The board recognizes the value of and supports open, fair and honest communication with the news media. The board will maintain a cooperative relationship with the news media. As part of this cooperative relationship, the board and the media will develop a means for sharing information while respecting each party's limitations.

Members of the news media are encouraged and welcome to attend open board meetings. The board president shall be the spokesperson for the board, and the superintendent shall be the spokesperson for the school district. It shall be the responsibility of the board president and superintendent to respond to inquiries from the news media about the school district.

Members of the news media seeking information about the school district shall direct their inquiries to the superintendent. The superintendent shall accurately and objectively provide the facts and board positions in response to inquiries from the news media about the school district.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 21.4; 22; 279.8

Cross Reference: 902 Press, Radio, and Television News Media

Approved:  Nov. 14, 2005

Reviewed: October 13, 2025

Revised:

The superintendent, on behalf of the board and the school district, may hold a news conference or respond to a request for an interview with the news media. 

The superintendent shall respond accurately, openly, honestly, and objectively to inquiries from the news media about the school district.

News conferences and interviews planned or pre-arranged for school district activities shall include the board and the superintendent. News conferences for issues requiring an immediate response may be held by the superintendent. It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to determine whether a news conference or interview shall be held to provide an immediate response to an issue.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to keep the board apprised of news conferences and interviews.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 21.4; 22; 279.8

Cross Reference: 902 Press, Radio, and Television News Media

Approved:  Nov.  14, 2005

Reviewed: October 13, 2025

Revised:

The superintendent shall determine when a news release about internal school district and board matters will be issued. In making this determination, the superintendent shall strive to keep the media and the school district community accurately and objectively informed. Further, the superintendent shall strive to create and maintain a positive image for the school district. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to approve news releases originating within the school district prior to their release.

News releases will be prepared and disseminated to news media in the school district community. Questions about news releases shall be directed to the superintendent.

Legal Reference: Widmer v. Reitzler, 182 N.W.2d 177 (Iowa 1970).

Dobrovolny v. Reinhardt, 173 N.W.2d 837 (Iowa 1970).

Iowa Code §§ 21.4; 22.2

Cross Reference: 902 Press, Radio, and Television News Media
 

Approved: Nov. 14 2005

Reviewed: October 13, 2025

Revised:

Individuals may broadcast or videotape public school district events, including open board meetings, as long as it does not interfere with or disrupt the school district event and it does not create an undue burden in adapting the buildings and sites to accommodate the request.

It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to determine whether the request is unduly burdensome and whether the broadcast or videotaping will interfere with or disrupt the school district event.

Videotaping of classroom activities will be allowed at the discretion of the superintendent. It is the responsibility of the building administrator to keep the superintendent informed of all videotaping of classroom activities. Parents will be notified prior to videotaping of classroom activities.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations outlining the procedures for making the request and the rules for operation if the request is granted.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 21.4, .7; 22; 279.8

Cross Reference: 902.1 News Media Relations

903.3 Visitors to School District Buildings and Sites

Approved: Nov. 14, 2005

Reviewed: October 13, 2025

Revised: January 10, 2011

The board values the participation and the support of school district- community groups, including, but not limited to, the booster club and parent-teacher organizations, which strive for the betterment of the school district and the education program. The board will work closely with these groups.

Prior to any purchase of, or fund raising for the purchase of goods or services for the school district, the group shall confer with the superintendent, or his or her designee to assist in purchasing goods or services to meet the school district's needs. 

Funds raised by these groups for the school district are separate from the accounts of the school district

It shall be the responsibility of the building principal to be the liaison with the school district-community groups affiliated with the building principal's attendance center.

 Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8

Cross Reference: 903 Public Participation in the School District 

Approved Nov. 14, 2005 

Reviewed: October 13, 2025

Revised: December 8, 2025

The board recognizes the valuable resource it has in the members of the school district community. When possible and in concert with the education program, members of the school district community may be asked to make presentations to the students or to assist employees in duties other than teaching. The school district may officially recognize the contributions made by volunteers.

Recruitment, training, utilization, and the maintenance of records for the purposes of insurance coverage and/or recognition of school district volunteers is the responsibility of the superintendent.

Volunteers within the district are held to the same high standards of behavior as school employees and will be subject to background checks prior to interacting with the students in a volunteer capacity.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent or the superintendent's designee to create regulations necessary to carry out this policy

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 670 

Cross Reference: 603.1 Basic Instruction Program

903.3 Visitors to School District Buildings and Sites

Approved Nov. 14, 2005

Reviewed: October 13, 2025

Revised: November 10, 2025

The board welcomes the interest of parents and other members of the school district community and invites them to visit the school buildings and sites. Visitors, which include persons other than employees or students, must notify the principal of their presence in the facility upon arrival.

Persons who wish to visit a classroom while school is in session are asked to notify the principal and obtain approval from the principal prior to the visit so appropriate arrangements can be made and so class disruption can be minimized. Teachers and other employees will not take time from their duties to discuss matters with visitors.

Visitors shall conduct themselves in a manner fitting to their age level and maturity and with mutual respect and consideration for the rights of others while attending school events or they may be asked to leave the premises. Children who wish to visit school must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

It shall be the responsibility of employees to report inappropriate conduct by visitors. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent and principals to take the action necessary to stop the inappropriate conduct. If the superintendent or principals are not available, a school district employee shall act to stop the inappropriate conduct by visitors.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 716.7

Cross Reference: 902 Press, radio, and Television News Media

903.2 Community Resource Persons and Volunteers

Approved: Nov. 14, 2005

Reviewed: October 13, 2025

Revised: November 10, 2025

The board expects that students, employees and visitors will treat each other with respect, engage in responsible behavior, exercise self-discipline and model fairness, equity and respect. Individuals violating this policy will be subject to discipline. Students will be disciplined consistent with the student conduct policies. Employees will be disciplined consistent with employee discipline policies and laws. Visitors will be subject to discipline according to this policy.

Individuals are permitted to attend school sponsored or approved activities or visit school premises only as guests of the school district, and, as a condition, they must comply with the school district's rules and policies. Individuals will not be allowed to interfere with or disrupt the education program or activity.

To protect the rights of students participating in the education program or activities without fear of interference or disruption and to permit the school officials, employees, sponsors, and officials to perform their duties without interference or disruption, the following provisions are in effect:

• Verbal, abusive, or physical conduct of individuals directed at students, school officials, employees, officials, sponsors of approved activities or at other individuals will not be tolerated.

• Verbal abuse or physical conduct of individuals that interferes with the performance of students,

school officials, employees, officials, sponsors, of approved activities will not be tolerated.

• The use of vulgar, obscene or demeaning expressions directed at students, school officials, employees, officials, sponsors of approved activities will not be tolerated.

If an individual becomes physically or verbally abusive, uses vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression, or in any way interrupts an activity, the individual may be removed from the event by the individual in charge of the event. Law enforcement may be contacted for assistance.

Individuals removed from school premises have the ability to follow the board's chain of command and complaint policies should they choose to do so. The exclusion is in effect should the individual choose to appeal the decision of the superintendent. The term "individual" as used in the policy also includes students and employees.

PUBLIC CONDUCT ON SCHOOL PREMISES

If an individual has been notified of exclusion and thereafter tries to enter a school building or attends an approved activity, the individual will be advised that his/her attendance will result in prosecution. The school district may obtain a court order for permanent exclusion from the school building or from future school sponsored or approved activities.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8, .66; 716.7

Cross Reference: 205 Board Member Liability

504 Student Activities

802.6 Vandalism

903 Public Participation in the School District

Approved: Nov. 14, 2005

Reviewed: October 13, 2025

Revised: January 10, 2011

The board recognizes that students, employees, parents or citizens may want to distribute materials within the school district that are noncurricular. Noncurricular materials to be distributed must be approved by the building principal and meet certain standards prior to their distribution.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the building principals to draft administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference: U.S. Const. amend. I.

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).

Bethel School District v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986).

New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985).

Tinker v. Des Moines Ind. Comm. Sch. Dist., 393 U.S. 503 (1969).

Bystrom v. Fridley High School, 822 F.2d 747 (8th Cir. 1987).

Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.22

Cross Reference: 502.3 Freedom of Expression

503.1 Student Conduct

504 Student Activities

603.9 Academic Freedom

Approved: Nov. 14, 2005

Reviewed: October 13, 2025

Revised: 

Transporting students for school purposes shall be done in a vehicle owned by the school district and driven by a school bus driver or authorized school district employee. Private vehicles should not be used for transporting students for school purposes.

This policy statement applies to the transportation of students for school purposes in addition to transporting students to and from their designated attendance center. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 285; 321.

281 I.A.C. 43.

Cross Reference: 401.6 Transporting Students by Employees

401.7 Employee Travel Compensation

711 Transportation

Approved: November 14, 2005

Reviewed: October 13, 2025

  Revised: November 10, 2025

The use of students, the school district name, or its buildings and sites for advertising and promoting products and/or services of entities and organizations operating for a profit will not be allowed. Nonprofit entities and organizations may be allowed to use students, the school district name, or its buildings and sites if the purpose is educationally related and prior approval has been obtained from the board.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code 279.8 (2005).

Cross Reference: 504.5 Student Fund Raising

904 Community Activities Involving Students

Approved: Nov. 14, 2005

Reviewed: October 13, 2025 

Revised: January 10, 2011

Sex Offender Registrant Request Form Registrants whose request is granted shall keep a copy of this completed form with them each time they come onto school grounds. This form shall be used to document the Principal’s response to an individual’s, on the Sex Offender Registry (SOR) (hereinafter “registrant”) request to come onto school grounds. [Requests will be considered only from registrants who are the parent/legal guardian of a student or the person designated by the parent/legal guardian to have access to the student.] To be Completed by Registrant Full Name _________________________________ Phone Number__________________________ (first, middle, last) Address _____________________________________ Email Address_________________________ Requested Visit Date _______________ Building or location to be visited¬__________________ _ Reason for request (check at least one):  Confer with school staff concerning my child’s academic, disciplinary or placement, including matters required by federal or state law.  Attend a school activity [in which my child is participating.] (activity name)  Attend a nonschool sponsored activity which is (activity name) _________________________ Registrant recognizes that permission to be on school grounds is at the discretion of the principal, or designee. Permission is granted for the sole reason, time, location, etc. listed below. Registrant recognizes that he/she is not permitted to be in any location, including restrooms, other than that listed below. Signature ________________________________ Date ____________ PRINCIPAL’S RESPONSE  Registrant is required to provide additional information as follows:  Registrant must follow check-in and check-out requirements as follows:  Registrant must be directly supervised while on school grounds by the following individual(s) designated by the Principal:  Registrant is restricted to the following designated location(s) on schools grounds:  Registrant may only be on school grounds during the following time period:  Request by registrant to be on school grounds is denied. Principal’s Signature ___________________________________Date ______________________ The completed form shall be kept on file at school. A copy of this completed form shall be provided to the registrant. 

Approved October 12, 2009 Reviewed February 8, 2021 Revised 

School district facilities and equipment will be made available to local nonprofit entities which promote cultural, educational, civic, community, or recreational activities.  "Entity(ies)" will include organizations, groups and individuals and their agents.  Any district employee using district-owned property or facilities for a use outside their duties as an employee is doing so as a community member, and not as a district employee.  Prior to using district resources for activities outside the scope of their job duties, employees must meet the requirements to be considered a qualifying entity.  Such use will be permitted only when the use does not interfere with or disrupt the education program or a school-related activity, the use is consistent with state law, and will end no later than midnight.  It is within the discretion of the board to allow for-profit entities to use school district facilities and equipment.  The board reserves the right to deny use of the facilities and equipment to an entity.  It is within the discretion of the superintendent to allow use of school district facilities and equipment on Sundays.

Entities that wish to use school district facilities or equipment must apply at the District Office. It is the responsibility of the board secretary or superintendent to determine whether the school district facility or equipment requested is available and whether the application for use meets board policy and administrative regulations.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent and board secretary or designee to provide application forms, obtain proof of insurance, and draw up the contract for use of school district facilities and equipment.

Use of school district facilities and equipment by entities will be supervised by a school district employee unless special prior arrangements are made with the superintendent.  The school district employee will not accept a fee from the entity using school district facilities and equipment.  If appropriate, the school district employee may be paid by the school district.

Entities that use school district buildings, or equipment, or sites must leave the building or site in the same condition it was in prior to its use.  Inappropriate use of school district facilities and equipment may result in additional fees charged to, or the inability of, the entity to use school district facilities or equipment in the future.

The board may allow entities, such as the Boy and Girl Scouts and 4-H, to use the school district facilities and equipment without charge.  While such entities may use the facilities and equipment without charge, they may be required to pay a custodial fee.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop a fee schedule for the board's approval and to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.  

 Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 8D; 123.46; 276; 278.1(4); 279.8; 297.9-.11

Cross Reference: 704 Revenue 

Approved: Jan. 9, 2006 

Reviewed:October 13, 2025

Revised: December 8, 2025

School district facilities, including school vehicles, shall be off limits for all types of tobacco and nicotine products (examples: dissolvables, spit less, snus, chewing, and electronic cigarettes). This requirement extends to students, employees, and visitors. This policy applies at all times, including school-sponsored and non-school-sponsored events. Persons failing to abide by this request shall be required to extinguish their smoking material, dispose of the tobacco product, or leave the school district premises immediately. It shall be the responsibility of the administration to enforce this policy.

Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. 608

Iowa Code §§ 142D; 279.8, .9; 297.

Cross Reference: 905.1 Community Use of School District Buildings, Sites, and Equipment 903.4 Public Conduct on School Premises

Approved: Nov. 14, 2005

Reviewed: February 8,2021

Revised: May 9, 2016

The board believes weapons, other dangerous objects and look-a-likes in school district facilities and at school district-approved events cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district.

All weapons, dangerous objects and look-a-likes are prohibited to be carried, possessed, transported or otherwise stored on school district property and to school district-approved events.  Exceptions to this policy include weapons carried by the following individuals in performance of their official duties: 

• law enforcement; 
• military personnel;
• corrections officers;
• individuals approved in writing by the Superintendent;
• students and individuals approved in writing by the Superintendent who are actively engaging in a school district approved firearms safety course, hunter education course or shooting sports activity; and

Individuals found to be in violation of this district policy will be required to immediately remove the weapon, dangerous object or look-a-likes from the school district property or event.  Students found to be in violation of this policy or any other board policies related to weapons will be subject to disciplinary proceedings.  Employees found in violation of this policy may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.

The district shall not authorize staff members to carry firearms on school grounds in accordance with Iowa Code 724.6.

Legal Reference:18 U.S.C. § 921 

Iowa Code §§ 279.8; .84; 280.21B; 483A.27(11), 724 

281 I.A.C. 12.3(6)

Cross Reference:

Approved: November 10, 2025  

Reviewed:

Revised: