Original Adopted Date: 8-28-89
Last Revised Date: 2-24-97
Last Reviewed Date: 7-10-23
It is within the sole discretion of the board to determine the size of classes and to determine whether class grouping will take place. The board may review the class sizes annually.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board on class size based upon the financial condition of the school district, the qualifications of and number of licensed employees, and other factors deemed relevant to the board.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3 (2013).
Cross Reference: 606.6 Insufficient Classroom Space
Original Adopted Date: 2-8-99
Last Revised Date: 7-10-23
Last Reviewed Date: 7-10-23
The school district will continue school ceremonies and observances which have become a tradition and a custom of the education program. These include, but are not limited to, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and observance of holidays by programs and performances. Such ceremonies or observances will have a secular purpose and will not advocate or sponsor a particular religion.
The district will provide and maintain a suitable flagstaff at each school site and raise the Iowa and United States flags each school day as weather conditions permit. The district will display the United States flag and administer the Pledge of Allegiance in each 1st through 12th-grade classroom on school days.
Students who do not wish to participate in these activities may be silent during the ceremony or observance or receive permission from the principal to be excused from the ceremony for religious reasons in compliance with board policy.
Legal Reference: U.S. Const. amend. I.
Lee v. Weisman, 112 S.Ct. 2649 (1992).
Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971).
Graham v. Central Community School District of Decatur County, 608 F.Supp. 531 (S.D. Iowa 1985).
Iowa Code § 279.8 (2013).
Cross Reference: 603 Instructional Curriculum
604.5 Religious-Based Exclusion From A School Program
Original Adopted Date: 2-8-99
Last Revised Date: 7-10-23
Last Reviewed Date: 7-10-23
Live animals will not be allowed in school district facilities except under special circumstances and only for an educational purpose. Permission from the principal will be required of anyone wishing to bring an animal into school district facilities. Appropriate supervision of animals is required when animals are brought into the school district facilities.
The person bringing the animal must furnish transportation for the animal brought to school. Animals will not be allowed to travel to and from the student's attendance center on the school bus without prior approval from the principal.
It is the responsibility of the principal to determine appropriate supervision of animals in the classroom. This policy is not intended to address the use of service animals, assistive animals, therapy animals or emotional support animals on District property.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (2013).
Cross Reference: 507 Student Health and Well-Being
Original Adopted Date: 2-8-99
Last Revised Date: 7-21-03
Last Reviewed Date: 7-10-23
Materials and services produced by students at the expense of the school district are the property of the school district. Materials and services produced by students at the student's expense, except for incidental expense to the school district, are the property of the student.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to determine incidental expense.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (2013).
Cross Reference: 408.2 Licensed Employee Publication or Creation of Materials
Original Adopted Date: 3-13-83
Last Revised Date: 4-24-89, 4-13-92, 2-8-99, 7-21-03
Last Reviewed Date: 7-10-23
The principal may authorize field trips and excursions when such events contribute to the achievement of education goals of the school district. The school district will provide transportation for field trips and excursions.
In authorizing field trips and excursions, the principal will consider the financial condition of the school district, the educational benefit of the activity, the inherent risks or dangers of the activity, and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent. Written parental permission will be required prior to the student's participation in field trips and excursions. The superintendent will be notified for field trips and excursions outside the state. Superintendent approval will be required for field trips and excursions which involve unusual length or expense.
Field trips and excursions are to be arranged with the principal well in advance. A detailed schedule and budget must be submitted by the employee. The school district will be responsible for obtaining a substitute teacher if one is needed. Following field trips and excursions, the teacher may be required to submit a written summary of the event.
Legal Reference: 390 C.F.R. Pt. 390.3(f) (2012).
Iowa Code § 279.8 (2013).
281 I.A.C. 43.9.
Cross Reference: 503.1 Student Conduct
503.4 Good Conduct Rule
603 Instructional Curriculum
711 Transportation
Original Adopted Date: 2-23-97
Last Revised Date: 7-10-23
Last Reviewed Date: 7-10-23
It is the goal of the district to create learning environments that encourage the growth and development of each student. Providing classrooms with an appropriate student-teacher ratio is central to achieving this goal. Insufficient classroom space exists when conditions in the district adversely affect the implementation of the district’s goals and its educational program.
Insufficient classroom space is determined on a case-by-case basis.
In making its determination whether insufficient classroom space exists, the board may consider several factors, including but not limited to, the nature of the education program, the grade level, the available licensed employees, the instructional method, the physical space, student-teacher ratios, equipment and materials, facilities either being planned or under construction, facilities planned to be closed, financial condition of the school district and projected to be available, a sharing agreement in force or planned, a bargaining agreement in force, laws or rules governing special education class size, board-adopted school district goals and objectives, and other factors considered relevant by the board.
This policy is reviewed by the board annually. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to bring this policy to the attention of the board each year.
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Legal Reference: |
Iowa Code § 282.18(13). 281 I.A.C. 17.6(3).
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Original Adopted Date: 8-8-16
Last Revised Date:
Last Reviewed Date: 7-10-23
The Mid-Prairie Community School District believes that therapy dogs can be a vital resource in district schools and classrooms and their use will be encouraged.
Professional School Therapy Dogs certified with their handlers as Certified Assistance Dog Teams provide emotional and physical support in the educational setting. These highly trained dogs model good behavior, tolerance, and acceptance. All Certified Assistance Dog Teams in the Mid-Prairie Community School District (MPCSD) work to support and positively influence both student achievement and student well being.
Professional Therapy Dogs are trained and tested to provide specific physical or therapeutic functions under the direction and control of a qualified handler who works with the dog as a team, and as a part of the handler’s occupation or profession.
The MPCSD retains ownership of the therapy dog until such services of the therapy dog are no longer needed or when the therapy dog retires from duty.
The daily care health management plan must be managed by the Handler and follow the guidelines recommended by CARES Inc. in Concordia, Kansas. Daily care includes the following: nutritional needs including pet food and water; grooming; and provisions for exercising the animal.
1. The Handler must provide a record of annual vaccinations received by the dog and signed by the primary veterinarian; these health records should be kept on file in the school building and in the MPCSD Central Office.
2. The therapy dog shall be given a comprehensive wormer or fecal check for worms annually.
3. The dog shall be checked for external parasite control.
4. The Handler shall give preventive parasite (fleas and ticks) control and heartworm medication year-round. Annual tests shall be given for heartworm.
5. The therapy dog shall be groomed and bathed regularly as well as regular brushing of the dog’s teeth, regular nail trimming, and cleaning/checks of the dog’s ears.
The scheduling of therapy dog services will be coordinated with the Handler and/or the following staff: Behavior Interventionist(s), Classroom Teacher(s), Counselor(s), and/or Building Principal.
The Mid-Prairie Community School District will pay for all expenses in obtaining a therapy dog.
Therapy dog guidelines and procedures will be reviewed at least annually with all staff and students. Public and staff concerns about the use of therapy dogs shall be directed to the building administrator. A school district canine oversight committee may be established to assist with concerns. The oversight committee purpose is to provide general assistance with questions and answers pertinent to the use of therapy dogs; review therapy dog policies, procedures, and guidelines as needed; and educate the school community regarding the use of and value of therapy dogs in the school setting. This committee’s members may include therapy dog handler(s), school counselors, teachers, parents, building administrator(s), a veterinarian, and/or service dog trainers.
The Handler can submit veterinary expenditures and pet food receipts for a total amount up to $1,500.00 per year. Any amount over $1,500.00 shall require district preapproval.
The School Board shall determine a specific therapy dog’s future should that therapy dog’s Handler leave district employment before the therapy dog retires. Options include the following: district maintains possession, Handler possession with full or partial replacement costs paid to district, or Handler possession with no payment to the district. The school board, with superintendent recommendation, shall consider, but not be limited to, the following factors: age of therapy dog, estimated years of useful service until retirement, health of therapy dog, original costs of therapy dog, and therapy dog replacement costs.
Legal Reference:
Cross Reference:
Original Adopted Date: 11-11-19
Last Revised Date:
Last Reviewed Date: 7-10-23
For the purposes of this policy, “District premises” refers to school buildings, vehicles, and all other District property. The District shall comply with all state and federal laws, regulations, and rules regarding the use and presence of animals by staff or students with a disability under appropriate circumstances.
District owned therapy dogs are covered under School Board Policy #606.7. This policy applies to service dogs needed by students, employees, or visitors to Mid-Prairie facilities. MPCSD shall comply with all state and federal laws, regulations, and rules regarding the use of service animals by disabled staff or students under appropriate circumstances. The District shall not be responsible to provide a service animal for any student or employee, nor shall the District be responsible to care for any service animal, except as required by law and this policy.
For the purposes of this policy, the term “service animal” includes any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items. The work or task that a service animal has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. “Service animals” are working animals, not pets. The definition does not include wild animals, farm animals and rodents, or animals whose sole function is to provide emotional support, comfort, therapy, companionship, therapeutic benefits, or to promote emotional well-being.
Service animals must be current on all required vaccinations.
Service animals also must be under control while on district grounds.
The animal may be under control by either the individual with a disability, or a handler of the service or assistive animal. Under control means harnessed, leashed or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the animal’s work, in which case under voice or other directive control.
While on District property, the owner must have the means to remove any waste left by the animal.
The owner is responsible for immediate repair and cleanup of incidental damage caused by the animal (including digging damage). Cleanup and repairs should be thorough enough to not add additional work for the District staff, or inconvenience for members of the community or visitors.
PROCEDURES/REQUIREMENTS
Use of service animals by staff or students with a qualifying disability is subject to the following procedures and requirements:
The parent/guardian of a student with a disability must submit a request for the use of a service animal to their building principal. Any request for the use of a service animal must identify if the service animal is required because of a disability and the work or task the animal has been trained to perform. Information about the nature or extent of the disability is not required.
Requests for the use of service animals on District property must be made, whenever possible, no less than three (3) weeks prior to the proposed use of the service animal. Under no circumstances may a service animal be on District property on a regular basis without prior approval under this policy. Student requests shall be reviewed by the building principal, in consultation with the Director of Special Education. Employee requests shall be reviewed by the Superintendent.
The owner of any service animal allowed onto District property shall be responsible to properly ensure that the animal is properly licensed pursuant to regular local animal control laws and ordinances and that the animal has received all vaccinations required by law.
The use of a service animal on District premises may be subject to a plan designed to introduce the service animal to the school environment, any appropriate training for staff and students regarding interaction with the service animal, and other activities or conditions deemed necessary by the District. However, an individual with a disability who uses a service animal will not be restricted from entry onto District premises prior to completion of any training/familiarization deemed appropriate.
Service animals must be under the control of their handlers at all times. Service animals must wear proper identification and always be on a leash or other form of restraint mechanism, unless the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of such mechanism would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must otherwise be under the handler’s control (voice control, signals, or other effective means).
It is the responsibility of the student, or if the student is unable, the student's parent/guardian or designee, or staff person who uses a service animal pursuant to this policy to be the animal's handler. Each school building or other District property where a service animal is regularly present will have a designated animal waste area. The handler of any service animal must direct the animal to utilize the designated animal waste area and must properly dispose of any fecal matter.
Service Animals will be allowed in MPCSD transportation vehicles only when the service animal is under the control of a properly trained handler at all times, including entering and exiting the vehicle.
The District retains discretion to exclude or remove a service animal from its property if:
The animal is out of control and the animal’s handler does not take effective action to control the animal’s behavior.
The animal is not housebroken.
The animal’s presence or behavior fundamentally interferes in the functions of the District.
The animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by reasonable modifications.
In addition, in the case of a service animal that is a miniature horse, the District retains discretion to exclude or remove any service animal from its property based upon:
The type, size, and weight of the miniature horse and whether the facility where the miniature horse will be used can accommodate the miniature horse
Whether the handler has sufficient control of the miniature horse.
A student who uses a service animal on MPCSD property and the student’s parent/guardian, or a District employee who uses a service animal on District property, shall be liable for any damage to District's real or personal property, or another student’s or employee’s personal property, and for any injuries to individuals caused by the person’s service animal. A student who uses a
service animal on District property and the student’s parent/guardian, a MPCSD employee who uses a service animal on District property, or a person who is a designated handler of a service animal on behalf of another, will hold MPCSD harmless and indemnify MPCSD from any damages or injuries to the service animal, the student or employee who uses the service animal, or the handler of the service animal, as a result of the person’s use or participation in the use of the service animal.
Legal Reference:
Cross Reference:
GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL THERAPY DOGS BY SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
The Role and Purpose of Certified Assistance Dog Teams in MPCSD
Professional School Therapy Dogs certified with their owners/handlers as Certified Assistance Dog Teams provide emotional and physical support in the educational setting. These highly trained dogs model good behavior, tolerance, and acceptance. All Certified Assistance Dog Teams in the Mid-Prairie Community School District work to support and positively influence student achievement.
Professional Therapy Dogs - definition
Professional therapy dogs are dogs trained and tested to provide specific physical or therapeutic functions under the direction and control of a qualified handler who works with the dog as a team, and as a part of the handler’s occupation or profession.
A professional therapy dog has been temperament tested by a trainer affiliated with an organization recognized as qualified to do temperament testing.
Professional therapy dogs have passed a Public Access Test administered by a trainer/evaluator recognized by Mid-Prairie Community School District for this purpose.
Professional therapy dogs are owned by a professional educator in the Mid-Prairie Community School District who wishes to use a professional therapy dog to augment his/her educational program.
Professional Therapy Dogs may be used in the school setting on a regular basis when the following documentation is in place:
Administrative Approval
Review of Professional School Therapy Dog Guidelines and Procedures:
1) Professional Therapy Dog guidelines and procedures will be reviewed annually with all staff and students at the start of the academic year.
Review of guidelines and procedures will take place as needed (determined by the administrator and dog owner/handler) throughout the year.
Pet Visitation Dogs – definition
A pet visitation dog is a dog owned by a volunteer or student who is NOT employed by the Mid-Prairie Community School District, but who has received registration and/or recognition for volunteer pet visitation.
These dogs are NOT considered to be Professional Therapy Dogs.
For a dog to be used on a volunteer basis, these guidelines must be followed:
The following documents must be kept on file in the Superintendent’s office and the building(s) in which the pet visitation dog is used.
Current certification /registration from the therapy dog organization doing the evaluation and testing.
Current veterinary records of worming schedules and annual vaccinations for five-way Parvo and bordatella as well as rabies vaccinations every three years.
Proof of insurance
The privilege to bring the dog into the school setting may be terminated should the handler or dog behave in a way deemed unprofessional or unsafe.
When an educator uses a professional therapy dog according to the above guidelines, the educator will be covered by their private insurance policy (minimum $1 million liability coverage).
Such dogs, with their handlers, perform such functions in institutional settings, community-based group settings, or when providing services to specific persons who have disabilities.
Professional therapy dogs in the MPCSD are family pets that have been certified as pet therapy animals.(See section II, “Pet Visitation”)
All costs are the responsibility of the owner and if the owner leaves the district, the dog will go with them.
See attached Therapy Dog Handler Ethics.
See attached documentation requirements (checklist of information) for Certified Assistance Dog Teams in the MPCSD.
The use of the animal or animals must be approved by the administrator(s) of the building(s) in which the Professional Therapy Dog’s handler works.
Health Records and Hygiene/Animal Care
The owner/handler must provide a record of annual vaccinations received by the dog and signed by a veterinarian; these health records should be kept on file in the school building and in the Superintendent’s office.
The dog should receive a bordatella vaccination annually; rabies vaccinations and five-way parvo/distemper (DHPP) shall be updated every three years. Please note: dogs less than one year of age or receiving their rabies and parvo vaccinations for the first time shall receive a follow-up vaccine in one year, with vaccinations every three years thereafter.
The dog should be given a comprehensive wormer or fecal check for worms annually.
The dog should be checked for external parasite control.
All owners will give preventive parasite (fleas and ticks) control and heartworm medication year-round. Annual tests for heartworm are recommended. Please note: Frontline Plus is recommended by the veterinarian – this is due to its non-toxic nature, which is important in a school environment.
The dog should be groomed and bathed regularly. For dogs in a working environment, monthly to bi-monthly baths are recommended as is daily brushing. (Good judgment should be used based on the dog’s hair, skin, and dander concerns.)The owner/handler must also ensure proper health care through regular (several times weekly) brushing of the dog’s teeth, regular nail trimming as needed, and weekly cleaning/checks of the dog’s ears.
A copy of the Public Access Test certificate of completion should be kept on file in the school building and in the Superintendent’s office.
Records of advanced obedience, agility, or other training may be kept updated in the employee’s file.
The handler of the dog must be an employee of MPCSD, the dog and handler MUST be certified under the Professional Therapy Dog guidelines listed above.
All animals will be approved on a case-by-case basis.