Hopkins School District #270

The purpose of this policy is to provide equal educational opportunity for all learners in the Hopkins School District.

The care, management and control of the schools is vested by statutory and constitutional authority in the School Board. The School Board shall carry out the mission of the School District with diligence, prudence, and dedication to the ideals of providing the finest public education.

School Board officers are charged with the duty of carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to them by the Board for the care, management, and control...

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 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 establish procedures relating to the maintenance of records of the School Board and the publication of its official proceedings.

The School Board embraces the philosophy of openness in the conduct of its business, in the belief that openness produces better programs, more efficiency in administration of programs, and an organization more responsive to public interest and less susceptible to private interest.

The School Board recognizes the value of participation by the public in deliberations and decisions on School District matters.

The School Board recognizes the importance of obtaining public input on matters properly before the School Board.  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 School Board members in recognizing the role of individual School Board members and the contribution that each must...

Employees of the Board will not engage in any activity that conflicts, or raises a reasonable question of conflict...

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

To provide guidelines and regulations to facilitate the school board election process.

The School Board may appoint Board Officials to serve as Board Designee for certain purposes, such as Clerk of the Board or other appointed role.

The Hopkins School District No. 270, subject to the limitations in Minn. Stat. 466.04, shall defend and indemnify...

Board members will be compensated according to the rate of compensation established in the annual organizational meeting.

The Board of Education is an agency of government whose powers and duties can be exercised only by a decision of the majority of its members in official session.

The Board, as an agent of the State, must operate within the bounds of state and federal laws affecting public education.

The Board and superintendent believe that optimum effectiveness of the School Board and superintendent as a leadership team can be greatly enhanced and facilitated by a systematic planning and evaluation process.

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 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.

To provide guidelines for organizations that are requesting that the Hopkins School District 270 become a sponsor of a charter school. The policy also details oversight expectations for the chartered school, if sponsorship is approved.

The Board delegates to the superintendent the function of specifying required actions and designing detailed arrangements under which the District will be operated in accordance with Board policy.

In order that pertinent Board policies, regulations, and school rules and procedures may be known by all staff members and students affected by them, district administrators and principals are granted authority to issue staff and student handbooks as found necessary and desirable.

The superintendent is authorized to appoint an acting superintendent to serve specified periods of time during temporary absences from duty.

When knowledge or technical skills are needed that cannot be provided by persons on the staff, consultant assistance may be considered.

The purpose of this policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all Hopkins School District employees and applicants for employment.

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 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 Hopkins School District employees a place of employment and conditions of employment free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious injury of harm.

The purpose of this policy is to protect the privacy rights of School District employees and students under both state and federal law when requested to testify 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, data, 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 and also with parenting leave under state law.

It is the policy of Hopkins School District 270 to maintain a learning and working environment that is safe and secure, and where students and employees are treated with respect and dignity.

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 maintain a safe and healthful environment for employees and students by prohibiting the use of alcohol, toxic substances 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 Board considers the health and well-being of students to be of vital importance and, while believing parents to be primarily responsible for the chemical health of their families, acknowledges that schools must assume a major role concerning use and abuse of harmful chemicals, including alcohol and tobacco.

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.

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.

Employees who are eligible for benefits under the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Law, (Chapter 176, Minnesota Statutes) will have the right to use accumulated sick leave in an amount necessary to equal their basic salary schedule.

This policy addresses staff notification of violent behavior by students.

Principals will schedule the daily teaching and duty time of all teachers in each elementary building.

As a result of reduction in staff, least senior teachers may be involuntarily assigned to part-time positions.

Instructional personnel will be assigned on the basis of their qualifications, the needs of the District, and employees' expressed desires.

It is the policy of Independent School District 270 that employee attendance at educational conferences will be permitted when such attendance is deemed in the best interest of the District.

Establish requirements that all privacy documentation be maintained in written or electronic form for a specified period of time.

Mitigate the harmful effects of violations of the privacy policies and procedures or the HIPAA privacy standards known to Hopkins School District 270.

Provide processes for reporting of non-compliance with Hopkins School District 270's Privacy Policies and Procedures and to impose sanctions for non-compliance.

All applicable Hopkins School District 270 employees will be knowledgeable and consistently able to apply the privacy policies and procedures to their daily activities.

Provide a process in which individuals can submit privacy complaints and have appropriate actions taken.

Define Hopkins School District 270's responsibility with regards to complying with request for an accounting of all use and disclosures of PHI.

Establish guidelines regarding an individual's right to inspect or copy their protected health information.

Establish guidelines regarding an individual's right to request amendments to their protected health information.

Establish guidelines regarding an individual's right to request protected health information be given by means of confidential communications.

Establish guidelines regarding an individual's right to request restrictions on disclosures of PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.

Establish guidelines on limitations regarding the uses of the amount of PHI accessible to individuals within Hopkins School District 270.

Establish guidelines for the disclosure of PHI to individuals and those designated as personal representatives.

Establish the implementation of business associate contracts with entities that performs functions involving the utilization of PHI on Hopkins School District 270's behalf.

Secure authorization when needed from an employee.

Identify instances in which use and disclosure of an individuals PHI will be given without a consent, authorization or opportunity to agree or object.

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. It is also the intent of the administration of this Policy to treat students, subject to search provisions outlined in the policy or as permitted by law, in a respectful manner.

The School Board believes that regular school attendance is directly related to success in academic work, benefits students socially, provides opportunities for important communications between teachers and students, and establishes regular habits of dependability important to the future of the student. The purpose of this Policy is to encourage regular school attendance so that learning can take place.

The purpose of this policy is to protect the exercise of students' and employees' free speech rights, taking into consideration the educational objectives and responsibilities of the School District. It is recognized that the right of free speech and freedom of the press are the rights of every citizen and that the reasonable and responsible exercise of these rights on school premises is a valuable part of the educational experience of students. It is also recognized that these rights are not absolute.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that students are aware of and comply with the School District’s expectations for student conduct. Such compliance will enhance the School District’s ability to maintain discipline and ensure that there is no interference with the educational process. The School District will take appropriate disciplinary action if students fail to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct established in this policy

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 for Extended School Year (ESY) as mandated for certain students subject to individualized education programs (IEPs) when necessary to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

The School District desires to participate in the Enrollment Options Program established by Minn. Stat. It is the purpose of this policy to set forth the application and exclusion requirements used by the School District in making said determination.

The purpose of this policy is to impart to students, employees, and the community, the School Districts Policy related to student athletic and activities programming.

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

A safe and civil environment is needed for students to learn and attain high academic standards and to promote healthy human relationships.  Bullying, like other violent or disruptive behavior, is conduct that interferes with students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to educate students in a safe environment.

Educational records will be maintained in compliance with current state and federal law.  These procedures are intended to reflect the requirements of federal and state law and are not intended to create obligations or requirements which exceed federal and state law. In the event these procedures are different from or conflict with federal or state law, the provisions of federal or state law shall govern.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the provisions that District personnel will use when administering medication to students.

The Hopkins School District will not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities, nor in its hiring or employment practices. The District intends to comply with the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth policies and guidelines for access to the School District’s computers, computer systems, internal network, email and communication systems, servers, Internet, and Internet technologies for safe and acceptable use, hereafter referred to as electronic resources or School District system.

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe learning environment for students and staff that is free from hazing. Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational goals of the School District and are prohibited at all times.

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 School Board recognizes the need to display an appropriate United States flag and to provide instruction to students in the proper etiquette, display, and respect of the flag. The purpose of this Policy is to provide for recitation of the pledge of allegiance and instruction in school to help further that end.

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 assure a school environment that promotes and protects students’ and staff members’ health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity.

Minnesota Statute 120A.20 requires children to be at least five years of age on September 1 of the school year for which the pupil seeks admission in order to be admitted to kindergarten, but permits school boards to establish a policy for admission of selected pupils at an earlier age.

Recognizing that a limited number of underage children may be ready for or benefit from early school entry, families shall have opportunity to request consideration for entry into or referral to kindergarten children who will turn five before November 1 of the kindergarten year. 

The Board will not purchase student accident insurance. All students will be provided an opportunity to enroll at their own expense in a voluntary student accident plan selected by the Board.

The Hopkins School District supports and encourages excellence in all programs under the supervision of the school system.  A variety of competitive activities which are related to the course and program objectives of approved school programs are likewise encouraged and supported within certain limits.

The Board is dedicated to the principle that the acquisition of an education in the public school system should not be dependent upon the ability of a student or family to pay school fees.

A school calendar will be developed by the superintendent or designee and presented for Board adoption prior to April 1 of each year. The school year will provide at least the minimum number of instructional days required by the State Board of Education and additional days for the teaching staff as specified in the Master Agreement between the Board and the Hopkins Education Association. If school closings for emergency reasons cause the school year to fall below the required minimum days, the deficit days will be made up at the end of the school year or during recess periods, as approved by the Board upon the superintendent's recommendation.

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 recognize the need for alternative learning programs for some Hopkins School District students when a traditional school and/or classroom environment has not proven to be effective in successfully meeting learning requirements.

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

The purpose of this Policy is to set forth the position of the School Board on the need for special educational services on the part of some students in the School District.

The principle of religious liberty is one of the fundamental elements of freedom and democracy in the United States. The choice of what to believe is left solely to the individual, who is free to choose or reject any belief without interference from government or other members of the community. The principle of individual choice must be respected. The public schools must be vigilant so as to not to promote, inhibit or belittle any religious or nonreligious beliefs.

Extended field trips are excursions, which require students to be accommodated overnight.  Hopkins School District recognizes that a properly planned, well conducted, and carefully supervised extended field trip may provide a mode of learning which is relevant, challenging and dynamic and which cannot be duplicated in the classroom or extracurricular setting. As such, extended field trips of value are to be encouraged within available resources by minimizing, where possible, the costs incurred by the District and students without jeopardizing student safety. 

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 set forth requirements for graduation from the School District.

The purpose of this Policy is to recognize experiences for meeting Hopkins School District required curriculum and standards and graduation standards. Student experiences, include, but are not limited to, student achievement in alternative learning sites, in Post-Secondary Enrollment Options and other advanced enrichment programs, and in out-of-school experiences such as community organizations, work-based learning, and other educational activities and opportunities.

The purpose of this Policy is to recognize and govern online learning options of students enrolled in the School District for purposes of compulsory attendance.

The purpose of the academic ends policy is to provide a set of clear parameters and goals for learners. This policy will be used by the Board to discuss their discussions and governance and will be reviewed annually.

All persons accountable for the physical education program shall ensure the observance of sound habits and practices of safety in all activities and instructional settings. The curriculum shall provide for developmentally appropriate readiness and skill-building sequences and shall be conducted in accordance with State Department of Education safety guidelines and District 270 safety rules and regulations.

It is the intent of the Board of Education to allocate staff in a manner that will be educationally sound, instructionally appropriate, and fiscally responsible.

Volunteers play an increasingly important role in student’s education as they help to individualize instruction, promote school/community interaction, provide multigenerational experiences, and enrich curriculum for all. Therefore, the Hopkins Public Schools promote volunteer efforts to the greatest extent possible by appropriate recruiting, screening, placement, orientation, training, monitoring, and recognition.

The District's primary mission is to provide an effective instructional program for every student. The degree of success in achieving that commitment will be reviewed regularly. Equally important aspects of the student assessment process are follow-up activities of interpretation, reporting of results to appropriate parties, and the development and implementation of intervention strategies.

The purpose of this policy is to eliminate racial and other demographic achievement gaps in the Hopkins School District, while raising achievement levels for all students, through the conscious and deliberate examination of our institutional beliefs, practices, and structures, and by effecting systemic change to counteract the contemporary and historical impact of racism and discrimination on school achievement.

The purpose of this policy is to focus public education strategies on a process that promotes higher academic achievement for all students and ensures broad-based community participation in decisions regarding the implementation of the Minnesota Academic Standards and the No Child Left Behind Act.

The School District desires to participate in the Enrollment Options Program established by Minnesota State Statute. It is the purpose of these regulations of this policy to set forth the procedures used by the School District in making capacity projections.

The Hopkins School District, pursuant to Minnesota State Law, must enroll any student, undocumented or documented, from age 6 to 21 years of age and who resides within the District.

The Hopkins School District has a vital interest in the health and safety of its students, staff, and community.  The District assumes a partnership with families and the community to provide an educational environment where students and employees learn about serious communicable or infectious diseases. This policy will focus on non-readily transmissible diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other bloodborne pathogens.

The School Board welcomes the enrollment of all resident school-age children in District 270 schools. The School Board recognizes that parents/guardians have the responsibility to select the most appropriate educational programs for their children. The educational program of District 270 includes a comprehensive set of curricular and extracurricular programs that are consistent with the mission of the School District. To effectively and efficiently achieve the mission of the School District, enrollment on a full-time basis is the expectation of the School District.

Recognizing that both school and community can benefit from the results of properly designed and conducted research, the Board will permit the involvement of pupils and staff in selective research activities, provided that the research design and purpose meet the conditions outline in the policy.

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 establish procedures for the modification of the School District's adopted revenue and expenditure budgets.

The purpose of this policy is to adopt the Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards.

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 School Districts financial position and to provide guidance to the District when correcting errors and discrepancies is necessary.

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for revenue generation, revenue management and the investment of School District funds.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all students riding a school bus receive a safe, comfortable and orderly ride to and from school.

The purpose of this policy is to safeguard student privacy while providing for their safety and security.

The Hopkins School District shall operate in full compliance with the provisions of current copyright laws and Congressional guidelines. Employees and students are to adhere to all provisions of Title 17 of the United States Code, entitled “Copyrights,” and other relevant federal legislation and guidelines related to the duplication, retention, and use of copyrighted materials.

The purpose of this policy is to establish the terms and maintenance of the general fund’s undesignated-unreserved fund balance.

Employees who have completed 25 years of service to the District will be eligible for life-time passes to school activities. The Board will also grant passes to persons who have made significant contributions to the School District. District residents 62 years of age and older will be granted lifetime passes upon request to the administration office. Passes will be honored for all activities except drama, hockey, and certain tournaments and events that are not sponsored by the District or which are jointly sponsored by the District and others.

All purchases for Independent School District 270 will conform to applicable Minnesota Statutes relating to bidding, contracting, and purchasing.

Any employee of the School District may allocate a portion of salary for the purchase of an individual or group voluntary tax sheltered retirement income annuity through payroll deduction, subject to established rules and regulations.

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 noninstructional 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 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 School District will develop and maintain a Crisis Management Plan to act as a guide for School District Board members, administration staff, students, parents, and community members to address potential crises in the School District.

Hopkins School District 270 is committed to providing a safe and properly maintained environment for all staff, students and visitors. In this regard, the Board directs the administration to develop and implement Integrated Pest Management procedures for its buildings and grounds.

The superintendent or designee is empowered to close any or all district facilities or to dismiss students and staff early in the event of hazardous weather or conditions that threaten the health and safety of students and District personnel. The superintendent or designee is responsible for the development of District procedures and guidelines to be used in the event of facilities closing.

The Board recognizes that the education of children is dependent upon many factors, including a proper physical environment that is safe, clean, attractive, pleasant, and functions smoothly.

Hopkins School District 270 is committed to providing a safe, secure and properly maintained environment for all staff, students and visitors. In this regard, the Board directs the administration to develop and implement security procedures at each District facility and to address security concerns on an ongoing basis.

The Hopkins School Board recognizes the necessity of using energy resources efficiently and wisely and acknowledges that the successful implementation of this policy is the joint responsibility of board members, administrators, teachers, and staff, and requires the cooperation of students, parents and community members who use our facilities.

The use of District equipment by students and employees for personal purposes is prohibited. In addition, the District does not encourage employees to take District equipment home for professional use. However, there may be situations necessitated by District needs when it seems appropriate to allow employees to do so. In such instances, employees will be required to receive prior written approval from the employee’s immediate supervisor. A signed copy of the written approval must be on file prior to removing any equipment from District property.

The Hopkins School Nutrition program shall be a nonprofit, self-supporting program.  It is to follow the state and federal guidelines for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and utilize maximum reimbursements provided through the various federal/state programs in which it participates.

Our intention is to give great consideration and sensitivity when utilizing resources to provide refreshments, food and beverages at District meetings.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the rules and regulations under which community groups may sell food or beverages, i.e. run a concession, in Hopkins School District facilities.

The Board of Education of Independent School District 270 recognizes the desirability of having the District's school facilities and community centers used as much as possible by community groups to promote educational, recreational, cultural and civic activities of the community.

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 sites.

The purpose of this policy is to provide for distribution of materials appropriate to the school setting by non-school person and organizations (defined herein as 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 and takes into consideration students’ and employees’ free speech rights. Permission to distribute materials on school property by non-school persons is a privilege, not a right.

The School District recognizes the need for fundraising to enhance the resources in support of programs for students. The School District must ensure that the appropriate procedures are in place to prevent fundraising activities from becoming too numerous and overly demanding on employees, students, parents, and the community and the activities do not detract from the academic climate or learning.

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.

Hopkins School District 270 may enter into lease agreements with organizations and agencies exempt from State and Federal Income Tax for space determined to be excess in School District facilities.

Administration of the swimming pool is the responsibility of the facility manager.

Instructors or lifeguards designated by the facility manager are responsible for supervising swimming pool activities.

In accordance with the enabling provisions of Minnesota Statutes, the Board may accept, and at times may actually seek, bequests or gifts of money or property granted for the purposes of enhancing or extending curricular, extra curricular, and co-curricular programs and the overall operation of the schools. At its discretion, the Board my accept bequests or gifts of money or property for purposes deemed to be suitable and to utilize such money or property to support curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular programs and to enhance and extend the general operation of the schools for the benefit of pupils and citizens.

The purpose of this policy is to recognize the participation of students and employees in political issues. Further, the purpose of this policy is to define limitations on procedures and 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.

Cooperation with law enforcement agencies is essential for the protection of students, staff and community and for safeguarding District properties.

The Board of Education is committed to establishing and supporting planned and systematic, two-way communications between the Hopkins School District and the entire community.

The closing of a school building by a School District may occur under the conditions outlined in the policy.

The Hopkins School Board is responsible for naming facilities, which includes buildings, rooms, internal spaces, streets, landscape materials and associated exterior furnishings, courts, athletic fields, open spaces, forests, and all other areas owned, operated, or controlled by the Hopkins School District.