901 PUBLIC EXAMINATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT RECORDS

Policy 901: Public Examination of School District Records

Status: ADOPTED

 

 

 

Public records of the school district may be viewed by the public during the regular business hours of the administration offices of the school district.  These hours are   8:30 a.m. to   3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays and recesses.  Summer hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except for holidays.

Persons wishing to view the school district's public records will contact the board secretary and make arrangements for the viewing.  The board secretary will make arrangements for viewing the records as soon as practicable, depending on the nature of the request.

Persons may request copies of public records by telephone or in writing, including electronically.  The school district may require pre-payment of the costs prior to copy and mailing.

Persons wanting copies may be assessed a reasonable fee for the copy.  Persons wanting compilation of information may be assessed a reasonable fee for the time of the employee to review and compile the requested information.  The district will make every effort to provide the public record requested at no cost other than copying costs for a record which takes less than thirty minutes to produce.

Costs for legal services utilized for the redaction or review of legally protected confidential information may also be assessed to the individual requesting the records.  Printing of materials for the public at the expense of the school district will only occur when the event is sponsored by the school district.  Costs for legal services utilized for the redaction or  review of legally protected confidential information may also be assessed to the individual requesting the records.  Printing of the materials for the pub lic at the expense of the school district will only occur when the event is sponsored by the school district.

Pursuant to Iowa law, the board has determined certain records need to be confidential as their disclosure could jeopardize the safety of persons or property and include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Security procedures
  • Emergency preparedness procedures
  • Evacuation procedures
  • Security codes and passwords

It is the responsibility of the board secretary to maintain accurate and current records of the school district.  It is the responsibility of the board secretary to respond in a timely manner to requests for viewing and receiving public information of the school district

 

Legal Reference:

Iowa Code §§ 21.4; 22.7; 291.6.

 

 

I.C. Iowa Code

Description

Iowa Code  § 21.4

Public Notice

Iowa Code  § 22.7

Confidential Records

Iowa Code  § 291.6

Board Officers - Duties of Secretary

Cross References

 

 

Approved July 2000                           

Reviewed November  2016             

Revised November 2022

901.2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

The board recognizes the need for a communications program to provide effective two-way communication between the school district and the school district community. The school district’s communications program shall strive to meet the following goals.

  • To keep citizens informed through a regular flow of information about the school district and its programs;
  • To encourage and organize the interchange of ideas between the school district and the community by developing and implementing techniques for community involvement in the school district and for school district involvement in the community; and
  • To access public knowledge, attitudes and concerns on a regular basis.

 

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to establish and maintain and on-going communications program with the community. The superintendent shall make a recommendation to the board annually for change in the communications program.

 

 

 

Legal Reference:         

Iowa Code §§ 21; 22; 279.8 (2013).

                                   

 

Cross Reference:        

104      The People and Their School District

209      Committees of the Board of Directors

217      Board of Directors’ Relationships

302      Administration Relationships

402      Employees and Outside Relations

902      Press, Radio and Television News Media

904      Public Participation in the School District

 

 

Approved July 2000                           

Reviewed November 2022             

Revised