Administrative Action

1. Probation

   1. Probation is conditional suspension of a penalty for a set period of time.  Probation may be imposed by the principal for infractions of school rules which do not warrant the necessity of removal from school.

   2. The principal will conduct an investigation of the allegations against the student prior to imposition of probation.  The investigation will include, but not be limited to, written or oral notice to the student of the allegations against the student and an opportunity to respond.  Written notice and reasons for the probation will be sent to the parents.
       

2. In-School Suspension

   1.  In-school suspensions may be imposed by the principal for infractions of school rules, which are serious but which do not warrant the necessity of removal from school.

   2. The principal will conduct an investigation of the allegations against the student prior to imposition of an in-school suspension.  The investigation will include, but not be limited to, written or oral notice to the student of the allegations against the student and an opportunity to respond.  In-school suspension will not be imposed for more than ten school days.  Written notice and reasons for the in-school suspension will be sent to the student's parents.
       

3. Out-of-School Suspension

   1.  Out-of-school suspension is to be used when other available school resources are unable to constructively remedy student misconduct.

   2. A student may be suspended out of school for up to ten school days by a principal for a commission of gross or repeated infractions of school rules, regulations, policy or the law, or when the presence of the student will cause interference with the maintenance of the educational environment or the operation of the school.  The principal may suspend students after conducting an investigation of the charges against the student, giving the student:

      1. Oral or written notice of the allegations against the student, and

      2. The opportunity to respond to those charges.

   3. At the principal's discretion, the student may be allowed to confront witnesses against the student or present witnesses on behalf of the student.

   4. Notice of the out-of-school suspension will be mailed no later than the end of the school day following the suspension to the student's parents and the superintendent.  A reasonable effort is made to personally notify the student's parents and such effort is documented by the person making or attempting to make the contact.  Written notice to the parents will include the circumstances which led to the suspension and a copy of the board policy and rules pertaining to the suspension.

4. Suspensions and Special Education Students

   1. Students who have been identified as special education students may be referred for a review of the student's Individual Education Program (IEP).  The IEP may be revised to include a continuum of intervention strategies and programming to change the behavior.

   2. Students who have not been identified as special education students may be referred for evaluation after the student's suspension to determine whether the student has a disability and is in need of special education.

 

 

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Approved:  7/14/25                                Reviewed:                               Revised:

All information provided in connection with this application will be kept confidential.

Name of parent/guardian:_________________________________________________

Date______________________ School year______________

Name of student:______________________________ Grade in school:____________

Name of student:______________________________ Grade in school:____________

Name of student:______________________________ Grade in school:____________

Name of student:______________________________ Grade in school:____________

Please check the type of waiver desired:

Full waiver_____ Partial waiver_____ Temporary waiver_____

Please check if the student or the student's family meet the financial eligibility criteria or is involved in one of the following programs:

Full Waiver:

_____ Free meals offered under the Children Nutrition Program

 _____ The Family Investment Program (FIP)

 _____ Transportation assistance under open enrollment

 _____ Foster care

 Partial waiver:

_____ Reduced priced meals offered under the Children Nutrition Program Temporary waiver

_____ If none of the above apply, but you wish to apply for a temporary waiver of school fees because of serious financial problems, please state the reason for the request:

 

__________________________________________________

Signature of parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian

(Your signature is required for the release of information regarding the student or the student's family financial eligibility for the program checked above.)

Please return this completed form to the principal's office.

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Approved:  8/12/96

Reviewed: 6/10/19

Revised: 5/13/13; 7/14/25

The Board recognizes that while certain fees charged students are appropriate and authorized, certain students and their families are not financially able to pay the fees. The District will grant either full waivers, partial waivers, or temporary waivers depending upon the circumstances and the student or student's parents' ability to meet the financial criteria.

A. Waivers --

1. Full Waivers - a student will be granted a full waiver of fees charged by the school district if the student or student's parents meet the financial eligibility criteria for free meals under the Child Nutrition program, Family Investment Program, or transportation assistance under open enrollment. Students in foster care are also eligible for full waivers.

2. Partial Waivers - a student will be granted a partial waiver of fees charged by the school district if the student or the student's parents meet the financial eligibility criteria for reduced price meals offered under the Child Nutrition program. A partial waiver shall be based on the same percentage as the reduced price meals, except for Driver's Education, which will be reduced at a different percentage than reduced eduation and lunch fees.

3. Temporary Waivers - a student may be eligible for a temporary waiver of fees charged by the district in the event the student's parents are facing financial difficulty. Temporary waivers may be applied for at any time throughout the school year and shall not extend beyond the end of the school year.

B. Application - Parents or students eligible for a fee waiver shall make an application on the form provided by the District. Applications may be made at any time but must be renewed annually.

C. Confidentiality -The District will treat the application and application process as any other student record and student confidentiality and access provisions will be followed.

D. Appeals - Denials of a waiver may be appealed to the Superintendent. .

E. Fines or charges assessed for damage or loss to school property are not fees and will not be waived.

F. Notice - the District will annually notify parents and students of the waiver. The following information will be included in registration materials and printed in student handbooks:

Students whose families meet the income guidelines for free and reduced price lunch, the Family Investment Program (FIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), transportation assistance under open enrollment, or who are in foster care are eligible to have their student fees waived or partially waived. Students whose families are experiencing a temporary financial difficulty may be eligible for a temporary waiver of student fees. Parents or students who believe they may qualify for temporary financial hardship should contact the building principal for a waiver form. This waiver does not carry over from year to year and must be completed annually.

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Approved:       8/12/96                                        Reviewed:   6/10/19                                                         Revised: 5/13/13; 7/14/25; 6/8/26

Use of Physical Restraint and/or Seclusion Documentation Form

 

Student Name: ____________________________________ Date of Occurrence:  ______________

Start Time of Occurrence:  ___________    End Time of Occurrence:  ___________

Start Time of Use of Physical Restraint or Seclusion:  _____________

End Time of Use of Physical Restraint or Seclusion:  _____________

Employee Names and Titles who observed, were involved with or implemented physical restraint and/or seclusion during occurrence (including administrators who approved extended time if applicable):

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

 

Employees Date of last training on use of physical restraint and seclusion:

______________________________________________      ___________________________

______________________________________________       __________________________

______________________________________________        _________________________

______________________________________________        _________________________
 

Describe student actions before, during and after occurrence:

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Describe employee actions before, during and after occurrence including the reason for any of the following, if applicable:  use of nonapproved restraint, use of nondesignated seclusion rooms, any restraining or seclusion that lasted longer than necessary:

_________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Describe any less restrictive means attempted as an alternative to physical restraint and seclusion or why those means would not be effective or feasible or have failed:

___________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Approval from administrator to continue physical restraint or seclusion past 15 minutes:  _________

Administrator approving:  ______________________________    Time approved:  ___________

Reasons for length of incidents:  ____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Approval obtained from administrator to continue physical restraint or seclusion more than 30 minutes past last approval time:  _________

Administrator approving:  ______________________________    Time approved:  __________

Reasons for length of incidents:  ____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

If administrator approval was not obtained at 15 minutes or every 30 minutes thereafter or a student was not provided with breaks for bodily needs in incidents lasting longer than 15 minutes explain why:

Reasons for length of incidents:  ____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

Parent/Guardian notification: Parents/Guardians will be notified as soon as practicable once the occurrence is under control but no more than one hour after or the end of the school day, whichever occurs first.   Space below for documenting multiple attempts to notify guardians is listed in case the guardian cannot be reached in the first attempt.

Employee attempting: _________________________ Parent/Guardian contacted: _______________

Time and manner of attempted notification:  ___________________ Notification successful:  _______

Employee attempting: _________________________ Parent/Guardian contacted: _______________

Time and manner of attempted notification:  ___________________ Notification successful:  _______

Employee attempting: _________________________ Parent/Guardian contacted: _______________

Time and manner of attempted notification:  ___________________ Notification successful:  _______

 

If parent/guardian notification requirements were not complied with, explain why:

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Describe injuries sustained or property damaged by students or employees: ___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Describe future approaches to address student behavior including any consequences or disciplinary actions that may be imposed on the student:

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

 

This form has been reviewed and completed by the undersigned employee.  A written copy of this form has been sent to the student’s parent or guardian within three school days of the occurrence.  Unless the parent or guardian agrees to receive the report by email, fax, or hand delivery, the report must be sent by mail and postmarked by the third day following the occurrence. Enclosed with a copy of this form is an invitation for the parents or guardians to participate in the debriefing meeting scheduled in accordance with the law.
 

______________________________________        ________________________

Employee Signature                        Date of form delivered

___________________________________________________________

Method of Transmittal

 

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Approved: 7/14/25         Reviewed:            Revised

Debriefing letter to guardian of student involved in an occurrence where physical restraint or seclusion was used

Dear [Guardian], 

Recently, your student [name] was involved in an occurrence At school that required the physical restraint and / or seclusion of your student as defined by 281 Iowa Administrative Code Ch. 103. A report related to this occurrence is enclosed with this letter. 

The law requires debriefing meetings be held for such occurrences in the following circumstances: 

• Following the first instance of seclusion or physical restraint during the school year;

• When any personal injury occurs as a part of the use of seclusion or physical restraint;

• When a reasonable educator would determine a debriefing session is necessary;

• When suggested by a student's IEP team;

• When agreed to by the guardian in school officials; and

• After seven instances of seclusion or physical restraint of the student. 

This letter is intended to inform you that a debriefing meeting will be held on [date within 5 days of transmission of letter, time, place] because of [reason from bulleted list above]. The following employees will be in attendance at this meeting: [list names and titles of employees]. We are inviting you to attend the Steve briefing meeting to engage with us on topics related to this occurrence.

If you would like to reschedule the debriefing meeting, please contact me as soon as possible via email [email address] or telephone [telephone number],  and at least one school day prior to the date and time listed for this debriefing meeting. Your student is allowed to attend this meeting with your consent, and you are welcome to bring a representative of your choosing if you wish. If you plan to bring a representative to this meeting, please let us know at least one school day prior to the meeting so that we have an opportunity to make arrangements.

We look forward to working with you to foster the continued health, safety and educational growth of your student.

_______________________________________________                            ________________

[Administrator name], title                                                                                      Date

Enclosure: Report related to student occurence
 

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Approved:  7/14/25            Reviewed:            Revised

Physical Restraint and Seclusion of Students Debriefing Meeting Document

(The following individuals must attend the debriefing meeting: employees who administered physical restraint or seclusion;  an administrator or employee not involved in the occurrence; the administrator or employee who approved continuation of the physical restoring or seclusion; other relevant personnel designated by the school; if indicated by student’s behavior in occurrence, an expert to behavioral/mental health or other discipline. The following individuals must be invited to attend the debriefing meeting: the parent or guardian of the student, the student with guardians consent)

Student Name: ________________________________  Date of Occurrence:  _______________

Date of Debriefing Meeting: _______________    Time of Debriefing Meeting:  ________________

Location of Debriefing Meeting:  _________________________________________

Name and Job Title of individuals attending the debriefing meeting (must include the employees involved and at least one employee who was not involved):

______________________________________________    ____________________________

______________________________________________    ____________________________

______________________________________________    ____________________________

______________________________________________    ____________________________

______________________________________________    ____________________________

______________________________________________    ____________________________

______________________________________________    ____________________________

______________________________________________    ____________________________

 

Documentation reviewed during meeting (must include at least the occurrence report; and BIP, IHP, IEP and/or safety plan, if applicable):

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Identification of patterns of behavior and proportionate response, if any, in the student and employees involved: _____________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Possible alternative responses, if any, to the incident/less restrictive means, if any:

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Additional resources, if any, that could facilitate those alternative responses in the future:

_____________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Plans for additional follow up actions, if any: ____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

This form has been reviewed and completed by the undersigned employee. A written copy of this form has been sent to the student’s guardian within three school days of the debriefing meeting.

 

________________________________________________      _____________________________

Employee                                                                                         Date delivered to parent/guardian

 

__________________________________________________

Method of Transmittal

 

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Approved: 7/14/25               Reviewed:                Revised:

The District will comply with 281 Iowa Administrative Code Ch. 103 for the use of physical restraint and seclusion with students, including, but not limited to:

• Physical restraint and seclusion will be used only by employees who have been trained in accordance with applicable law unless a trained employee is not immediately available due to the unforeseeable nature of the occurrence.

• As soon as practical after the situation is under control, but within one hour after either the occurrence or the end of the school day, whichever occurs first, the school will attempt to contact the student’s parent or guardian using the school’s emergency contact system.

• The seclusion or physical restraint is used only for as long as necessary based on research and evidence to allow the student to regain control of their behavior to the point that the threat or behavior necessitating the use of the seclusion or physical restraint has ended, or when a medical condition occurs that puts the student at risk of harm.  Unless otherwise provided for in the student’s written approved IEP, BIP, IHP or safety plan, if the seclusion or physical restraint continues for more than 15 minutes:

  • The student will be provided with any necessary breaks to attend to personal and bodily needs, unless doing so would endanger the child or others.

  • An employee will obtain approval from an administrator or administrator’s designee to continue seclusion or physical restraint beyond 15 minutes.  After the initial approval, an employee must obtain additional approval every 30 minutes thereafter for the continuation of the seclusion or physical restraint.

  • The student’s parent or guardian and the school may agree to more frequent notifications than is required by law.

  • Schools and district employees must document and explain in writing the reasons why it was not possible for the employees to obtain approval, notify parents, or take action within prescribed time limits.

  • Schools and district employees who begin and then end use of nonapproved restraints will document and explain in writing the reasons why they had no other option but to use this type of behavioral intervention.
     

• The area of seclusion will be a designated seclusion room that complies with the seclusion room requirements in accordance with law, unless the nature of the occurrence makes the use of the designated seclusion room impossible, clearly impractical, or clearly contrary to the safety of the student, others, or both; in that event, the school must document and explain in writing the reasons why a designated seclusion room was not used.

• An employee must continually visually monitor the student for the duration of the seclusion or physical restraint.

• If an employee restrains a student who uses sign language or an augmentive mode of communication as the student’s primary mode of communication, the student shall be permitted to have the student’s hands free of physical restraint, unless doing so is not feasible in view of the threat posed.

• Seclusion or physical restraint shall not be used:  as punishment or discipline; to force compliance or to retaliate; as a substitute for appropriate educational or behavioral support; to prevent property damage except as provided in law; as a routine school safety measure; or as a convenience to staff. 

• The Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee will investigate any complaint or allegation that one or more employees violated any provisions of 281 Iowa Administrative Code Ch. 103.  If the District determines a violation has occurred, corrective action will be taken up to and including termination of the employees involved.  If the allegation or complaint involves a specific student the District will notify the parents or guardian of the involved student about the results of the investigation.  If any allegation or complaint is also defined as abuse in 281 Iowa Administrative Code 102.2, the procedures listed in chapter 102 will apply.

• The District must comply with and implement Chapter 103 whether or not a parent consents to the use of physical restraint or seclusion.

 

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Approved:   7/14/25                 Reviewed:                  Revised:

Escalating Responses by Grade Band

Grades PK - 6 

• SLES Code of Conduct

Administrative Intervention

An administrative intervention is a situation where a teacher calls upon the administration to handle a student for a short period of time, discuss the needed topic/lesson, give the student an opportunity to “reset” or a regathering of self in accordance with their behavior plan, IEP and/or BIP. 

 

Nonviolent Disruption 

A nonviolent disruption is defined as a substantial disruption to the ability of the teacher to teach or other students to learn. This could include, but not be limited to, disorderly conduct, abusive or profane language, bullying as defined by Iowa Code 280.28, or repeatedly disruptive behavior. If the disruption is a nonviolent disruption, a teacher may remove the student from the classroom and place the student under the supervision of the principal or the principal’s designee for at least 30 minutes. A teacher may appeal to the school board a principal’s decision not to remove a student for nonviolent disruptive behavior, as well as a decision to return the student to the classroom too soon. 

A student enrolled in kindergarten through grade five cannot be readmitted into the teacher’s classroom until the principal or principal designee and the teacher meet to discuss the readmission of the student. 

A student enrolled in grades six through twelve cannot be readmitted into the teacher’s classroom until the principal or the principal designee and the teacher meet to discuss readmission. Even so, the student is not allowed to be re-admitted to the teacher’s classroom until the immediate subsequent school day at the earliest.

Should there be disciplinary action taken against the student, the principal or the principal’s designee will inform the teacher of the actions taken as soon as reasonably possible after the student’s removal. 

Students who have been removed from class will be provided alternative learning arrangements and must make up any work that the student missed while under alternative supervision.

 

Multiple Nonviolent Disruption Removals

Should a student be removed from a teacher’s classroom more than once, the teacher(s) who removed the student, the principal, the guidance counselor, the student’s parent/legal guardian (if the student is not an emancipated minor), and the student must participate in a meeting to discuss the student’s nonviolent disruptions, establish a behavior plan, and a course of discipline. Considerations may include relocating the student to an alternative learning environment, including a therapeutic classroom when appropriate.

 

Violent Disruption

A violent disruption is defined as any behavior that creates an immediate threat to the safety of students or staff. This disruption could be, but is not limited to, a threat of violence or an incident of violence resulting in injury, property damage, or assault as defined in Iowa Code 708.1. If the disruption is a violent disruption, the teacher must remove the student from the classroom and place the student under the supervision of the principal or the principal’s designee.

A student enrolled in kindergarten through grade five cannot be re-admitted into the teacher’s classroom until the principal or principal designee and the teacher meet to discuss the readmission of the student. 

A student enrolled in grades six through twelve cannot be readmitted into the teacher’s classroom until the principal or the principal designee and the teacher meet to discuss readmission. The student is not allowed to be re-admitted to the teacher’s classroom until the immediate subsequent school day at the earliest.

A student cannot be re-admitted to a teacher’s classroom if all the following criteria are met:

• The student was removed due to an assault on the teacher, and

• The teacher does not consent to allowing the student to return to the teacher’s classroom.

Should there be a determination of disciplinary action, the principal will take the disciplinary action and notify the parent or guardian of the student in writing, and if possible, through electronic notice. 

The principal must impose the maximum disciplinary action allowed under district policy when a student’s conduct, statements, or other actions:

• are severe or pervasive; and

• result in a request from the teacher for maximum disciplinary consequences.

 

Multiple Violent Disruption Removals

If a student is removed from a teacher’s classroom two or more times in a semester, then the principal will discipline the student in any of the following manners:

• Assigning the student to either in-school or out-of-school suspension; or

• Recommend to the superintendent the student be relocated in an alternative learning environment that has been approved by the superintendent.

• Removal and discipline of students with disabilities under any of these categories must comply with the provisions of applicable federal and state law.

_________________________________________________________________________

Approved:  8/10/26            Reviewed:             Revised: