FBLA- Handbook Analysis:

Aligning student and staff handbooks with current practices.

Jillian Duffy Schulte

Drake University, EDL 276: Applications of School Law, Mandates and Policies
Dr. Trent Grundmeyer

Throughout my journey into educational leadership, I have heard a common theme in regard to
the role of the building principal. There has been a role shift from the principal as a manager to the
principal as a lead learner in effective instructional practices. While the role of the principal continues to
evolve, the work cannot be done without a safe and effective learning environment. Standard three in the
Iowa Standards for School Leaders is entirely focused on management and compliance to mandates and
policies in order to ensure safe and effective schools for students and staff.
As an educational leader, it isnt feasible to have every law and policy memorized. However, it is
important to have an understanding of current educational mandates, policies and issues. As the world
changes and our students have access to more information and technologies than ever before, it comes as
no surprise that we face related issues affecting schools and the educational environment that we havent
had before. After analyzing the Cedar Rapids Community School Districts Board of Education policies
and two elementary school student and parent handbooks, I will address the following policies:
notification of arrest, criminal charge or child abuse complaint, student attendance policy, anti-bullying
policy and student use of electronic devices/technology.
Notification of Arrest
Cedar Rapids Community School Districts Board of Education (Policy 506.11, p. 178) addresses
notification of arrest, criminal charges, or child abuse complaint:
Employees of the District must notify the Administration of any complaints of child abuse, any
arrests or the filing of criminal charges against them. This notification shall occur prior to
resuming responsibilities as a District employee. In addition, employees shall provide
notification of any outcome of such charges or complaints. Simple misdemeanors do not need to
be reported by employees except whose duties require the possession of a Commercial Drivers
License.
Also included in the policy is a statement regarding any action the district may take as a result of the
charges or complaints. The district will not take any action until an outcome has been reached unless the
employee fails to notify the administration. Failure to comply with the policy could result in disciplinary
action up to and including termination.

After reviewing policies from other school districts in Iowa, I believe this policy is in some need
of clarification, including a reasonable timeline for notification and a form to be filled out by the
employee and turned into Human Resources. Other school districts are much more specific in defining an
appropriate time frame. Most districts give a three to five business day notification window. This scenario
outlines the concern of the current language without a time frame: a school employee is arrested, has a
child abuse claim or criminal charge brought against him or her over a school break (summer break) and
the employee does not inform administration until just before they go back to school, they are not
breaking district policy. However, they are putting the district in a difficult position if the employee would
require a leave or could be terminated as a result of their actions.
Another concern is clarification on what constitutes appropriate notification and who
Administration is. It is unclear if Administration is a building principal or someone from the office of
Human Resources. I suggest that Cedar Rapids Community School District adopt a form to be filled out
and turned into Human Resources. This puts the responsibility on the employee and with written
notification, no one has to rely on a verbal message being delivered to and received by the right person.
The form also includes a section for other information regarding the case, including upcoming court
dates, outcomes, updates and/or changes. Other language of district and Iowa Code in relation to
notification of arrest are well aligned. Below is an example form that is used for notification of arrest,
criminal charge or complaint of child abuse in the Saydel Community School District in Des Moines.

Student Handbook
The other policies that will be addressed come from the student/parent handbook of Johnson
Steam Academy Magnet School in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. In most cases, the
policies are aligned with Board of Education policy and the Code of Iowa, but need some additional
clarification or a stronger presence in the student/parent handbook. Each elementary school puts together
its own calendar and handbook with guidelines including information that the district requires to be
included each year.

Attendance Policy
While the language in the attendance policy present in the handbook is aligned with the Board of
Education (policy 602) and the Code of Iowa (Chapter 299, 279.11, 294.4), it is vague and is in need of
clarification. Elementary buildings across the district are not aligned in all of the information they include
in their handbook regarding attendance. Some schools near Johnsons attendance area include specific
information regarding the tier system, including a visual chart indicating the number of absences and
certain actions that take place within each tier.
I recommend that Johnson include the district attendance protocol in its handbook like Grant
Wood. Communication of the protocol reinforces the attendance expectations while keeping parents
informed of interventions related to absenteeism. This additional information also helps build a positive
and maintain positive relationships with families as parents are less likely to be surprised and upset when
they receive the attendance letter in the mail if they have seen the attendance protocol ahead of time. It is
also important to note that even excused absences count toward district interventions in the tier system.
However, excused absences will be counted as days in attendance for purposes of the truancy law (Code
of Iowa: 279.11; CRCSD Procedure 602a).
Per district policy (Procedure 602b) at 11 absences in a single trimester, a registered letter will be
sent to the County Attorney or the school attendance task force for further action if parents do not respond
and/or the plan to address previous absenteeism didnt produce results. This is aligned with the Code of
Iowa, Chapter 299. A truant child is one of compulsory attendance age who fails to meet a specific
number of days per trimester, semester or year. The district uses 11 absences as the cutoff for the highest
level of intervention (Tier IV) because a student at that number of absences is at a high risk level for
truancy.
Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy
Johnson includes the Cedar Rapids Community School Districts Anti-Bullying/Harrassment
Policy (CRCSD Regulation 612, p. 310-314) in the back of the handbook (p. 39) in small print combined

with other district required annual notifications. In an effort to encourage families to engage in discussion
and have an understanding of the serious nature around the issue of bullying in schools, I suggest that this
district policy be included on a more prominent page of the Johnson handbook and include information
related to a bullying/harassment investigation.
The policy states that Harassment and bullying of students and employees are against federal,
state, and local policy and are not tolerated by the Cedar Rapids Community School District. The policy
addresses that bullying and harassment at all levels including students, employees and volunteers is not
tolerated and will be investigated. Additionally, This policy is in effect while students or employees are
on property within the jurisdiction of the District; while on school-owned or school-operated vehicles;
while attending or engaged in school-sponsored activities; and while away from school grounds if
bullying, hazing, or any other victimization of students directly affects the good order, efficient
management, and welfare of the school or school District. It is important to note that the anti-bullying
and harassment policy is in effect, even off campus, if the actions result in a substantial disruption to the
school environment. This would be worth addressing with parents, students and staff to emphasize that
they are responsible for their actions in and out of the school building.
Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education policy is aligned with the Code of
Iowa and current policy. CRCSD referenced the Iowa Code in its board policy document, citing specific
codes that align with their policies and regulations. Johnsons student and parent handbook is also well
aligned. However, there are certain areas that could be further clarified to prevent foreseeable
misinterpretations, most importantly, notification of arrest of employees. I also made suggests for
clarification and more prominent presence of the Anti-Bullying and Harassment policy as well as the
Attendance Policy in the student/parent handbook. I believe these three areas of clarification could result
in a greater awareness of policy, stronger parent/school relationships, and ultimately help the schools
maintain a safe and efficient learning environment.

References

Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education Policies. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug.
2015. http://www.cr.k12.ia.us/our-district/board-of-education/
Grant Wood School Handbook. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug. 2015.
http://grantwood.cr.k12.ia.us/our-school/parent-student-handbook/
"Johnson School Handbook." N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug. 2015. http://johnson.cr.k12.ia.us/
Saydel Community School District Policies N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug. 2015.
www.saydel.k12.ia.us/district/Policies/400/402-7.pdf

The Iowa Legislature: Code of Iowa. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug. 2015.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/publications/search