Children who are residents of the school district community will attend the school district without paying tuition.
The residence of a student means the place, abode, or dwelling of the student. Generally, the legal dwelling of minors is the same as their parents. However, a student may establish a dwelling with someone other than the parents and attend public school in the school district without paying tuition if the primary purpose for residing in the school district is not for the purpose of obtaining a free public education. Further, students who have reached the age of majority and who are still eligible to attend an Iowa secondary school may declare their residence independent of the residence of the parents.
Each case involving the bona fide residence of a student will be decided upon its individual merits by the superintendent.
Legal Reference: Lakota Cons. Ind. School v. Buffalo Center-Rake Comm. School, 334 N.W.2d 704 (Iowa 1983).
Mt. Hope School Dist. v. Hendrickson, 197 N.W. 47 (Iowa 1924).
Oshel v. Creston Comm. School Dist., DPI Admin. Doc. 570 (1981).
33 D.P.I. Dec. Rule 80 (1984).
Iowa Code §§ 257.6; 282.2, .6, .7; 285.4 (2013).
1956 Op. Att'y Gen. 185.
1946 Op. Att'y Gen. 197.
1938 Op. Att'y Gen. 69.
1930 Op. Att'y Gen. 147.
Cross Reference: 100 Legal Status of the School District
501 Student Attendance
Approved: 3-14-83
Reviewed: 1-26-90, 8-9-93, 10-10-05, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 2-26-96, 9-9-02
Students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school but who are not legal residents of the school district may be admitted into the school district at the discretion of the superintendent upon application and payment of tuition. The tuition rate is the current per-pupil cost of the school district as computed by the board secretary and as authorized by the Iowa Department of Education.
Resident students whose families move from the school district after the start of a semester and who wish to complete the semester in the school district may be permitted to attend without the payment of tuition at the discretion of the superintendent and approval of the board. Students who plan to open enroll to the nonresident district may complete the school year without approval of the superintendent or board. These students, other than students in grades eleven and twelve, must have the recommendation of the principal, as well as an adult who resides in the school district, identified for purposes of administration.
Students in grades eleven or twelve who are no longer residents of the school district, but were residents in the preceding school year, may continue to attend school until they graduate without the payment of tuition. These students shall be required to identify an adult, who resides in the school district, identified for purposes of administration.
Nonresident students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and who have evidence they will become legal residents of the school district prior to October 1 may be allowed to attend without the payment of tuition.
Legal Reference: Lakota Cons. Ind. School v. Buffalo Center-Rake Comm. School, 334 N.W.2d 704 (Iowa 1983).
Mt. Hope School Dist. v. Hendrickson, 197 N.W. 47 (Iowa 1924).
Oshel v. Creston Comm. School Dist., DPI Admin. Doc. 570 (1981).
Iowa Code §§ 257.6; 282.1, .2, .6, .7, .24 (2013).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
Approved: 3-14-83
Reviewed: 1-26-90, 8-9-93, 9-9-02, 10-10-05, 11-9-09, 1-22-2021
Revised: 8-23-93, 2-26-96, 1-26-15
Parents within the school district who have children over age six and under age sixteen by September 15, in proper physical and mental condition to attend school, will have the children attend the school district at the attendance center designated by the board. Students will attend school the number of days school is in session in accordance with the school calendar. Students of compulsory attendance age will attend school a minimum of 175 days or 1080 hours. Students not attending the minimum days must be exempted by this policy as listed below or, for students in grades 7-12, referred to the county attorney or, for students in grades K-6, referred to the Attendance Cooperation process. Exceptions to this policy include children who:
1. have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
2. are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
3. are attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;
4. are attending an accredited nonpublic school;
5. are receiving independent private instruction; or,
6. are receiving competent private instruction.
It is the responsibility of the parent of a child to provide evidence of the child's mental and physical inability to attend school or of the child's qualifications for one of the exceptions listed above.
The principal shall investigate the cause for a student’s truancy. If the principal is unable to secure the truant student’s attendance, the principal should discuss the next step with the superintendent. If the student is still truant, the principal will refer the matter to the county attorney.
The school shall participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The principal will represent the school district in mediation. The school district shall monitor the student’s compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 259A; 279.10-.11; ch. 299; 299A.
441 I.A.C. 41.25(8).
1978 Op. Att'y. Gen. 379.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
601.1 School Calendar
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved: 3-13-83
Reviewed: 8-9-93, 11-9-09, 2-22-2021
Children in the school district community will be allowed to enroll in the school district's regular education program beginning at age five. The child must be age five on or prior to September 15 to participate in the school district's kindergarten program. The child must be age six on or prior to September 15 to begin the first grade of the education program.
The board shall require evidence of age and residency in the form of a birth certificate or other evidence before the student may enroll in the school district's education program. It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to determine what is satisfactory evidence for proof of age.
Prior to enrollment, the child must provide the administration with their health and immunization certificate. Failure to provide this information within the time period set by the superintendent shall be reason for suspension, expulsion or denying admission to the student.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 139A.8; 282.1, .3, .6.
1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 258.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
507.1 Student Health and Immunization Certificates
Approved: 3-14-83
Reviewed: 8-9-93, 9-9-02, 10-10-05, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 1-8-96
The board will have complete discretion to assign students to the attendance centers.
Parents or guardians of siblings in the same grade level academically in grades kindergarten through grade five may request the siblings be placed in the same or different classrooms. In order to be valid, the request must be made in writing and submitted to the school principal at the time of registration for classes, or within fourteen days after the children’s first day of attendance during the school year. If a valid request is received by the school principal, the request must be honored. While a parent or guardian may make a placement request that siblings be placed together or apart, the district administration retains complete discretion to select the classroom teacher(s) to which siblings are assigned. If after the initial grading period following the placement of siblings in the same or different classrooms the school principal determines the placement is disruptive to the class; the principal may assign one or more of the siblings to different classrooms.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board annually regarding the assigned attendance center for each student. In making the recommendation, the superintendent will consider the geographical layout of the school district, the condition and location of the school district facilities, the location of student population, possible transportation challenges, financial condition of the school district and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent or the board.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.11; 282.7-.8.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
Approved: 3-13-83
Reviewed: 8-9-93, 9-9-02, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 1-8-96, 10-10-05, 8-26-19
Students who transfer into the school district must meet the immunization and age requirements set out for students who initially enroll in the school district.
The school district will request the student's cumulative records from the previous school district. If the student cannot offer proof of grade level, the superintendent will make the grade level determination. The superintendent may require testing or other information to determine the grade level. Students expelled or suspended from their previous school district will only be enrolled after approval of the board.
The superintendent or designee will determine the amount of credits to be transferred. If the student has not previously attended an accredited school, it is within the superintendent's discretion to accept or reject credits or grades.
The board may deny admission if the student is not willing to provide the board with the necessary information.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232g .
Iowa Code §§ 139A.8; 282.1, .3, .4; 299A.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
505.3 Student Honors and Awards
507 Student Health and Well-Being
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved: 10-21-96
Reviewed: 9-9-02, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 10-10-05
If the student's parents wish to withdraw or transfer the student from school prior to completing and graduating from the education program, they shall notify the superintendent in writing as soon as possible of the decision to withdraw or transfer the student from the education program. The student or parent should present this written notice at the office and receive instructions regarding the return of textbooks, library books, locker equipment, hot lunch tickets, etc.
The notice shall state the student's final day of attendance. If the student is not enrolling in another school district, the school district shall maintain the student's records in the same manner as the records of students who have graduated from the school district.
If the parents wish to have the student's cumulative record sent to the new school district, the parents shall notify the superintendent in writing. This notice shall include the name of the school district and the person at the new school district to whom the student's cumulative records should be sent. If the new school district requests the student's cumulative records, the school district will forward the cumulative records and notify the parents the records have been sent. The notice shall inform the parents of their right to review the records sent.
If the student is of compulsory education age and not transferring to another public school district or an accredited nonpublic school, the parents shall notify the superintendent that the student is receiving competent private instruction and file the necessary competent private instruction reports.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232g.
Iowa Code §§ 274.1; 299.1-.1A .
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved: 10-21-96
Reviewed: 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 9-9-02, 10-10-05
As part of the school district’s records, the daily attendance of each student shall be recorded and maintained on file with the permanent records of the board secretary.
It shall be the responsibility of the principals to ensure that such reports are filed with the board secretary, the custodian of school records.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
Approved: 3-14-83
Reviewed: 7-13-92, 1-26-90, 8-9-93, 9-9-02, 10-10-05, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 8-10-92, 2-26-96
Regular attendance by students is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students shall attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.
Student absences approved by the principal shall be excused absences. Excused absences shall count as days in attendance for purposes of the truancy law. These absences include, but are not limited to, illness, family emergencies, recognized religious observances, and school-sponsored or approved activities.
The district believes that traditional, in-person school attendance leads to the greatest learning opportunities for students. However, there may be rare and unusual circumstances created by public emergencies declared by state or local officials which temporarily prevent students from attending traditional, in-person school. In these circumstances, the superintendent will have discretion to make reasonable accommodations for students, on a case-by-case basis, to attend school through remote learning opportunities within the available resources of the district and as permitted by law. During approved remote learning, attendance will be taken, assessments may be administered, and grades will count towards students’ cumulative grade point average as if they were attending in person. The provision of special education and accommodations for students who have individualized education programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans will be determined by each respective IEP or Section 504 team.
Students whose absences are approved shall make up the work missed and receive full credit for the missed school work. It shall be the responsibility of the student to initiate a procedure with the student's teacher to complete the work missed.
Students who wish to participate in school-sponsored activities must attend school one-half day the day of the activity unless permission has been given by the principal for the student to be absent.
It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the student's attendance center as soon as the parent knows the student will not be attending school on that day. The principal may request evidence or written verification of the student's reason for absence.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
The high school administration shall have the authority to develop an attendance regulation that permits sanctions for excessive absences and provides a structure for students to appeal for an extension of the established limit.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved: 8-10-92
Reviewed: 8-9-93, 6-11-01, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 10-9-95, 10-10-05, 8-10-2020
Regular attendance by the students at school is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students shall attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.
Truancy is the failure to attend school for the minimum number of days established in the school calendar by the board. Truancy is the act of being absent without a reasonable excuse. (These absences will include, but not be limited to, tardiness, shopping, hunting, concerts, preparation for participation in parties and other celebrations and employment.)Truancy will not be tolerated by the board.
Students are subject to disciplinary action for truancy including suspension and expulsion. It is within the discretion of the principal to determine, in light of the circumstances, whether a student may make up work missed because of truancy. Students receiving special education services will not be assigned to in-school suspension unless the goals and objectives of the student's Individualized Education Program are capable of being met.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. The administrative regulations will indicate the disciplinary action to be taken for truancy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).
Cross Reference: 102 School District Instructional Organization
501 Student Attendance
Adopted: 8-10-92
Reviewed: 8-9-93
Revised: 6-30-97, 9-9-02, 10-10-05, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Students will be allowed to leave the school district facilities during school hours only with prior authorization from their parents/guardians, unless their parents/guardians appear personally at the student’s attendance center to arrange for the release of the student during school hours, or with the permission of the principal/designee.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principals, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 294.4.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved: 11-25-96
Reviewed: 10-10-05, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 9-9-02
Students who have attained legal age may continue the education program without payment of tuition as long as they are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and are residents of the school district.
Parents will be allowed to access and view the student's records without written permission from the student if the student is still a dependent for tax purposes. In most cases, with the discretion of the principal or the superintendent, the student will be able to make decisions and sign documents rather than requiring parental permission or signature.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232g.
Iowa Code §§ 22; 282.2, .6, .7; 285.4; 599.1; 622.10.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
Approved: 1-8-96
Reviewed: 1-13-03, 10-10-05, 11-9-09, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised:
The school district will participate in open enrollment as a sending district. As a sending district, the board will allow resident students who meet the requirements to open enroll to another public school district.
Parents requesting open enrollment out of the school district for their student shall notify the school district no later than March 1 in the school year preceding the first year desired for open enrollment. The notice shall be made on forms provided by the Department of Education. The forms are available at the central administration office and on the district website.
Parents of children who will begin kindergarten in the school district are exempt from the open enrollment March 1 deadline. Parents of children who will begin kindergarten shall file in the same manner set forth above by September 1 prior to the beginning of the child's kindergarten year. Parents who have good cause as defined by law for failing to meet the March 1 deadline may make an open enrollment request by September 1 unless another deadline applies.
The receiving district will approve all other open enrollment requests according to the timelines established by law. The parents may withdraw the open enrollment request prior to the start of the school year. The receiving district’s superintendent shall notify the parents and sending school district by mail within five days of the superintendent's action to approve or deny the open enrollment request.
The board may approve a student's request to allow the receiving district to enter the school district for the purposes of transportation.
An open enrollment request out of the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The determining factor for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the receiving school district is appropriate for the student's needs. The area education agency director of special education serving the receiving district will determine whether the program is appropriate. The special education student will remain in the school district until the final determination is made.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to maintain open enrollment request applications and notice forms. It will also be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 139A.8; 274.1; 279.11; 282.1, .3, .8, .18; 299.1.
281 I.A.C. 17. 1990 Op. Att'y Gen. 75.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
Approved: 8-28-89
Reviewed: 8-23-93, 1-13-03, 1-26-15, 2-22-2021
Revised: 10-21-96, 10-10-05, 11-9-09
The school district shall participate in open enrollment as a receiving district. As a receiving district, the board shall allow nonresident students, who meet the requirements set by the board, to open enroll into the school district. The board shall have complete discretion to determine the attendance center of the students attending the school district under open enrollment.
The board shall take action on the open enrollment request no later than June 1 in the year preceding the first year desired for open enrollment.
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.
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.
Generally, students in grades nine through twelve open enrolling into the school district will not be eligible for participation in interscholastic athletics, at the varsity level, during the first ninety days of open enrollment into the school district.
Parents of students whose open enrollment requests are approved by the board are responsible for providing transportation to and from the receiving school district without reimbursement. The board shall not approve transportation into the sending district.
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.
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.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 139A.8; 274.1; 279.11; 282.1, .3, .8, .18; 299.1.
281 I.A.C. 17.
1990 Op. Att'y Gen. 75.
Cross Reference: 501.6 Student Transfers In
501.7 Student Transfers Out or Withdrawals
501.14 Open Enrollment Transfers - Procedures as a Sending District
506 Student Records
507 Student Health and Well-Being
606.9 Insufficient Classroom Space
Approved: 9-28-89
Reviewed: 8-9-93, 1-13-03, 11-9-09, 2-22-2021
Revised: 10-21-96, 10-10-05, 1-26-15
The Mid-Prairie School District believes all students should have access to a free, appropriate public education. The district will ensure that homeless children and youth have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as other children and youth.
The term “homeless children and youth” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The term includes:
To help ensure that homeless children and youth have a full opportunity to enroll, attend, and succeed at school, the board shall:
The superintendent may develop an administrative process or procedures to implement this policy.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 6301.
42 U.S.C. § 11302.
42 U.S.C. §§ 11431 et seq.
281 I.A.C. 33.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
503.3 Fines - Fees - Charges
506 Student Records
507.1 Student Health and Immunization Certificates
603.3 Special Education
711.1 Student School Transportation Eligibility
Approved:
Reviewed: 2-22-2021
Revised: