STUDENTS

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 commitments insure equal educational opportunities in course offerings, guidance and counseling, test procedures, extracurricular activities, discipline procedures and student support services.


Resident Students
Resident students of the District five to twenty-one (5-21) years of age who have not graduated from high school or received any document evidencing completion of the equivalent of a secondary curriculum (G.E.D.) and are not barred from enrollment by provisions of the Safe Schools Act (See Policy and Regulation 2664) may attend District schools tuition free. Resident students must provide proof of residency in the District at the time of enrollment. To be a resident of the District, a student must both physically reside and be domiciled within District boundaries. The domicile of a minor child is the domicile of a parent, military guardian pursuant to a military issued guardianship, or court-appointed legal guardian.
Where due to military stationing or deployment out-of-state of one or both of a child's parent(s), the child, a resident of Missouri, relocates to live with other family members that live in the District or live in a military support community located in the District, the child may attend District schools. If the parents' active duty orders expire during the school year, the student will be permitted to finish the current school year at the District.
In addition, the District will provide tuition-free special education services to resident students who qualify for special education services between the ages of 3 and 21 as required by law.

Students Entitled to Enroll Without Proof of Residency
The residency provisions of this policy are not applicable to homeless students, inter-District courtordered desegregation students, wards of the state, students placed in residential care facilities, students placed in a residential care facility due to a mental illness or developmental disability, students placed in a residential facility by a juvenile court, students with a disability identified under state eligibility criteria if the student in the district for reasons other than accessing the district's educational program, students attending regional or cooperative alternative education programs, students attending an alternative education program on a contractual basis, or students attending a school pursuant to R.S.Mo s/s 167.151(2) or (4). The exemptions to the residency requirement are expressly established by state law and entitle such students to tuition free school attendance. Additionally, a student may be partially exempt from the payment of tuition as set forth in Policy and Regulation 2240 and state law. For purposes of IDEA special education evaluation and provision of special education services, a student attending a private school located within the District will be evaluated as a resident student.

Policy 2230
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Requests for Waiver of Proof of Residency Requirements
Those students who are unable to satisfy the proof of residency requirements and who are not entitled to enroll as provided in the previous section of this Policy and state law may request a waiver of the proof of residency requirements. Upon filing a Request for Waiver of Proof of Residency (Form 2230.1) and satisfaction of all other enrollment requirements, the student will be conditionally enrolled and allowed to attend school pending a Board of Education hearing on the student's request unless there is reason to suspect that the admission of the pupil will create an immediate danger to the safety of other students or employees of the District. If there is reason to suspect that the student poses an immediate danger, the Superintendent/Designee may convene a hearing within five working days of the request to register and determine whether or not the pupil may register. (See Policy and Regulation 2200, Regulation 2230 and Policy and Regulation 2664).

Students of Nonresident Teachers and Regular Employees
Nonresident students of District teachers or regular District employees may be permitted to attend school without payment of tuition. Such students will be considered a "resident" student for purposes of state aid.

Remote Registration
Parent(s) who are being relocated to Missouri pursuant to military orders will be permitted to enroll their students remotely. Proof of residence is not required at the time of registration, but will be required within ten (10) days of the student's attendance in the District.

Policy 2240 (Regulation 2240) Admission and Withdrawal Admission and Tuition -Nonresident Students
Nonresident students will be permitted to attend the District schools only upon the processing of the student's Request for Waiver of Proof of Residency (Form 2230.1) and payment in full of tuition as determined by District representative in their sole discretion, and provided the student is not barred from enrollment by provisions of the Safe Schools Act. (See Policy 2664.) Prior to the first day of school, the District must receive the full tuition payment as established by the Board, unless the student is exempt from tuition as required by law. All costs of transportation for any student admitted on a tuition basis will be the sole responsibility of the person enrolling the student, unless otherwise required by law. In no event shall the Independence School District be responsible for the transportation costs for a student admitted on a tuition basis. Tuition rates will be determined annually by the Board of Education on the basis of the per-pupil cost for the preceding year including operation, maintenance, and debt service of the schools.
In accordance with state law, the district will admit nonresident students ("transfer students") who reside in a Missouri school district that: (1) is located in the same or an adjoining county as the district (Jackson County, Missouri); and (2) is currently classified as unaccredited by the Missouri State Board of Education.
The unaccredited school district shall pay the full tuition for each semester before the transfer student will be enrolled or allowed to attend that semester, unless an alternative arrangement is made with the district and approved by the Board of Education. If a timely payment of tuition is not made, the transfer student shall not be entitled to attend the district.
Transfer students will be permitted to enroll in the district on a semester basis only. Transfer students will not be admitted during the term of a school semester. For the fall semester, applications will be accepted from January 1 to February 1. For the spring semester, applications will be accepted from October 1 through October 31. Late applications will not be considered. Students residing in an unaccredited district must submit an application by no later than January 1 for every school year they wish to attend the district, but students who have been admitted for the fall semester are not required to reapply for the spring semester.
Pursuant to guidance issued by the State Board, the district has adopted a procedure for establishment of class size and student-teacher ratios for all grade levels. The district will not enroll transfer students if enrollment would require the district to exceed its standards for class size and student-to-teacher ratios.
Within two (2) business days of enrollment in the District by state officials of a nonresident student pursuant to state statute, the Superintendent/designee will request the student's transfer and discipline records from all schools or facilities previously attended and from other state agencies

Policy 2240 Page 2
and entities involved in the placement of the student within the twenty-four (24) month period preceding enrollment. The Superintendent/designee is authorized to share relevant portions of such student's transfer and discipline records with District employees who, based upon their duties, have a need to know such information. Such records will be maintained in confidence for purposes of maintaining discipline and for assistance to the student.

Admission of Exchange Students
Exchange students under sponsorship of the American Field Service shall be accepted as resident students, and shall have all the rights and privileges of a resident student during the period of enrollment.

Homeless Students
The Board of Education is committed to providing equal access for all eligible homeless students to a free, appropriate education in the same manner as is provided to other District students. In carrying out this commitment, the District will identify and assess the needs of the District's homeless students; provide for the placement of its homeless students in the school of best interest; provide access to the District's programs; and appoint a homeless liaison. The Superintendent will review all District policies to determine whether they act as barriers to the enrollment of homeless students. Special attention will be given to policies regarding transportation, immunization, residency, birth certificates, school records and guardianship.

Migrant Students
The Board of Education is committed to the identification, needs assessment and enrollment of migrant students living within the District. The District's Coordinator of Programs for Homeless Students is also responsible for implementation and maintenance of the District's program for migrant students. (See Policy 6274 -Instruction for Migrant Students.) The Board of Education directs the administration to screen students, as required by law, to assist the state in identifying migratory children. If the District becomes aware of any student who might be a migrant student, the superintendent or designee will notify the state director of migrant education, as designated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), so that the student may be formally recognized as a migrant student.
The administration will develop written administrative procedures for ensuring that migrant students, once identified, receive services for which they are eligible. In developing and implementing a program to address the needs of migratory children, the District will: 1. Screen students and assess the educational and related health and social needs of each student identified as migrant.
2. Provide a full range of services to migrant students, including applicable Title I programs, special education, gifted education, career or technical education, language programs, counseling programs, elective classes, fine arts classes, etc.
3. Provide migratory children with the opportunity to meet the same statewide assessment standards that all children are expected to meet.
4. To the extent feasible, provide advocacy and outreach programs to migratory children and their families and professional development for district staff.
5. Provide parents/guardians an opportunity for meaningful participation in the program.

Policy 2280
Admission and Withdrawal

Admission of Home Schooled Students
Students who enroll in the District from a home-schooled status must meet residency requirements as stipulated in Policy 2230.
Grade placement will be determined by an administrative evaluation of records from the homeschool setting and assessment of student's age, total educational experience, achievement tests administered at the time of District registration, and consultation with parents/guardians.

Policy 2290
Admission and Withdrawal

Denial of Admission
A student who is conditionally enrolled pending a Waiver of the Proof of Residency Requirement hearing may be denied admission and barred from attending school after denial of the student's waiver request as provided in Regulation 2230 and state law.
A student may be denied admission based upon a previous disciplinary expulsion that would result in expulsion in the District or criminal conduct as provide in Policy and Regulation 2664 and state law.
A nonresident student who is not otherwise entitled to a free public education in the District may be denied admission for any nondiscriminatory reason in accordance with District policies, regulations and rules, and state and federal law.

Administrative Removal of Student from Enrollment Not Resulting from Student Disciplinary Action
Upon information that calls into question a student's entitlement to a free public education in the District, the Superintendent/Designee will attempt to contact the student's parent(s) or guardian and give him/her the opportunity to respond. If the Superintendent/Designee determines after this communication or attempted communication that the student is not entitled to a free public education in the District, the Superintendent/Designee will provide written notification of this determination to the parent(s)/guardian and will notify the parent(s)/guardian of the right to appeal this determination to the Board of Education. The student will not be removed from the District's enrollment and barred from school attendance until after the time period to appeal to the Board has expired or if the Superintendent/Designee's determination is appealed, the Board has upheld the Superintendent/Designee's determination.

Voluntary Student Withdrawal
Students who voluntarily withdraw from school for any reason are required to notify the building principal and provide a specific reason for withdrawal.
Each building principal will submit a monthly report to the Superintendent concerning the identity and reason of each student withdrawing from school.

Policy 2290
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Requests to Transfer Student's Records to Another Public, Private or Charter School
Building principals will respond within five (5) business days to requests by other schools for the records of students transferring from District schools. Records transferred pursuant to such requests will include the written notification of criminal charges/adjudications by law enforcement officials for criminal acts listed in Regulation 2673.

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.

Part-Time Attendance
Resident students may attend District schools on a part-time basis as provided by state law and regulations of the Board of Education.

Student Early Dismissal Procedures
Students are to be released from school during school hours only with permission of the building principal/designee.
Early dismissal of a student may be approved only by the principal/designee. Normally requests for early dismissal must be in writing, signed and dated by a parent/guardian. The Principal gives permission, upon enrollment, for students to leave school early as a result of block scheduling.

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 principal 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 building principal, 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). The building principal shall inform the Superintendent/designee that a report has been made, and keep the Superintendent apprised of the status of the case.

Policy 2400 (Regulation 2400) Student Educational Records (Form 2400)
A cumulative educational record shall be maintained for each student from his/her entrance into school through the last date of attendance or through graduation, whichever occurs first.
Each student's educational record will include information required by state and federal statutes, regulations or agencies and shall include other information considered necessary by school officials.
The District will comply with the mandates of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Safe Schools Act regarding confidentiality of student records and disclosure of personally identifiable information.
The parents/guardians of students who are attending or have attended the District's schools have the right to inspect and review the educational records of their students and to request amendment of their students' educational records. The District has adopted procedures (Regulation 2400) for the granting of parental requests for access to the educational records of their students within a reasonable period of time, but in no case more than forty-five (45) days after the request is made.
All information contained in a student's educational record, except information designated as directory information by the District, shall be confidential and shall be directly accessible only to school officials who demonstrate a legitimate educational interest in the student's records and to parents/guardians or eligible students.
Upon request by military recruiters or an institution of higher learning, the District will provide students' names, addresses and telephone listings. Parents will be notified annually of their right to individually request that such information not be released without prior parental consent. Military recruiters will be provided the same access to students as is given to institutions of higher learning.

Policy 2510
Student Academic Achievement

Grade Placement for Transfer Students
All students entering the District from other educational settings are required to submit evidence of their achievement in the last grade attended. Grade placement of a student may be adjusted on the basis of examination of the student's previous record, achievement tests administered, or other factors which the principal and staff believe are appropriate under the circumstances. A transcript of all entering secondary school students is required before enrollment can be completed. However, a student may be permitted to enroll temporarily until a full transcript is obtained.

Transfers from Unaccredited Schools
Parents/guardians should be advised that if they choose to transfer their student to the public school from an unaccredited school, the student will not be guaranteed comparable placement in the public schools. Students transferring will be assigned an appropriate grade level and class assignment based on their educational and developmental level as determined by the principal through assessment of student's age, educational experience, achievement tests and consultation with parent/guardian and personnel from the student's former school.

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 building principal. 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 last student attendance day.
The process for reading assessments and remediation, and retention guidelines for students who fail to meet the District's objectives for reading, are contained in Regulation 2520 -Promotion and Retention.

Policy 2530
Student Academic Achievement

Graduation Requirements -Students with Disabilities
The District must provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) until they graduate or until the student reaches twenty-one (21) years of age.
Students with disabilities pursuant to the IDEA who have completed four years of high school shall be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony of the student's high school graduating class and all related activities if the student's individualized education program (IEP) prescribes special education, transition planning, transition services, or related services beyond the student's four years of high school, and the student's individualized education program team determines the student is making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the individual education program and participation in the graduation ceremony is determined appropriate.
The District shall provide timely and meaningful written notice to children with disabilities and their parents or guardians about this policy. [Notice of the District's policy shall be provided at the annual IEP meeting that occurs prior to the student's fourth year of high school.] The purpose of the notice is to inform parents and students about the policy and should not be confused with IDEA notices of action relating to the identification, evaluation, placement, or provision of FAPE.
This policy does not apply to non-IDEA students.

Policy 2540
Student Academic Achievement

Early Graduation
Graduation, with all attendant privileges, will be allowed any time after seven (7) semesters of attendance beginning with grade nine and attainment of all requirements as set by the state and local School Boards. Early graduation should be part of a cooperative plan arrived at by students, their parent/guardian, and the school.
The above requirements may be modified in exceptional cases with approval of the Board of Education, upon recommendation of the Superintendent.

Discipline
The District has the authority to discipline for student conduct that 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, and during school-sponsored activities. Students who engage in significant acts of misconduct off campus which materially and adversely impact the education of District students will be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion. However, no student will be confined in an unattended locked space except for emergency situations while awaiting the arrival of law enforcement officials.
Students forfeit their right to a public school education by engaging in conduct prohibited in Regulation 2610, the code of student conduct, and/or state or federal law. 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 building principals; extension of suspensions for a total of 180 days by the Superintendent; and longer term suspension and expulsion from school by the Board of Education. See also Policies 2610, 2662, and 2663.
Removal of any student who is a student with a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is subject to state and federal procedural due process rights. See policy 2672 and its corresponding regulation.
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 the requirements of student confidentiality.

Misconduct and Disciplinary Consequences
All students attending school in District schools will be expected to accept the obligation and responsibility to attend school on a regular basis and to comply with the District's discipline code set forth in Regulation 2610. Those students who choose not to fulfill their responsibilities at school will be held accountable for their conduct. Consequences for individual acts of misconduct are calculated to discipline the student, to deter future misconduct, and to provide a safe and positive environment in which students can learn. Students who engage in significant acts of misconduct off campus which materially and adversely impact the educational environment of district students to the extent allowed by law will be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion.

Firearms and Weapons in School
The District recognizes firearm and weapon possession as a potential threat to the health, safety and security of students, employees, and other persons. The District will not tolerate the presence of firearms or weapons on the premises of our schools. This prohibition includes possession of firearms and weapons on school playgrounds, school parking lots, school buses, and at school activities, whether on or off school property. The District complies with the provisions of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 and other applicable federal and state law.
Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the District from permitting a Civil War re-enactor to bring a Civil War era weapon to school for educational purposes so long as the weapon is not loaded.
Students who violate this policy will be suspended for no less than one (1) year and are subject to permanent expulsion. However, the Superintendent may recommend to the Board a modification of the suspension on a case-by-case basis. Students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Act and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are entitled to the protections of those laws. This policy will be annually submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education together with a report of disciplinary action taken for possession of a "firearm" or "weapon" as defined in Regulation 2620.

Discipline 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 principal.

Smoking
The Board of Education believes that smoking and the use of any tobacco products or substances appearing to be tobacco products are detrimental to the health and well-being of staff and students. Therefore, the Board prohibits the use, sale, transfer, and possession of any tobacco products or substances appearing to be tobacco products, e.g. e-cigarettes, vaping paraphernalia, and/or other tobacco or nicotine delivery devices at school and at school activities. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, electronic nicotine delivery systems, and similar devices used in conjunction with vaping.

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.
Pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 705(20c)(iv), a student with a 504/ADA disability who is currently engaging in the illegal use of alcohol or drugs is not considered a student with a disability under those laws, and the District may take disciplinary action -to the same extent that disciplinary action is taken against nondisabled students -in relation to that use or possession of alcohol or drugs. In such cases, the due process procedures contained in the Section 504 regulations will not apply to protect those students. This provision does not apply to students who are identified as disabled under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. However, school personnel may remove an IDEA disabled student to an interim alternative educational setting for not more than 45 school days without regard to whether that student's behavior is a manifestation of his/her disability where that student knowingly possesses or uses illegal drugs, or sells or solicits the sale of a controlled substance, while at school, on school premises, or at a school function under the District's jurisdiction. "Illegal drug," as it pertains to the discipline of IDEA students, means a controlled substance but does not include a controlled substance that is legally possessed or used under the supervision of a licensed health-care professional or under any other authority.
The determination of whether or not a student is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance is based upon a variety of information including but not limited to physical appearances, speech patterns, and witnesses' statements. While not required, District administrators may request a student suspected of alcohol use to submit to a Breathalyzer. Conduct that includes possession of or use of alcohol or controlled substances as well as the possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited and is subject to disciplinary action as set forth in Regulation 2610.

Policy 2640
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CBD Products
The use or administration of CBD at school or school related activities is strictly prohibited unless such administration is required under the law for a student with a disability. Penalties for violations of this policy will be consistent with the penalties for alcohol and drug possession.

Drug-Free Schools
Pursuant to requirements of the 1989 amendments of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and to the requirements of the Safe Schools Act, and for the purpose of preventing the use of illicit drugs and alcohol by students, the District shall provide age-appropriate, developmentally based drug and alcohol education and prevention programs to all students from early childhood level through grade twelve (12). (See also Policy 6130 -Drug Education.) Such programs will address the legal, social and health consequences of drug and alcohol use, and provide information about effective techniques for resisting peer pressure to use illicit drugs or alcohol.
The District shall provide information about any drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation and re-entry programs that are available to students. Students may be required to participate in such programs. All parents/guardians and students shall annually be provided with a copy of this policy.
The District certifies that it has adopted and implemented the drug prevention program described in this policy in the form required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or the United States Department of Education. The District conducts a biennial review of such program to determine its effectiveness, to implement necessary changes and to ensure that the disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.

Student Vehicle Use
Building principals have the authority to regulate student use of automobiles at school. Use of school property for student parking purposes is a privilege that may be denied due to violation of District regulations and school policies. Student vehicles parked on District property are subject to search by school officials where there is reason to believe a vehicle contains materials prohibited by District regulations.

Student Dress
The Board of Education expects each student to share in promoting a positive, healthy and safe atmosphere. Student dress which is offensive or detracts from the learning process or creates a health or safety problem will not be permitted. This expectation includes the school day and school sponsored extracurricular activities.

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.

Student Participation in Secret Organizations and Gangs
The Board of Education prohibits the organization of or membership in secret fraternities, sororities, or in other clubs or gangs not sponsored by established agencies or organizations recognized by the School District. The Board considers those organizations or memberships in those organizations detrimental to the good conduct and discipline of the school.
The Board of Education feels that the presence of gangs and gang activities can cause a substantial disruption of or material interference with school and school activities. A "gang" as defined in this policy is any group of two or more persons whose purposes include the commission of illegal acts.
The Board of Education has adopted Regulations 2653 in order to prohibit the existence of gangs and gang activities on or about school property or at any school function.

Discipline 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 taxpayers. 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.

Discipline Bullying
The District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free of any form of bullying or intimidation toward District personnel or students on school grounds, during the school day, at any school-sponsored activity, or in any school-related context. Bullying of students and District personnel is prohibited on all school property, during any District-sponsored activity, and on all District school buses.
"Bullying" means intimidation, unwanted aggressive behavior, or any other unwanted negative action that is repetitive or is substantially likely to be repeated and causes a reasonable student to fear for his or her physical safety or property; substantially interferes with the educational performance, opportunities, or benefits of any student without exception; or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school. Bullying may consist of physical actions, cyberbullying, electronic or written communication, and any threat of retaliation for reporting such acts.
Bullying occurs when a student: • Communicates to another individual by any means (including face to face, by telephone, in writing, through cyberbullying, or via electronic communications), an intention to intimidate, or inflict physical, emotional, or mental harm without legitimate purpose, or • Physically contacts another individual 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.
"Cyberbullying" means bullying as defined above through the transmission of a communication including, but not limited to, a message, text, sound, or image by means of an electronic device including, but not limited to, a telephone, wireless telephone, or other wireless communication devise, computer, or pager.
The District shall have jurisdiction to prohibit cyberbullying that originates on a school's campus or at a District activity if the electronic communication was made using the school's technological resources, if there is sufficient nexus to the educational environment, or if the electronic communication was made on the school's campus or at a District activity using the student's own personal technological resources. The District may discipline any student for such cyberbullying to the greatest extent allowed by law.

Policy 2655
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Anti-Bullying Coordinator
The Superintendent shall, on an annual basis, appoint a District employee who is teacher-level staff or above at each school to serve as the Anti-Bullying Coordinator.
The list of District Anti-Bullying Coordinators shall be kept on file at central office, along with this Policy.

Reporting
District employees are required to report any instance of bullying of which the employee has first-hand knowledge. District employees who witness an incident of bullying are required to report the incident to the school Anti-Bullying Coordinator within two (2) school days of the employee witnessing the event, unless the Anti-Bullying Coordinator is unavailable or is the subject of a report. In that case, the report should be made directly to the District's Compliance Officer (see Board Policy 1310).
All District employees shall instruct all persons seeking to report an incident of bullying to communicate directly with the Anti-Bullying Coordinator.
If a verbal report is made, the person will be asked to submit a written complaint to the Anti-Bullying Coordinator. If such person refuses or is unable to submit a written complaint, the Anti-Bullying Coordinator will summarize the verbal complaint in writing.
Even if a written complaint is not directly filed, if the Anti-Bullying Coordinator otherwise learns about possible bullying or cyberbullying, the District will conduct a prompt, impartial, adequate, reliable, and through investigation to determine whether unlawful conduct occurred and will implement the appropriate interim measures, if necessary. The District may take action upon finding a violation of law, District policy, or District expectations even if a complaint is not directly filed.

Investigation
Within two (2) school days of receiving a report of an incident of bullying, the Anti-Bullying Coordinator, the school principal, or his/her designee shall initiate an investigation of the incident. The school principal may appoint other school staff to assist with the investigation.
The investigation shall be completed within ten (10) school days from the date of the written complaint of bullying, unless good cause exists to extend the investigation.

Retaliation
The District prohibits retaliation against any person who files a complaint of bullying,

Policy 2655 Page 3
cyberbullying, or retaliation, and further prohibits retaliation against any person who testifies, assists, or otherwise participates in any investigation, proceeding, or hearing relating to such bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation. The District will discipline or take other appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, or other school personnel who retaliates against any such person.

Consequences and Remedies
When the District receives a report of bullying, cyberbullying, and/or retaliation, the District will take appropriate interim measures to protect the alleged victim(s). If, after investigation, it is determined that bullying, cyberbullying, and/or retaliation did occur, the District shall take prompt, effective, appropriate action reasonably calculated to end the bullying, cyberbullying, and/or retaliation and to protect individuals from further bullying, cyberbullying, and/or retaliation.
Students who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to the following consequences: loss of privileges, classroom detention, conference with teacher, parents contacted, conference with principal, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, expulsion, and/or law enforcement contacted. Consequences imposed shall depend on factors such as: age of student(s), degree of harm, severity of behavior, disciplinary history and number of incidents.
The District will discipline or take other appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, or other school personnel who is found to have violated this Policy. Patrons, contractors, visitors, or others who violate this Policy may be prohibited from District property or otherwise restricted while on District property.

Public Notice
The superintendent or designee will continuously publicize the District's anti-bullying policy and will disseminate information to employees, parents/guardians, and students, as well as to newlyenrolled students and newly-hired employees, regarding how to report incidents of bullying. This Policy shall also be published in District student handbooks.
In addition, the District shall: a. Provide information and appropriate training to district staff who have significant contact with students regarding the policy; b. Give annual notice of the policy to students, parents/guardians, and staff;

Policy 2655
Page 4 c. Provide education and information to students regarding bullying, including information regarding the school district policy prohibiting bullying, the harmful effects of bullying, and other applicable initiatives to address bullying (including student peer-to-peer initiatives to provide accountability and policy enforcement for those found to have d. engaged in bullying, reprisal, or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying); e. Instruct school counselors, school social workers, licensed social workers, mental health professionals, and school psychologists to educate students who are victims of bullying on techniques for students to overcome bullying's negative effects. Such techniques shall include, but not be limited to, cultivating the student's self-worth and self-esteem; teaching the student to defend himself or herself assertively and effectively; helping the student develop social skills; and/or encouraging the student to develop an internal locus of control; and f. Implement programs and other initiatives to address bullying, respond to such bullying conduct in a manner that does not stigmatize the victim, and make resources or referrals available to victims of bullying.
All complaints of violation of this policy will be promptly investigated by the District, and appropriate action will be taken. Complaints alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in violation of Board Policy/Regulation 1300 and/or 1310 shall be referred to the compliance officer for investigation pursuant to Board Policy/Regulation 1310.

Policy 2656
Discipline

Cell Phone Usage for Audio and Video Recordings
The use of student cell phones, digital cameras, iPads, and similar electronic devices for the purpose of producing audio and/or visual records is banned during the instructional day, as well as in dressing areas during extra-curricular activities and on District-provided transportation, including but not limited to buses.
The policy does not prohibit the use of student cell phones, digital cameras and similar electronic devices for the purpose of producing audio and/or visual recordings when: (1) The recording is produced as part of a required school-sponsored class or activity; (2) The recording is produced at a school performance, activity, or sporting event to which the general public is invited; (3) The recording is otherwise permitted by these policies or the building principal.
Violation of this policy will result in in-school suspension for the first offense, while second offenses will result in out-of-school suspension being imposed.

Detention
The provisions of a detention program for student violations of policies, rules and regulations shall provide principals with an additional alternative for dealing with disciplinary problems that occur in the schools. Detention is an assigned before-school and/or after-school period, during which student activity is closely monitored and severely restricted. Students are expected to be quiet during the entire detention period and to work exclusively on assigned tasks.

In-School Suspension
In-school suspension is a structured disciplinary action in which a student is isolated or removed from regular classroom activities, but is not dismissed from the school setting. The principal/ designee may assign students to the in-school suspension program for a reasonable and specified period of time.

Policy 2662 (Regulation 2662) Discipline (Form 2662) Suspension
Suspension refers to an exclusion from school for a specific period of time short of permanent exclusion. Building principals are authorized to suspend students for periods of time not to exceed ten (10) consecutive school days for violation of District regulations, and are authorized to impose additional suspensions of not more than 10 consecutive school days in the same school year for separate acts of misconduct. Building principals may also recommend extensions of suspension for periods of time up to 180 consecutive school days by the Superintendent. The Superintendent of schools may suspend students for periods up to 180 consecutive school days and recommend longer suspensions and expulsions to the Board of Education. Only the Board may impose suspensions in excess of 180 consecutive school days.

Policy 2663 (Regulation 2663) Discipline (Form 2663) Expulsion
The term "expulsion" refers to permanent exclusion from school.
If a student consistently or grossly refuses to conform to school policies, rules and/or regulations, the Superintendent may recommend to the Board of Education that the student be expelled from school. Parent(s) (guardian(s)) may waive the right to a hearing for their student provided the student is under the age of eighteen (18) and provided the waiver is in writing.

Enrollment or Return Following Suspension and/or Expulsion
No student shall be readmitted, or permitted to enroll or otherwise attend school (except as may otherwise be required by law), following a suspension or expulsion from this or any other school until the District has conducted a conference to review the conduct that resulted in the expulsion or suspension, and any remedial actions needed to prevent any future occurrences of such or related conduct.

Discipline Corporal Punishment: Prohibited
No person employed by or volunteering for the School District shall administer or cause to be administered corporal punishment upon a student attending District schools.
A staff member may, however, use reasonable restraint against a student without advance notice to the principal, if it is essential for self-defense, the preservation of order, or for the protection of other persons or the property of the School District.

Student Discipline Hearings
Parents/guardians of students suspended for more than ten (10) school days may make a written request for a hearing before the Board of Education. This request will be addressed to the Superintendent/Designee who will review all matters concerning the suspension and refer the request for a Board hearing.
In conducting a discipline hearing, the Board will carefully consider the information presented by the administration and by the parent/guardian. In making its decision concerning guilt and innocence as well as punishment, the Board will be mindful of Board discipline policies in place, the effect of its decision upon the individual student, and the safety and welfare of District students and staff.

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. 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 in accordance with applicable federal and state law and Board policy.

Reporting of Violent Behavior
The District requires school administrators to report acts of school violence to all teachers at the attendance area 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, and who have a need to know. 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/designee will report to law enforcement officials, as soon as is reasonably practicable, the commission of any of the acts or related juvenile offenses listed in Regulation 2673, which are committed on school property, including school buses, or while involved in school activities.

Reporting Student Abuse
The Board of Education believes that school staff members, school volunteers, and school contractors are in unique positions to assist children, families, and the community in dealing with the issue of child abuse and neglect. Child abuse is defined as any physical injury, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse inflicted on a child other than by accidental means. Neglect is defined as the failure to provide the proper or necessary support, education, nutrition or medical, surgical or other care necessary for the child's well-being. Employees, volunteers, and school contractors making reports of allegations of sexual abuse of a student will be provided immediate unrestricted use of communication technology and will be temporarily released from their work duties to make an immediate report.
If a school employee, volunteer or school contractor has a reasonable belief that a student has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect, such employee, volunteer, or contractor and the Superintendent shall report the information immediately upon receiving the information to the Children's Division. Thereafter, the Superintendent will investigate the allegation for the purpose of making decisions about the accused person's employment. Depending upon the specific facts, the District may place the alleged abuser on paid leave of absence; place the employee in a non-student contact position; initiate dismissal proceedings; or continue the employee in their present position pending outcome of the investigation.
Any school district employee, volunteer, or school contractor acting in good faith, who reports alleged sexual misconduct on the part of a school employee will not be disciplined or discriminated against because of such reporting.
The District will annually provide employee and volunteer training, which will include but not be limited to current information concerning identification of the signs of sexual abuse in children as well as the identification of the danger signals of potentially abusive relationships between children and adults. This training will emphasize the importance of mandatory child abuse reporting, including the obligation to report suspected abuse by other mandated reporters. Employees and volunteers will receive training on the need for and methods to create an atmosphere of trust so that students believe their school and school employees are available to discuss matters concerning abusive behavior.
The District will post in each student restroom and in a clearly visible location in each school office, the toll free child abuse and neglect hotline number established by the Children's Division. These signs will be published in both English and Spanish. Such child abuse and neglect hotline numbers shall be depicted in large print on posters 11 inches by 17 inches and will be placed at eye level for easy viewing. The hotline number will be shown in bold print. The signs shall also

Policy 2710 (Regulation 2710) Page 2
contain instructions to call 911 for emergencies and contain directions for accessing the Children's Division's website for more information on reporting abuse and neglect.

Employment of Students
The Superintendent of Schools will make provision for the issuance of work permits to students between the ages of fourteen (14) and sixteen (16). In addition, principals/designees and District employees holding a student service certificate and, who is authorized by the Superintendent, may issue work certificates to students who are attending their schools. Employees with authority to issue certificates may not issue a certificate to their own child.
Principals issuing work certificates will provide self-certification that the principal understands the legal requirements for issuing work certificates. The principal issuing a work certificate will submit a copy of each certificate and the certificate application to the Superintendent. The Superintendent may revoke a certificate issued by a principal if the Superintendent becomes aware of any grounds upon which the student may be ineligible for a work certificate.

Supervision of Students
Students are to be under supervision of the professional staff at all times during school hours and at school sponsored activities.
It is the responsibility of principals to arrange for adequate supervision during school hours. It is the duty of teachers to perform assigned supervision during school hours. Students are not to be left unsupervised during the school day whether in instructional areas or on the playground.
It is the responsibility of principals to arrange for adequate supervision at school sponsored activities.

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 Every Student Succeeds Act, 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.

Sexual Abuse Awareness Training
Beginning in the 2020-21 school year and annually thereafter, The District will provide traumainformed, developmentally-appropriate sexual abuse training to students in grades 6-12. Student training will include, but not be limited to: 1. Instruction in recognizing sexual abuse; 2. Instruction in reporting incidents of sexual abuse; 3. Instruction in actions that student-victims of sexual abuse can take to obtain assistance and intervention; and 4. Instruction in resources that are available to students affected by sexual abuse.
Prior to inception of the training, the District will notify parents/guardians of the training content and of the parents/guardians right to have their student excused from the training. Upon written request of the parent/guardian their student will be excused from the training.

Policy 2745
Student Welfare

Electronic Data Breach
In the event of a breach of data that includes personal student information maintained in an electronic form, the District will send written notification of the breach to the student's parent/guardian. In addition, the District will also send notification of such breach to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and to the state auditor.
For purposes of this policy, student personal information shall mean a student's first name or first initial and last name in combination with any one or more of the following data elements that relate to the individual if any of the data elements are not encrypted, redacted, or otherwise altered by any method or technology in such a manner that the name or data elements are unreadable or unusable: 1. Social Security Number; 2. Financial account number, credit card number, or debit card number in combination with any required security code, access code, or password that would permit access to an individual's financial account; 3. Unique electronic identifier or routing code, in combination with any required security code, access code, or password that would permit access to an individual's financial account; 4. Driver's License Numbers or other unique identification number created or collected by government body; 5. Medical information; or 6. Health Insurance Information. Student personal information does not include information that is lawfully obtained from publically available sources or from federal, state, or local government records that are lawfully made available to the general public.

Wellness
The District is committed to the optimal development of every student. The District believes that for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental and social success, there needs to exist a positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environment at every level, in every setting, throughout the school year.
The District promotes healthy schools, by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning environment. The District supports a healthy environment where children learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. Schools contribute to the basic health status of children by facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. Improved health optimizes student performance potential.

Students in Foster Care
The District is committed to ensuring and facilitating the proper educational placement and enrollment in school and checkout from school for foster children.
In order to facilitate this process and to serve as the educational liaison for District foster children, the District will designate the Director of Neighborhood Family Services to oversee and assess the District's foster care program.
The Board recognizes students in foster care experience mobility in and out of the foster care system and from one home placement to another that may disrupt their education, and which may create barriers to academic success and on-time graduation. The District, in collaboration with state and local agencies, to minimize or eliminate educational barriers for students in foster care, particularly in enrollment, transfer of student records, and transportation to their school of origin, where appropriate. For purposes of this policy, "school of origin" is the school in which the student is enrolled at the time of placement in foster care. The District will, to the largest extent possible, ensure that a child in foster care enrolls or remains in his or her school of origin, unless a determination is made that remaining in the student's school of origin is not in the student's best interest.
In determining the student's best interest for purposes of this policy, the following factors will be considered: 1. Preference of the student; 2. Preference of the student's parent or educational decision making; 3. The student's attachment to the school, relationships with staff and peers; 4. Placement of the student's siblings; 5. Influence of the school climate on the student, including safety; 6. Availability and quality of the services in the school in meeting the student's educational and socioemotional needs; 7. History of school transfers and their impact; 8. Impact of the length of commute; 9. Whether the student has a disability under the IDEA or Section 504; 10. Whether student is an EL student receiving language services.
A foster care child whose home placement is changed may remain enrolled and attend their school of origin, or return to a previously attended school in an adjacent district. The District will accept for credit full or partial course work satisfactorily completed by a foster child while attending a public school, nonpublic school, or non-sectarian school in compliance with District policies, regulations, and practices.
If a child in foster care is absent from school due to a decision to change the placement of a pupil made by a court or child placing agency, or due to a verified court appearance or related courtordered activity, the grades and credits of the pupil will be calculated as of the day the pupil left school and no reduction in grades will occur as a result of the pupil's absence under these circumstances.
If a foster care student transfers into the District prior to or during a school year, the District will initially honor the placement of the student in educational courses and programs based on the student's prior enrollment or educational assessments; will provide comparable services to transferring foster care students with disabilities based on the student's current IEP; and will make reasonable accommodations and modifications to address the needs of a student with disabilities, subject to an existing 504 or Title II Plan in order to provide equal access to education. The District will conduct evaluations, where necessary, to ensure proper placement and services.
The District will waive specific courses required for graduation if similar course work has been satisfactorily completed at another school. Similarly, the District may waive prerequisites for placement in a District course or program based upon courses taken at a prior school. If a waiver is denied for reasonable justifications, the District will provide an alternative means of acquiring the required course work so that graduation may occur on time. If foster care students who transfer at the beginning of their senior year or during their senior year are deemed ineligible to graduate after all alternatives have been considered, the sending District and this District will ensure that a qualified student who satisfied graduation requirements of the sending school, will receive a diploma from the sending school.
Students in foster care who have completed the graduation requirements of the District while under juvenile court jurisdiction will receive a diploma in the same manner as other District students.

Transportation
Some students in foster care who are residents of the District may need transportation to remain in their school of origin when it is in their best interest. To facilitate transportation for such students, the District will collaborate with the state and/or local child welfare agencies to ensure that transportation for such students is arranged, provided, and funded. If there are additional costs incurred in providing transportation to the school of origin, the District will provide such transportation if: a) The local child welfare agency agrees to reimburse the District for such costs; b) The District elects to pay the costs; or c) The District and the local child welfare agency agree to share the cost.

Policy 2760 Page 3 Dispute Resolution
In the event that a caregiver or education decision-maker disputes a District decision regarding the best interest or the provision of other educationally related services for a student in foster care, the caregiver or education decision-maker may use the District's dispute resolution procedure. During the pendency of the dispute resolution, the student shall remain in his or her school of origin in order to minimize disruptions and to reduce the number of moves between schools. Similarly, students attending their school of origin are entitled to continue to receive transportation during the appeal.
In the event of such dispute, the District will inform the educational decision-maker or parent of their right to appeal the Best Interest Determination in a language and format reasonably calculated to inform the parent/educational decision-maker of their rights. They will also be provided with the following: 1. Contact information for the District's foster care point of contact.
2. An explanation of the Best Interest Determination. 3. A step-by-step description of how to appeal the Best Interest Determination at Level I. 4. A statement advising that the student will remain in the school of origin, receiving all appropriate educational services during the pendency of the appeal. 5. Timelines for dispute resolution at each level. 6. Notice of rights to appeal to DESE if the parent/educational decision-maker is not satisfied of the level decision.

Level I
In order to appeal from the Best Interest Determination, a parent/educational decision-maker must submit their appeal in writing. This writing must contain the following: 1. The school in which enrollment is sought. 2. The basis for seeking enrollment. 3. The requesting parent/educational decision-maker's name and contact information.
If the appeal is submitted by email, the subject line should provide "Foster Care Appeal." The appeal letter must be submitted within ten (10) weekdays of receiving the District's notice of the right to appeal the decision. Failure to timely submit an appeal letter may result in dismissal of the appeal.
The Superintendent/designee will arrange for a personal conference with the parent/educational decision-maker, the student where appropriate, and the student's case manager or point of

Policy 2760 Page 4
contact. Prior to the meeting, the Superintendent will have reviewed the documentation from the Best Interest Determination meeting. The conference will be arranged within ten (10) days of receipt of the appeal letter and will be conducted as soon as practicable.
Within five (5) days of the conference, the Superintendent/designee will inform the parent/educational decision-maker as well as other parties attending the meeting of the Superintendent/designee's decision. The decision will be communicated in writing. The written decision will include the following: 1. Copy of the complete Level I appeal packet (appeal, Best Interest documents, notices, and decision). 2. The decision and an explanation of the decision. 3. Directions concerning the procedure to appeal the decision to Level II, including the DESE foster care point of contact, including that individual's name, phone number and email address.

Level II
If the parent/educational decision-maker disagrees with the Level I decision, they may submit a written and dated appeal letter headed "Foster Child Appeal" which must include: 1. The school in which enrollment is sought and the basis for seeking such enrollment. 2. The parent/educational decision-maker's name and contact information.
3. Best Interest Determination notes and reports. 4. Copy of the Level I appeal letter. 5. Copy of the District's Level I decision.
The appeal letter must be submitted to the DESE contact person and the District's Superintendent within five (5) days of receipt of the Level I decision. The District will have five (5) days from receipt of the Level II appeal letter to submit its response, which will be headed "Foster Child Appeal." Documents submitted after the stated deadline will not be considered.
The State's decision will be made by a three person panel including the DESE foster care point of contact, an additional DESE representative, and a representative of the state child welfare agency. The panel will make its decision within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Level II appeal letter. The DESE foster care point of contact will send the written decision to the parent/educational decision-maker and the Superintendent. The decision will include:

Transfer of Care and Custody
A parent or legal custodian of a student may execute a power of attorney transferring the care and custody of the student for a period of up to one year. The transfer of custody will not change or modify parental or legal rights contained in an existing court order or deprive parents of visitation. Parents or legal guardians may revoke the power of attorney at any time.
Parents or legal custodians who are members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, the Commissioned Officer Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Public Health Services of the United States, Department of Health and Human Services detailed for duty with the United States Armed Forces, or who is required to enter or serve in the active military service of the United States, under a call or order of the President of the United States, or to serve on state active duty, may delegate care and custody of their student for a period of longer than one year if on active duty service. The delegation of care and custody may not exceed the term of active duty service plus thirty (30) days.
The delegation of care and custody will not alter or affect the District's residency requirements.
If enrolled in the District, as soon as reasonably possible upon execution of a power of attorney for the temporary care of a child, the District shall be notified of the existence of the power of attorney and be provided a copy of the power of attorney as well as the contact information for the attorney-in-fact. While the power of attorney is in force, the District will communicate with both the attorney-in-fact and any parent or legal custodian with parental or legal rights, obligations, or authority regarding the custody, visitation, or support of the child. The District shall also be notified of the expiration, termination, or revocation of the power of attorney as soon as reasonably possible following such expiration, termination, or revocation and will no longer communicate with the attorney-in-fact regarding the child upon the receipt of such notice.

Policy 2770
Student Welfare

Purpose
Through the adoption of this policy the Board expects to: • Promote safety and prevent harm to all students, school personnel and visitors in the school district. • Foster a climate of dignity and respect in the use of discipline and behavior-management techniques.

•
Provide school personnel with clear guidelines about the use of seclusion, Safe Room placement, and restraint on school district property or at any school district function or event. • Promote retention of teachers and other school personnel by addressing student behavior in an appropriate and safe manner.

•
Promote parent understanding about state guidelines and district policies related to the use of discipline, behavior management, behavior interventions and responses to emergency situations.

•
Promote the use of non-aversive behavioral interventions and positive behavior support techniques.

•
Meet the requirements of RSMo 160.263. Information on the policy and appropriate documentation and notification procedures.

Policy 2770 Page 2
"Assistive technology device" means any item, piece of equipment or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capacities of a child with a disability.
"Aversive behavioral interventions" means an intervention that is intended to induce pain or discomfort to a student for the purpose of eliminating or reducing maladaptive behaviors, including such interventions as: contingent application of noxious, painful, intrusive stimuli or activities; any form of noxious, painful or intrusive spray, inhalant or tastes; or other stimuli or actions similar to the interventions described above. The term does not include such interventions as voice control, limited to loud, firm commands; time-limited ignoring of a specific behavior; token fines as part of a token economy system; brief physical prompts to interrupt or prevent a specific behavior; interventions medically necessary for the treatment or protection of the student. Corporal punishment administered in accordance with state law is not an aversive intervention for the purpose of this policy.
"Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)" means a plan developed by an IEP team for a student with a disability who displays need for specific behavior interventions for chronic patterns of problem behavior. If a disabled student's team develops a BIP in those circumstances, the BIP becomes a part of the IEP.
"Chemical restraint" means the administration of a drug or medication to manage a student's behavior that is not a standard treatment and dosage for the student's medical condition.
"Discipline" means consequences for violating the district's student code of conduct.
"Emergency situation" is one in which a student's behavior poses a serious, probable threat of imminent physical harm to self or others or destruction of property.
"Functional Behavior Assessment" a formal assessment to identify the function or purpose the behavior serves for the student so that classroom interventions and behavior support plans can be developed to improve behavior. The assessment could include observations and charting of the behavior and interviews with family, teachers, and the student, so as to determine the frequency, antecedent and response of the targeted behavior.
"IEP" means a student's Individualized Education Program as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
"Law enforcement officer" means any public servant having both the power and duty to make arrests for violations of the laws of this state.
"Locking hardware" means mechanical, electrical or other material devices used to lock a door or to prevent egress from a confined area.

Policy 2770 Page 3
"Mechanical restraint" means a device or physical object that the student cannot easily remove that restricts a student's freedom of movement of or normal access to a portion of his or her body. This includes but is not limited to straps, duct tape, cords or garments. The term does not include: (1) an adaptive or protective device recommended by a physician or therapist when used as recommended; (2) safety equipment used by the general student population as intended (e.g. seat belts, safety harnesses on student transportation; or (3) assistive technology devices.
"Physical escort" means the temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder or back for the purpose of inducing a student who is acting out or eloping to walk to a safe location.
"Physical restraint" means the use of person-to-person physical contact to restrict the free movement of all or a portion of a student's body. This would include, for example, the act of preventing a student from leaving an enclosed space for safety purposes. It does not include briefly holding or hugging a student without undo force for instructional or other purposes, briefly holding a student to calm them, taking a student's hand to transport them for safety purposes, physical escort, intervening in a fight, or carrying a student when developmentally appropriate to do so.
"Positive Behavior Supports" means comprehensive, school-wide procedures applied in a proactive manner that constitute a continuum of strategies and methods to support and/or alter behavior in all students.
"Safe Room placement" means the confinement of a student in an enclosed room without the use of locking hardware, with a staff member present in the room with the student. Safe Room placement also includes the confinement of a student alone in a room with a staff-engaged locking system where the student is constantly attended and supervised by school personnel through a window or other viewing device. Safe Room placement does not include supervised in-school suspension, detention, or timeout/time away used as disciplinary consequences in accordance with the district's student discipline code.
"School personnel" means o Employees of a local board of education. o Any person, paid or unpaid, working on school grounds in an official capacity. o Any person working at a school function under a contract or written agreement with the school system to provide educational or related services to students. o Any person working on school grounds or at a school function for another agency providing educational or related services to students.
"Seclusion" means the confinement of a student alone and unattended in an enclosed space from which the student is physically prevented from leaving by locking hardware. Seclusion does not include situations where a student is alone in a locked room if the student is constantly attended and supervised by school personnel through a window or other viewing device.

Policy 2770 Page 4
"Section 504 Plan" means a student's individualized plan developed by the student's Section 504 multidisciplinary team after a pre-placement evaluation finding the student is disabled within the meaning of Section 504 and its implementing policy.
"Student Support Plan" sets forth specific behavior interventions and/or supports for a specific student who displays chronic patterns of problem behavior.
"Time out" means brief removal from sources of reinforcement within instructional contexts that does not meet the definition of seclusion or Safe Room placement. Time out includes both of the following: a) Non-exclusionary time out: removal of reinforcers from the student without changing the physical location of the student (e.g., asking the student to put his/her head down on the desk); and b) Exclusionary time-out: removal of the student from participation in an activity or removal from the instructional area.

Time-Out
Nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit the use of time-out as defined in this section.

Seclusion
Seclusion as defined in this policy is strictly prohibited.

Use of Aversive Interventions
Aversive interventions will only be used in accordance with this policy. District personnel shall never use aversive interventions that compromise health and safety.
o Safe Room Placement Safe Room placement, as defined in this policy, may only be used by authorized school personnel, as defined in this policy.
At the time a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 plan, BIP, or other parentally agreed-upon plan to address a student's behavior is developed, the parent/guardian will be provided with a permission form regarding the use of the Safe Room.
If a student's parent/guardian has not had the opportunity to sign the permission form because no IEP, Section 504 Plan, BIP, or other parentally agreed-upon plan to address a student's behavior is in place for the student, the following procedure will take place if deemed necessary by school personnel:

Policy 2770 Page 5
o The classroom will be cleared of all other students and the student's behavior will be managed in that room, if appropriate; o The student will be disciplined in accordance with the student discipline code; o A parent/guardian will be notified of the need to clear the classroom due to the student's behavior and of the discipline imposed; o A behavior team meeting will take place within five (5) school days following the incident and a BIP or other parentally agreed upon plan will be developed for the student, if necessary.
If a student's parent/guardian has signed the permission form, the Safe Room will be utilized for that student if necessary and a staff member will be present in the room with the student at all times unless one of the following escalations in conduct occurs: (1) the student becomes physically violent; (2) the student expels bodily fluids; or (3) the student begins disrobing. If any of these escalated behaviors occurs, the staff member will leave the room, utilize the staffengaged locking system, and supervise the student through a window or other viewing device.
If a parent chooses not to give permission for his/her student to be placed in the Safe Room, the following procedure will take place if deemed necessary by school personnel: o The student will be taken to the Recovery Room; o The Recovery Room will be cleared of all other students; o The student's parent/guardian will be notified of the behavior issue and will be required to pick-up the student from school; o Law enforcement officials will be notified if an assault or other crime has occurred and charges may be pressed against the student; and o If the parent/guardian of the student fails to pick-up the student within thirty (30) minutes of receiving notification of the behavior issue (or if the parent/guardian cannot be reached upon reasonable attempts by school personnel) and it is determined that an emergency situation exists, the student will be placed in the Safe Room. o The parent/guardian will be responsible for any and all damage to property caused by their student during the incident.
Use of Safe Room placement requires all of the following: o The student to be monitored by an adult in close proximity who is able to see and hear the student at all times. Monitoring shall be face-to-face unless personal safety of the child or staff member is significantly compromised, in which case technology-supported monitoring may be utilized. o The total time in Safe Room placement is to be reasonably calculated by District personnel on a case-by-case basis based on the age of the child and circumstances, and is not to exceed 40 minutes without a reassessment of the situation and consultation with parents and/or administrative staff, unless otherwise specified in an IEP or Section 504 Plan or other parentally agreed-upon plan to address a student's behavior.

Policy 2770
Page 6 o The space in which the student is placed should be a normal-sized meeting or classroom commonly found in a school setting.
o The space in which the student is placed is comparable in lighting, ventilation, heating, cooling, and ceiling height to those systems that are in use in other places in the school. o The space in which the student is placed must be free of objects that could cause harm.
Safe Room placement shall never be used as a form of punishment or for the convenience of school personnel.

• Physical Restraint
Physical restraint shall only be used in one of the three circumstances below: o In an emergency situation as defined in this policy; o When less restrictive measures have not effectively de-escalated the situation; or o When otherwise specified in an IEP, Section 504 Plan or other parentally agreedupon plan to address a student's behavior.
Physical restraint shall: o Only be used by authorized school personnel as defined in this policy. o Only be used for as long as necessary to resolve the actual risk of danger or harm that warranted the use of the physical restraint; o Use no more than the degree of force necessary to protect the student or other persons from imminent physical harm [or harm to property]; o Not place pressure or weight on the chest, lungs, sternum, diaphragm, back, neck or throat of the student which restricts breathing; and o Only be done by school personnel trained in the proper use of restraint.
Any school personnel using physical restraint shall: o Use only methods of restraint in which the person has received district approved training. o o Conduct restraint with at least one additional adult present and in line of sight, unless other school personnel are not immediately available due to the unforeseeable nature of an emergency situation.
Physical restraints should never be used as a form of punishment or for the convenience of school personnel.

• Mechanical Restraint
Mechanical restraint shall only be used as specified in a student's IEP, Section 504 plan,

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BIP, or other parentally agreed-upon plan to address a student's behavior with the exception of mechanical restraints employed by law enforcement officers in school settings used in accordance with law enforcement policies, procedures, and appropriate professional standards.
• Chemical Restraint Chemical restraints shall never be used by school personnel.

Communication and Training
• School Personnel Meeting Following any situation involving the use of Safe Room placement or restraint, as defined in this policy, a meeting shall occur as soon as possible but no later than two (2) school days after the emergency situation. The meeting shall include, at a minimum, a discussion of the events that led to the emergency and why the de-escalation efforts were not effective; any trauma reactions on the part of the student, other students or school personnel; what, if anything, could have been done differently; and an evaluation of the process.

•
Parental Notification Except as otherwise specified in a student's IEP, Section 504 plan, BIP, or other parentally agreed-upon plan to address a student's behaviors: Following a situation involving the use of restraint or use of the Safe Room where the staff member was required to leave the room due to escalated behaviors, the parent or guardian of the student shall be notified through verbal or electronic means of the incident as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the day of the incident unless circumstances render it unreasonable or impossible to notify the parent or guardian by the end of the day in which case the parent or guardian shall be notified through verbal or electronic means of the incident no later than noon of the next day.
o The parent or guardian shall receive a written report of the emergency situation within five (5) school days of the incident. The written incident report shall include all of the following:  Date, time of day, location, duration, and description of the incident and de-escalation interventions.  Event(s) that led up to the incident.  Nature and extent of any injury to the student.  Name of a school employee the parent or guardian can contact regarding the incident, and contact information for that employee.
• Staff Training School districts shall ensure that all school personnel are trained annually regarding the

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policy and procedures involving the use of seclusion, Safe Room placement and restraint.

Students with Disabilities
The foregoing policy applies to all students. However, if the IEP or multi-disciplinary team determines that a form of restraint, Safe Room placement, or aversive behavior intervention may be appropriate in certain identified and limited situations, the team may set forth the conditions and procedures in the IEP or Section 504 plan. Any use of restraint, Safe Room placement, or aversive behavior interventions must be limited to what is set forth in the IEP or Section 504 plan unless otherwise provided for in this policy. Before adding the use of restraint, Safe Room placement, or aversive behavior interventions to an IEP or Section 504 plan, the student must have undergone appropriate assessments which may include, but are not limited to, a functional behavior assessment, a review of existing data, and formal assessment observations. The plan must outline preventative techniques, de-escalation strategies, and the development of coping strategies, and the preventative techniques should support the elimination of the use of restraint, Safe Room placement, or aversive behavior intervention over time.

Reports on Use of Safe Room Placement, Restraint or Aversive Behavior Interventions
The District will maintain records documenting the use of Safe Room placement and restraint showing each of the following: when they were used, reason for use, duration of use, names of school personnel involved, whether students or school personnel were injured, name and age of the student, whether the student has an IEP, Section 504 plan, Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) or other personal safety plan when the parents were notified, if the student was disciplined, and any other documentation required by federal or state law.

Applicability of this Policy
This policy applies to all district school personnel. School personnel assigned to programs not located on district premises (hospitals, detention centers, juvenile facilities, and mental health facilities) shall follow the policy and procedure of the facility/program where they work.

Policy 2780
Student Welfare

Use of Tracking Devices
District employees are prohibited from requiring students to use an identification device that uses radio frequency identification technology, or related technology to identify the student, to transmit information regarding the student, or to monitor or trace the location of the student.

Student Suicide Awareness
The Independence School District is committed to maintaining a safe environment to protect the health, safety and welfare of students.