It shall be within the sole discretion of the Board to determine the size of classes and to determine whether class grouping shall take place. The Board may review the class sizes annually.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the Board on class size based upon the financial condition of the school district, the qualifications of and number of licensed employees, space utilization, and other factors deemed relevant to the Board.
It is expected that class size shall be reviewed annually, and the administration shall make a recommendation of suggested class sizes for each school grade level by May 15.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3 (1995).
Cross Reference: 606.6 Insufficient Classroom Space
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 10/06 Revised: 6/00
07/18
The administration shall annually make a recommendation to the Board of Directors with suggested class sizes for the Estherville Lincoln Central Schools based upon effective use of staff, space utilization, and cost effectiveness. The following student/teacher ratios will serve as guidelines in forming those recommendations:
K-2 - up to 19 students with early intervention dollars; without early intervention
dollars – up to 23 students with a part-time aide or other intervention strategy – up to 25 students with a full-time aide.
Grades 3-6 - up to 25 students, no aide; up to 27 students with a part-time aide.
Grades 7-8 – up to 25 students, no aide; up to 30 students with a part-time aide.
(grade level, not necessarily classroom.)
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 10/06 Revised: 6/00
07/18
The school district will continue school ceremonies and observances which have become a tradition and a custom of the education program. These include, but are not limited to, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and observance of holidays, such as Christmas, Halloween and Easter, by programs and performances. Such ceremonies or observances shall have a secular purpose and shall not advocate or sponsor a particular religion.
Studentswho do not wish to participate in these activities may be silent during the ceremony or observance or receive permission from the principal to be excused from the ceremony for religious reasons in compliance with board policy.
Legal Reference: U.S. Const. amend. I.
Lee v. Weisman, 112 S.Ct. 2649 (1992).
Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602, (1971).
Graham v. Central Community School District of Decatur County, 608 F.Supp. 531 (S.D. Iowa 1985).
Iowa Code § 279.8 (1995).
Cross Reference: 603 Instructional Curriculum
604.5 Religious-Based Exclusion From A School Program
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 5/00
10/06
07/18
Live animals will not be allowed in school district facilities except under special circumstances and only for an educational purpose. Permission from the principal will be required of anyone wishing to bring an animal into school district facilities. Appropriate supervision of animals is required when animals are brought into the school district facilities.
The person bringing the animal must furnish transportation for the animal brought to school. Animals will not be allowed to travel to and from the student's attendance center on the school bus without prior approval from the principal.
It shall be the responsibility of the principal to determine appropriate supervision of animals in the classroom.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (1995).
Cross Reference: 507 Student Health and Well-Being
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 5/00
10/06
07/18
Materials and services produced by students at the expense of the school district are be the property of the school district. Materials and services produced by students at the student's expense, except for incidental expense to the school district, are be the property of the student.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to determine incidental expense.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (1995).
Cross Reference: 408.2 Licensed Employee Publication or Creation of
Materials
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 5/00
10/06
07/18
The principal may authorize field trips and excursions when such events contribute to the achievement of education goals of the school district. The school district will provide transportation for field trips and excursions.
In authorizing field trips and excursions, the principal shall consider the financial condition of the school district, the educational benefit of the activity, the inherent risks or dangers of the activity, and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent. Written parental permission will be required prior to the student's participation in field trips and excursions. The superintendent's approval will be required for field trips and excursions outside the state. Board approval will be required for field trips and excursions which involve unusual length or expense.
Field trips and excursions are to be arranged with the principal well in advance. A detailed schedule and budget must be submitted by the employee. The school district will be responsible for obtaining a substitute teacher if one is needed. Following field trips and excursions, the teacher may be required to submit a written summary of the event.
Legal Reference: 390 C.F.R. Pt. 390.3(f) (1993).
Iowa Code § 279.8 (1995).
281 I.A.C. 43.9.
Cross Reference: 503.1 Student Conduct
503.4 Good Conduct Rule
603 Instructional Curriculum
711 Transportation
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 5/00
10/06
07/18
Insufficient classroom space shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. In making its determination whether insufficient classroom space exists, the Board may consider several factors, including but not limited to, the nature of the education program, the grade level, the available licensed employees, the instructional method, the physical space, student-teacher ratios, equipment and materials, facilities either being planned or under construction, facilities planned to be closed, financial condition of the school district and projected to be available, a sharing agreement in force or planned, a bargaining agreement in force, laws or rules governing special education class size, board-adopted school district goals and objectives, and other factors considered relevant by the board.
This policy shall be reviewed by the Board annually. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to bring this policy to the attention of the Board each year.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 282.18(13) (1995).
281 I.A.C. 17.6(3).
Cross Reference: 103 Educational and Operational Planning
501.15 Open Enrollment Transfers - Procedures as a Receiving District
606.1 Class Size - Class Grouping
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 5/00
10/06
07/18
USE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES
In order for students to experience a diverse curriculum, the board encourages employees to supplement their regular curricular materials with other resources. In so doing, the board recognizes that federal law makes it illegal to duplicate copyrighted materials without authorization of the holder of the copyright, except for certain exempt purposes. Severe penalties may be imposed for plagiarism, unauthorized copying or using of media, including, but not limited to, print, electronic and web-based materials, unless the copying or using conforms to the "fair use" doctrine. Under the "fair use" doctrine, unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted materials is permissible for such purposes as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship or research providing that all fair use guidelines are met.
While the school district encourages employees to enrich the learning programs by making proper use of
supplementary materials, it is the responsibility of employees to abide by the school district's copying procedures and obey the requirements of the law. In no circumstances shall it be necessary for school district staff to violate copyright requirements in order to perform their duties properly. The school district will not be responsible for any violations of the copyright law by employees or students. Violation of the copyright law by employees may result in discipline up to, and including, termination. Violation of the copyright law by students may result in discipline, up to and including, suspension or expulsion.
Parents or others who wish to record, by any means, school programs or other activities need to realize that even though the school district received permission to perform a copyrighted work does not mean outsiders can copy it and re-play it. Those who wish to do so should contact the employee in charge of the activity to determine what the process is to ensure the copyright law is followed. The school district is not responsible for outsiders violating the copyright law or this policy.
Any employee or student who is uncertain as to whether reproducing or using copyrighted material complies with the school district's procedures or is permissible under the law should contact the principal or teacher librarian who will also assist employees and students in obtaining proper authorization to copy or use protected material when such authorization is required.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal or teacher-librarian to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal References: 17 U.S.C. § 101 et al.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(12).
Cross References: 605.6 Internet Appropriate Use
Approved: 2/8/10 Reviewed: 07/18 Revised: