Parents within the school district who have children over age 6 and under age 16 by September 15th, 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.
A child who has reached the age of 5 by September 15th, and who is enrolled in the school district, shall be considered to be of compulsory attendance age unless the parent/legal guardian of the child notifies the school district in writing of their intent to remove the child from enrollment in the school district.
A child who has reached the age of 4 by September 15th, and who is enrolled in the statewide preschool program under Chapter 256C, shall be considered to be of compulsory attendance age unless the parent/legal guardian of the child submits written notice to the school district implementing the program of their intent to remove the child from enrollment in the preschool program.
Students will attend school the number of days or hours school is in session in accordance with the school calendar. Students of compulsory attendance age will attend school a minimum of 90% of the approved calendar days or hours. Students not attending the minimum days or hours must be exempted by this policy as listed below or referred to the county attorney.
Exceptions to this policy include children who:
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.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 4/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 9/20
Revised: 5/11; 10/17; 2/21; 10/23; 8/24
Related Policy: 501.11; 501.11-R; 601.2
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 259A; 279.10-11; 299; 299.A
Iowa Senate File 2435
IASB Reference: 501.03
Mandatory Policy
Children in the school district community will be allowed to enroll in the district’s regular education program beginning at age five. The child must be age five on or prior to September 15th to participate in the district’s kindergarten/junior kindergarten program. The child must be age six on or prior to September 15th to begin in first grade of the education program.
Before the student may enroll in the district’s education program, the school board will require evidence of age and residency in the form of a birth certificate or other evidence of age. It is within the discretion of the superintendent [or designee] to determine what is satisfactory evidence for proof of age and residency.
Prior to enrollment, the parent/legal guardian must provide the administration with their child’s health and immunization certificate. Failure to provide this information within the time period set by the superintendent [or designee] is reason for suspension, expulsion, or denying admission to the student.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 5/11; 4/12; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/20; 10/23
Revised: 7/13; 2/21; 6/21
Related Policy: 500.1; 501.1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 139A.8; 144.45(5); 282.1, .3, .6
IASB Reference: 501.04
The school board will have complete discretion to determine the boundaries for each attendance center and to assign students to the attendance centers.
Parents/legal guardians of siblings who are in the same grade level academically, in grades kindergarten through fourth grade, may request siblings be placed in the same or different classrooms. In order to be valid, the request must be made in writing and submitted to the school principal at the time of registration for classes or within 14 days after the children’s first day of attendance during the school year. If a valid request is received by the principal, the request must be honored. While a parent/legal guardian may make a placement request that siblings be placed together or apart, district administration retains complete discretion to select the classroom teachers to which siblings are assigned. If after the initial grading period following the placement of siblings in the same or different classrooms the principal determines the placement is disruptive to the class; the principal may assign one or more of the siblings to different classrooms.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to make a recommendation to the board annually regarding the assigned attendance center for each student. In making the recommendation, the superintendent [or designee] will consider the geographical layout of the school district, the condition and location of the district facilities, the location of student population, possible transportation challenges, the financial condition of the district, and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent [or designee] or the board.
The primary purpose of the school boundary attendance plan is to obtain uniform class sizes throughout the district.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 10/23
Revised: 8/06; 9/20
Related Policy: 500.1; 501.1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 279.11; 282.7-.8
IASB Reference: 501.05
As 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 [or designee] to ensure that such reports are filed with the board secretary as the custodian of school records.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/20; 10/23
Related Policy: 500.1; 501.1; 505.6
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 294.4; 299; 281 IAC 12.3(4)
IASB Reference: 501.08
Children 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. A student may establish a dwelling with someone other than their 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 [or designee].
Prior to knowingly enrolling an individual who is required to register as a sex offender under Iowa Code Chapter 692A, but who is otherwise eligible to enroll in the district, the school board will determine the educational placement of the individual.
Upon receipt of notice that a student who is enrolled in the district is required to register as a sex offender under Chapter 692A, the school board will determine the educational placement of the student.
The tentative agenda for the meeting of the Board of Directors; at which the school board will consider such enrollment or educational placement, will specifically state that the board is considering the enrollment or educational placement of an individual who is required to register as a sex offender under Chapter 692A. If the individual is denied enrollment in the district under this section, the school district of residence will provide the individual with educational services in an alternative setting.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/2010/23
Revised: 9/98; 8/17
Related Policy: 500.1; 501.1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): 257.6; 282.2, .6-.7; 285.4
IASB Reference: 501.01
Students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school but who are not legal residents of the district may be admitted into the 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 district after the start of the semester and who wish to complete the semester in their former resident district will be permitted to attend. Students who plan to open enroll to their former resident district for the next school year may do so without approval of the school board.
Students in grades 11 and 12 who are no longer residents of the 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 district for the purposes of administration.
Non-resident students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and who have evidence they will become legal residents of the district prior to October 1st may be allowed to attend without payment of tuition.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/20
Revised: 7/13; 8/23
Related Policy: 500.1; 501.1; 602.23-25
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 257.6; 282.1-.2, .6-.7, .11, .24
IASB Reference: 501.02
Foreign exchange students must meet all district entrance requirements including age, place of residence, and immunization. Qualified foreign exchange students may be enrolled and attend school without charge if they are recommended by the high school building principal and reside within the boundaries of the district or whose host family is open enrolled into the district.
Students who are citizens of a foreign country will be considered residents if they meet one of the following requirements:
It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to review and approve organizations that wish to place foreign exchange students at the high school. The school board reserves the right to limit the number of foreign exchange students accepted.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/20
Revised: 8/02; 11/17; 10/23
Related Policy: 500.1; 501.1; 501.6; 602.23-25
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): § 279.8
IASB Reference: 604.08
Students 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 [or designee] will make the grade level determination. The superintendent [or designee] 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 [or designee] 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 [or designee’s] discretion to accept or reject credits or grades.
The school board may deny admission if the student is not willing to provide the board with the necessary information.
Adopted: 11/92
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/20; 10/23
Revised: 8/06
Related Policy: 500.1; 501.1-10; 602.23-25
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 139A.8; 282.1, .3-.4; 299A; 20 USA § 1232g
IASB Reference: 501.06
If the student's parents/legal guardians wish to withdraw or transfer the student from school prior to completing and graduating from the education program, they should notify the associate superintendent [or designee] in writing as soon as possible of the decision to withdraw or transfer the student from the education program. The parents/legal guardians should also notify the student’s attendance center of their decision to transfer their student out of the district.
The notice should state the student's final day of attendance. If the student is not enrolling in another school district, the 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/legal guardians wish to have the student's cumulative records sent to the new school district, the parents/legal guardians must notify the student’s attendance center in writing. This notice will include the name of the receiving 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 student’s attendance center will forward the cumulative records and notify the parents/legal guardians the records have been sent. The notice will inform the parents/legal guardians 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/legal guardians will notify the associate superintendent [or designee] that the student is receiving competent private instruction and file the necessary competent private instruction reports.
Adopted: 9/98
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 9/20; 10/23
Revised: 8/06; 10/17
Related Policy: 500.1; 501.1-10; 604.23-25
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 274.1; 299.1-1A; 299A.11; 20 USC § 1232g
IASB Reference: 501.07
The district believes that traditional, in-person school attendance leads to the greatest learning opportunities for students. Students who are present in school and engaged active learners take great ownership over their educational outcomes. For this reason, it is the priority of the district to foster regular student attendance throughout the school year and reduce barriers to regular attendance for students in the district.
CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM/ABSENCES means any absence from school for more than 10% of the days in the academic term, quarter/semester (block schedule format) established by the district.
TRUANT/TRUANCY means a child of compulsory attendance age who is absent from school for any reason for at least 20% of the days in the academic term, quarter/semester (block schedule format) established by the district. Truancy does not apply to the following students who:
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/in-school suspension unless the goals and objectives of the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) are capable of being met.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the designated school officials, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. The administrative regulations will indicate the disciplinary action to be taken for truancy.
Adopted: 9/98
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 10/23
Revised: 9/20; 8/24
Related Policy: 501.1; 501.11-R
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 294.4; 299; 281 IAC 12.3(4); 34 CFR Sec 300; 28 CFR Pt 35
Iowa Senate File 2435
IASB Reference: 501.09
Mandatory Policy
Daily, punctual attendance is an integral part of the learning experience. The education that goes on in the classroom builds from day to day and absences can cause disruption in the educational progress of the absent student. Irregular attendance or tardiness by students not only limits their own studies, but also interferes with the progress of those students who are regular and prompt in attendance. Attendance is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation and communication among students, parents, and the school.
This regulation is divided into two sections: Section I addresses legal requirements related to chronic absenteeism and truancy and Section II addresses additional academic, disciplinary, and extracurricular consequences students face due to chronic absenteeism and truancy. It is important for students to recognize that chronic absenteeism and truancy impacts all these facets of their educational experience.
SECTION I – LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Chronic Absenteeism
When a student meets the threshold to be considered chronically absent, the school official will send notice by mail or email to the county attorney where the district’s central office is located. The school official will also notify the student, or if a minor, the student’s parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian via certified mail that includes information related to the student’s absences from school and the policies and disciplinary processes associated with additional absences.
School officials will send notice when the student’s absences meet the 10% threshold of the grading term, but before the student is deemed chronically absent.
School Engagement Meeting
After 10% of absences, if a student is absent from school multiple times with unexcused absences in the grading period, the school official will attempt to find the cause of the absences and start and participate in a school engagement meeting. All of the following individuals must participate in the school engagement meeting:
The purpose of the meeting is to understand the reasons for the student’s absences and attempt to remove barriers to the student’s ongoing absences; and to create and sign an absenteeism prevention plan.
Absenteeism Prevention Plan
The absenteeism prevention plan will identify the causes of the student’s absences and the future responsibilities of each participant. The school official will contact the student and student’s parent/guardian at least once per week for the remainder of the school year to monitor the performance of the student and student’s parent/guardian under the plan. If the student and student’s parent/guardian do not attend the meeting, do not enter into a plan, or violate the terms of the plan, the school official will notify the county attorney.
SECTION II – ACADEMIC AND DISCIPLINARY REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to be in attendance, pursuant to board policy, for a designated amount of days or hours per school year. Preschool students have a requirement of 10 hours per week of scheduled instruction, and students in kindergarten through 12th grade have a requirement of 176 per school year. The number of hours or days a student is required to be in attendance may be adjusted if their absences have been excused by the principal for illness (absences of 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 approved by the building principal 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.
If a student accumulates five unexcused absences in a class at the high school level, they may lose credit for the class if the student was previously warned at two unexcused absences that two more may result in loss of credit. 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 two times the number of days absent, not to exceed five days. 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 test submitted that meet the teacher’s specifications until a decision regarding credit has been made.
If a student loses credit, this will be recorded in the student’s record as an administrative drop (AD).
A student who loses credit due to excessive absences is assigned to supervised study hall, in-school suspension, or online course work for the period(s) in which the course(s) meets or the student may be reassigned to another class or location. A student who receives an administrative drop (AD) in all courses due to unexcused absences will not be allowed to participate in any school activities until the following quarter/semester. However, the student is eligible to participate in practice if all other eligibility criteria have been met.
The administration and school counseling staff will make reasonable efforts to advise and counsel and may impose discipline upon any student approaching five unexcused absences. Such advice, discipline, and counseling is in addition to the requirements listed in Section I of this regulation and includes, but is not limited to, oral or written notices to the student and their parents, conferences with the student and parents, written contracts, or loss of non-academic privileges such as extracurricular activities, open campus, late arrival, early dismissal, or others as added by the principal.
Related Policy: 501.1; 501.11
Legal Reference (Iowa Code): §§ 294.4; 299; 281 IAC 12.3(4); 34 CFR Sec 300; 28 CFR Pt 35
Iowa Senate File 2435
IASB Reference: 501.09-R(1) Option II
Students in grades 11 and 12 may be allowed to leave the school district facilities with parental permission when they are not scheduled to be in class. Students who violate school rules may have this privilege suspended.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principals, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Adopted: 9/98
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/20; 10/23
Revised: 9/09
Related Policy: 500.1; 501.1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): § 294.4; 281 IAC 12.3(4)
IASB Reference: 501.11
Students 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/legal guardians 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 will be able to make decisions and sign documents rather than requiring parental/legal guardian permission or signature.
Adopted: 9/98
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 7/13; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/20; 10/23
Related Policy: 500.1; 501.1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 22; 282.2, .6-.7; 285.4; 599.1; 622:10; 281 IAC 12.3(6)
IASB Reference: 501.13
The district will ensure reasonable efforts to identify homeless children and youth of school age within the district, encourage their enrollment in school, eliminate existing barriers in district policies and procedures which may serve as barriers to their enrollment, and ensure that homeless children and youth have equal access to the same free public education, including public preschool education, as provided to other children and youth.
The designated coordinator for identification of homeless children and for tracking and monitoring programs and activities for these children is the Executive Director of Student Services [or designee].
The superintendent [or designee] may develop an administrative process or procedures to implement this policy.
Adopted: 9/98
Reviewed: 4/11; 3/12; 10/14; 1/15; 10/17; 9/20; 10/23
Revised: 7/13; 12/16
Related Policy: 501.1; 501.15-R; 503.3; 507.1; 603.3; 711.1
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): 20 USC § 6301; 42 USC § 11302; 42 USC §§ 11431 et seq.; 281 IAC 33
IASB Reference: 501.16
Mandatory Policy
The Linn-Mar Community School District believes all students should have access to a free, appropriate public education. The district will ensure that homeless children and youth have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as other children and youth.
DEFINITIONS
Homeless children and youth means individuals from ages 3 through 21 who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Children or youth that are incarcerated or in foster care are not considered homeless. The term includes:
To help ensure that homeless children and youth have a full opportunity to enroll, attend, and succeed at school, the board shall:
The superintendent [or designee] may develop an administrative process or procedures to implement this policy.
Adopted: 8/06
Reviewed: 4/11; 3/12; 7/13; 10/17; 9/20
Revised: 1/15; 12/16; 10/23
Related Policy: 501.1-14; 501.15
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): 20 USC § 6301; 42 USC § 11302; 42 USC §§ 11431 et seq; 281 IAC 33
IASB Reference: 501.16