This series of the board policy manual is devoted to the goals and objectives for the school district's noninstructional services and business operations that assist in the delivery of the education program. These noninstructional services include, but are not limited to, transportation, the school lunch program and child care. The board, as it deems necessary, will provide additional noninstructional services to support the education program.

It is the goal of the board to provide noninstructional services and to conduct its business operations in an efficient manner.

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 12-15-08  4-17-19     Revised

Each year at its annual meeting, the board will designate by resolution the name and location of the Iowa located financial depository institution or institutions to serve as the official school district depository or depositories.  The maximum deposit amount to be kept in the depository will be stated in the resolution.  The amount stated in the resolution must be for all depositories and include all of the school district's funds.

It is the responsibility of the board secretary to include the resolution in the minutes of the meeting.

Note:  While this policy is not mandatory, the content of it is.

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 12C.2; 279.33

Cross Reference:        210.1    Annual Meeting

                                    206.4    Treasurer [or 206.3, Secretary-Treasurer]

                                    704.1    Local - State - Federal - Miscellaneous Revenue

Approved: 10-18-04      Reviewed 12-15-08; 4-17-19; 4-19-21   Revised: 4-19-21

When the necessity for a fund has ceased to exist, the balance may be transferred to another fund or account by board resolution.  School district monies received without a designated purpose may be transferred in this manner.  School district monies received for a specific purpose or upon vote of the people may only be transferred, by board resolution when the purpose for which the monies were received has been completed.  Voter approval is required to transfer monies to the general fund from the capital projects fund and debt service fund.

If all requirements for district use of funds calculated under the teacher leadership supplement are met and funds remain unexpended and unobligated at the end of the fiscal year, the district may transfer all or a portion of remaining funds into the district’s flexibility account in accordance with law.

The district may choose to request approval from the School Budget Review Committee to transfer funds to make a program whole, prior to its elimination.

Temporary transfers (loans) of funds are permitted between funds but must be repaid to the originating fund, with interest, by Oct. 1 following the end of the fiscal year.

It is the responsibility of the board secretary to make recommendations to the board regarding transfers and to provide the documentation justifying the transfer.

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 24.21-.22; 257.10; 279.8; 279.42; 298A.

                                    289 I.A.C. 6

Cross Reference:        701.3    Financial Records

                                    703       Budget

                                    704.2    Sale of Bonds

Approved 11-15-04      Reviewed 12-15-08; 4-19-21, 8-18-21      Revised 8-18-21

Financial records of the school district are maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as required or modified by law.  School district monies are received and expended from the appropriate fund and/or account.  The funds and accounts of the school district will include, but not be limited to:

Approved     10-18-04               Reviewed 12-15-08; 4-17-19; 1/21/21; 4/19/21              Revised.  4/19/21 

School district accounting practices will follow state and federal laws and regulations, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and the uniform financial accounting system provided by the Iowa Department of Education. As advised by the school district’s auditor, determination of liabilities and assets, prioritization of expenditures of governmental funds and provisions for accounting disclosures shall be made in accordance with governmental accounting standards.

In Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 54, the board identifies the order of spending unrestricted resources applying the highest level of classification of fund balance - restricted, committed, assigned, and unassigned - while honoring constraints on the specific purposes for which amounts in those fund balances can be spent. A formal board action is required to establish, modify and or rescind a committed fund balance. The resolution will state the exact dollar amount. In the event, the board chooses to make changes or rescind the committed fund balance, formal board action is required.

The Board authorizes the superintendent or board secretary to assign amounts to a specific purpose in compliance with GASB 54. An ‘assigned fund balance’ should also be reported in the order of spending unrestricted resources, but is not restricted or committed.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations implementing this policy. It is also the responsibility of the superintendent to make recommendations to the board regarding fund balance designations.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 257.31(4); 279.8; 297.22-.25; 298A.

Cross Reference:
701.3 Financial Records
703 Budget
704 Revenue

Approved _6-20-11      Reviewed 4-17-19      Revised ____________

The amount of cash that may be kept in the school building for any one day is sufficient for that day's operations. 

A minimal amount of cash is kept in the central administration office at the close of the day.  Excess cash is deposited in the authorized depository of the school district.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee to develop administrative regulations to determine the amount of cash necessary for each day's operations, to establish any necessary petty cash accounts, to determine how often deposits must be made and to comply with this policy.

Note:  It is best practice for districts to specify the amount of petty cash they will keep on hand, establish any needed petty cash accounts and determine how often deposits will be made, however, there are no legal requirements for these practices.  These should reflect the needs of your district. 

Legal Reference:        Iowa Code § 279.8

Cross Reference:        701.1    Depository of Funds

                                    704      Revenue

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 12-15-08; 4/19/21      Revised  4-19-21

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 12-15-08, 10-21-20; 4/19/21, 9-15-21       Revised  4/19/21

The budget of the school district is the authority for the expenditures of the school district for the fiscal year for which the budget was adopted and certified. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to operate the school district within the budget.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 24.9.

Cross Reference:

703 Budget
704 Revenue

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 12-15-08  4-17-19     Revised

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 1-19-09; 4/19/21      Revised  4/19/21

The board may conduct an election for the authority to issue bonded indebtedness as authorized by Iowa law. Revenues generated from an approved bond issue are used only for the purpose stated on the ballot. Once the purpose on the ballot is completed, any balance remaining in a capital projects fund may be retained for future capital projects in accordance with the purpose stated on the ballot;transferred by board resolution to the debt service fund, the physical plant and equipment levy fund, another capital project fund, or to the fund from which the surplus originated; or transferred to the general fund in accordance with Iowa law. Voter approval is required to transfer monies to the general fund from the capital projects fund.

Revenues received from the issuing of bonded indebtedness are deposited into the capital projects fund.

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 1-19-09      Revised  4-17-19 

School district funds in excess of current needs are invested in compliance with this policy. The goals of the school district's investment portfolio in order of priority are:

• To provide safety of the principal;
• To maintain the necessary liquidity to match expected liabilities; and
• To obtain a reasonable rate of return.

In making investments, the school district will exercise the care, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use to meet the goals of the investment program.

School district funds are monies of the school district, including operating funds. "Operating funds" of the school district are funds which are reasonably expected to be used during a current budget year or within fifteen months of receipt. When investing operating funds, the investments must mature within three hundred and ninety-seven days or less. When investing funds other than operating funds, the investments must mature according to the need for the funds.

The board authorizes the treasurer to invest funds in excess of current needs in the following investments.

• Interest bearing savings, money market, and checking accounts at the school district's
• authorized depositories;
• Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust Program (ISJIT);
• Obligations of the United States government, its agencies and instrumentalities; and,
•  Certificates of deposit and other evidences of deposit at federally insured Iowa depository institutions.

It is the responsibility of the treasurer to oversee the investment portfolio in compliance with this policy and the law.

It is the responsibility of the treasurer to bring a contract with an outside person to invest school district funds, to advise on investments, to direct investments, to act in a fiduciary capacity or to perform other services to the board for review and approval. The treasurer will also provide the board with information about and verification of the outside person's fiduciary bond. Contracts with outside persons will include a clause requiring the outside person to notify the school district within thirty days of any material weakness in internal structure or regulatory orders or sanctions against the outside person regarding the services being provided to the school district and to provide the documents necessary for the performance of the investment portion of the school district audit. The compensation of the outside persons will not be based on the performance of the investment portfolio.

The treasurer is responsible for reporting to and reviewing with the board at its regular meetings the investment portfolio's performance, transaction activity and current investments including the percent of the investment portfolio by type of investment and by issuer and maturities. The report will also include trend lines by month over the last year and year-to-year trend lines regarding the performance of the investment portfolio. It will also be the responsibility of the treasurer to obtain the information necessary to ensure that the investments and the outside persons doing business with the school district meet the requirements outlined in this policy.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to deliver a copy of this policy to the school district's depositories, auditor and outside persons doing investment business with the school district.

It will also be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the treasurer, to develop a system of investment practices and internal controls over the investment practices. The investment practices are designed to prevent losses, to document the officers' and employees' responsibility for elements of the investment process and address the capability of the management.

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 1-19-09   4-17-19    Revised

The board believes gifts, grants, and bequests to the school district may be accepted when they will further the interests of the school district.

The board, a board member or the superintendent may accept the gift on behalf of the school district. Gifts, grants, and bequests once accepted on behalf of the school district become the property of the school district. Gifts, grants, and bequests are administered in accordance with terms, if any, agreed to by the board.

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 1-19-09   4-17-19    Revised

Approved 10-18-04       Reviewed 1-19-09; 4-17-19; 4/19/21     Revised 4/19/21

The Diagonal Board of Education believes online fundraising campaigns, including crowdfunding campaigns, may further the interests of the district. Any person or entity acting on behalf of the district and wishing to conduct an online fundraising campaign for the benefit of the district shall begin the process by seeking prior approval from the Superintendent. Any fundraising efforts conducted using the district’s name, symbols or imagery will be conducted in accordance with all polices, regulations and rules for fundraising within the district.  Money or items raised by an online fundraising campaign will be the property of the district only upon acceptance by the board, and will be used only in accordance with the terms for which they were given, as agreed to by the board.

Approval of requests shall depend on factors including, but not limited to:

·       Compatibility with the district’s educational program, mission, vision, core values, and beliefs;

·       Congruence with the district and school goals that positively impact student performance;

·       The district’s instructional priorities;

·       The manner in which donations are collected and distributed by the crowdfunding platform; 

·       Equity in funding; and

·       Other factors deemed relevant or appropriate by the district.

If approved, the requestor shall be responsible for preparing all materials and information related to the online fundraising campaign and keeping district administration apprised of the status of the campaign.

The requestor is responsible for compliance with all state and federal laws and other relevant district policies and procedures. All items and money generated are subject to the same controls and regulations as other district property and shall be deposited or inventoried accordingly. No money raised or items purchased shall be distributed to individual employees.

NOTE: This is an optional policy.

NOTE: Online fundraising campaigns have become an increasingly popular mechanism for individual educators to raise money. “Crowdfunding” can be defined as, the use of small amounts of capital from a large number of individuals to finance a project, business venture, or to fundraise for a specific cause or charity. For examples of organizations dedicated to crowdfunding for education please visit:

·       DonorsChoose.org, an organization with a mission to empower “public school teachers from across the country to request much-needed materials and experiences for their students."

·       AdoptAClassroom.org, an organization with a mission to give “teachers a hand by providing needed classroom materials so that students can succeed.”

NOTE: As districts determine the appropriate approval process, consider other issues that may need to be approved in addition to the project itself. For example, does the administrator approve the text of the entry that will appear online or photographs of the classroom and students?

Legal Reference:        Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 279.42; 565.6.

Cross Reference:        508.1    Class or Student Group Gifts

                                    504.5    Student Fundraising

                                    704.4    Gifts – Grants – Bequests

                                    904.2    Advertising and Promotion

Approved: 4/19/21                           Reviewed: 4/19/21                             Revised: 4/19/21                    

The board supports economic development in Iowa. Purchases by the school district will be made in Iowa for Iowa goods and services from a locally-owned business located within the school district or from an Iowa-based company which offers these goods or services, if the cost and other considerations are relatively equal and they meet the required specifications. When spending federal Child Nutrition Funds, geographical preference is allowed only for unprocessed agricultural food items.  Other statutory purchasing preferences will be applied as provided by law.  The Superintendent or designee is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal suspension and disbarment requirements. 

Prior to August 15 of each year and after analyzing the school district's anticipated procurement level for the current fiscal year, the school board will set a goal of ten percent of the anticipated procurement level to be purchased from certified targeted small businesses. In determining the procurement level, the cost of utilities (heat, electricity, telephone and natural gas) and employees' costs will not be included. After the goal has been established, the superintendent will file the required Targeted Small Business Procurement form with the Department of Education by August 15.

By July 31 of each year, the superintendent will file a report with the Department of Education outlining purchases of goods and services from targeted small businesses for the previous fiscal year.

The school board and superintendent will encourage targeted small businesses which are not certified with the Department of Inspections and Appeals to become certified targeted small businesses.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to approve purchases, except those authorized by or requiring direct board action. The superintendent may coordinate and combine purchases with other governmental bodies to take advantage of volume price breaks. Joint purchases with other political subdivisions will be considered in the purchase of equipment, accessories or attachments with an estimated cost of $50,000 or more.

The superintendent will have the authority to authorize purchases without competitive bids for goods and services costing under $5,000 without prior board approval. For goods and services costing more than $ 5,000 and less than $25,000, the superintendent will receive quote(s) of the goods and services to be purchased prior to approval of the board. Competitive sealed bids are required for purchases, other than emergency purchases, for goods and services that cost $25,000 or more, including school buses.

When using federal Child Nutrition funds to purchase goods and services, dollars spent annually must be estimated. It is acceptable to categorize (e.g. groceries, milk, produce, small equipment, large equipment, supplies, and chemicals). A formal sealed bid procurement process is required when annual spending in the category exceeds $25,000 annually. An informal process is used for all other purchases under the threshold annually. Documentation of informal procurement activity is kept on file.

The purchase will be made from the lowest responsible bidder based upon total cost considerations including, but not limited to, the cost of the goods and services being purchased, availability of service and/or repair, delivery date, the targeted small business procurement goal and other factors deemed relevant by the board.

The board and the superintendent will have the right to reject any or all bids, or any part thereof, and to re-advertise. If it is determined that a targeted small business which bid on the project may be unable to perform the contract, the superintendent will notify the Department of Economic Development. The board will enter into such contract or contracts as the board deems in the best interests of the school district.

Approved _10-18-04     Reviewed __1-19-09      Revised __12-20-11  4-17-19 

The board authorizes the issuance payment of claims against the school district for goods and services. The board will allow the payment after the goods and services have been received and accepted in compliance with board policy and the claims audited by the board.

Claims for payment of freight, drayage, express, postage, printing, water, lights, telephone, rents, archery meet fees and payment of salaries pursuant to the terms of a written contract may be paid by the board secretary prior to formal audit and approval by the board. In addition, the secretary, upon approval of the board president, may issue warrants for verified bills filed with the secretary when the board is not in session prior to payment and prior to audit and approval by the board.

The board secretary will examine the claims and verify bills.

The secretary will determine to the secretary's satisfaction that the claims presented to the board are in order and are legitimate expenses of the school district. It is the responsibility of the secretary to bring claims to the board.

The board president and board secretary may sign warrants by use of a signature plate or rubber stamp. If the board president is unavailable to personally sign warrants, the vice president may sign warrants on behalf of the president.

Legal Reference:

Iowa Code §§ 19B.8; 23A.3; 26; 72.3; 73; 274.1; 279; 291.6; 291.7; 291.8; 291.12; 721.2(2); 261 I.A.C. 54; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(1).  

Cross Reference: 705 Expenditures

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 1-19-09  4-17-19     Revised  2-15-23

The payroll period for the school district is monthly. Employees are paid on the 20 day of each month. If this day is a holiday, recess, or weekend, the payroll is paid on the last working day prior to the holiday, recess or weekend.

It is the responsibility of the board secretary to issue payroll to employees in compliance with this policy.

To the extent it conflicts with this policy, all employees under contract shall be paid in accordance with the provision of their signed contract.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 91A.2(4), .3.

Cross Reference: 706.2 Payroll Deductions

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 4-20-09      Revised  4-17-19 

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 4-20-09; 4/19/21      Revised  4/19/21

The district provides leaves of absences to allow employees to be absent from work to attend to important matters outside of the workplace. As public employers, school districts are expected to record and monitor the work that employees perform and to conform to principles of public accountability in their compensation practices.

Consistent with principles of public accountability, it is the policy of the district that, when an employee is absent from work for less than one work day and the employee does not use accrued leave for such absence, the employee’s pay will be reduced or the employee will be placed on leave without pay if:

·       the employee has not sought permission to use paid leave for this partial-day absence,

·       the employee has sought permission to use paid leave for this partial-day absence and permission has been denied,

·       the employee’s accrued paid leave has been exhausted, or,

·       the employee chooses to use leave without pay.

In each case in which an employee is absent from work for part of a work day, a deduction from compensation will be made or the employee will be placed on leave without pay for a period of time which is equal to the employee’s absence from the employee’s regularly scheduled hours of work on that day.

NOTE:   This is a mandatory policy.

Legal Reference:                 29 U.S.C. Sec. 2 13(a)

29 C.F.R. Part 541

Cross References:              409.2 – Employee Leaves of Absence

Approved: 4/19/21                                            Received: 4/19/21                                                  Revised: 4/19/21                           

At the annual meeting, the treasurer will give the annual report stating the amount held over, received, paid out, and on hand in the general and all other funds.  This report is in written form and sent to the board with the agenda for the board meeting.  The treasurer will also furnish the board with a statement from each depository showing the balance then on deposit.

It is the responsibility of the treasurer to submit this report to the board annually.

NOTE:  The sentence regarding the statement from the depository bank is a legal requirement.

Legal Reference:        Iowa Code §§ 279.31, .33.

Cross Reference:        206.4    Treasurer [or 206.3, Secretary-Treasurer]

                                    210.1    Annual Meeting

                                    707      Fiscal Reports

Approved: 4/19/21                      Reviewed: 4/19/21, 9-15-21                        Revised: 4/19/21                     

Each month the schedule of bills allowed by the board is published in a newspaper designated as a newspaper for official publication. Annually, the total salaries paid to employees regularly employed by the school district will also be published in a newspaper designated as a newspaper for official publication.

It is the responsibility of the board secretary to publish these reports in a timely manner.

Legal Reference:

Iowa Code §§ 279.35, .36.

Cross Reference: 206.3 Secretary [or Secretary-Treasurer]

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 4-20-09, 4-17-19, 10-21-20, 9-15-21    Revised

Approved: 10-18-04      Reviewed: 4-20-09; 4-17-19; 4-19-21     Revised: 4-19-21

The board expects all board members, employees, volunteers, consultants, vendors, contractors, students and other parties maintaining any relationship with the school district to act with integrity, due diligence, and in accordance with all laws in their duties involving the school district’s resources.  The board is entrusted with public dollars and no one connected with the school district should do anything to erode that trust.

Internal controls are used to help ensure the integrity of district financial and accounting information. Adherence to district-established internal control procedures is the responsibility of all employees of the school district. The superintendent, business manager and board secretary shall be responsible for developing internal controls designed to prevent and detect fraud, financial impropriety, or fiscal irregularities within the school district subject to review and approval by the board.  Administrators shall be alert for any indication of fraud, financial impropriety, or irregularity within the administrator’s area of responsibility.

Any employee who suspects fraud, impropriety, or irregularity shall report their suspicions immediately to their immediate supervisor, and/ or the superintendent.  The superintendent shall have primary responsibility for any necessary investigations and shall coordinate investigative efforts with the board’s legal counsel, auditing firm, the Auditor of State's office and other internal or external departments and agencies, including law enforcement officials, as the superintendent may deem appropriate.

Employees bringing forth a legitimate concern about a potential impropriety will not be retaliated against and those who do retaliate against such an employee will be subject to disciplinary action up to, and including, discharge.

In the event the concern or complaint involves the superintendent, the concern shall be brought to the attention of the board president or vice-president, who shall be empowered to contact the board’s legal counsel, Auditor of State's office, insurance agent, auditing firm, and any other agency to investigate the concern or complaint.

The superintendent or board president shall ensure the Auditor of State’s office is notified as required by law of any suspected embezzlement, theft or other financial irregularity pursuant to Iowa law.  The superintendent and/or board president in coordination with the Auditor of State’s office, will determine whether to conduct a complete or partial audit.  The superintendent is authorized to order a complete forensic audit if, in the superintendent’s judgment, such an audit would be useful and beneficial to the school district.  In the event there is an investigation, records will be maintained for use in the investigation.  Individuals found to have altered or destroyed records will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Legal References:        

American Competitiveness and Corporate Accountability Act of 2002, Pub. L.

No. 107-204.

Iowa Code §§ 11, 279.8.

Cross References:        

401.12     Employee Use of Cell Phones

707.6       Audit Committee

Approved: 4/19/21                       Revised: 4/19/21, 9-15-21            Reviewed: 4/19/21  

The board will maintain a comprehensive insurance program to provide adequate coverage against major types of risk, loss, or damage, as well as legal liability. The board will purchase insurance at replacement values, when possible, after reviewing the costs and availability of such insurance. The comprehensive insurance program is reviewed once every three years. Insurance will only be purchased through legally licensed Iowa insurance agents.

The school district will assume the risk of property damage, legal liability, and dishonesty in cases in which the exposure is so small or dispersed that a loss does not significantly affect the operation of the education program or financial condition of the school district.

The board may retain a private organization for fixed assets management services.

Administration of the insurance program, making recommendations for additional insurance coverage, placing the insurance coverage and loss prevention activities is the responsibility of the superintendent. The Superintendent/Business Manager is responsible for maintaining the fixed assets management system, processing claims and maintaining loss records.

 
Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed   4-17-19    Revised 4-20-09

The school district will operate a school lunch and breakfast program in each attendance center. The school food program services will include hot lunches through participation in the National School Lunch Program and supplementary foods for students during the school day. Students may bring their lunches from home and purchase milk or juice and other incidental items.

School food service facilities are provided to serve students and employees when school is in session and during school-related activities. They may also be used under the authorization of the Superintendent for food service to employee groups, parent-teacher meetings, civic organizations meeting for the purpose of better understanding the schools, and senior citizens in accordance with board policy.

The school food program is operated on a nonprofit basis. The revenues of the school food program will be used only for paying the regular operating costs of the school food program. Supplies of the school food program will only be used for the school food program.

The board will set, and periodically review, the prices for school lunches, breakfast and special milk programs. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation regarding the prices of school lunch, breakfast and milk.

It is the responsibility of Food Services Director to administer the program and to cooperate with the superintendent and head cook for the proper functioning of the school food program.  The District’s meal program shall be operated in accordance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations to qualify it for financial assistance.  The superintendent or designee is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal suspension and disbarment requirements. 

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 5-18-09, 10-21-2020, 9-15-21       Revised  4-17-19 

The board shall establish fees and charges for the school meal program.  Free or reduced-price meals shall be provided to those students whose parents or guardians are unable to pay the full cost of the meal subject to federal and state laws and rules and regulations.  The income guidelines and the procedures for applying for free and reduced-priced meals shall be publicy announced at the beginning of each school year. 

It is the responsibility of the superintendent's secretary to determine if a student qualifies for free or reduced cost school food services. Students, whom the principal believes are improperly nourished, will not be denied the school food program services simply because the paperwork has not been completed.  There shall be no physical segregation or other discrimination against any child eligible for free or reduced-price meals, nor shall there be any identification of any eligible student by special meal tickets or published lists of names.  The names of students receiving free or reduced-price meals shall not be made known to any person except necessary staff members.

Employees, students and others will be required to pre-pay for meals consumed.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for implementing this policy.

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 5-18-09      Revised  1-15-13  4-17-19 

Food served or purchased by students during the school day and food served or purchased for other than special circumstances is approved by the superintendent.  Vending machines in the school building are the responsibility of the building principal.  Purchases from the vending machines will reflect the guidelines in the Wellness Policy 507.9.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for the use of vending machines and other sales of food to students.

Legal Reference:           42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq. (2010).

                                    7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq. (2010).

                                    Iowa Code ch. 283A (2013).

                                    281 I.A.C. 58.

Elementary and middle school students living more than two miles from their designated school attendance centers and high school students living more than three miles from their designated attendance centers are entitled to transportation to and from their attendance center at the expense of the school district.

Transportation of students who require special education services will generally be provided as for other students, when appropriate. Specialized transportation of a student to and from a special education instructional service is a function of that service and, therefore, an appropriate expenditure of special education instructional funds generated through the weighting plan.

Transportation of a student to and from a special education support service is a function of that service, and is specified in the individualized education program (IEP) or the individualized family service plan (IFSP). When the IEP or IFSP team determines that unique transportation arrangements are required and the arrangements are specified in the IEP or IFSP, the school district will provide one or more of the following transportation arrangements for instructional services and the AEA for support services:

• Transportation from the student's residence to the location of the special education and back to
• the student's residence, or child care placement for students below the age of six.
• Special assistance or adaptations in getting the student to and from and on and off the vehicle,
• enroute to and from the special education.
• Reimbursement of the actual costs of transportation when by mutual agreement the parents provide transportation for the student to and from the special education.

The school district is not required to provide reimbursement to parents who elect to provide transportation in lieu of agency-provided transportation.

A student may be required, at the board's discretion, to meet a school vehicle without reimbursement up to three-fourths of a mile. The board may require the parent to transport their children up to two miles to connect with school bus vehicles at the expense of the school district when conditions deem it advisable. It is within the discretion of the board to determine such conditions. Parents of students who live where transportation by bus is impracticable or unavailable may be required to furnish transportation to and from the designated attendance center at the expense of the school district. Parents, who transport their children at the expense of the school district, are reimbursed at the rate per mile set by the state.

Transportation arrangements made by agreement with a neighboring school district will follow the terms of the agreement. Students, who choose to attend a school in a school district other than their resident school district, will provide transportation to and from the school at their own expense.

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 5-18-09   4-17-19    Revised

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 5-18-09  4-17-19, 8-18-21     Revised 8-18-21

The board in its discretion may provide school district transportation for extracurricular activities including, but not limited to, transporting student participants and other students to and from extracurricular events.

Students participating or attending extracurricular events, other than those held at the school district facilities, may be transported to the extracurricular event by school district transportation vehicles or by another means approved by the superintendent.

Students, who are provided transportation in school district transportation vehicles for extracurricular events, will ride both to and from the event in the school vehicle unless arrangements have been made with the building principal prior to the event. A student's parent may personally appear and request to transport the student home from a school-sponsored event in which the student traveled to the event on a school district transportation vehicle.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board annually as to whether the school district will provide the transportation authorized in this policy. In making the recommendation to the board, the superintendent will consider the financial condition of the school district, the number of students who would qualify for such transportation, and other factors the board or superintendent deem relevant.

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 5-18-09  4-17-19  10-21-20, 9-15-21     Revised

The school district may use school vehicles for transportation to and from summer extracurricular activities. The superintendent will make a recommendation to the board annually regarding their use.

Transportation to and from the student's attendance center for summer school instructional programs is within the discretion of the board. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation regarding transportation of students in summer school instructional programs at the expense of the school district. In making the recommendation to the board, the superintendent will consider the financial condition of the school district, the number of students involved in summer school programs, and other factors deemed relevant by the board or the superintendent.

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 5-18-09  4-17-19   10-21-20, 9-15-21      Revised

School district vehicles may be available to local nonprofit entities which promote cultural, educational, civic, community, or recreational activities for transporting to and from non-school-sponsored activities within the state as long as the transportation does not interfere with or disrupt the education program of the school district and does not interfere with or delay the transportation of students. The local nonprofit entity must pay the cost of using the school district vehicle as determined by the superintendent. Prior to making the school district transportation vehicle available to the local nonprofit entity, the "school bus" signs will be covered and the flashing warning lamps and the stop arm made inoperable.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for use of school district transportation vehicles to transport students and others to school-sponsored events within the state and for application for, use of, and payment for using the school district transportation vehicles by local nonprofit entities for a non-school-sponsored activity.

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 5-18-09  4-17-19  10-21-20, 9-15-21         Revised

School district vehicles may be available to local nonprofit entities which promote cultural, educational, civic, community, or recreational activities for transporting to and from nonschool-sponsored activities within the state as long as the transportation does not interfere with or disrupt the education program of the school district and does not interfere with or delay the transportation of students. The local nonprofit entity must pay the cost of using the school district vehicle as determined by the superintendent. Prior to making the school district transportation vehicle available to the local nonprofit entity, the "school bus" signs will be covered and the flashing warning lamps and the stop arm made inoperable.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for use of school district transportation vehicles to transport students and others to school-sponsored events within the state and for application for, use of, and payment for using the school district transportation vehicles by local nonprofit entities for a nonschool-sponsored activity.

Legal Reference:

Iowa Code §§ 285.1(21), .10(9), (10) (2005).
281 I.A.C. 41.412; 43.10

Cross Reference:

711 Transportation
900 Principles and Objectives for Community Relations

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 5-18-09      Revised

The school district will conduct school bus safe riding practices instruction and emergency safety drills at least twice during the school year for students who utilize school district transportation.

Each school bus vehicle will have, in addition to the regular emergency safety drill, a plan for helping those students who require special assistance to safety during an emergency. This will include, but not be limited to, students with disabilities.

Employees are responsible for instructing the proper techniques to be followed during an emergency, as well as safe riding practices. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 5-18-09  4-17-19     Revised

School district buses will not operate when weather conditions due to fog, rain, snow or other natural elements make it unsafe to do so. Because weather conditions may vary around the school district and may change quickly, the best judgment possible will be used with the information available.

The final judgment as to when conditions are unsafe to operate will be made by the superintendent. The superintendent will be assisted by the actual "on location" reports of the drivers and/or the recommendation of the Transportation Director.

Several drivers each year will be specially designated to report weather and road conditions by bus radio when requested to do so. Other employees and students will be notified by commercial radio when school is cancelled or temporarily delayed. When school is cancelled because of weather anywhere in the school district, all schools will be closed.

When weather conditions deteriorate during the day after school has begun, cancellation notices will be announced by commercial radio. Students will be returned to their regular drop-off sites unless weather conditions prevent it. In that case, students will be kept at or returned to school until they are picked up by the parents.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8.

Cross Reference: 601.2 School Day

Approved 10-18-04      Reviewed 5-18-09  4-17-19     Revised

The board recognizes that it has a role in reducing environmental pollutants and in assisting students and others be free from pollutants that may impact their respiratory health. Unnecessary vehicle idling emits pollutants and wastes fuel. The board directs the superintendent, in conjunction with the Director of Transportation, to work on administrative regulations to implement this policy and reduce school vehicle idling time.

Legal References: Iowa Code §279.8.

Cross References:

403 Employee Health and Well-Being
507 Student Health and Well-Being
711 Transportation

Approved 9-30-2010      Reviewed  4-17-19     Revised