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Policies

In addition to policies from the Woodward-Granger CSD School Board, we've produced a list of common district policies on this page.

School Board Policies

Common Policies

Affirmative Action

The Woodward-Granger Community School District takes affirmative action, consistent with its Affirmative Action Plan on file in the district, in the recruitment, appointment, assignment and advancement of women and men, members of diverse racial and ethnic groups and persons with disabilities to accomplish the goals of equal employment opportunity.

AHERA Notification

General Information: The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986, or AHERA, was put into effect to determine the extent of, and develop solutions for, any problems school may have with asbestos. The Woodward-Granger Community School District has had all facilities inspected by a certified asbestos inspector, as required by AHERA. During this inspection, all materials suspected of containing asbestos were located, sampled, and rated as to the condition and hazard potential. The inspection report and laboratory analysis records were given to a certified firm to develop asbestos management plans for our facilities.

Notification: This notification, and methods of educating and training the District’s employees, together with a set of procedures designed to minimize the disturbance of the asbestos-containing materials and plans for regular surveillance of these materials are all a part of the school’s asbestos management plan. The management plan is available for review in the district central office. Questions regarding the plan should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools.

Yearly Update: It is the intent of the Woodward-Granger Community School District to comply with all federal and state regulations in this area. All procedures will be followed to ensure that the District’s facilities continue to be a healthy, safe environment in which to work and learn. During the spring of 1998 our three-year evaluation was conducted throughout the district. Some minor repairs to asbestos containing materials were needed and those repairs have been completed.

Child Abuse Reporting

All certified school employees are mandated reporters and as such must make reports directly to the Department of Human Services (DHS). Previous provisions of the law required that the teacher report to the building principal who in turn made the report to the DHS. This has been changed. Reports are not made to the building principal unless the certificated employee wishes to do so. If a report is also made to the building principal, DHS must be notified that such a report has been made. Principals should remember that if they report cases of child abuse (which have been reported to the DHS), to their Superintendent, then they also must notify the DHS of this fact. In short, all suspected cases of child abuse are to be reported directly to the DHS and if a report is made to another school official, then that fact must be reported to DHS.

Complaint Procedures

Purpose: The Board recognizes that situations may arise in the operation of the district, which are of concern to parents or to the public. The Board strongly believes that all concerns should be resolved at the lowest possible level of decision-making by the individuals involved. Concerns are best dealt with in open communication by the individuals involved. Therefore, the purpose of these complaint procedures are to resolve, at the lowest possible level, and as expeditiously as possible, complaints of any person regarding any District matter. No anonymous complaint shall be considered by the Board in any manner.

Procedures: Any person with a complaint or concern regarding a School District matter is encouraged to first talk with the school official or employee involved as soon as possible.

If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, the complainant should file a written complaint with the school official or employee involved. The school official or employee shall indicate the disposition of the complaint in writing within ten working days.

If the complainant feels that the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, the complainant may file the complaint and the prior written disposition with the employee’s immediate supervisor. If the matter involves a claim of discrimination or harassment, the complaint may be filed at this level or may be filed with the District’s Compliance Officer. The supervisor or his/her designee (or the compliance officer) shall meet with the complainant within ten working days of receipt of the written complaint and shall indicate the disposition by responding in writing within ten working days of the meeting.

If the complainant feels that the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at that level, the complainant may file the complaint and any prior dispositions with the Superintendent of Schools. The superintendent, or his/her designee, shall meet with the complainant within ten working days of receipt of the complaint and shall indicate the disposition in writing within ten working days of the meeting.

If the complainant still feels that the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, the complainant may request to appear before the Board by filing the written complaint and any written dispositions with the Board Secretary and ask for a place on the agenda pursuant to Policy 204.2. Personnel desiring to address the Board on any matter shall direct their communication to the Superintendent of Schools, and not to the individual members of the board (except that copies of any communication to the superintendent may be sent to all members.) The Board secretary shall place the item on the Board’s agenda. The complainant may appear at the Board meeting and discuss the matter with the Board. The administrative staff may also discuss the matter with the Board. The Board may refuse to take action on the complaint, or the Board shall decide the matter as soon as practicable, and the Board secretary shall communicate the Board’s decision to the complainant. If the Board declines to decide the matter, the disposition of the Superintendent or his/her designee shall be final.

Any complaint procedure adopted by the Board for classified or certified employees will not apply to an issue that is covered by definition of a grievance in the master contract. (See Board Policy 204.13 for further description.)

Federal Section 504 Policy Statement

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program receiving federal financial assistance. In order to fulfill obligations under Section 504, the Woodward-Granger Community School District has the responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and students. No discrimination against any person with a disability should knowingly be permitted in any of the programs and practices of the school system.

The Woodward-Granger Community School District has the responsibility under Section 504, to identify, evaluate, and, if determined to be eligible under Section 504, to afford access to appropriate educational services.

If the parent or guardian disagrees with the determination made by the professional staff of the school district, he/she has a right to a hearing with an impartial hearing officer.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also specifies rights related to educational records. This Act gives the parent/guardian the right to: 1) inspect and review his/her child’s educational records; 2) make copies of these records; 3) receive a list of the individuals having access to those records; 4) ask for an explanation of any item in the records; 5) ask for an amendment to any report on the grounds that it is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the child’s rights; and 6) a hearing on the issue if the school refuses to make the amendment.

If there are questions, please feel free to contact the Superintendent of Schools, Section 504/ADA Compliance Coordinator for the Woodward-Granger Community School District, at telephone number 515-999-8022.

Health Education - New Standards Policy

Students in grade level one through twelve shall receive, as part of their health education, instruction about personal health, food and nutrition, environmental health, safety and survival skills, consumer health, family life, substance use and not-use, including the effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and poisons on the human body, human sexuality, self-esteem, stress management, and interpersonal relationships, emotional and social health, health resources, prevention and control of disease, and the characteristics of communicable diseases, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

While the areas stated above shall be included in health education, the instruction shall be adapted at each grade level to aid understanding by the students. Beginning no later than in grade seven, characteristics of communicable disease shall include information about sexually transmitted diseases.

Parents who object to health education instruction in human growth and development may file a written request that the pupil be excused from the instruction. The written request shall include a proposed alternate activity or study acceptable to the superintendent. The superintendent shall have the final authority to determine the alternate activity or study.

Please note: This course is required to be offered, but students are not required to take the course.

Non-Discrimination Policy

It is the policy of the Woodward-Granger Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, national origin, creed, religion, parental status, age marital status, or disability in its education programs, activities, or employment policies as required by Titles VI and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

It is also the policy of this district that the curriculum content and instructional materials utilized reflect the cultural and racial diversity present in the United States and the variety of careers, roles, and life-styles open to women as well as to men in our society. One of the objectives of the total curriculum and teaching strategies is to reduce stereotyping and to eliminate bias on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, religion, age and disability. The curriculum fosters respect and appreciation for the cultural diversity found in our country and an awareness of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of each individual as a member of a pluralistic society.

Inquiries regarding compliance with these policies may be directed to the Grandwood Education Center Principal, Woodward-Granger Community School District, 1251 334th St., Woodward, Iowa 50276 (515) 438-3240, to the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Des Moines, Iowa, or to the Director of the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Kansas City, Missouri.

The Woodward-Granger Community School District Complain Procedure in its entirety is located in the Board of Directors Policy Book. Procedures for staff are outlined in Board Policy 204.13. Procedures for parents, students, and community members are referred to in Board Policy 204.13. Copies are in each Principal’s office and also in the Administration Office.

If additional assistance is needed, contact the Superintendent of Schools, 1904 State St., Granger, Iowa 50109, Telephone (515) 999-8022.

Release of Information

The Woodward-Granger Community School District collects and maintains records about each student in order to facilitate the instruction, guidance and educational progress of the student. The records contain information about the student, his/her educational background, and may include but are not limited to the following types of records; identification data, aptitude and achievement tests, educational and vocational plans, honors, and activities, discipline data, objective counselor and/or teacher ratings and observation, and external agency reports.

The records of each student are located in the school building which he or she is attending. The building Principal or counselor is responsible for maintenance of student records.

The following persons, agencies, and organizations may have restricted access to students records without prior written consent of the parent or student over eighteen years of age. Any other access to student records shall be only upon written consent, court order or legally issued subpoena.

  • School officials and teachers with a legitimate educational interest
  • Officials of other schools which the student proposes to enroll.
  • Representatives of state and local government when auditing and evaluating Federal Education Programs. (Title I, Vocational, etc.)
  • Officials in connection with a student’s educational financial aid application.
  • Government officials to which information is to be reported under state law adopted prior to November 19, 1874.
  • Organizations which process and evaluate standardized tests.
  • Accrediting organizations for accrediting purposes.
  • Parents of dependent children, regardless of child’s age.
  • Persons in connection with an emergency.

Student records are reviewed and inappropriate material removed periodically, but at a minimum when a student moves from elementary to middle-senior high school or when a student transfers out of the district. Records that are not of permanent importance, or where attendance is discontinued, or the student is transferred out of the district are kept a reasonable amount of time and then destroyed. Graduating students' records are kept for three years then destroyed; however, a permanent record, classes attended, grade level completed, and/or years completed may be maintained without time limitation.

Parents of students under age 18 and students over age 18 may exercise the opportunity to review educational records of the student, to obtain copies of the records, to write a response to material in the record, to challenge content of the record on the grounds of inaccuracy, and to have the records explained. A request for review of student records shall be direct to the building principal in a timely manner.

The procedure to be followed in exercising any of the rights under school policies or rules may be obtained from the person responsible for maintaining student records in each building. The school district will make available to interested persons upon request at each attendance center copies of policies and rules pertaining to the maintenance of student records.

The principal or person in charge of each attendance center and/or Superintendent of Schools may release the following types of directory information to the public as the desire or the necessity arise: name, name of parent or guardian, address, telephone (if listed in the local directory), major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams and identifying numbers, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous school or institution attended by the student.

Any parent objecting to the public release of directory information must file a written objection with the person responsible for maintaining student records in each building. Information objected to shall not then be publicly released. All such objections shall become a part of the student’s record.

Any student and/or parent who has a concern of objection about student record policies or procedures may file a written complaint with the Superintendent if the complaint is not resolved at this level, the party(s) may then make a written objection to the local Board of Education.

Religion-Based Exclusion From a School Program

Parents who wish to have their child excluded from a school program because of religious beliefs must inform the superintendent. The Board authorizes the administration to allow the exclusion if it is not disruptive to the educational process and it dies not infringe on a compelling state or education interest. Further, the exclusion must not interfere with other school district operations.

In notifying the superintendent, the parents shall abide by the following:

  • The notice shall be in writing.
  • The objection shall be based on religious beliefs.
  • The objection shall state which activities or studies violate their religious beliefs.
  • The objection shall state why these activities or studies violate their religious beliefs.
  • The objection shall state a proposed alternate activity or study.

The superintendent shall have sole discretion to make this determination. The factors the superintendent shall consider when a student requests to be excluded from a program or activity because of religion include, but are not limited to, staff available to supervise a student who wishes to excluded, space to house the student while the student is excluded, available superintendent approved alternative courses of study or activity while the student is excluded, number of students who wish to be excluded, whether allowing the exclusion places the school in a position of supporting a particular religion and whether the program or activity is required for promotion to the next grade level or for graduation.

Students who are allowed to be excluded from a program or activity which violates their religious beliefs shall be required to do an alternate supervised activity or study.

Right to Know

Parents/Guardians in the Woodward-Granger School District have the right to learn about the following qualifications of their child’s teacher/paraprofessional:

  • State licensure requirementsthe grade level and content areas taught
  • The current licensing status of your child’s teacher/paraprofessional
  • What degree (baccalaureate/ graduate certificate etc) is held by the teacher or paraprofessional

Parents may also request the qualifications of any employee who serves  your student in a Federal Title Program.
This information may be requested by contacting the following:
 
Woodward-Granger Community Schools
Brande Milosevich, Central Office Secretary
1904 State Street
Granger, Iowa 50109
(515) 999-8022
brandemilosevich@wghawks.school
 
The Woodward-Granger CSD ensures that parents/guardians will be notified in writing if their child has been assigned, or has been taught by a teacher four or more consecutive weeks, who is not considered highly qualified.

Sexual Harassment Policy

It is the policy of the Woodward-Granger Community School District to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from sexual harassment. Because of the district’s strong disapproval of offensive or inappropriate sexual behavior at work, all employees and visitors must avoid any action or conduct which could be perceived as sexual harassment. It shall be a violation of the policy for any employee or visitor of the Woodward-Granger Community School District to harass others through conduct or communications of a sexual nature.

Definition. Sexual harassment shall consist of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual acts or favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a harassing nature where:

  • Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment;
  • Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting that individual; or
  • Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s employment or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment environment.

Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to the following:

  • Verbal harassment or abuse
  • Pressure for sexual activity
  • Repeated remarks to or about a person with sexual or demeaning implications
  • Unwelcome touching
  • Suggesting or demanding sexual involvement accompanied by implied or explicit threats concerning one’s job etc.
  • Display of sexually graphic pictures

If you feel you have suffered harassment, see Board Policy 204.13 for full complaint procedures. The compliance officer is the Superintendent of Schools, 1904 State Street, Granger, IA 50109, (515) 999-8022.

Statement Regarding the Homeless

The Board of Directors of the Woodward-Granger Community School District is responsible for locating and identifying homeless children and youth who are “found” within the district. A “homeless child or youth of school age” is defined as one between the ages of 5 and 21 who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and includes a child or youth living on the street, in a car, tent or abandoned building or some other form of shelter not designed as a permanent home; living in a community shelter facility; or living with non nuclear family members or friends who may not have legal guardianship over the child or youth of school age. The district shall make available to the homeless child or youth all services and assistance including, but not limited to, compensatory education, special education, English as a second language, vocational courses or programs, programs for gifted and talented, health services, and food and nutrition programs, on the same basis as those services and assistance are provided to resident pupils.

If you need further assistance/information, please contact the building principal, a school counselor or the Superintendent of Schools, 1904 State Street, Granger, Iowa, 50109 (515) 999-8022.

Student Abuse by District Personnel

It is the policy of the Woodward-Granger Community School District that school employees and volunteers not commit acts of physical or sexual abuse, including inappropriate and intentional sexual behavior, towards students.

It is the policy of the district to respond to allegations of abuse by school employees or volunteers by investigating or arranging for the full investigation of any allegations, and to do so in a reasonably prudent manner.

Anyone believing that a student has been abused by a district employee or volunteer may report the abuse to their building principal, each of whom has been designated as the District Level-One investigator in their building, or to the Superintendent (438-4333).

The entire policy on abuse of students by district personnel is defined in Board Policy 404 and is available in the Administration Office and each school building office.

Weapons

Prohibition. The Woodward-Granger Community School District will not permit or tolerate the possession, display, or use of weapons by any person on school premises or vehicles, while the person is participating in or attending District events and activities, or while the person is away from school grounds if such conduct directly affects the good order and management of the District. Students who violate this policy may be subject to expulsion and/or other disciplinary action. Weapons shall be taken from students and others who bring them onto school premises, vehicles, or to school activities. When appropriate, violations of this policy will be reported to law enforcement agencies. Weapons under the control of law enforcement officials shall be exempt from this policy. The principal may allow authorized persons to display weapons for educational purposes on a limited basis.

Definition. Any object which could be used to injure another person and which has no school-related purpose will be considered a weapon. An object which has a school-related purpose but which is used to threaten or inflict injury will also be considered a weapon. Weapons include, but are not limited to, knives of all types, guns, firearms, metal pipes, chains, numchucks, throwing stars, metal knuckles, blackjacks, fireworks, explosives or other chemicals, simulated weapons, including toys.

Sanctions. Students may be subject to expulsion for violating this policy. The administration may impose a lesser sanction if in their judgment all of the circumstances surrounding the incident warrant a less severe sanction. Any lesser sanction invoked must have the approval of the Superintendent.

Firearms. Any student who is determined to have brought a firearm to school will be expelled from school for a period of not less than one calendar year. The Superintendent shall have the authority to recommend this expulsion requirement be modified for a student on a case-by-case basis. The purposes of this policy, the term “firearm” includes any weapon which is designed or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, the frame or receiver of any such weapon, a muffler or silencer for such a weapon, or any explosive, incendiary device, or poison gas.

Wellness Policy

The Wooward-Granger Board of Education is committed to the optimal development of every student. The board believes for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental, and social success, there needs to be a positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environment at every level, in every setting.

The school district provides a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong wellness behaviors. The entire school environment, not just the classroom, shall be aligned with healthy school district goals to positively influence a student's understanding, beliefs, and habits as they relate to good nutrition and regular physical activity.

Wellnes Policy

Triennial Wellness Resources

Woodward-Granger Mission Statement

Woodward-Granger CSD will build futures one student at a time through a supportive culture of high expectations.
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