EC Non-discrimination Policy
October 23, 2007
EDUCATIONAL EQUITY POLICY (BOARD POLICY 201.4, 401.4, 505.5, AND 603.6)
It is the policy of East Central Community School District to provide equal educational and employment opportunities and to not illegally discriminate on the basis of gender, race, national origin, religion, age, martial status or disability in its educational programs, activities, or its employment and personnel policies. Affirmative steps will be taken to integrate students in attendance centers, programs and classes on the basis of race, national origin, gender and disability.
This District shall provide program activities, a curriculum and instructional resources that will reflect the racial and cultural diversity present in the United States and the variety of careers, roles and life styles open to both men and women in our society. One of the objectives of the district's programs, curriculum, services and teaching strategies is to reduce stereotyping and to eliminate bias on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, marital status and disability. These curriculum, programs and services shall foster 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.
It is the policy of this District to affirmatively recruit women and men, members of diverse racial/ethnic groups and persons with disabilities for job categories where they are under represented. A fair and supportive environment will be provided for all students and employees regardless of their gender, race, national origin, creed, age, marital status or disability. Harassment of a sexual nature or with demeaning intent related to race, national origin, gender, disability, age, martial status or religion, made from one employee to another, from an employee to a student or vice versa, and from one student to another is a violation of this policy.
Inquiries or grievances related to this policy may be directed to Curriculum Director, East Central Schools, Miles, Iowa 52064, (563-682-7131), the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights /Commission in Des Moines, the Director of the Region VII Office of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Director of the Regional VII Office of Civil Rights, United States Department of Education in Kansas City, Missouri. Inquiries may also be directed to the Director, Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.
Section 504 Notice of Nondiscrimination
Students, parents, employees and others doing business with or performing services for the East Central School District are hereby notified that is school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status or disability in admission or access to, or treatment in, its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries or access to, or treatment in, its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the school district's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), S 504 or Iowa Code S 280.3 is directed to contact the Curriculum Director, PO Box 367, Miles, IA 52064 PHONE (563) 682-7131 who has been designated by the school district to coordinate the school district's efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the ADA, S 504 and Iowa Code 280.3.
Student Assistance Program Philosophy Statement
The East Central School District recognizes that the use of alcohol and other drugs and the problems associated with it are becoming increasingly commonplace in our society and among youth. One's own chemical use or that of a loved one can have serious and lifelong consequences.
The East Central School District also recognizes that the abuse of alcohol and/or other drugs often precedes the development of problems. At some point, an individual's use of alcohol or other drugs may be deemed destructive to him/herself or to others, causing problems in daily living. Where the capacity to make responsible decisions regarding alcohol and other drug use has been reduced or compromised, prompt and appropriate attention can help the vast majority of individuals involved.
East Central School District also recognizes that students can experience a number of personal, behavioral, and/or medical problems that can have an adverse affect on their behavior, conduct, or academic performance in school. The school becomes concerned when any of these problems, which may occur in a student or in a family member, repeatedly and definitely interferes with a student's school performance, or jeopardizes the health, safety, welfare, educational opportunity, or rights of other students or personnel.
Therefore, East Central School District establishes a Student Assistance Program to cooperate with all segments of the community in making the means of assistance available to those individuals with problems arising from behavioral and/or medical problems including alcohol and other drug abuse. The Program will function within the guidelines of the policy adopted by the East Central School Board.
Special Population Statement
Students who are members of Special Populations are encouraged to enroll in the vocational educational classes provided by the district. If you are in need of special services to help you benefit from these classes, please contact Mr. McDonough.
Provision of Special Education
Parents who suspect their child has a disability requiring accommodation or special education are urged to contact their child's school or the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency (800-947-2329) for additional information and a copy of the booklet entitled Parental Rights in Special Education.
The Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency provides for a process to aid parties in resolving differences. This service is called: Resolution Facilitator process. This involves using a Resolution Facilitator (impartial person) who is trained in mediation. The process may be requested to address issues between educators (district or AEA) and parents of general education, Section 504, or special education students. It can also be used between other parties involved with the district.
Policy #500.0/605.6 - ANNUAL NOTICE- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. They are:
(1) The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the district receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
(2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading or in violation of the student’s privacy rights.
Parents or eligible students may ask the school district to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
If the district decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible, the district will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right of a hearing.
(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception, which permits disclosure without consent is a disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, AEA employees, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student service on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee or student assistance team, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
(4) The right to inform the school district that the parent does not want directory information, as defined below, to be released. Directory information can be released without parental consent. Any student over the age of eighteen or parent not wanting information released to the public must make an objection in writing by October 1st to the principal. The objection needs to be renewed annually. NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE LISTING, DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH, GRADE LEVEL, ENROLLMENT STATUS, PARTICIPATION IN OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS, WEIGHT AND HEIGHT OF MEMBER OF ATHLETIC TEAMS, DATES OF ATTENDANCE, DEGREES AND AWARDS RECEIVED, THE MOST RECENT PREVIOUS SCHOOL OR INSTITUTION ATTENDED BY THE STUDENT, PHOTOGRAPH AND LIKENESS AND OTHER SIMILAR INFORMATION.
(5) The right to file a complaint with the O.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, US Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.
