A student government in any school may be organized within the framework of guidelines adopted by the building principal and faculty representatives.

The function of student government shall be to provide a channel of communication between students and the professional staff of the building and opportunities for students to learn responsible leadership.  Regulations and policies shall always remain the province of the Board and administration.

 

 

Legal Reference:        
Iowa Code § 279.8 (2013).

Date of Adoption:                                                      
August 11, 1975

Date of Review:
January 10, 2022

 

Secondary school student-initiated, noncurriculum-related groups and student curriculum-related groups, upon receiving permission from the principal, may use school facilities for group meetings during non-instructional time.

Non-instructional time will mean any time before the first period of the day and after the last period of the day in which any student attends class.  Meetings will not interfere with the orderly conduct of the education program or other school district operations.  It is within the discretion of the principal to determine whether the meetings will interfere with the orderly conduct of the education program or other school district operations.  Activities relating to and part of the education program will have priority over the activities of another organization.

Curriculum-Related Organizations

It will also be the responsibility of the principal to determine whether a student group is curriculum-related.  One or more of the following questions will be answered affirmatively if the group is curriculum-related:

•     Is the subject matter of the group actually taught in a regularly offered course?
•     Will the subject matter of the group soon be taught in a regularly offered course?
•     Does the subject matter of the group concern the body of courses as a whole?
•     Is participation in the group required for a particular course?
•     Does participation in the group result in academic credit?

Secondary school curriculum-related student organizations may use the school district facilities for meetings and other purposes before and after the instructional school day.  Employees are assigned to monitor approved meetings and may interact with curriculum-related organizations.

Noncurriculum-Related Organizations

Student-initiated, noncurriculum-related organizations are provided access to meeting space and school district facilities.

Only students may attend and participate in meetings of noncurriculum-related groups.  Such attendance is strictly voluntary and student-initiated.  As a means of determining whether a student's attendance is voluntary, the principal may require parental consent for the student to attend the meetings.

Employees will be assigned to monitor approved meetings.  Employees will not participate in the meeting or assist in planning, criticizing, or encouraging attendance.  Only students may be involved in and attend the noncurriculum group's meetings.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

 

 

Legal Reference:        
Westside Community Board of Education v Mergens,
496 U.S. 226 (1990).
Bender v. Williamsport Area Community School District, 741 F.2d 538 (3d Cir. 1984), vacated and remanded on other grounds, 475 U.S. 534 (1986).
20 U.S.C. §§ 4071-4074 (2012).
Iowa Code §§ 287.1-.3; 297.9 (2013).

Date of Adoption:                                                      
August 11, 1975                                                         

Date of Review:
January 10, 2022

 

This policy has been rescinded.

The Board of Directors (Board) recognizes that worthy and appropriate educational values accrue from student participation in civic and community affairs.  As such, the Board endorses public performances by students when such performances contribute to the educational processes and objectives of the school, and when it does not unduly interfere with the student program.

1. All such performances shall be approved by the supervising administrator.

2. The extended use of one particular group should be discouraged.

3. Extensive travel by a particular group should be discouraged.

4. Student groups below the senior high level should engage in only limited activity.
    
5. Generally, public performances shall not be allowed at places where drugs and alcohol or other mood altering substances are available.  Exceptions may be granted by the building administrator for local groups/activities such as service club banquets, Chamber of Commerce banquets. etc.

It is within the discretion of the superintendent to determine whether the event will benefit the education program and the participating students.  Contests or other performances by students unapproved by the superintendent are the responsibility of the parent and the student.

 

 

Legal Reference:        
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).
Iowa Code §§ 280.13-.14 (2013).
281 I.A.C. 12.6.

Date of Adoption:
August 11, 1975

Date of Review:
January 10, 2022

 

The Board of Directors (Board) recognizes the potential for positive benefits to students and the school district from properly organized and operated fundraising activities.  School-based fundraising activities which require the participation of students and/or staff members may be approved by the Superintendent of Schools (Superintendent) or designee.  Major fundraising campaigns (those defined as activities raising $2,500 or more) will be required to have the expressed approval of the Board prior to the implementation of the fundraising activity.

The Board, however, draws a distinction between school-initiated fundraising activities and those fundraising activities that may be initiated by an outside agent or business interest.  Therefore, the Board prohibits activity requiring students and teachers to assist in promoting campaigns, (financial, educational, charitable, or otherwise), which demand the time of students, teachers, and administrators, except as hereinafter provided, unless the same shall be in accord with the general policies of the Board.

Also, no agent, person, or persons shall be permitted to solicit any student or teacher for any purpose, distribute circulars, handbills, cards, or advertisements of any kind, make announcements of any nature, or take up contributions in any school building or on any premises, for any purpose whatsoever, except by approval of the Superintendent, as being in accord with the general policies of the Board.

 

 

Legal Reference:        
Senior Class of Pekin High School v. Tharp, 154 N.W.2d 874 (Iowa 1967).
Iowa Code § 279.8 (2013).

Date of Adoption:                                                      
August 11, 1975    

                                                     
Date of Review:
January 10, 2022

 

The Algona Community School District Board of Directors (Board) supports a student activity program to provide students opportunities in a non-academic setting to learn qualities of participation, leadership, cooperation, competition, and the skills of how to deal effectively with success and disappointment.  Participation in school activities is a privilege if students meet certain academic and behavior requirements as students of the Algona Community Schools and the community of Algona. 

The activities available to students are listed in district handbooks and other district publications.  It is the intent of the Board that the conduct of the student activity program not unduly disrupt the basic educational program or interfere with normal school district operations.  Normally, school-sponsored activities are also conducted under the auspices of the respective state associations that sponsor and provide oversight for student activity programs.

For certain activities the District may require proof of insurance, a completed physical and attendance by parents at an informational meeting prior to the student being declared eligible to participate in either practices or competitive games or activities.  In any case, students wanting to participate in any school activity must meet the requirements set out by the school district and any other governing agency for participation in that particular activity.

A high school or middle school student who participates in school sponsored athletics may participate in a non-school sponsored sport during the same season with approval of the High School Principal, Middle School Principal, or Athletic Director as appropriate.

 

 

Legal Reference:        
20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1683; 1685-1686 (2012).
34 C.F.R. Pt. 106.41 (2012).
Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 280.13-.14 (2013).
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6), 12.6., 36.15(7).

Date of Adoption:                                          
November 18, 1997

Date of Review:
January 10, 2022