804 Facilities

804.01 Facilities Inspections

A program for annual inspection, in addition to those conducted by authorized agencies, of the equipment, facilities, and grounds will be conducted as part of the maintenance schedule for District buildings and sites. The results of those inspections will be reported to the Board. The Board may conduct its own inspection of the District buildings and sites as it determines appropriate.

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Approved: 2/11/02

Reviewed: 1/9/06

Revised: 11/16/11; 7/8/13; 8/12/19; 10/13/25

804.02 District Emergency Operations Plans

The safety and security of the school community is paramount to the school district.  While there is no absolute guarantee of safety, it is the goal of the district to encourage and support a physically secure learning and working environment within its buildings.  The district shall work in conjunction with community stakeholders including local emergency management coordinators and local law enforcement agencies to create emergency operations plans for all district buildings and school buildings where students are educated.

The District shall maintain a warning system designed to inform students, employees, and visitors in District facilities of an emergency. The system shall be maintained on a regular basis under the maintenance plan for the District buildings and sites.

Students shall be informed of this system. Each classroom and office shall have a plan for helping those in need of assistance to safety during an emergency. This shall include, but not be limited to, students and employees with disabilities.

Licensed employees shall be responsible for instructing students on the proper techniques to be followed during an emergency.

The Superintendent or their designee shall be responsible for the development, review and implementation of the district emergency operations plan.  The plan shall include procedures for transmitting alerts regarding emergency situations to school personnel, students, and employers for non-school employees whose presence is regularly required in the school building. The plan will also identify methods that a parent or guardian of a student may use to communicate with the student during an emergency situation.  The emergency operations plan shall be updated and reviewed annually by the Board and shall address responses to natural disasters, active shooter scenarios and other emergencies as determined by the district.  The emergency operations plans are confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure under Iowa Code Chapter 22.  However, the district shall publish procedures for students, school personnel, parents, and family members to report possible safety threats on school grounds and at school activities.  

The administration shall hold annual emergency operations drills at each district building covered by an emergency operations plan in accordance with law.  The district shall determine which school personnel shall participate and whether local law enforcement and students participate in annual drills. 

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Approved: 1/8/90

Reviewed: 8/12/19

Revised: 11/16/11; 7/8/13; 10/13/25

804.03 Asbestos Containing Material

Friable and non-friable asbestos containing materials will be maintained in good condition and appropriate precautions will be followed when the material is disturbed. If there is a need to replace asbestos it will be replaced with non-asbestos containing materials. Each school building will maintain a copy of the District’s asbestos management plan.

The District will annually notify, appoint, and train appropriate employees as necessary.

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Approved: 11/14/88

Reviewed: 1/9/06; 8/12/19

Revised: 11/16/11; 7/8/13; 10/13/25

804.04 Stock Prescription Medication Supply

The Spirit Lake Community School District seeks to provide a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors who are at risk of potentially life-threatening incidents including severe allergic reactions, respiratory distress and opioid overdose. Therefore, it is the policy of the district to annually obtain a prescription for epinephrine auto-injectors and/or opioid antagonists from a licensed health care professional, in the name of the school district, for administration by a school nurse or personnel trained and authorized to administer to a student or individual who may be experiencing an anaphylactic reaction or acute opioid overdose. 

Procurement and maintenance of supply: The district shall stock a minimum of the following for each attendance center: 

  • One pediatric dose and one adult dose epinephrine auto-injector;
  • One dose naloxone or other opioid antagonist. 

The supply of such medication shall be maintained in a secure, easily accessible area for an emergency within the school building, or in addition to other locations as determined by the school district.

The School Nurses shall routinely check stock of medication and document in a log monthly: 

  • The expiration date; or
  • Any visualized particles or color change for epinephrine auto-injectors. 

The employee shall be responsible for ensuring the district replaces, as soon as reasonably possible, any logged epinephrine auto-injector or opioid antagonist that is empty after use, damaged or, close to expiration.,   The district shall dispose of stock medications and delivery devices in accordance with state laws and regulations. 

Training: A school nurse or personnel trained and authorized may provide or administer any of the medication listed in this policy from a school supply to a student or individual if the authorized personnel or school nurse reasonably and in good faith believes the student or individual is having an anaphylactic reaction or opioid overdose. Training to obtain a signed certificate to become personnel authorized to administer an epinephrine auto-injector or opioid antagonist shall consist of the requirements of medication administration established by law  and an annual anaphylaxis or opioid overdose training program approved by the Department of Education.

Authorized personnel will be required to retake the medication administration course, training program and provide a procedural skills demonstration to the school nurse demonstrating competency in the administration of stock epinephrine auto-injectors or opioid antagonists to retain authorization to administer these medications if the following occur: 

  • Failure to administer an epinephrine auto-injector or opioid antagonist according to generally accepted standards of practice  (“medication error”); or 
  • Accidental injection injury  to school personnel related to improperly administering the medication (“medication incident”).  

The district will contact emergency medical services (911) immediately after a stock epinephrine auto-injector or stock opioid antagonist is administered to a student or individual. The school nurse or authorized personnel will remain with the student or individual until emergency medical services arrive. 

Within 48 hours, the district will report to the Iowa Department of Education: 

  • Each medication incident with the administration of stock epinephrine or opioid antagonist; 
  • Each medication error with the administration of stock epinephrine or opioid antagonist; or 
  • The administration of a stock epinephrine auto-injector or opioid antagonist. 

As provided by law, the district, board, authorized personnel or school nurse, and the prescriber shall not be liable for any injury arising from the provision, administration, failure to administer, or assistance in the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector or opioid antagonist provided they acted reasonably and in good faith. 

Approved:  10/13/25                                 Reviewed:                                          Revised: 11/17/25

 

804.04E1 Stock Prescription Medication Supply - Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Adminstration of a Voluntary School Supply of Stock Medication for Life Threatening Incidents

_________________________________________________________  ___/___/___   __________________________     ___/___/___

Student's Name (Last), (First), (Middle)                                                          Birthday                             School                            Date

The district seeks to provide a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors who are at risk of potentially life-threatening incidents The district supplies the following prescription medications for life threatening incidents that are listed below. Generic brands may be substituted, (select all that apply):

  • Epinephrine auto-injectors
  • Opioid Antagonist

Pursuant to state law, the school district or and its employees are to incur no liability for any injury arising from the provision, administration, failure to administer, or assistance in the administration of the selected prescription medications supplied by the school for life threatening incidents provided they have acted reasonably and in good faith. The parent or guardian shall sign consent for the student to receive the voluntary school supply of stock medication listed for life threatening incidents and sign a statement acknowledging that the school district is to incur no liability as a result of administration of a prescription medication for life-threatening incidents provided the school district to have acted reasonably and in good faith. Electronic signature meets the requirement of written signature.

  • I request the above-named student be administered the voluntary stock supply of prescription medication, in the name of the school district, by a school nurse or personnel trained and authorized to administer to a student who acting reasonably and in good faith perceives the student may be experiencing symptoms associated with a life threatening incident following the administration instructions listed as identified in the required annual awareness training associated with the stock medication(s) above and after completion of the medication administration course requirements.

  • I understand the school district and its employees acting reasonably and in good faith shall incur no liability as a result of administration of the prescription medication(s) for life-threatening incidents provided the school district acted reasonably and in good faith.

___________________________________________________________________            ______________________                                                                            Parent/Guardian Signature                                                                                                         Date                                                                                         (agreed to the above statement)

 

804.04R1 Naloxone/NARCAN Administration

It is the policy of the Spirit Lake Schools to provide all students a safe and nurturing environment. The school district recognizes that many factors, including the use and misuse of prescription painkillers, can lead to the dependence on and addiction to opioids. This addiction can lead to a potential overdose and possible death among the public (students, staff, and visitors to the school district). To recognize and respond to potential life-threatening opioid overdose and deaths, the Spirit Lake School District wants to establish a plan to address this potentially life-threatening opioid overdose. Naloxone (Narcan) is a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug. Rapid administration of Naloxone may be lifesaving in patients with an overdose due to opioids.  It is both safe and effective, with no potential for abuse. Naloxone has been used by paramedics and in the emergency room for decades.

Naloxone will be stocked and maintained by the school nurse.  The naloxone will be stored in appropriately labeled and displayed containers in or near our AED units. This will allow for uniformity throughout all buildings as to the location of the naloxone in an emergency situation where it is needed.  Naloone will be stored in temperature controlled environments. The AED units and naloxone are visible by staff members but the cases are not alarmed. The AED cases and units are inspected monthly and Narcan will be inspected monthly at the same time. Inspection will be viewing the packaging and expiration date through the windows on the cases.

To treat a case of suspected opioid overdose in a school setting, any school nurse, or those trained, may administer Naloxone during an emergency to any students, staff or visitor suspected of having an opioid-related drug overdose, whether or not there is a previous history of opioid abuse. Iowa’s Good Samaritan Law, found under Iowa Code Section 613.17, states “a person, who in good faith renders emergency care of assistance without compensation, shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions occurring at the place of an emergency or accident or while the person is in transit to or from the emergency or accident or while the person is at or being moved to or from an emergency shelter-  unless such acts or omissions constitute recklessness or wilful and wanton misconduct.”  This indicates that any staff member or student who assists a person or persons who show signs of an overdose on school property and assists this person by administering aid in some form will be covered under the good Samaritan Law if they are doing so in good faith and for the safety of the patient.

 

Definition of Opioid Overdose

Opioid overdose occurs when the amount of opioid in the body is so great the individual becomes unresponsive to stimuli and breathing becomes inadequate. Lack of oxygen affects vital organs, including the heart and brain, leading to unconsciousness, coma, and eventually death. Naloxone/NARCAN is indicated for the reversal of opioid overdose in the presence of respiratory depression or unresponsiveness. 

NARCAN/naloxone is a nasal spray in a one piece pre-assembled nasal device.

Procedure

  1. Attempt to rouse and stimulate the student/patient (perform sternal rub by making a fist; rub your knuckles firmly up and down breast bone).
  2. Call 911.
  3. Notify the school nurse. (You will be following the nurse’s guidance from here on)
  4. If possible, monitor and record respirations and heart rate. Note suspected opiate overdose as evidenced by pinpoint pupils, depressed mental status, etc
  5. The School Nurse (during the school day) will guide the administration of Naloxone/NARCAN as necessary for trained individuals and per protocol.
  6. Start rescue breathing if not breathing or CPR if there is no pulse.
  7. Stay with the person until medical help arrives. Notify EMS of Naloxone/NARCAN administration.
  8. Notify the parent and school administrators if a student.

 

Reporting

As noted above, the district will contact emergency services (911) immediately after a stock opiod antagonist is administered to a student or individual. The school nurse or authorized personnel will remain with the student or individual until emergency medical services arrive.

Within 48 hours, the district will report to the Iowa Department of Education the medication incident and administration of the opiod antagonist. The district will also report any medication error with the administration of the opiod antagonist.

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Approved:  3/13/23                             Reviewed:                                       Revised: 10/13/25; 11/17/25

 

804.05 Use of Recording Devices on School Property

District-Generated Recordings

The district believes in the importance of providing a safe and enriching learning environment possible for its students.  The district uses digital recording devices on school property including school transportation vehicles to help protect the safety of district students, employees and community members; and to safeguard district property which is funded using public resources.  Additionally, district-generated recordings of students engaging in the district’s educational and extracurricular programs can be essential to engage positively with the school community and promote the value of public education. 

In order to balance privacy and safety interests, no recording devices will be utilized on district property where individuals maintain a reasonable expectation of privacy.  These areas include but are not limited to: the school nurse’s office, restrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, lactation spaces and employee break areas.

Recordings of students have the potential to be considered education records.  Any recordings will be maintained and accessed in compliance with the requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and the district’s policy on student records.  

Recordings will be digitally maintained and stored for an appropriate amount of time to maintain the safety of the educational environment and to safeguard district property, after which they will be destroyed.  The superintendent or superintendent’s designee will work with the custodian of records to establish any necessary regulations related to the secure storage, maintenance, viewing and destruction of digital recordings.

 

Non-District Generated Recordings

The use of non-district owned recording devices on school property and at school events may be regulated at the discretion of the district. Students, parents and community members will not be permitted to take recordings of other students, employees, or community members when the recording is related to education or co-curricular matters unless the recording is authorized in advance by building administration. Students and employees found to violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary measures consistent with board policy and applicable student and employee handbooks.  This policy will not be construed or enforced in a way that infringes on employee activity otherwise protected by law.  

It is important to foster a community spirit and sense of unity within the district.  However, the district acknowledges that not every student or staff member feels comfortable or safe being recorded.  At district-sponsored extracurricular events and activities, the use of non-district owned recording devices by the public may be monitored by administration if a concern is made known to district administration by a student, employee or parent.  Any individuals determined to be making recordings considered bothersome to students or staff may be asked to stop or destroy their recording and may be asked to leave the event.  

 

Approved: 10/13/25                                             Reviewed:                                                  Revised:

804.06 Radon Mitigation

The district recognizes the importance of providing healthy learning environments for students, employees and community members in district buildings.  The district will take appropriate measures as required by law to assess radon levels in attendance centers and provide for mitigation or other measures where appropriate.  

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to create administrative regulations necessary to carry out this policy.  

Approved:  10/13/25                                Reviewed:                                             Revised:

 

804.06R1 Radon Mitigation Regulation

The district will create and the board will approve a plan to assess levels of radon gas present in district attendance centers.  Funding for any costs related to radon testing or mitigation will be paid from the state school foundation aid received to the district or from revenues received from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education fund.  

Each district attendance center will undergo a short-term test for the presence of radon gas at least once by July 1, 2027.  Short-term test means a test using a device that remains in an area for two to seven days to determine the amount of radon in the air. Repeated short-term testing will occur every five years following the date of the first test. 

Radon testing will be performed by an individual certified to conduct such testing pursuant to Iowa Code section 136B.1 or by district employees who have completed a school radon testing training program approved by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Public Health.  

If the results of any short-term test at an attendance center are at or above four picocuries per liter, the district will conduct a second short-term test in spaces with elevated levels within sixty days of the first test.  If the averaged test results of the first and second tests are at or above four picocuries per liter, the district will retain an individual credentialed to develop a radon mitigation plan.  

The plan may include further diagnostic testing, corrective measures, and active mitigation.  The mitigation plan will be completed within two years of first short-term test unless the district plans to abandon or renovate the attendance center within five years and renovation includes radon mitigation.  

All new school construction will include radon resistant construction techniques.  

Approved:  10/13/25                                           Reviewed:                                                 Revised: