SECTION II - DISTRICT POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK (4.42)

It shall be the policy of the West Fork School District that the most recently adopted version of the Student Handbook be incorporated by reference into the policies of this district. In the event that there is a conflict between the student handbook and a general board policy or policies, the more recently adopted language will be considered binding and controlling on the matter provided the parent(s) of the student, or the student if 18 years of age or older have acknowledged receipt of the controlling language. 

Principals shall review all changes to student policies and ensure that such changes are provided to students and parents, either in the Handbook or, if changes are made after the handbook is printed, as an addendum to the handbook.

Principals and counselors shall also review Policies 4.45—SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS and the current DESE Standards for Accreditation Rules to ensure that there is no conflict. If a conflict exists, the Principal and/or Counselor shall notify the Superintendent and Curriculum Coordinator immediately, so that corrections may be made and notice of the requirements given to students and parents.

4.7WF—ABSENCES

If any student’s Individual Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan conflicts with this policy, the requirements of the student’s IEP or 504 Plan take precedence.

Education is more than the grades students receive in their courses. Important as that is, students’ regular attendance at school, whether in person or digitally, is essential to their social and cultural development and helps prepare them to accept responsibilities they will face as an adult. Interactions with other students and participation in the instruction within the classroom enrich the learning environment and promote a continuity of instruction which results in higher student achievement.

Absences for students enrolled in synchronous digital courses shall be determined in the same manner as for District students attending courses in person.

Excused Absences

Excused absences are those where the student was on official school business or when the absence was due to one of the following reasons:

  1. The student’s illness or when attendance could jeopardize the health of other students. A maximum of five (5) such days are allowed per semester unless the condition(s) causing such absences is of a chronic or recurring nature, is medically documented, and approved by the principal.
  2. Death or serious illness in their immediate family;
  3. Observance of recognized holidays observed by the student's faith;
  4. Attendance at an appointment with a government agency;
  5. Attendance at a medical appointment;
  6. Exceptional circumstances with prior approval of the principal; or
  7. Participation in an FFA, FHA, or 4-H sanctioned activity;
  8. Participation in the election poll workers program for high school students.
  9. Absences granted to allow a student to visit his/her parent or legal guardian who is a member of the military and been called to active duty, is on leave from active duty, or has returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting. The number of additional excused absences shall be at the discretion of the superintendent or designee.
  10. Absences granted, at the Superintendent's discretion, to seventeen (17) year-old students who join the Arkansas National Guard while in eleventh grade to complete basic combat training between grades eleven (11) and (12).
  11. Absences for students excluded from school by the Arkansas Department of Health during a disease outbreak because the student has an immunization waiver or whose immunizations are not up to date.
  12. Absences due to conditions related to pregnancy or parenting, including without limitation:
    • Labor, delivery, and recovery;
    • Prenatal and postnatal medical appointments and other medically necessary, pregnancy-related absences;
    • The illness or medical appointment of a child belonging to a parent who is enrolled at a District school;
    • A legal appointment related to pregnancy or parenting, including without limitation:
    • Adoption;
    • Custody; and
    • Visitation;
    • A reasonable amount of time to accommodate a lactating student’s need to express breast milk or to breastfeed the student’s child on the District’s campus; and
    • At least ten (10) school days of absences for both a parenting mother and a parenting father after the birth of a child.

Students who serve as pages for a member of the General Assembly shall be considered on instructional assignment and shall not be considered absent from school for the day the student is serving as a page.

Up to one (1) time during each scheduled election, a student shall not be considered absent from school for the time the student accompanies the student's parent when the parent is exercising the parent’s right to vote in a scheduled election.

In order for the absence to be considered excused, the student must:

  1. Bring a written statement to the principal or designee upon the student’s return to school from the student’s parent, legal guardian or treating physician stating the reason for the student’s absence;
  2. If the student is attending the District’s courses digitally, upload a written statement from the student’s parent, legal guardian, or treating physician stating the reason for the student’s absence through the District’s digital course management platform for review by the principal or designee; or
  3. Provide documentation as proof of a student's participation in an activity or program scheduled and approved by the 4-H program that is provided by a 4-H county extension agent, 4-H educator, or other appropriate entity associated with the 4-H activity or program.

A written statement presented or uploaded for an absence having occurred more than five (5) school days prior to its presentation or upload will not be accepted.

Unexcused Absences

Absences that are not defined above; do not have an accompanying note from the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, person standing in loco parentis, the student’s treating physician, or a 4-H county extension agent, 4-H educator, or other appropriate entity associated with the 4-H activity or program; or have an accompanying note that is not presented or uploaded within the timeline required by this policy, shall be considered as unexcused absences. Students with six (6) unexcused absences in a course in a semester may not receive credit for that course. At the discretion of the principal after consultation with persons having knowledge of the circumstances of the unexcused absences, the student may be denied promotion or graduation. Excessive absences shall not be a reason for expulsion or dismissal of a student.

When a student has three (3) unexcused absences in a semester, his/her parents, legal guardians, persons with lawful control of the student, or persons standing in loco parentis shall be notified. Notification shall be by telephone by the end of the school day in which such absence occured or by regular mail with a return address sent no later than the following school day.

When a student has four (4) unexcused absences in a semester, the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or persons standing in loco parentis will be mailed a second letter notifying them of the unexcused absences. Additionally, the building’s principal or designee will make a phone call to the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or persons standing in loco parentis to discuss attendance concerns.

Whenever a student exceeds four (4) unexcused absences in a semester, the District shall notify the prosecuting authority and the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or persons standing in loco parentis shall be subject to a civil penalty as prescribed by law. The parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or persons standing in loco parentis will be asked to come to the school to meet with the building principal to discuss the reasoning for the unexcused absences. The principal after having knowledge of the circumstances of the unexcused absences will then determine whether or not if the student will be denied credit, promotion, or graduation.

Between the sixth (6th) and eight (8th) unexcused absence, a building administrator and resource officer will attempt to make a home visit to discuss the reasons for the excessive absenteeism.

When a student has eight (8) unexcused absences in a semester, a report will be faxed by the building counselor to the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline for educational neglect.

When a student has ten (10) unexcused absences in a semester, a Family in Need of Services (FINS) petition will be filed by the building principal to the juvenile court system.

It is the Arkansas General Assembly’s intention that students having excessive absences be given assistance in obtaining credit for their courses. Therefore, at any time prior to when a student exceeds the number of unexcused absences permitted by this policy, the student, or his/her parent, legal guardian, person with lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis may petition the school or district’s administration for special arrangements to address the student’s unexcused absences. If formal arrangements are granted, they shall be formalized into a written agreement which will include the conditions of the agreement and the consequences for failing to fulfill the agreement’s requirements. The agreement shall be signed by the student, the student’s parent; legal guardian; person having lawful control of the student; or person standing in loco parentis, and the school or district administrator or designee.

Students who attend in-school suspension shall not be counted absent for those days.

Days missed due to out-of-school suspension or expulsion shall be unexcused absences.

The District shall notify the Department of Finance and Administration whenever a student fourteen (14) years of age or older is no longer in school. The Department of Finance and Administration is required to suspend the former student’s operator’s license unless he/she meets certain requirements specified in the statute.


TARDIES (4.9)

Promptness is an important character trait that District staff is encouraged to model and help develop in our schools’ students. At the same time, promptness is the responsibility of each student. Students who are late to class show a disregard for both the teacher and their classmates which compromises potential student achievement.

STUDENT TRANSFERS (4.4)

Transfer applications received by the District shall be placed on the Board’s next meeting agenda. At least five (5) days before the meeting where the transfer application appears on the agenda, the superintendent shall notify the Board regarding:

Each transfer application shall be considered individually and receive a separate vote by the Board. The parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis to a student who submits a transfer application shall be given at least five (5) minutes to present the student's case for a transfer to the Board.

The Board may reject a non resident application for admission if its acceptance would necessitate the addition of staff or classrooms, exceed the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or school building, or cause the District to provide educational services not currently provided in the affected school. The District shall reject applications that would cause it to be out of compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding desegregation.

If the superintendent intends to recommend the Board deny the transfer application, the superintendent shall provide a written explanation of the reasons for the recommendation to the Board and the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis to the student.

Any student transferring from a school accredited by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to a school in this district shall be placed into the same grade the student would have been in had the student remained at the former school. Any grades, course credits, and/or promotions received by a student while enrolled in the Division of Youth Services system of education shall be considered transferable in the same manner as those grades, course credits, and promotions from other accredited Arkansas public educational entities.

Any student transferring from homeschool or a school that is not accredited by the DESE to a District school shall be evaluated by District staff to determine the student’s appropriate grade placement. A student transferring from homeschool will be placed in accordance with Policy 4.6—HOMESCHOOLING.

Any person who has been expelled from any other school district shall receive a hearing before the Board at the time the student is seeking enrollment in the District. The Board reserves the right to not allow the enrollment of such students until the time of the person's expulsion has expired following the hearing before the Board.

Except as otherwise required or permitted by law, the responsibility for transportation of any nonresident student admitted to a school in this District shall be borne by the student or the student’s parents. The District and the resident district may enter into a written agreement with the student or student’s parents to provide transportation to or from the District, or both.

SCHOOL CHOICE (4.5WF)

Standard School Choice

Definition:

"Sibling" means each of two (2) or more children having a common parent in common by blood, adoption, marriage, or foster care.

Transfers Into the District

Capacity Determination and Public Pronouncement

The Board of Directors will annually adopt a resolution containing the capacity standards of the District. The resolution will contain the acceptance determination criteria identified by academic program, class, grade level, and individual school. The school is not obligated to add any teachers, other staff, or classrooms to accommodate choice applications. The District may only deny a Standard School Choice application if the District has a lack of capacity by the District having reached ninety percent (90%) of the maximum student population in a program, class, grade level, or school building authorized by the Standards or other State/Federal law

The District shall advertise in appropriate broadcast media and either print media or on the Internet to inform students and parents in adjoining districts of the range of possible openings available under the School Choice program. The public pronouncements shall state the application deadline and the requirements and procedures for participation in the program; and include contact information for the primary point of contact at the District for school choice questions. Such pronouncements shall be made no later than January 1.

Application Process

The student's parent shall submit a school choice application on a form approved by the DESE to this district and the student’s resident district. Except for students who are transferring under Uniformed Service Member Dependent School Choice the transfer applications must be postmarked, emailed, or hand delivered between January 1 and May 1 of the year preceding the fall semester the applicant would begin school in the District. The District shall date and time stamp all applications the District receives as both the resident and nonresident district as they are received in the District's central office. Except for applications from students who are transferring under Uniformed Service Member Dependent School Choice applications postmarked, emailed, or hand-delivered on or after May 2 will not be accepted. Statutorily, preference is required to be given to siblings of students who are already enrolled in the District. Therefore, siblings whose applications fit the capacity standards approved by the Board of Directors may be approved ahead of an otherwise qualified non-sibling applicant who submitted an earlier application as identified by the application's date and time stamp.

Except for students who are transferring under Uniformed Service Member Dependent School Choice, no earlier than January 1 of each year, the Superintendent will consider all properly submitted applications for School Choice. By July 1, the Superintendent shall notify the parent and the student’s resident district, in writing, of the decision to accept or reject the application.

Accepted Applications

Applications that fit within the District's stated capacity standards shall be provisionally accepted, in writing, with the notification letter stating a reasonable timeline by which the student shall enroll in the District by taking the steps detailed in the letter, including submission of all required documents. If the student fails to enroll within the stated timeline, or if all necessary steps to complete the enrollment are not taken, or examination of the documentation indicates the applicant does not meet the District's stated capacity standards, the acceptance shall be null and void.

A student, whose application has been accepted and who has enrolled in the District, is eligible to continue enrollment until completing his/her secondary education. Continued enrollment is conditioned upon the student meeting applicable statutory and District policy requirements. Any student who has been accepted under choice and who either fails to initially enroll under the timelines and provisions provided in this policy or who chooses to return to his/her resident district; or who enrolls in a home school or private school voids the transfer and must reapply if, in the future, the student seeks another school choice transfer. A subsequent transfer application will be subject to the capacity standards applicable to the year in which the application is considered by the District.

A present or future sibling of a student who continues enrollment in this District may enroll in the District by submitting a Standard School Choice application. Applications of siblings of presently enrolled choice students are subject to the provisions of this policy including the capacity standards applicable to the year in which the sibling's application is considered by the District. A sibling who enrolls in the District through Standard School Choice is eligible to remain in the District until completing his/her secondary education.

Students whose applications have been accepted and who have enrolled in the district shall not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, national origin, race, ethnicity, religion, or disability.

Rejected Applications

The District may reject an application for a transfer into the District under Standard School Choice due to a lack of capacity. However, the decision to accept or reject an application may not be based on the student’s previous academic achievement, athletic or other extracurricular ability, English proficiency level, or previous disciplinary proceedings other than a current expulsion.

An application may be provisionally rejected if it is for an opening that was included in the District's capacity resolution but was provisionally filled by an earlier applicant. If the provisionally approved applicant subsequently does not enroll in the District, the provisionally rejected applicant could be provisionally approved and would have to meet the acceptance requirements to be eligible to enroll in the district.

Rejection of applications shall be in writing and shall state the reason(s) for the rejection. Unless the student’s application was rejected due to the application not being timely received by both the resident and nonresident districts, a student whose application was rejected may request a hearing before the State Board of Education to reconsider the application. The request for a hearing must be submitted in writing to the State Board within ten (10) days of receiving the rejection letter from the District.

Transfers Out of the District

All Standard School Choice applications for transfers out of the district shall be granted.

Facilities Distress Choice Applications

There are a few exceptions from the provisions of the rest of this policy that govern choice transfers triggered by facilities distress. Any student attending a school district that has been identified as being in facilities distress may transfer under the provisions of this policy but with the following four (4) differences:

Opportunity School Choice

Transfers Into or Within the District

For the purposes of this section of the policy, a “lack of capacity” is defined as when the receiving school has reached the maximum student-to-teacher ratio allowed under federal or state law, the DESE Rules for the Standards for Accreditation, or other applicable rules. There is a lack of capacity if, as of the date of the application for Opportunity School Choice, ninety-five percent (95%) or more of the seats at the grade level at the nonresident school are filled.

Unless there is a lack of capacity at the District’s school or the transfer conflicts with the provisions of a federal desegregation order applicable to the District, a student may transfer from the student’s assigned school to another school in the District or from the student’s resident district into the District if:

Except for those students who are transferring under Uniformed Service Member Dependent School Choice or seeking to transfer within the District, the Superintendent shall notify in writing the parent or guardian, or the student if the student is over eighteen (18) years of age, and the student’s resident district whether the Opportunity School Choice application has been accepted or rejected by no later than July 1 of the school year the student is seeking to enroll. If the student is seeking a transfer within the District, the Superintendent shall notify in writing the parent or guardian, or the student if the student is over eighteen (18) years of age, whether the Opportunity School Choice application has been accepted or rejected within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the student’s application. The notification shall be sent via First-Class Mail to the address on the application.

If the application is accepted, the notification letter shall state the deadline by which the student must enroll in the receiving school or the transfer will be null and void.

If the District rejects the application, the District shall state in the notification letter the specific reasons for the rejection unless the student’s application was rejected due to the application not being timely received by both the resident and nonresident districts, a parent or guardian, or the student if the student is over eighteen (18) years of age, may appeal the District’s decision to deny the application to the State Board of Education. The appeal must be in writing to the State Board of Education via hand delivery or certified mail, return receipt requested, no later than ten (10) calendar days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, after the notice of rejection was received from the District.

Except for students who are transferring under Uniformed Service Member Dependent School Choice, a student’s transfer under Opportunity School choice is effective at the beginning of the next school year and the student’s enrollment is irrevocable for the duration of the school year and is renewable until the student completes high school or is beyond the legal age of enrollment. This provision for continuing eligibility under Opportunity Choice does not negate the student's right to apply for transfer to a district other than the student's assigned school or resident district under the Standard Choice provisions of this policy.

The District may, but is not obligated to, provide transportation to and from the transferring district.

Transfers out of, or within, the District

If a District school receives a rating of “F” or the District has been classified by the State Board as in need of Level 5 Intensive Support, the District shall timely notify parents, guardians, or students, if over eighteen (18) years of age, as soon as practicable after the school or district designation is made of all options available under Opportunity School Choice. The District shall offer the parent or guardian, or the student if the student is over eighteen (18) years of age, an opportunity to submit an application to enroll the student in:

  1. A school district that has not been classified by the State Board as in need of Level 5 Intensive Support; or
  2. If there is more than one school within the District covering the grade level of the student seeking to transfer that does not have a rating of “F”, a public school within the District that is nearest to the student’s legal residence that does not have a rating of “F”; or
  3. If there is not more than one school within the District covering the grade level of the student seeking to transfer that does not have a rating of “F”, a public school that does not have a rating of “F” within a School district that has not been classified by the State Board as in need of Level 5 Intensive Support.

Additionally, the District shall request public service announcements to be made over the broadcast media and in the print media at such times and in such a manner as to inform parents or guardians of students in adjoining districts of the availability of the program, the application deadline, and the requirements and procedure for nonresident students to participate in the program.

Uniformed Service Member Dependent School Choice

"Uniformed service member" means an active or reserve component member of the:

"Uniformed service veteran" means a former uniformed service member who has been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

A student shall be eligible for school choice under Uniformed Service Member Dependent School Choice if the student is a dependent of a:

A student's parent, legal guardian, a person having lawful control of a student, or person standing in loco parentis to the student shall submit a school choice application by mail, e-mail, or in person to the student's nonresident district and resident district. The application shall be accompanied by:

  1. A copy of the identification card of the student's parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis that qualifies the student under this section; and
  2. A copy of the official orders, assignment notification, or notice of mobilization of the student's parent, legal guardian, a person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis.

The application deadline required under Standard School Choice and Opportunity School Choice shall not apply to uniformed service member dependents.

The superintendent of the nonresident district shall notify the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis of the student in writing whether the student’s application has been accepted or rejected within fifteen (15) days of the nonresident district’s receipt of the application. A student’s transfer under the Uniformed Services Member Dependent School Choice is effective immediately upon the nonresident district’s written notification of an acceptance.

A student shall be permitted only one (1) school transfer per academic year.

Unsafe School Choice Program

Any student that becomes the victim of a violent criminal offense while in or on the grounds of a District school or who is attending a school classified by DESE as a persistently dangerous public school shall be allowed to attend a safe public school within the District.

HOME SCHOOLING (4.6)

Enrollment in Home School

  1. At the beginning of each school year, but no later than August 15;
  2. Five (5) school days prior to withdrawing the child (provided the student is not currently under disciplinary action for violation of any written school policy, including, but not limited to, excessive absences) and at the beginning of each school year thereafter; or
  3. Within thirty (30) calendar days of the parent or legal guardian establishing residency within the district during the school year.

Written notice of the parent or legal guardian’s intent to home school shall be delivered to the Superintendent through any of the following methods:

The notice shall include:

  1. The name, sex, date of birth, grade level, and the name and address of the school last attended, if any;
  2. The mailing address and telephone number of the home school;
  3. The name of the parent or legal guardian providing the home school;
  4. Indicate if the home-schooled student intends to participate in extracurricular activities during the school year;
  5. A statement of whether the home-schooled student plans to seek a high school equivalency diploma during the current school year;
  6. A statement that the parent or legal guardian agrees that the parent or legal guardian is responsible for the education of their children during the time the parents or legal guardians choose to homeschool; and
  7. A signature of the parent or legal guardian.

To aid the District in providing a free and appropriate public education to students in need of special education services, the parents or legal guardians home-schooling their children shall provide information that might indicate the need for special education services.

A student who has been temporarily issued items, resources, supplies, materials, or other property belonging to the District is eligible for enrollment in a home school during the school year after:

The superintendent or the board of directors may waive the required five (5) school day waiting period for a student’s enrollment in home school during a semester if the superintendent or the board of directors is satisfied with the return of temporarily issued items, resources, supplies, materials, or other District property.

Enrollment or Re-Enrollment in Public School

A home-schooled student who wishes to enroll or re-enroll in a District school shall submit:

If a home-schooled student is unable to provide a nationally recognized norm-referenced score, the District may either assess the student using a nationally recognized norm-referenced assessment or waive the requirement for a nationally recognized norm-referenced assessment score.

A home-schooled student who enrolls or re-enrolls in the District will be placed at a grade level and academic course level equivalent to or higher than the home-schooled student's grade level and academic course level in the home school:

  1. As indicated by the documentation submitted by the home-schooled student;
  2. By mutual agreement between the public school and the home-schooled student's parent or legal guardian; or
  3. If the home-schooled student fails to provide the documentation required by this policy, with the exception of the nationally recognized norm-referenced assessment score, the District may have sole authority to determine the home-schooled student's grade placement and course credits. The District will determine the home-schooled student’s grade placement and course credits in the same manner the District uses when determining grade placement and course credits for students enrolling or re-enrolling in the District who attended another public or private school.

The District shall afford a home-schooled student who enrolls or re-enrolls in a public school the same rights and privileges enjoyed by the District’s other students. The District shall not deny a home-schooled student who enrolls or re-enrolls in the District any of the following on the basis of the student having attended a home school:

  1. Award of course credits earned in the home school;
  2. Placement in the proper grade level and promotion to the next grade level;
  3. Participation in any academic or extracurricular activity;
  4. Membership in school-sponsored clubs, associations, or organizations;
  5. A diploma or graduation, so long as the student has enrolled or re-enrolled in the District to attend classes for at least the nine (9) months immediately prior to graduation; or
  6. Scholarships.

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS (5.26)

The District shall provide an eligible alternative learning environment (ALE) for each eligible ALE student enrolled in a District school. The ALE shall be part of an intervention program designed to provide guidance, counseling, and academic support to students who are experiencing emotional, social, or academic problems. Placement of a student in an ALE shall not be punitive in nature.

The superintendent or designee shall appoint an Alternative Education Placement Team which shall have the responsibility of determining student placement in the ALE. A student may be enrolled in an ALE only on the referral of the Alternative Education Placement Team. The team's placement decision is final and may not be appealed.

The team is to be comprised of the following:

Students who are placed in the ALE shall exhibit at least two (2) of the following characteristics before or upon entry into the ALE, the ALE program shall assess the student in order to provide intervention services designed to address the student’s specific educational and behavioral needs, with the focus for behavioral needs on long-term improvement of the student’s ability to control the student’s behavior.

  1. Ongoing, persistent lack of attaining proficiency levels in literacy and mathematics
  2. Abuse: physical, mental, or sexual;
  3. Frequent relocation of residency;
  4. Homelessness;
  5. Inadequate emotional support;
  6. Mental/physical health problems;
  7. Pregnancy;
  8. Being a single parent;
  9. Personal or family problems or situations;
  10. Recurring absenteeism;
  11. Dropping out from school; or
  12. Disruptive behavior.

No later than five (5) school days after a student begins alternative education interventions, the Alternative Education Placement Team shall develop a signed agreement between the ALE; the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis (if they choose to participate); and the student, outlining the responsibility of the ALE; parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis; and the student to provide assurance that the plan for each student is successful.

No later than one (1) week after a student begins alternative education interventions, the Alternative Education Placement Team shall assess the student’s current functioning abilities and all relevant social, emotional, academic, career, and behavioral information and develop an SAP outlining the intervention services to be provided to the student. The SAP may be revised from time to time by the ALE placement team. The SAP shall contain at a minimum:

  1. A plan of intervention services to be provided to address the student’s specific educational needs and, if appropriate, the student’s behavioral needs;
  2. Goals and objectives necessary to achieve positive reintegration into the regular educational environment;
  3. Exit criteria on which to base a student’s return to the regular educational environment;
  4. Documentation of the presence of the characteristics listed above that were the reason for the student’s referral to the ALE program;
  5. Documentation of the specific ALE programming and supports that will address each identified characteristic or situation causing a barrier to the student’s success; and
  6. A positive behavior or transitional plan prior to a student’s return to the regular educational environment.

The district’s ALE program shall follow class size, staffing, curriculum, and expenditure requirements identified in the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Rules.

HOMEWORK (5.14)

Homework is considered to be part of the educational program of the District. Assignments shall be an extension of the teaching/learning experience that promotes the student’s educational development. As an extension of the classroom, homework must be planned and organized and should be viewed by the students as purposeful.

Teachers should be aware of the potential problem students may have completing assignments from multiple teachers and vary the amount of homework they give from day to day.

Parents shall be notified of this policy at the beginning of each school year.

MAKE-UP WORK (4.8WF)

Students who miss school due to an absence shall be allowed to make up the work they missed during their absence under the following rules:

  1. Students are responsible for asking the teachers of the classes they missed what assignments they need to make up.
  2. Teachers are responsible for providing the missed assignments when asked by a returning student.
  3. Students are required to ask for their assignments on their first day back at school or their first class day after their return.
  4. Make-up tests are to be rescheduled at the discretion of the teacher, but must be aligned with the schedule of the missed work to be made up.
  5. Students shall have one class day to make up their work for each class day they are absent.
  6. Make-up work which is not turned in within the make-up schedule for that assignment shall be assigned to a Zeros Aren’t Permitted (ZAP) session until the assignment is completed.
  7. Students are responsible for turning in their make-up work without the teacher having to ask for it.
  8. Students who are absent on the day their make-up work is due must turn in their work the day they return to school whether or not the class for which the work is due meets the day of their return.
  9. As required/permitted by the student’s Individual Education Program or 504 Plan.

Work for students serving an out-of-school suspension or expulsion shall be in accordance with the District’s programs, measures, or alternative means and methods to continue student engagement and access to education during the student’s period of suspension or expulsion.

In lieu of the timeline above, assignments for students who are excluded from school by the Arkansas Department of Health during a disease outbreak are to be made up as set forth in Policy 4.57—IMMUNIZATIONS.

In addition to the make-up work process above, at the conclusion of a pregnancy-related or parenting-related period of absence, a student may choose from various options to make up missed work, including without limitation:

  1. Retaking a semester at the District school where the student is enrolled;
  2. Participating in an online course credit recovery program;
  3. Being granted six (6) weeks to continue at the same pace and finish the semester at a later date, provided that the student may:
    • Complete the student’s coursework within the current school year; or
    • Attend previously scheduled summer school classes made available by the District Where the student is enrolled; and
  4. Receiving home-based instruction services.

GRADING (5.15)

The evaluation of each student’s performance on a regular basis serves to give the parents/guardians, students, and the school necessary information to help affect academic improvement. Students’ grades shall reflect only the extent to which a student has achieved the expressed educational objectives of the course.

The grades of a child in foster care shall not be lowered due to an absence from school due to:

  1. A change in the child's school enrollment;
  2. The child's attendance at a dependency-neglect court proceeding; or
  3. The child's attendance at court-ordered counseling or treatment.

The grading scale for all schools in the district shall be as follows:

A =100 – 90

B = 89 – 80 

C = 79 – 70 

D = 69 - 60 

F = 59 and below

For grades K - 4, students’ grades will be performance–based and reported as such using a combination of effort, skills, and levels of performance.

For the purpose of determining grade point averages, the numeric value of each letter grade shall be as follows:

A = 4 points 

B = 3 points 

C = 2 points 

D = 1 point 

F = 0 points

The grade point values for Advanced Placement (AP), approved courses for weighted credit, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Arkansas Department of Education approved honor courses shall be one (1) point greater than for regular courses with the exception that an F shall still be worth zero (0) points.

The final grades of students who transfer in for part of a semester will be determined by blending the grades earned in the district with those earned outside the district. Each final grade will be the sum of the percentage of days in the grading period transferred from outside the district times the transferred grade from outside the district plus the percentage of days in the grading period while in the district times the grade earned in the district.

For example:  The grading period had forty (40) days. A student transferred in with a grade of eighty-three percent (83%) earned in ten (10) days at the previous school. The student had a grade of seventy-five (75%) in our district’s school earned in the remaining thirty (30) days of the grading period. Ten (10) days is twenty-five (25%) of forty (40) days while thirty (30) days is seventy-five (75%) of forty (40) days. Thus the final grade would be (0.25 X 83) + (0.75 X 75) \= 77%.

STUDENT PROMOTION AND RETENTION (4.55)

A disservice is done to students through social promotion and is prohibited by state law. The District shall, at a minimum, evaluate each student annually in an effort to help each student who is not performing at grade level. Parents, legal guardians, persons having lawful control of the student, or persons acting in loco parentis shall be kept informed concerning the progress of their student(s). Notice of a student’s possible retention or required retaking of a course shall be included with the student’s grades sent home to each parent/guardian or the student if 18 or older. Parent-teacher conferences are encouraged and may be held as necessary in an effort to improve a student’s academic success.

Each time a student is assessed by use of a high-quality literacy screener, with results at least once each semester, the Parents, legal guardians, persons having lawful control of the student, or persons acting in loco parentis, and teacher(s) of a student in kindergarten through eighth (8th) grade shall be notified in writing of the student’s independent grade-level-equivalency in reading and, in a parent friendly manner, the student’s reading progress..

Any grades, course credits, and/or promotions received by a student while enrolled in the Division of Youth Services system of education shall be considered transferable in the same manner as those grades, course credits, and promotions from other accredited Arkansas public educational entities.

Promotion or retention of kindergarten through grade four (K-4) students, or their required retaking of a course shall be primarily based on the following criteria:

For students in grades four through eight (5-8), academic performance, developmental characteristics, and the student’s suitability for success if retained. Students in grades 9-12 will be required to retake any course necessary to meet graduation requirements if the final grade in the course is below 60%. If there is doubt concerning the promotion or retention of a student or his/her required retaking of a course, a conference shall be held before a final decision is made that includes the following individuals:

1) The building principal or designee; 2) The student’s teacher(s); 3) School counselor 4) A 504/special education representative (if applicable); and 5) The student’s parents, legal guardians, persons with lawful control of the student, or persons standing in loco parentis.

The conference shall be held at a time and place that best accommodates those participating in the conference. The school shall document participation or non-participation in required conferences. If the conference attendees fail to agree concerning the student’s placement or receipt of course credit, the final decision shall rest with the principal or the principal’s designee.

Each student shall have a student success plan (SSP) developed by school personnel in collaboration with the student’s parents and the student that is reviewed and updated annually. A student’s SSP shall use multiple academic measures to personalize learning in order for students to achieve their grade-level expectations and individual growth. The SSP will identify if the student is in need of additional support or acceleration. Academic measures to be used in creating and updating a student’s SSP shall include, but are not limited to:

The SSP for a student in kindergarten through grade three (K-3) who does not meet the reading standard as set by the state board and determined by a high-quality literacy screener or the statewide assessment shall include an individual reading plan for each student. An individual reading plan shall include:

  1. The student's specific, diagnosed reading skill needs, including without limitation:
    • Phonemic awareness;
    • Phonics decoding;
    • Text reading fluency;
    • Vocabulary-building strategies; and
    • Self-regulated use of reading comprehension strategies, as identified by high-quality literacy screener data;
  2. The goals and benchmarks for the student's growth;
  3. How the student's progress will be monitored and evaluated;
  4. The type of additional instructional services and interventions the student may receive;
  5. The intensive, evidence-based literacy intervention program aligned to the science of reading the student's teacher will use to address the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension;
  6. The strategies the student's parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis to the student are encouraged to use in assisting the student to achieve the student's reading goal; and
  7. Any additional services the student's teacher determines are available and appropriate to accelerate the student's reading skill development.
    1. Of the content of their child's independent reading plan and progress on the independent reading plan throughout the year; and
      • By no later than October 1 of each year, or as soon as practicable if a student's reading need is identified after October 1:
      • Of their student’s eligibility to participate in the literacy tutoring grant program;
      • The process for applying for the literacy tutoring grant program; and
      • Other information provided by DESE.

    For each student who does not meet the reading standard established by the state board by the end of third (3rd) grade, including students who are promoted to the fourth (4th) grade under a good cause waiver, the District, during the subsequent summer and school year, shall :

    1. Provide at least ninety (90) minutes of evidence-based literacy instruction aligned to the science of reading during each school day;
    2. Assign the student to:
      • If the District has a teacher with a value-added model score in the top quartile statewide in English language arts for the past three (3) years, a teacher with a value-added model score in the top quartile statewide in English language arts for the past three (3) years; or
      • If the District is unable to identify a teacher with a value-added model score in the top quartile statewide in English language arts for the past three (3) years, a teacher:
      • With a highly-effective rating according to the Teacher Excellence and Support System, when possible; or
      • Deemed to be a high-performing teacher as defined by a Master Professional Educator designation.
    3. Provide parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis to students with a “read-at-home” plan to support student early literacy growth, which shall include evidence-based science of reading strategies and tools that are aligned to a student’s individual reading plan for parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis to use with their student;
    4. Notify parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis to a student regarding their student’s eligibility for a literacy tutoring grant;
    5. Be given priority to receive a literacy tutoring grant; and
    6. Be given the option to participate in additional intensive, evidence-based literacy intervention programs aligned to the science of reading.

      The SSP of a student in kindergarten through grade eight (K-8) who is not performing at or above grade level on the state assessment, as defined by the State Board of Education shall include a math intervention plan. The math intervention plan may include the:

      1. Provision of each student with access to high-dosage, targeted math tutoring in the subsequent school year, which shall include three (3) or more tutoring sessions a week in a one-on-one or small-group setting;
      2. Assignment to:
        • if the District has a teacher with a value-added model score in the top quartile statewide in math for the previous three (3) years, a teacher, with a value-added model score in the top quartile statewide in math for the previous three (3) years; or
        • if the District is unable to find a teacher with a value-added model score in the top quartile statewide in math for the previous three (3) years, a teacher:
          • With a highly-effective rating in the Teacher Excellence and Support System, when possible; or
          • Deemed to be a high-performing teacher as defined by a Master Professional Educator designation; and
        • Provision of each student with extended time on math instruction during or after school.

        Based on a student’s score on the college and career assessment:

        A student’s SSP shall include the recommended sequence of courses for successful completion of the diploma pathway selected by the student but be sufficiently flexible to allow the student to change the student’s selected diploma pathway. The school counselor shall meet with the student's parent, legal guardian, or persons standing in loco parentis and the student to review the student’s SSP annually and to revise the student’s SSP as necessary to identify the courses to be taken each year until all required core courses are completed. Part of the review shall include an explanation of the possible impacts the revisions to the plan might have on the student's graduation requirements and postsecondary education goals. Any change made to a student's SSP as part of the review that amends the student’s diploma pathway shall be structured to ensure that the student will meet the high school graduation requirements for the student's chosen diploma pathway and be qualified for admission to a postsecondary educational institution or to enter the workforce. After each review, the student's SSP shall be signed by the student; student's parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to the student; and the school counselor.

        An SSP shall be created:

        1. By no later than the end of the school year for a student in grade eight (8) or below who enrolls in the District during the school year; or
        2. As soon as reasonably possible for a student in grade nine (9) or above who enrolls in the District at the beginning or during the school year.

        A student’s individualized education program (IEP) may act in the place of the student’s SSP if the IEP addresses academic deficits and interventions for the student’s failure to meet standards-based academic goals at an expected rate or level and includes a transition plan that addresses college and career planning components. Promotion or retention of students with an IEP shall be based on their successful attainment of the goals set forth in their IEP.

        Students who either refuse to sit for a State assessment or attempt to boycott a State-wide assessment by failing to put forth a good faith effort on the assessment as determined by the assessment administrator/proctor, or whose parents do not send their student to school on the dates the assessments are originally administered or scheduled as make-up days shall not be permitted to participate in any non-curriculum related extracurricular activity, including school dances, prom, homecoming, senior events, and may be prevented from walking or participating in graduation exercises. The student shall remain ineligible to participate until the student takes the same or a following State-wide assessment, as applicable. The Superintendent or designee may wave this paragraph's provisions when the student’s failure was due to exceptional or extraordinary circumstances. Students falling under the provisions of this paragraph shall be permitted to attend curriculum related field trips occurring during the school day.

        STUDENT ACCELERATION (4.54)

        The Board believes that acceleration is an effective and research-based intervention for the academic growth of students who are ready for an advanced or faster-paced curriculum. Acceleration can allow a student to move through the traditional educational setting more rapidly, based on assessed readiness, capability and motivation. At the same time, the Board understands that acceleration is not a replacement for gifted education services or programs.

        Generally, acceleration can occur through one of two broad categories: content based and grade based. Grade based acceleration shortens the number of years a student would otherwise spend in K-12 education, while content based acceleration occurs within the normal K-12 time span. Either form of acceleration can be triggered by either a parent/guardian, student, or community member's request or by the referral of school personnel. In either case, the process of determining the appropriateness of the request shall be under the direction of the district/school Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator. The district/school Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator shall convene the Acceleration Placement Committee and communicate with the individuals necessary for the Acceleration Placement Committee to make an informed decision, which shall include the student's parents or guardians.

        While the needs of the student should dictate when acceleration decisions are considered, the Board believes the optimal time for referrals is in the spring which gives adequate time for working through the determination process and for preparing those concerned for a smooth transition to the acceleration beginning in the following school-year.

        The District's Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator will create a written format to govern the referral and determination process, which shall be made available to any parent or staff member upon request.

        The parents/guardians of any student whose request for acceleration has been denied may appeal the decision, in writing. to the District's GT Coordinator. The Districts GT Coordinator and the Acceleration Placement Committee will again thoroughly review the case study that was completed on the student. Upon completion of the review, the Committee will either request additional new testing be conducted to help the Committee make its determination or it will uphold the initial decision. The Committee's decision may not be further appealed.

        SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASSES OF 2024 and 2025 (4.45WF)

        All students are required to participate in the Smart Core curriculum unless their parents or guardians, or the students if they are eighteen (18) years of age or older, sign a Smart Core Waiver Form to not participate. While Smart Core is the default option, a Smart Core Information Sheet and a Smart Core Waiver Form will be sent home with students prior to their enrolling in seventh (7th) grade, or when a seventh (7th) through twelfth (12th) grade student enrolls in the district for the first time and there is not a signed waiver form in the student’s permanent record. This policy is to be included in student handbooks for grades six (6) through twelve (12) and both students and parents must sign an acknowledgement they have received the policy. Those students not participating in the Smart Core curriculum will be required to fulfill the Core curriculum or the Alternate Pathway to Graduation when required by their IEP to be eligible for graduation. Counseling by trained personnel shall be available to students and their parents or legal guardians prior to the deadline for them to sign and return the waiver form.

        While there are similarities between the two curriculums, following the Core curriculum may not qualify students for some scholarships and admission to certain colleges could be jeopardized. Students initially choosing the Core curriculum may subsequently change to the Smart Core curriculum provided they would be able to complete the required course of study by the end of their senior year. Students wishing to change their choice of curriculums must consult with their counselor to determine the feasibility of changing paths.

        This policy, the Smart Core curriculum, and the courses necessary for graduation shall be reviewed by staff, students, and parents as part of the annual school district support plan development process to determine if changes need to be made to better serve the needs of the district’s students. The superintendent, or his/her designee, shall select the composition of the review panel.

        Sufficient information relating to Smart Core and the district’s graduation requirements shall be communicated to parents and students to ensure their informed understanding of each; this shall be accomplished through holding an informational meeting for parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis to students enrolled in grades six through twelve (6-12) with the school counselor and may be accomplished through any or all of the additional following means:

        Administrators, or their designees, shall train newly hired employees, required to be licensed as a condition of their employment, regarding this policy. The district’s annual professional development shall include the training required by this paragraph.

        To the best of its ability, the District shall follow the requirements covering the transfer of course credit and graduation set forth in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and the Arkansas Military Child School Transitions Act of 2021 for all students who meet the definition of “eligible child” in Policy 4.2—ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS including the waiving of specific courses that are required for graduation if similar coursework has been satisfactorily completed.

        GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

        The number of units students must earn to be eligible for high school graduation is to be earned from the categories listed below. A minimum of twenty-two (22) units is required for graduation for a student participating in either the Smart Core or Core curriculum. In addition to the twenty-two (22) units required for graduation by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the district requires an additional three (3) units to graduate for a total of twenty-five (25) units. The additional required units may be taken from any electives offered by the district. There are some distinctions made between Smart Core units and Graduation units. Not all units earned toward graduation necessarily apply to Smart Core requirements. Career education courses that are determined by DESE to be eligible for use in the place of a listed course may be substituted for the course as designated by DESE.

        All students must receive a passing score on the Arkansas Civics Exam in order to graduate.

        Students shall be trained in quality psychomotor skill bases in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators in order to graduate.

        Personal and Family Finance

        All students shall receive credit in a course covering the Personal and Family Finance Standards in order to graduate.

        SMART CORE: Sixteen (16) units

        English: four (4) units – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th

        Oral Communications: one-half (1/2) unit

        Mathematics: four (4) units (all students under Smart Core must take a mathematics course in grade 11 or 12 and complete Algebra II.)

        1. Algebra I or Algebra A & B* which may be taken in grades 7-8 or 8-9;
        2. Geometry or Geometry A & B* which may be taken in grades 8-9 or 9-10;
          • A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the four-unit requirement for the purpose of meeting the graduation requirement, but only serve as one unit each toward fulfilling the Smart Core requirement.
        3.  Algebra II; and
        4. The fourth unit may be either:
          • A math unit approved by DESE beyond Algebra II; or
          • A computer science flex credit may be taken in place of a fourth math credit.

        Natural Science: three (3) units

        1. DESE approved biology – 1 credit;
        2. DESE approved physical science – 1 credit; and
        3. A third unit that is either:
          • An additional science credit approved by DESE; or
          • A computer science flex credit may be taken in place of a third science credit.

        Social Studies: three (3) units

        1. Civics one-half (½) unit
        2. World History - one unit
        3. American History - one unit
        4. Other social studies - one-half (½) unit

        Physical Education: one-half (1/2) unit Note: While one-half (1/2) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.

        Health and Safety: one-half (1/2) unit

        Economics – one half (½) unit – dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can count toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the nine (9) required Career Focus elective credits.

        Fine Arts: one-half (1/2) unit

        CAREER FOCUS: - Nine (9) units

        All career-focus unit requirements shall be established through guidance and counseling based on the student’s contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where appropriate.

        A student who enlists in a branch of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard through the military delayed entry program, the National Guard Split Training Option, or other similar early entry program and completes basic training before graduating from high school shall receive two (2) units of the Career Focus graduation requirements.

        A student who completes at least seventy-five (75) clock hours of documented community service in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) at any certified service agency or a part of a service-learning school program shall receive one (1) Career Focus credit.

        CORE: Sixteen (16) units

        English: four (4) units – 9, 10, 11, and 12

        Oral Communications: one-half (1/2) unit

        Mathematics: four (4) units

        *A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the four (4) unit requirement.

        Science: three (3) units

        1. DESE approved biology – 1 credit;
        2. DESE approved physical science – 1 credit; and
        3. A third unit that is either:

        Social Studies: three (3) units

        Physical Education: one-half (1/2) unit Note: While one-half (1/2) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.

        Health and Safety: one-half (1/2) unit

        Economics – one half (½) unit – dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can count toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the nine (9) required Career Focus elective credits.

        Fine Arts: one-half (1/2) unit

        CAREER FOCUS: - Nine (9) units

        All career-focus unit requirements shall be established through guidance and counseling based on the student’s contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where appropriate.

        A student who enlists in a branch of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard through the military delayed entry program, the National Guard Split Training Option, or other similar early entry program and completes basic training before graduating from high school shall receive two (2) units of the Career Focus graduation requirements.

        A student who completes at least seventy-five (75) clock hours of documented community service in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) at any certified service agency or a part of a service-learning school program shall receive one (1) Career Focus credit.

        SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2026 (4.45.1WF)

        All students are required to participate in the Smart Core curriculum unless their parents or guardians, or the students if they are eighteen (18) years of age or older, sign a Smart Core Waiver Form to not participate. While Smart Core is the default option, a Smart Core Information Sheet and a Smart Core Waiver Form will be sent home with students prior to their enrolling in seventh (7th) grade, or when a seventh (7th) through twelfth (12th) grade student enrolls in the district for the first time and there is not a signed waiver form in the student’s permanent record. This policy is to be included in student handbooks for grades six (6) through twelve (12) and both students and parents must sign an acknowledgment they have received the policy. Those students not participating in the Smart Core curriculum will be required to fulfill the Core curriculum or the Alternate Pathway to Graduation when required by their IEP to be eligible for graduation. Counseling by trained personnel shall be available to students and their parents or legal guardians prior to the deadline for them to sign and return the waiver form.

        While there are similarities between the two curriculums, following the Core curriculum may not qualify students for some scholarships and admission to certain colleges could be jeopardized. Students initially choosing the Core curriculum may subsequently change to the Smart Core curriculum provided they would be able to complete the required course of study by the end of their senior year. Students wishing to change their choice of curriculums must consult with their counselor to determine the feasibility of changing paths.

        This policy, the Smart Core curriculum, and the courses necessary for graduation shall be reviewed by staff, students, and parents as part of the annual school district support plan development process to determine if changes need to be made to better serve the needs of the district’s students. The superintendent, or his/her designee, shall select the composition of the review panel.

        Sufficient information relating to Smart Core and the district’s graduation requirements shall be communicated to parents and students to ensure their informed understanding of each; this shall be accomplished through holding an informational meeting for parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis to students enrolled in grades six through twelve (6-12) with the school counselor and may be accomplished through any or all of the additional following means:

        Administrators, or their designees, shall train newly hired employees, required to be licensed as a condition of their employment, regarding this policy. The district’s annual professional development shall include the training required by this paragraph.

        To the best of its ability, the District shall follow the requirements covering the transfer of course credit and graduation set forth in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and the Arkansas Military Child School Transitions Act of 2021 for all students who meet the definition of “eligible child” in Policy 4.2—ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS including the waiving of specific courses that are required for graduation if similar coursework has been satisfactorily completed.

        GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

        The number of units students must earn to be eligible for high school graduation is to be earned from the categories listed below. A minimum of twenty-two (22) units is required for graduation for a student participating in either the Smart Core or Core curriculum. In addition to the twenty-two (22) units required for graduation by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the district requires an additional three (3) units to graduate for a total of twenty-five (25) units. The additional required units may be taken from any electives offered by the district. There are some distinctions made between Smart Core units and Graduation units. Not all units earned toward graduation necessarily apply to Smart Core requirements. Career education courses that are determined by DESE to be eligible for use in place of a listed course may be substituted for the course as designated by DESE.

        All students must receive a passing score on the Arkansas Civics Exam in order to graduate.

        Students shall be trained in quality psychomotor skill bases in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators in order to graduate.

        Personal and Family Finance

        All students shall receive credit in a course covering the Personal and Family Finance Standards in order to graduate.

        Computer Science

        All students shall earn one (1) unit of credit in a computer science or computer science-related career and technical education course in order to graduate.

        SMART CORE: Sixteen (16) units

        English: four (4) units – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th

        Oral Communications: one-half (½) unit

        Mathematics: four (4) units (all students under Smart Core must take a mathematics course in grade 11 or 12 and complete Algebra II.)

        1. Algebra I or Algebra A & B* which may be taken in grades 7-8 or 8-9;
        2. Geometry or Geometry A & B* which may be taken in grades 8-9 or 9-10;
          • A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the four-unit requirement for the purpose of meeting the graduation requirement, but only serve as one unit each toward fulfilling the Smart Core requirement.
        3. Algebra II; and 4) The fourth unit may be either:
          • A math unit approved by DESE beyond Algebra II; or
          • A computer science flex credit may be taken in place of a fourth math credit.

        Natural Science: three (3) units

        1. DESE approved biology – 1 credit;
        2. DESE approved physical science – 1 credit; and
        3. A third unit that is either:
          • An additional science credit approved by DESE; or
          • A computer science flex credit may be taken in place of a third science credit.

        Social Studies: three (3) units

        Physical Education: one-half (½) unit Note: While one-half (½) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.

        Health and Safety: one-half (½) unit

        Economics – one half (½) unit – dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can count toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the six (6) required Career Focus elective credits.

        Fine Arts: one-half (½) unit

        CAREER FOCUS: Nine (9) units

        (NOTE: The computer science unit required for graduation will count as one (1) of the nine (9) Career Focus units required for graduation)

        All career-focus unit requirements shall be established through guidance and counseling based on the student’s contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where appropriate.

        A student who enlists in a branch of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard through the military delayed entry program, the National Guard Split Training Option, or other similar early entry program and completes basic training before graduating from high school shall receive two (2) units of the Career Focus graduation requirements.

        A student who completes at least seventy-five (75) clock hours of documented community service in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) at any certified service agency or a part of a service-learning school program shall receive one (1) Career Focus unit.

        CORE: Sixteen (16) units

        English: four (4) units – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th

        Oral Communications: one-half (½) unit

        Mathematics: four (4) units

        * A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the four (4) unit requirement.

        Science: three (3) units

        1. DESE approved biology – 1 credit;
        2. DESE approved physical science – 1 credit; and
        3. A third unit that is either:

        Social Studies: three (3) units

        Physical Education: one-half (½) unit Note: While one-half (½) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.

        Health and Safety: one-half (½) unit

        Economics – one half (½) unit – dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can count toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the six (6) required Career Focus elective credits.

        Fine Arts: one-half (½) unit

        CAREER FOCUS: Nine (9) units

        (NOTE: The computer science unit required for graduation will count as one (1) of the nine (9) Career Focus units required for graduation)

        All career-focus unit requirements shall be established through guidance and counseling based on the student’s contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where appropriate.

        A student who enlists in a branch of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard through the military delayed entry program, the National Guard Split Training Option, or other similar early entry program and completes basic training before graduating from high school shall receive two (2) units of the Career Focus graduation requirements.

        a student who completes at least seventy-five (75) clock hours of documented community service in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) at any certified service agency or a part of a service-learning school program shall receive one (1) Career Focus unit.

        4.45.2—SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2027 AND THEREAFTER

        All students are required to participate in the Smart Core curriculum unless their parents or guardians, or the students if they are eighteen (18) years of age or older, sign a Smart Core Waiver Form to not participate. While Smart Core is the default option, a Smart Core Information Sheet and a Smart Core Waiver Form will be sent home with students prior to their enrolling in seventh (7th) grade, or when a seventh (7th) through twelfth (12th) grade student enrolls in the district for the first time and there is not a signed waiver form in the student’s permanent record. This policy is to be included in student handbooks for grades six (6) through twelve (12) and both students and parents must sign an acknowledgement they have received the policy. Those students not participating in the Smart Core curriculum will be required to fulfill the Core curriculum or the Alternate Pathway to Graduation when required by their IEP to be eligible for graduation. Counseling by trained personnel shall be available to students and their parents or legal guardians prior to the deadline for them to sign and return the waiver form.

        While there are similarities between the two curriculums, following the Core curriculum may not qualify students for some scholarships and admission to certain colleges could be jeopardized. Students initially choosing the Core curriculum may subsequently change to the Smart Core curriculum providing they would be able to complete the required course of study by the end of their senior year. Students wishing to change their choice of curriculums must consult with their counselor to determine the feasibility of changing paths.

        This policy, the Smart Core curriculum, and the courses necessary for graduation shall be reviewed by staff, students, and parents as part of the annual school district support plan development process to determine if changes need to be made to better serve the needs of the district’s students. The superintendent, or his/her designee, shall select the composition of the review panel.

        Sufficient information relating to Smart Core and the district’s graduation requirements shall be communicated to parents and students to ensure their informed understanding of each; this shall be accomplished through holding an informational meeting for parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis to students enrolled in grades six through twelve (6-12) with the school counseler and may be accomplished through any or all of the additional following means:

        Administrators, or their designees, shall train newly hired employees, required to be licensed as a condition of their employment, regarding this policy. The district’s annual professional development shall include the training required by this paragraph.

        To the best of its ability, the District shall follow the requirements covering the transfer of course credit and graduation set forth in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and the Arkansas Military Child School Transitions Act of 2021 for all students who meet the definition of “eligible child” in Policy 4.2—ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS including the waiving of specific courses that are required for graduation if similar coursework has been satisfactorily completed.

        GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

        The number of units students must earn to be eligible for high school graduation is to be earned from the categories listed below. A minimum of twenty-two (22) units is required for graduation for a student participating in either the Smart Core or Core curriculum. In addition to the twenty-two (22) units required for graduation by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the district requires an additional 3 units to graduate for a total of 25 units. The additional required units may be taken from any electives offered by the district. There are some distinctions made between Smart Core units and Graduation units. Not all units earned toward graduation necessarily apply to Smart Core requirements. Career education courses that are determined by DESE to be eligible for use in the place of a listed course may be substituted for the course as designated by DESE.

        All students must receive a passing score on the Arkansas Civics Exam in order to graduate.

        Students shall be trained in quality psychomotor skill bases in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators in order to graduate.

        Personal and Family Finance

        All students shall receive credit in a course covering the Personal and Family Finance Standards in order to graduate.

        Computer Science

        All students shall earn one (1) unit of credit in a computer science or computer science related career and technical education course in order to graduate.

        Community Service

        Except as otherwise provided by this policy, each student must receive seventy-five (75) clock hours of community service that is certified by the service agency or organization where the student volunteers. The community service must be in programs or activities, either in Arkansas or outside of Arkansas, that meet the requirements established by the State Board and the District Board of Directors and include preparation, action, and reflection components. A student who transfers into the District after ninth (9th) grade must receive at least the following documented clock hours of community service each year:

        Students transferring into the District after grade nine (9) or students who are graduating early may receive a diploma provided that the minimum requirement for each year the student attends the District is met. The District Board of Directors may grant a waiver of the community service requirement for extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis, which may include without limitation:

        SMART CORE: Sixteen (16) units

        English: four (4) units – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th

        Oral Communications: one-half (½) unit

        Mathematics: four (4) units (all students under Smart Core must take a mathematics course in grade 11 or 12 and complete Algebra II.)

        1. Algebra I or Algebra A & B* which may be taken in grades 7-8 or 8-9;
        2. Geometry or Geometry A & B* which may be taken in grades 8-9 or 9-10;
          • A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the four-unit requirement for the purpose of meeting the graduation requirement, but only serve as one unit each toward fulfilling the Smart Core requirement.
        3. Algebra II; and 4) The fourth unit may be either:
          • A math unit approved by DESE beyond Algebra II; or
          • A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a fourth math credit.

        Natural Science: three (3) units

        1. DESE approved biology – 1 credit;
        2. DESE approved physical science – 1 credit; and
        3. A third unit that is either:
          • An additional science credit approved by DESE; or
          • A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a third science credit.

        Social Studies: three (3) units

        Physical Education: one-half (½) unit Note: While one-half (½) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.

        Health and Safety: one-half (½) unit

        Economics – one half (½) unit – dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can count toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the six (6) required Career Focus elective credits.7

        Fine Arts: one-half (½) unit

        CAREER FOCUS: - Nine (9) units

        (NOTE: The computer science unit required for graduation will count as one (1) of the nine (9) Career Focus units required for graduation)

        All career focus unit requirements shall be established through guidance and counseling based on the student’s contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where appropriate.

        A student who enlists in a branch of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard through the military delayed entry program, the National Guard Split Training Option, or other similar early entry program and completes basic training before graduating from high school shall receive two (2) units of the Career Focus graduation requirements.

        CORE: Sixteen (16) units

        English: four (4) units – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th

        Oral Communications: one-half (½) unit

        Mathematics: four (4) units

        1. Algebra or its equivalent* - 1 unit
        2. Geometry or its equivalent* - 1 unit
          • All math units must build on the base of algebra and geometry knowledge and skills.
          • (Comparable concurrent credit college courses may be substituted where applicable)
          • A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a math credit beyond Algebra I and Geometry

        * A two-year algebra equivalent or a two-year geometry equivalent may each be counted as two units of the four (4) unit requirement.

        Science: three (3) units

        1. DESE approved biology – 1 credit;
        2. DESE approved physical science – 1 credit; and
        3. A third unit that is either:
          • An additional science credit approved by DESE; or
          • A computer science flex credit may be taken in the place of a third science credit.

        Social Studies: three (3) units

        Physical Education: one-half (½) unit Note: While one-half (½) unit is required for graduation, no more than one (1) unit may be applied toward fulfilling the necessary units to graduate.

        Health and Safety: one-half (½) unit

        Economics – one half (½) unit – dependent upon the licensure of the teacher teaching the course, this can count toward the required three (3) social studies credits or the six (6) required Career Focus elective credits.7

        Fine Arts: one-half (½) unit

        CAREER FOCUS: - Nine (9) units

        (NOTE: The computer science unit required for graduation will count as one (1) of the nine (9) Career Focus units required for graduation)

        All career focus unit requirements shall be established through guidance and counseling based on the student’s contemplated work aspirations. Career focus courses shall conform to the curriculum policy of the district and reflect state curriculum frameworks through course sequencing and career course concentrations where appropriate.

        A student who enlists in a branch of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard through the military delayed entry program, the National Guard Split Training Option, or other similar early entry program and completes basic training before graduating from high school shall receive two (2) units of the Career Focus graduation requirements.

        EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: SECONDARY SCHOOLS (4.56)

        Definitions:

        “Academic Courses” are those courses for which class time is scheduled, which can be credited to meet the minimum requirements for graduation, which is taught by a teacher required to have State licensure in the course or is otherwise qualified under Arkansas statute, and has a course content guide which has been approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Any of the courses for which concurrent high school credit is earned may be from an institution of higher education recognized by DESE. If a student passes an academic course offered on a block schedule, the course can be counted twice toward meeting the requirement for students to pass four (4) academic courses per semester as required by this policy.

        “Extracurricular activities” are defined as: any school-sponsored program where students from one or more schools meet, work, perform, practice under supervision outside of regular class time, or are competing for the purpose of receiving an award, rating, recognition, or criticism, or qualification for additional competition. Examples include but are not limited to, inter/intra-scholastic athletics, cheerleading, band, choral, math, or science competitions, field trips, and club activities.

        “Field Trips” are when individual students or groups of students are invited to programs or events when there is no competition and the students are not interacting with each other for the purpose of planning, qualifying, or arranging for future programs or for the purpose of receiving recognition.

        “Interscholastic Activities” means athletic or non-athletic/academic activities where students compete on a school vs. school basis.

        “Intrascholastic Activities” means athletic or non-athletic/academic activities where students compete with students from within the same school.

        “Supplemental Improvement Program (SIP)” is an additional instructional opportunity for identified students outside of their regular classroom and meets the criteria outlined in the current Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) Handbook.

        Extracurricular Eligibility

        The Board believes in providing opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities that can help enrich the student’s educational experience. At the same time, the Board believes that a student’s participation in extracurricular activities cannot come at the expense of his/her classroom academic achievement. Interruptions of instructional time in the classroom are to be minimal and absences from class to participate in extracurricular activities shall not exceed one per week per extracurricular activity (tournaments excepted). Additionally, a student’s participation in, and the District’s operation of, extracurricular activities shall be subject to the following policy. All students are eligible for extracurricular activities unless specifically denied eligibility on the basis of criteria outlined in this policy.

        Any student who refuses to sit for a State-wide assessment or attempts to boycott a State-wide assessment by failing to put forth a good faith effort on the assessment as determined by the assessment administrator/proctor, or whose parents do not send their student to school on the dates the assessments are administered or scheduled as make-up days shall not be permitted to participate in any non-curriculum related extracurricular activity. The student shall remain ineligible to participate until the student takes the same or a following State-wide assessment, as applicable. The superintendent or designee may wave this paragraph's provisions when the student’s failure was due to exceptional or extraordinary circumstances. Students falling under the provisions of this paragraph shall be permitted to attend curriculum-related field trips occurring during the school day.

        A student who enrolls in the district and meets the definition of “eligible child” in Policy 4.2—ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS shall be eligible to try out for an extracurricular activity regardless of the date the student enrolls in the District so long as the student meets all other eligibility requirements and the extracurricular activity is still ongoing.

        A student and the parent or legal guardian of the student shall sign and return an acknowledgment of receipt and review of an information sheet regarding signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest before the student may participate in an athletic activity and before each school year, the student participates in an athletic activity.

        No student shall be required to pay for individual or group instruction in order to participate in an extracurricular activity.

        Interscholastic Activities

        Each school in the District shall post on its website its schedule of interscholastic activities, including sign-up, tryout, and participation deadlines, at least one semester in advance of those activities. A hard copy of the schedule shall be available upon request.

        ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

        No student will be allowed to participate in any AAA-sanctioned events, including practice for such an event, on a day when the student had an unexcused absence for any part of the day.

        ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS: Junior High

        A student promoted from the sixth to the seventh grade automatically meets scholarship requirements. A student promoted from the seventh to the eighth grade automatically meets scholarship requirements for the first semester. The second-semester eighth-grade student meets the scholarship requirements for junior high if he/she has successfully passed four (4) academic courses the previous semester.

        The first-semester ninth-grade student meets the scholarship requirements for junior high if he/she has successfully passed four (4) academic courses the previous semester.

        The second-semester ninth-grade student meets the scholarship requirements for junior high if he/she has successfully passed (4) academic courses the previous semester which count toward his/her high school graduation requirements.

        Ninth-grade students must meet the requirements of the senior high scholarship rule by the end of the second semester in the ninth grade in order to be eligible to participate the fall semester of their tenth-grade year.

        ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS: Senior High

        In order to remain eligible for competitive interscholastic activity, a student must have passed (4) academic courses the previous semester and either:

        1) Have earned a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 from all academic courses the previous semester; or 2) If the student has passed four (4) academic courses the previous semester but does not have a 2.0 GPA the student must be enrolled and successfully participating in an SIP to maintain their competitive interscholastic extracurricular eligibility.

        STUDENTS WITH AN INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

        In order to be considered eligible to participate in competitive interscholastic activities, students with disabilities must pass at least four (4) courses per semester as required by their individual education program (IEP).

        HOMELESS STUDENTS

        Students who are determined to be experiencing homelessness by the school’s homeless LEA shall be eligible for participation in interscholastic activities.

        ARKANSAS ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION

        In addition to the foregoing rules, the district shall abide by the rules and regulations of AAA governing interscholastic activities. AAA provides catastrophic insurance coverage for students participating in AAA-governed extracurricular activities who are enrolled in school. As a matter of District policy,  no student may participate in a AAA-governed extracurricular activity unless he or she is enrolled in a district school, to ensure all students are eligible for AAA catastrophic insurance.

        Intrascholastic Activities

        AAA Governed Activities

        Students participating in intrascholastic extracurricular activities that would be governed by AAA if they were to occur between students of different schools shall meet all interscholastic activity eligibility requirements to be eligible to participate in the comparable intrascholastic activity. The District will abide by the AAA Handbook for such activities to ensure District students are not disqualified from participating in interscholastic activities.

        Non-AAA Governed Activities

        Unless made ineligible by District policies, all students shall be eligible to participate in non-AAA-governed intrascholastic extracurricular activities. Intrascholastic activities designed for a particular grade(s) or course(s) shall require the student to be enrolled in the grade(s) or course(s).

        School Choice Transfers

        A student who transfers under a legal school choice option shall not be denied participation in an extracurricular activity where the student transfers based exclusively on the student’s decision to transfer. A student who transfers after July 1 of the year the student enters grade seven (7) shall complete a Changing Schools/Athletic Participation form as defined by AAA, which must be signed by the:

        The completed Changing Schools/Athletic Participation form shall be filed with the non-resident school district where the student transfers and the AAA. The Changing Schools/Athletic Participation form shall be signed by the superintendent of a student's resident school district and the superintendent of the nonresident school district to which a student transfers unless there is demonstrable evidence of recruiting by the receiving school district personnel or that the student is transferring to the nonresident school district solely for athletic purposes.

        EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES – ELEMENTARY (4.56.1)

        Definitions

        “Extracurricular activities'' are defined as: any school sponsored program where students from one or more schools meet, work, perform, practice under supervision outside of regular class time, or are competing for the purpose of receiving an award, rating, recognition, or criticism, or qualification for additional competition. Examples include, but are not limited to, inter/intrascholastic athletics, cheerleading, band, choral, math, or science competitions, field trips, and club activities.

        “Field Trips” are when individual students or groups of students are invited to programs or events when there is no competition and the students are not interacting with each other for the purpose of planning, qualifying, or arranging for future programs or for the purpose of receiving recognition.

        “Interscholastic Activities” means athletic or non-athletic/academic activities where students compete on a school vs. school basis.

        “Intrascholastic Activities” means athletic or non-athletic/academic activities where students compete with students from within the same school.

        Extracurricular Eligibility

        The Board believes in providing opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities that can help enrich the student’s educational experience. At the same time, the Board believes that a student’s participation in extracurricular activities cannot come at the expense of his/her classroom academic achievement. Interruptions of instructional time in the classroom are to be minimal and absences from class to participate in extracurricular activities shall not exceed one per week per extracurricular activity (tournaments or other similar events excepted with approval of the principal. All students are eligible for extracurricular activities unless specifically denied eligibility on the basis of criteria outlined in this policy.

        A student may lose his/her eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities when, in the opinion of the school’s administration, the student’s participation in such an activity may adversely jeopardize his/her academic achievement. Students may also be denied permission to participate in extracurricular activities as a consequence of disciplinary action taken by the administration for inappropriate behavior.

        Any student who refuses to sit for a State-wide assessment or attempts to boycott a State-wide assessment by failing to put forth a good faith effort on the assessment as determined by the assessment administrator/proctor, or whose parents do not send their student to school on the dates the assessments are administered or scheduled as make-up days shall not be permitted to participate in any non-curriculum related extracurricular activity. The student shall remain ineligible to participate until the student takes the same or a following State-wide assessment, as applicable. The superintendent or designee may waive this paragraph's provisions when the student’s failure was due to exceptional or extraordinary circumstances. Students falling under the provisions of this paragraph shall be permitted to attend curriculum related field trips occurring during the school day.

        A student who enrolls in the district and meets the definition of “eligible child” in Policy 4.2—ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS shall be eligible to try-out for an extracurricular activity regardless of the date the student enrolls in the District so long as the student meets all other eligibility requirements and the extracurricular activity is still ongoing.

        No student shall be required to pay for individual or group instruction in order to participate in an extracurricular activity.

        A student and the parent or legal guardian of the student shall sign and return an acknowledgement of receipt and review of an information sheet regarding signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest before the student may participate in an athletic activity and before each school year the student participates in an athletic activity.

        EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY ELIGIBILITY FOR HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS (4.56.2)

        Home-schooled student means a student legally enrolled in an Arkansas home school and who meets or has met the criteria for being a home-schooled student, as established by A.C.A. § 6-15-503.

        Interscholastic activity means an activity between schools subject to rules of the Arkansas Activities Association that is outside the regular curriculum of the school district, such as an athletic activity, fine arts program, or a special interest group or club.

        Each school in the District shall post on its website its schedule of interscholastic activities, including sign-up, tryout, and participation deadlines, at least one semester in advance of those activities. A hard copy of the schedule shall be available upon request.

        Home-schooled students whose parents or guardians are legal residents of the school district will be permitted to pursue participation in an interscholastic activity in the student's resident school zone as permitted by this policy.

        Home-schooled students whose parent or legal guardian are not residents of the school district will be permitted to pursue participation in an interscholastic activity in the District if: The superintendent of the student’s resident district and the superintendent of the District both agree in writing to allow the student to participate in interscholastic activities at the District; or

        Although not guaranteed participation in an interscholastic activity, home-school students who meet the provisions of this policy, AAA Rules, and applicable Arkansas statutes shall have an equal opportunity to try out and participate in interscholastic activities without discrimination. The District shall provide a reasonable alternative to any prerequisite for eligibility to participate in an interscholastic activity that the home-schooled student is unable to meet because of his or her enrollment in a home school.

        No student shall be required to pay for individual or group instruction in order to participate in an interscholastic activity.

        To be eligible to try out and participate in interscholastic activities, the student or the parent of a student shall mail or hand deliver the student's request to participate to the student's school's principal before the signup, tryout or participation deadline established for traditional students. Additionally, the student shall demonstrate academic eligibility by obtaining a minimum test score of the 30th percentile or better in the previous 12 months on the Stanford Achievement Test Series, Tenth Edition; another nationally recognized norm-referenced test; or a minimum score on a test approved by the State Board of Education.

        A student who meets the requirements for eligibility to participate in an interscholastic activity is required to register for no more than one non-academic course in the District's school where the student is intending to participate in an interscholastic activity that coincides with the interscholastic activity in which the homeschooled student participates and shall be required to be at school only when participation in the interscholastic activity requires other students who participate in the interscholastic activity to be at school.

        The student shall regularly attend the class in which the student is registered beginning no later than the eleventh (11th) day of the semester in which the student's interscholastic activity participation is desired. The student must attend the practices for the interscholastic activity to the same extent as is required of traditional students.

        A student and the parent or legal guardian of the student shall sign and return an acknowledgement of receipt and review of an information sheet regarding signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest before the student may participate in an athletic activity and before each school year the student participates in an athletic activity.

        A home-schooled student who has met the try out criteria; and who has been selected to participate in the interscholastic activity shall meet the following criteria that also apply to traditional students enrolled in the school:

        Students who participate in extracurricular or athletic activities under this policy will be transported to and from the interscholastic activities on the same basis as other students are transported.

        A home-schooled student may begin participating in an interscholastic activity immediately upon being approved to participate by the District if:

        A student who withdrew from an AAA member school who participated in an interscholastic activity that is a varsity sport at the student’s resident district during the previous three hundred sixty-five (365) days shall not be eligible to immediately participate in an interscholastic activity that is a varsity sport in the District. The student will not become eligible for full participation until the completion of the three hundred sixty-five (365) day period from when the student withdrew. A student who is not eligible for full participation may participate in tryouts, practices, classes, or other endeavors associated with the interscholastic activity until the completion of the three hundred sixty-five (365) day period from when the student withdrew.

        4.17—STUDENT DISCIPLINE

        The West Fork Board of Education has a responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the District’s students and employees. To help maintain a safe environment conducive to high student achievement, the Board establishes policies necessary to regulate student behavior to promote an orderly school environment that is respectful of the rights of others and ensures the uniform enforcement of student discipline. Students are responsible for their conduct that occurs:

        The District’s administrators may also take disciplinary action against a student for off-campus conduct occurring at any time that would have a detrimental impact on school discipline, the educational environment, or the welfare of the students and/or staff. A student who has committed a criminal act while off campus and whose presence on campus could cause a substantial disruption to school or endanger the welfare of other students or staff is subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Such acts could include, but are not limited:

        The District shall incorporate the District’s implementation of positive behavioral supports in accordance with Policy 4.60 in the application of student discipline.

        The District’s personnel policy committees shall review the District’s student discipline policies, including State and District discipline data and may recommend changes in the policies to the West Fork School Board. The Board has the responsibility of determining whether to approve any recommended changes to student discipline policies.

        The District’s student discipline policies shall be distributed to each student during the first week of school each year and to new students upon their enrollment. Each student’s parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis shall sign and return to the school an acknowledgement form documenting that they have received the policies.

        The District shall develop and provide programs, measures, or alternative means and methods for continued student engagement and educational access during periods of suspension or expulsion.

        The superintendent is authorized to modify the penalties set forth in the District’s student discipline policies on a case-by-case basis.

        It is required by law that the principal or the person in charge report to the police any incidents the person has personal knowledge of or has received information leading to a reasonable belief that a person has committed or threatened to commit an act of violence or any crime involving a deadly weapon on school property or while under school supervision. If the person making the report is not the Superintendent, that person shall also inform the Superintendent of the incident. Additionally, the principal shall inform any school employee or other person who initially reported the incident that a report has been made to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The Superintendent or designee shall inform the Board of Directors of any such report made to law enforcement.

        The superintendent shall make a report annually to the Board of Directors on student discipline data, which shall include, without limitation: the number of incidents of bullying reported and the actions taken regarding the reported incidents of bullying.

        4.17.1WF - DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

        In all cases the minimum disciplinary action taken could be counseling with the maximum disciplinary action being expulsion.

        1. Counseling the first measure tried in confronting most discipline problems will be to counsel the student. Proper counseling often results in improving student behavior. The teacher should have a conference with the student when undesirable behavior occurs. Conferences that involve various combinations of the student, teacher, counselor, administrator, and parent offer a promise of assistance in correcting discipline problems.
        2. Lunch Detention – a determined amount of time given up by a student in an assigned area during their lunch breaks for minor disciplinary infractions and/or tardies.
          • The principal, assistant principal or dean of students may assign lunch detention. Lunch detention will last the entire lunch period. Students assigned lunch detention will be given the opportunity to eat lunch from the hot lunch line or a lunch they brought from home.
          • Lunch detentions assigned before lunch will be served that same day. Lunch detentions issued after lunch will be served the following day. Students, who check out early or are absent the day a lunch detention is served, will serve the detention the next day they are at school. 
          • Procedure used for issuing lunch detention:
            1. The principal, assistant principal and/or dean of students will keep a record of student minor disciplinary infractions.
            2. The principal, assistant principal, or dean of students;
              1. fill out a lunch detention form when minor infraction occurs;
              2. inform the student of the lunch detention assignment;
              3. a digital copy will be kept on file;
        3. In-School Suspension In many situations where standard disciplinary measures are inappropriate, students may be assigned to serve an in-school suspension.
          • Inschool suspension will be administered according to the following procedures.
            1. Assignment to in-school suspension will be made by the principal, assistant principal or dean of students.
            2. It will be held in an area designated by the administration.
            3. Teachers will turn in homework for the student to do while assigned to it.
            4. Students will be asked to sign an ISS contract that identifies all of the prescribed rules of behavior and expectations for their assigned time.
            5. Days in ISS will not count against a student’s eight-day absence total.
            6. Students will not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities, including games or practices, on the day(s) they are assigned to ISS;
        4. Corporal Punishment – See District Policy 4.39
        5. Suspension – See District Policy 4.30
          1. As allowed by District Policy 4.8WF, students suspended out of school will be expected to make up any work or test during their suspension.
          2. As per District Policy 4.7, out of school suspensions do count as unexcused absences, however, out of school suspensions will not count towards denial of credit(s).
        6. Expulsion – See District Policy 4.31

          4.18—PROHIBITED CONDUCT

          Students and staff require a safe and orderly learning environment that is conducive to high student achievement. Certain student behaviors are unacceptable in such an environment and are hereby prohibited by the Board. Prohibited behaviors include, but shall not be limited to the following.

          1. Disrespect or insult or abuse of school employees and failing to comply with their reasonable directions or otherwise demonstrating insubordination;
          2. Disruptive behavior that interferes with orderly school operations;
          3. Willfully and intentionally assaulting or threatening to assault or physically abusing any student or school employee;
          4. Possession of any weapon that can reasonably be considered capable of causing bodily harm to another individual;
          5. Possession or use of tobacco in any form on any property owned or leased by any public school;
          6. Willfully or intentionally damaging, destroying, or stealing school property;
          7. Possession and use of a personal electronic device except as authorized by Policy 4.47 or by the student’s IEP or 504 Plan;
          8. Possession, selling, distributing, or being under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, any illegal drug, unauthorized inhalants, or the inappropriate use or sharing of prescription or over the counter drugs, or other intoxicants, or anything represented to be a drug, and no “vaping” or found to be in possession of products that are related to “vaping”;
          9. Sharing, diverting, transferring, applying to others (such as needles or lancets), or in any way misusing medication or any medical supplies in their possession;
          10. Inappropriate public displays of affection or engaging in indecent or immoral acts;
          11. Cheating, copying, or claiming another person's work to be his/her own;
          12. Gambling;
          13. Inappropriate student dress;
          14. Use of vulgar, profane, or obscene language or gestures;
          15. Truancy;
          16. Excessive tardiness;
          17. Engaging in behavior designed to taunt, degrade, or ridicule another person on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability (displaying inciting insignias such as “Confederate Rebel flags, swastikas, or gang symbols, etc. on clothing, hats, personal vehicle while on school property, etc.);
          18. Possess, view, distribute or electronically transmit sexually explicit or vulgar images or representations, whether electronically, on a data storage device, or in hard copy form;
          19. Hazing, or aiding in the hazing of another student;
          20. Gangs or gang-related activities, including belonging to secret societies of any kind, are forbidden on school property. Gang insignias, clothing, “throwing signs” or other gestures associated with gangs are prohibited;
          21. Sexual-based harassment;
          22. Bullying;
          23. Possession of firecrackers, smoke bombs, cherry bombs, or any other kind of fireworks;
          24. Lying to school personnel; and
          25. Operating a vehicle on school grounds while using a wireless communication device; and
          26. Theft of another individual’s personal property.

            The Board directs each school in the District to develop implementation regulations for prohibited student conduct consistent with applicable Board policy, State and Federal laws, and judicial decisions.

            CONDUCT TO AND FROM SCHOOL & TRANSPORTATION ELIGIBILITY (4.19)

            The School Board shall delegate to the Superintendent of Schools or his designee the responsibility for management of all School District transportation needs and care of all buses and equipment. The School Board places the safety of all pupils and others who may be riding school buses as the foremost concern of the School District transportation program. All transportation services provided by the School District shall comply fully with state and federal laws and regulations.

            In Arkansas, there is no requirement that a district provide bus transportation for any of its students; however, the district chooses to provide bus transportation to students within its boundaries when it is in the district’s best interest to do so. In some isolated cases, the district may even choose to provide transportation to students living outside the district’s boundaries. Unfortunately, the district may not be able to transport some students living in isolated areas or terrain that cannot be accessed by the district’s buses or will extend a route too far, so it may become necessary for other arrangements to be made up to and including the parent or legal guardian providing their student transportation to school. At the beginning of each school year, the superintendent and the district’s transportation supervisor will establish routes for the year and will consider any requests for modifications on an individual basis.

            The District’s Student Code of conduct applies to students while traveling to and from school or to and from a school activity to the same extent as if the students were on school grounds. Appropriate disciplinary actions may be taken against commuting students who violate the District’s Student Code of Conduct.

            The preceding paragraph also applies to student conduct while on school buses. Students shall be instructed in safe riding practices. The driver of a school bus shall not operate the school bus until every passenger is seated. In addition to other disciplinary measures provided for violations of the District’s Student Code of Conduct, the student’s bus transportation privileges may be suspended or terminated for violations of the Student Code of Conduct related to bus behavior.

            The transportation to and from school of students who have lost their bus transportation privileges is the responsibility of the student’s parent or legal guardian.

            4.25—STUDENT DRESS AND GROOMING

            The West Fork Board of Education recognizes that dress can be a matter of personal taste and preference. At the same time, the District has a responsibility to promote an environment conducive to student learning. This requires limitations to student dress and grooming that could be disruptive to the educational process because they are immodest, disruptive, unsanitary, unsafe, could cause property damage, or are offensive to common standards of decency.

            Students are prohibited from wearing, while on the school grounds during the school day and at school-sponsored events, clothing that exposes underwear, buttocks, or the breast.This prohibition does not apply, however to a costume or uniform worn by a student while participating in a school-sponsored activity or event.

            A student shall not be disciplined or discriminated against based upon the student's natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle. A student’s natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle includes without limitation afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, braids, cornrow braids, Bantu knots, curls, and hair styled to protect hair texture or for cultural significance.

            The Superintendent in conjunction with each school principal shall establish student dress codes consistent with the above criteria for the District’s schools to be included in the student handbook.

            DISRUPTION OF SCHOOL (4.20)

            No student shall by the use of violence, force, noise, coercion, threat, intimidation, fear, passive resistance, or any other conduct, intentionally cause the disruption of any lawful mission, process, or function of the school, or engage in any such conduct for the purpose of causing disruption or obstruction of any lawful mission, process, or function. Nor shall any student encourage any other student to engage in such activities.

            Disorderly activities by any student or group of students that adversely affect the school’s orderly educational environment shall not be tolerated at any time on school grounds. Teachers may remove from class and send to the principal or principal’s designee’s office a student whose behavior is so unruly, disruptive, or abusive that it seriously interferes with the teacher’s ability to teach the students, the class, or with the ability of the student’s classmates to learn. Students who refuse to leave the classroom voluntarily will be escorted from the classroom by the school administration.

            STUDENT ASSAULT OR BATTERY (4.21)

            A student shall not threaten, physically abuse, attempt to physically abuse, or behave in such a way as to be perceived to threaten bodily harm to any other person (student, school employee, or school visitor). Any gestures; vulgar, abusive, or insulting language; taunting, threatening, harassing, or intimidating remarks by a student toward another person that threatens their well-being is strictly forbidden. This includes, but is not limited to, fighting, racial, ethnic, religious, or sexual slurs.

            Furthermore, it is unlawful, during regular school hours, and in a place where a public school employee is required to be in the course of his or her duties, for any person to address a public school employee using language which, in its common acceptation, is calculated to:

            1. Cause a breach of the peace;
            2. Materially and substantially interfere with the operation of the school; or
            3. Arouse the person to whom it is addressed to anger, to the extent likely to cause imminent retaliation.

            Students guilty of such an offense may be subject to legal proceedings in addition to any student disciplinary measures.

            WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS (4.22)

            Definitions

            “Firearm" means any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or any device readily convertible to that use.

            “Possession” means having a weapon on the student’s body or in an area under the student’s control.

            “Weapon” means any:

            No student, except for Military personnel (such as ROTC cadets) acting in the course of their official duties or as otherwise expressly permitted by this policy, shall possess a weapon, display what appears to be a weapon, or threaten to use a weapon before or after school while:

            If a student discovers prior to any questioning or search by any school personnel that he/she has accidentally brought a weapon, other than a firearm, to school on his/her person, in a book bag/purse, or in his/her vehicle on school grounds, and the student informs the principal or a staff person immediately, the student will not be considered to be in possession of a weapon unless it is a firearm. The weapon shall be confiscated and held in the office until such time as the student’s parent/legal guardian shall pick up the weapon from the school’s office. Repeated offenses are unacceptable and shall be grounds for disciplinary action against the student as otherwise provided for in this policy.

            Except as permitted in this policy, students found to be in possession on the school campus of a firearm shall be recommended for expulsion for a period of one (1) year. The superintendent shall have the discretion to modify such expulsion recommendation for a student on a case-by-case basis.

            The mandatory expulsion requirement for possession of a firearm does not apply to a firearm brought to school for the purpose of participating in activities approved and authorized by the district that include the use of firearms. Such activities may include ROTC programs, hunting safety or military education, or before- or after-school hunting or rifle clubs. Firearms brought to school for such purposes shall be brought to the school employee designated to receive such firearms. The designated employee shall store the firearms in a secure location until they are removed for use in the approved activity.

            The district shall report any student who brings a firearm school to the criminal justice system or juvenile delinquency system by notifying local law enforcement.

            TOBACCO, ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS, and RELATED PRODUCTS (4.23)

            Smoking or use of tobacco or products containing tobacco in any form (including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff) in or on any real property owned or leased by a District school, including school buses owned or leased by the District , is prohibited and illegal. Students who violate this policy may be subject to legal proceedings in addition to student disciplinary measures.

            With the exception of recognized tobacco cessation products, this policy’s prohibition includes any tobacco or nicotine delivery system or product. Specifically, the prohibition includes any product that is manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pips, or under any other name or descriptor.

            4.24—DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

            An orderly and safe school environment that is conducive to promoting student achievement requires a student population free from the deleterious effects of alcohol and drugs. Their use is illegal, disruptive to the educational environment, and diminishes the capacity of students to learn and function properly in our schools.

            Therefore, no student in the West Fork School District shall possess, attempt to possess, consume, use, distribute, sell, buy, attempt to sell, attempt to buy, give to any person, or be under the influence of any substance as defined in this policy, or what the student represents or believes to be any substance as defined in this policy.

            This policy applies to any student who:

            Prohibited substances shall include, but are not limited to:

            The sale, distribution, or attempted sale or distribution of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, dietary supplement or other perceived health remedy not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, or prescription drugs is prohibited. The possession or use of OTC medications, dietary supplement or other perceived health remedy not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, or prescription drugs is prohibited except as permitted under Policy 4.35—STUDENT MEDICATIONS.

            Note: The possession or use of marijuana on school campus is prohibited even if a student has a medical marijuana patient card. The Arkaknsas Constitution Amendment 98 § 6 states:

            1. This amendment does not permit a person to: …
            2. Possess, smoke, or otherwise engage in the medical use of marijuana:
              1. On a school bus;
              2. On the grounds of a daycare center, preschool, primary or secondary school, college or university;

            In general, Amendment 98 requires that a student with a patient card have any positive drug test be treated as if marijuana were any other presription drug. Amendment 98 requires the studnet be actively imparied before the district can take any action, which is restricted as follows: (b) This amendment does not require: … (6) A public school to persmit a qualifying patient who is a student to be present on school grounds, to attend a school event, or to participate in extacurriculuar activities in violation of the public school’s student discipline policies when a school office has a good faith belief that the behavior of the qualifying patient is imparied.

            GANGS AND GANG ACTIVITY (4.26)

            The Board is committed to ensuring a safe school environment conducive to promoting a learning environment where students and staff can excel. An orderly environment cannot exist where unlawful acts occur causing fear, intimidation, or physical harm to students or school staff. Gangs and their activities create such an atmosphere and shall not be allowed on school grounds or at school functions.

            The following actions are prohibited by students on school property or at school functions:

            1. Wearing or possessing any clothing, bandanas, jewelry, symbol, or other sign associated with membership in, or representative of, any gang;
            2. Engaging in any verbal or nonverbal act such as throwing signs, gestures, or handshakes representative of membership in any gang;
            3. Recruiting, soliciting, or encouraging any person through duress or intimidation to become or remain a member of any gang; and/or
            4. Extorting payment from any individual in return for protection from harm from any gang.

            Students found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

            Students arrested for gang related activities occurring off school grounds shall be subject to the same disciplinary actions as if they had occurred on school grounds.

            STUDENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT (4.27)

            The West Fork School District is committed to providing an academic environment that treats all students with respect and dignity. Student achievement is best attained in an atmosphere of equal educational opportunity that is free of discrimination. Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that undermines the integrity of the educational environment and will not be tolerated.

            The District believes the best policy to create an educational environment free from sexual harassment is prevention; therefore, the District shall provide informational materials and training to students, parents/legal guardians/other responsible adults, and employees on sexual harassment. The informational materials and training on sexual harassment shall be age appropriate and, when necessary, provided in a language other than English or in an accessible format. The informational materials and training shall include, but are not limited to:

            Definitions

            “Complainant” means an individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.

            “Education program or activity” includes locations, events, or circumstances where the District exercised substantial control over both the respondent and the context in which the sexual harassment occurs.

            “Formal complaint” means a document filed by a complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual harassment against a respondent and requesting an investigation of the allegation of sexual harassment.

            “Respondent” means an individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.

            “Sexual harassment” means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

            1. A District employee:
              1. Conditions the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the District on an individual’s participation in sexual conduct;2 or
              2. Uses the rejection of sexual conduct as the basis for academic decisions affecting that individual;
            2. The conduct is:
              1. Unwelcome; and
              2. Determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the District’s education program or activity; or
            3. Constitutes:
              1. Sexual assault;
              2. Dating violence
              3. Domestic violence; or
              4. Stalking.

            “Supportive measures” means individualized services that are offered to the complainant or made available to the respondent designed to restore or preserve equal access to the District’s education program or activity without unreasonably burdening the other party. The supportive measures must be non-disciplinary and non-punitive in nature; offered before or after the filing of a formal complaint or where no formal complaint has been filed; and offered to either party as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge. Examples of supportive measures include, but are not limited to: measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or the District’s educational environment, or deter sexual harassment; counseling; extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments; modifications of work or class schedules; campus escort services; mutual restrictions on contact between the parties; changes in work or class locations; leaves of absence; and increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus.

            Within the educational environment, sexual harassment is prohibited between any of the following: students; employees and students; and non-employees and students.

            Actionable sexual harassment is generally established when an individual is exposed to a pattern of objectionable behaviors or when a single, serious act is committed. What is, or is not, sexual harassment will depend upon all of the surrounding circumstances and may occur regardless of the sex(es) of the individuals involved. Depending upon such circumstances, examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:

            Students who believe they have been subjected to sexual harassment, or the parent/legal guardian/other responsible adult of a student who believes their student has been subjected to sexual harassment, are encouraged to bring their concerns to any District staff member, including a counselor, teacher, Title IX coordinator, or administrator. If the District staff member who received a report of alleged sexual harassment is not the Title IX Coordinator, then the District staff person shall inform the Title IX Coordinator of the alleged sexual harassment. As soon as reasonably possible after receiving a report of alleged sexual harassment from another District staff member or after receiving a report directly through any means, the Title IX Coordinator shall contact the complainant to:

            Supportive Measures

            The District shall offer supportive measures to the complainant and make supportive measures available to respondent that are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the District’s education program or activity without unreasonably burdening the other party before or after the filing of a formal complaint or where no formal complaint has been filed. The District shall provide the individualized supportive measures to the complainant unless declined in writing by the complainant and shall provide individualized supportive measures that are non-disciplinary and non-punitive to the respondent. A complainant who initially declined the District’s offer of supportive measures may request supportive measures at a later time and the District shall provide individualized supportive measures based on the circumstances when the subsequent request is received.

            Formal Complaint

            A formal complaint may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail, or by email. Upon receipt of a formal complaint, a District shall simultaneously provide the following written notice to the parties who are known:

            If, in the course of an investigation, the District decides to investigate allegations about the complainant or respondent that are not included in the previous notice, the District shall simultaneously provide notice of the additional allegations to the parties whose identities are known.

            The District may consolidate formal complaints of allegations of sexual harassment where the allegations of sexual harassment arise out of the same facts or circumstances and the formal complaints are against more than one respondent; or by more than one complainant against one or more respondents; or by one party against the other party. When the District has consolidated formal complaints so that the grievance process involves more than one complainant or more than one respondent, references to the singular “party”, “complainant”, or “respondent” include the plural, as applicable.

            When investigating a formal complaint and throughout the grievance process, a District shall:

            At least ten (10) days prior to completion of the investigative report, the District shall send to each party and the party’s advisor, if any, the evidence subject to inspection and review in an electronic format or a hard copy. The parties shall have at least ten (10)3 days to submit a written response to the evidence. The investigator will consider the written responses prior to completion of the investigative report. All evidence subject to inspection and review shall be available for the parties’ inspection and review at any meeting to give each party equal opportunity to refer to such evidence during the meeting.

            After the investigative report is sent to the parties, the decision-maker shall:

            No earlier than ten (10) days following the completion of the investigation period, the decision-maker, who cannot be the same person as the Title IX Coordinator or the investigator, shall issue a written determination regarding responsibility. The written determination shall include—

            1. Identification of the allegations potentially constituting sexual harassment;
            2. A description of the procedural steps taken from the receipt of the formal complaint through the determination, including:
            3. Any notifications to the parties;
            4. Interviews with parties and witnesses;
            5. site visits;
            6. Methods used to gather other evidence,; and
            7. Hearings held;
            8. Findings of fact supporting the determination;
            9. Conclusions regarding the application of the District’s code of conduct to the facts;
            10. A statement of, and rationale for, the result as to each allegation, including:
            11. A determination regarding responsibility;
            12. Any disciplinary sanctions imposed on the respondent; and
            13. Whether remedies designed to restore or preserve equal access to the District’s education program or activity will be provided by the District to the complainant; and
            14. The procedures and permissible bases for the complainant and respondent to appeal.

            The written determination shall be provided to the parties simultaneously. The determination regarding responsibility shall become final on the earlier of:

            The District shall investigate the allegations in a formal complaint. If the conduct alleged in the formal complaint would not constitute sexual harassment as defined in this policy even if proved; did not occur in the District’s education program or activity; or did not occur against a person in the United States, then the District shall dismiss the complaint as not meeting the definition of sexual harassment under this policy. A dismissal for these reasons does not preclude action under another provision of the District’s code of conduct.

            The District may dismiss the formal complaint or any allegations therein, if at any time during the grievance process:

            Upon the dismissal of a formal complaint for any reason, the District shall promptly send written notice of the dismissal and reason(s) for the dismissal simultaneously to the parties.

            The District may hire an individual or individuals to conduct the investigation or to act as the determination-maker when necessary.

            Appeals

            Either party may appeal a determination regarding responsibility or from a dismissal of a formal complaint or any allegations therein, on the following bases:

            1. The existence of a procedural irregularity that affected the outcome of the matter;
            2. Discovery of new evidence that was not reasonably available at the time the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal was made, that could affect the outcome of the matter;
            3. The Title IX Coordinator, investigator, or decision-maker had a conflict of interest or bias for or against complainants or respondents generally or the individual complainant or respondent that affected the outcome of the matter; or
            4. An appeal of the disciplinary sanctions from the initial determination.

            For all appeals, the District shall:

            1. Notify the other party in writing when an appeal is filed;
            2. Simultaneously Provide all parties a written copy of the District’s procedures governing the appeal process;
            3. Implement appeal procedures equally for both parties;
            4. Ensure that the decision-maker5 for the appeal is not the same person as the decision-maker that reached the original determination regarding responsibility or dismissal, the investigator, or the Title IX Coordinator;
            5. Provide all parties a reasonable, equal opportunity to submit a written statement in support of, or challenging, the outcome;
            6. Issue a written decision describing the result of the appeal and the rationale for the result; and
            7. Provide the written decision simultaneously to both parties.

            Confidentiality

            Reports of sexual harassment, both informal reports and formal complaints, will be treated in a confidential manner to the extent possible. Limited disclosure may be provided to:

            Except as listed above, the District shall keep confidential the identity of:

            Any supportive measures provided to the complainant or respondent shall be kept confidential to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality does not impair the ability of the District to provide the supportive measures.

            Emergency Removal

            The District may remove a respondent from the District’s education program or activity on an emergency basis only after the completion of an individualized safety and risk analysis that determines that an immediate threat to the physical health or safety of any student or other individual arising from the allegations of sexual harassment justifies removal. A removed student will be provided with notice and an opportunity to challenge the removal decision immediately following the removal.

            Retaliation Prohibited

            Students, or the parents/legal guardians/ other responsible adult of a student, who submit a report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment,; testified; assisted; or participate or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing on sexual harassment shall not be subjected to retaliation or reprisal in any form, including threats; intimidation; coercion; discrimination; or charges for code of conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual harassment, arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or formal complaint of sex discrimination, and are made for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege under this policy. The District shall take steps to prevent retaliation and shall take immediate action if any form of retaliation occurs regardless of whether the retaliatory acts are by District officials, students, or third parties.

            Disciplinary Sanctions

            It shall be a violation of this policy for any student to be subjected to, or to subject another person to, sexual harassment. Following the completion of the District’s grievance process, any student who is found by the evidence to more likely than not7 have engaged in sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action up to, and including, expulsion. No disciplinary sanction or other action that is not a supportive measure may be taken against a respondent until the conclusion of the grievance process.

            Students who knowingly fabricate allegations of sexual harassment or purposely provide inaccurate facts shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. A determination that the allegations do not rise to the level of sexual harassment alone is not sufficient to conclude that any party made a false allegation or materially false statement in bad faith.

            Records

            The District shall maintain the following records for a minimum of seven (7) years:

            LASER POINTERS (4.28)

            Students shall not possess any hand held laser pointer while in school; on or about school property, before or after school; in attendance at school or any school-sponsored activity; en route to or from school or any school-sponsored activity; off the school grounds at any school bus stop or at any school-sponsored activity or event. School personnel shall seize any laser pointer from the student possessing it and the student may reclaim it at the close of the school year, or when the student is no longer enrolled in the District.

            4.47WF— POSSESSION AND USE OF CELL PHONES, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES

            Students are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that respects the rights of others. Possession and use of any electronic device, whether district or student owned, that interferes with a positive, orderly classroom environment does not respect the rights of others and is expressly forbidden.

            West Fork School District has implemented a no cell phone policy during instructional time. We believe that phones provide a disruption to learning and engaging socially in the education process of our students. Students are not allowed to use their cell phones during school hours except for before the first bell and during the student's lunch break. Under no circumstances should students take a picture or video of another student using their cell phone without permission. This is a privacy violation.

            We ask that students keep their phones in their backpacks and turned off during instructional time during the day. Instructional time includes but is not limited to, times when students are scheduled to be in academic classes, physical education or athletics classes, assemblies, elective classes, and transition times between classes. Students with medical documentation are allowed to use their phones for medical communication.

            The first time a student is caught using their phone the teacher will ask them to put it away. If the student gets the phone out again the teacher will take the phone for the class period. The second time the teacher has to take the phone the phone will be turned into the office and the student will pick up the phone at the end of the day. After the phone has been sent to the office two times, on the third time the parents must come pick up the phone from the school. If the student’s phone gets sent to the office a fourth time the student will be assigned to one day of Saturday School. We also ask that parents support this policy by not contacting their child via cell phone during school hours, but instead call our office phone line and the message will be delivered to their child in a timely manner.

            To protect the security of statewide assessments, no electronic device, as defined in this policy, shall be accessible by a student at any time during assessment administration unless specifically permitted by a student's individualized education program (IEP) or individual health plan; this means that when a student is taking an AESAA assessment, the student shall not have his/her electronic device in his/her possession. Any student violating this provision shall be subject to this policy's disciplinary provisions.

            The prohibition in this policy does not extend to the electronic device the District provides the student for the student’s use during assessment administration to the extent the student is using the District provided device to complete the assessment.

            As used in this policy, “electronic devices” means any electronic device that can be used to transmit or capture images, sound, or data, which includes, without limitation, a:

            1. Cellular telephone;
            2. Paging device;
            3. Beeper;
            4. Mobile telephone that offers advanced computing and internet accessibility;
            5. Digital media player;
            6. Portable game console;
            7. Tablet, notebook, or laptop computer;
            8. Digital camera; and
            9. Digital video or audio recorder.

            Misuse of electronic devices includes, but is not limited to:

            1. Using electronic devices during class time in any manner other than specifically permitted by the classroom instructor;
            2. Permitting any audible sound to come from the device when not being used for reason #1 above;
            3. Engaging in academic dishonesty, including cheating, intentionally plagiarizing, wrongfully giving or receiving help during an academic examination, or wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores;
            4. Using the device to record audio or video or to take photographs in areas where a general expectation of personal privacy exists, including but not limited to locker rooms and bathrooms;
            5. Creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction of oneself or another person.

            Use of an electronic device is permitted to the extent it is approved in a student’s IEP or it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals. Also, all students are permitted to use electronic devices on the school campus before, during the students lunch period, and after normal school hours. The use of such devices at school sponsored functions outside the regular school day is permitted to the extent and within the limitations allowed by the event or activity the student is attending.

            A parent shall obtain approval from the student’s building principal before operating a student-tracking safety device at school or at a school-sponsored event if the device has recording or listen-in capability. The District requires the device’s recording and listen-in technology to be disabled while the device is on the campus or at the school-sponsored event because of student privacy concerns. The District prohibits unauthorized audio or visual recordings or transmission of audio or images of other students. The student’s parent shall agree in writing to the requirement for the device’s recording and listening-in technology to be disabled and that the District may prohibit future use of the device on campus or at a school-sponsored activity if it is determined that the device’s recording or listening-in capabilities were used in violation of this policy before the student safety tracking device may be on campus or at a school-sponsored event.

            The student and/or the student’s parents or guardians expressly assume any risk associated with students owning or possessing electronic devices. Students misusing electronic devices may have them confiscated according to this policy. Students have no right of privacy as to the content contained on any electronic devices that have been confiscated. A search of a confiscated device shall meet the reasonable individualized suspicion requirements of Policy 4.32—SEARCH, SEIZURE, AND INTERROGATIONS.

            Students who use school issued cell phones and/or computers for non-school purposes, except as permitted by the district’s Internet/computer use policy, shall be subject to discipline, up to and including suspension or expulsion. Students are forbidden from using school issued cell phones while driving any vehicle at any time. Violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

            No student shall use any wireless communication device for the purposes of browsing the internet; composing or reading emails and text messages; or making or answering phone calls while driving a motor vehicle that is in motion and on school property. Violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension.

            BULLYING (4.43)

            Definitions

            “Attribute” means an actual or perceived personal characteristic including without limitation race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, socioeconomic status, academic status, disability, gender, gender identity, physical appearance, health condition, or sexual orientation;

            “Bullying” means the intentional harassment, intimidation, humiliation, ridicule, defamation, or threat or incitement of violence by a student against another student or public school employee by a written, verbal, electronic, or physical act that may address an attribute of the other student, public school employee, or person with whom the other student or public school employee is associated and that causes or creates actual or reasonably foreseeable:

            Examples of "Bullying" include, but are not limited to, a pattern of behavior involving one or more of the following:

            1. Cyberbullying;
            2. Sarcastic comments "compliments" about another student’s personal appearance or actual or perceived attributes,
            3. Pointed questions intended to embarrass or humiliate,
            4. Mocking, taunting or belittling,
            5. Non-verbal threats and/or intimidation such as “fronting” or “chesting” a person,
            6. Demeaning humor relating to a student’s actual or perceived attributes,
            7. Blackmail, extortion, demands for protection money or other involuntary donations or loans,
            8. Blocking access to school property or facilities,
            9. Deliberate physical contact or injury to person or property,
            10. Stealing or hiding books or belongings,
            11. Threats of harm to student(s), possessions, or others,
            12. Sexual harassment, as governed by policy 4.27, is also a form of bullying, and/or
            13. Teasing or name-calling related to sexual characteristics or the belief or perception that an individual is not conforming to expected gender roles or conduct or is homosexual, regardless of whether the student self-identifies as homosexual or transgender (Examples: “Slut”, “You are so gay.”, “Fag”, “Queer”).

            "Cyberbullying" means any form of communication by electronic act that is sent with the purpose to:

            Cyberbullying of School Employees includes, but is not limited to:

            1. Building a fake profile or website of the employee;
            2. Posting or encouraging others to post on the Internet private, personal, or sexual information pertaining to a school employee;
            3. Posting an original or edited image of the school employee on the Internet;
            4. Accessing, altering, or erasing any computer network, computer data program, or computer software, including breaking into a password-protected account or stealing or otherwise accessing passwords of a school employee;
            5. Making repeated, continuing, or sustained electronic communications, including electronic mail or transmission, to a school employee;
            6. Making, or causing to be made, and disseminating an unauthorized copy of data pertaining to a school employee in any form, including without limitation the printed or electronic form of computer data, computer programs, or computer software residing in, communicated by, or produced by a computer or computer network;
            7. Signing up a school employee for a pornographic Internet site; or
            8. Without authorization of the school employee, signing up a school employee for electronic mailing lists or to receive junk electronic messages and instant messages.

            Cyberbullying is prohibited whether or not the cyberbullying originated on school property or with school equipment, if the cyberbullying results in the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or educational environment or is directed specifically at students or school personnel and maliciously intended for the purpose of disrupting school and has a high likelihood of succeeding in that purpose.

            “Harassment” means a pattern of unwelcome verbal or physical conduct relating to another person's constitutionally or statutorily protected status that causes, or reasonably should be expected to cause, substantial interference with the other's performance in the school environment; and

            “Substantial disruption” means without limitation that any one or more of the following occur as a result of the bullying:

            Respect for the dignity of others is a cornerstone of civil society. Bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, robs a person of his/her dignity, detracts from the safe environment necessary to promote student learning, and will not be tolerated by the Board of Directors. Students who bully another person shall be held accountable for their actions whether they occur on school equipment or property; off school property at a school sponsored or approved function, activity, or event; going to or from school or a school activity in a school vehicle or school bus; or at designated school bus stops.

            Students are encouraged to report behavior they consider to be bullying, including a single action which if allowed to continue would constitute bullying, to their teacher or the building principal. The report may be made anonymously. Teachers and other school employees who have witnessed, or are reliably informed that, a student has been a victim of behavior they consider to be bullying, including a single action which if allowed to continue would constitute bullying, shall report the incident(s) to the building principal, or designee, as soon as possible. Parents or legal guardians may submit written reports of incidents they feel constitute bullying, or if allowed to continue would constitute bullying, to the building principal, or designee.

            The person or persons reporting behavior they consider to be bullying shall not be subject to retaliation or reprisal in any form.

            A building principal, or designee, who receives a credible report or complaint of bullying shall:

            1. As soon as reasonably practicable, but by no later than the end of the school day following the receipt of the credible report of bullying:
            2. Report to a parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of a student, or person standing in loco parentis of a student that their student is the victim in a credible report of bullying; and
            3. Prepare a written report of the alleged incident of bullying;
            4. Promptly investigate the credible report or complaint of bullying, which shall be completed by no later than the fifth (5th) school day following the completion of the written report.
            5. Notify within five (5) days following the completion of the investigation the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of a student, or person standing in loco parentis of a student who was the alleged victim in a credible report of bullying whether the investigation found the credible report or complaint of bullying to be true and the availability of counseling and other intervention services.
            6. Notify within five (5) days following the completion of the investigation the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person acting in loco parentis of the student who is alleged to have been the perpetrator of the incident of bullying:
            7. That a credible report or complaint of bullying against their student exists;
            8. Whether the investigation found the credible report or complaint of bullying to be true;
            9. Whether action was taken against their student upon the conclusion of the investigation of the alleged incident of bullying; and
            10. Information regarding the reporting of another alleged incident of bullying, including potential consequences of continued incidents of bullying;
            11. Make a written record of the investigation, which shall include:
            12. A detailed description of the alleged incident of bullying, including without limitation a detailed summary of the statements from all material witnesses to the alleged incident of bullying;
            13. Any action taken as a result of the investigation; and
            14. Discuss, as appropriate, the availability of counseling and other intervention services with students involved in the incident of bullying.

            Students found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. In determining the appropriate disciplinary action, consideration may be given to other violations of the student handbook which may have simultaneously occurred. In addition to any disciplinary actions, the District shall take appropriate steps to remedy the effects resulting from bullying. Notice of what constitutes bullying, the District’s prohibition against bullying, and the consequences for students who bully shall be conspicuously posted in every classroom, cafeteria, restroom, gymnasium, auditorium, and school bus

            The superintendent shall make a report annually to the Board of Directors on student discipline data, which shall include, without limitation, the number of incidents of bullying reported and the actions taken regarding the reported incidents of bullying. Copies of this policy shall be available upon request.

            SEARCH, SEIZURE, AND INTERROGATIONS (4.32)

            The District respects the rights of its students against arbitrary intrusion of their person and property. At the same time, it is the responsibility of school officials to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all students enrolled in the District in order to promote an environment conducive to student learning. The Superintendent, principals, and their designees have the right to inspect and search school property and equipment. They may also search students and their personal property in which the student has a reasonable expectation of privacy, when there is reasonable and individualized suspicion to believe such student or property contains illegal items or other items in violation of Board policy or dangerous to the school community. School authorities may seize evidence found in the search and disciplinary action may be taken. Evidence found which appears to be in violation of the law shall be reported to the appropriate authority.

            School property shall include, but not be limited to, lockers, desks, and parking lots, as well as personal effects left there by students. When possible, prior notice will be given and the student will be allowed to be present along with an adult witness, however, searches may be done at any time with or without notice or the student’s consent. A personal search must not be excessively intrusive in light of the age and sex of the student and the nature of the infraction.

            The Superintendent, principals, and their designees may request the assistance of law enforcement officials to help conduct searches. Such searches may include the use of specially trained dogs.

            A school official of the same sex shall conduct personal searches with an adult witness of the same sex present.

            State Law requires that Department of Human Services employees, local law enforcement, or agents of the Crimes Against Children Division of the Division of Arkansas State Police, may interview students without a court order for the purpose of investigating suspected child abuse. In instances where the interviewers deem it necessary, they may exercise a “72-hour hold ” without first obtaining a court order. Other questioning of students by non-school personnel shall be granted only with a court order directing such questioning, with permission of the parents of a student (or the student if above eighteen [18] years of age), or in response to a subpoena or arrest warrant.

            If the District makes a report to any law enforcement agency concerning student misconduct or if access to a student is granted to a law enforcement agency due to a court order, the principal or the principal’s designee shall make a good faith effort to contact the student’s parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis. The principal or the principal's designee shall not attempt to make such contact if presented documentation by the investigator that notification is prohibited because a parent, guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis is named as an alleged offender of the suspected child maltreatment. This exception applies only to interview requests made by a law enforcement officer, an investigator of the Crimes Against Children Division of the Division of Arkansas State Police, or an investigator or employee of the Department of Human Services.

            In instances other than those related to cases of suspected child abuse, principals must release a student to either a police officer who presents a subpoena for the student, or a warrant for arrest, or to an agent of state social services or an agent of a court with jurisdiction over a child with a court order signed by a judge. Upon release of the student, the principal or designee shall give the student’s parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis notice that the student has been taken into custody by law enforcement personnel or a state’s social services agency. If the principal or designee is unable to reach the parent, he or she shall make a reasonable, good faith effort to get a message to the parent to call the principal or designee, and leave both a day and an after-hours telephone number.

            VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AND OTHER STUDENT MONITORING (4.48)

            The Board of Directors has a responsibility to maintain discipline, protect the safety, security, and welfare of its students, staff, and visitors while at the same time safeguarding district facilities, vehicles, and equipment. As part of fulfilling this responsibility, the board authorizes the use of video/audio surveillance cameras, automatic identification technology, data compilation devices, and technology capable of tracking the physical location of district equipment, students, and/or personnel.

            The placement of video/audio surveillance cameras shall be based on the presumption and belief that students, staff and visitors have no reasonable expectation of privacy anywhere on or near school property, facilities, vehicles, or equipment, with the exception of places such as rest rooms or dressing areas where an expectation of bodily privacy is reasonable and customary.

            Signs shall be posted on campus buildings and in district vehicles to notify students, staff, and visitors that video cameras may be in use. Parents and students shall also be notified through the student handbook that cameras may be in use in school buildings, on school grounds and in school vehicles. Students will be held responsible for any violations of school discipline rules caught by the cameras and other technologies authorized in this policy.

            The district shall retain copies of video recordings until they are erased which may be accomplished by either deletion or copying over with a new recording. These recordings will remain the property of the West Fork School District and will be subject to review only by authorized school personnel. A committee of bus driver, principal, transportation supervisor, and/or superintendent will determine the need of review of bus video recordings by parents.

            Videos, automatic identification, or data compilations containing evidence of a violation of student conduct rules and/or state or federal law shall be retained until the issue of the misconduct is no longer subject to review or appeal as determined by board policy or student handbook; any release or viewing of such records shall be in accordance with current law.

            Students who vandalize, damage, disable, or render inoperable (temporarily or permanently) surveillance cameras and equipment, automatic identification, or data compilations devices shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action and referral to appropriate law enforcement authorities.

            CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (4.39)

            The West Fork School Board prohibits the use of corporal punishment by an employee of the District against any student.

            SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL (4.30WF)

            Students who are not present at school cannot benefit from the educational opportunities the school environment affords. Administrators, therefore, shall strive to find ways to keep students in school as participants in the educational process. There are instances, however, when the needs of the other students or the interests of the orderly learning environment require the removal of a student from school. The Board authorizes school principals or their designees to suspend students for disciplinary reasons for a period of time not to exceed ten (10) school days, including the day upon which the suspension is imposed. The suspension may be in school or out of school. Students are responsible for their conduct that occurs:

            A student may be suspended for behavior including, but not limited to that which:

            1. Is in violation of school policies, rules, or regulations;
            2. Substantially interferes with the safe and orderly educational environment;
            3. School administrators believe will result in the substantial interference with the safe and orderly educational environment; and/or
            4. Is insubordinate, incorrigible, violent, or involves moral turpitude.

            Out-of-school suspension (OSS) shall not be used to discipline a student in kindergarten through fifth (5th) grade unless the student's behavior:

            1. Poses a physical risk to himself or herself or to others;
            2. Causes a serious disruption that cannot be addressed through other means; or
            3. Is the act of bringing a firearm on school campus

            OSS shall not be used to discipline a student for skipping class, excessive absences, or other forms of truancy.

            The school principal or designee shall proceed as follows in deciding whether or not to suspend a student.

            1. the student shall be given written notice or advised orally of the charges against him/her;
            2. if the student denies the charges, he/she shall be given an explanation of the evidence against
            3. him/her and be allowed to present his/her version of the facts; and
            4. if the principal finds the student guilty of the misconduct, he/she may be suspended.

            When possible, notice of the suspension, its duration, and any stipulations for the student’s re-admittance to class will be given to the parent(s), legal guardian(s), person(s) with lawful control of the student, person(s) standing in loco parentis, or to the student if age eighteen (18) or older prior to the suspension. Such notice shall be handed to the parent(s), legal guardian(s), person(s) having lawful control of the student, person(s) standing in loco parentis, or to the student if age eighteen (18) or older, mailed to the last address reflected in the records of the school district, or emailed to the parents email address on file with the school district.

            Generally, notice and hearing should precede the student's removal from school, but if prior notice and hearing are not feasible, as where the student's presence endangers persons or property or threatens disruption of the academic process, thus justifying immediate removal from school, the necessary notice and hearing should follow as soon as practicable.

            It is the responsibility of a student’s parents, legal guardians, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis to provide current contact information to the district, which the school shall use to immediately notify the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of a student, or person standing in loco parentis upon the suspension of a student. The notification shall be by one of the following means, listed in order of priority:

            The district shall keep a log of contacts attempted and made to the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis.

            The District shall establish programs, measures, or alternative means and methods to continue student engagement and access to education during a student’s period of OSS.

            During the period of their suspension, students serving OSS are not permitted on campus except to attend a student/parent/administrator conference or when necessary as part of the District’s engagement or access to education program.

            Students will not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities, including games or practices, on the day(s) they are assigned to in-school suspension.

            Suspensions initiated by the principal or his/her designee may be appealed to the Superintendent, but not to the Board.

            Suspensions initiated by the Superintendent may be appealed to the Board.

            EXPULSION (4.31)

            The Board of Education may expel a student for a period longer than ten (10) school days for violation of the District’s written discipline policies. The Superintendent may make a recommendation of expulsion to the Board of Education for student conduct:

            Expulsion shall not be used to discipline a student in kindergarten through fifth (5th) grade unless the student's behavior:

            1. Poses a physical risk to himself or herself or to others;
            2. Causes a serious disruption that cannot be addressed through other means; or
            3. Is the act of bringing a firearm on school campus

            The Superintendent or his/her designee shall give written notice to the parents, legal guardians, persons having lawful control of the student, or persons standing in loco parentis (mailed to the address reflected on the District’s records) that he/she will recommend to the Board of Education that the student be expelled for the specified length of time and state the reasons for the recommendation to expel. The notice shall give the date, hour, and place where the Board of Education will consider and dispose of the recommendation.

            The hearing shall be conducted not later than ten (10) school days following the date of the notice, except that representatives of the Board and student may agree in writing to a date not conforming to this limitation.

            The President of the Board, Board attorney, or other designated Board member shall preside at the hearing. The student may choose to be represented by legal counsel. Both the district administration and School Board also may be represented by legal counsel. The hearing shall be conducted in open session of the Board unless the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, person standing in loco parentis, or student if age eighteen (18) or older, requests that the hearing be conducted in executive session. Any action taken by the Board shall be in open session.

            During the hearing, the Superintendent, or designee, or representative will present evidence, including the calling of witnesses that gave rise to the recommendation of expulsion. The student, or his/her representative, may then present evidence including statements from persons with personal knowledge of the events or circumstances relevant to the charges against the student. Formal cross-examination will not be permitted; however, any member of the Board, the Superintendent, or designee, the student, or his/her representative may question anyone making a statement and/or the student. The presiding officer shall decide questions concerning the appropriateness or relevance of any questions asked during the hearing.

            Except as permitted by policy 4.22, the Superintendent shall recommend the expulsion of any student for a period of one (1) year for possession of any firearm prohibited on school campus by law. The Superintendent shall, however, have the discretion to modify the expulsion recommendation for a student on a case-by-case basis. Parents, legal guardians, persons having lawful control of a student, or persons standing in loco parentis of a student enrolling from another school after the expiration of an expulsion period for a weapons policy violation shall be given a copy of the current laws regarding the possibility of parental responsibility for allowing a child to possess a weapon on school property. The parents, legal guardians, persons having lawful control of the student, or persons standing in loco parentis shall sign a statement acknowledging that they have read and understand said laws prior to the student being enrolled in school.

            The Superintendent and the Board of Education shall complete the expulsion process of any student that was initiated because the student possessed a firearm or other prohibited weapon on school property regardless of the enrollment status of the student.

            The District shall establish programs, measures, or alternative means and methods to continue student engagement and access to education during a student’s period of expulsion.

            STUDENT MEDICATIONS (4.35WF)

            Prior to the administration of any medication, including any dietary supplement or other perceived health remedy not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, to any student under the age of eighteen (18), written parental consent is required. The consent form shall include authorization to administer the medication and relieve the Board and its employees of civil liability for damages or injuries resulting from the administration of medication to students in accordance with this policy. All signed medication consent forms are to be maintained by the school nurse.

            Unless authorized to self-administer or otherwise authorized by this policy, students are not allowed to carry any medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications or any dietary supplement or other perceived health remedy not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, while at school. The parent or legal guardian shall bring the student’s medication to the school nurse, or in the absence of the nurse, to the school secretary. The student may bring the medication if accompanied by a written authorization from the parent or legal guardian and accompanied with a doctor’s order. When medications are brought to the school nurse, the nurse shall document, in the presence of the parent, the quantity and type of the medication(s). If the medications are brought by a student, the school nurse, in the presence of the student, will verify the quantity of the medication(s). If an adult witness is available, he/she will be asked to verify and initial the medicine record

            Medications, including those for self-administration, must be in the original container and be properly labeled with the student’s name, the ordering health care provider’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage, frequency, and instructions for the administration of the medication (including times). Additional information accompanying the medication shall state the purpose for the medication, its possible side effects, and any other pertinent instructions (such as special storage requirements) or warnings.

            Students with an individualized health plan (IHP) may be given (OTC) medications to the extent giving such medications are included in the student's IHP.

            The district’s supervising registered nurse is responsible for creating procedures for the administration of medications on and off campus.

            The school shall not keep outdated medications or any medications past the end of the school year. Parents shall be notified ten (10) days in advance of the school’s intention to dispose of any medication. Medications not picked up by the parents or legal guardians within the ten (10) day period shall be disposed of by the school nurse in accordance with current law and rules.

            Schedule II Medications

            The only Schedule II medications that shall be allowed to be brought to the school are methylphenidate (e.g. Ritalin or closely related medications as determined by the school nurse), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and amphetamine sulfate (e.g. Adderall or closely related medications as determined by the school nurse).

            For the student’s safety, no student will be allowed to attend school if the student is currently taking any other Schedule II medications than permitted by this policy. Students who are taking Schedule II medications which are not allowed to be brought to school shall be eligible for homebound instruction if provided for in their IEP or 504 plans.

            Self-Administration of Medication

            Students who have written permission from their parent or guardian and a licensed health care practitioner on file with the District may:

            1) Self-administer either a rescue inhaler or auto-injectable epinephrine; 2) Perform his/her own blood glucose checks; 3) Administer insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses; 4) Treat the student’s own hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia; (District nurses would like to be informed by the student when treatment becomes necessary) or 5) Possess on his or her person: 1) A rescue inhaler or auto-injectable epinephrine; or the necessary supplies and equipment to perform his/her own diabetes monitoring and treatment functions. 2) the necessary supplies and equipment to perform his/her own diabetes monitoring and treatment functions.

            A student may be authorized to self-administer a stress dose medication to treat the student’s adrenal insufficiency with:

            1. The written authorization of the student's parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis; and
            2. A written order from the student's treating physician stating that the student:
            3. Is capable of completing the proper method of self-administration of the stress dose medication,; and
            4. Has been instructed on the details of the student’s medical condition and the events that may lead to an adrenal crisis.

            Students who have a current consent form on file shall be allowed to carry and self-administer such medication while:

            A student is prohibited from sharing, transferring, or in any way diverting his/her medications to any other person. The fact that a student with a completed consent form on file is allowed to carry a rescue inhaler, auto-injectable epinephrine, diabetes medication, stress dose medication, or combination does not require the student to have such on the student’s person. The parent or guardian of a student who qualifies under this policy to self-carry a rescue inhaler, auto-injectable epinephrine, diabetes medication, stress dose medication, or any combination on the student’s person shall provide the school with the appropriate medication, which shall be immediately available to the student in an emergency.

            Students may possess and use a topical sunscreen that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for OTC use to avoid overexposure to the sun without written authorization from a parent, legal guardian, or healthcare professional while the student is on school property or at a school-related event or activity. The parent or guardian of a student may provide written documentation authorizing specifically named District employee(s), in addition to the school nurse, to assist a student in the application of sunscreen. The District employee(s) named in the parent or legal guardian’s written authorization shall not be required to assist the student in the application of sunscreen.

            Emergency Administration of Glucagon and Insulin

            Students may be administered Glucagon, insulin, or both in emergency situations by the school nurse or, in the absence of the school nurse, a trained volunteer school employee designated as a care provider, provided the student has:

            1. an IHP that provides for the administration of Glucagon, insulin, or both in emergency situations; and
            2. a current, valid consent form on file from their parent or guardian.

            When the nurse is unavailable, the trained volunteer school employee who is responsible for a student shall be released from other duties during:

            1. The time scheduled for a dose of insulin in the student’s IHP; and
            2. Glucagon or non-scheduled insulin administration once other staff have relieved him/her from other duties until a parent, guardian, other responsible adults, or medical personnel has arrived.

            A student shall have access to a private area to perform diabetes monitoring and treatment functions as outlined in the student's IHP.

            Emergency Administration of Epinephrine

            The school nurse or other school employees designated by the school nurse as a care provider who has been trained and certified by a licensed physician may administer an epinephrine auto-injector in emergency situations to students who have an IHP that provides for the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector in emergency situations.

            The parent of a student who has an authorizing IHP, or the student if over the age of eighteen (18), shall annually complete and sign a written consent form provided by the student's school nurse authorizing the nurse or other school employee(s) certified to administer auto-injector epinephrine to the student when the employee believes the student is having a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.

            Students with an order from a licensed health care provider to self-administer auto-injectable epinephrine and who have written permission from their parent or guardian shall provide the school nurse an epinephrine auto-injector. This epinephrine will be used in the event the school nurse, or other school employee certified to administer auto-injector epinephrine, in good faith professionally believes the student is having a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction and the student is either not self-carrying his/her /epinephrine auto-injector or the nurse is unable to locate it.

            The school nurse for each District school shall keep epinephrine auto-injectors on hand that is suitable for the students the school serves. The school nurse or other school employee designated by the school nurse as a care provider who has been trained and certified by a licensed physician may administer auto-injector epinephrine to those students who the school nurse, or other school employee certified to administer auto-injector epinephrine, in good faith professionally believes is having a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.

            Emergency Administration of Albuterol

            The school nurse or other school employees designated by the school nurse as a care provider who has been trained and certified by a licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant may administer albuterol in emergency situations to students who have an IHP that provides for the administration of albuterol in emergency situations. The parent of a student who has an authorizing IHP, or the student if over the age of eighteen (18), shall annually complete and sign a written consent form provided by the student's school nurse authorizing the nurse or other school employee(s) certified to administer albuterol to the student when the employee believes the student is in perceived respiratory distress. The school nurse for each District school shall keep albuterol on hand. The school nurse or other school employee designated by the school nurse as a care provider who has been trained and certified by a licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant may administer albuterol to those students who the school nurse, or other school employee certified to administer albuterol, in good faith professionally believes is in perceived respiratory distress.

            The school nurse for each District school shall keep anti-opioid injectors on hand. The school nurse, other school employees, volunteers, or students may administer anti-opioid in accordance with the District’s procedures to a student who the school nurse, or other observers, in good faith believes is having an opioid overdose.

            Emergency Administration of Anti-opioid

            The school nurse for each District school shall keep anti-opioid injectors on hand and the school nurse and school resource officer shall possess an anti-opioid at all times when on duty. The school nurse, other school employees, volunteers, or students may administer anti-opioid in accordance with the District’s procedures to a student who the school nurse, or other observers, in good faith believes is having an opioid overdose.

            An opioid overdose rescue kit shall be placed within all storage locations in the District high school buildings that currently contain an automated external defibrillator for public use. The opioid overdose rescue kits shall be located where it is readily available to the public, be visually free of advertisement, and contain an anti-opioid.

            Emergency Administration of Emergency Adrenal Insufficiency Medication

            The school nurse or other school employees designated by the school nurse as a care provider who has been trained and certified by a licensed physician may administer an injectable emergency dose medication in emergency situations to students who have an IHP that provides for the administration of an injectable emergency dose medication in emergency situations.

            The parent of a student who has an authorizing IHP, or the student if over the age of eighteen (18), shall annually complete and sign a written consent form provided by the student's school nurse authorizing the nurse or other school employee(s) certified to administer an injectable emergency dose medication to the student when the employee believes the student is having an adrenal crisis due to adrenal insufficiency.

            Students who have met the requirements to be authorized to self-administer a stress dose medication under this policy shall provide the school nurse an emergency injectable dose of the student’s medication. This emergency injectable dose will be used in the event the school nurse, or other school employee is certified to administer an injectable emergency dose medication, in good faith professionally believing the student is having an adrenal crisis due to adrenal insufficiency.

            Seizure Disorder Medications

            Students who have been diagnosed with a seizure disorder shall have a seizure action plan that shall be a written IHP designed to acknowledge and prepare for the healthcare needs of the student. The student’s seizure action plan shall be created in collaboration between District staff and the student’s Parents, legal guardians, persons having lawful control of the student, or persons acting in loco parentis or the student if over eighteen (18). As part of the creation of the student’s seizure action plan, the student’s Parents, legal guardians, persons having lawful control of the student, or persons acting in loco parentis shall:

            1. Provide the school with written authorization to administer the seizure medication at school;
            2. Provide a written statement from the student’s healthcare provider that shall contain the following information:
            1. Provide the prescribed medication to the school in its unopened, sealed package with the label affixed by the dispensing pharmacy intact, which shall be stored in a safe and secure location accessible only by District personnel or volunteers with training to administer seizure medication.

            The written authorization, written statement, and seizure action plan shall be kept on file in the office of the school nurse or school administrator and distributed to any school personnel or volunteers responsible for the supervision or care of the student.

            PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS OR SCREENINGS (4.41WF)

            The district conducts routine health screenings such as hearing, vision, and scoliosis due to the importance these health factors play in the ability of a student to succeed in school. The intent of the exams or screenings is to detect defects in hearing, vision, or other elements of health that would adversely affect the student’s ability to achieve his/her full potential. The screenings that the District provides are as follows:

            Vision test (Grades K, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and any special education student or transfers from any grade)

            Hearing test (Grades K, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and any special education student or transfers from any grade)

            Scoliosis test (Grades 6 & 8 girls and Grade 8 boys)

            Body Mass Index test (BMI) (Grades K, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10)

            The rights provided to parents under this policy transfer to the student when he/she turns eighteen (18) years old.

            Except in instances where a student is suspected of having a contagious or infectious disease, the pupil’s parent or legal guardian shall have the right to opt their student out of the exams or screenings by presenting a written statement objecting to the examination of his or her child or ward, or by providing certification from a physician that he/she has recently examined the student.

            IMMUNIZATIONS (4.57)

            Definitions

            "In process" means the student has received at least one dose of the required immunizations and is waiting the minimum time interval to receive the additional dose(s).

            “Serologic testing” refers to a medical procedure used to determine an individual’s immunity to Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella.

            General Requirements

            Unless otherwise provided by law or this policy, no student shall be admitted to attend classes in the District who has not been age appropriately immunized against:

            The District administration has the responsibility to evaluate the immunization status of District students. The District shall maintain a list of all students who are not fully age appropriately immunized or who have an exemption provided by ADH to the immunization requirements based on medical, religious, or philosophical grounds. Students who are not fully age appropriately immunized when seeking admittance shall be referred to a medical authority for consultation.

            The only types of proof of immunization the District will accept are immunization records provided by a:

            1. Licensed physician;
            2. Health department;
            3. Military service; or
            4. Official record from another educational institution in Arkansas.

            e. An immunization record printed off of the statewide immunization registry with the Official Seal of the State of Arkansas

            The proof of immunization must include the vaccine type and dates of vaccine administration. Documents stating “up-to-date”, “complete”, “adequate”, and the like will not be accepted as proof of immunization. No self or parental history of varicella disease will be accepted. Valid proof of immunization and of immunity based on serological testing shall be entered into the student’s record.

            In order to continue attending classes in the District, the student must have submitted:

            1. Proof of immunization showing the student to be fully age appropriately vaccinated;
            2. Written documentation by a public health nurse or private physician of proof the student is in process of being age appropriately immunized, which includes a schedule of the student’s next immunization;
            3. A copy of a letter from ADH indicating immunity based on serologic testing; and/or
            4. A copy of the letter from ADH exempting the student from the immunization requirements for the current school year, or a copy of the application for an exemption for the current school year if the exemption letter has not yet arrived.

            Students whose immunization records or serology results are lost or unavailable are required to receive all age appropriate vaccinations or submit number 4 above.

            Temporary Admittance

            While students who are not fully age appropriately immunized or have not yet submitted an immunization waiver may be enrolled to attend school, such students shall be allowed to attend school on a temporary basis only. Students admitted on a temporary basis may be admitted for a maximum of thirty (30) days (or until October 1st of the current school year for the tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and meningococcal vaccinations required at ages eleven (11) and sixteen (16) respectively if October 1st is later in the current school year than the thirty (30) days following the student’s admittance). No student shall be withdrawn and readmitted in order to extend the thirty (30) day period. Students may be allowed to continue attending beyond the thirty (30) day period if the student submits a copy of either number 2 or number 4 above.

            Students who are in process shall be required to adhere to the submitted schedule. Failure of the student to submit written documentation from a public health nurse or private physician demonstrating the student received the vaccinations set forth in the schedule may lead to the revocation of the student’s temporary admittance; such students shall be excluded from school until the documentation is provided. The District reserves the right to contact the Department of Human Services for medical neglect when parents/guardians fail to comply with State immunization laws.

            The District will not accept copies of applications requesting an exemption for the current school year that are older than two (2) weeks based on the date on the application. Students who submit a copy of an application to receive an exemption from the immunization requirements for the current year to gain temporary admittance have thirty (30) days from the admission date to submit either a letter from ADH granting the exemption or documentation demonstrating the student is in process and a copy of the immunization schedule. Failure to submit the necessary documentation by the close of the thirty (30) days will result in the student being excluded until the documentation is submitted.

            Exclusion From School

            In the event of an outbreak, students who are not fully age appropriately immunized, are in process, or are exempt from the immunization requirements may be required to be excluded from school in order to protect the student. ADH shall determine if it is necessary for students to be excluded in the event of an outbreak. Students may be excluded for twenty-one (21) days or longer depending on the outbreak. No student excluded due to an outbreak shall be allowed to return to school until the District receives approval from ADH.

            Students who are excluded from school are not eligible to receive homebound instruction unless the excluded student had a pre-existing IEP or 504 Plan and the IEP/504 team determines homebound instruction to be in the best interest of the student. To the extent possible, the student’s teacher(s) shall place in the principal’s office a copy of the student’s assignments:

            It is the responsibility of the student or the student’s parent/legal guardian to make sure that the student’s assignments are collected.

            Students excluded from school shall have five (5) school days from the day the student returns to school to submit any homework and to make up any examinations. State mandated assessments are not included in “examinations” and the District has no control over administering state mandated make-up assessments outside of the state's schedule. Students shall receive a grade of zero for any assignment or examination not completed or submitted on time.

            Annually by December 1, the District shall create, maintain, and post to the District’s website a report that includes the following for each disease requiring an immunization under this policy:

            EMERGENCY DRILLS (4.37)

            All schools in the District shall conduct fire drills at least monthly. Tornado drills shall also be conducted not fewer than three (3) times per year. Students who ride school buses, shall also participate in emergency evacuation drills at least twice each school year.

            The District shall annually conduct a lockdown drill at all schools in the District in collaboration with local law enforcement, medical professionals, fire department officials, and emergency management personnel. The lockdown drill training will include use of the District’s emergency communication method with law enforcement. Students will be included in the drills to the extent that is developmentally appropriate for the age of both the students and grade configuration of the school.

            Drills may be conducted during the instructional day or during non-instructional time periods.

            Other types of emergency drills may also be conducted to test the implementation of the District's emergency plans in the event of violence, terrorist attack, natural disaster or other emergency, or the District’s emergency communication with law enforcement method. Students shall be included in the drills to the extent practicable.

            STUDENT ILLNESS/ACCIDENT (4.36)

            If a student becomes too ill to remain in class and/or could be contagious to other students, the principal or designee will attempt to notify the student’s parent or legal guardian. The student will remain in the school’s health room or a place where he/she can be supervised until the end of the school day or until the parent/legal guardian can check the student out of school.

            If a student becomes seriously ill or is injured while at school and the parent/legal guardian cannot be contacted, the failure to make such contact shall not unreasonably delay the school’s expeditious transport of the student to an appropriate medical care facility. The school assumes no responsibility for treatment of the student. When available, current, and applicable, the student’s emergency contact numbers and medical information will be utilized. Parents are strongly encouraged to keep this information up to date.

            COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND PARASITES (4.34)

            Students with communicable diseases or with human host parasites that are transmittable in a school environment shall demonstrate respect for other students by not attending school while they are capable of transmitting their condition to others. Students whom the school nurse determines are unwell or unfit for school attendance or who are believed to have a communicable disease or condition will be required to be picked up by their parent or guardian. Specific examples include, but are not limited to: Varicella (chicken pox), measles, scabies, conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), impetigo/MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), streptococcal and staphylococcal infections, ringworm, mononucleosis, Hepatitis A, B, or C, mumps, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever (100.4 F when taken orally). A student who has been sent home by the school nurse will be subsequently readmitted, at the discretion of the school nurse, when the student is no longer a transmission risk. In some instances, a letter from a health care provider may be required prior to the student being readmitted to the school.

            To help control the possible spread of communicable diseases, school personnel shall follow the District's exposure control plan when dealing with any blood borne, foodborne, and airborne pathogens exposures. Standard precautions shall be followed relating to the handling, disposal, and cleanup of blood and other potentially infectious materials such as all body fluids, secretions and excretions (except sweat).

            In accordance with 4.57—IMMUNIZATIONS, the District shall maintain a copy of each student's immunization record and a list of individuals with exemptions from immunization which shall be education records as defined in policy 4.13. That policy provides that an education record may be disclosed to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

            A student enrolled in the District who has an immunization exemption may be removed from school at the discretion of the Arkansas Department of Health during an outbreak of the disease for which the student is not vaccinated. The student may not return to the school until the outbreak has been resolved and the student's return to school is approved by the Arkansas Department of Health.

            Procedures for Head Lice Management

            Standard Procedure

            1. Suspected cases of head lice will be referred to trained school staff. All school employees involved will protect the confidentiality of students and their families.
            2. If students are identified with live lice by either the presence of lice or nits, trained school staff should complete the following by the end of the school day:
            3. Notify the teacher and notify parents/guardian.
            4. If applicable, screen siblings or close contacts for lice, or notify their school.
            5. Student may remain in class until the end of the school day but must be picked up by the parent/guardian by the end of the school day.
            6. The informational pamphlet “Lice Aren’t Nice” will be sent home with the parent/guardian when they pick up their child.
            7. After treatment at home, the affected student must be brought to school by the parent/guardian and re-checked for live lice by trained school staff. Students are expected back in school within one to two days of the parent notification of the lice concern Student may return to class if treatment has been verified by the parent and the student is free of live lice. The student may still have nits.
            8. The classroom teacher will be notified that the student has been rechecked and can return to class.
            9. The school nurse may re-check the student at her/his next scheduled work day at the school site.
            10. In the case of an “outbreak”, which is defined as three (3) or more cases within a consecutive two-week period in the same classroom, the school nurse will create an informational letter and provide it to the teacher so that it will be sent home to families notifying them of head lice in the classroom. A letter may go home in the case of one or two cases if determined necessary by the school principal or school nurse.

            Education and Responsibilities

            1. At the beginning of each school year, educational information about head lice shall be provided to parents/guardians and posted on the district’s website.
            2. At the beginning of each school year, school nurses will train office staff and teachers on lice detection, protocol upon confirmation of a student having lice, and on the general procedures stated in this policy.
            3. Parents/guardians should check their student before school starts in the fall and before returning from school breaks. If you know or suspect that your student has lice, please contact the school as well as inform family and friends that your student has recently been in contact with so they can check their children.
            4. The school nurses will help ensure that parents understand lice treatment and protocol and will assist families in accessing supplies to treat lice upon request.

            STUDENTS’ VEHICLES (4.33)

            A student, who has presented a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance to the appropriate office personnel, may drive his/her vehicle to school. Vehicles driven to school shall be parked in the area designated for student parking. Parking on school property is a privilege which may be denied to a student for any disciplinary violation, at the discretion of the student's building principal.

            Students are not permitted to loiter in parking areas and are not to return to their vehicles during the school day for any reason unless given permission to do so by school personnel.

            It is understood that there is no expectation of privacy in vehicles in parking areas. Drivers of vehicles parked on a school campus will be held accountable for illegal substances or any other item prohibited by District policy found in their vehicle. The act of a student parking a vehicle on campus is a grant of permission for school or law enforcement authorities to search that vehicle.

            FIELD TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS (5.30 WF)

            Recognizing that educational field trips and trips to various types of contests for instructional purposes help provide desirable learning experiences, the Board of Education shall delegate to the Superintendent the responsibility for development of administrative criteria governing field trips. Only those field trips, however, that grow out of the instructional program or are otherwise related to the program are to be permitted on school time. Other trips such as those involving band and athletic activities should be confined to non-instructional time, except where the school is engaged in an activity, competition, or contest that requires the use of school time.

            Before approval of any field trip is given, it shall be determined whether the trip is covered by the Board’s liability insurance. No travel shall be authorized where coverage cannot be secured prior to the trip commencing. In addition, private vehicles shall not be used for transporting children on field trips. Only buses belonging to the school district and driven by certified drivers shall be permitted.

            The Board does not endorse the use of private vehicles to transport students to and /or from interscholastic activities. However, it recognizes the need for additional transportation at certain times, and private vehicles may be utilized for the transportation of students to interscholastic activities provided that all vehicles are driven by properly licensed adults and properly insured.

            COMPUTER USE POLICY (4.29)

            Definition

            For the purposes of this policy, "electronic device" means anything that can be used to transmit or capture images, sound, or data.

            The District makes electronic device(s) and/or electronic device Internet access available to students, to permit students to perform research and to allow students to learn how to use electronic device technology. Use of district electronic devices is for educational and/or instructional purposes only. Student use of electronic device(s) shall only be as directed or assigned by staff or teachers; students are advised that they enjoy no expectation of privacy in any aspect of their electronic device use, including email, and that monitoring of student electronic device use is continuous.

            No student will be granted Internet access until and unless an Internet and electronic device use agreement, signed by both the student and the parent or legal guardian (if the student is under the age of eighteen [18]) is on file. The current version of the Internet and electronic device use agreement is incorporated by reference into board policy and is considered part of the student handbook.

            Technology Protection Measures

            The District is dedicated to protecting students from materials on the Internet or world wide web that are inappropriate, obscene, or otherwise harmful to minors; therefore, it is the policy of the District to protect each electronic device with Internet filtering software that is designed to prevent students from accessing such materials. For purposes of this policy, “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:

            1. taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
            2. depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
            3. taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

            Internet Use and Safety

            The District is dedicated to ensuring that students are capable of using the Internet in a safe and responsible manner. The District uses technology protection measures to aid in student safety and shall also educate students on appropriate online behavior and Internet use including, but not limited to:

            Misuse of Internet

            The opportunity to use the District’s technology to access the Internet is a privilege and not a right. Students who misuse electronic devices or Internet access in any way will face disciplinary action, as specified in the student handbook and/or Internet safety and electronic device use agreement. Misuse of the Internet includes:

            PRIVACY OF STUDENTS’ RECORDS/ DIRECTORY INFORMATION (4.13)

            Except when a court order regarding a student has been presented to the district to the contrary, all students’ education records are available for inspection and copying by the parents of his/her student who is under the age of eighteen (18). At the age of eighteen (18), the right to inspect and copy a student’s records transfers to the student. A student’s parent or the student, if over the age of 18, requesting to review the student’s education records will be allowed to do so within no more than forty five (45) days of the request. The district forwards education records, including disciplinary records, to schools that have requested them and in which the student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student's enrollment or transfer. The district shall receive written permission before releasing education records to any agency or individual not authorized by law to receive and/or view the education records without prior parental permission. The District shall maintain a record of requests by such agencies or individuals for access to, and each disclosure of, personally identifiable information (“PII") from the education records of each student. Disclosure of education records is authorized by law to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A personal record kept by a school staff member is not considered an education record if it meets the following tests:

            except the maker’s temporary substitute.

            For the purposes of this policy a school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the school has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

            For the purposes of this policy a school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility, contracted duty, or duty of elected office.

            In addition to releasing PII to school officials without permission, the District may disclose PII from the education records of students in foster care placement to the student’s caseworker or to the caseworker’s representative without getting prior consent of the parent (or the student if the student is over eighteen (18)). For the District to release the student’s PII without getting permission:

            The District discloses PII from an education record to appropriate parties, including parents, in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. The superintendent or designee shall determine who will have access to and the responsibility for disclosing information in emergency situations.

            When deciding whether to release PII in a health or safety emergency, the District may take into account the totality of the circumstances pertaining to a threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals. If the District determines that there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals, it may disclose information from education records to any person whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

            For purposes of this policy, the West Fork School District does not distinguish between a custodial and noncustodial parent, or a non-parent such as a person acting in loco parentis or a foster parent with respect to gaining access to a student’s records. Unless a court order restricting such access has been presented to the district to the contrary, the fact of a person’s status as parent or guardian, alone, enables that parent or guardian to review and copy his child’s records.

            If there exists a court order which directs that a parent not have access to a student or his records, the parent, guardian, person acting in loco parentis, or an agent of the Department of Human Services must present a file-marked copy of such order to the building principal and the superintendent. The school will make good-faith efforts to act in accordance with such court order, but the failure to do so does not impose legal liability upon the school. The actual responsibility for enforcement of such court orders rests with the parents or guardians, their attorneys and the court which issued the order.

            A parent or guardian does not have the right to remove any material from a student’s records, but such parent or guardian may challenge the accuracy of a record. The right to challenge the accuracy of a record does not include the right to dispute a grade, disciplinary rulings, disability placements, or other such determinations, which must be done only through the appropriate teacher and/or administrator, the decision of whom is final. A challenge to the accuracy of material contained in a student’s file must be initiated with the building principal, with an appeal available to the Superintendent or his designee. The challenge shall clearly identify the part of the student’s record the parent wants changed and specify why he/she believes it is inaccurate or misleading. If the school determines not to amend the record as requested, the school will notify the requesting parent or student of the decision and inform them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amending the record. The parent or eligible student will be provided information regarding the hearing procedure when notified of the right to a hearing.

            Unless the parent or guardian of a student (or student, if above the age of eighteen [18]) objects, directory information about a student may be made available to the public, military recruiters, post-secondary educational institutions, prospective employers of those students, as well as school publications such as annual yearbooks and graduation announcements. “Directory information” includes, but is not limited to, a student’s name, address, telephone number, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, his/her placement on the honor roll (or the receipt of other types of honors), as well as his/her participation in school clubs and extracurricular activities, among others. If the student participates in inherently public activities (for example, basketball, football, or other interscholastic activities), the publication of such information will be beyond the control of the District. "Directory information" also includes a student identification (ID) number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used by a student for purposes of accessing or communicating in electronic systems and a student ID number or other unique personal identifier that is displayed on a student's ID badge, provided the ID cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user's identity, such as a personal identification number (PIN), password or other factor known or possessed only by the authorized user,

            A student’s name and photograph will only be displayed on the district or school’s web page(s) after receiving the written permission from the student’s parent or student if over the age of 18.

            The form for objecting to making directory information available is located in the back of the student handbook and must be completed and signed by the parent or age-eligible student and filed with the building principal’s office no later than ten (10) school days after the beginning of each school year or the date the student is enrolled for school. Failure to file an objection by that time is considered a specific grant of permission. The district is required to continue to honor any signed-opt out form for any student no longer in attendance at the district.

            The right to opt out of the disclosure of directory information under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) does not prevent the District from disclosing or requiring a student to disclose the student's name, identifier, or institutional email address in a class in which the student is enrolled.

            Parents and students over the age of 18 who believe the district has failed to comply with the requirements for the lawful release of student records may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education at

            Student Privacy Policy Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202

            The District shall ensure that all contracts that disclose or make available student personally identifiable information to vendors, including school service contract providers, school service on-demand providers, and other third parties, including without limitation subcontractors of contract providers, include express provisions that safeguard the privacy and security of student personally identifiable information that meet the requirements under A.C.A. § 6-18-2601 et seq. The District shall maintain a list of the school service contract providers that the District contracts with for school services that include or make available student personally identifiable information. The list shall be updated at least once at the beginning of each semester and provided to parents upon request.

            STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SURVEYS (5.24)

            Section One

            No student shall be required to submit to a survey, analysis, or evaluation which is administered or distributed by a school, and is funded in whole or in part by any program administered by the U.S. Department of Education without the prior written consent of the parent/guardian that reveals information concerning the following:

            Section Two

            No surveys shall be administered without the prior approval of the school principal. Any survey created by a third party, or funded, in whole or in part, as part of any US Department of Education administered program, containing one or more of the eight categories listed above shall be available to be inspected by a student’s parent/guardian before the survey is administered or distributed by a school to a student. Parents/guardians shall have the right to deny permission for their child to participate in the taking of the survey. The school shall not penalize students whose parents/guardians exercise this option. The school shall take reasonable precautions to protect students’ privacy during their participation in the administration of any survey, analysis, or evaluation containing one or more of the eight categories listed above.

            Section Three

            Parents or guardians wishing to inspect a survey, analysis, or evaluation shall be able to so in the administrative office of the administering school where the surveys shall be available for inspection for a period of three (3) days (regular school days when school is in session) after the notice of intent to administer the survey is sent. Included in the notice shall be information regarding how the survey or questionnaire will be administered; how it will be utilized; and the persons or entities that will have access to the results of the completed survey or questionnaire. Parents may refuse to allow their student to participate before or after reviewing the survey or questionnaire.

            The requirements of sections one, two, and three of this policy do not apply to a survey administered to a student in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

            Section Four

            Prior written parental permission is required before any survey or questionnaire (not including tests mandated by state or Federal law or regulation and standardized scholastic

            achievement tests) is administered to a student the responses to which are to be provided to a person or entity other than another pubic school, school district, or any branch of the Federal Government and which requests or requires a student to provide any of the eight (8) categories of information listed above and/or the following;

            1. A student’s name;
            2. The name of the student’s parent or member of the student’s family;
            3. The address, telephone number, or email address of a student or a member of a student’s family;
            4. A personal identification number, such as a social security number, driver’s license number, or student identification number of a student or a member of the student’s family;
            5. Any information, the disclosure of which is regulated, or prohibited by any other state or federal law or regulation.

            The rights provided to parents under this policy transfer to the student when he/she turns 18 years old.

            SCHOOL MEAL MODIFICATIONS (4.50)

            The district only provides modified meal components on menus to accommodate students with a disability. A parent/guardian wishing to request dietary accommodations for their student with a disability must submit to the district’s Director of Child Nutrition a medical statement completed by a State licensed healthcare professional, which includes:

            The medical statement should include:

            1. A description of the student’s disability that is sufficient to understand how the disability restricts the student’s diet;
            2. An explanation of what must be done to accommodate the disability, which may include:
              1. Food(s) to avoid or restrict;
              2. Food(s) to substitute;
              3. Caloric modifications; or
              4. The substitution of a liquid nutritive formula.

            If the information provided in the medical statement is unclear, or lacks sufficient detail, the district’s Director of Child Nutrition shall request additional information so that a proper and safe meal can be provided.

            When choosing an appropriate approach to accommodate a student’s disability, the District will consider the expense and efficiency of the requested accommodations. The District will offer a reasonable modification that effectively accommodates the child’s disability and provides equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from the program, which may include a generic version of a product.

            Parents may file a grievance regarding the request for accommodations with the District’s 504 Coordinator3, who will schedule a hearing on the grievance to be held as soon as possible. The 504 coordinator shall provide a copy of the procedures governing the hearing, including that the parent has the right to be accompanied by counsel, and the appeal process upon request.

            The district will not prepare meals outside the normal menu to accommodate a family’s religious or personal health beliefs.

            FOOD SERVICE PREPAYMENT (4.51WF)

            The School Board shall provide nutritious, adequate meals to all school children at a minimum cost. The District’s Child Nutrition Program will at all times be operated in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations as well as policies of the Board.

            Meal Charges

            The district does not provide credit for students to charge for meals, a la carte, or other food and beverage items available for purchase in the school food service areas. Meals, a la carte, or other food and beverage items may be purchased by either providing payment for the items at the time of receipt or by having a prepaid account with the District that may be charged for the items. Parents, or students choosing to do so, may pay in advance for meals, a la carte, or other food and beverage items through any of the following methods:

            When a student’s account balance goes below $4.00 for full-pay students or $2.00 for reduced-pay students or reaches a negative balance, the parents will either be sent an automated email notifying them of their child’s balance, or the parents will be called by phone.

            Unpaid Meal Access

            In accordance with Arkansas law, the District allows students whose accounts do not have enough funds to purchase a meal to receive an unpaid reimbursable meal at no charge. The District will notify a student’s parents

            Students who have submitted proper documentation to receive a meal modification in accordance with Policy 4.50—SCHOOL MEAL MODIFICATIONS shall receive the same type of modification for an unpaid meal.

            FUNDRAISING AND SOLICITATIONS (4.70 WF)

            It shall be the policy of the school board to limit income for special school groups to dues, sale of tickets, or other approved activities limited to active members of the group enrolled at school. Fundraising drives by school groups must be conducted in accordance with board policy and only with the approval of the building principal.

            All fundraising and charity drives sponsored by a school must receive the approval of the principal and the superintendent. Participation in any fundraising or charity drive shall be entirely voluntary on the part of students. Students in grades K-6 who are involved in fundraising activities must be supervised by an adult.

            The policy of the board shall be to safeguard students and parents from solicitations. Outside organizations shall not be permitted to solicit, advertise, or sell goods or services through the schools of the West Fork School District unless authorized by the board and superintendent.

            STUDENT MEDIA AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE (4.14)

            Student Media

            While the District recognizes a student’s right of expression under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, school-sponsored media does not provide an open forum for public expression. Student media, as well as the content of student expression in school-sponsored activities, shall be subject to the editorial review of the District’s administration, whose actions shall be reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns and adhere to the following limitations:

            1. Advertising may be accepted for media that does not condone or promote products that are inappropriate for the age and maturity of the audience or that endorses such things as tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.
            2. Media may be regulated to prohibit communications determined by the appropriate teacher, student media advisor, and/or administrator to be ungrammatical; poorly written; inadequately researched; biased or prejudiced; vulgar or profane; or unsuitable for immature audiences.
            3. Media may be regulated to prohibit the dissemination of material that may reasonably be perceived to advocate drug or alcohol use; irresponsible sex; conduct that is otherwise inconsistent with the shared values of a civilized social order; or to associate the school with any position other than neutrality on matters of political controversy.
            4. Prohibited media includes those that:
              1. Are obscene as to minors;
              2. Are libelous or slanderous, including material containing defamatory falsehoods about public figures or governmental officials, and made with knowledge of their falsity or a reckless disregard of the truth;
              3. Constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy as defined by state law~~,~~;
              4. Suggest or urge the commission of unlawful acts on the school premises;
              5. Suggest or urge the violation of lawful school regulations;
              6. Attacks ethnic, religious, or racial groups; or
              7. Harass, threaten, or intimidate a student.

            Student Media on School Web Pages

            Student media displayed on school web pages shall follow the same guidelines as listed above; and shall also:

            1. Not contain any non-educational advertisements;
            2. Additionally, student web publications shall adhere to the restrictions regarding use of Directory Information as prescribed in Policy 4.13 including not using a student’s photograph when associated with the student’s name unless written permission has been received from the student’s parent or student if over the age of eighteen (18);
            3. State that the views expressed are not necessarily those of the School Board or the employees of the district.

            Student Distribution of Non-school Literature, Publications, and Materials

            A student or group of students who distribute ten (10) or fewer copies of the same non-school-sponsored literature, publications, or materials, shall do so in a time, place, and manner that does not cause a substantial disruption of the orderly education environment. A student or group of students wishing to distribute more than ten (10) copies of non-school-sponsored materials shall have school authorities review their non-school-sponsored materials at least three (3) school days in advance of their desired time of dissemination. School authorities shall review the non-school-sponsored materials, prior to their distribution and will bar from distribution those non-school-sponsored materials that are obscene, libelous, pervasively indecent, or advertise unlawful products or services. Material may also be barred from distribution if there is evidence that reasonably supports a forecast that a substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or educational environment will likely result from the distribution. Concerns related to any denial of distribution by the principal shall be heard by the superintendent, whose decision shall be final.

            The school principal or designee shall establish reasonable regulations governing the time, place, and manner of student distribution of non-school-sponsored materials.

            The regulations shall:

            1. Be narrowly drawn to promote orderly administration of school activities by preventing disruption and may not be designed to stifle expression;
            2. Be uniformly applied to all forms of non-school-sponsored materials;
            3. Allow no interference with classes or school activities;
            4. Specify times, places, and manner where distribution may and may not occur; and
            5. Not inhibit a person’s right to accept or reject any literature distributed in accordance with the regulations.

            4.15—CONTACT WITH STUDENTS WHILE AT SCHOOL

            CONTACT BY PARENTS

            Parents wishing to speak to their children during the school day shall register first with the office.

            CONTACT BY NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS

            If there is any question concerning the legal custody of the student, the custodial parent shall present documentation to the principal or the principal’s designee establishing the parent’s custody of the student. It shall be the responsibility of the custodial parent to make any court ordered “no contact” or other restrictions regarding the non-custodial parent known to the principal by presenting a copy of a file-marked court order. Without such a court order on file, the school will release the child to either of his/her parents. Non-custodial parents who file with the principal a date-stamped copy of current court orders granting unsupervised visitation may, to extend authorized by the court order, eat lunch, volunteer in their child’s classroom, or otherwise have contact with their child during school hours and the prior approval of the school’s principal. Such contact is subject to the limitations outlined in Policy 4.16, Policy 6.5, and any other policies that may apply. The District shall not act as a supervisor for non-custodial parent visitation purposes under any circumstance.

            Arkansas law provides that, In order to avoid continuing child custody controversies from involving school personnel and to avoid disruptions to the educational atmosphere in the District’s schools, the transfer of a child between his/her custodial parent and non-custodial parent, when both parents are present, shall not take place on the school’s property on normal school days during normal hours of school operation. The custodial or non-custodial parent may send to/drop off the student at school to be sent to/picked up by the other parent on predetermined days in accordance with any court order provided by the custodial parent or by a signed agreement between both the custodial and non-custodial parents that was witnessed by the student’s building principal. Unless a valid no-contact order has been filed with the student’s principal or the principal’s designee, district employees shall not become involved in disputes concerning whether or not that parent was supposed to pick up the student on any given day.

            CONTACT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES, OR BY COURT ORDER

            State Law requires that Department of Human Services employees, local law enforcement, or agents of the Crimes Against Children Division of the Division of Arkansas State Police, may interview students without a court order for the purpose of investigating suspected child abuse. In instances where the interviewers deem it necessary, they may exercise a “72-hour hold” without first obtaining a court order. Except as provided below, other questioning of students by non-school personnel shall be granted only with a court order directing such questioning, with permission of the parents of a student (or the student if above eighteen [18] years of age), or in response to a subpoena or arrest warrant.

            If the District makes a report to any law enforcement agency concerning student misconduct or if access to a student is granted to a law enforcement agency due to a court order, the principal or the principal’s designee shall make a good faith effort to contact the student’s parent, legal guardian, or other person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis. The principal or the principal's designee shall not attempt to make such contact if presented documentation by the investigator that notification is prohibited because a parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis is named as an alleged offender of the suspected child maltreatment. This exception applies only to interview requests made by a law enforcement officer, an investigator of the Crimes Against Children Division of the Division of Arkansas State Police, or an investigator or employee of the Department of Human Services.

            In instances other than those related to cases of suspected child abuse, principals must release a student to either a police officer who presents a subpoena for the student, or a warrant for arrest, or to an agent of state social services or an agent of a court with jurisdiction over a child with a court order signed by a judge. Upon release of the student, the principal or designee shall give the student’s parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis notice that the student has been taken into custody by law enforcement personnel or a state’s social services agency. If the principal or designee is unable to reach the parent, he or she shall make a reasonable, good faith effort to get a message to the parent to call the principal or designee, and leave both a day and an after-hours telephone number.  

            CONTACT BY PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE STANDARDS BOARD INVESTIGATORS

            Investigators for the Professional Licensure Standards Board may meet with students during the school day to carry out the investigation of an ethics complaint.

            PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (4.46)

            The Pledge of Allegiance shall be recited:

            1. During the first class period of each school day;
            2. At the commencement of each school-sanctioned after-school assembly; and
            3. At the commencement of each school-sanctioned sporting event; however, if two (2) or more school-sanctioned sporting events occur on the same day at the same school, then the Pledge may be recited at only one (1) of the school-sanctioned sporting events.

            Students choosing to participate in the recitation of the Pledge shall do so by facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts, or in an appropriate salute if in uniform, while reciting the Pledge. Students choosing not to participate shall either stand or sit quietly while the other students recite the Pledge.

            Students shall not be compelled to recite the Pledge, but students who choose not to recite the Pledge shall not disrupt those students choosing to recite the Pledge. Students choosing not to recite the Pledge who do not disrupt those students who choose to recite the Pledge shall not be subject to any comments, retaliation, or disciplinary action.

            Following the recitation of the Pledge, there shall be an observance of one (1) minute of silence. During the one (1) minute of silence, each student may reflect, pray, meditate, or engage in any other silent activity that is not likely to interfere with or distract another student. Students who do not disrupt the one (1) minute of silence shall not be subject to any comments, retaliation, or disciplinary action.

            CLOSED CAMPUS (4.10)

            All schools in the District shall operate closed campuses. Students are required to stay on campus from their arrival until dismissal at the end of the regular school day unless given permission to leave the campus by a school official. Students must sign out in the office upon their departure.

            STUDENT VISITORS (4.16)

            The board strongly believes that the purpose of school is for learning. Social visitors, generally, disrupt the classroom and interfere with learning that should be taking place. Therefore, non-adult visitors are not permitted to enter the classrooms of West Fork Schools while classes are in session nor to loiter on the school campus. West Fork students should not bring non-adult visitors to school with them. Any visitation to the classroom shall be allowed only with the permission of the school principal and all visitors must first register at the office.

            VISITORS TO THE SCHOOLS (6.5)

            Parents, grandparents, legal guardians, businesses, and community members are welcome and encouraged to visit District schools. To minimize the potential for disruption of the learning environment, visitors, for a purpose other than to attend an activity open to the general public, are required to first report to the school’s main office to report who they are and their purpose for being in said school. No one shall be exempt from this requirement. Visitors who are Level 3 or Level 4 sex offenders may only enter a school campus under the provisions listed in Policy 6.10.

            Visitors, including parents wishing to speak with students during the school day, shall register first with the office.

            Visitors to the school are directed to not use a device to:

            The District has the right to ask disruptive visitors to leave its school campuses. Principals are authorized to seek the assistance of law enforcement officers in removing any disruptive visitors who refuse to leave school property when requested to do so.

            SEX OFFENDERS ON CAMPUS (MEGAN’S LAW) (6.10)

            The West Fork School District shall work with area law enforcement in a manner consistent with applicable state law and Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Rules to communicate the presence of a sexual offender. When necessary, law enforcement may contact building principals to provide information concerning registered sex offenders. The decision regarding the school principals to be notified rests solely with law enforcement officials; law enforcement officials use a rating system to determine who needs to be notified, which is according to the sex offender’s dangerousness to the community.

            In turn, building principals should notify any employee who is regularly in a position to observe unauthorized persons on or near the school’s property in the ordinary course of their employment. Employees notified could include any of the following: aides, bus drivers, coaches, maintenance staff, professional support staff, school level administrative staff, security personnel, teachers’ assistants, and teachers.

            It is important that school personnel who receive sex offender notifications understand that they are receiving the sex offender notifications in their official capacity and are not to disseminate information about an offender to anyone outside the school. If school personnel are asked about notification information by an organization using school facilities, the organization should be referred to the area law enforcement agency that issued the notice.

            Persons not to be notified except at the specific discretion of area law enforcement officials, include: members of parent-teacher organizations, other schools, organizations using school facilities, students, parents or guardians of students, and the press. District personnel may inform the press about procedures that have been put in place and other general topics, but may not reveal the name or any other specifics regarding an offender. A parent or guardian who is a Level 1 or Level 2 sex offender shall be allowed to enter the school campus to attend parent-teacher conferences or any other activity that is appropriate for a parent, ~~or~~ guardian, or community member.

            Level 3 and Level 4 sex offenders may only enter the school campus in the following instances.

            1. The offender is a student attending school in the district;
            2. To attend a graduation or baccalaureate ceremony;
            3. It is a non-student contact day according to the school calendar or no school-sponsored event is taking place on campus;
            4. The offender is a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the district and goes directly to the school office to have school personnel deliver medicine, food, or personal items for the student;
            5. The offender is a parent or guardian of a student and enters the school campus where the student is enrolled to attend a scheduled parent-teacher conference and the offender is escorted to and from the conference by a designated school official or employee.

            A Level 3, but not a Level 4, sex offender may attend a school sponsored event for which an admission fee is charged or tickets are sold or distributed if the sex offender:

            A Level 3 and Level 4 sex offender who is the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the district and who wishes to enter the school campus in which the student is enrolled for any other purpose than those listed above, must give reasonable notice to the school principal or his/her designee. The principal or designee may allow the sex offender to enter upon the campus provided there is a designated school official or employee to escort and supervise the sex offender while they remain on campus. The sex offender shall not enter upon the school campus until such time as a designated school official or employee is available.

            Copies of the notification from law enforcement should be kept in a secure place accessible to teachers and staff, but should not be posted on school bulletin boards or made available to students or members of the community at large.

            HEALTH SERVICES (5.18)

            The Board believes that healthy children promote a better learning environment, are more capable of high student achievement, and will result in healthier, more productive adults. Therefore, the goal of the District’s health services is to promote a healthy student body. This requires both the education of students concerning healthy behaviors, as well as providing health care services to pupils.

            The District shall develop an age-appropriate seizure education program for the District’s students consistent with training programs and guidelines developed by the Epilepsy Foundation of America.

            While the school nurse is under the supervision of the school principal, the delegation of health care duties shall be in accordance with the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing Rules Chapter Five: Delegation of Nursing Care.

            Annually, the information reported in the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Health Services Survey shall be provided to the Board.

            PERMANENT RECORDS (4.38)

            Permanent school records, as required by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), shall be maintained for each student enrolled in the District until the student receives a high school diploma or its equivalent or is beyond the age of compulsory school attendance. A copy of the student’s permanent record shall be provided to the receiving school district within ten (10) school days after the date a request from the receiving school district is received.

            HOMELESS STUDENTS (4.40)

            The West Fork School District will afford the same services and educational opportunities to homeless children as are afforded to non-homeless children. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall appoint an appropriate staff person to be the local educational agency (LEA) liaison for homeless children and youth whose responsibilities shall include but are not limited to:

            To the extent possible, the LEA liaison and the building principal shall work together to ensure no homeless child or youth is harmed due to conflicts with District policies solely because of the homeless child or youth’s living situation; this is especially true for District policies governing fees, fines, and absences.

            Notwithstanding Policy 4.1, homeless students living in the district are entitled to enroll in the district’s school that non-homeless students who live in the same attendance area are eligible to attend. If there is a question concerning the enrollment of a homeless child due to a conflict with Policy 4.1 or 4.2, the child shall be immediately admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought pending resolution of the dispute, including all appeals. It is the responsibility of the District’s LEA liaison for homeless children and youth to carry out the dispute resolution process.

            For the purposes of this policy “school of origin” means:

            The District shall do one of the following according to what is in the best interests of a homeless child:

            1. Continue the child's or youth's education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness:
              • In any case in which a family becomes homeless between academic years or during an academic year; and
              • For the remainder of the academic year, if the child or youth becomes permanently housed during an academic year; or
            2. Enroll the child or youth in any public school that non-homeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend.

            In determining the best interest of the child or youth, the District shall:

            If the District determines that it is not in the child's or youth's best interest to attend the school of origin or the school requested by the parent or guardian, or (in the case of an unaccompanied youth) the youth, the District shall provide the child's or youth's parent or guardian or the unaccompanied youth with a written explanation of the reasons for its determination, in a manner and form understandable to such parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth, including information regarding the right to appeal. For an unaccompanied youth, the District shall ensure that the LEA liaison assists in placement or enrollment decisions, gives priority to the views of such unaccompanied youth, and provides notice to such youth of the right to appeal.

            The homeless child or youth must be immediately enrolled in the selected school regardless of whether application or enrollment deadlines were missed during the period of homelessness.

            The District shall be responsible for providing transportation for a homeless child, at the request of the parent or guardian (or in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the LEA Liaison), to and from the child’s school of origin.

            A homeless student shall be immediately eligible to participate in interscholastic activities at the school in which the student is enrolled.

            For the purposes of this policy, students shall be considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and:

            1. Are:
              • Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
              • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
              • Living in emergency or transitional shelters;
              • Abandoned in hospitals; or
            2. Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; 
            3.  Are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
            4. Are migratory children who are living in circumstances described in clauses (1) through (3).

            In accordance with Federal law, information on a homeless child or youth’s living situation is part of the student’s education record and shall not be considered, or added, to the list of directory information in Policy 4.13.

            WELLNESS POLICY (5.29)

            The health and physical well-being of our students directly affects their ability to learn. Childhood obesity increases the incidence of adult diseases occurring in children and adolescents such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. The increased risk carries forward into their adulthood. Research indicates that a healthy diet and regular physical activity can help prevent obesity and the diseases resulting from it. It is understood that the eating habits and exercise patterns of students cannot be magically changed overnight, but at the same time, the Board of Directors believes it is necessary to strive to create a culture in our schools that consistently promotes good nutrition and physical activity.

            The problem of obesity and inactivity is a public health issue. The Board of Directors is keenly aware that it has taken years for this problem to reach its present level and will similarly take years to correct. The responsibility for addressing the problem lies not only with the schools and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), but with the community and its residents, organizations and agencies. Therefore, the District shall enlist the support of the larger community to find solutions which improve the health and physical activity of our students.

            Wellness Committee

            To enhance the district’s efforts to improve the health of our students, a School Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Committee (SNPAAC) shall be formed. It shall be structured in a way that ensures age-appropriate recommendations are made that correlate to our district’s grade configurations. The SNPAAC shall have the powers and responsibilities delegated to it by statute and Rule and are incorporated into this policy by reference. The overarching goal of the committee shall be to promote student wellness by monitoring how well the district is doing at implementing this policy. The SNPAAC shall use modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11 of the Centers For Disease Control‘s (CDC) School Health Index as a basis for annually assessing each school’s progress toward meeting the requirements of this policy. The results of the annual assessment shall be included in the School District’s Support Plan (SDSP) , provided to each school’s principal, and reported to the board. Goals and objectives for nutrition and physical activity shall also be included in the ACSIP.

            The SNPAAC shall be made up of Individuals from the following groups to the extent interested persons from each group desire to be included in the development, implementation, and periodic review of the District's wellness policy:

            The SNPAAC shall provide recommendations to the District’s Child Nutrition Director concerning menus and other foods sold in the school cafeteria. Such recommendations shall be based, at least in part, on the information the Committee receives from the District on the requirements and standards of the National School Lunch Program and from menus for the National School Lunch Program and other food sold in the school cafeteria on a quarterly basis.

            The SNPAAC will meet at least quarterly. Meeting dates for the SNPAAC will be placed on the District’s calendar.

            School Health Coordinator

            To assist the SNPAAC in ensuring that the District fulfills the requirements of this policy, a District level School Health Coordinator (Designated District Official) shall be appointed. In addition, a school level School Health Coordinator shall be appointed who shall be responsible for assisting the District level School Health Coordinator in ensuring that each school fulfills the requirements of this policy.

            Goals

            In its efforts to improve the school nutrition environment, promote student health, and reduce childhood obesity, the District will adhere to the DESE Rules Governing Nutrition and Physical Activity Standards and Body Mass Index for Age Assessment Protocols. To promote nutrition, physical activity, and other school based activities that will improve student wellness, the District has established the following goals.

            1. Implement a grade appropriate nutrition education program that will develop an awareness of and appreciation for nutrition and physical activity throughout the curriculum;
            2. Enforce existing physical education requirements and engage students in healthy levels of vigorous physical activity;
            3. Strive to improve the quality of physical education curricula and increase the training of physical education teachers;
            4. Follow the Arkansas Physical Education and Health Education Frameworks in grades K-12;
            5. Not use food or beverages as rewards for academic, classroom, or sports performances;
            6. Establish class schedules~~,~~ and bus routes that don’t directly or indirectly restrict meal access;
            7. Provide students with ample time to eat their meals in pleasant cafeteria and dining areas;
            8. Abide by the current allowable food and beverage portion standards;
            9. Meet or exceed the more stringent of Arkansas’ or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Nutrition Standards for reimbursable meals and a la’ carte foods served in the cafeteria;
            10. Restrict access to competitive foods, as required by law and Rule;
            11. Conform new and/or renewed vending contracts to the content restrictions contained in the Rules and reduce district dependence on profits from the sale of competitive foods.
            12. Provide professional development to all district staff on the topics of nutrition and/or physical activity;
            13. Utilize the School Health Index available from the CDC to assess how well the district is doing at implementing this wellness policy and at promoting a healthy environment for its students;

            Food and Beverages Outside of the District’s Food Service Programs

            The District will insure that drinking water is available without charge to all students throughout the school including, but not limited to, in the District’s food service areas.

            All food and beverages sold to students on school campus during the school day by school administrators or school non-licensed or licensed staff (principals, coaches, teachers, club sponsors, etc.); students or student groups; parents or parent groups; or another person, company, or organization associated with the school shall meet the Federal Smart Snacks requirements and Arkansas Nutrition Standards at a minimum. These restrictions include, but are not limited to, food and beverages sold in vending venues (machines, ice chests, cabinets) in school stores or as part of school fundraisers.

            All food and beverages provided, but not sold, to students on the school campus during the school day by school administrators or school non-licensed or licensed staff (principals, coaches, teachers, club sponsors, etc.); students or student groups; parents or parent groups; or another person, company, or organization associated with the school shall meet the Federal Smart Snacks requirements and Arkansas Nutrition Standards at a minimum. These restrictions include, but are not limited to, food and beverages provided in vending venues (machines, ice chests, cabinets) in school stores or as part of school fundraisers.

            Up to a maximum of nine (9) times per school year, the school administration may schedule school-wide events where food and beverages provided to students are not required to meet the Federal Smart Snacks standards during the scheduled time. The schedule of the events shall be by the school, approved by the principal, and shall be part of the annual school calendar.

            Food and beverages outside of the District’s food service programs may not be sold, served, or provided to students in the District’s food service areas during meal times.

            Elementary students shall not have in-school access to vending machines.

            The District does not place nutrition restrictions on food or beverages brought from home that are intended for personal consumption only.

            Advertising

            In accordance with the USDA regulations, oral, written, or graphic statements made for the purpose of promoting the sale of a food or beverage product that is made by the producer, manufacturer, seller, or any other entity with a commercial interest in the product shall only be permitted on the school campus during the school day if they meet or exceed the Federal Smart Snacks standards. This restriction does not apply to:

            Adoption Awareness Instruction

            The District shall provide any information provided to students on the District’s adoption awareness instruction that was in written form to the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the sudent, or person standing in loco parentis to a pregnant student who is enrolled in the District.

            Breast Feeding

            In addition to providing age-appropriate education for students regarding the nutritional benefits of breastmilk and breastfeeding practices, the District shall provide:

            Child Care

            The District shall provide student mothers and fathers information regarding available child care services.

            Community Engagement

            The District will work with the SNPAAC to:

            1. Encourage participation in extracurricular programs that support physical activity, such as walk-to-school programs, biking clubs, after-school walking, etc.;
            2. Encourage the implementation of developmentally appropriate physical activity in after-school childcare programs for participating children;
            3. Promote the reduction of time youth spend engaged in sedentary activities such as watching television and playing video games; and
            4. Encourage the development of and participation in family-oriented community-based physical activity programs.

            The District will annually inform the public:

            Assessment of District’s Wellness Policy

            At least once every three years, with input from the SNPACC, the District shall assess both the District as a whole and individual schools' status in regards to the implementation and compliance of the goals of this policy, including the health and wellness goals in the District’s SDSP. The assessment shall be based, at least in part, on:

            On the years the assessment occurs, the assessment results shall be reported to the public, including parents, students, and other members of the community as part of the District’s annual report to the public.

            The District will update the wellness policy based on the results from the three (3) year assessment.

            District Website

            The District will place on its website:

            ACADEMIC COURSE ATTENDANCE BY PRIVATE SCHOOL AND HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS (4.59)

            The District allows private school and home schooled students whose parents, legal guardians, or other responsible adult with whom the student resides are residents of the District to attend academic courses offered by the District. The District will place a list of courses that a private school or home schooled student may request to attend on its website by:

            A private school or home schooled student who desires to attend one or more of the available academic courses shall submit a written request to attend the academic course(s) to the superintendent, or designee, no later than:

            1. August 1 for Fall semester courses; or
            2. December 1 for Spring semester courses.

            The superintendent, or designee, is authorized to waive the application deadline on a case by case basis. The District permits a private school or home schooled student to attend a maximum of six (6) courses per semester.

            The District may reject a private school or home schooled student’s request for attendance if the District’s acceptance would:

            Requests to attend an academic course will be granted in the order the requests are received. Upon the receipt of a private or home schooled student’s request to attend academic course(s), the District will date and time stamp the request for attendance. If a private school or home schooled student is denied attendance based on a lack of capacity and an opening in the requested course occurs prior to the start of the course, the District will use the date and time stamp on the request for attendance to determine the private school or home schooled student who will be notified of an opening in the requested course.

            As part of the request to attend academic courses in the District, a private school or home schooled student shall:

            A private school or home schooled student who fails to attend an academic course by the eleventh (11) day of class or who is absent without excuse for eleven (11) consecutive days during the semester shall be dropped from the course; however, a private school or home schooled student shall not be considered truant for unexcused absences from the course(s) the student is attending at the District.

            Private school or home schooled students shall receive a final grade and transcript for each academic course the student completes.

            The responsibility for transportation of any private school or home schooled student attending academic courses in the District shall be borne by the student or the student’s parents.

            The opportunity provided to home school students under this policy is in addition to the opportunity provided in Policy 4.56.2—EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY ELIGIBILITY FOR HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS.

            VOLUNTEERS (6.4)

            Enlisting the support of volunteers is a way in which the District can expand the scope of resources and knowledge available to enrich the students’ educational experiences, while strengthening the relationship between the school and the community. Volunteers can also perform non-instructional tasks that allow licensed personnel more time to devote to instruction.

            The Superintendent shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining a program to coordinate the services volunteers are willing and able to contribute with the needs of District personnel. The program shall establish guidelines to ensure volunteers are aware of pertinent District policies and rules. Volunteers who violate school policies or rules, or knowingly allow students to violate school rules, may be asked to leave the school campus. The guidelines should also include provision for evaluation of the volunteer program and a method for soliciting suggestions from both the volunteers and staff for its improvement.

            All volunteers who intend to act as head coaches or assistant coaches must:

            1. Be at least twenty-two (22) years of age; and
            2. Meet the requirements adopted by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) to volunteer for any athletics program for grades seven (7) through twelve (12).

            A member of the board of directors of the District or the spouse of a member of the board of directors of the District may not be a registered volunteer for the District unless a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors approves a resolution for the board member or board member’s spouse to be a registered volunteer. The resolution approving the board member or board member’s spouse to be a registered volunteer shall be effective for only one (1) school year.

            A volunteer may act as a head coach in all varsity junior and senior high sports administered by the AAA except in the following sports:

            Background Checks for Volunteers

            For the purposes of this policy, “clear background check” means that:

            A person wishing to volunteer in a capacity that requires a background check may not perform volunteer services requiring a background check until a clear background check is received by the District. Once received, a clear background check is good for five (5) years; a background check renewal must be applied for and a clear background check received prior to the time of renewal or an interruption of permitted volunteer service could occur. A clear background check will be accepted of any individual wishing to volunteer provided it was conducted within the timeframe provided for in this policy.

            The Application for an initial background check may be made through the District administrative office. The District will incur the fee charged by the State of Arkansas for performing the initial check and any renewal checks.

            A person who failed a previous background check may petition the Board for a waiver from this policy's requirement. The petition shall be accompanied by a signed authorization for disclosure of his or her entire criminal and child abuse registry history. In deciding whether to grant a waiver, the board may take into consideration: the circumstance or circumstances surrounding the act or omission that lead to the conviction, Child Abuse Registry true finding, or the receipt of the Level 3 or Level 4 Public Notification of Ethics Violation; the age of the person at the time of the act or omission; the length of time that has passed without reoffending; and other relevant circumstances. If the Superintendent recommends a waiver be granted, the Board may adopt a resolution by majority vote providing an exception to this policy's requirement for a time period not to exceed five (5) years. The board must consider this matter in open session, and may not confer or deliberate in closed or executive session.

            The board shall not have the authority to waive the application of this policy to any potential volunteer who is a Registered Sex Offender or whose educator license has been revoked or is currently suspended.

            Clear background checks for school volunteers are required for those individuals who are required to be or who seek to become Registered Volunteers, as defined in A.C.A. § 6-22-102 et seq. In addition to volunteers wishing to participate in the registered volunteers program, clear background checks are required for:

            No information relating to the application for or receipt of a criminal background check, including that a background check has or has not been applied for, shall be subject to disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, as provided by A.C.A. §§ 12-12-1601 et seq. Requests for background checks and reports on background checks obtained under this policy shall be retained by the district for a minimum of three (3) years.

            The District shall maintain the following information on volunteers:

            1. The total number, location, and duties of all volunteers;
            2. The total number of annual hours of service provided by volunteers; and
            3. Any reimbursements made to volunteers for expenses, transportation, or other costs incurred in connection with volunteer services.

            Volunteers who are mandated reporters will be made aware of their status as mandated reporters of child maltreatment and will receive training on the responsibilities of a mandated reporter.

            ELECTRONIC DEVICE USAGE DURING STATE-MANDATED ASSESSMENTS (5.31WF)

            Students

            Students shall not have their cell phones, smart watches, other similar electronic devices (anything that can be used to transmit or capture images, sound, or data) on their person during testing. These devices shall be turned off, placed in the student’s personal backpack/locker, and left outside of the testing room.

            Violations will have the following consequences:

            Teachers/Staff

            District and building test coordinators are allowed to utilize their phones during testing. This will be one way they may be contacted for any testing issues.

            Teachers and staff that are proctoring, monitoring testing, or serving as test administrators shall not have their cell phone in the test session room.

            In the event of a testing issue:

            Violation of this policy by employees shall be grounds for disciplinary action up to, and including, dismissal.

            4.72WF—WEST FORK PUBLIC SCHOOL ILLEGAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING FOR STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN COMPETITIVE INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES OR PARK A MOTOR VEHICLE ON CAMPUS

            Philosophy

            It is the intent of the West Fork School District to encourage and support our students in their efforts to develop and maintain an illegal drug-free and alcohol-free lifestyle.

            The school district recognizes the use of illegal drugs and alcohol as a significant community health problem nationwide, and also particularly for many students in the state of Arkansas, resulting in negative effects on behavior, learning, and the total development of each individual. The abuse of illegal drugs and alcohol may affect academic growth, athletic achievement, activities participation, and may lead to life-long dependency issues and increasing, accidental overdose. Families, teammates, schoolmates, and other significant persons in the students' lives are also affected by the abuse of illegal drugs and alcohol. Therefore, the West Fork School District has developed this policy and commits to ensuring the best possible overall student body health.

            Purpose

            The purposes of the illegal drug and alcohol screen tests of the West Fork School District are as follows:

            1. Emphasize concerns for the health of students in areas of safety while participating in interscholastic activities and the longer-term physical and emotional effects of illegal drug use and/or alcohol use on their health.
            2. Work with the parents to assist in keeping their children free of illegal drugs and/or alcohol.
            3. Promote a sense of order and discipline among students.
            4. Confirm and support existing state laws that restrain the use of such illegal drugs and/or alcohol.
            5. Establish standards of conduct for those students who are leaders and standard-bearers among their peers.
            6. Assist students who desire to resist peer pressure that directs them toward the use of illegal drugs and/or alcohol.
            7. Assist students who should be referred for assistance or evaluation regarding their use of illegal drugs and/or alcohol.
            8. To promote and insure the safety and well-being of students and their passengers who drive to school and park on campus.

            Any student who wishes to participate in any interscholastic activity listed below or who wishes to drive a motor vehicle to school and park on campus shall consent in writing to illegal drug and alcohol testing pursuant to this policy. Additionally, a parent, legal guardian or someone standing in loco parentis must also sign a consent form for any student under the age of 18 years old unless the student has been emancipated by a Court of competent jurisdiction and provides an order evidencing such.

            Interscholastic Activities With Participants Subject to Drug and Alcohol Testing (9th-12th grades)

            1. Athletic Teams including Cheerleading;
            2. Band;
            3. Choir;
            4. FFA;
            5. Quiz Bowl;
            6. FCCLA;
            7. FBLA;
            8. Model UN; and
            9. SkillsUSA (VICA)

            Procedures for Testing

            1. Prior to testing, each student, unless emancipated or age 18 or older, must have a signed Parental/Legal Guardian Illegal Drug and Alcohol Testing Consent Form as a requirement for participation in an interscholastic activity. Additionally, students, unless emancipated or age 18 or older that want to drive to school and park on campus must also have a signed Parental/Legal Guardian Illegal Drug and Alcohol Testing Consent Form as a requirement. Failure to produce the signed consent form will result in the student being prohibited from participating in an interscholastic activity or drive to school and park on campus until a form is signed and submitted to the school.
            2. Random unannounced testing will be conducted throughout the school year. The number of names drawn will be no less than 5% of the population in the pool, for both the illegal drug testing and the alcohol testing. The random selection process and testing will be conducted by an outside contracted company by certified collectors at no cost to the student.
            3. If a coach, director, sponsor, or administrator has reasonable suspicion that a student is engaging in illegal drug or alcohol activity, they may request that a student be placed on the testing list at the expense of the school.
            4. Upon being selected and prior to testing, the chosen student will be positively identified by the District’s designee (s) at the testing location. At that point the student may contact his/her parents to be taken to an outside certified testing company at the student’s expense and must provide a copy of the test results to the superintendent or his designee on that same day and that the test consisted of a rapid 10-panel screen that tests for the ten (10) drugs listed below. If the student receives the free in-house test, the student will then be asked to remove any unnecessary outer garments (i.e., coat, jacket, etc.) that might conceal items or substances that could be used to tamper with or alter the urine specimens. Additionally, all personal belongings (i.e., purse, backpacks, etc.) must remain with the outer garments. The student will not be outside of the presence of the district’s designee (s) except for when he/she is in the restroom alone providing the specimen and not have access to faucets, soap dispensers, or cleaning agents until after the specimen has been approved and sealed by the certified collector. For privacy, the student will be allowed to provide the specimen in a portioned stall with the door closed. Immediately after collection, the collector will check the temperature of the specimen and inspect the specimen for color and signs of contaminants. Both the collector and the student being tested will keep the specimen in view at all times prior to its being sealed and labeled.
            5. Any selected student who refuses to submit to testing and/or retesting, who adulterates a sample, or violates this illegal drug and alcohol testing policy in any way will be subject to the consequences of a positive test. 
            6. Samples will be collected at a scheduled time on the same day the student is selected for testing. If the student is absent on that day, the student will automatically be placed in the next round of testing and a random alternate will be tested instead. If a student is unable to produce a sample at any particular time, the student will remain in the testing area until a sample is provided.
            7. All initial test results will be reported the day testing is administered.
            8. Any presumed positive test results from in-house testing will be forwarded overnight via FED-EX by the testing company to their certified lab to confirm the sample for accuracy using a Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer rendering a 100% accurate result. A student who was tested by an outside company may have the same opportunity with their testing company.
            9. Once confirmed by the lab, all results will be securely sent back to the school superintendent or his designee (s).
            10. If the lab results state that the specimen was a false positive, the student’s suspension will be lifted effective immediately.

            Notification of a Positive Test

            1. Results of the initial tests will be sent to the school superintendent or his designee on the day of testing. The superintendent or his designee (s) will share the results with the appropriate sponsors, directors, coaches, or building administrators. The parent/legal guardian and student will be notified of a positive test result as soon as all testing is completed, either in person or by direct phone contact by the superintendent or superintendent’s designee (s) (who may be the sponsor or another appropriate member of the staff). A meeting will be set up with both the parent or legal guardian and student to discuss the matter further. Additionally, upon the parent/legal guardian’s initial notification of a positive test result, they will be allowed to take their student to an outside certified testing company at their own expense that same day for a second test. An emancipated student or 18-year-old student will be given the same opportunity. If the results of the second test are negative using the same 10-panel screen found in this policy, and when the written results are provided to the superintendent or his designee (s), the suspension will be lifted effective immediately. 
            2. At the meeting, the superintendent’s designee (s) and appropriate sponsor, director, coach, or building administrator will communicate with the parent/legal guardian, go over the consequences of a positive result, and counsel with the student. Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) counseling will also be recommended at this time at the parent/legal guardian’s expense.
            3. Day one (1) of the ten (10) day count for the suspension or probation of a student will begin on the day of this meeting.

            Consequences for a Positive Test

            1. For the first positive result, the student will be suspended from any type of interscholastic competition or driving to school and parking on campus for ten (10) days. Students in activities will still be expected to attend and participate in practices during their suspension provided the student receives a doctor's written authorization (at student's expense) that states the student is physically able to participate. Additionally, students will be expected to attend all interscholastic competitions during their suspension, but they will not compete or dress out if applicable.
            2. After ten (10) days the student will be tested again at his/her own expense using the same 10--panel screen found in this policy and a written copy of the results must be provided to the school superintendent or his designee(s). If the test is negative, the suspension will be lifted. If the test is positive or the student refuses to take the test, the student will not be allowed to continue in interscholastic activities and/or drive to school and park on campus for the remainder of the sport season they are currently participating in. 
            3. To participate in another sport the student must be tested again at his/her own expense using the same 10–panel screen found in this policy and a written copy of the results must be provided to the school superintendent or his designee(s). The student must also take an approved Drug Awareness class at their own expense and present a certificate of completion before they are eligible to participate.
            4. A third positive testing during the same school year will eliminate a student from interscholastic activity and/or driving to school and parking on campus for the remainder of that school year with no additional testing being done.
            5. To regain eligibility for interscholastic activity or driving to school and parking on campus for the next year a student must have a negative screening test. This test will be at the student’s expense using the same 10--panel screen found in this policy and a written copy of the results must be provided to the school superintendent or his designee (s). If the test is negative, the suspension will be lifted. The test must not be taken earlier than 10 days prior to the first official day of practice and/or the first day of school. 
            6. Positive test results shall not be provided to police or other law enforcement agencies.

              Substance Abuse (Drug & Alcohol) Counseling to Avoid Random Testing

              1. A student in the population pool may avoid having their name randomly chosen and suspended for ten (10) days by approaching the superintendent’s designee or the student’s appropriate sponsor, director, coach, or building administrator in confidence and admitting to his/her recent use of illegal drugs or alcohol and agreeing to attend substance abuse counseling at his/her parent’s expense.
              2. Upon their admission, the superintendent’s designee or appropriate sponsor, director, coach, or building administrator will notify the parent/legal guardian in person or by direct phone contact of their child’s admission and a meeting will be set up with both the parent/legal guardian and student to discuss the matter further.
              3. At the meeting, the superintendent’s designee and appropriate sponsor, director, coach, or building administrator will communicate with the parent or legal guardian, go over the consequences of a positive test result, and counsel with the student. In order to be placed on a ten (10) day probation period, the parent or legal guardian must agree to place their child in a substance abuse counseling program, with the cost to be born by them. The District will cooperate with any reasonable requests for paperwork, if necessary to obtain insurance coverage for the treatment or counseling. 
                1. Until the parents or legal guardians provide proof to the superintendent’s designee or appropriate sponsor, director, coach, or building administrator that their child is enrolled in a substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) counseling program their child will remain suspended (see Consequences for a Positive Test). 
                2. On the day the parents/legal guardians provide proof of substance abuse counseling, the student will move from a suspension to a probation for the remainder of the ten (10) day period provided the student receives a doctor's written authorization (at student's expense) that states the student is physically able to participate. 
              4. A student may only avoid being subject to a random monthly screening one time in a school year.

                Exceptions to a Positive Test Result

                1. Some drugs could take more than ten (10) days to leave the student's system. In this case, a doctor's written opinion is requested and is at the student's expense.
                2. Students who are taking prescription medication may provide a signed physician’s statement on his/her office letterhead to be given to the Superintendent or his designee (s) within five (5) business days of notification of a positive result stating that the student’s use of such medication could have impacted the accuracy of the results. Students who refuse to provide verification and test positive will be subject to the consequences of a positive result as described in this policy.

                Substance Abuse Screen

                The following drugs and categories of drugs are a part of the 10-panel drug screening conducted by the outside contracted company on behalf of the West Fork School District. Additionally, testing for ethyl alcohol will also be randomly tested.

                1. Amphetamines

                2. Barbituates

                3. Benzodiazepines

                4. Cocaine

                5. Oxycodone

                6. Opiates

                7. PCP

                8. THC (Cannabinoids)

                9. Methamphetamines

                10. Methadone

                COMPLAINTS (6.7)

                It is a goal of the Board and the District to be responsive to the community it serves and to continuously improve the educational program offered in its schools. The Board or the District welcomes constructive criticism when it is offered with the intent of improving the quality of the system’s educational program or the delivery of the District’s services.

                The Board formulates and adopts policies to achieve the District’s vision and elects a Superintendent to implement its policies. The administrative functions of the District are delegated to the Superintendent who is responsible for the effective administration and supervision of the District. Individuals with complaints concerning personnel, curriculum, discipline (including specific discipline policies), coaching, or the day to day management of the schools need to address those complaints according to the following sequence:

                Other than in the few instances where statutorily allowed or required, student discipline and personnel matters may not be discussed in Board meetings. Individuals with complaints regarding such matters need to follow the sequence outlined above.

                The Board will consider hearing citizen complaints when they cannot be resolved by the administration. Matters referred to the Board must be in writing and should be specific in terms of the action desired. The Board will not consider or act on complaints that have not been explored at the appropriate administrative level. See Board Policy 1.14 for more specific guidance with this matter.

                Unless authorized by the Board as a whole for a specific purpose, no individual Board member has any authority when acting alone. District constituents are reminded that the Board serves as a finder of fact, not unlike a jury, in matters such as student suspensions initiated by the Superintendent, expulsions, and personnel discipline. For this reason, the board may not be involved or informed prior to a board hearing on particular disciplinary matters.

                Complaints that are related to district use or administration of federal funds generated through specific programs identified by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and authorized in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act may be taken directly from a patron or by referral from the DESE. If taken directly from a patron, the complaint may be submitted by either a signed statement or by a certified, recorded deposition or statement in which the complainant is identified. The complaints shall be addressed in the following manner.

                1. The complaint shall be referred to the Superintendent or his designees, who shall assemble a team of at least two (2) people to investigate the complaint.
                2. Throughout the investigation, sufficient notes and records will be taken and maintained to substantiate the position of the findings of the investigation.
                3. The team will interview the complainant and others as necessary to enable the team to make a determination of the validity of the complaint. The team may consult with individuals with knowledge or expertise in the matter which is the subject of the complaint, including legal counsel.
                4. The investigation of complaints referred by the DESE shall be completed within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the complaint, unless a longer time period has been approved by the DESE.
                5. The investigation of complaints made directly to the district shall be completed within forty (40) calendar days unless there are extenuating circumstances; in such a case, a preliminary report shall be made within forty (40 ) calendar days of receipt of the complaint, which shall include an explanation of the unusual circumstances requiring additional time to complete the investigation.
                6. The report of the conclusions of the investigation shall be given to the complainant.
                  • A summary of the allegations of the complaint;
                  • A summary of the investigative actions taken by the team;
                  • A summary of the findings concerning each alleged violation or implied violation; and
                  • A statement of corrective actions needed to resolve the issues involved in each allegation and finding of the complaint.

                NATIONAL ANTHEM (4.44)

                Each school in the District shall broadcast The Star-Spangled Banner at:

                The broadcast of The Star-Spangled Banner shall be selected from any recording that adheres to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Rules, or, when appropriate, performed from original sheet music that adheres to DESE rules by:

                Students shall not be compelled to participate in the performance of The Star-Spangled Banner, but students who choose not to participate in the performance of The Star-Spangled Banner shall not disrupt those students choosing to participate in the performance of The Star-Spangled Banner. Students choosing not to participate in the performance of The Star-Spangled Banner who do not disrupt the participation of performance of The Star-Spangled Banner shall not be subject to any comments, retaliation, or disciplinary action.

                NON-DISCRIMINATION IN FOOD SERVICE PROGRAMS (7.17.2)

                In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, the West Fork School District shall not exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination any individual as part of any of the District’s food service programs on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability. The District shall not allow reprisal or retaliation against any individual for prior civil rights activity.

                Food service program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain food service program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the District, Child Nutrition Unit of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education of the Arkansas Department of Education, or the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

                To file a food service program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should:

                The West Fork School District is an equal opportunity provider.

                STUDENT USE OF MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY ROOM (4.61)

                Definitions

                "Multiple occupancy room" means an area in a District building that is designed or designated to be used by one (1) or more individuals at the same time and in which one (1) or more individuals may be in various stages of undress in the presence of other individuals, which includes, without limitation, a restroom, locker room, changing room, or shower room.

                “Sex" means the physical condition of being male or female based on genetics and physiology, which may be demonstrated by the sex identified on a student’s original birth certificate.

                Each multiple occupancy room in a District building shall be designated as either male or female. Except as permitted by this policy, a student shall not enter a multiple occupancy room that does not correspond to the student’s sex.

                An individual who is unwilling or unable to use a multiple occupancy room designated for the individual's sex shall be granted a reasonable accommodation, which may include, without limitation, access to a single-occupancy restroom or changing area. A reasonable accommodation shall not include access to a restroom or changing area that is designated for use by members of the opposite sex to an individual while members of the opposite sex of the individual are present or may be present in the restroom or changing area.

                The prohibitions in this policy do not apply to an individual who enters a multiple occupancy room designated for use by the opposite sex when the individual enters for any of the following reasons:

                STUDENT NAME, TITLE, OR PRONOUN (4.62)

                Unless a District employee has the written permission of the parent, legal guardian, person having lawful control of the student, or person standing in loco parentis to the student or the student if the student is an emancipated minor or over eighteen (18) years of age, a District employee shall not address a student with a:

                1. Name other than that listed on the student's birth certificate, except for a derivative of the name; or
                2. Pronoun or title that is inconsistent with the student's biological sex.

                A student shall not be subject to discipline for declining to address a person using a:

                1. Name other than that listed on the student's birth certificate, except for a derivative of the name; or
                2. Pronoun or title that is inconsistent with the person's biological sex.

                4.63—STUDENT RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION

                The West Fork School District Board of Directors does not allow the discrimination against a student based on a student’s voluntary religious expression, if any. At the same time, the District shall provide a process to eliminate any actual or perceived sponsorship or attribution to the District of a student's public voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any.

                Student Assignments

                Student assignments include, but are not limited to:

                A student may express the student’s religious viewpoint, if any, in the student’s assignments without discrimination based on the religious content, if any. A student's assignments shall:

                1. Be graded and judged:
                  • By ordinary academic standards of substance and relevance; and
                  • Against other conventional, pedagogical topics as identified by the District curriculum; and
                2. Not be penalized or rewarded based on the religious content, if any, of the student’s assignments.

                Accommodation will be considered for those portions of instructional activities in the schools that unduly burden a student's sincere religious belief provided such accommodation doesn’t amount to a significant change in curriculum, program, or course of instruction and when it is possible that a substitution of equally rigorous material that advances the same instructional goals can be arranged. Parents and students are advised that such accommodations are easier to grant when the objection is to non-state mandated Standards material than if the material is required by the Standards.1

                A student or the student's parent can request the student's teacher accommodate the student's objection based on a religious belief to an instructional activity. Any such request must be made at least five (5) school days prior to the assignment's due date. Any objection must be raised in accordance with this policy's requirements or it will not be considered.

                Upon receiving such a request, the student's teacher shall determine within five (5) work days if an accommodation is possible under the provisions of this policy. If the teacher decides an accommodation cannot be made or if the student or the student's parent believes the accommodation to be unreasonable, the student or the student's parent may request a conference with the teacher and the teacher's principal. A requested conference will occur at a time of mutual convenience, but no later than five (5) working days following the request. The principal shall have five (5) working days in which to make a decision on the appeal. If the student, the student’s parent, or the teacher is unsatisfied with the principal's decision, it may be appealed to the District Superintendent who shall convene a conference between the student, the parent and the teacher. The requested conference will occur at a time of mutual convenience, but no later than five (5) working days following the request. The Superintendent shall have five (5) working days in which to make a decision on the appeal which shall be final with no further right of appeal.

                Student Presenters

                A student's expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject shall not be excluded from a forum, whether oral or in writing, where students are allowed to speak.

                The District has the right to restrict student speech that is inappropriate in the school setting by being obscene, vulgar, offensively lewd, or indecent.

                Review of written student forums shall be handled in accordance with Policy 4.14—STUDENT MEDIA AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE.

                If the forum is a scheduled event with designated student speakers, the building principal shall have an opportunity to review pre-written remarks prior to the student’s presentation at the scheduled forum. The principal may require the student to amend the student’s remarks to the extent necessary to address any portions that are determined to be inappropriate. A student’s refusal to amend the remarks that were determined to be inappropriate may be prohibited from participation in the forum. A student who diverts from the approved pre-written remarks during a speech in such a manner that is determined to be inappropriate by the building principal or another present District staff member may be asked to return to the approved remarks. If a student refuses to return to the approved remarks or continues to divert from the approved remarks in a manner that is determined to be inappropriate may be escorted from the forum and disciplined in accordance with the District’s Student Code of Conduct.

                If the timing or format of the forum does not provide for pre-written remarks to be reviewed, then the building principal or other District staff shall have the authority to address a student whose remarks are determined to be inappropriate. The building principal or District staff member shall initially ask the student to cease the inappropriate remarks. If the student refuses or makes additional inappropriate remarks after being directed to seace such remarks, Then the building principal or District staff member may escort the student from the forum and the student may be disciplined in accordance with the District’s Student Code of Conduct

                There shall be a disclaimer that a student speaker's speech does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position, or expression of the District. The disclaimer shall be provided at all forums where students speak and at all graduation ceremonies. The disclaimer shall be provided orally or in writing as most appropriately fits the format of the forum.

                Information on how to participate in a student forum shall be provided to all students.

                In addition to the salutatorian and valedictorian selection process in Policy 5.17—HONOR ROLL AND HONOR GRADUATES, the following students may speak during the District’s graduation ceremony:

                ARKANSAS COURSE CHOICE PROGRAM (5.19)

                District students are eligible to take courses through the Arkansas Course Choice Program (ACCP) if the student is:

                The ACCP course catalog shall be made available to all students during student course selection. The District shall not actively discourage, intimidate, or threaten a student during course selection to not take a course through the ACCP.

                A student attending courses through the ACCP shall enroll in at least one (1) course at the District, which may be either in person or a digital course offered by the District.

                A District student attending courses through the ACCP is entitled to the following services as if the student were attending courses at the District:

                1. Required assessments, including without limitation:
                  1. Statewide assessments;
                  2. Advanced Placement; and
                  3. International Baccalaureate,
                2. Participation in extracurricular or co curricular activities; and
                3. Special education services pursuant to the student's individualized education program.

                Credits earned through the ACCP shall appear on a student's official transcript and count fully towards the student’s graduation requirements.