Code No. 601.1

SCHOOL CALENDAR

The school calendar will accommodate the education program of the school district.  The school calendar is for a minimum of 1080 hours and includes, but is not limited to, the days for student instruction, staff development, in-service days and teacher conferences. Each year the minimum school calendar may include up to 5 days or 30 hours of instruction delivered primarily over the internet.

The academic school year for students shall begin no sooner than August 23. Employees may be required to report to work at the school district prior to this date.

Special education students may attend school on a school calendar different from that of the regular education program consistent with their Individualized Education Program.

The board, in its discretion, may excuse graduating seniors from up to five days or 30 hours of instruction after the school district requirements for graduation have been met. The board may also excuse graduating seniors from making up days missed due to inclement weather if the student has met the school district's graduation requirements.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the school calendar for recommendation, approval, and adoption by the board annually.

The board may amend the official school calendar when the board considers the change to be in the best interests of the school district's education program. The board shall hold a public hearing on any proposed school calendar prior to adopting the school calendar. 
 

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 279.10, 280.3, 299.1 (2), 281 I.A.C. 12.1(7); 41.106.
 

Cross Reference: 501.3 Compulsory Attendance

601.2 School Day

603.3 Special Education

Approved 03/17/1989

Reviewed 08/15/2023

Revised: 08/15/2023

School day

Code No. 601.2

The student school day for grades one through twelve will consist of a minimum of six (6) hours, not including the lunch period. The school day consists of the schedule of class instruction and class activities as established and sponsored by the school district. Time during which students are released from school for parent/teacher conferences may be counted as part of the student’s instructional time. The minimum school day will meet the requirements as established for the operation of accredited schools. 

The board may define the number of days kindergarten will be held and the length of each school day for the students attending kindergarten. The school day will consist of a schedule as recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board.

The school district may also record a day of school with less than the minimum instructional hours if the total hours of instructional time for grades one through twelve in any five consecutive school days equals a minimum of thirty (30) hours, even though any one day of school is less than the minimum instructional hours because of a staff development opportunity provided for the instructional staff or parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled beyond the regular school day. Parent-teacher conference time is included in the total of instructional hours for the day, week, and calendar total hours or days. Schedule revisions and changes in time allotments will be made by the superintendent.

When the school is forced to close due to weather or other emergencies that part of the day during which school was in session will constitute a school day if the calendar is based on 180 instructional days. If the calendar is based on hours, the hours during which school was in session prior to the closure will count toward the 1,080 total hours in the school calendar. The superintendent will create administrative regulations necessary to utilize any remote learning opportunities that are available and permitted by law during the period of closure. The provision of special education and accommodations for students who have individualized education programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans during periods of closure will be determined by each respective IEP or Section 504 team.  

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to inform the board annually of the length of the school day.

Legal Reference:          34 C.F.R. sec. 300

                                    28 C.F.R. pt. 35

                                    Iowa Code § 256.7 (3) (21) (32), 279.8, .10.

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.1(1), .1(7-10).                           

Approved 03/17/1989

Reviewed 11/21/2022

Revised 11/21/2022

The school shall be organized into levels of instruction as follows:

            1.         Elementary schools:  the elementary school may consist of  pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades one through six.

            2.         Junior High schools - Middle schools:  these schools shall consist of grades seven through eight.

            3.         Senior High schools:  the senior high schools shall consist of grades nine through twelve.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code  Section 279.11; 280.14
                                      Iowa Administrative Code:  3.2 (1) through 3.2 (8)

Adopted:               03/03/1986
Reviewed:             12/10/2019

Because the Board recognizes the importance of staff development, there will be designated days for staff development during the school year.

In development of the school calendar, the Administration with input from the professional teaching staff will designate the in-service days in a manner which will best serve the district instructional staff needs.

Where the school district bargains collectively with an approved employee organization, the number of in-service days is a mandatory item for negotiations.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code Section 272.3.
                                      Iowa Administrative Code 3.7 (1-2).

Cross Reference:  405.6 Professional Credit Programs and In-Service for Certified Personnel.

Adopted:               03/03/1986
Reviewed:             12/10/2019