The board believes inappropriate student appearance causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors.

Students are expected to adhere to standards of cleanliness and dress that are compatible with the requirements of a good learning environment.  The standards will be those generally acceptable to the community as appropriate in a school setting.

The board expects students to be clean and well-groomed and wear clothes in good repair and appropriate for the time, place and occasion.  Clothing or other apparel promoting products illegal for use by minors and clothing displaying obscene material, profanity, or reference to prohibited conduct are disallowed.  While the primary responsibility for appearance lies with the students and their parents, appearance disruptive to the education program will not be tolerated.  When, in the judgment of a principal, a student's appearance or mode of dress disrupts the educational process or constitutes a threat to health or safety, the student may be required to make modifications.

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

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

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

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). 

Torvik v. Decorah Community School, 453 F.2d 779 (8th Cir. 1972). 

Turley v. Adel Community School District, 322 F.Supp. 402 (S.D. Iowa 1971). 

Sims v. Colfax Comm. School Dist., 307 F.Supp. 485 (Iowa 1970). 

Iowa Code § 279.8 (2005).

Cross Reference:           500     Objectives for Equal Educational

     Opportunities for Students 

502     Student Rights and Responsibilities

Approved  Mar 12, 2007    

Reviewed  December 13, 2021   

Revised

Students shall treat school district property with the care and the respect they would treat their own property.  Students found to have destroyed or otherwise harmed school district property may be required to reimburse the school district.  They may be subject to discipline under board policy and the school district rules and regulations.  They may also be referred to local law enforcement authorities.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative rules regarding this policy.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 282.4, .5; 613.16 (2005).

Cross Reference: 502      Student Rights and Responsibilities

802.1      Maintenance Schedule

Approved  Mar 12, 2007    

Reviewed  December 13, 2021    

Revised

It is the goal of the district to protect the educational environment for all students to help ensure it is free from substantial disruption or infringement upon their rights.  Student expression should be appropriate to help ensure that the students learn and meet the goals of the school activity and that the potential audience is not exposed to material that may be harmful or inappropriate for their level of maturity.

While students will generally be allowed to express their viewpoints and opinions, in certain qualifying circumstances, student speech may require administrative regulation to help ensure the safety and welfare of the school community.  The district may regulate speech that:  causes or is reasonably anticipated to cause a material and substantial disruption to the education environment; infringes upon the rights of others; is obscene or lewd; is school sponsored; and/or promotes illegal activity.  The administration, when making this judgment, will consider whether the activity in which the expression was made is school-sponsored and whether review or prohibition of the students' speech furthers an educational purpose.  The expression must be done in a reasonable time, place, and manner that is not disruptive to the orderly and efficient operation of the school district.

The superintendent may develop procedures for safely addressing qualifying types of mass protests by students, including walk-ins and walk-outs.  Walk-ins occur when students leave their learning environments during school hours and gather in a group or groups with the purpose of promoting a belief or beliefs.  Walk-outs occur when students leave their learning environments during school hours and gather in a group or groups off district property with the purpose of promoting a belief or beliefs. 

The superintendent is encouraged to obtain feedback from community stakeholders in the development of these procedures.  The goal of the procedures shall be to address student safety, maintain the education environment and promote communication during demonstrations while remaining viewpoint neutral.

Students who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary measures.  Employees shall be responsible for insuring students' expression is in keeping with this policy.  It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop 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; 282.3 (2005).

Cross Reference:                   

502         Student Rights and Responsibilities

504         Student Activities

603.9      Academic Freedom

903.5      Distribution of Materials

Approved  Mar 12, 2007    Reviewed December 13, 2021    Revised December 13, 2021

Student complaints and grievances regarding board policy or administrative regulations and other matters should be addressed to the student's teacher or another licensed employee, other than the administration, for resolution of the complaint.  It is the goal of the board to resolve student complaints at the lowest organizational level.

If the complaint cannot be resolved by a licensed employee, the student may discuss the matter with the principal within 5 days of the employee's decision.  If the matter cannot be resolved by the principal, the student may discuss it with the superintendent within 10 days after speaking with the principal.

If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by the superintendent, the student may ask to have the matter placed on the board agenda of a regularly scheduled board meeting in compliance with board policy.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (2005).

 Cross Reference: 210.8      Board Meeting Agenda 

215         Public Participation in Board Meetings 

307         Communication Channels 

502         Student Rights and Responsibilities 

504.3      Student Publications

Approved  Mar 12, 2007    

Reviewed  December 13, 2021 

Revised

Student lockers are the property of the school district.  Students shall use the lockers assigned to them by the school district for storing their school materials and personal belongings necessary for attendance at school.  It shall be the responsibility of each student to keep their assigned lockers clean and undamaged.

To ensure students are properly maintaining their assigned locker, the principal of the building may periodically inspect the lockers.  Student lockers may be searched in compliance with board policy regulating search and seizure.

Iowa law requires students or another individual to be present during the inspection of lockers.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.14; 808A (2005).

Cross Reference: 502      Student Rights and Responsibilities

Approved  Mar 12, 2007    

Reviewed  December 13, 2021  

Revised   December 12, 2016

The board believes weapons, look alike weapons, and other dangerous objects in school district facilities 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.

School district facilities are not an appropriate place for weapons, look alike weapons, or dangerous objects.  Weapons, look alike weapons, and other dangerous objects shall be taken from students and others who bring them onto the school district property or onto property within the jurisdiction of the school district or from students who are within the control of the school district.

Parents of students found to possess a weapon, look alike weapons, or dangerous objects on school property shall be notified of the incident.  Confiscation of weapons, look alike weapons, or dangerous objects shall be reported to the law enforcement officials, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

Students bringing a firearm to school shall be expelled for not less than twelve months and will be referred to law enforcement authorities.  The superintendent shall have the authority to recommend this expulsion requirement be modified for a student on a case-by-case basis.  For purposes of this portion of this policy, the term "firearm" includes any weapon which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, the frame or receiver of any such weapon, a muffler or silencer for such a weapon, or any explosive, incendiary or poison gas (including pepper spray).  Weapons under the control of law enforcement officials shall be exempt from this policy.  The principal may allow authorized persons to display weapons or other dangerous objects for educational purposes.  Such a display shall also be exempt from this policy.  It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference:

Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, P.L. 103-382.18 U.S.C. § 921 (1994). McClain v. Lafayette County Bd. of Education, 673 F.2d 106 (5th Cir. 1982). Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.21B; 724 (1997). 281 I.A.C. 12.3(6)

Cross Reference:

502      Student Rights and Responsibilities 

503      Student Discipline 

507      Student Health and Well-Being

Approved  Mar 12, 2007    

Reviewed  December 13, 2021    

Revised  December 12, 2016

The board prohibits the distribution, dispensing, manufacture, possession, use, or being under the influence of beer, wine, alcohol, tobacco, other controlled substances, any substance used to alter behavior, or "look alike" substances that appear to be tobacco, beer, wine, alcohol or controlled substances by students while on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered buses; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.

The board believes such illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials generally cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, or visitors.

Violation of this policy by students will result in disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.  Use, purchase or being in possession of cigarettes, tobacco or tobacco products for those under the age of eighteen, may be reported to the local law enforcement authorities.  Possession, use or being under the influence of beer, wine, alcohol, “look alike” substances, substances that are used to alter behavior, and/or of a controlled substance may also be reported to the local law enforcement authorities.

Students who violate the terms of this policy may be required to satisfactorily complete a substance abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved by the school board.  If such student fails to satisfactorily complete such a program, the student may be subject to discipline including suspension or expulsion.

The board believes the substance abuse prevention program shall include:

• Age-appropriate, developmentally-based drug and alcohol curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through twelve, which address the legal, social, and health consequences of tobacco, drug and alcohol use and which provide information about effective techniques for resisting peer pressure to use tobacco, drugs or alcohol;

• A statement to students that the use of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful;

• Standards of conduct for students that clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the unlawful possession, use, being under the influence of or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students on school premises or as part of any of its activities;

• A clear statement that disciplinary sanctions, up to and including suspension or expulsion and referral for prosecution, will be imposed on students who violate the policy and a description of those sanctions;

• A statement that students may be required to successfully complete an appropriate rehabilitation program;

• Information about drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation and re-entry programs available to students;

• A requirement that parents and students be given a copy of the standards of conduct and the statement of disciplinary sanctions required; and

• Notification to parents and students that compliance with the standards of conduct is mandatory.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference: 34 C.F.R. Pt. 86 (2005). 

Iowa Code §§ 123.46; 124; 279.8, .9; 453A (2005). 

281 I.A.C. 12.3(9); .5(3)(e), .5(4)(e), .5(5)(e), .5(21).

 Cross Reference: 502       Student Rights and Responsibilities 

503       Student Discipline 

    507       Student Health and Well-Being

Approved  Mar 12, 2007    

Reviewed  December 13, 2021    

Revised June 11, 2012

School district property is held in public trust by the board.  School district authorities may, without a search warrant, search a student, student lockers, personal effects, desks, work areas or student vehicles based on a reasonable suspicion that a board policy, school rule or law has been broken.  The search shall be in a manner reasonable in scope to maintain order and discipline in the schools, promote the educational environment, and protect the safety and welfare of students, employees and visitors to the school district facilities.

School authorities may seize any illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials discovered in the search.  Items of contraband may include, but are not limited to, nonprescription controlled substances, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, barbituates, apparatus used for controlled substances, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, weapons, explosives, poisons (including pepper spray) and stolen property.  Such items are not to be possessed by a student while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered buses; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.  Possession of such items will be grounds for disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion and may be reported to local law enforcement authorities.  The board believes that such illegal, unauthorized or contraband materials cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, or visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

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

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

Cason v. Cook, 810 F.2d 188 (8th Cir. 1987), cert. den., 482 U.S. 930 (1987). 

    281 I.A.C. 12.3(8).

Cross Reference: 502       Student Rights and Responsibilities 

503       Student Discipline

Approved  Mar 12, 2007    

Reviewed  December 13, 2021   

Revised     December 12, 2016

Generally, students may not be interviewed during the school day by persons other than parents and school district officials and employees.

Requests from law enforcement officers and from persons other than parents, school district officials, and employees to interview students shall be made through the principal's office.  Upon receiving a request, it shall be the responsibility of the principal to determine whether the request will be granted.  Generally, prior to granting a request, the principal shall attempt to contact the parents to inform them of the request and to ask them to be present.

If a child abuse investigator wishes to interview a student, the principal will defer to the investigator's judgment as to whether the student should be interviewed independently from the student's parents, whether the school is the most appropriate setting for the interview, and who will be present during the interview.

Students will not be taken from school without the consent of the principal and without proper warrant.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code 232; 280.17 (2005).

281 I.A.C. 102.

441 I.A.C. 9.2; 155; 175.

1980 Op. Att’y Gen. 275.

Cross Reference: 402.2         Child Abuse Reporting

502.10       Search and Seizure

503            Student Discipline

902.4         Students and the News Media

Approved  Mar 12, 2007    

Reviewed  December 13, 2021   

Revised

Harassment of students by other students will not be tolerated in the school district.  This policy is in effect while students are on school grounds, school district property, or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school-owned and/or school-operated buses, vehicles or chartered buses; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.

Harassment prohibited by the district includes, but is not limited to, age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status.  Students whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to the investigation procedure which may result in discipline, up to and including, suspension and expulsion.

Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

  •  submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition or a student's education or of a student's participation in school programs or activities;

  •  submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as the basis for decisions affecting the student; or

  •  such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student's performance or creating an intimidating, offensive or hostile learning environment.

Sexual harassment as set out above, may include, but is not limited to the following:

  •  verbal or written harassment or abuse;

  •  pressure for sexual activity;

  •  repeated remarks to a person with sexual or demeaning implications

  •  unwelcome touching;

  •  suggesting or demanding sexual involvement, accompanied by implied or explicit threats concerning one's grades, achievements, etc.

Harassment on the basis of age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status means conduct of a verbal or physical nature that is designed to embarrass, distress, agitate, disturb or trouble students when:

  •  submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student's education or of a student's participation in school programs or activities;

  •  submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as the basis for decisions affecting the student; or

  • such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student's performance or creating an intimidating, offensive or hostile learning environment.

Harassment as set forth above may include, but is not limited to the following:

  •  verbal, physical or written harassment or abuse;

  •  repeated remarks of a demeaning nature;

  •  implied or explicit threats concerning one's grade achievements, etc.;

  •  demeaning jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student.

The district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment.  The building principal will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment.

Retaliation against a student because the student has filed a harassment complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding is also prohibited.  A student who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including suspension and expulsion.

It shall also be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the investigator and principals, to develop administrative rules regarding this policy.  The superintendent shall also be responsible for organizing training programs for students and employees.  The training shall include how to recognize harassment and what to do in case a student is harassed.

Legal References: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1221-1234i (1994). 29 U.S.C. § 794 (1994). 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d-2000d-7 (1994). 42 U.S.C. §§ 12005 et. seq. (1994). 

Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 280.3 (2005). 281 I.A.C. 12.3(6).

Cross References: 403.6    Harassment 

502       Student Rights and Responsibilities 

503       Student Discipline 

506       Student Records

Approved  Mar 12, 2007    

Reviewed  December 13, 2021

Revised June 11, 2012

The board recognizes the convenience to families and students of having students drive to and park at their school attendance center.  Driving a motor vehicle to and parking it at the student's attendance center is a privilege.

Students who drive to and park at their school attendance center shall only drive to and park at their designated attendance center.  Students may not loiter around or be in their vehicle during the school day without permission from the principal.  Students shall leave their attendance center when there is no longer a legitimate reason for them to be at their attendance center.  Students who drive shall enter and leave the parking lot by the routes designated by the principal. 

Students who live further than one mile of school, and would not otherwise be eligible for a student driving permit, may be eligible for a student driving permit, for driving to and from school and school activities and practices,  if the student is at least fourteen and a half years of age; attends Chariton Community School District; has completed an approved drivers’ education program; and is involved in at least one school sponsored activity.

Students who wish to drive to and park at their school attendance center shall comply with the rules and regulations established by the building principal.  Failure to comply with this policy or the school district rules shall be reason for revocation of school driving and parking privileges as well as other disciplinary action including suspension and expulsion.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 321 (2005).

Cross Reference: 502     Student Rights and Responsibilities

802.6     Parking

Approved  Mar 12, 2007    

Reviewed  January 11, 2021  

Revised  January 11, 2021