305.01

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

School Food Service Program

The purpose of the School Food Service Program shall be to provide nutritional, balanced meals to the students of the District on a non-profit basis and to utilize the program as an instrument for the teaching of nutrition education.

Scope of School Food Service Program

School food service facilities are provided to serve students and all school personnel when school is in session and during school-related activities. Facilities may also be used to provide food service to:

1. Teachers or other school personnel groups

2. Parent-teacher meetings, senior citizens and

3. Civic organization meetings for the purpose of better understanding the schools

The administrative regulations for use of school facilities shall serve as a guideline. The Food Service Department is authorized to conduct catering services to any group directly related to school activities. The following are examples of approved groups: Board, PTA, PTO, Athletic Boosters, Student Clubs, Partners in Education, and staff dinners.

Financial Support for School Food Service Program

District tax funds may be used to provide necessary physical plant facilities, purchase the initial equipment necessary for the establishment of food service in new or existing buildings, and replace major items of equipment. District tax funds may also be used to provide the salary and benefits for the Supervisor of Food Service and the office clerical help for the program.

Eligibility for Free or Reduced Cost Meals

Free or reduced cost meals shall be provided to those students whose parent(s) or guardian(s) qualify, based on the income guide lines and eligibility criteria of the Federal Child Nutrition Program. The application form for free and reduced cost meals shall be provided by the Supervisor of Food Service. It will be distributed in each school by the principal or principal designee.

• Cross References:  Administrative Regulation 305.01A, Administrative Regulation 305.01B

• Legal Reference: Iowa Code Ch. 283A

• By action of the Board 9/20/76; Revised 2/14/83, Reviewed 3/11/91; Revised and combined 1/24/00; Revised 11/26/07

• Edited 11/07

305.02

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Insurance Program

The Board shall maintain a comprehensive insurance program to provide adequate coverage against major types of risk, loss, or damage, as well as legal liability. The Board will purchase insurance for the replacement values, when possible, after reviewing the costs and availability of such insurance. The comprehensive insurance program shall be reviewed at least every five years.

The District will assume the risk of property damage, legal liability, and dishonesty in cases in which the exposure is so small or dispersed that a loss would not significantly affect the operation of the education program or financial condition of the District.

The Board may retain a private appraisal agency for inventory and appraisal value services. An itemized statement of the appraised value of District facilities shall be kept. The appraisal shall be updated at least once every five years. Insurance will only be purchased through legally licensed Iowa insurance agents.

Administration of the insurance program, placing the insurance coverage and loss prevention activities shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent or superintendent's designee. The Chief Financial Officer shall be responsible for maintaining property appraisals and inventories, processing claims, and maintaining loss records. The Superintendent or superintendent's designee, after consultation with other administrative personnel, the District's appraisal agency, and the District's insurance committee, shall provide the data and make recommendations concerning the District's program of insurance.

It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent or superintendent's designee to recommend, when necessary, the use of a private appraisal agency, and make recommendations to the Board for the purchase of additional insurance coverage.

• Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§20.9; 852; 279.12, .28; 285.5(6), .10(6); 296.7; 517A.1; 670.7 (1995) 1974 Op. Att'y Gen. 171; 1972 Op. Att'y Gen. 676

• By Board Action: 8/14/00; Reviewed 11/26/07

• Edited 11/07

305.03

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Personal Property Located in Facilities Owned by the DCSD

 Employees of the District occasionally bring items of personal property to their place of work for their convenience and/or to be used in fulfilling their duties as a district employee.

District employees are permitted to bring and store items of personal property in their place of work, strictly upon the condition that the District, and its agents, employees and contractors, shall not in any way be liable or responsible to the employee, or any other person, for any damage, theft or loss or any other injury to such property, including any damage, loss or injury from any cause whatsoever, including the District's own negligence.

Further, the District shall have no responsibility for insuring an employee's property. Employees shall be solely responsible for maintaining their own insurance coverage on any personal property located at a District facility. In the event that the employee's work location is changed, the employee shall be responsible to move his or her own personal property. If the District or its agents or contractors moves such personal property for the employee as a convenience, any damage, theft, loss, or other injury to such property shall not be the District's responsibility, and the employee shall bear the full responsibility.

• By Action of the Board 8/12/02; Reviewed 11/26/07

• Edited: 11/07

305.04

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Health Benefit Plan Reserve                                               

The District will establish an administrative regulation outlining a financial strategy for the orderly accumulation of assets in a fund so that the Health Benefit Plan can meet its obligations, and provide protection for anticipated cost increases recognizing both financial and accounting policies and applicable governmental regulations. 

• By Action of the Board: Adopted 03/13/06

• Edited: 3/06

305.05

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

School Bus Transportation

Local and State Transportation Regulations

The policy and rules and regulations for the transportation of students to and from school shall be in strict compliance with Code of Iowa provisions, Department of Education regulations, and rules and regulations established and approved by the Board.

Student Eligibility for Bus Service

Elementary students living more than one and one-half miles, intermediate students living more than two miles and high school students living more than three miles from a designated attendance center shall be furnished transportation.

Students may be required to meet a school bus on an approved route a distance not to exceed three-fourths of a mile from their residence. The administration may approve exceptions to the one and one-half (1.5) mile limit for elementary students if hazardous conditions exist, as defined by the elementary safety busing criteria.

When transportation by school bus is impractical or where school bus service is not available, the Board may require the parents or guardians to transport their children to the school designated for attendance. The parent or guardian will be reimbursed for such transportation as designated by statute. Public Mass Transit or other contracted transportation services may be utilized when practical  provided the District's insurance requirements are met. Distance to school or to a bus route shall be measured on the public highway only and over the most passable and safest route as determined by the administration, starting in the roadway opposite the private entrance to the residence of the student and ending in the roadway opposite the entrance to the school grounds.

In the event a student with an approved bus pass, regular or otherwise, fails to ride the school bus for ten consecutive days, and the building principal has not approved the absence or the absence is not for health reasons, that student's school bus permit may be revoked and the seat made available for those interested in purchasing a Paid Conditional School Bus Permit.

Paid Conditional School Bus Permits

The Board authorizes the administration to sell Paid Conditional Bus Permits for public and non-public school students who are not otherwise eligible to be furnished transportation.

Paid Conditional School Bus Permits will be issued only when seats are available.

Special Education Bus Service

Resident students qualifying for special education classes in a school other than the usual school designated for attendance may be provided transportation.

The Superintendent or superintendent's designee may also approve transportation for handicapped students to their designated attendance center.

Extra-Curricular Activities Bus Service

The use of school buses shall be restricted to transporting students between home and school and to and from extra-curricular activities sponsored by the school when such extra-curricular activity is under the direction of a qualified member of the faculty and a part of the regular school program.

Summer Program Bus Service

School buses may be utilized during the summer months to facilitate the operation of school-sponsored summer educational programs

Buses for Educational Field Trips

School buses may be used for field trips. The administration shall establish procedures for using school buses for field trips.

Spectator Buses 

School buses may be used to transport spectators to out-of-town extra-curricular activities under the following guidelines:

1. The charge for such service shall be 100% of the estimated cost for adults

2. The charge for such service shall be 50% of the estimated cost for students

3. The minimum charge shall be $1.00 per student and $2.00 per adult

4. Adult supervision other than the bus driver is required on each bus in the form of personnel designated by the principal of the school involved in the activity

5. In order for a bus to be dispatched, at least seventy-five percent (75%) capacity must be maintained by paying passengers.

Note: Based on current expenses, the guidelines used to determine the actual cost will be calculated per mile traveled, plus contracted per hour wage of driver time involved.

These guidelines will be reviewed annually and updated to reflect changing costs.

Bus Riders Other than Students or Staff

Riders other than staff or students of the Davenport Community School District are permitted to ride school buses only if authorized by the district employee in charge of the trip.

Transportation--Non-School Sponsored Activities

Transportation to attend non-school sponsored conferences, meetings, and workshops shall be the responsibility of the students and parents.

• Cross References: Board Policy Balanced Enrollment 604.12,  Administrative Regulation 305.05A

• Legal References: Iowa Code Chapters 285,285.1, 285.11, 321

• By action of the Board 9/20/76, 2/14/83, Revised 3/11/91; Revised and combined 4/10/00; Reviewed 11/26/07 with further consideration during 2007-2008

• Edited 11/07

305.07

BUSINESS OPERATIONS                           DELETED 11/26/07

Field Trips: Non-School Sponsored Activities

• By action of the Board 3/16/87, Revised 3/11/91; Reviewed 5/8/00; Deleted 11/26/07

• Edited 11/07

305.18

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Paid Conditional Busing Fees

The Board recognizes the wishes of some families to be provided with bus transportation when they don't live within the guidelines for receiving free transportation set by the State or District.

The administration shall develop a schedule for paid conditional busing fees that includes adjustments based on the number of students who request the service from one family. The fee shall be a percentage of the actual cost and will be available based on space on an existing bus route. The Board has set the percentage rates for a family unit to be 70% of the cost for the first child; 50% of the cost for the second child; and 30% for the third and any additional children in the family requesting paid conditional busing.

The administration will review the actual costs and fees charged on a regular basis and report any changes being recommended to the Board annually. A payment schedule may be arranged for the family on a basis determined by the administration.

Safety issues involving bus transportation should be addressed to the Superintendent or the superintendent's designee. For individuals eligible for free or reduced fee schedules who request bus transportation, they should make arrangements for the transportation through the Superintendent or superintendent's designee at the Administration Service Center.

• Legal Reference: 

• Adopted by the Board: 05/12/03

• Edited 05/03

305.19

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Transportation for Out-of-District Open Enrollment

The Board will not consider allowing a neighboring school district to enter the boundaries of the District solely for the purpose of transporting students who have been approved for open enrollment to that neighboring school district.

Some neighboring school districts have permission to cross over boundary lines to come into our District for safety purposes or to bring students to special programs in our District. These districts may be considered for open enrollment transportation on a case by case basis.

Where required by law because of economic eligibility, the District will provide or reimburse parents for providing transportation to and from the nearest point on a regular bus route of the receiving district.

• Legal Reference: Code of Iowa § 282.18(10)

• By action of the Board 12/14/92; Revised 4/10/00; Reviewed 11/26/07

• Edited 11/07

305.20

BUSINESS OPERATION

Outsourcing Services

The administration of the District shall use the financial resources of the District to continuously improve the instructional program. The administration is expected to use innovative technological practice, outsourcing, business partnerships, intergovernmental collaboration, internal synergy, community volunteers, and other appropriate management practices to effectively insure that the maximum level of financial resource is applied at the classroom level. When the administration investigates the outsourcing option, the following concepts must be applied to the analysis:

1. Level of service to students

2. Cost savings

3. Acceptability of change to students

4. Impact on employee stakeholders

5. Cost of implementation

6. Long-term benefit

7. Reversibility of decision

8. Student learning application of cost savings

9. Date of last study on outsourcing this specific area

The Board may choose to make the final decision on outsourcing any particular service.

• By action of the Board: 9/18/95; Revised 1/24/00; Reviewed 11/26/07

• Edited 11/07

305.21

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Recycling

The District is committed to being a progressive environmental organization. A key part of our commitment to the environment is recycling the materials that we use as a school district.

It is the responsibility of the administration of the District to support the recycling program. This recycling program is to be implemented at every facility in the District.

A written report on the recycling program will be periodically prepared for the Board.

• By action of the Board 11/13/95; Reviewed 1/24/00; Revised 11/26/07

• Edited 11/07

305.22

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Use of Security Cameras

The Board promotes a safe and secure environment for all students and staff. To help ensure this, the use of video cameras in school buildings and on school buses is permitted in order to maintain a safe environment. Video cameras may be used on buses used for transportation to and from school, field trips, curricular events, and extra-curricular events. Video cameras may also be used to monitor hallways, entrances, stairwells, cafeterias, gymnasiums, auditoriums, and classrooms within buildings to assist in maintaining a safe environment. Cameras shall not be permitted in areas that would violate privacy such as restrooms and locker rooms or other areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. Monitors in the building office area may be viewed by office staff and administration.

The content of the video tapes shall be considered a student record subject to board policy and administrative regulations. Only those persons with a legitimate educational purpose may view the videotapes. In most instances, those individuals with a legitimate educational purpose may be the Superintendent or superintendent's designee. A videotape recorded during a school-sponsored trip, such as an athletic event, may also be accessible to the sponsor or coach of the activity. The contents of the videotapes made from the use of these cameras may be used as evidence in a student disciplinary proceeding. If the content of the videotape becomes the subject of a student disciplinary proceeding, it may be treated like other evidence in the proceeding.

Students are prohibited from tampering with the video cameras on school buses or in District property. Students found in violation of this shall be disciplined in accordance with the District discipline policy, and shall reimburse the school district for any repairs or replacement necessary as a result of the tampering. Determination of how video cameras shall be used and which school buses shall be equipped with video equipment shall be made by the Superintendent or superintendent's designee in consultation with the building principals and transportation department.

The Board has authorized the use of video cameras on District buses. The video cameras shall be used to monitor student behavior to maintain order on the school buses to promote and maintain a safe environment. The contents of the videotapes are confidential student records and shall be retained with other student records. Videotapes shall only be retained if necessary for use in a student disciplinary proceeding or other matter as determined necessary by the administration. Parents may request to view videotapes of their child if the videotapes are used in a disciplinary proceeding involving their child.

Viewing of videotapes is limited to the individuals having legitimate educational purpose. A written log shall be kept of those individuals viewing the videotapes stating the time, name of individual viewing, and the date the videotape was viewed.

The District will annually provide notification to parents and students of the use of video cameras on school buses and on District property.

• Legal References: FERPA (20 U.S.C. 1232g)

• Cross Reference: Board Policy 306.03 Student Records; 605.04 Permanent Records

• By action of the Board 3/11/96; Revised 1/08/01; Reviewed 11/26/07 with further consideration during 2007-2008

• Edited 11/07

305.23

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Non-Competition with Private Enterprise

The District shall not engage in the manufacturing, processing, sale, offering for sale, rental, leasing, delivery, dispensing, distributing, or advertising of goods or services to the public which are also offered by private enterprise, unless such goods or services are for use or consumption exclusively by the District.

However, notwithstanding the above, the District may sell, rent, lease, deliver, dispense, distribute, or advertise the following:

1. Goods or services that are directly and reasonably related to the educational mission of the District

2. Goods or services that are offered only to students, employees, guests of the District, and which cannot be provided by private enterprise at the same or lower cost

3. Goods or services that are not otherwise available in the quantity or quality required by the District

4. The sponsorship or provision of facilities for fitness or recreation;

5. Food service and sales

6. The sale of books, records, tapes, software, educational equipment, and supplies

7. Items displaying an emblem, mascot, or logo of the District, or that otherwise promote the identity of the District and its programs and

8. Souvenirs and programs relating to events sponsored by or held upon the District's facilities

• Legal Reference: Iowa Code Chapter 23A

• By action of the Board 4/29/96; Reviewed 1/24/00; Revised 11/26/07

• Edited 11/07