501 - Student Attendance
501 - Student Attendance dawn.gibson.cm… Mon, 10/18/2021 - 08:07501.1 - Resident Students
501.1 - Resident StudentsChildren who are residents of the school district community will attend the school district without paying tuition.
The residence of a student means the place, abode, or dwelling of the student. Generally, the legal dwelling of minors is the same as their parents. However, a student may
establish a dwelling with someone other than the parents and attend public school in the school district without paying tuition if the primary purpose for residing in the school
district is not for the purpose of obtaining a free public education. Further, students who have reached the age of majority and who are still eligible to attend an Iowa secondary
school may declare their residence independent of the residence of the parents.
Each case involving the bona fide residence of a student will be decided upon its individual merits by the superintendent.
NOTE: This policy reflects the current Iowa law regarding residency and payment of tuition.
Legal Reference: Lakota Cons. Ind. School v. Buffalo Center-Rake Comm. School, 334 N.W.2d 704 (Iowa 1983).
Mt. Hope School Dist. v. Hendrickson, 197 N.W. 47 (Iowa 1924).
Oshel v. Creston Comm. School Dist., DPI Admin. Doc. 570 (1981).
33 D.P.I. Dec. Rule 80 (1984).
Iowa Code §§ 257.6; 282.2, .6, .7; 285.4 (2007).
1956 Op. Att'y Gen. 185.
1946 Op. Att'y Gen. 197.
1938 Op. Att'y Gen. 69.
1930 Op. Att'y Gen. 147.
Cross Reference: 102 School District Instructional Organization
501 Student Attendance
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.2 - Nonresident Students
501.2 - Nonresident StudentsStudents who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school but who are not legal residents of the school district may be admitted into the school district at the discretion of the
superintendent upon application and payment of tuition. The tuition rate is the current per-pupil cost of the school district as computed by the board secretary and as authorized
by the Iowa Department of Education.
Resident students whose families move from the school district after the start of a semester and who wish to complete the semester in the school district may be permitted to
attend without the payment of tuition at the discretion of the superintendent and approval of the board. Students who plan to open enroll to the nonresident district may
complete the school year without approval of the superintendent or board. These students, other than students in grades eleven and twelve, must have the recommendation of
the principal.
Students in grades eleven or twelve who are no longer residents of the school district, but were residents in the preceding school year, may continue to attend school until they
graduate without the payment of tuition. These students may be required to identify an adult, who resides in the school district, identified for purposes of administration.
Nonresident students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and who have evidence they will become legal residents of the school district prior to the third Friday in
September may be allowed to attend without the payment of tuition.
NOTE: This policy reflects current Iowa law. Iowa's open enrollment law has not eliminated the need for this policy. This policy affects nonresident students who do not
qualify for open enrollment.
Legal Reference: Lakota Cons. Ind. School v. Buffalo Center-Rake Comm. School, 334 N.W.2d 704 (Iowa 1983).
Mt. Hope School Dist. v. Hendrickson, 197 N.W. 47 (Iowa 1924).
Oshel v. Creston Comm. School Dist., DPI Admin. Doc. 570 (1981).
Iowa Code §§ 257.6; 282.1, .2, .6, .7, .24 (2007).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.3 - Compulsory Attendance
501.3 - Compulsory AttendanceParents within the school district who have children over age six and under age sixteen by September 15, in proper physical and mental condition to attend school, will have the
children attend the school district at the attendance center designated by the board. Students will attend school the number of days school is in session in accordance with the
school calendar. Students of compulsory attendance age will attend school a minimum of 175 days or 1080 hours. Students not attending the minimum days must be exempted
by this policy as listed below or, referred to the county attorney. Exceptions to this policy include children who:
have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
are attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;
are attending an accredited nonpublic school;
are receiving independent private instruction; or,
are receiving competent private instruction.
It is the responsibility of the parent of a child to provide evidence of the child's mental and physical inability to attend school or of the child's qualifications for one of the
exceptions listed above.
The principal will investigate the cause for a student's truancy. If the principal is unable to secure the truant student's attendance, the principal should discuss the next step with
the school board. If after school board action, the student is still truant, the principal will refer the matter over to the county attorney.
The school will participate in mediation if requested by the county attorney. The principal will represent the school district in mediation. The school district will monitor the
student's compliance with the mediation agreement and will report violations of the mediation agreement to the county attorney.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 239.5B; 259A; 279.10-.11; ch. 299; 299A (2007).
441 I.A.C. 41.25(8).
1978 Op. Att'y. Gen. 379.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
601.1 School Calendar
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised 11-17-2014
501.4 - Entrance - Admissions
501.4 - Entrance - AdmissionsChildren in the school district community will be allowed to enroll in the school district's regular education program beginning at age five. The child must be age four on or
prior to September 15 to participate in the school’s preschool program. The child must be age five on or prior to September 15 to participate in the school district's kindergarten
program. The child must be age six on or prior to September 15 to begin the first grade of the education program.
The board will require evidence of age and residency in the form of a birth certificate or other evidence before the student may enroll in the school district's education
program. It is within the discretion of the superintendent to determine what is satisfactory evidence for proof of age.
Prior to enrollment, the child must provide the administration with their health and immunization certificate. Failure to provide this information within the time period set by
the superintendent is reason for suspension, expulsion or denying admission to the student.
NOTE: This policy reflects current Iowa law.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 139.9; 282.1, .3, .6 (2007).
1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 258.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
507.1 Student Health and Immunization Certificates
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.5 - Attendance Site
501.5 - Attendance SiteThe board will have complete discretion to determine the boundaries for each attendance center, to assign students to the attendance centers, and to assign students to the
classrooms within the attendance center.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board annually regarding the assigned attendance center for each student. In making the
recommendation, the superintendent will consider the geographical layout of the school district, the condition and location of the school district facilities, the location of
student population, possible transportation difficulties, financial condition of the school district and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent or the board.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.11; 282.7-.8 (2007).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.6 - Transfers In
501.6 - Transfers InStudents who transfer into the school district must meet the immunization and age requirements set out for students who initially enroll in the school district.
The school district will request the student's cumulative records from the previous school district. If the student cannot offer proof of grade level, the superintendent will make
the grade level determination. The superintendent may require testing or other information to determine the grade level. Students expelled or suspended from their previous
school district will only be enrolled after approval of the board.
The superintendent will determine the amount of credits to be transferred. If the student has not previously attended an accredited school, it is within the superintendent's
discretion to accept or reject credits or grades.
The board may deny admission if the student is not willing to provide the board with the necessary information.
NOTE: School districts do not need parental permission to request student records from previous school districts. The school district sending the records must notify the
parents that the student's records have been sent.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232g (2004).
Iowa Code §§ 139.9; 282.1, .3, .4; 299A (2007).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
505.4 Student Honors and Awards
507 Student Health and Well-Being
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.7 - Transfers out
501.7 - Transfers outIf the student's parents wish to withdraw or transfer the student from school prior to completing and graduating from the education program, they should notify the
superintendent in writing as soon as possible of the decision to withdraw or transfer the student from the education program. The student or parent should present this written
notice at the office and receive instructions regarding settlement of accounts and the return of textbooks, library books, locker equipment, computer, etc.
The notice should state the student's final day of attendance. If the student is not enrolling in another school district, the school district will maintain the student's records in the
same manner as the records of students who have graduated from the school district.
If the parents wish to have the student's cumulative record sent to the new school district, the parents must notify the superintendent in writing. This notice will include the
name of the school district and the person at the new school district to whom the student's cumulative records should be sent. If the new school district requests the student's
cumulative records, the school district will forward the cumulative records and notify the parents the records have been sent. The notice will inform the parents of their right to
review the records sent.
If the student is of compulsory education age and not transferring to another public school district or an accredited nonpublic school, the parents will notify the superintendent
that the student is receiving competent private instruction and file the necessary competent private instruction reports.
NOTE: The third paragraph is a reflection of federal law regarding the forwarding of student records.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232g (2004).
Iowa Code §§ 274.1; 299.1-.1A (2007).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.8 - Attendance Records
501.8 - Attendance RecordsAs part of the school district's records, the daily attendance of each student is recorded and maintained on file with the permanent records of the board secretary.
It is the responsibility of the principals to ensure that such reports are filed with the board secretary, the custodian of school records.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299 (2007).
281 I.A.C. 12.2(4).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.9 - Excused Absence
501.9 - Excused AbsenceRegular attendance by students is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents and students alike are encouraged to ensure
an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students will attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.
Student absences approved by the principal are excused absences. Excused absences will count as days in attendance for purposes of the truancy law. These absences include,
but are not limited to, illness, family emergencies, recognized religious observances, appointments that cannot be scheduled outside the school day, and school-sponsored or
approved activities.
Students whose absences are approved will make up the work missed and receive full credit for the missed school work. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a
procedure with the student's teacher to complete the work missed.
Students who wish to participate in school-sponsored activities must attend school at least the last four class periods the day of the activity unless advanced arrangements are
made and permission has been given by the principal for the student to be absent.
It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the student's attendance center as soon as the parent knows the student will not be attending school on that day. The principal may
request evidence or written verification of the student's reason for absence.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299 (2007).
281 I.A.C. 12.2(4).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.10 - Unexcused Absence
501.10 - Unexcused AbsenceRegular attendance by the students at school is essential for students to obtain the maximum opportunities from the education program. Parents and students alike are
encouraged to ensure an absence from school is a necessary absence. Students will attend school unless excused by the principal of their attendance center.
Truancy is the failure to attend school for the minimum number of days established in the school calendar by the board. Truancy is the act of being absent without a reasonable
excuse. These absences will include, but not be limited to, tardiness, shopping, hunting, concerts, preparation or participation in parties and other celebrations and
employment. Truancy will not be tolerated by the board or the administration.
Students are subject to disciplinary action for truancy including suspension and expulsion. It is within the discretion of the principal to determine, in light of the circumstances,
whether a student may make up work missed because of truancy. Students receiving special education services will not be assigned to supervised study hall or in-school
suspension unless the goals and objectives of the student's Individualized Education Program are capable of being met.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. The administrative regulations will
indicate the disciplinary action to be taken for truancy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299 (2007).
281 I.A.C. 12.2(4).
Cross Reference: 206.3 Secretary
410.5 Truancy Officer
501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.10R1 - Truancy - Unexcused Absence Regulation
501.10R1 - Truancy - Unexcused Absence RegulationStudents are required to be in attendance, pursuant to board policy, for 180 days per school year unless their absences have been excused by the principal for illness (absences for
five or more consecutive days due to illness require a doctor's note), family emergencies, doctor or dental appointment, recognized religious observances and school sponsored or
approved activities. Reasonable excuses may also include family trips or vacations if the student's work is finished prior to the trip or vacation. Absences that do not fall within
the categories listed above will be considered unexcused unless approved by the principal. Parents are expected to telephone the school office to report a student's absence prior
to 8:30 a.m. on the day of the absence.
If a student accumulates 5 unexcused absences in a class, he or she may lose credit for the class. Prior to imposing the loss of credit in one or more classes, the principal will
provide the student an opportunity for an informal hearing.
School work missed because of absences must be made up within the number of days absent plus one. The time allowed for make-up work may be extended at the discretion of
the classroom teacher.
Students will remain in class until the principal makes a decision regarding loss or restoration of credit. Full credit is awarded to all assignments and tests submitted that meet
the teacher's specifications until a decision regarding credit has been made.
If a student loses credit, that fact is recorded in the student's record as an "AW" (administrative withdrawal).
A student who loses credit due to excessive absences is assigned to supervised study hall for the period(s) in which the course(s) meets or the student may be reassigned to another
class or location. A student who, after a hearing before the board, loses credit in all courses due to unexcused absences, will not be allowed to participate in any school activities
until the following semester. However, the student is eligible to practice if all other eligibility criteria have been met.
The administration and guidance staff will make reasonable efforts to advise and counsel and may impose discipline upon any student approaching 5 unexcused absences. Such
advice, discipline and counseling includes, but is not limited to, oral or written notices to the student and his or her parents, conferences with the student and parents, written
contracts, or loss of non-academic privileges such as extracurricular activities.
501.11 - Student Release
501.11 - Student ReleaseStudents will be allowed to leave the school district facilities during school hours only with prior authorization from their parents, unless the parent appears personally at the
student's attendance center to arrange for the release of the student during school hours, or with the permission of the principal.
Approved reasons for release of a student during the school day will include, but not be limited to, illness, family emergencies, medical appointments, religious instruction,
classes outside the student's attendance center, employment for which the student has been issued a work permit and other reasons determined appropriate by the principal.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 294.4 (2007).
281 I.A.C. 12.2(4).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
506 Student Records
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.12 - Pregnant Students
501.12 - Pregnant StudentsThe board encourages pregnant students to continue to attend the education program as long as they are physically able to do so. The pregnant student may notify the principal
or the guidance counselor as soon as she is aware of the pregnancy. The school may require that a pregnant student provide the principal with a written note from her doctor
relative to special conditions that might exist and specific suggestions as to how long the student may continue to attend classes. If the student is unable to attend school
because of her pregnancy, the student may be excused and arrangements made to continue her studies during her absence. The student will resume classes upon the
recommendation of her physician.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 216; 279.8; 280.3 (2007).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
604.2 Individualized Instruction
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.13 - Legal Age
501.13 - Legal AgeStudents who have attained legal age may continue the education program without payment of tuition as long as they are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and are
residents of the school district.
Parents will be allowed to access and view the student's records without written permission from the student if the student is still a dependent for tax purposes. In most cases,
with the discretion of the principal or the superintendent, the student of legal age will be able to make decisions and sign documents rather than requiring parental permission or
signature.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232g (2004).
Iowa Code §§ 22; 282.2, .6, .7; 285.4; 599.1; 622.10 (2007).
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.14 - Open Enrollment Procedures Out
501.14 - Open Enrollment Procedures OutThe school district will participate in open enrollment as a sending district. As a sending district, the board will allow resident students who meet the requirements to open enroll
to another public school district.
Parents requesting open enrollment out of the school district for their student will notify the sending and receiving school district no later than March 1 in the school year
preceding the first year desired for open enrollment. The notice is made on forms provided by the Department of Education. The forms are available at the central
administration office.
Parents of children who will begin kindergarten in the school district are exempt from the open enrollment March 1 deadline. Parents of children who will begin kindergarten
will file in the same manner set forth above by September 1. Parents who have good cause as defined by law for failing to meet the March 1 deadline may make an open
enrollment request by September 1 unless another deadline applies.
The receiving district will approve open enrollment requests according to the timelines established by law. The parents may withdraw the open enrollment request prior to the
start of the school year. The receiving district’s superintendent will notify the parents and sending school district by mail within five days of the school district’s action to
approve or deny the open enrollment request.
The board will not approve a student's request to allow the receiving district to enter the school district for the purposes of transportation.
An open enrollment request out of the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The determining factor for approval of such
an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the receiving school district is appropriate for the student's needs. The area education
agency director of special education serving the receiving district will determine whether the program is appropriate. The special education student will remain in the school
district until the final determination is made.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to maintain open enrollment request applications and notice forms. It will also be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop
appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 139.9; 274.1; 279.11; 282.1, .3, .8, .18; 299.1 (2007).
281 I.A.C. 17.
1990 Op. Att'y Gen. 75.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.15 - Open Enrollment Procedures In
501.15 - Open Enrollment Procedures InThe school district will participate in open enrollment as a receiving district. As a receiving district, the board will allow nonresident students, who meet the legal requirements, to open
enroll into the school district. The board will have complete discretion to determine the attendance center of the students attending the school district under open enrollment.
The superintendent will approve all timely filed applications by June 1; incoming kindergarten applications; good cause applications; or continuation of an educational program
application filed by September 1.
The superintendent will notify the sending school district and parents within five days of the school district’s action to approve or deny the open enrollment request.
Open enrollment requests into the school district will not be approved if insufficient classroom space exists. Open enrollment requests into the school district will also not be approved for
students who have been suspended or expelled by the administration or the board of the school district the student is or was attending until the student has been reinstated into the school
district from which the student was suspended or expelled. Once the student is reinstated, the student's open enrollment request will be considered in the same manner as other open
enrollment requests provided the required timelines are met.
Open enrollment requests into the school district that, if denied, would result in students from the same nuclear family being enrolled in different school districts, will be given highest
priority. The board, in its discretion, may waive the insufficient classroom space reason for denial for students of the same nuclear family to prevent the division of a nuclear family
between two school districts. Other open enrollment requests into the school district are considered in the order received by the school district with the first open enrollment request given
a higher priority than the second open enrollment request and so forth.
Generally, students in grades nine through twelve open enrolling into the school district will not be eligible for participation in interscholastic athletics, at the varsity level, during the first
ninety days of open enrollment into the school district.
Parents are responsible for providing transportation to and from the receiving school district without reimbursement unless the parents qualify for transportation assistance. Upon a
parent's request, the board may approve transportation into the sending district. The board's approval is subject to the sending district's approval.
An open enrollment request into the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The determining factors for approval of such an open
enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the school district is appropriate for the student's needs and whether the enrollment of the special education
student will cause the class size to exceed the maximum allowed. The area education agency director of special education serving the school district will determine whether the program is
appropriate. The special education student will remain in the sending district until the final determination is made.
The policies of the school district will apply to students attending the school district under open enrollment.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.
NOTE: This policy reflects Iowa's open enrollment law. The board needs to determine whether it will delegate authority to the superintendent to approve timely filed open enrollment
requests. This option is the first set of options on page one of the policy. There are three options available to the board:
board retains all approval authority over timely filed requests.
board delegates all approval authority over timely filed requests.
board delegates only some approval authority over timely filed requests.
After the board makes its decision, the policy needs to be edited to reflect the board's decision.
The second option on page two addresses the issue of transportation of the receiving district to pick up open enrolled students. The board needs to establish by policy whether it will go
into the sending district to pick up open enrolled students.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 139.9; 274.1; 279.11; 282.1, .3, .8, .18; 299.1 (2007).
281 I.A.C. 17.
1990 Op. Att'y Gen. 75.
Cross Reference: 501.6 Student Transfers In
501.7 Student Transfers Out or Withdrawals
501.14 Open Enrollment Transfers - Procedures as a Sending District
506 Student Records
507 Student Health and Well-Being
606.9 Insufficient Classroom Space
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.16 - Homeless
501.16 - HomelessThe board will make reasonable efforts to identify homeless children and youth of school age within the district, encourage their enrollment and eliminate existing barriers to
their receiving an education which may exist in district policies or practices. The designated coordinator for identification of homeless children and for tracking and
monitoring programs and activities for these children is the elementary at-risk coordinator.
A child suspected of homeless status shall be given immediate enrollment pending dispute resolution. Waivers will be given for immunizations, fees and charges, and other
enrollment requirements. Transportation will be provided if needed.
NOTE: This is a mandatory policy and reflects both Iowa and federal law.
Legal Reference: No Child Left Behind, Title X, Sec. 722, P.L. 107-110 (2002).
42 U.S.C. §§ 11431 et seq. (2004).
281 I.A.C. 33 (2007).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
503.3 Fines - Fees - Charges
506 Student Records
507.1 Student Health and Immunization Certificates
603.3 Special Education
711.1 Student School Transportation Eligibility
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised
501.17 - Work Programs and Permits
501.17 - Work Programs and PermitsThe superintendent or his/her designee shall issue age and work permits to students when requested in accordance with provisions of state and federal child labor laws.
Work study and work release programs may be incorporated into the curriculum of the school. The principal of the school shall be responsible for establishing guidelines and
criteria for any student work programs.
Legal Reference: Code of Iowa Chapter 92.11
Approved 2-15-2010
Reviewed _7-20-2015__
Revised