School District Policies

The purpose of this policy is to clarify the legal status of the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to clarify the name of the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to provide a procedure that may be used to address concerns or complaints by students, employees, parents, or other persons.

The purpose of this policy is to establish a clear statement of the purpose for which the school district exists.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the principles and practices of continuous improvement are implemented throughout the District, including at school, classroom and District-wide department levels.

The purpose of this policy is to establish a clear statement in regard to the school district’s response to anonymous letters, phone calls and other communications.

The purpose of this policy is to define the authority, duties, and powers of the school board in carrying out its mission.

The purpose of this policy is to delineate the responsibilities of school board officers.

The purpose of this policy is to provide specific rules of order to conduct meetings of the school board.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure consistency in the order of business at regular school board meetings.

The purpose of this policy is to provide procedures for the preparation of the school board meeting agenda to ensure that the school board can accomplish its business as efficiently and expeditiously as possible.

The purpose of this policy is to allow the use of a consent agenda.

The purpose of this policy is to provide governing rules for the conduct of meetings of the school board.

The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures relating to the maintenance of records of the school board and the publication of its official proceedings.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to assure the rights of the public to be present at school board meetings, while also protecting the individual’s rights to privacy under law, and to close meetings when the public interest so requires as recognized by law.

The purpose of this policy is to provide procedures to assure open and orderly public discussion as well as to protect the due process and privacy rights of individuals under the law.

The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures to efficiently receive public input.

The purpose of this policy is to emphasize the importance of the policy-making role of the school board and provide the means for it to continue to be an ongoing effort.

The purpose of this policy is to assist the individual school board member in understanding his or her role as part of a school board and in recognizing the contribution that each member must make to develop an effective and responsible school board.

The purpose of this policy is to observe state statutes regarding conflicts of interest and to engage in school district business activities in a fashion designed to avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of  impropriety.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance as to the school district’s position, rights, and responsibilities when a civil or criminal action is pending against the school district, or a school board member, school district employee or student.

The purpose of this policy is to encourage the members of the school board to participate in professional development activities designed for them so that they may perform their responsibilities.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for the structure and the operation of committees or subcommittees of the school board.

The purpose of this policy is to control out-of-state travel by school board members as required by law.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to ensure that electronic communications of school board members are compliant with applicable law.

The purpose of this policy is to clarify the role of the school district administration and its relationship with the school board.

The purpose of this policy is to recognize the importance of the role of the superintendent and the overall responsibility of that position within the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to convey to the school community that the authority to select and employ a superintendent is vested in the school board.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for the use of an employment contract with the superintendent, a position description and the use of an approved instrument to evaluate performance.

The purpose of this policy is to clarify the responsibility of the school administration for implementation of school board policy.

The purpose of this policy is to establish the requirements of the school board that school administrators adhere to the standards of ethics and professional conduct in this policy and Minnesota law.

The purpose of this policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants for school district employment and school district employees.

The purpose of this policy is to provide a fair employment setting for all persons and to comply with state and federal law.

The purpose of this policy is to achieve the effective operation of the school district’s programs through the cooperation of all employees under a system of policies and rules applied fairly and uniformly.

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe and healthful environment in the school district in order to promote the physical, social, and psychological well-being of its students.

The purpose of this policy is to comply with the Minnesota Veterans Preference Act (VPA) which provides preference points for veterans applying for employment with political subdivisions, including school districts, as well as additional rights for veterans in the discharge process.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to school district employees as to the data the school district collects and maintains regarding its personnel.

The purpose of this policy is to provide school district employees a place of employment and conditions of employment free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious injury or harm.

This policy is to provide guidance and direction for school district employees who may be subpoenaed to testify and/or provide educational records for a judicial or administrative proceeding.

The purpose of this policy is to identify and reserve the proprietary rights of the school district to certain publications, instructional materials, inventions, and creations which employees may develop or create, or assist in developing or creating, while employed by the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for family and medical leave to school district employees in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) and also with parenting leave under state law.

The purpose of this policy is to establish the basic principles for the student teacher program in the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to identify school district business expenses that involve initial payment by an employee and qualify for reimbursement from the school district, and to specify the manner by which the employee seeks reimbursement.

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from harassment and violence on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, including gender identity or expression, or disability.

The purpose of this policy is to make clear the statutory requirements of school personnel to report suspected child neglect or physical or sexual abuse.

The purpose of this policy is to make clear the statutory requirements of school personnel to report suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults.

The purpose of this policy is to provide authority so that the school board may require all employees and/or job applicants to submit to drug and alcohol testing in accordance with the provisions of this policy and as provided in federal law and Minn. Stat. §§ 181.950-181.957.

The purpose of this policy is to assist the school district in its goal to prevent chemical use and abuse by providing procedures for education and intervention.

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe and healthful environment for employees and students by prohibiting the use of alcohol, toxic substances, medical cannabis, and controlled substances without a physician’s prescription.

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a learning and working environment that is
tobacco free.

The purpose of this policy is to adopt measures effectively responding to health concerns while respecting the rights of all students, employees, and contractors, including those who are so infected.

The purpose of this policy is to avoid the appearance of impropriety or the appearance of a conflict of interest with respect to gifts given to school district employees and school board members.

The school district is committed to an educational environment in which all students are treated with respect and dignity. Every school district employee is to provide students with appropriate guidance, understanding, and direction while maintaining a standard of professionalism and acting within accepted standards of conduct.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that qualified teachers are employed by the school district and to fulfill its duty to ascertain the licensure status of its teachers.

The purpose of this policy is to establish a staff development program and structure to carry out planning and reporting on staff development that supports improved student learning.

The purpose of this policy is to establish certification requirements for all paraprofessionals employed by Austin Public Schools.

The purpose of this policy is to establish general parameters for determining the workload limits of special education staff who provide services to children with disabilities receiving direct special education services 60 percent or less of the instructional day.

This policy addresses employees’ use of publicly available social media networks including: personal Web sites, Web logs (blogs), wikis, social networks, online forums, virtual worlds, and any other social media.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the conditions under which staff members who have been elected to public office or chosen as political party officers or delegates to party conventions will be granted paid or unpaid leave to engage in activities associated with their public office, status as political party officers or delegates.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the terms and conditions under which certain District 492 employees will be granted leave to serve as consultants to other organizations.

The purpose of this policy is to assure a safe school environment for students, staff and the public.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for a safe and healthful educational environment by enforcing the school district’s policies against contraband.

The purpose of this policy is to encourage regular school attendance.

The purpose of this policy is to enhance the education of students by establishing expectations of dress and grooming that are related to educational goals and community standards.

The purpose of this policy is to protect the exercise of students’, employees’, and members of the public’s free speech rights, taking into consideration the educational objectives and responsibilities of the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that students are aware of, and comply with, the school district’s expectations for student conduct.

The purpose of this policy is to describe limitations on corporal punishment of students.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the school district complies with the overall requirements of law as mandated for certain students subject to individualized education programs (IEPs) when necessary to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the application and exclusion procedures used by the school district as regards "open enrollment".

The purpose of this policy is to impart to students, employees and the community the school district’s policy related to the student activity program.

The purpose of this policy is to address student fundraising efforts.

The purpose of this policy is to protect students’ rights to free speech in production of official school publications and activities while at the same time balancing the school district’s role in supervising student publications and the operation of public schools.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to professional staff, parents and students regarding student promotion, retention, mandatory summer school instruction, and program design.

The purpose of this policy is to assist the school district in its goal of preventing and responding to acts of bullying, intimidation, violence, reprisal, retaliation, and other similar disruptive and detrimental behavior.

The school district recognizes its responsibility in regard to the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of pupil records and the protection of the privacy rights of students as provided in federal law and state statutes.

A continuation of Policy 515 - Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records

As a means of enhancing the health and safety of its students, staff and visitors, the school district will acquire, administer, and store doses of an opiate antagonist, specifically Naloxone (Narcan)i, and administration devices or kits for emergency use to assist a student, staff member, or other individual believed or suspected to be experiencing an opioid overdose on school district property during the school day or at school district activities.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the provisions that must be followed when administering nonemergency prescription medication to students at school.

The purpose of this policy is to prevent school district employees from exerting undue influence for purposes of securing or retaining the attendance of a student in a school.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to school district staff and parents or guardians as regards DNR-DNI orders.

The purpose of this policy is to establish the procedures for access to students by authorized individuals during the school day.

The purpose of this policy is to establish the parameters of information that may be sought in student surveys.

The purpose of this policy is to protect disabled students from discrimination on the basis of disability and to identify and evaluate learners who, within the intent of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), need special services, accommodations, or programs in order that such learners may receive a free appropriate public education.

This policy provides notice of the incorporation by reference of specific policies which also apply to students

The purpose of this policy is to protect employees, students, and associates from illegal or damaging actions by individuals, either knowingly or unknowingly.

The purpose of this policy is to identify measures that the school district will take in an attempt to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from violent and disruptive behavior.

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe learning environment for students and staff that is free from hazing.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for use and parking of motor vehicles by students in school district locations, to maintain order and discipline in the schools, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of students and school personnel.

The purpose of this school district policy is to provide equal educational opportunity for all students and to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sex, parental, family, or marital status.

The purpose of this policy is to address the circumstances in which data should be provided to classroom teachers and other school staff members about students with a history of violent behavior and to establish a procedure for notifying staff regarding the placement of students with a history of violent behavior.

The purpose of this policy is to require that all students receive the proper immunizations as mandated by law to ensure the health and safety of all students.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and instruction in school to help further instruction to students in the proper etiquette, display, and respect of the flag.

The purpose of this policy is to describe the appropriate use of peace officers and crisis teams to remove, if necessary, a student with an individualized education program (IEP) from school grounds.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth methods that promote student wellness, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and assure that school meals and other food and beverages sold and otherwise made available on the school campus during the school day are consistent with applicable minimum local, state,  and federal standards.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that students receive healthy and nutritious meals through the school district’s nutrition program and that school district employees, families, and students have a shared understanding of expectations regarding meal charges. The policy of the school district is to provide meals to students in a respectful manner and to maintain the dignity of students by prohibiting lunch shaming or otherwise ostracizing the student. The policy seeks to allow students to receive the nutrition they need to stay focused during the school day and minimize identification of students with insufficient funds to pay for a la carte items or second meals as well as to maintain the financial integrity of the school nutrition program.

Individuals with disabilities shall be permitted to bring their service animals into school buildings or on school grounds in accordance with, and subject to, this policy.

The purpose of this policy is to provide procedures for the consideration of early entrance for students in kindergarten and grade acceleration for students in grades 1-8.

The purpose of this policy is to establish broad curriculum parameters for the school district that encompass the Minnesota Graduation Standards and the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and are aligned with creating the world’s best workforce.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for a timely determination of the school calendar and school day.

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for continuous review and improvement of the school curriculum.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for the development of course offerings for students.

The purpose of this policy is to recognize the need for alternative education programs for some school district students.

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for selection of textbooks and instructional materials.

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for selection of textbooks and instructional materials.

The purpose of this policy is to address the grade level organization of schools within the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the position of the school board on the need to provide special educational services to some students in the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to identify the status of religion as it pertains to the programs of the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for student trips and to identify the general process to be followed for review and approval of trip requests.

The purpose of this policy is to recognize and provide guidelines in accordance with state law for parents who wish to have their children receive education in a home school that is an alternative to an accredited public or private school.

The purpose of this policy is to encourage and facilitate involvement by parents of students participating in Title I in the educational programs and experiences of students.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth requirements for graduation from the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the school district’s testing plan and procedure.

The purpose of the policy is to provide adequate opportunity for students identified as having individualized education program (IEP), Rehabilitation Act of 1973, § 504 accommodation plan (504 plan), or English Learner (EL) needs to participate in statewide assessment systems designed to hold schools accountable for the academic performance of all students.

The purpose of this policy is to focus public education strategies on a process which promotes higher academic achievement for all students and ensures broad-based community participation in decisions regarding the implementation of the Minnesota Academic Standards and federal law.

The purpose of this policy is to institute a process for the establishment and revision of assessments to measure achievement toward meeting the Minnesota Academic Standards, track academic progress over time, and provide Minnesota graduates information related to career and college readiness.

The purpose of this policy is to establish opportunities for staff development which advance the staff’s ability to work effectively with the Graduation Assessment Requirements and with students as they progress to achievement of those Graduation Assessment Requirements and meet the requirements of federal law.

The purpose of this policy is to recognize student achievement which occurs in Post-Secondary Enrollment Options and other advanced enrichment programs.

This policy aligns with Minnesota law established in the Read Act and on other topics related to reading.

The purpose of this policy is to establish program parameters and student attendance guidelines and requirements for the school district relating to the provision of summer school educational services.

The purpose of this policy is to recognize and govern online instruction options of students enrolled in the school district for purposes of compulsory attendance and address enrollment of students with an online instruction site for supplemental or full-time online learning.

The purpose of this policy is to establish lines of authority and procedures for the establishment of the school district’s revenue and expenditure budgets.

The purpose of this policy is to adopt the Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards for Minnesota School Districts provided for in guidelines adopted by the Minnesota Department of Education.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for an annual audit of the books and records of the school district in order to comply with law, to provide a permanent record of the financial position of the school district, and to provide guidance to the school district to correct any errors and discrepancies in its practices.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for the development and maintenance of an inventory of the fixed assets of the school district and the establishment and maintenance of a fixed asset accounting system.

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the investment of school district funds.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the acceptance of gifts by the school board.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for the transportation of students consistent with the requirements of law.

The purpose of this policy is to address transportation rights of nonpublic school students and to provide equality of treatment in transporting such students pursuant to law.

The purpose of this policy is to provide safe transportation for students and to educate students on safety issues and the responsibilities of school bus ridership.

The purpose of this policy is to make clear to students, parents, and staff the school district’s policy regarding extracurricular transportation.

The purpose of this policy is to establish a school bus video recording system.

The purpose of this policy is to establish video surveillance procedures other than on buses.

The purpose of this policy is to codify Student Activity account handling.

The purpose of this policy is to create new fund balance classifications to allow for more useful fund balance reporting and for compliance with the reporting guidelines specified in Statement No. 54 of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and procedures for purchasing goods and services for District #492.

The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures to govern vending machines installed in school facilities in the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure compliance with the requirements of the federal Uniform Grant Guidance regulations by establishing uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for federal grant awards received by the school district.

The school district recognizes its responsibility relative to the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of public data as provided in state statutes.

The purpose of the Austin Public Schools Tax Abatement for new construction of single and multi-family homes is to provide incentives to encourage the construction of new owner occupied and rental residential housing units, and to encourage replacement of dilapidated housing structures within Mower County between August 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019.

The purpose of this policy is to implement the Equal Access Act by granting equal access to secondary school facilities for students who wish to conduct a meeting for religious, political, or philosophical purposes during non-instructional time.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the superintendent to assist in timely disposition of obsolete equipment and material.

The purpose of this policy is to elucidate the energy usage policy of Austin Public Schools.

The purpose of this policy is to establish a resource recovery program to promote the reduction of waste, the separation and recovery of recyclable and reusable commodities, the procurement of recyclable commodities and commodities containing recycled materials, the disposition of waste materials and surplus property, and the establishment of a program of education to develop an awareness of environmentally sound waste management.

The purpose of this Model Crisis Management Policy is to act as a guide for school district and building administrators, school employees, students, school board members, and community members to address a wide range of potential crisis situations in the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to assist the school district in promoting health and safety, reducing injuries, and complying with federal, state, and local health and safety laws and regulations.

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the naming of school buildings or facilities.

The purpose of this policy is to convey to employees and to the general public the important role of community education within the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for community use of school facilities and equipment.

The purpose of this policy is to inform the school community and the general public of the position of the school board on visitors to school buildings and other school property.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for distribution of materials appropriate to the school setting by non-staff and non-students on school district property in a reasonable time, place, and manner which does not disrupt the educational program nor interfere with the educational objectives of the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the advertising or promoting of products or services to students and parents in the schools.

The purpose of this policy is to assist school administrators and staff members in responding to a notification by a law enforcement agency that a convicted predatory offender is moving into the school district so that they may better protect individuals in the school’s care while they are on or near the school district premises or under the control of the school district.

The purpose of this policy is to authorize the school board to offer rewards to persons who provide accurate and reliable information leading to the conviction of a person who has committed or conspired to commit a crime against students or school employees, volunteers, or school board members as a result of their affiliation with the school district, or against school district property.

The purpose of this policy is to clarify the criteria and the approval process for proposed memorials for Austin Public Schools students or staff. Following the loss of an Austin Public Schools student or staff member, the primary focus of staff will be on helping those (staff, students, and families) affected by death to make connections to appropriate school and community resources.

The purpose of this policy is to recognize the participation of students and employees in political activity. Further, the purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the participation of students and employees in political campaigns, partisan or non-partisan election activities, and the distribution of political or partisan materials.