Public Notices
Many new laws related to public education were passed by the Iowa State Legislature and signed by Governor Reynolds in the last legislative session.
It is now a requirement that the school district provide a copy of policies and regulations related to possible objections to the use of certain instructional and library materials. Policy 605.03, Regulation Code 605.03R(1), and Form 605.03E(5) provide guidelines to follow if you have a concern regarding materials in use in the district.
Regulation Code 605.03R(1) outlines the process one would follow to request the reconsideration of the use of some learning materials in the district.
Form Code 605.03E(5) is the form you would use as a parent if you did not wish for your child to access a certain library book or instructional material.
The Mount Vernon Community School District has completed its review of its library materials to determine if certain titles should be removed from circulation pursuant to Senate File 496, signed into law in May of 2023. A list of materials removed is attached to this overview of the process used to remove the materials.
Link to the Overview of the Process to Remove a Book from the Current Collection
The district is required to share a copy of Policy 213. This policy outlines how members of the public may participate in School Board meetings, and how to petition the Board to place a topic on one of its meeting agendas.
Nondiscrimination Policy 102.E2
It is the policy of the Mount Vernon Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Equity Coordinator – Assistant High School Principal, 731 Palisades Road SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314, 319-895-8843. The following links provide additional information about school district policies and procedures pertaining to our nondiscrimination practices:
Policy 106: Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex Prohibited
Title IX Training Module for all K – 12 School Employees
If you have questions or a grievance related to these policies please contact:
Title IX Coordinator: Matthew Leeman, Superintendent
Mount Vernon Community School District
525 Palisades Rd SW
Mount Vernon, IA 52314
(319) 895-8845
mleeman@mvcsd.org
Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission
Grimes State Office Building
400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, Iowa
Phone: (800) 457-4416
Director of the Region VII Office of Civil Rights
Department of Education
Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-7204
Phone: (312) 730-1560
Fax: (312) 730-1576
Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov
Annual Notifications
Equal Education Opportunity Policy – 102
It is the goal of the board to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in the students enrolled in the school district. Each student attending school will have the opportunity to use its education program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual growth. In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that assures each student the same educational opportunity.
The Community School District does not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices.
The belief in equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to school district facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Matthew Leeman, 525 Palisades Rd, Mount Vernon, IA 52314, 319-895-8845, gleeman@mvcsd.org
Board policies, rules and regulations affect students while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.
The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, are directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Mount Vernon Community School District, Mount Vernon, Iowa 52314 ; or by telephoning 319-895-8845 .
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Region VII office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60604 (312) 730-1560, fax (312) 730-1576 OCR.Chicago@ed.gov, the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner, 6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50321-1270, https://icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121 or the Iowa Dept. of Education, Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319. (515) 281-5294. This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.
This is a mandatory policy.
Original Adopted Date: 10/17/1988 | Last Revised Date: 01/13/2025 | Last Reviewed Date: 01/13/2025
Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination – 102.E(1)
Education Record Access Policy – 506.01
Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, the defined words have the following meaning:
- “Education Record” means those records that contain information directly related to a student and which are maintained by an education agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution.
- “Eligible Student” means a student who has reached eighteen years or attends a postsecondary institution. Parents of an eligible student are provided access to education records only with the written permission of the eligible student unless the eligible student is defined as a dependent by the Internal Revenue Code. In that case, the parents may be provided access without the written permission of the student.
An education record may contain information on more than one student. Parents will have the right to access the information relating to their student or to be informed of the information. Eligible students will also have the right to access the information relating to themselves, or be informed of the information.
Copies of education records will be provided if failure to do so would effectively prevent the parents or student from exercising the right to access the education records. Fees for copies of the records are waived if it would prevent the parents or student from accessing the records. A fee may not be charged to search or retrieve information from education records.
Upon the request of parents or an eligible student, the school district will provide an explanation and interpretation of the education records and a list of the types and locations of education records collected, maintained or used by the school district.
If the parents or an eligible student believes the information in the education records is inaccurate, misleading or violates the privacy of the student, the parents or an eligible student may request that the school district amend the education records.
Education records may be disclosed in limited circumstances without parental or eligible student’s written permission. This disclosure is made on the condition that the education record will not be disclosed to a third party without the written permission of the parents or the eligible student. This disclosure may be:
- To school officials within the school district and AEA personnel whom the superintendent has determined to have a legitimate educational interest, including, but not limited to, board members, employees, school attorney, auditor, health professionals, and individuals serving on official school committees;
- To officials of another school district in which the student wishes to enroll, provided the other school district notifies the parents the education records are being sent and the parents have an opportunity to receive a copy of the records and challenge the contents of the records unless the annual notification includes a provision that records will automatically be transferred to new school districts;
- To the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education or state and local educational authorities;
- In connection with a student’s application for, or receipt of, financial aid;
- To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, educational agencies or institutions for the purpose of developing, validating, or administering predictive tests, administering student aid programs, and improving instruction, if such studies are conducted in such a manner as will not permit the personal identification of students and their parents by persons other than representatives of such organizations and such information will be destroyed when no longer needed for the purpose for which it was conducted;
- To accrediting organizations;
- To parents of a dependent student as defined in the Internal Revenue Code;
- To comply with a court order or judicially issued subpoena;
- In connection with a health or safety emergency;
- As directory information; or
- In additional instances as provided by law.
The superintendent will keep a list of the individuals and their positions who are authorized to view a special education student’s education records without the permission of the parents or the eligible student. Individuals not listed are not allowed access without parental or an eligible student’s written permission. This list must be current and available for public inspection and updated as changes occur.
The superintendent will also keep a list of individuals, agencies and organizations which have requested or obtained access to a student’s education records, the date access was given and their legitimate educational interest or purpose for which they were authorized to view the records. The superintendent, however, does not need to keep a list of the parents, authorized educational employees, officers and agencies of the school district who have accessed the student’s education records. This list for an education record may be accessed by the parents, the eligible student and the custodian of education records.
Permanent education records, including a student’s name, address, phone number, grades, attendance record, classes attended, grade level completed and year completed may be maintained without time limitation. Permanent education records will be kept in a fire-safe vault or they may be maintained electronically with a secure backup file.
When personally identifiable information, other than permanent education records, is no longer needed to provide educational services to a special education student, the parents or eligible student are notified. This notice is normally given after a student graduates or otherwise leaves the school district. If the parents or eligible student request that the personally identifiable information be destroyed, the school district will destroy the records, except for permanent records. Prior to the destruction of the records, the school district must inform the parents or eligible student the records may be needed by the parents or eligible student for social security benefits or other purposes. For purposes of policy, “no longer needed to provide educational services” means that a record is no longer relevant to the provision of instruction, support, or related services and it is no longer needed for accountability and audit purposes. At a minimum, a record needed for accountability and audit purposes must be retained for five years after completion of the activity for which funds were used.
The school district will provide training or instruction to employees about parents’ and eligible students’ rights under this policy. Employees will also be informed about the procedures for carrying out this policy.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to annually notify parents and eligible students that they have the right to:
- Inspect and review the student’s education records;
- Seek amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights;
- Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that the law authorizes disclosure without consent; and
- File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the law.
The notice is given in a parents’ or eligible student’s native language. Should the school district collect personal information from students for the purposes of marketing or selling that information, the school district will annually notify parents of such activity.
The notice will include a statement that the parents have a right to file a complaint alleging the school district failed to comply with this policy. Complaints are forwarded to Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC. 20202-8520.
Health Education Policy – 603.05
Internet Appropriate Use Policy – 605.06
The district recognizes the importance of developing students into agile learners who are capable of addressing the complex needs of our future workforce. For this reason, the district has prioritized making available technology and programs that teach students to embrace modern technology and tools while fostering a secure learning environment for students to the extent reasonable. Because technology is a vital part of the school district curriculum, the Internet will be made available to employees and students. Appropriate and equitable use of the Internet will allow employees and students to access resources unavailable through traditional means.
Students will be able to access the Internet through the district. Individual student accounts and electronic mail addresses may be issued to students. Students may be permitted to use district-issued email addresses and Internet-based collaboration software to send and receive messages at school.
The Internet can provide a vast collection of educational resources for students and employees. It is a global network which makes it impossible to control all available information. Because information appears, disappears and changes constantly, it is not possible to predict or control what students may locate. The school district makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of information received on the Internet. Although students will be under teacher supervision while on the network, it is not possible to constantly monitor individual students and what they are accessing on the network. Some students might encounter information which may not be of educational value. Student Internet records and access records are confidential records treated like other student records. Students’ Internet activities will be monitored by the school district to ensure students are not accessing inappropriate sites that have visual depictions that include obscenity, child pornography or are harmful to minors. The school district will use technology protection measures to protect students from inappropriate access, including sites that include obscenity, child pornography or are harmful to minors.
The school district will monitor the online activities of students and will educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting on social networking sites and chat rooms. Students will also be educated on cyberbullying, including awareness and response. Employees will provide age appropriate training for students who use the Internet. The training provided will be designed to promote the school district’s commitment to:
- The standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set forth in this policy;
- Student safety with regard to:
- safety on the Internet;
- appropriate behavior while online, on social networking websites, and
- in chat rooms; and
- cyberbullying awareness and response.
- Compliance with the E-rate requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act
Employees and students will be instructed on the appropriate use of the Internet. Parents will be required to sign a permission form to allow their students to access the Internet. Students will sign a form acknowledging they have read and understand the Internet Acceptable Use policy and regulations, that they will comply with the policy and regulations, and that they understand the consequences for violation of the policy or regulations
In compliance with federal law, this policy will be maintained at least five years beyond the termination of funding under the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) or E-rate.
Original Adopted Date: 11/18/1996 | Last Revised Date: 03/07/2024 | Last Reviewed Date: 03/07/2024
Asbestos Containing Material 804.04
Open Enrollment Transfers – Procedures as a Receiving District – 501.15
The school district will participate in open enrollment as a receiving district. As a receiving district, the board will allow nonresident students, who meet the legal requirements, to open enroll into the school district. The board will have complete discretion to determine the attendance center of the students attending the school district under open enrollmen
The superintendent will approve all timely filed applications by June 1; incoming kindergarten applications; good cause application; or continuation of an educational program application filed by September 1.
The superintendent will notify the sending school district and parents within five days of the school district’s action to approve or deny the open enrollment request.
Open enrollment requests into the school district will not be approved if insufficient classroom space exists. Open enrollment requests into the school district will also not be approved for students who have been suspended or expelled by the administration or the board of the school district the student is or was attending until the student has been reinstated into the school district from which the student was suspended or expelled. Once the student is reinstated, the student’s open enrollment request will be considered in the same manner as other open enrollment requests provided the required timelines are met. The district reserves the right to deny continued open enrollment to any students who meet the definition of truant. The district will notify the truant student’s parent or guardian and district of residence of the decision to deny enrollment in the future in accordance with applicable laws.
Open enrollment requests into the school district that, if denied, would result in students from the same nuclear family being enrolled in different school districts, will be given highest priority. The board, in its discretion, may waive the insufficient classroom space reason for denial for students of the same nuclear family to prevent the division of a nuclear family between two school districts. Other open enrollment requests into the school district are considered in the order received by the school district with the first open enrollment request given a higher priority than the second open enrollment request and so forth.
Students in grades nine through twelve open enrolling into the school district will be eligible for participation in interscholastic athletics, at the varsity level, in accordance with applicable law.
Parents of students whose open enrollment requests are approved by the (board or superintendent) are responsible for providing transportation to and from the receiving school district without reimbursement.
A receiving district may send school vehicles into the sending district’s boundaries to transport students to and from school in the receiving district, if the total enrollment of the student’s resident district is less than two thousand students; the student’s resident district is contiguous to the receiving district; and the student’s resident district has sent school vehicles into the receiving district pursuant to Iowa Code 282.18(8)(b)(1).
An open enrollment request into the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The determining factors for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the school district is appropriate for the student’s needs and whether the enrollment of the special education student will cause the class size to exceed the maximum allowed. The area education agency director of special education serving the school district will determine whether the program is appropriate. The special education student will remain in the sending district until the final determination is made. For children requiring special education, the receiving district will complete and provide to the resident district the documentation needed to seek Medicaid reimbursement for eligible services.
The policies of the school district will apply to students attending the school district under open enrollment.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.
NOTE: This policy reflects Iowa’s open enrollment law. The board needs to determine whether it will delegate authority to the superintendent to approve timely filed open enrollment requests. This option is the first set of options on page one of the policy. There are three options available to the board:
• board retains all approval authority over timely filed requests.
• board delegates all approval authority over timely filed requests.
• board delegates only some approval authority over timely filed requests.
After the board makes its decision, the policy needs to be edited to reflect the board’s decision.
The second option on page two addresses the issue of transportation of the receiving district to pick up open enrolled students. The board needs to establish by policy whether it will go into the sending district to pick up open enrolled students.
Original Adopted Date: 06/26/1989 | Last Revised Date: 08/12/2024 | Last Reviewed Date: 08/12/2024