EACSD Board of Directors approves the first readings of two board policies regarding student organizations and school food program
by Susan Cantine-Maxson
The Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) held its regular meeting at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, September 9. According to changes made by the board earlier this year, its regular monthly meetings are now being held the second Monday of each month rather than the third Monday in order to not conflict with the school board meeting schedule of the Central Community School District in Elkader, with whom EACSD shares the leadership of Superintendent Nick Trenkamp this year.
In personnel matters, meeting the new school district staff members for this year was tabled until the board’s October meeting, and a teacher aide contract was approved for Patricia Olson. Board member Heather Lutz was appointed to be the Iowa Association of School Boards delegate for the EACSD.
A request for a late application for open enrollment out of the school district was denied. Two board policies were given their first readings. Policy #504.2 regarding student organizations and Policy # 710.1 regarding the school food program each had their first readings approved by the school board.
Policy #504.2 reads as follows:
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Extracurricular activities and student groups are related to the curriculum of secondary schools in the school district. These secondary school curriculum-related student organizations may use the school facilities for meetings and other purposes before, after and during the instructional school day.
It is the responsibility of the building principal to determine whether a student group is curriculum-related. One or more of the following questions will be answered affirmatively if the group is curriculum-related:
• Is the subject matter of the group actually taught in a regularly offered course?
• Will the subject matter of the group soon be taught in a regularly offered course?
• Does the subject matter of the group concern the body of courses as a whole?
• Is participation in the group required for a particular course?
• Does participation in the group result in academic credit?
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy. The administrative regulations will include, but not be limited to, stating the process for establishing a curriculum-related student group, assigning a faculty advisor and obtaining board approval for each student group. The administrative rules will also include the purpose of each group and its relationship to the curriculum.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §279.8 Westside Community Board of Education v Mergens, 496 U.S. 226 (1990).
Bender v Williamsport Area Community School District, 741 F. 2d 538 (3d Cir. 1984), vacated and remanded on other grounds, 475 U.S. 534 (1986).
20 U.S.C. §§ 4071-4074.
Iowa Code §§ 287; 297.9.
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