Visits To School
Superintendents and teachers shall welcome and
encourage visits by patrons of the schools.
Groups of visitors wishing to visit the school or
facilities shall notify the Superintendent as far in advance as possible.
All visitors to a school are to report
immediately to the Superintendent's office.
All persons who do not obtain permission from the
Superintendent's office to visit the school, or visitors who create serious
distractions to the learning environment in the building or on the premises,
shall be considered trespassers and subject to arrest and prosecution.
Nondiscrimination and Student Rights
The Board of Education reaffirms
its belief that every student regardless of race, creed, color, sex, cultural
or socio-economic status or disabling condition be given equal opportunity for
educational development.
The Board recognizes the
importance of providing each student with a school environment conducive to
intellectual, emotional and social growth through participation in a full range
of educational programs and activities.
Board and staff commitment insure equal educational opportunities in
course offerings, guidance and counseling, test procedures, extra-curricular
activities, discipline procedures and student support services.
Harassment
It is the policy of the District
to maintain a learning environment that is free from harassment because of an
individual’s race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual
orientation, or perceived sexual orientation.
The School District prohibits any and all forms of unlawful harassment
and discrimination including but not limited to race, color, sex, national
origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or perceived sexual
orientation.
It shall be a violation of
District policy for any student, teacher, administrator, or other school
personnel of this District to harass or unlawfully discriminate against a
student through conduct including but not limited to of a sexual nature, or
regarding race, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual
orientation, or perceived sexual orientation as defined by this Policy.
It shall also be a violation of
District policy for any teacher, administrator, or other school personnel of
this District to tolerate sexual harassment or harassment because of a
student’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual
orientation, or perceived sexual orientation, as defined by this Policy, by a
student, teacher, administrator, other school personnel, or by any third
parties who are participating in, observing, or otherwise engaged in
activities, including sporting events and other extracurricular activities,
under the auspices of the School District.
For purposes of this Policy, the
term “school personnel” includes school board members, school employees,
agents, volunteers, contractors, or persons subject to the supervision and
control of the District.
The school system will act to
promptly investigate all complaints, either formal or informal, verbal or
written, of unlawful harassment or unlawful discrimination because of race, color,
sex, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or perceived
sexual orientation; to promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals
from further harassment or discrimination; and, if it determines that unlawful
harassment or discrimination occurred, to promptly and appropriately discipline
any student, teacher, administrator, or other school personnel who is found to
have violated this Policy, and/or to take other appropriate action reasonably
calculated to end the harassment/discrimination.
Searches by School Personnel
School lockers and desks are the property of the
District and are provided for the convenience of students, and as such, are
subject to periodic inspection without notice, without student consent, and
without a search warrant. The lockers
and desks may be searched by school administrators or staff who have a
reasonable suspicion that the lockers or desks contain drugs, alcohol, material
of a disruptive nature, stolen properties, weapons, items posing a danger to the
health or safety of students and school employees, or evidence of a violation
of school policy. In addition, the
Board of Education authorizes the use of trained dogs to sniff lockers or other
school property to assist in the detection of the presence of drugs,
explosives, and other contraband.
Students or student property may be searched
based on reasonable suspicion of a violation of District rules, policy or state
law. Reasonable suspicion must be based
on facts known to the administration, credible information provided or
reasonable inference drawn from such facts or information. The privacy and dignity of students shall be
respected. Searches shall be carried
out in the presence of adult witnesses, if such witnesses are available. Students may be asked to empty pockets,
remove jackets, coats, shoes and other articles of exterior clothing for
examination if reasonable under the circumstances. However, no strip searches are to be conducted.
Students are permitted to park on school premises
as a matter of privilege, not of right.
The school retains the authority to conduct routine patrols of the
student parking lots. The interior of a
student’s automobile on school premises may be searched if a school
administrator has reasonable suspicion to believe that illegal, unauthorized or
contraband items, or evidence of a violation of school policy is contained
inside the vehicle.
Law enforcement officials shall be contacted if
the search produces a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, weapons, stolen
goods or evidence of a crime, in any case involving a violation of law when a
student refuses to allow a search, or where the search cannot safely be
conducted. Parents may also be
contacted. A student who refuses to
submit to a search may be appropriately disciplined by school officials.
Student
Attendance
The Board of Education believes
that regular attendance is essential to achieving success in school. Education is a total process based upon
continual communication and shared responsibilities among parents, students,
teachers and school. As students mature
and progress through the educational system, they should increasingly assume
responsibility for regular attendance.
However, parents have a legal and moral responsibility to require
regular attendance at school.
The Board of Education has established the
following rules and regulations regarding attendance, absences and excuses for
students. These rules and regulations are intended to comply with Missouri
Compulsory Attendance Law (167.031 RSMo.) which establishes compulsory
attendance for all children between the ages of seven and sixteen unless their
education is provided by other acceptable means or otherwise excusable under
the law.
Excusable
Absences
In case of absence, it is the responsibility of
the parent/guardian to notify the school. If the school is not notified on the
day of absence, a note from the parent/guardian will be required on the first
day of the student's return to school. The absence will be recorded as
unexcused if a note or telephone call is not received.
Excusable absences include, but are not limited
to:
1.
Illness of the
student (Doctor's statement may be required to support such absences).
2.
Days of religious
observance.
3.
Death in the
family. Family shall be defined as a
relative to the fourth degree of affinity.
4.
Family emergencies
which necessitate absence from school. The school must be notified in advance
when such absences are foreseen.
The following procedures should be followed by
students who are absent so as to prevent academic difficulties:
1.
The student shall
obtain assignments from appropriate staff members. Assignments shall be obtained in advance if the absence is
foreseen.
2.
All assigned work
shall be submitted upon returning to school.
3.
All classroom work
(to include tests) shall be completed as indicated by the individual classroom
teacher.
4. After
a student has been absent for three (3) consecutive days, it is the homeroom
teacher’s responsibility to contact the parent/guardian by telephone or letter
in order to inquire about the reason for the student’s absence.
5.
If the teacher is
unable to contact the parent/guardian within three (3) days or the
parent/guardian does not give a reasonable explanation for the absence within
three (3) days, the building superintendent shall send a registered letter to
the parent/guardian requesting a conference within a week.
6.
If the
parent/guardian does not contact the superintendent within a week of receipt of
the registered letter, the superintendent will make a referral to the proper
legal authorities.
Excessive Absences: Elementary Students and Junior High School
Students
More than ten (10) days absent per semester will be deemed
excessive. Excessive absences, excused
or unexcused, have a detrimental effect upon academic progress and may be one
factor considered in promotion/retention decisions.
Student
Early Dismissal Procedures
The following procedures apply:
1.
The superintendent
or designee shall not excuse a student before the end of the school day without
a request for early dismissal by the student's parent/guardian.
2.
Requests shall be
in writing. Telephone requests for early dismissal of a student shall be
honored only if the caller can be positively identified as the student's
parent/guardian.
3.
Children of single‑parent
families will be released only upon the request of the custodial parent; i.e.,
the parent whom the court holds directly responsible for the child, and who is
identified as such on the school record.
Additional precautions may be taken by the school
administration, appropriate to the age of students, and as needs arise.
Parents/guardians have the obligation to advise
and provide up-to-date documentation to the building superintendent regarding
any change in the legal and/or physical custody of the student. The building superintendent, at all times,
has the authority to investigate and confirm the custodial status of a
parent/guardian if the superintendent has inadequate information or reason to
suspect that false or incomplete information has been provided to the School
District.
Students
shall not be permitted to answer any personal phone calls, except those from
the parent/guardian or other persons having legal custody of said pupils.
Emergency messages will be delivered to the students.
Truancy
and Educational Neglect
The Board of Education believes regular
attendance is important to academic success. Therefore, the Board directs that
problems with attendance on the part of any student be investigated and acted
upon promptly.
Truancy is defined as deliberate absence from
school on the part of the pupil with or without the knowledge of the
parent/guardian and for which no justifiable excuse is given. When a pattern of
truancy becomes evident, the superintendent will investigate and take such
action as circumstances dictate.
Section 210.115 R.S.Mo. mandates reporting to the
Division of Family Services when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a
student's nonattendance is due to the educational neglect of the
parents/guardians.
Any
school official or employee who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a
student is being subjected to home conditions or circumstances which would
reasonably result in truancy will immediately report or cause a report to be
made to the superintendent, or his/her designee, who will then become
responsible for making a report via the Student Abuse Hotline to the Missouri
Division of Family Services (DFS).
Promotion
and Retention
The purpose of promotions and retentions is to
provide maximum consideration for the long range welfare of the student and to
provide an opportunity for each student to progress through school according to
his/her own needs and abilities.
It is expected that most students in the schools
will be promoted annually from one grade level to another upon completion of
satisfactory work, however, a student may be retained when his/her standards of
achievement or social, emotional, mental, or physical development would not
allow satisfactory progress in the next higher grade. Retention normally occurs
before the student leaves the primary grades.
Parents/guardians who wish to appeal the decision
for retention must first contact the superintendent. If parents/guardians do
not accept the decision at the building level, an appeal may be made in writing
to the Superintendent. All appeals must be requested within two (2) weeks after
the close of school.
However, consistent with state law, there will be
a one-time mandatory retention of students who are not reading at the third
grade level when finishing fourth grade.
This limitation on promotion will not apply to students receiving
special education services, Section 504 students, students who are not
proficient in the English language, and students with cognitive abilities
insufficient to meet the reading standard provided that they are identified at
the beginning of the fourth grade year pursuant to state law.
The District will utilize a program for reading
improvement instruction for students in kindergarten through third grade who
fail to meet the District’s objectives for reading based upon the student’s
performance on reading assessment measures.
Such students will be counted for average daily attendance for state
school aid during reading instruction time where such instruction time falls
outside normal school hours.
Junior High Requirements
For a student in Junior High to
be promoted to the next grade, he or she must complete a minimum of 5 units of
credit per year. 3 1/2 units of the
required 5 units must come from the following courses which equal 1/2 unit per
semester or one unit per year.
Class Credit/Semester Credit/Year Mathematics ½ 1
Science ½ 1
English ½ 1
Social
Studies ½ 1
Reading ½ 1
8th
Grade Spanish ½ 1
The remaining 1
1/2 units of credit must come from the following classes which are offered for
1/4 unit per semester or a total of 1/2 unit per year.
Class Credit/Semester Credit/Year
Art ¼ ½
Music ¼ ½
Band ¼ ½
Physical
Education ¼ ½
7th
Grade Spanish ¼ ½
Computer
Literacy ¼ ½
In accordance with the current
Junior High School Policy, a student’s schedule of classes for the year must
consist of all five of the one unit per year classes (six for eighth grade) and
four of the ½ unit per year classes. At
the discretion of the superintendent, extenuating circumstances may be
considered in determining promotion. If
a student is taking remedial Reading in place of the regular Reading class,
this class will count toward their promotion in lieu of the above listed class.
Behavioral
Expectations
The District has
the authority to control student conduct which is prejudicial to good order and
discipline in the schools as provided by state law. School officials are authorized to hold students accountable for
misconduct in school, on school property, during school-sponsored activities
and for conduct away from school or in non-school activities which affect
school discipline.
Students forfeit
their right to a public school education by engaging in conduct prohibited in
Board Regulations 2610 and related provisions.
Disciplinary consequences include but are not limited to, withdrawal of
school privileges (athletics, intramurals, student clubs and activities and
school social events), the reassignment of the student to another school,
removal for up to ten (10) school days by the superintendent, extension of
suspensions for a total of one hundred eighty (180) days by the Superintendent,
and longer term suspension and expulsion from school by the Board of Education.
Students may be
excluded from field trips and other off-campus activities for any one or an
accumulation of disciplinary referrals.
The District will
provide annual in-service training to all employees concerning the District’s
discipline regulations and their implementation. Annual training will also include, but will not be limited to,
approved methods of dealing with school violence, discipline of students with
disabilities and with the requirements of student confidentiality.
The discipline code set out in this regulation is
intended to be an illustrative, but not an exclusive, listing of acts of
misconduct and the consequences for each. Misconduct that is not specifically
listed in this regulation may be deemed to warrant discipline up to and
including expulsion following provision of all due process procedures. In
addition, the disciplinary consequence listed for each offense may be increased
or decreased by the administration or the Board of Education due to mitigating
or aggravating circumstances.
Copies of this regulation as well as the
District's corporal punishment policy will be provided to each student at the
beginning of each school year. Copies of these documents will also be available
for public inspection during normal business hours in the Superintendent's
office.
Alcohol – Possession of or presence under the influence of alcohol
First Offense: Ten days out-of -school
suspension, (may be reduced to five days if student will participate in an
alcohol or drug assessment program--a listing of locally available programs is
available from the principal or the school counselor), recommendations to the
Pemiscot County R-3 School District’s Board of Education for expulsion from
school, removal from all extra -curricular activities and any
club/organizations officership for the remainder of the school term, and/or
police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: A minimum of ten days and maximum of one hundred eighty days
out-of-school suspension, recommendation to the Pemiscot County R-3 School
District’s Board of Education for expulsion, and/or police called and charges
placed.
Arson – Intentionally causing or attempting to cause a
fire or explosion
First
Offense: A minimum of ten days
and maximum of one hundred eighty days out-of-school suspension and police
called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: One‑year suspension and/or
recommendation to the Pemiscot County R-3 School District’s Board of Education
for expulsion and police called and charges placed.
Assault – (Refer to Policy and Regulation 2673 –
Reporting of Violent Behavior)
Assault of a Student or Staff Member – Use of physical
force with the intent to do bodily harm.
First
Offense: Up to ten days suspension and police
called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: One‑year suspension and/or
recommendation to the Pemiscot County R-3 School District’s Board of Education
for expulsion and police called and charges placed.
Fighting – Physically striking another
in a mutual contact as differentiated from an assault.
First
Offense: Corporal punishment,
suspension up to ten days and/or police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: Suspension up to one
hundred eighty days and/or police
called and charges placed.
Defiance
of Authority – Refusal to obey
directions or defiance of staff authority
First Offense:
Verbal reprimand, isolation, removal of privileges, corporal punishment.
Subsequent Offenses: Corporal punishment, suspension.
Disruptive
Behavior – Conduct which has the
intentional effect of disturbing education or the safe transportation of a
student
First Offense:
Verbal reprimand, isolation, removal of privileges, corporal punishment.
Subsequent Offenses: Corporal punishment, suspension.
Drugs/Controlled
Substance
Possession
or presence under the influence of a controlled substance or substance
represented to be a controlled substance while at school, on the school
playground, on the school parking lot, on a school bus or at a school activity,
whether on or off school property.
First
Offense: Ten days out-of -school
suspension, (may be reduced to five days if student will participate in an
alcohol or drug assessment program--a listing of locally available programs is
available from the principal or the school counselor), recommendations to the
Pemiscot County R-3 School District’s Board of Education for expulsion from
school, removal from all extra -curricular activities and any
club/organizations officership for the remainder of the school term, and/or
police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: A minimum of ten days
and maximum of one hundred eighty days out-of-school suspension, recommendation
to the Pemiscot County R-3 School District’s Board of Education for expulsion,
and/or police called and charges placed.
Sale
of a controlled substance or substance represented to be a controlled substance
while at school or at any of the locations described above.
First
Offense: Ten days out-of -school
suspension, recommendations to the Pemiscot County R-3 School District’s Board
of Education for expulsion from school, removal from all extra -curricular
activities and any club/organizations officership for the remainder of the
school term, and/or police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: A minimum of ten days
and maximum of one hundred eighty days out-of-school suspension, recommendation
to the Pemiscot County R-3 School District’s Board of Education for expulsion,
and/or police called and charges placed.
Extortion – Verbal threats or physical conduct designed to obtain money or other
valuables
First
Offense: Corporal punishment,
suspension up to ten days and/or police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: Suspension up to one
hundred eighty days and/or police
called and charges placed.
Firearms
and Weapons (Refer to Policy and
Regulation 2620 – Firearms and Weapons in School)
Possession of a firearm
First Offense:
One‑year suspension and police called and charges placed
Subsequent
Offenses: One‑year suspension and/or
recommendation to the Pemiscot County R-3 School District’s Board of Education
for expulsion and police called and charges placed.
Possession of a weapon
First Offense:
One‑year suspension and police called and charges placed
Subsequent
Offenses: One‑year suspension and/or
recommendation to the Pemiscot County R-3 School District’s Board of Education
for expulsion and police called and charges placed.
Harassment (Refer to Policy and Regulation 2130 –
Harassment)
First
Offense: Corporal punishment,
suspension up to ten days and/or police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: Suspension up to one
hundred eighty days and/or police
called and charges placed.
Improper
Display of Affection –
Consensual kissing, fondling, or embracing
First Offense:
Verbal reprimand, isolation, removal of privileges, corporal punishment.
Subsequent Offenses: Corporal punishment, suspension.
Improper
Language
Threatening Language – Use of verbal, physical or written threats to
do bodily harm to person or personal property
First
Offense: Corporal punishment,
suspension up to one hundred eighty
days and/or police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: Suspension up to one
hundred eighty days and/or police
called and charges placed.
Use of
Obscene or Vulgar Language – Language which depicts venous sexual acts,
human waste, and blasphemous language
First Offense:
Verbal reprimand, isolation, removal of privileges, corporal punishment.
Subsequent Offenses: Corporal punishment, suspension.
Disruptive
or Demeaning Language or Conduct – Use of hate language to demean other
persons due to the race, gender, disability, natural origin, or religious
beliefs. This provision also includes conduct, verbal, written, or symbolic
speech which materially and substantially disrupts class, school activities,
transportation, or school functions.
First
Offense: Corporal punishment,
suspension up to ten days and/or police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: Suspension up to one
hundred eighty days and/or police
called and charges placed.
Inappropriate
Sexual Conduct (Refer to Policy and Regulation 2130 – Harassment)
First
Offense: Corporal punishment,
suspension up to ten days and/or police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: Suspension up to one
hundred eighty days and/or police
called and charges placed.
Use of sexually intimidating language, objects,
or pictures
First
Offense: Corporal punishment,
suspension up to ten days and/or police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: Suspension up to one
hundred eighty days and/or police
called and charges placed.
Indecent
Exposure – Includes display of
buttocks and genitals in a public location
First
Offense: Corporal punishment,
suspension up to ten days and/or police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: Suspension up to one
hundred eighty days and/or police
called and charges placed.
Theft –
Nonconsensual taking or attempt
to take the property of another
First
Offense: Corporal punishment,
suspension up to ten days and/or police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: Suspension up to one
hundred eighty days and/or police
called and charges placed.
Tobacco
– Possession or use of tobacco
or tobacco products
First
Offense: Ten days out-of -school
suspension, (may be reduced to five days if student will participate in an drug
assessment program--a listing of locally available programs is available from
the principal or the school counselor), recommendations to the Pemiscot County
R-3 School District’s Board of Education for expulsion from school, removal
from all extra -curricular activities and any club/organizations officership
for the remainder of the school term, and/or police called and charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: A minimum of ten days
and maximum of one hundred eighty days out-of-school suspension, recommendation
to the Pemiscot County R-3 School District’s Board of Education for expulsion,
and/or police called and charges placed.
Truancy
– Absent or tardy from class or
classes without authorization (See also Policy and Regulation 2340 – Truancy
and Educational Neglect.)
First Offense:
Subsequent Offenses:
Vandalism
– Intentional damage or attempt
to damage property belonging to the staff, students or the District
First
Offense: Repair or pay for damage,
corporal punishment, suspension up to ten days and/or police called and
charges placed.
Subsequent
Offenses: Suspension up to one
hundred eighty days and/or police
called and charges placed.
Firearms
and Weapons in School
Definition
of Firearm
The term firearm
includes, but is not limited to, such items as:
1.
Any item which is a loaded or unloaded weapon, weapon frame, or weapon
barrel and which is designed to, or may be readily converted to, expel a
projectile by action of an explosive, or
2.
Any item which
will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of
an explosive or other propellant, and which has a barrel with a bore of at
least one‑half inch in
diameter, or
3.
Any explosive,
incendiary, or poison gas, such as: bombs; grenades; rockets with a propellant
charge of greater than four ounces; and other similar devices as recognized
under federal law, or
4.
Any combination of
parts either designed to or intended for use in converting any device into a
device as described in paragraphs above.
Definition
of Weapons
The term weapon
shall mean a “firearm” as defined above, and the items, listed below, which are
defined as “weapons” in section 571.010,RSMo.
1. Blackjack
2. Concealable firearm
3. Explosive weapon
4. Firearm
5. Firearm silencer
6. Gas gun
7. Knife
8. Machine gun
9. Knuckles
10. Projectile weapon
11. Rifle
12. Shotgun
13. Spring gun
14. Switchblade
Other weapons:
1.
Mace spray
2.
Any knife, regardless
of blade length
3.
Items used to
inflict injury upon another person or property.
Students
Who Bring Firearms or Weapons to School
The District will take the following action upon
determining that a student has brought a firearm or weapon to school:
1.
The District will refer the student to the appropriate
criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system, and
2.
The District will suspend the student from school for a
period of not less than one year (365 days) from the date of the infraction,
and may, at its discretion, expel the student from school permanently. This suspension provision may be modified on
a case-by-case basis upon recommendation of the District Superintendent if the
Superintendent determines that circumstances justify such a modification.
3. The
District may, at its discretion, provide a student suspended under this
Regulation with educational services in an alternative setting.
Applicability
of Regulation to Students with Disabilities
If the student who is determined to be in
violation of this Regulation is a student with a disability under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the District will assign the
student to an alternative education placement for a period of up to forty-five
(45) days and/or take other steps to address the student’s misconduct, as
permitted by law.
Closed
Campus
With the safety and welfare of the students in
mind, the Board of Education has closed all campuses during the school day.
Permission to leave school will be granted only for valid reasons, and only
with a written request signed by a parent/guardian. In emergency situations, a
telephone call from a parent/guardian may suffice, with approval of the
building superintendent.
Student
Use of Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs
Smoking
The Board of
Education believes that smoking and the use of any tobacco product is
detrimental to the health and well-being of staff and students. Therefore the
Board prohibits the use, sale, transfer and possession of tobacco products at
school and at school activities.
Alcohol and Drug Use
The improper use
of controlled substances, alcohol and substances represented to be such is
detrimental to the health and welfare of students and is detrimental to
discipline in school. Such conduct as
well as the possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited and is subject to
disciplinary action as set forth in Regulation 2610.
Student
Dress
The Board of Education expects student dress and
grooming to be neat, clean and in keeping with community standards, so that
each student may share in promoting a positive, healthy and safe atmosphere
within the School District. This expectation includes the school day and school
sponsored extracurricular activities. A
good rule of thumb for shorts is that they come to at least the student’s
middle finger when their arms are held straight by their side.
Student
Conduct on Buses
The safety of students during their
transportation to and from school is a responsibility which they and their
parents/guardians share with the bus drivers and school officials. Therefore,
the rules of student conduct will be issued to all students at the beginning of
the school year, and to new students upon enrollment.
The school buses are operated by
the school district for those eligible students who will abide by these rules
and regulations. The school is not
required to transport students who repeatedly exhibit behavioral problems on
the bus.
General Bus Rules
- A parent can judge the arrival time of the school bus
after the routes are established and the bus has made several trips. The bus cannot wait beyond its regular
schedule for those who are tardy.
- Students should arrive at the bus stop around five
minutes before the bus is scheduled to be there. Students are to wait in a quiet and orderly manner. Students should wait off the roadway
and not on private property.
Parents are responsible for their children’s behavior while they
are at the bus stop.
- Students are assigned to one bus. Students will be permitted to ride only
the bus to which they are assigned.
Students may ride a different bus only with a note or phone call
from home, which gives a legitimate reason.
- The bus driver is in charge of the pupils and the
bus. Pupils must obey the bus
driver promptly and without question.
- Students will remain seated. Standing is allowed only when entering
and exiting the bus. Students
must not change seats or move from one seat to another.
- Classroom conduct is to be observed by students while
riding on the bus except for ordinary conversation. Unnecessary conversation with the
driver is prohibited.
- Students must not extend head or arms out of bus
windows.
- Students must observe directions of the driver. Students will enter and exit the bus
with permission of the driver.
Students will walk at least ten feet (10 ft.) in front of the
stopped bus and will cross a street/road at the direction of the
driver.
- Pupils should obey and respect the orders of monitors
or patrols if they are on duty.
- Any damage done on the bus will be reported at once
to the driver. Pencils, magic markers,
and pointed objects will be kept in notebooks. Parents and students will be held financially responsible
for holes in seats, marks on walls and any other damage done.
Bus Misconduct
Failure to
remain seated 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Refusing to obey
driver 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Fighting,
pushing, or tripping 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Violation of
safety procedures 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Destruction of
property
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Profanity or
unacceptable language 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Throwing objects
on bus or out of bus 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Hanging out of
window 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Excessive
mischief 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Eating, drinking
or littering 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Rude or
discourteous 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Harassment 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Consequences
1. Bus
driver talk with student.
2. Bus
driver will write a bus conduct report.
3. Superintendent
will talk with student.
4. Corporal
punishment
5. Bus
privileges suspended for 5 days.
6. Bus
privileges suspended for 10 days.
7. Bus
privileges suspended for remainder of year.
8.
Student and/or parent must reimburse school for damage.
Bullying
The
District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free of
any form of bullying or intimidation by students toward District personnel or
students on school grounds, or school time, at a school sponsored activity or
in a school related context. Bullying is the intentional action by an
individual or group of individuals to inflict physical, emotional or mental
suffering on another individual or group of individuals.
Bullying
occurs when a student:
- Communicates with another
by any means including telephone, writing or via electronic
communications, intention to intimidate, or inflict physical, emotional,
or mental harm without legitimate purpose, or
- Physically contacts another
person with the intent to intimidate or to inflict physical, emotional, or
mental harm without legitimate purpose. Physical contact does not
require physical touching, although touching may be included.
Students
who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to a 10-30 day out
of school suspension for the first offense. 180 day suspension will be
imposed for the second offense, while the third offense will result in
expulsion. The Superintendent may reduce the length of suspension for elementary
school students based upon the facts in each case.
Student
Use and Care of School Property
The Board of
Education recognizes that acts of destruction, defacing, trespassing, burglary
and theft of District property are contrary to the interests of students, staff
and tax payers. The District officials
will cooperate fully with all law enforcement agencies in the prevention of
crimes against District property as well as in the prosecution of persons
involved in such conduct.
The District will
seek restitution from students and other persons who have damaged or destroyed
District property. As permitted by law,
the District will also seek restitution from the parent/guardian of children
involved in such misconduct.
Suspension
The term
“suspension” refers to an exclusion from school for a specific period of time
short of permanent exclusion. The
Superintendent of schools may suspend students for periods up to one hundred
eighty (180) days and recommend longer suspensions and expulsions to the Board
of Education. Only the Board may impose
suspensions in excess of one hundred eighty (180) days.
Students are expected to conduct themselves in
accordance with Board Regulation 2610. Failure to do so may result in a
student's suspension or expulsion from school.
No credit will be given for work missed during an out of school
suspension.
When a student is suspended, the
superintendent/designee shall attempt to reach the student's parent/guardian to
inform them of the school's action and to request that they come to school for
their student. If the parent/guardian is unable to come for the student, the
superintendent/designee may ask the parent/guardian for permission to send the
student home. If the parent/guardian cannot be reached or if the above request
is refused, the student must remain on school property until the close of the
school day.
No student shall be suspended by the
Superintendent unless:
1.
The student shall
be informed, orally or in writing, of the charge against him/her, and
2.
If the student
denies the charge, he/she shall be given an oral or written explanation of the facts which form the basis of the proposed
suspension, and
3.
The student shall
be given an opportunity to present his/her version of the incident to the
superintendent or Superintendent.
Any suspension shall be reported immediately, in
writing, to the student and the student's parent/guardian or others having
custodial care of the student.
A student who is on suspension may
not be within 1,000 feet of any school unless he/she lives within 1,000 feet of
the school, has a parent with him/her, or has been requested by the
administration to attend a meeting at the school.
If a suspension is ordered by the Superintendent
for more than ten (10) school days, the Superintendent's order may be appealed
to the Board of Education if written notice of appeal is delivered to the
office of the Board of Education. If such suspension is appealed, the
Superintendent shall promptly provide the Board with a report of the facts
involved in the suspension, the action taken by the Superintendent, and the
reasons for the Superintendent's decision.
In such event, the suspension shall be stayed
until the Board renders its decision, unless in the judgment of the
Superintendent the student’s presence poses a continuing danger to persons or
property or an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process, in which case
the student may be immediately removed from school, and the notice and hearing
shall follow as soon as practicable.
Any appeal to the Board of Education of the
Superintendent's decision to suspend a student for more than ten (10) days may
be heard and determined by the full Board or by a quorum thereof, or by a
committee of three Board members appointed by the President of the Board. Such
committee shall have full authority to act in lieu of the Board.
Students will be readmitted or enrolled after
expiration of their suspension from the District or from any other district
only after a conference has been held to consider prior misconduct and remedial
steps necessary to minimize future acts of similar misconduct. Participants in
such pre-admission conferences will include:
1.
Any teacher
directly involved in the suspension offense.
2.
The student.
3.
The
parent/guardian.
4.
The representative
of any agency having legal jurisdiction, care, custody, or control of the student.
5.
District staff
members designated by the Superintendent/designee.
Expulsion
The term "expulsion" refers to
permanent exclusion from school.
If a student consistently or egregiously refuses
to conform to school policies, rules and/or regulations, the Superintendent and
Superintendent may recommend to the Board of Education that the student be
expelled from school. The Board will review such recommendations and decide
whether to proceed with an expulsion hearing.
Prior to enrollment, a student who is under
suspension or expulsion from any other in-state or out-of-state public or
private school and who is seeking admission will be evaluated by the
Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee.
However, upon request, the Superintendent/designee will confer with the
pupil, parent/guardian or person acting as parent of a special education
student to consider imposition of the other school’s suspension or
expulsion. If the
Superintendent/designee determines that such conduct would have resulted in a
suspension or expulsion had the conduct been committed in District schools, the
suspension or expulsion will be implemented.
No student shall be readmitted or permitted to enroll
(except as required by law) following a suspension or expulsion from this
District or from any other school district until the District has conducted a
meeting to consider possible readmission. During the meeting, participants will
consider the conduct which resulted in discipline and any remedial actions
believed to be necessary to prevent future occurrences of similar conduct.
However, no student will be readmitted or enrolled if the student was convicted
of, charged as an adult or juvenile without final adjudication, or convicted of
juvenile conduct which, if charged as an adult, would constitute one of the
following offenses.
1.
First degree murder
(Mo. Rev. Stat. § 536.020)
2.
Second degree
murder (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 565.021)
3.
First degree
assault (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 565.050)
4.
Forcible Rape (Mo.
Rev. Stat. § 566.030)
5.
Forcible sodomy
(Mo. Rev. Stat. § 566.060)
6.
Robbery in the
first degree (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 569.020)
7.
Distribution of
drugs to a minor (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 195.212)
8.
Arson in the first
degree (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 569.040)
9.
Kidnapping as a
Class A felony (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 569.110)
Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to
prevent the District from imposing discipline under the District's Student Code
of Conduct for conduct underlying the above listed offenses even if the adult
charge or juvenile petition has been dismissed or acquitted of the specific act
in a criminal or juvenile court, provided it is proven by a preponderance of
the evidence that the student committed the underlying act.
Corporal
Punishment
Corporal punishment should be used only after
other methods have failed and when there is reason to believe it will be
helpful in maintaining discipline or in the development of the student's
character and power of self‑control.
All instances of corporal punishment shall be
witnessed by at least one other adult member of the school staff and will only
be administered by the District administrator or his designee in his absence.
Discipline
of Students with Disabilities
The
obligation and the responsibility to attend school regularly and to comply with
the District's discipline policies applies to all students. When appropriate, the District may
discipline a student with a disability who has not complied with the District’s
discipline policies in a manner that is consistent with the District’s policies
and applicable law. Special education
services will be provided to a disabled student if the student has been removed
from school for more than ten (10) school days. If a student with a disability is removed for less than ten (10)
cumulative days, educational services will be provided only if such services
are provided to students without disabilities who have been similarly removed.
Reporting
of Violent Behavior
The District requires school administrators to
report acts of school violence to teachers and other District employees who are
directly responsible for the student's education or who interact with the
student in the performance of the employee's duties. School administrators will also disclose to appropriate staff
members portions of any student's individualized education program that is
related to past or potentially future violent behavior. "Violent behavior" and the phrase
"acts of school violence" are defined as the use of physical force by
a student with the intent to do serious physical injury to another person while
on school property, including a school bus, or while involved in school
activities.
In addition, the Superintendent of Schools will
report to law enforcement officials, as soon as is reasonably practicable, the
commission of any of the acts or related juvenile offenses which are committed
on school property, including school buses, or while involved in school
activities. These offenses include:
1.
First degree murder
2.
Second degree
murder
3.
Kidnapping
4.
First degree
assault
5.
Forcible rape
6.
Forcible sodomy
7.
Burglary in the
first degree
8.
Burglary in the
second degree
9.
Robbery in the
first degree
10.
Distribution of
drugs
11.
Distribution of
drugs to a minor
12.
Arson in the first
degree
13.
Voluntary manslaughter
14.
Involuntary
manslaughter
15.
Second degree
assault
16.
Assault (except as
provided in the Agreement contained in Regulation 2673)
17.
Felonious restraint
18.
Property damage in
the first degree
19.
Possession of a
weapon
20.
Child molestation
in the first degree
21.
Deviate sexual
assault
22.
Sexual misconduct
involving a child
23.
Sexual assault
The Superintendent will also notify the
appropriate division of the Juvenile Court of the suspension for more than ten
(10) days of any student under court jurisdiction.
All school employees are required to notify their
immediate supervisor if they have reason to believe that a student or District
employee has committed any of the offenses set out in this policy, has
physically or sexually abused any District student, or possessed a controlled
substance or weapon in violation of District policy. The superintendent will immediately report to the appropriate law
enforcement agency any instance where a student is found to be in possession,
on their person or in their possession, of any weapon defined in Regulation
2620 or of controlled substances, or is found to have placed such substances
elsewhere on school property. For
purposes of this policy “school premises” shall be defined to include school
property, school playgrounds, school parking lots, school buses, or at school
activities whether on or off school property.
The
Superintendent/designee will prepare and maintain records of serious violations
of the District's discipline policy.
Individual student records are available to school employees who are
directly responsible for the student's education or who interact with the
student in the performance of the employee's duties. In addition, such discipline records will be made available
within five (5) days to any requesting school district where the student seeks
to enroll.
The District
will report, in compliance with state regulations, the number, duration of, and
reasons for expulsions and suspensions of more than ten (10) days.
Student
Safety
The District places a high priority on the safety
of its students and employees. When a student or employee is the victim of a
violent criminal offense, severe disciplinary consequences will be imposed.
(See also Regulation 2610 – Behavioral Expectations.) In addition and pursuant
to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, student victims of a violent criminal
offense that was committed on school premises will be offered transfer to
another District school. To insure awareness of this policy, the parents of
student victims will be notified in writing of their right to a school
transfer.
For purposes of this policy, a victim is a student who has suffered
personal injury or injuries to his or her property as a direct result of a
violent criminal offense. This definition does not include bystanders or
witnesses to the act unless they suffered personal or property injury as a
direct result of a violent criminal offense while on school premises.
The District will notify the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) of all violent criminal offenses
committed on school premises when the victim is a student or employee.
Reportable offenses are set out in Regulation 2740.
Definition of Third-Degree Assault
For
purposes of this Agreement, a person commits assault in the third degree if
that person:
1. Attempts
to cause or recklessly causes physical injury to another person; or
2. With
gross negligence, causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly
weapon; or
3. Purposely
places another person in apprehension of immediate physical injury; or
4. Recklessly
engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death, serious disfigurement
or protracted impairment of the function of any part of the body of another
person; or
5. Knowingly
causes physical contact with another person with knowledge that the other
person regards the contact as offensive or provocative.
When
a superintendent in this District believes that an incident of third-degree
assault has occurred on school property, on a school bus, or during a school
activity (regardless of whether
that
activity occurs on or off of school property), the superintendent may consider
the following guidelines in determining whether to report the particular
incident.
1. The
age and maturity of the student involved.
2. Whether
the incident involved the use of or threatened use of a weapon or involved
sexual misconduct or allegations of sexual misconduct.
3. The
nature and severity of the conduct.
4. The
nature and severity of injury, if any, inflicted on the other person involved.
In
addition to these factors, the superintendent may consider any other factors
which the superintendent, in the exercise of professional judgment, determines
to be appropriate under the circumstances.
The guidelines listed above shall in no way inhibit a superintendent
from reporting to law enforcement any conduct which the superintendent believes
may constitute a violation of state or federal law, regardless of whether such
conduct actually constitutes such a violation.
Procedure for Making Report to Law
Enforcement
If
a superintendent determines, in his/her professional judgment, that an incident
shall be reported to law enforcement, the superintendent should contact the Law
Enforcement Agency by telephone or in writing as soon as reasonably practicable
after the superintendent receives a report of the incident and after the
superintendent has, if necessary, investigated the incident to determine
whether the incident necessitates a report.
The
superintendent subsequently shall provide the Law Enforcement Agency with any
additional documentation that the superintendent or District deems
necessary. Such information will be
provided in accordance with applicable federal and state law.
Inoculations
of Students
All students
attending District schools are required to be in compliance with state programs
mandating immunization against specific diseases. Failure to comply with District immunization requirements will
result in exclusion from school until proof of compliance is provided. Homeless children will be granted a
temporary twenty-four (24) hour grace period within which to submit proof of
compliance.
The Superintendent shall institute procedures for
the maintenance of health records, which are to show the immunization status of
every student enrolled or attending in the District, and for the completion of
all necessary reports in accordance with guidelines prepared by the Department
of Social Services‑Missouri Division of Health.
Administering
Medicines To Students
It shall be the policy of the Board of Education
that the giving of medicine to students during school hours be discouraged and
restricted to medication that cannot be given on an alternative schedule. The
Board of Education recognizes that some students may require medication for
chronic or short term illness/injury during the school day to enable them to
remain in school and participate in their education.
Prescription
Medication
The student's authorized prescriber shall provide
a written request that the student be given medication during school hours. The
request shall state the name of the student, name of drug, dosage, frequency of
administration, route of administration, and the prescriber's name. The
diagnosis/indication for use of the medicine shall be provided. When possible,
the prescriber should state adverse effects and applicable emergency
instructions.
In lieu of the prescriber's written request, the
District will accept a prescription label properly affixed to the medication in
question. Said label must contain the name of the student, name of the drug,
dosage, frequency of administration, route of administration, diagnosis and the
prescriber's name.
A parent/guardian must request in writing that
the School District comply with the authorized prescriber's request to give
medication. (The District will not administer the initial dose of any new
prescription except in an emergency).
Over‑the‑Counter
Medication
The student's authorized prescriber shall provide
a written request that the student be given medication during school hours. The
request shall state the name of the student, name of drug, dosage, frequency of
administration, route of administration, and the prescriber's name. The
diagnosis/indication for use of the medicine shall be provided. When possible,
the prescriber should state potential adverse effects and applicable emergency
instructions.
A parent/guardian will provide a written request
that the District comply with the authorized prescriber's request to give
medication.
Emergency
Medication
Written standing orders will be obtained annually
for the administration of emergency medication.
Storage
and Administration of Medication
A parent/guardian or other responsible party
designated by the parent/guardian will deliver all medication to be
administered at school to the school nurse or designee. All medication,
prescription or over‑the‑counter, must be in a pharmacy or
manufacturer‑labeled container. The District shall provide secure, locked
storage for medication to prevent diversion, misuse, or ingestion by another
individual.
The administration of medication, including over‑the‑counter
medications, is a nursing activity, governed by the State of Missouri Nursing
Practice Act. It must be performed by the school nurse. The nurse may delegate
and supervise the administration of medication by unlicensed personnel who are
qualified by education, knowledge and skill to do so. The nurse must provide
and document the requisite education, training, and competency verification.
The nurse is also empowered to contact the prescriber or pharmacist filling the
prescription to discuss the prescription if the nurse has questions regarding
the administration of such medication.
Self‑Administration
of Medication
Students with asthma or any potentially life‑threatening
respiratory illness may carry with them for self‑administration metered‑dose
inhalers containing "rescue" medication. Possession and self‑administration
of these prescription medications must comply with the Missouri Safe Schools
Act, 1996. The directives of this Act will be given to each parent/guardian who
requests that his/her student be permitted to carry and self‑administer
such medication. A permission form for
self-administration is part of this Regulation.
Parent/Guardian
Administration
In situations where the above requirements are
not met, or any time the parent/guardian chooses, the parent/guardian may come
to school to administer medicine to his/her student.
Exception
for Potentially Harmful Administration
It shall be the policy of this District that the
District will not knowingly administer any medication to a student if the
District's school nurse believes, in his/her professional judgment, that such
administration could cause harm to the student, other students, or the District
itself. Such cases may include, but are not necessarily limited to, situations
in which the District is being asked to administer medication in a dosage that
exceeds the highest recommended dosage listed in the current annual volume of
the Physician's Desk Reference or other recognized medical or
pharmaceutical text.
Interscholastic
Activities and Athletics
The District provides opportunities for students
to participate in interscholastic activities and athletics. The interscholastic
programs should encourage participation by as many students as possible and should
be carried on with the best interests of the students as the primary
consideration.
The programs are expected to be well organized
and well conducted and to have a positive influence on the students and the
community.
Participation in interscholastic and
extracurricular activities is a privilege and not a right. Interscholastic
competition may be withheld from any student as a condition of discipline.
Furthermore, all policies that apply to the regular school day apply also to
interscholastic competition. Coaches and sponsors may establish policies for
their groups in addition to those set out by the Missouri State High School
Activities Association.
Interscholastic competition for secondary school
students shall be provided through a variety of activities and athletics. Students are allowed to attain the privilege
of representing their school by meeting the standards of eligibility as set
forth by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). These standards may include academic requirements,
citizenship, age maximums, passing medical examinations and other items that
are posted in the school and discussed by the coaches and sponsors with their
students as well as mailed home to the parents/guardians of all student
participants.
Interscholastic competition may be withheld from
any student as a condition of discipline.
Furthermore, all policies that apply to the regular school day apply
also to interscholastic competition.
Coaches and sponsors may establish policies for their groups in addition
to those stated herein.
A student must be in attendance for the full day
on days of extracurricular participation.
Failure to do so will eliminate the student from practice or
participation that day. Exceptions may be granted in special cases.
The following criteria will be followed:
1.
Students will meet
the eligibility requirements set out by MSHSAA.
2.
Any student failing
a class may be required to attend study sessions after school.
3.
Any student
receiving an incomplete grade because of failure to promptly complete work will
be placed on the ineligibility list.
Incomplete grades resulting from illness or other special circumstances
during the last week or two of a grade period may be exempted.
4.
Students displaying
unacceptable citizenship behaviors may be suspended from participation.
5.
Each coach and
sponsor will establish written guidelines for their groups. These guidelines
shall be presented orally and in written format. A copy of such guidelines will be on file with the
superintendent.
The interscholastic competition program is an
integral part of schools and shall supplement the curriculum program by
providing worthwhile experiences to students that will enable them to develop
the attributes of good citizenship. These programs will be administered by the
superintendent/designee.
Participation in interscholastic competition is
for students in grades seven and eight (7-8) as determined by the local area
athletic conference and the MSHSAA.
Programs of interscholastic competition will be
planned in accordance with MSHSAA regulations and conference rules, and will
include programs reflective of student interest. All student members should
participate insofar as feasible. Access shall be provided contingent on
budgetary limitations and in accordance with District guidelines for the
following:
1.
School facilities.
2.
Sponsors and
coaches.
3.
Scheduling of
meetings, practice times and games.
4.
Number of events at
each level of competition.
5.
Equipment, supplies
and services.
All sponsors and coaches must hold a valid
Missouri State Teacher's Certificate and are required to conform to all
District regulations.
A student engaged in interscholastic competition
must portray good citizenship in the school and community. He/she shall be
required to be in conformance with all general school rules and regulations,
rules established by the sponsors and coaching staff for the program in which
he/she is participating, and conformance with the laws of the community.
The District's Junior High School is a member of
the MSHSAA. In all interscholastic competition matters, this school will adhere
firmly to the rules and regulations of MSHSAA.
Regulations
Governing Student Participation
A student must be under fifteen (15) years of age
on or before July l preceding the opening of school, pass a medical examination
and have parent/guardian permission.
A student shall not be considered eligible while
under out‑of‑school suspension. A student expelled
or who withdraws from school because of
disciplinary measures shall not be considered eligible for 365 days from the
date of expulsion or withdrawal.
A student who is absent from school on the day of
a interscholastic contest or on a Friday before an interscholastic contest on a
Saturday will not be permitted to participate in said contest without a written
release from the superintendent or designee.
Credit earned or completed after the close of the
semester shall not count as having been earned that semester, except in case of
a delayed final examination because of illness certified by a physician. Credit
earned in summer school shall not count for or against the student's record for
eligibility purposes.
A student shall not accept a cash or merchandise
award in any competition in which MSHSAA member schools compete interscholastically.
Awards for participation in nonschool competitions during the summer shall meet
the same standards as awards given by schools during the school year.
The student must meet all other eligibility
requirements of MSHSAA and the local area high school athletic conference.
Competition by students in organized
nonschool-sponsored competition must meet the following conditions:
1.
During the season,
a student who represents his/her school by competing in an interscholastic
contest shall not compete as a member of a nonschool team or as an individual
participant in an organized nonschool competition in that same contest.
2.
A student may
compete in organized nonschool competition in other events in which MSHSAA
member schools compete interscholastically if no school time is missed to
compete, practice for, or travel to the site of nonschool competition; and if
the student does not practice for or compete in the nonschool competition on
the same date he/she practices or competes for the school.
District participation in interscholastic
competition will be subject to approval by the Board.
Budgeting for the interscholastic competition
program will include gate receipts and be incorporated into the general
District budget. No expenditures for interscholastic competitions may be made
in excess of those listed in the budget without approval by the Superintendent.
The
MSHSAA handbook will be considered a part of this regulation.
Standard
Complaint Resolution Procedure for No Child Left Behind Programs
This complaint resolution procedure applies to all
programs administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
A complaint is a formal
allegation that a specific federal or state law or regulation has been
violated, misapplies, or misinterpreted by school district personnel or by
Department of Education personnel.
Any parent or guardian,
surrogate parent, teacher, administrator, school board member, or other person
directly involved with an activity, program, or project operated under the
general supervision of the Department may file a complaint. Such a complaint
must be in writing and signed; it will provide specific details of the
situation and indicate the law or regulation that is allegedly being violated,
misapplied, or misinterpreted.
The written, signed
complaint must be filed and the resolution pursued in accordance with the
following local district policy
Any parent, other individual, or organization alleging a violation
of state or federal laws, rules, or regulations or an approved application by
the District in the administration of Title I shall file with the
Superintendent a written complaint containing the specific nature of the
alleged violation, the time and place of the violation, and related details of
the alleged violation. The Superintendent shall cause a review of the written
complaint to be conducted and a written response mailed to the complainant
within ten (10) working days after receipt of the written complaint. A copy of
the written complaint and the Superintendent's response shall be provided each
member of the Board of Education. If complainant is not satisfied with such
response, he or she may submit a written appeal to the Board indicating with
particularity the nature of disagreement with the response and his/her reasons
underlying such disagreement.
The Board shall consider the appeal at its regularly scheduled board
meeting following receipt of the response. The Board shall permit the
complainant to address the Board in public or closed session, as appropriate
and lawful, concerning his/her complaint and shall provide the complainant with
its written decision in the matter as expeditiously as possible following
completion of the hearing.
If the issue cannot be
resolved at the local level, the complainant may file a complaint with the
Missouri Department of Education. If there is not evidence that the parties
have attempted in good faith to resolve the complaint at the local level, the
Department may require the parties to do so and may provide technical
assistance to facilitate such resolution.
Any persons directly
affected by the actions of the Department may file a similarly written
complaint if they believe state or federal laws or regulations have been violated,
misapplies, or misinterpreted by the Department itself.
Anyone wishing more
information about this procedure or how complaints are resolved may contact
local district or Department personnel.
