.1 School Calendar
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised November 15, 2021
Children in the school district community will be allowed to enroll in the school district's regular education program beginning at age five. The child must be age five on or prior to September 15 to participate in the school district's kindergarten program. The child must be age six on or prior to September 15 to begin the first grade of the education program.
The board shall require evidence of age and residency in the form of a birth certificate or other evidence before the student may enroll in the school district's education program. It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to determine what is satisfactory evidence for proof of age.
Prior to enrollment, the child must provide the administration with their health and immunization certificate. Failure to provide this information within the time period set by the superintendent shall be reason for suspension, expulsion or denying admission to the student.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 139.9; 282.1, .3, .6 (2005). 1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 258.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
901 Student Health and Immunization Certificates
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised
The board shall have complete discretion to determine the boundaries for each attendance center, to assign students to the attendance centers, and to assign students to the classrooms within the attendance center.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board annually regarding the assigned attendance center for each student. In making the recommendation, the superintendent shall consider the geographical layout of the school district, the condition and location of the school district facilities, the location of student population, possible transportation difficulties, financial condition of the school district and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent or the board.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.11; 282.7 -.8 (2005).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
roved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised
Students who transfer into the school district must meet the immunization and age requirements set out for students who initially enroll in the school district.
The school district shall request the student's cumulative records from the previous school district. If the student cannot offer proof of grade level, the principal or superintendent will make the grade level determination. The principal or superintendent may require testing or other information to determine the grade level. Students expelled or suspended from their previous school district will only be enrolled after approval of the board.
The prncipal or superintendent shall determine the amount of credits to be transferred. If the student has not previously attended an accredited school, it is within the superintendent's discretion to accept or reject credits or grades.
The board may deny admission if the student is not willing to provide the board with the necessary information.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232g (1994). Iowa Code §§ 139.9; 282.1, .3, .4; 299A (2005).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
505.4 Student Honors and Awards
507 Student Health and Well-Being
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised November 15, 2021
If the student's parents wish to withdraw or transfer the student from school prior to completing and graduating from the education program, they shall notify the principal or superintendent in writing as soon as possible of the decision to withdraw or transfer the student from the education program. The student or parent should present this written notice at the office of the students attendance center and receive instructions regarding the return of textbooks, library books, locker equipment, pay any lunch account balance or fines due, etc.
The notice shall state the student's final day of attendance. If the student is not enrolling in another school district, the school district shall maintain the student's records in the same manner as the records of students who have graduated from the school district.
If the parents wish to have the student's cumulative record sent to the new school district, the parents shall notify the students attendance center in writing. This notice shall include the name of the school district and the person at the new school district to whom the student's cumulative records should be sent. If the new school district requests the student's cumulative records, the school district will forward the cumulative records and notify the parents the records have been sent. The notice shall inform the parents of their right to review the records sent.
If the student is of compulsory education age and not transferring to another public school district or an accredited nonpublic school, the parents shall notify the superintendent that the student is receiving competent private instruction and file the necessary competent private instruction reports.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232g(1994). Iowa Code §§ 274.1; 299.1 -.1A (2005).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised November 15, 2021
As part of the school district's records, the daily attendance of each student shall be recorded and maintained on file with the permanent records of the board secretary.
It shall be the responsibility of the principals to ensure that such reports are filed with the board secretary, the custodian of school records.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299 (2005). 281 I.A.C. 12.2(4).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised
Regular attendance by students is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students shall attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center. Student absences approved by the principal shall be excused absences. Excused absences shall count as days in attendance for purposes of the truancy law. These absences include, but are not limited to, illness, family emergencies, recognized religious observances, and school-sponsored or approved activities.
Students whose absences are approved shall make up the work missed and receive full credit for the missed school work. 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 last one-half day of the activity unless permission has been given by the principal for the student to be absent.
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.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299 (2005). 281 I.A.C. 12.2(4).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised
Students will be allowed to leave the school district facilities during school hours only with prior authorization from their parents, unless the parent appears personally at the student's attendance center to arrange for the release of the student during school hours, or with the permission of the principal.
Students in high school, grades 11th and 12th, may be allowed to leave the school district facilities over the lunch hours or at other times. Students who violate school rules may have this privilege suspended.
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, employment for which the student has been issued a work permit and other reasons determined appropriate by the principal.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code 294.4 (2005). 281 I.A.C. 12.2 (4).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised November 15, 2021
The board encourages pregnant students to continue to attend the education program as long as they are physically able to do so. The pregnant student may notify the principal or the guidance counselor as soon as she is aware of the pregnancy. The school may require that a pregnant student provide the principal with a written note from her doctor relative to special conditions that might exist and specific suggestions as to how long the student may continue to attend classes. If the student is unable to attend school because of her physical condition, the student may be excused and arrangements made to continue her studies during her absence. The student shall resume classes upon the recommendation of her physician.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code 216; 279.8; 280.3 (2005).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
604.2 Individualized Instruction
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised
Students who have attained legal age may continue the education program without payment of tuition as long as they are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and are residents of the school district.
Parents will be allowed to access and view the student's records without written permission from the student if the student is still a dependent for tax purposes. In most cases, with the discretion of the principal or the superintendent, the student will be able to make decisions and sign documents rather than requiring parental permission or signature.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. 1232g (1994). Iowa Code 22; 282.2, .6, .7; 285.4; 599.1;
622.10 (2005). 281 I.A.C. 12.3 (6).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised
The school district will participate in open enrollment as a sending district. As a sending district, the board will allow resident students who meet the requirements to open enroll to another public school district.
Parents requesting open enrollment out of the school district for their student shall notify the school district no later than March 1 in the year preceding the first year desired for open enrollment. The notice shall be made on forms provided by the Department of Education. The forms are available at the central administration office.
Parents of children who will begin kindergarten in the school district are exempt from the open enrollment March 1 deadline. Parents of children who will begin kindergarten shall file in the same manner set forth above by September 1. Parents who have good cause as defined by law for failing to meet the March 1 deadline may make an open enrollment request in the same manner set forth above.
Open enrollment requests out of the school district that, if denied, would result in students from the same nuclear family being enrolled in different school districts, will be given highest priority. Other open enrollment requests out of the school district shall be considered in the order received by the school district with the first open enrollment request given a higher priority than the second open enrollment request and so forth.
The board shall take action on the open enrollment request by March 15 in the year preceding the first year desired for open enrollment. The parents may withdraw the open enrollment request prior to the start of the school year.
The superintendent shall notify the parents by mail within three days of the board's action to approve or deny the open enrollment request. Approved open enrollment requests shall be transmitted by the superintendent to the receiving district chosen by the parents within five days after the board's action on the open enrollment request.
The board will not approve a student's request to allow the receiving district to enter the school district for the purposes of transportation.
Open Enrollment Out of the School District to an Alternative Receiving District
Parents of students attending the school district under open enrollment may make an open enrollment request to a different public school district, an alternative receiving district, within the time period of the original open enrollment request. This open enrollment request shall be filed in the same manner as other open enrollment requests no later than March 1 in the year preceding the first year desired for open enrollment in the alternative receiving district.
It shall be within the discretion of the board to approve or deny the open enrollment request to an alternative receiving district. In exercising that discretion, the board may consider several factors including, but not limited to, the potential impact of the transfer on the student, the effectiveness of the education program, the financial situation of the school district and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent and the board. The board shall take action on the open enrollment request to the alternative receiving district at the next regular board meeting. Prior to the board's action, parents may withdraw the open enrollment request.
The superintendent shall notify the parents by mail within five days of the board's action to approve or deny the open enrollment request to an alternative receiving district. Approved open enrollment requests shall be transmitted by the superintendent to the alternative receiving district chosen by the parents within five days after the board's action on the open enrollment request.
Approved open enrollment requests to an alternative receiving district shall be effective the following semester or at the beginning of the next school year. It shall be within the discretion of the board to make the open enrollment request to an alternative receiving district effective immediately based upon the circumstances of the open enrollment request and with mutual agreement of the alternative receiving district's board.
Renewal of Open Enrollment Requests
An open enrollment request out of the school district from parents of a special education student shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The determining factor for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the receiving school district is appropriate for the student's needs. The area education agency director of special education serving the receiving district shall determine whether the program is appropriate. The special education student shall remain in the school district until the final determination is made. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to maintain open enrollment request applications and notice forms. It shall also be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code 139.9; 274.1; 279.11; 282.1, .3, .8, .18; 299.1 (2005). 281 I.A.C. 17. 1990 Op. Att’y Gen. 75.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised November 14, 2016
The school district will participate in open enrollment as a receiving district. As a receiving district, the board will allow nonresident students, who meet the requirements set by the board, to open enroll into the school district. The board shall have complete discretion to determine the attendance center of the students attending the school district under open enrollment.
The board shall take action on the open enrollment request no later than March 15 in the year preceding the first year desired for open enrollment. The superintendent shall notify the sending school district within five days of the board's action to approve or deny the open enrollment request. The superintendent shall notify the parents within fifteen days of the board's action to approve or deny the open enrollment request.
Open enrollment requests into the school district will not be approved if insufficient classroom space exists. Open enrollment requests into the school district will also not be approved for students who have been suspended or expelled by the administration or the board of the school district the student is or was attending until the student has been reinstated into the school district from which the student was suspended or expelled. Once the student is reinstated, the student's open enrollment request will be considered in the same manner as other open enrollment requests provided the required timelines are met.
Open enrollment requests into the school district that, if denied, would result in students from the same nuclear family being enrolled in different school districts, will be given highest priority. The board, in its discretion, may waive the insufficient classroom space reason for denial for students of the same nuclear family to prevent the division of a nuclear family between two school districts. Other open enrollment requests into the school district shall be considered in the order received by the school district with the first open enrollment request given a higher priority than the second open enrollment request and so forth.
Generally, students in grades ten through twelve open enrolling into the school district shall not be eligible for participation in interscholastic athletics during the first ninety days of open enrollment into the school district. Such students may be eligible to participate if:
• The school district and the sending district participate jointly in the sport;
• The sport in which the pupil wishes to participate is not offered in the sending district;
• The sending district was dissolved and merged with one or more contiguous school districts for failure to meet the accreditation standards;
• The student is open enrolling because the sending district has entered into a whole grade sharing agreement with another school district for the student's grade;
• The student's parent is an active member of the armed forces and resides in permanent housing on government property provided by a branch of the armed services;
• The student paid tuition for one or more years to the school district prior to open enrolling into the school district; or
• The student attended the school district under a sharing or mutual agreement between the school district and the sending district for one or more years prior to open enrolling into the school district.
Parents of students whose open enrollment requests are approved by the board shall be responsible for providing transportation to and from the receiving school district without reimbursement unless the parents qualify for transportation assistance. Parents of students whose open enrollment requests are approved by the board shall be responsible for providing transportation to and from the receiving school district without reimbursement. The board will not approve transportation into the sending district.
Open Enrollment Into the School District as an Alternative Receiving District
The board shall take action on the open enrollment request to the school district as an alternative receiving district within fifteen days of receipt of the open enrollment request. The superintendent shall notify the parents of the board's action to approve or deny the open enrollment request at the next regular meeting of the board. If the open enrollment request is approved, the Department of Education will be notified.
Open enrollment requests into the school district as an alternative receiving district shall be considered by the board in the same manner as open enrollment requests into the school district as a receiving district.
Approved open enrollment requests into the school district as an alternative receiving district shall be effective the following semester or at the beginning of the next school year. It shall be within the discretion of the board to make the open enrollment request into the school district as an alternative receiving district effective immediately based upon the circumstances of the open enrollment request and with the mutual agreement of the board of the school district the student is attending. The superintendent shall notify the parents of the effective date of the open enrollment into the school district as an alternative receiving district within fifteen days of the mutual agreement.
Attendance center assignments, athletic eligibility and transportation of students open enrolling into the school district as an alternative receiving school district shall be handled in the same manner as students open enrolled into the school district as a receiving district.
An open enrollment request into the school district from parents of a special education student shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The determining factors for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the school district is appropriate for the student's needs and whether the enrollment of the special education student will cause the class size to exceed the maximum allowed. The area education agency director of special education serving the school district shall determine whether the program is appropriate. The special education student shall remain in the sending district until the final determination is made.
The policies of the school district shall apply to students attending the school district under open enrollment.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code 139.9; 274.1; 279.11; 282.1, .3, .8, .18; 299.1 (2005).
281 I.A.C. 17. 1990 Op. Att’y Gen. 75.
Cross Reference: 501.6 Student Transfers In
501.7 Student Transfers Out or Withdrawal Procedures as a Sending District
506 Student Records
507 Student Health and Well-Being
606.6 Insufficient Classroom Space
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised November 14, 2016
The board shall make reasonable efforts to identify homeless children and youth of school age within the district, encourage their enrollment and eliminate existing barriers to their receiving education which may exist in district policies or practices.
A homeless child is defined as a child or youth between the ages of 5 and 21 who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and includes a child or youth who is living on the street, in a car, tent, or abandoned building or some other form of shelter not designed as a permanent home; who is living in a community shelter facility; or who is living with non-nuclear family members or with friends, who may or may not have legal guardianship over the child or youth of school age.
So that enrollment of homeless children and youth of school age may be facilitated, the following policy areas shall be modified as follows:
School Records: For students transferring out of the district, records may be provided directly to the student or the student's parents. In addition, students transferring into the district may provide cumulative records directly to the district. The district shall not require that such records be forwarded from another district before that student may enroll. The school shall then request the official records from the sending school.
Immunization Requirements: Homeless students shall not be denied enrollment for lack of immunization records if:
1. They have a statement signed by a physician stating that immunization would be injurious to the child;
2. They provide an affidavit stating such immunization would conflict with their religious beliefs;
3. They are in the process of being immunized; or
4. They are a transfer student from another school.
The district shall make a reasonable effort to locate immunization records from the information provided or shall arrange for the student to receive immunizations.
Waiver of Fees and Charges: Fees and charges which may present a barrier to the enrollment or transfer of a homeless child or youth may be waived in the discretion of the superintendent.
Enrollment Requirements/Placement: Enrollment requirements which may constitute a barrier to the education of the homeless child or youth may be waived in the discretion of the superintendent. If the district is unable to determine the grade level of the student because of missing or incomplete records, the district shall administer tests or utilize other reasonable means to determine the appropriate grade level for the child.
Residency: For purposes of a homeless child or youth, residence for the purpose of attending school shall be where the child actually resides or the child's district of origin. A child's district of origin is the school district where the child was last enrolled. The deciding factor shall be the welfare of the child. As much as possible, the child will not be required to change attendance centers within the district every time the child changes residence unless that change results in the child no longer being classified as homeless.
Transportation: Policies or practices regarding transportation of students which might cause a barrier to the attendance of a homeless child or youth may be waived by the superintendent.
Special Services: All services which are available to resident students shall be made available to homeless children or youths enrolled in the district. Services include special education, talented and gifted programs, vocational education, English as a second language programs, health services and food and nutrition programs.
The contents of this policy shall supersede any and all conflicting provisions in district policies dealing with the seven policy areas discussed above.
Legal Reference: 42 U.S.C. 11431 et. Seq. (1994).
281 I.A.C. 33.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
503.3 Fines – Fees - Charges
506 Student Records
507.1 Student Health and Immunization
Certificates
603.3 Special Education
711.1 Student School Transportation
Eligibility
Approved Mar 12, 2007
Reviewed November 15, 2021
Revised
Foreign students must meet all district entrance requirements including age, place of residence, and immunization. Students who are citizens of a foreign country will be considered residents of the school District if the student resides with his/her parents(s) or legal guardian(s) and the student is in the United States with appropriate documentation.
In addition they must meet one (1) of the following requirements:
1. The student is a participant in a recognized foreign exchange program; or
2. The student is physically able to attend school and has provided the school District with such proof, including a current TB test.The principal must approve foreign students for enrollment.
The Board reserves the right to limit the number of foreign students accepted for enrollment. Legal Reference: Iowa Code 279.8 (2003). Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance 507.1 Student Health and Immunization Certificates Approved Jan. 14, 2004 Reviewed March 10, 2014 Revised November 15, 2021