School District Mission Statement

Policy 110
Waunakee Community School District

The Board of Education of the Waunakee Community School District sets forth  the following mission statement(s) to encapsulate the mission of the District and its schools:

“Committed to Children… Committed to Community… Committed to Excellence.”

The Board believes that one of the important functions of the District’s leadership team is to successfully communicate and reinforce the District’s vision and guiding principles throughout the entire school community.

Legal References

• Wisconsin Statutes

  • Section 120.12 – School board duties, including responsibility for the general management and supervision of the school district

  • Section 120.13 – School board powers, including the authority to take all reasonable actions in support of education

Cross Reference

• WASB PRG 110 Sample Policy 1

Adoption and Revision Dates

• March 1994

• February 12, 1996

• June 2000

• October 2005

• May 2020

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DISTRICT GOALS
Policy 112.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Board of Education recognizes the value of long-term planning and goal setting.

The Board intends for the District’s leadership team to, at a minimum, establish and then, on at least an annual basis, evaluate and affirm and/or modify the following:

• A list of Board-approved strategic priorities for the District;
• A list of Board-approved short-term and long-term District goals; and
• The means by which progress toward such strategic priorities and goals will be measured or otherwise evaluated.

An important responsibility of the Superintendent is to work with the Board to establish and implement a long-term planning and goal-setting process, which may be incorporated within a broader strategic planning process. The Board may invite or direct the participation of other stakeholders in such planning and goal-setting.

Nothing in this policy restricts the administration from establishing additional, complementary goals for particular schools, programs, operational areas, etc.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.001 [construction of statutory duties and powers]
Section 120.12 [school board duties; including responsibility for the general management and supervision of the school district]
Section 120.13 [school board powers, including the power to do all things reasonable for the cause of education]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 112.1 Sample Policy 3

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 1982
March 1994
January 2000
January 2002
May 2020 (renumbered from former Policy 112)

SCHOOL DISTRICT LEGAL STATUS
Policy 120
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The legal and official name of the school district is the Waunakee Community School District (“District”).

The District is organized and operated as a public school district under the Wisconsin Constitution, under Chapters 115 to 121 of the state statutes, and under other applicable laws and regulations.

The District is a common school district that operates a pre-kindergarten program, a kindergarten program, and grades 1 through 12.

In addition, the District operates such other programs and conducts such other activities as may be required by applicable law, and the District may further operate other programs and activities to the extent permitted by applicable law.

The territory of the District is located within Dane County, Wisconsin. The District Office maintains information about the current official boundaries of the District.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 115.01 [school and school district classifications; names of school districts]
Section 117.27 [change of district type; ballot question and timing]
Chapter 120 [school district government; includes certain statutes applicable only to certain types of school districts]
Section 120.12 [school board duties; including responsibility for the general management and supervision of the school district]
Section 120.13 [school board powers, including the power to do all things reasonable for the cause of education]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 120 Sample Policy 1

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
4/22/91
March 1994
May 2020

The People and Their School District
Policy #121
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The public schools belong to the people. The people, through the Board, govern the schools under rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution and statutes of the State of Wisconsin. The people exercise their proprietorship through the elective process. They elect state and federal representatives who establish, through the legislature and the Congress, the framework of law within which the schools operate. The people elect a school board to represent them, to determine local educational plans and policies and to establish publicly endorsed educational goals and objectives. The Waunakee Board of Education functions as an agency of the public within this framework.

The Board is mindful that it is directly accountable to the people through the elective process. The Board believes that accountability is a shared responsibility involving students, teachers and other employees, the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education and the people. The Board therefore asserts these beliefs and expectations:

• Students should be trained at home and by the schools in order that they will learn to hold themselves accountable for their own lives, actions, and decisions as maturing members of a democratic society.
• Teachers should hold students accountable for achieving (within the limits of each student's abilities) the objectives of each learning experience.
• The superintendent should hold teachers and other employees accountable for working with diligent effort and with intelligence and imagination in achieving the objectives directly related to their stated job responsibilities.
• The Board should appoint the most capable person available to hold the position of superintendent of schools and should hold him/her accountable for providing creative professional leadership and counsel in all aspects of the school district program.
• The Board should also hold itself accountable for carrying out its mandate to plan, to make policy and to lead in the identification of goals and objectives and the resources necessary for their achievement.

Adoption Date: 5/10/82
Revised: 4/22/91
March 1994
Reviewed: May 2020

SCHOOL BOARD LEGAL STATUS
Policy 130
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The School Board (“Board” or “Board of Education”) of the Waunakee Community School District is comprised of seven (7) Board members. Board members are public officials who are elected or appointed to office as provided under state law.

Applicable law defines the scope of the Board’s duties, powers, and authority. State law expressly provides that the statutory duties and powers of school boards shall be broadly construed to authorize any school board action that is within the comprehensive meaning of the terms of the duties and powers, if the action is not prohibited by the laws of the federal government or by the laws of this state. Further, one of the express statutory powers of the Board is the power do all things reasonable to promote the cause of education.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 115.001(7) [school board defined]
Section 118.001 [construction of statutory duties and powers]
Chapter 120 [school district government; includes certain statutes applicable only to certain types of school districts]
Section 120.01 [number of school board members in common and union high school districts]
Section 120.05 [school board officials]
Section 120.12 [school board duties; including responsibility for the general management and supervision of the school district]
Section 120.13 [school board powers, including the power to do all things reasonable for the cause of education]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 130 Sample Policy 1

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 2020

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS
Policy 131
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The members of the Board of Education are public officials who are elected or appointed to office as provided under state law. In order for an otherwise-eligible candidate’s name to appear on a ballot for a Board seat at a spring election, a candidate must complete and file all of the required ballot access forms in a timely fashion. In addition to other required forms, candidates for the Board are required to circulate and obtain sufficient nomination paper signatures in order to appear on the ballot. A candidate must file a minimum of 100 valid signatures and may submit no more than 200 total signatures.

The Office of the District Administrator is the designated filing location for all forms, petitions, oaths of office, and other filings related to Board elections for which the School Board Clerk serves as the statutory filing officer.

A regular term of office for a Board member is three years, commencing on the 4th Monday of April.

Board members reside in apportioned areas of the District pursuant to the District’s current plan of apportionment, meaning that a qualified elector who serves as a Board member must be a resident of the apportioned area for which he/she is elected (or appointed) at the time he/she takes the oath of office. Notwithstanding such residency requirements, Board members elected from the apportioned areas are elected by a vote of the electors of the entire District.

The following is a description of the District’s current plan of apportionment in relation to each seat on the Board, with the individual seats grouped according to their staggered, three-year, regular terms of office. In any three-year cycle of consecutive spring elections and unless modified by a vote of the District’s electors at a school district annual meeting, the following seats are up for election as regular terms at the spring elections:

• Year 1: The terms of two (2) seats expire and are up for election as regular terms. The apportioned areas of the seats in this group are as follows:
  • One seat assigned to the Village of Waunakee.
  • One seat assigned to the Town of Westport/City of Madison.
• Year 2: The terms of two (2) seats expire and are up for election as regular terms. The apportioned areas of the seats in this group are as follows:
  • One seat assigned to the Town of Westport/City of Madison.
  • One seat assigned to the Town of Vienna.
• Year 3: The terms of three (3) seats expire and are up for election as regular terms. The apportioned areas of the seats in this group are as follows:
  • Two seats assigned to the Village of Waunakee.
  • One seat assigned to the Town of Dane/Town of Springfield.

As points of reference, the 2020 spring election is conducted as a Year 1 election, the 2021 spring election is conducted as a Year 2 election, and the 2022 spring election is conducted as a Year 3 election.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS
Policy 131
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Chapter 5 [general elections provisions]
Chapter 6 [the electors]
Chapter 7 [election officials; canvassing]
Chapter 8 [nominations, primaries, elections]
Chapter 9 [recount and recall]
Chapter 10 [election notices]
Chapter 11 [campaign financing]
Chapter 12 [prohibited election practices]
Section 59.23(2)(s) [reporting board member information to county clerks]
Section 120.02 [changing the number, apportionment, or election of school board members]
Section 120.05 [school board officials
Section 120.06 [election of school board members]
Section 120.17 [partial list of duties of school district clerk]
Section 120.17(1) [clerk to provide municipalities with names and addresses of new board members]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 131 Sample Policy 1

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 2020

FILLING BOARD VACANCIES

Policy 133
Waunakee Community School District
Page 1 of 4

The appropriate Board officer (normally the Board clerk), as specified in section 17.01(13)(b) of the state statutes (for resignations) or in section 17.17(5) (for other vacancies), or a designee acting on behalf of such officer, shall promptly notify the full Board of any resignation or other vacancy that arises on the School Board.

Vacancies on the School Board shall be filled in accordance with state law and in substantial compliance with the guidelines and procedures established in this policy. Any appointee to the School Board must be a qualified elector of the District and otherwise eligible to hold the office. Any person who fills a Board vacancy in a seat assigned to an apportioned area of the District must also be a resident of the applicable area.

The Board clerk or the clerk’s designee shall provide an appointee with notice of the appointment. A qualified elector who is selected to fill a Board vacancy shall not take office unless and until the person has taken and filed the official oath of office. An appointee shall file the official oath on or before any final deadline that the Board establishes for the appointee to take office. Upon filing the official oath, an appointee shall also promptly file a campaign finance registration statement.

APPOINTMENT GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES DURING THE FIRST 60 DAYS OF A VACANCY

During the 60 days immediately following the date on which a vacancy first exists, the Board may fill the vacancy only by an appointment made by a vote of the remaining members of the Board. Any initial attempt to fill the vacancy during this 60-day period shall substantially comply with the following guidelines and procedures, supplemented by any additional procedures that the Board may adopt:

1. The District Administrator, or a designee, shall give notice of the vacancy to the public by, at a minimum, posting information on the District website. The notice shall include relevant information about expressing interest in serving as an appointee, including identifying any deadline for submitting letters of application. The deadline shall be at least 14 days after the date that the notice is first placed on the District website.
2. Any qualified elector of the District who is interested in filling the vacancy shall submit the following materials to the Office of the District Administrator:

a. A letter of application that includes the applicant’s name, the applicant’s residential address, contact information, and a statement of the individual’s qualifications and his or her reason(s) for seeking the appointment.

b. On or before the date of the Board meeting at which the Board considers the potential appointees, each potential appointee shall also submit a signed and sworn declaration of eligibility to hold the vacant Board seat.

3. Applicants who have submitted the required materials by the applicable deadline(s) are assured consideration. If no letters of application are received by the deadline, the Board president may direct the District Administrator to re-post the vacancy notice on the District website, with the deadline for letters of interest being extended by up to an additional [14] days. The president or the president’s designee shall ensure that all Board members are informed of any such extension(s). Step 4 and Step 5 apply only if at least one potential appointee has been identified.

Page 2 of 4

4. At a Board meeting that is held after the deadline for submitting letters of application, each potential appointee who submitted the required materials on a timely basis shall have an opportunity to make a brief statement, up to 5 minutes in length, in support of their possible appointment. The Board may decide by motion or by unanimous consent to ask questions of one or more of the potential appointees.
5. Following any debate or deliberation among the Board members regarding the applicants, a standard majority of the total votes cast is required to make an appointment to fill a Board vacancy at this stage.

a. Unless an appointment is made by unanimous consent or unless the Board expressly directs the use of a roll call or voice vote, the possible selection of an appointee to fill the vacancy will proceed with the use of signed, written ballots. Any completed ballots shall be retained as District records.

b. Any write-in vote or any vote for “none of the above” on a ballot shall be counted as a vote cast. However, if a Board member announces that they are abstaining from participation in the decision, then no ballot shall be issued to the Board member, the abstention shall be recorded in the minutes, and the abstention shall not be counted as a vote cast.

c. If needed, multiple rounds of voting will occur. If any Board member objects to conducting more than [5] rounds of voting at any single meeting, he or she may demand that the question of continuing with voting at that meeting be put to a Board vote. Voting will continue only if supported by a majority vote.

APPOINTMENT GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES AFTER 60 DAYS

If a Board vacancy has not been filled by an appointment made within 60 days of the date on which the vacancy first exists, then the Board will attempt to fill the vacancy in substantial compliance with the following guidelines and procedures, supplemented by any additional procedures that the Board may adopt:

Page 3 of 4

1. If a duly-elected successor (i.e., a person elected at a Spring Election) will be taking office in the seat that is currently vacant within the next 60-day period that follows the initial 60-day period of the vacancy, then no appointee shall serve in the vacant seat in the interim unless an individual is appointed by a majority vote.
2. If the unfilled vacancy is not subject to the previous paragraph, then at a regular Board meeting that shall be held no later than 45 days after the end of the initial 60-day period of the vacancy, the Board shall make an attempt to appoint a qualified elector to fill the vacancy by a majority vote.

a. Prior to such Board meeting, the Board may direct the District Administrator to post and otherwise publicize a notice of the vacancy that solicits potential appointees and that includes appropriate instructions for expressing interest in serving as an appointee.

b. To be eligible for consideration for appointment by a Board vote at such meeting, a potential appointee minimally (1) must have submitted a signed and sworn declaration of eligibility to fill the vacancy in question at any time after the occurrence of the vacancy, and (2) must not have withdrawn from consideration.

3. Assuming that there is at least one potential applicant who has been identified for possible appointment, voting will occur at the Board meeting described in the previous step. If the Board is still unable to fill the vacancy after 5 rounds of voting, or after fewer rounds if reduced by unanimous consent, then the chairperson of the meeting shall declare a deadlock and immediately call for nominations in order to break the deadlock by the random selection of a nominee. The following shall apply:

a. A nominee for the random selection process must be a qualified elector who has submitted a signed sworn declaration of eligibility to fill the vacancy in question and who has not withdrawn from consideration.

b. Each nominee, if any, whose nomination is supported by at least two Board members (inclusive of the Board member who initially made the nomination) will be included in the random selection process. Each Board member who is present at the meeting may nominate or support the nomination of only one person who is included in the random selection process. The nominee chosen by the random process is thereby selected to fill the vacancy.

4. If, for any reason (including the lack of any identified potential appointee), the vacancy is still unfilled 105 days following the date on which the vacancy first exists, then steps 2 and 3 of the procedures listed above shall be repeated at regular Board meetings that are held at approximately monthly intervals until either (1) the vacancy is filled, or (2) there are fewer than 60 days before a duly-elected successor will take office in the vacant seat.

DEFINITIONS

The term “days” as used in this policy means calendar days unless otherwise expressly stated.

Page 4 of 4

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes

Section 11.0202(1)
Section 17.01(13)
Section 17.03
Section 17.035
Section 17.17(5)
Section 17.26
Section 17.28
Section 19.01
Section 59.23(2)(s)
Section 120.05(1)(d)
Section 120.06(10)
Section 120.12(28)
Section 120.17(1)

Cross References:

WASB PRG 133 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: May 2020
Revised: July 2024

NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY
133-Exhibit
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

© 2023 Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Inc. 12/4/23

WAUNAKEE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY AND
SOLICITATION OF INTEREST TO SERVE AS AN APPOINTEE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the electors of the Waunakee Community School District that there is a current vacancy on the School Board in the office formerly held by [insert name of prior incumbent]. The School Board intends to attempt to appoint a qualified elector of the District to fill the vacancy under a term of office that shall expire on [insert the expiration date of the appointee’s term].

In order to be eligible to serve as an appointee in the vacant seat, the individual must also reside in [insert a description of the relevant geographic portion of the school district].

Any eligible person who desires to be considered for appointment to this public office may file the following materials at the Office of the District Administrator:

1. A letter of interest that identifies the potential appointee’s name, residential address, [insert if desired: “email address,”] and phone number, and that also addresses the individual’s qualifications and the reasons that the applicant is interested in serving on the School Board.
2. A Declaration of Eligibility to hold the vacant board seat. The relevant form is available upon request from the Office of the District Administrator. The Declaration must be signed and sworn to before a notary public or another official who is authorized to administer general oaths.

To ensure consideration as a potential appointee, the letter of interest must be received in the Office of the District Administrator by 4:00 p.m. on [insert the appropriate date], and the Declaration of Eligibility must be completed and received in the Office on or before the date of the Board meeting at which the Board considers the potential appointees.

The required materials may be hand delivered during the District’s regular business hours at the Office of the District Administrator, which is located at 905 Bethel Circle, Waunakee, WI. Alternatively, the materials may be sent via U.S. Mail to 905 Bethel Circle, Waunakee, WI. It is the sole responsibility of the individual who is submitting the materials to verify that the District has received the completed materials on a timely basis.

Inquiries regarding this Notice may be directed to [insert District Administrator’s name and title] by telephone at [insert telephone number] or by email at [insert email address].

Date of Notice: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Adoption Date: May 2020
Revised: July 2024

Reference: WASB PRG 133 Sample Exhibit 1

DECLARATION OF ELIGIBILITY TO HOLD OFFICE
133-Exhibit
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

© 2023 Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Inc. 12/4/23

VERSION 1: Sworn Declaration

WAUNAKEE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
DECLARATION OF ELIGIBILITY TO HOLD OFFICE AS AN APPOINTEE TO THE SCHOOL BOARD

This document shall be sworn before a notary public or other official who is authorized to administer oaths.*

I, ____________________________________________ , being duly sworn, state that
(Print the name of the person wishing to be considered for appointment)

I am willing to be considered for selection as an appointee to a vacancy in the public office of school board member [if either is applicable, pre-insert any seat number or a description of any apportioned area relating to the vacant seat], in the Waunakee Community School District.

I further state that I meet the applicable age, citizenship, residency, and voting qualification requirements prescribed by the constitutions and laws of the United States and the State of Wisconsin for holding said public office and that I will otherwise qualify for said public office if I am selected as the appointee.

I further state that I have not been convicted of a felony in any court within the United States for which I have not been pardoned and that I know of no reason that would otherwise make me ineligible to hold said public office.

My municipality of residence for voting purposes and my present residential address are as follows:

Town of _______________________ OR Village of _______________________ OR City of _________________________

House (or Fire) No. Street Name Mailing Municipality and State Zip Code

(Signature of the person, named above, wishing to be considered for appointment)

STATE OF WISCONSIN
County of _______________________ ss.
(County where sworn)

Subscribed and sworn to before me this ______day of __________________, 20.

(Signature of person authorized to administer oaths) (Printed name)

☐ Notary Public or ☐ ___________________________________________
(Official title, if not a notary)

For a Notary: My commission expires _________________ or ☐ is permanent

DECLARATION OF ELIGIBILITY TO HOLD OFFICE
133-Exhibit
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

© 2023 Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Inc. 12/4/23

NOTARY SEAL REQUIRED IF THE OATH HAS BEEN ADMINISTERED BY A NOTARY PUBLIC.

• THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CLERK MAY NOT ADMINISTER THE OATH FOR THIS FORM UNLESS THE CLERK IS ALSO A NOTARY PUBLIC.

Adoption Date: May 2020
Revised: July 2024

Reference: WASB PRG 133 Sample Exhibit 3

BOARD OFFICERS
Policy 141
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The Board of Education shall elect a President, Vice President, Clerk, and Treasurer from among its members to serve as officers of the Board.

Election and Term of Office. Board officers shall be elected by the Board annually at an organizational meeting of the Board that is held on or within 30 days after the 4th Monday in April.

Secret ballots may be used to conduct the voting for the election of Board officers. Unless the Board proceeds in a different order of selection (pursuant to a specific motion or without any objection being raised by an individual Board member), the officers will normally be elected in the following order: President, Vice President, Clerk, and Treasurer. Voting for any of the officers shall continue, at the same meeting or at a timely subsequent meeting, until a successor to the current officer is elected by a majority vote.

A Board member elected as an officer is deemed to have accepted the appointment and the duties of the position unless, immediately after the result of the Board’s vote to elect such person is known, the person verbally states at the meeting that they refuses to serve in the capacity of such officer. Such an immediate refusal to serve voids the election of such person as an officer, and the Board shall continue to vote to attempt to fill the officer position

Provided that the officer remains a member of the Board, and unless the Board expressly specifies otherwise in the process of electing its officers, the regular term of a Board officer normally lasts from the date of his/her election until the date that the Board elects a successor.

Vacancies in Board Officer Positions. In the event of a vacancy in a Board officer position, the Board may fill the vacancy by majority vote, and the person selected shall normally serve in the position until the subsequent election of a successor at an annual organizational meeting, as outlined above. When a vacancy in a Board officer position arises because the former officer is no longer a Board member, the Board fills the vacancy in the officer position independently of filling any vacancy on the Board itself.

Temporary Disability or Absence. The Vice President shall automatically carry out the duties and responsibilities of the President in the event of the President’s temporary absence or temporary inability to serve in his/her capacity as President. If any other Board officer is temporarily unable to discharge the duties of the office due to disability or absence, the Board may make a temporary appointment in a manner consistent with applicable state law.

Removal of Board Officers. The removal of any Board officer from his/her position as an officer prior to the Board’s election of a successor via the annual reorganization process shall be handled in accordance with the requirements of state law.

Duties, Powers, and Limited Delegation. Each Board officer is responsible for ensuring the performance of such duties as are assigned to the position by state law. Each officer shall also be responsible for the performance of any duties, and may exercise such discretionary powers, as the Board assigns to the officer.

To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Board authorizes the Board officers to delegate the actual performance of delegable duties to one or more District employees. The individual officer shall coordinate all such delegation of the performance of specific actions through the Superintendent. In the event the officer and the Superintendent are unable to resolve to their mutual satisfaction any concerns about such delegated actions, the officer or the Superintendent shall arrange for the Board to consider and attempt to resolve the concerns.

Board officers should be aware that the delegation of the performance of a legal duty does not transfer all legal responsibility and liability to the delegee.

BOARD OFFICERS
Policy 141
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal Reference
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 17.13 [removal of officers]
Section 19.88(2) [election of officers by secret ballot]
Section 120.05 [election of board officers in common and union high school districts; temporary absence or disability of an officer]
Section 120.06 [partial identification of clerk duties related to school board elections]
Section 120.15 [partial list of board president duties]
Section 120.16 [partial list of board treasurer duties]
Section 120.17 [partial list of board clerk duties]
Section 990.001(9) [acts by agents]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 141 Sample Policy 4

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 2020

DUTIES OF BOARD OFFICERS
141-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Duties of President

The president will:

1. Preside at all meetings of the Board of Education.
2. Decide all questions of parliamentary order, subject to an appeal by any Board member.
3. Sign all documents on behalf of the Board.
4. Appoint all Board committees.
5. Bring before the Board from time to time, whatever business may require its attention.
6. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board or required by law.
7. Represent the Board in any representative capacity not otherwise delegated to district staff or district administration.

Duties of Vice President

1. Perform the duties assigned to the President in the event of their absence or inability to act.

Duties of Clerk

The Clerk will:

1. Perform duties as required by law.
2. Attend regular meetings of the Board and cause a complete and accurate record to be kept of all proceedings of Board meetings.
3. Receive all communications addressed to the Board and report the same to the Board.
4. Sign all documents which obligate the Board in any respect and letters which advise of any obligations of the Board, unless otherwise delegated by the board on policy.
5. File and preserve all reports, resolutions, and documents in a manner convenient for reference and deliver these to his/her successor.
6. Serve or cause to serve all required notices.

DUTIES OF BOARD OFFICERS
141-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Duties of Treasurer

The Treasurer will:

1. Perform duties as required by law.
2. Provide for the application for, receive and sue for all money appropriated to or collected for the school district and disperse the same in accordance with state statutes.
3. Provide for entering into district account books all money received and disbursed by the district specifying the source of the funds, the person to whom paid and the object for which payment was made.
4. Present to the annual meeting a written statement of all money received and disbursed during the preceding year.
5. Provide for the immediate deposit of funds received by the district in the name of the district in a public depository designated by the Board.
6. Provide for the withdrawal of school district funds in savings or time deposits by written transfer order in accordance with state statutes.

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
March 1994
January 2002
May 2020 (redesignated as 141-Board Rule 1; formerly Policy 141)

SCHOOL DISTRICT LEGAL COUNSEL
Policy 142
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

In addition to obtaining legal representation from qualified counsel in relation to formal legal proceedings and legally-complex transactions, the Board of Education recognizes that the increasing complexity of school district operations may on occasion require the procurement of professional legal services from attorneys who act in an advisory capacity to the Board and/or administration on specific issues. Unless otherwise arranged for in writing and with the consent of the District, when any attorney is engaged to provide legal services for the District, the District and not any individual person(s), officers, or employees shall be the attorney’s client.

The Board may designate such attorneys and/or law firms as the Board deems prudent to serve as initial points of contact in connection with specific needs or circumstances. However, nothing prevents the Board or District from securing the services of any other attorney or firm when doing so is determined to be in the best interest of the District. Further, the services of any attorney representing or providing legal advice to the District shall be coordinated with the District’s insurer(s) when appropriate.

The Superintendent, or his/her administrative-level designee is authorized to engage the District’s designated legal counsel on behalf of the District on such matters as he/she deems advisable in order to protect the interests of the District, or whenever he/she has been directed to do so by the Board. However, unless legal counsel renders specific advice on behalf of the District stating that the rights and interests of the District would be compromised by deferring action until after specific authorization is obtained in advance (e.g., due to a statute of limitations expiring), the Superintendent shall not authorize legal counsel to file or commence, in any court or before any agency, any formal legal action or proceeding on behalf of the District in which the District acts as the plaintiff, complainant, or petitioner without advance authorization from the Board or the annual meeting.

Any time the Superintendent or his/her designee exercises the authority granted in the previous paragraph, he/she shall promptly advise the Board (1) regarding the existence or initiation of non-routine matters, including the receipt of any statutory notice of claim or the initiation of any formal legal proceeding in any court or before any state or federal agency; (2) any time he/she concludes that there is a likelihood that the District may incur substantial legal fees or costs that are not within established budgetary parameters for reasonably-expected legal services; and (3) with respect to such other matters or circumstances as the Superintendent deems prudent.

Except when acting as an authorized designee of the Superintendent, other administrators, employees, and agents of the District are not authorized to initiate or engage the services of legal counsel on behalf of the District except as expressly directed to do so by the Superintendent, Board President, or official Board action.

Individual Board members are generally not authorized to initiate or engage the services of legal counsel on behalf of the District unless there is official Board action authorizing or directing them to do so. However, the Board President is authorized to initiate or engage the services of the District’s legal counsel if there is a need for legal advice relating to the employment or performance of the Superintendent, if the President is performing his/her statutory duties related to the defense and prosecution of legal actions, or if the President determines that immediate action is otherwise needed to protect the interests of the District. Notwithstanding such authority and the need to exercise judgment with respect thereto, the Board expects the President (1) to consider whether it would be practical to bring the matter before the Board before taking action unilaterally, and (2) to work with legal counsel to determine the earliest appropriate time to inform the remaining Board members of a decision to engage legal counsel on behalf of the District.

SCHOOL DISTRICT LEGAL COUNSEL
Policy 142
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Unless otherwise directed by the Board, individual Board members and authorized District employees may, in their official capacities and in the interests of the District, seek general legal information from membership associations that provide such services, provided that such inquiries do not result in the unauthorized disclosure of confidential District information or cause the District to incur any additional specific fees or charges. Further, any such inquiry for legal information that is submitted pursuant to Board or District organizational membership that is paid for by the District should be undertaken with the expectation that the organization may disclose the nature of the inquiry and/or response to other Board members or to appropriate administrators.

Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to create or give rise to any third-party rights.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.85(1)(g) [authority to meet in closed session to confer with legal counsel with respect to litigation]
Section 120.10(14) [annual meeting power to direct legal proceedings in which the district is interested]
Section 120.13(9m) [school board power to retain legal services]
Section 120.15 [board president duties; defend and prosecute actions on behalf of district]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 142 Sample Policy 3

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
March 1994
May 2020

APPOINTMENT OF BOARD MEMBER REPRESENTATIVES
Policy 144
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

For purposes of this policy, a Board appointment occurs when the Board of Education, or an expressly authorized designee, selects a member of the Board to fulfill a specific role or position other than serving as a Board officer or as a member of a committee that has been created or authorized by the Board. A Board appointee may serve, for example, in an information gathering role, as the Board’s official representative to a particular body, group, or organization, or as a designated liaison or point of contact for a particular body, group, or organization.

The Board President may recommend a particular Board member to fill an appointment, but may make the actual appointment only if (1) state law or the Board has expressly delegated such authority with respect to the specific appointment, or (2) the Board President determines that it is necessary to temporarily fill a vacancy pending a formal Board decision to fill a vacant appointment. The Board may also designate a specific alternate for any Board appointment at its discretion.

A Board appointee serves in his/her designated role at the pleasure of the Board until the earlier of the date that (1) any specific term of appointment expires, (2) the appointee is replaced, (3) the Board removes the appointee, (4) the appointee is no longer serving as a Board member, or (5) the appointee resigns from the appointment as communicated in writing to the Board Clerk and Board President.

Where an appointee’s role requires the appointee to provide formal or informal input to a project or decision on behalf of the Board/District, the appointee is expected to take action that is consistent with any specific or general direction that the Board has provided. Where the Board has not provided any such direction, or where circumstances have materially changed since the Board provided such direction, the appointee is expected to use his/her best judgment to determine if it would be practical for the decision in question to be deferred to a later date or, if impractical to defer the decision, to act in accordance with the best interests of the District while keeping the remaining Board members informed of the relevant issue(s).

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 66.1105(4m)(ae)1. [school district representative to tax incremental joint review board]
Section 116.02 [annual designation of CESA representative; annual convention of representatives]
Section 120.13(16) [authorizing school board’s membership in an organization of Wisconsin school boards]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 144 Sample Policy 1

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 2020

ADOPTION, REVISION, MAINTENANCE, AND DISSEMINATION OF BOARD POLICIES
Policy 151
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The Board of Education’s policies serve a variety of purposes, including guiding the actions of those to whom the Board delegates authority, establishing various requirements and parameters for District programs, operations, and decision making, and providing direction and setting expectations for staff, students, and other relevant parties. Policies may also demonstrate or facilitate legal compliance.

The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to establish and modify the Board’s formal policies by taking action as a governmental body. The Board, the Superintendent, and the District’s other administrators and supervisors share a continuing responsibility to review and evaluate policies and to recommend possible additions and/or modifications as may be beneficial or required. As part of the policy review and development process, the Board encourages communication with stakeholder groups and opportunities for stakeholder input.

Procedures for the Board’s Adoption and Revision of Board Policy

“Unless in conflict with any applicable law in a particular context:

• The Board may adopt a change in policy, including adopting a new policy, revising an existing policy, and/or repealing an existing policy, by a standard majority vote at any properly-noticed Board meeting;
• Multiple presentations of a proposed policy change (such as a discussion-only “first reading” at a separate meeting) are not required prior to voting to approve or reject any change to Board policy; and
• Any change to Board policy normally takes effect immediately upon adoption by the Board unless either the Board designates a specific effective date or the context clearly requires otherwise (e.g., a policy is adopted that is applicable to a program that is starting in the future).”

Board-Adopted Rules/Procedures

Using the same process applicable to Board policies, the Board may also adopt and periodically revise written rules to accompany Board policies. Such rules generally serve to clarify a policy or provide procedures or additional guidance for implementing a policy. When such rules are initially adopted by a vote of the Board, and unless the Board expressly delegates to the administration the authority to make future revisions to a particular rule, Board rules shall have the same status and effect as Board policy, and any future revisions shall be subject to Board approval. However, if the Board expressly delegates to the administration the authority to make future revisions to a rule that was initially adopted by the Board, then, thereafter, the rule shall be considered and have the status of an administrative rule (i.e., treated as though the rule was originally created pursuant to administrative authority).

Exhibits Related to Board Policy

Unless the Board expressly directs that it is retaining authority to make future revisions to a specific exhibit (i.e., forms, notices, etc.), all exhibits related to specific policies shall be created, maintained, and updated under administrative authority, even if they are maintained within the official Board policy manual for purposes of organization.

ADOPTION, REVISION, MAINTENANCE, AND DISSEMINATION OF BOARD POLICIES
Policy 151
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Suspension of the Application of a Board Policy

Provided that the decision would be consistent with applicable law (e.g., the decision would not violate a statute, regulation, or the legal rights of any person), the Board may, at its discretion, vote to temporarily suspend, in whole or in part, the application of an established Board policy to a specific situation without amending or repealing the otherwise-applicable policy and without otherwise affecting the application of such policy to other situations. Unless an applicable law mandates the application of a different voting standard, a Board policy may be suspended as described in this paragraph by a motion that is supported by a standard majority vote.

Policy Maintenance and Dissemination

Board policies adopted for inclusion in the Board’s formal policy manual shall be systematically coded and made available through the District’s website. Board policies shall be further disseminated through other appropriate means as required by law, as directed by the Board, or as determined at the discretion of the Superintendent.

The Board delegates to the Superintendent or his/her designee the authority and discretion to maintain lists of cross references (e.g., to District plans, handbooks, or related policies, procedures, and exhibits), legal references (e.g., to statutes and regulations), and adoption/revision date histories that are relevant to particular policies, rules, and exhibits. Such annotations may be included for purposes of convenience and shall not be considered to be substantive terms of the policy, rule, or exhibit.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 120.13 [board power to do all things reasonable for the cause of education, including making rules for the organization, gradation, and government of the schools]

Cross References:
WASB PRG Sample Policy 4

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
4/22/91
March 1994
January 2002
February 2019
May 2020

ADMINISTRATION IN THE ABSENCE OF BOARD POLICY
Policy 151.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Board of Education’s policies can not address all topics and issues or every implementation scenario that will arise in the day-to-day management and operation of the District. The Board also recognizes that the Superintendent is charged by state law with the general supervision and management of the professional work of the schools and the promotion of students, and that the Board itself expects the Superintendent and the District’s other administrators and supervisors to effectively perform the duties and responsibilities of their respective positions and to act as effective agents of the Board within their respective spheres of authority.

Therefore, the Superintendent and other administrative and supervisory staff are authorized, through the exercise of sound and reasonable professional judgment, to take or authorize action to address specific situations in the absence of an applicable Board policy or other Board directive. Such authority to act is not a requirement to act in all such situations or a requirement to otherwise immediately respond to a specific situation or request. Rather, when administrators or other supervisors recognize that they are in a situation that is not sufficiently addressed by applicable law and/or by existing policy, the Board’s expectation is that, in consultation with a higher-level administrator to the extent practical and appropriate, they will evaluate the relevant circumstances to determine (1) the most reasonable administrative action to take, if any, in the absence of policy, and (2) whether and when to bring the topic or issue to the Board’s attention for potential decisions, or follow-up decisions, at the Board level.

Whenever an administrator or supervisor other than the Superintendent concludes that a situation involving the absence of Board policy clearly calls for either the adoption of a Board policy or another Board-level decision, he/she is expected to bring the issue to the attention of the Superintendent before taking administrative action under this policy whenever it is practical to do so. The Superintendent shall then determine whether it would be practical and reasonable to refer the matter to the Board for a decision and resolution in the first instance.

An employee’s exercise of judgment and discretion under this policy is subject to evaluation by an appropriate higher-level administrator and by the Board of Education.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.24 [district administrator authority and duties; other administrators also addressed]
Section 120.13 [board power to do all things reasonable for the cause of education, including making rules for the organization, gradation, and government of the schools]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 151.2 Sample Policy 1

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
4/22/91
March 1994
January 2002
May, 2020 (renumbered from former Policy 151.3)

BOARD SELF-EVALUATION AND GOAL SETTING
Policy 153
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The Board of Education believes it can benefit substantially from an evaluation of its own functioning and performance in light of the vision, strategic priorities, and specific goals that have been established for the District as a whole. Further, just as the Board believes that every programmatic, instructional, and operational area of the District should establish and monitor area goals that are aligned with District-wide goals and priorities, the Board can also benefit from establishing and monitoring progress toward specific goals that the Board sets for itself.

In the absence of a self-evaluation and goal-setting process and timeline that has been expressly adopted by the Board as a whole, the Board directs the Superintendent and Board President (1) to include the Board’s self-evaluation and Board goal-setting processes on the agenda and notice of at least one Board meeting each school year, and (2) to prepare and present to the Board one or more proposals or recommendations for a process that the Board may use to conduct a self-evaluation and to establish, review, and/or revise Board goals. From that point, the Board as a whole has the responsibility to determine the extent to which the Board will approve and implement a specific self-evaluation and/or goal-setting process.

In presenting process proposals or recommendations to the Board, the Superintendent and Board President should be prepared to address the extent to which a proposal or recommendation leads to an evaluation of the progress being made in the following areas:

• The extent to which the Board has approved and sufficiently communicated a vision, current strategic priorities, and key District-wide goals.
• The extent to which the District’s leadership team has an accountability plan in place with identified accountability measures (1) that are linked to student achievement whenever appropriate, and (2) that the Board is assessing on a timely basis in order to determine progress in areas of direct Board oversight and responsibility.
• An assessment of how well the Board’s own operational policies, processes, and practices (e.g., policy-making and other key decision-making processes, board meetings, etc.) are functioning.
• The status of the Board-Superintendent relationship, including the extent to which (1) the Board is fostering and contributing to a cohesive leadership team that is focused on common priorities and goals, and (2) the members of the District’s leadership team are mutually comfortable with how the Board understands and performs its role and responsibilities in light of administrative roles and responsibilities.
• The extent to which the Board is (1) fostering strong and collaborative connections with different stakeholder groups in the local community; (2) acting as a strong advocate for the District and its students in the community; and (3) acting as a strong advocate for the District and its students with legislators and other officials.
• The availability and value of Board development activities, including the orientation of new Board members to their role and duties.

The goals that the Board sets for itself, and any Board-development activities that may be planned to help achieve Board goals, should generally be an outgrowth of the Board’s self-evaluation(s).

BOARD SELF-EVALUATION AND GOAL SETTING
Policy 153
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 120.12 [a partial list of school board duties]
Section 120.13 [a partial list of school board powers]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 153 Sample Policy 3

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 2020

Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

Process

1. At the December board meeting, the Board President or designee will distribute the board self-evaluation instrument.
2. By the January meeting, Board members will independently evaluate the Board as a whole using the Board evaluation instrument. Each Board member makes comments as desired in completing the instrument.
3. At the January Meeting, the Board President or designee receives the evaluation instrument and prepares the annual summative report.
4. No later than the February meeting, the President or designee distributes the summative report to the Board members.
5. No later than the April Board meeting a session will be held to review and discuss the report and identify Board strengths and weaknesses based on the annual summative report.
6. The Board will set Board goals for the subsequent year based on the self-evaluation.
7. The Board will evaluate their progress against these goals in October.

Adoption/Revision Dates:
August 2000
January 2002
September 2011
May 2020 (redesignated from policy 152 to 153-Board Rule 1)

SCHOOL BOARD ADVOCACY
Policy 154
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

One of the Board of Education’s important functions is to serve as an advocate for the District and all of its students, and, more generally, as an advocate for public education and educational excellence and equity. The Board’s advocacy role encompasses intra-district and local community responsibilities, and it also extends beyond the District to include regional, state, and even national concerns.

Advocacy activities are attempts to engage and communicate effectively with others. Advocacy activities have varied purposes and include activities that aim to collaborate, promote, influence, persuade, listen, problem-solve, or simply inform.

The Board intends to work with the Superintendent on identifying and implementing advocacy initiatives that foster:

• Student engagement
• Parent engagement
• Staff engagement
• Community engagement
• Institutional engagement (e.g., businesses, other schools, institutions of higher education, etc.)
• Legislative/public policy engagement (e.g., connecting with elected representatives, the Department of Public Instruction, relevant state and federal agencies, other units of local government, etc.)

Notwithstanding that the Board and District will pursue many formal and planned advocacy activities, the Board also recognizes that opportunities for effective advocacy and engagement are presented in many day-to-day interactions and communications. The Board will rely on its individual members and expects all District employees to use both formal activities and informal interactions to build positive and collaborative relationships with the District’s various stakeholder groups.

The Board authorizes and encourages the Superintendent and Board President to structure portions of Board meetings as advocacy opportunities, including by showcasing particular student accomplishments, District programs, and District partnerships and by using meeting time to identify and address legislative and other advocacy opportunities. The Board will also consider the extent to which standing or ad hoc committees might be utilized to further the Board’s advocacy and engagement goals. For example, the Board may build such goals into a specific charge that is given to one or more committees.

Specifically related to legislative and public policy issues, the Board seeks to both proactively and reactively engage and advocate on behalf of the District and its students with lawmakers, agency personnel, and other government officials. On matters of common concern, the Board will leverage the resources and activities of interest-based collaborations and of regional and state-wide associations that are pursuing shared interests and objectives.

SCHOOL BOARD ADVOCACY
Policy 154
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

In the performance of their duties and regardless of their personal views, those individuals who are authorized to act as spokespersons for the express purpose of advocating District interests and Board positions to lawmakers, agency personnel, and other government officials shall convey such interests and positions in a manner that is consistent with any specific or general direction that has been given by the Board. The authorized spokespersons shall likewise adhere to any limitations on their authority as may be specified by the Board.

In pursuing the Board’s legislative and public policy advocacy goals, neither the Board nor any District employee or authorized agent of the Board, while acting in his/her official District capacity, may (1) campaign for or against any particular candidate(s) in an election; (2) use District funds to make contributions to any candidate or political committee; or (3) use any public resources for any other political purpose that is prohibited by law.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Sections 13.61 to 13.65 [state lobbying laws]
Section 120.13 [a general grant of authority to do all things reasonable to promote the cause of education and a partial list of specific school board powers]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 154 Sample Policy 1

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 2020

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE LIAISON
154-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Role of an Appointed Legislative Liaison

In terms of legislative and public policy issues, the Board of Education seeks to both proactively and reactively engage and advocate on behalf of the District and its students with lawmakers, agency personnel, and other government officials.

Provided that a Board member is willing to accept the responsibilities, the Board may also appoint a Board member to serve as a legislative liaison. If appointed by the Board, the legislative liaison is authorized to do all of the following:

1. Work with the Superintendent and the District’s collaborative partners and associations to identify opportunities for legislative and public policy advocacy and to bring the relevant issues, opportunities, and available resources to the attention of the Board;
2. Work with the Superintendent and his/her designee(s) to prepare resolutions or position statements to present to the Board for possible adoption and/or further direction;
3. Serve as a spokesperson for the Board and the District with legislators, agency personnel, and other government officials for the purpose of communicating information, ideas, needs, and positions that the Board or an authorized agent of the Board has determined are in the best interest of the District; and
4. Work with the Superintendent and his/her designee(s) to plan and implement specific engagement activities, including extending invitations to state and community leaders to participate in meetings, visit District facilities, or attend and observe District activities.

Authorized Spokespersons Engaging in Legislative and Public Policy Advocacy

The Superintendent, the Board President, and any Board member appointed to serve as a legislative liaison are authorized to act as spokespersons for the Board and District on legislative/public policy advocacy communications that are intended to inform and influence lawmakers, agency personnel, and other government officials. The Superintendent may also designate other District employees to communicate specific messages on behalf of the Board or District or to attend particular meetings or advocacy functions if such designees are given clear direction regarding their role and the relevant Board/District positions.

To the extent reasonable and practical, the Board’s authorized spokespersons are expected to seek direction from the Board regarding positions taken and communicated on behalf of the Board and District. Further, such advocacy-related communications in their official capacity shall be consistent with any specific or general direction that the Board has provided through official action taken at a Board meeting. Where the Board has not provided any such direction, or where circumstances have materially changed since the Board provided such direction, the spokespersons are expected to use their best judgment to determine if it would be reasonable and practical to seek further direction from the Board prior to communicating a District position on a particular issue.

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE LIAISON
154-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

If impractical, the spokespersons may consider communicating (1) specific data and reasonable projections as to how a given issue would be likely to affect the District, and (2) if believed to be necessary, a position that they determine is consistent with the Board’s policies and any applicable Board-approved goals and that otherwise reflects the best interests of the District, while also expressly clarifying that the Board itself has not yet been able to meet to consider the adoption of a specific position. Further, such spokespersons shall keep the full Board informed of issue-based positions that they communicate in their official capacity to legislators, government agencies, and other government officials. At its discretion, the Board may direct the submission of clarifying communications.

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 2020

WASB PRG 154 Sample Rule 1

Board Member Authority
Policy #161
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

Official Board of Education action may be taken only when the Board is in legal session. Individual Board members may exercise their authority over District affairs only as they vote to take action at a legal meeting of the Board. An individual member, including the President, shall have power only when the Board, by vote, has delegated authority to him/her or has been authorized by the law.

The Board shall make its members, the District staff, and the public aware that except as otherwise specifically provided; only the Board has authority to take official action.

Legal Ref: Sections 120.15 Wis. Stats
120.16
120.17

Cross Ref: 141, Board Officers
165, School Board Member Ethics
165.1, Board Member Conflicts of Interest
224, Board – Administrator Relations

Adoption Date: 5/10/82
Revised: March 1994
January 2002
Reviewed: May 2020

BOARD MEMBER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Policy 163
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The Board of Education recognizes that it is critical for Board members to have a sufficient understanding of the duties, responsibilities, and functions of (1) the District as a whole; (2) the Board, as the District’s governing body; and (3) individual Board members, as District leaders and public officials. Therefore, the Board supports the ongoing development of the knowledge and skills of the individual Board members, and the Board encourages initiatives that foster the ability of the Board as a whole to provide effective management and leadership that is focused on student achievement. The Board further believes that a comprehensive and useful approach to Board development is carried out with the direct involvement and input of the Superintendent and includes (1) the identification of needs and opportunities, (2) the establishment of specific goals, and (3) the identification and utilization of both internal and external resources that will help to meet the identified needs and goals.

In support of the Board’s beliefs regarding Board and Board member development:

1. The Board directs the Superintendent and Board President to oversee the preparation and implementation of an orientation process for newly-elected and newly-appointed Board members.
2. The Board directs the Superintendent to identify and inform Board members of Board-development resources and opportunities. In identifying such resources and opportunities, the Superintendent shall consider any specific Board-development goals or priorities that the Board may have established and shall also rely on his/her own professional judgment regarding the needs of the District’s leadership team and the likely benefit or importance of a particular activity or resource to the District.
3. If the Board has adopted a written plan that approves specific Board-development activities for the then-current budget year, the activities expressly identified in the plan do not require further approval. In other cases:

• Upon the submission of a request by any individual Board member and in the absence of any other applicable Board directive, the Superintendent may, within applicable budgetary constraints, authorize a Board member’s (1) participation in a seminar, conference, or similar event that does not require out-of-state travel, or (2) attendance at a meeting of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. However, if the Superintendent has concerns about the cost or the likely benefit or relevance of an event or meeting, or if the Superintendent prefers that the Board review and consider the request for any other reason, then the Superintendent may refer any such request to the Board.
• The Board’s advance approval is required for participation in a seminar, conference, or similar Board-development event or activity that requires overnight or out-of-state travel.

4. A Board member who participates in an external (i.e., non-District) Board-development activity that is not structured as a whole-Board activity shall coordinate with the Superintendent and/or Board President to determine an appropriate means of sharing new or otherwise important information, resources, and ideas related to the activity with the remainder of the Board.

BOARD MEMBER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Policy 163
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

5. By following established purchasing and procurement procedures, the Superintendent or any individual Board member may request that District funds be used to purchase books, subscriptions, or other similar resources that further the aims of this policy or any specific Board-development goals that the Board has established. Unless clearly intended as an item that is to be retained by an individual Board member (e.g., when a personal copy of a particular resource is purchased for each Board member), physical copies of any such District-purchased resources shall be added to a library of resources that is maintained in the District Office for the general use and benefit of all Board members and District staff.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 120.13(16) [authority to pay the membership fee in an organization of school boards in this state and the actual and necessary expenses of its representatives incurred in attending meetings of such organization]
Section 120.13(32) [board authority to provide for the orientation and continuing education of school board members and persons who have been elected to the school board; authority to reimburse related expenses]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 163 Sample Policy 1

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
March 1994
May, 2020

NEW BOARD MEMBER ORIENTATION
163-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

Incumbent Board of Education members and staff shall help new Board members become initially informed about the Boards’ functions, policies, procedures, strategic priorities/goals and current challenges.

Specific phases of the new Board member’s orientation program shall normally include at least the following:

1. In the interim between election/appointment and actual assumption of office, the new member will be invited to attend all open session meetings and functions of the Board, and will receive all non-confidential reports and communications normally sent to Board members.

2. In the interim between election appointment and actual assumption of office, the new member will be furnished with or otherwise provided with information on how to access selected materials dealing with information about the district, state education laws and regulations, and local policies and regulations. Such materials shall include:

   a) Board policy manual
   b) District annual report card
   c) Board meeting minutes for the previous year
   d) An overview of the District’s finances and budget, including an overview of the budget development and approval process

3. A schedule of appointments with selected administrative personnel shall be arranged by the superintendent to afford an opportunity for the new member to discuss specific functions and concerns at different levels of operation.

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
March 1994
May 2020 (renumbered and redesignated from Policy 162 to 163-Board Rule 1)

BOARD MEMBER COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT
Policy 164
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The taxability and tax status of all compensation, expense reimbursement, and other payments that the District makes to, or on behalf of, the members of the Board of Education is determined by applicable state and federal law. Board members shall follow administratively-established procedures for claiming and substantiating all amounts for which payment or reimbursement is requested. Any Board member who incurs an expense for which authorization was not expressly confirmed in advance does so at his/her own risk that any subsequent request for payment or reimbursement may not be approved.

Expenses reimbursed under this policy, including mileage driven in a personal vehicle, registration fees, necessary lodging, and meals necessitated by out-of-District travel shall be reimbursed under the same terms, rates, and limits applicable to expense reimbursement of District employees who are not elected officials.

Board-Authorized Direct Payment or Reimbursement of Certain Expenses

Subject to applicable limitations on the type and amount of reimbursements as further established within the District’s specific expense reimbursement procedures, the Board authorizes the District to directly pay or reimburse a Board member for actual and necessary expenses that are incurred in relation to a Board member’s authorized participation in an orientation or continuing education activity, such as a seminar, conference, or similar event, or for a Board member’s authorized attendance at a meeting of an organization of Wisconsin school boards.

The District shall directly pay or reimburse the same expenses for persons who have been elected or appointed to the Board, but who have not yet taken office.

Board Member Compensation and Reimbursement that May Be Separately Approved by the Electors

Pursuant to state law, the electors of the District, at an annual or special District meeting, have the authority to vote or authorize any or all of the following forms of compensation and reimbursement for Board members:

1. Either annual salaries for Board members or an amount for each Board meeting the Board member actually attends.
2. The payment of actual and necessary expenses of a board member when traveling in the performance of duties, which may include activities other than those activities expressly covered by the Board-approved reimbursements, as identified above.
3. The reimbursement (whether full or partial) of a Board member for actual loss of earnings when duties performed as a Board member require the member to be absent from regular employment.

The electors may also modify or rescind any previous vote or authorization respecting such compensation or reimbursement. The list above reflects the scope of the discretionary authority of the electors and not a specific decision of the District’s electors.

The current structure and amounts of the compensation and reimbursement that have been approved by the electors may be documented for reference purposes in an exhibit to this policy. However, in the absence of such an exhibit, or in the event of any discrepancy, the actual decision(s) of the electors, as recorded in the proceedings of the applicable annual and/or special meeting(s), shall prevail.

BOARD MEMBER COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT
Policy 164
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 66.0137(5) [option to provide health, accident, and life insurance coverage to board members]
Section 120.07 [board member authority to refuse board member salary]
Section 120.10(3) [electors may establish board member salaries or per meeting payments]
Section 120.10(4) [electors may authorize reimbursement of actual travel expenses and actual lost earnings]
Section 120.13(16) [reimbursement of actual expenses incurred in connection with board member attendance at meetings of an organization of school boards]
Section 120.13(32) [reimbursement of actual expenses incurred in connection with orientation and continuing education activities]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 164 Sample Policy 1

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
4/22/91
March 1994
January 2002
May 2020

School Board Member Ethics
Policy #165
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Members of the Waunakee School District Board of Education, as student advocates, pledge to maintain the highest standards of ethical behavior as follows:

LAWS AND REGULATIONS: To honor all national, state, and local laws and regulations.

MUTUAL RESPECT: To encourage the open-minded exchange of ideas and opinions in a conscientious, courteous manner.

TRUST: To build relationships through open, direct communication as part of the educational team and as a leader responsible to the community.

CHARACTER: To model integrity in all matters and to be upright in the performance of their duties and responsibilities as board members.

RESPONSIBILITY: To be accountable for guiding the decision-making process that impacts on students, staff, school board and the community.

HONESTY CREDIBILITY, TRUTHFULNESS: To establish and maintain a high level of honesty, credibility, and truthfulness in all maters dealt with by the Board of Education.

Board of Education members should possess various qualities as representatives of the citizens of the Waunakee Community School District. Each member shall endeavor to work to uphold the following ideals:

1. To devote time, thought and study to the duties and responsibilities of a Board member so that effective and creditable service may be rendered.
2. To base personal decisions upon all available facts in each situation; to vote an honest conviction in every case, unswayed by partisan bias of any kind; thereafter, to abide by and uphold the final majority decision of the Board.
3. To remember at all times that the individual has no legal authority outside the meetings of the Board, and to conduct relationships with the school staff, local citizenry and all media of communication on the basis of this fact.
4. To resist every temptation and outside pressure to use the position of Board member for personal benefit or to benefit any other individual or agency apart from the total interest of the School District.
5. To recognize that it is an obligation of the Board to understand and evaluate the educational program of the schools as well as to plan for the business of school operation.

School Board Member Ethics
Policy #165
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

6. To bear in mind under all circumstances that the primary function of the Board is to establish the policies by which the schools are to be administered, but that the administration of the educational program and the conduct of school business shall be left to the employed superintendent and his/her professional and support staffs.
7. To welcome and encourage active cooperation by citizens, and community organizations with respect to establishing policy on school operations.

Cross Ref: 165.1, Board Member Conflicts of Interest

Adoption Date: May 1982
Revised: April 1991
March 1994
September 1994
March 2000
January 2002

Reviewed: May 2020

Board Member Conflict of Interest
Policy #165.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

Board of Education members of the Waunakee Community School District may not engage in any business or transaction on behalf of the Waunakee Community School District, or take any action on behalf of the Waunakee community School District, in which they have a financial interest, direct or indirect. Neither may they engage in an activity on behalf of the Waunakee Community School District which is incompatible with the proper discharge of their official duties or likely to impair their judgment in performing official duties.

Nothing in the policy shall be construed to prohibit Board members from obtaining campaign contributions that are permitted under law. Specifically:

1. Board members shall not engage in any personal or commercial activity which presents a conflict of interest or an appearance of a conflict of interest which would bring discredit upon the school district, its staff and/or its students.
2. Board members must publicly disclose the nature and extent of any of their own personal interest in any proposed contract or agreement that comes before the board and recuse oneself from participating and voting.
3. Board members must never use one’s position as a school board member to benefit either oneself, a family member or any other individual or entity in a manner inconsistent with the law or one’s sincere belief that one is acting in the best interest of the school district and all stakeholders.
4. Board members shall not use their position or office to obtain financial gain or anything of value for their own private benefit or their immediate family, or for an organization with which they are associated.
5. Board members may not disclose confidential information concerning the property, government, or affairs of the school district, nor use such information to advance their private interest, or the private interests of their immediate family unless proper legal authorization is given to do so.
6. Board members may not solicit or accept any gift whether in the form of a service, loan, item or promise, from any person, entity, firm, organization or corporation which, to the board members’ knowledge, is interested directly or indirectly in the business dealings of with the school district. Gifts, favors, or items of value that may influence board members in the discharge of their duties also may not be solicited or accepted.

Board Member Conflict of Interest
Policy #165.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

7. Board members shall not participate in any manner of voting or negotiations of salaries or benefits for employees, where the board member may directly or indirectly benefit.
8. Board members shall not to be employees of the district for any regular full or part time position. This prohibition does not include periodic or minimal unpaid service
9. Because of the potential for a conflict of interest, the Board should refrain from hiring the spouse or dependent of a Board member during the Board members’ term of service. Spouses or dependents of Board members serving on the Board as of 2019 may maintain their employment. Spouses or dependents already serving the district at the time of the election or appointment of a Board member may also maintain their employment.
10. Board members may serve as coaches of co-curricular activities, provided no other qualified individual is available. Board members serving in this capacity shall remove themselves from discussions and votes related to co-curricular activities that are directly related to activities in which they are serving as coach.
11. Neither a board members, nor their employer, entity or organization closely related to the financial interest of the board member shall bid on contracts for school supplies, materials, and services with the district during the Board member’s term in office, unless the Board member made a complete public disclosure in open session of the full Board, regarding their role in the employer, entity or organization prior to the district’s request for action on the proposal/bid. Said Board member shall recuse themselves of all matters related to any such proposal/bid.

Board members must comply with Wisconsin Statute, Section 19.59 (Code of Ethics for local government officials, employees, and candidates).

Board Member Conflict of Interest
Policy #165.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

Legal Ref.: Sections 19.41 946.10 Wis. Stats.
19.59 946.12
118.12 946.13

Adoption Date: 5/10/82
Revised: 04/22/91
March 1994
August 1994
November 1994
January 2002
November 2019

Reviewed: May 2020

PROCEDURES RELATING TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
165.1-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Procedures for Abstention Due to a Conflict of Interest or Potential Conflict of Interest

When a member of the Board of Education abstains from voting and otherwise participating in a matter due to an actual or potential conflict of interest or due to actual or potential personal bias in a matter, including situations in which a Board member concludes, regardless of any specific legal requirement, that he/she will voluntarily refrain from participating in any such matter (e.g., to avoid undermining public confidence in the Board’s actions, decisions, or judgment), these procedures will be followed:

1. If present at a meeting where the matter in question is going to be addressed, the Board member who will not be participating in the matter will declare their non-participation at the meeting(s) and should normally do so no later than just before the Board (or committee) begins to directly address the relevant item of business.
2. Non-participation means that the Board member will not (a) discuss or debate the matter; (b) make recommendations on the matter; (c) make motions or vote on the matter; or (d) otherwise use his/her public office to attempt to influence the decision of the Board (or committee) or the District’s course of action.
3. The Board strongly encourages any member who is not participating in a matter due to an actual or potential conflict interest or due to concerns with possible bias to temporarily leave the meeting room for the time period during which the Board (or committee) is addressing the matter in question.
4. The Board member’s non-participation (including his/her departure from the meeting room if applicable) shall be expressly identified and recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

If a Board member refuses to avoid participating in a matter notwithstanding the Board’s (or a committee’s) approval of a specific motion requesting abstention based on the Board’s (or committee’s) conclusion that abstention appears to be the legally-required course of action, the motion, vote, and the refusal to abstain shall be expressly identified and recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

PROCEDURES RELATING TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
165.1-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Procedures Intended to Facilitate the Identification, Assessment, and Potential Resolution of Conflicts of Interest or Potential Conflicts of Interest

Although each individual Board member is ultimately responsible for personally identifying and taking appropriate action with respect to his/her own conflicts of interest, in any situation in which it comes to the attention of the Board President or Superintendent that a possible conflict of interest may arise or has arisen under Board policy or applicable state law involving one or more Board members:

• The Board President (or the Vice President if the President is the member with the possible conflict of interest) may direct the Superintendent to seek, on behalf of the Board/District, a legal interpretation and/or advisory opinion from the District’s legal counsel, which, upon the advice of counsel, may further involve seeking an opinion from the Ethics Commission and/or the Office of the Attorney General.
• The Board, at a properly noticed meeting, may direct the Board President or Superintendent to seek, on behalf of the Board/District, a legal interpretation and/or advisory opinion from the District’s legal counsel, the Ethics Commission, and/or the Office of the Attorney General.

If the best available information indicates that a conflict of interest will exist for any Board member in a particular matter, the Board expects the individual Board member to take such action as is necessary to remedy or avoid the conflict (e.g., by abstaining from both debating and voting upon the issue(s)).

In the event a question has arisen after-the-fact as to the propriety, under Board policy or under applicable law, of a Board member’s prior participation in debate or voting (or the performance of some other official function) in any matter, the purpose of seeking advice from the District’s legal counsel may include (1) determining how to assess the outcome of voting in light of any abstention or failure to abstain, and (2) determining whether it is in the District’s best interest for the Board to, for example, consider rescission of any prior action, to take action on the matter in question a second time without the participation of one or more Board members, or to simply permit an original vote to stand.

Nothing in these procedures precludes an individual Board member from seeking advice or counsel on his/her own behalf regarding a matter which he/she is or may become a party, including by seeking advice from the Board member’s personal attorney or from the Ethics Commission, provided that in seeking such advice or counsel he/she does not improperly disclose any confidential District information, such as legally-protected student records or legal advice that is subject to any attorney-client privilege held by the District.

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 2020

WASB PRG 165.1 Sample Rule 1

REGULAR AND SPECIAL BOARD MEETINGS
Policy 170
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Regular School Board Meetings

A regular meeting of the Board of Education is any Board meeting that is scheduled (or rescheduled) by a formal action of the Board, including any vote that directs the holding of a Board meeting and any vote that adopts a policy or schedule that directs the holding of one or more Board meetings.

Except as otherwise determined or modified by the Board, and except that no regular meeting shall be deemed scheduled by this paragraph on a legal holiday on which the District’s administrative offices are also closed, the Board will hold regular meeting(s) at least once a month as follows: on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

Special School Board Meetings

A special Board meeting is a meeting initiated by an individual Board member as provided by state law and this paragraph. A special meeting shall be held upon the written request of any Board member. The request shall be filed with the Board Clerk or, in the Clerk's absence, the Board President. Such a request may be filed directly with such officer or at the Office of the Superintendent with a copy provided to such officer. The individual requesting the meeting is responsible for confirming that the request has been received as intended.

The Board officer receiving the written request, or his/her designee, shall ensure that every member of the Board receives written notice of the time and place of any special meeting at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. The written notice may be delivered personally to the Board member, delivered to the Board member’s usual residence, or mailed by 1st class mail to the Board member at his/her usual residence in time to arrive at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. However, the requirement of providing each Board member with advance, written notice of a special meeting does not apply and is deemed waived if each Board member consents to holding the special meeting by either:

1. Personally attending the special meeting and consenting; or
2. Providing written consent even though the Board member does not personally attend the special meeting.

REGULAR AND SPECIAL BOARD MEETINGS
Policy 170
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Provisions Applicable to All Board Meetings

All Board meetings shall be preceded by appropriate notice, in accordance with state law requirements and Board policy. To the extent consistent with applicable law, a majority of the Board’s members constitutes a minimum quorum at any regular or special school board meeting. In the absence of a lawful quorum, the Board may not take any official action other than to end the meeting (unless, in a very rare circumstance, a valid legal exception applies).

No duly elected or appointed member of the Board shall be excluded from any meeting of the Board.

The Board President, or, in the President’s absence, the Vice President, shall serve as the presiding officer of each Board meeting. Every Board meeting shall initially be convened in open session, although the Board may thereafter convene and hold a closed session to the extent permitted by law and consistent with applicable legal requirements.

The Board President and Clerk shall ensure that minutes of each Board meeting are recorded, approved, signed, and filed in the Board records. The proceedings of each Board meeting shall be published or posted per the requirements of section 120.11(4) of the state statutes, within 45 days after the meeting.

The Board, with the assistance of the District business office, shall ensure that a detailed record of applicable receipts and expenditures is available for public inspection at Board meetings to the extent required by law.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.81(2) [public access to meetings]
Section 19.83 [governmental meetings; periods of public comment]
Section 19.84 [public notice of board meetings and scheduling of public comment periods]
Section 19.85 [closed session exceptions to meeting in open session; closed session procedures]
Section 19.89 [exclusion of members of a governmental body]
Section 120.11(1) [regular board meetings and definition of quorum for meetings in common and union high school districts]
Section 120.11(2) [special board meetings in common and union high school districts; includes board member notification requirements for special meetings]
Section 120.11(4) [proceedings of school board meetings; financial records]
Section 985.01 [definitions of “proceedings” and “substance” of official action]
Section 990.001(8m) [general statutory construction of a quorum of a public body]
Section 995.20 [legal holidays]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 170 Sample Policy 1

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 2020

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF BOARD MEETINGS AND MEETINGS OF OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODIES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Policy 171.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Consistent with the requirements of the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law, notice of meetings shall normally be given as follows for all regular and special meetings of the Board of Education, any subunit of the Board, and, unless otherwise specified by an official action of the Board, the other governmental bodies of the District that are subject to the Open Meetings Law:

1. As expressly required by any statute that is applicable to the specific body or specific meeting (e.g., the Board member notice requirements applicable to special meetings of the Board of Education); and

2. By communication from the chief presiding officer of the governmental body or such person’s designee:

   a. To the Editor of the Waunakee Tribune and to any other news media who have filed a written request to receive such meeting notices;

   b. To the public by means of physical posting at (1) the WCSD Administration and Maintenance Center Office; and (2) each WCSD school building; and

   c. Via supplemental notice as follows:

   (1) Posting via a publicly-accessible page or link on the District’s official website, located at www.waunakee.k12.wi.us;

   (2) By posting on at least one of the District’s social media accounts;

   (3) By providing notice to the clerk or other designee of each municipality that is represented within the District’s boundaries.

3. Timing of Meeting Notices: As a local, preferred standard, public notice of the meetings of the District governmental bodies covered by this policy (including the meetings of the Board of Education) shall normally be given at least 48 hours prior to the start of such meetings. However, the following exceptions may be made:

   a. The presiding officer of a District governmental body may, upon a determination that doing so is in the best interests of the District, permit the issuance of a meeting notice, or the issuance of a substantively-amended notice, less than 48 hours but at least 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

   b. If the presiding officer of a District governmental body determines that, for good cause, giving at least 24 hours notice prior to the start of a meeting of the body was impossible or impractical, shorter notice may be given, but never less than 2 hours in advance of the start of the meeting. The same standard shall apply to any substantive amendments to the notice of a meeting that are proposed to be posted/issued less than 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF BOARD MEETINGS AND MEETINGS OF OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODIES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Policy 171.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Whenever notice of a meeting is given less than 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting, the presiding officer of the meeting shall make a public statement at the start of the meeting explaining the need for an exception to the normal timing of the meeting notice.

Whenever less than 24 hours notice of a meeting is given, each member of the relevant governmental body may have an independent duty under the Open Meetings Law to assess the validity of the justification for exception to the normal timing of the meeting notice.

Through this policy, the Board is directing the provision of notice of meetings of District governmental bodies that normally will exceed the minimum requirements of the Open Meetings Law. However, provided that the notice for any meeting is sufficient to satisfy the Open Meetings law and any other specific statutory mandates that apply to the meeting, any lack of further supplemental notice for such meeting shall not prevent the meeting from taking place. In addition, to the extent consistent with the Open Meetings Law, nothing in this policy shall be construed to affect the authority of a District governmental body to (1) convene a lawful, non-contemplated closed session in connection with an otherwise-noticed subject matter; or (2) permit the meeting of a formal subunit of the body in accordance with section 19.84(6) of the state statutes.

This policy does not apply to the annual meetings of the electors of the District, to any special meeting of the District’s electors, or to the meetings or gatherings of any groups of persons to which the notice requirements of the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law do not apply.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.84 [public notice of board meetings, contemplated closed sessions, and public comment periods]
Section 19.85 [closed sessions and limitations on reconvening in open session]
Chapter 985 [legal notices and official newspapers]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 171.1 Sample Policy 1 (with substantial local modification)

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
4/22/91
March 1994
January 2002
February 2019
May 2020

Board Agenda Preparation & Dissemination
Policy #171.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The superintendent shall prepare the agendas for Board of Education meetings. In doing so, the Superintendent shall consult with the Board President.

Requests for additional agenda items from Board members to the Board President shall not be denied but for good cause shown. Any denial of additional agenda items shall be subject to review by vote of the full Board, with a vote of no less than 3 Board members necessary to mandate inclusion on the agenda. Requests for additional agenda items shall be made no later than one week prior to said meeting.

Agenda items may be suggested by any administrator, staff member, student, or citizen of the District. The inclusion of these items shall be at the discretion of the superintendent based upon time restrictions and the interests of the District.

The Board shall follow the order of business set up by the agenda unless altered by Board action. The Board shall not discuss or act upon any item of business not included on the noticed agenda.

The agenda, together with supporting materials, shall be distributed to Board members at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled regular board meeting. Members should carefully review the materials to expedite the Board’s business at the meeting. The agenda shall also be made available to the public through the district website, and shall be made available to any member of the public directly upon request.

Legal Ref.: §§19.84 -.84 Wisconsin Stats.

Cross Ref.: 171.1, Notification of Board Meetings
187, Public Participation at Board Meetings

Adoption Date: 5/19/82
Revised: 4/22/91
March 1994
February 2002
February 2019

Reviewed: May 2020

Board Organizational Meeting
Policy #174
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The annual organizational meeting of the Waunakee Community School Board shall be the first special or regular meeting held on or after the 4th Monday in April.

The order of business shall be as follows:

1. Call to order by the Clerk
2. Election of Board officers
3. Designation of official depositories (banks)
4. Designation of official newspapers
5. Designation of Board meeting times and dates
6. Other business (regular Board business appearing on the agenda)
7. Adjournment

Legal Ref.: Sections 19.83 et. Seg. Wisconsin Statutes
120.05 (1)

Adoption Date: 5/10/82
Revised: March 1994

Reviewed: May 2020

ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT ELECTORS
Policy 175
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The District holds an annual meeting of the electors pursuant to the requirements of state law. Special meetings of the electors may be called upon a motion of the Board of Education or upon the filing of a signed and otherwise sufficient petition. State law, rather than any Board policy, exclusively governs the notice requirements for annual and special meetings of the District’s electors.

Any annual meeting or special meeting of the District’s electors has only those powers as are expressly specified in state law.

In order to facilitate the identification of meeting participants and resolve potential challenges to a person’s eligibility to participate in the meeting as an elector in any annual or special school district meeting, individuals who attend such a meeting shall register (i.e., sign in) as the enter the meeting room, identifying their name and indicating whether they are a resident elector of the District or a non-resident.

The annual public hearing on the District budget shall be held at the time and place of the annual meeting. An annual fiscal report shall be presented at the annual meeting and entered in the District’s official records.

Pursuant to state law, the Board Clerk acts as the clerk of and records the proceedings of each annual and special meeting. If the Board Clerk is absent, the annual or special meeting elects a person to perform these functions.

At each annual meeting, the electors may set the date and time of one or more subsequent annual meetings, or the electors may authorize the Board to determine the date and time of the meeting(s). However, if no other date and time is otherwise established, state law determines the date and time of the annual meeting.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 6.02 [qualifications of electors]
Section 6.03 [disqualification of electors]
Section 6.10 [elector residence]
Section 65.90(4) [budget hearing held at time and place of annual meeting]
Section 120.08 [annual and special school district meetings generally]
Section 120.09 [consideration of a special subject; petition process and clerk duties]
Section 120.10 [partial list of the powers of annual and special meetings]
Section 120.11(3) [written fiscal report to be annually prepared and presented at the annual meeting]
Section 120.16(4) [board treasurer to present to the annual meeting a written statement of funds received and disbursed]
Section 120.17(2) [board clerk to act as clerk of and record the proceedings of annual and special meetings]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 175 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date:
May 2020

Rules of Order
Policy #181
Waunakee Community School District 

In the absence of any specific legal requirement or any local rule of order or procedure that has been established by the Board, the Board directs the presiding officer to rely on Robert's Rules of Order (including the procedures and procedural flexibility that Robert’s Rules allows for small boards) to conduct Board meetings, and the presiding officer and Board will refer to Robert’s Rules or their understanding thereof to resolve procedural inquiries, points of order, objections, and appeals during Board meetings. However, any misapplication of or failure to precisely follow Robert's Rules or any other local discretionary procedural rule(s) shall not, standing alone, be construed to render any decision made by the Board void, voidable, or otherwise invalid. Such rules are intended for the benefit of the Board and its members, and individual members are expected to raise procedural inquiries, points of order, objections, and appeals at meetings on a timely basis.

Cross Ref.: 182, Quorum
183, Voting Method
187, Public Participation at Board Meetings

Adoption Date: 5/10/82
Revised: March 1914
January 2002
May 2020

BASIC PROCEDURES FOR BOARD MEETINGS
181-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District 

1. The presiding officer can ascertain unanimous consent by verbally asking whether any individual Board member who is participating in the meeting has an objection to a proposed action. If any Board member expresses an objection to the proposed action, the proposed action may be stated as a motion and voted upon.
2. A motion stated by one Board member may (but is not required to) be seconded by any other Board member. After a motion has been made and seconded, no individual board member (including the Board member who made the motion) may unilaterally withdraw or unilaterally amend the motion. Instead, any amendment to or withdrawal of the motion requires a majority vote or a showing of unanimous consent.
3. If any motion has been made but not seconded, any Board member may “call for a second” any time prior to a vote being taken. If a pending motion is not seconded after such a “call for a second” has been made, then the minutes of the meeting shall reflect that the motion failed for lack of a second, and the presiding officer shall continue the meeting without further discussion over and without conducting a vote on that failed motion.
4. After a main motion has been made, and particularly after a main motion has received a second, a Board member may use procedures such as a motion to amend, a motion to postpone, or a motion to withdraw if the Board member has a desire to potentially avoid reaching a direct vote on the main motion as it was originally stated.
5. Items of Board business consolidated in a consent agenda will be acted upon under a single motion. However, before initiating any vote on a consent agenda, the presiding officer shall ask whether any individual Board member desires clarification on any item, and whether any individual Board member wishes to remove any item from the consent agenda for separate consideration. After all clarifications have been provided and all requested separations have been made, the presiding officer will call for a second on a motion to approve all of the items of business consolidated under the consent agenda, as it has been amended by any separations. If the motion to approve the consolidated items is seconded, the Board will then vote on the consent agenda. All individual items of business that were removed from the consent agenda will then be considered separately.
6. Except for parliamentary motions that are considered non-debatable (e.g., a motion to adjourn), the Board will conduct orderly debate on proposed action prior to voting. If a Board member wishes to immediately close or set a specific time limit on debate on a pending motion or the pending item of business and, thereafter, cause the Board to move to a vote on the pending motion or item of business, the Board member’s non-debatable motion to close or limit debate requires approval by a 2/3 vote of the Board members who are present at the meeting.
7. After the Board has taken a vote on an item of business at any meeting and if, at the same meeting there is a desire to reconsider the earlier decision (whether it passed or failed), the proper motion to make is a motion to reconsider. A motion to reconsider may only be made by a Board member who voted on the prevailing side of the original vote. Robert’s Rules provide further guidance regarding the form and procedures for motions to reconsider.

BASIC PROCEDURES FOR BOARD MEETINGS
181-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District

8. If the Board took action at a previous meeting and there is a desire to void such prior action and to potentially revisit the issue, then, provided that the prior action was of a type that can legally be rescinded, the proper procedure is to (1) include the subject matter in question on the agenda and notice of a future Board meeting, and (2) at such future meeting, any Board member may make a motion to rescind the Board’s prior action. Robert’s Rules further define the form and procedures for a motion to rescind prior action. There is generally no need to rescind a previous motion that failed, because a failed motion results in no action having been taken.

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May, 2020

WASB PRG 181 Sample Rule 1

VOTING AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
Policy 183
Waunakee Community School District 

Voting at meetings of the Board of Education will normally be by voice vote or by a show of hands. To the extent permitted by law, the Board may also take official action by a showing of unanimous consent that is sufficiently documented in the meeting minutes.

A roll call vote or other method of voting that clearly ascertains and results in the recording of the individual vote of each Board member shall be used (1) upon the request of any member of the Board, except when the Board is using secret ballots to elect officers, and (2) whenever required by law, including on all votes to convene in a closed session. When a roll call vote is conducted, the order of voting shall be alphabetical by last name, except that the Board President shall vote last.

The use of secret ballots is expressly prohibited by state law except for the Board’s election of its own officers. Further, a Board member who is not personally participating in a meeting may not cast a vote by proxy (i.e., having a person who is present at the meeting cast the vote of the absent Board member) or by any absentee ballot.

Except where a statute of Board policy requires any proposed official action to be supported by other than a standard majority vote, a majority vote of a lawfully-assembled quorum is sufficient to take official action. That is, the requirements for taking action by a standard majority vote (when applicable) are satisfied when the number of votes actually cast constitutes at least a quorum of the Board and a majority (or more) of the votes cast are in favor of the proposition. If, due to abstentions or disqualifications from voting, the number of actual votes cast is less than a quorum, the outcome of the vote shall be as determined under state law. Examples of situations where state law expressly requires approval of an action by other than a standard majority vote include the following: (1) a majority vote of the full membership of the Board is required to employ or dismiss most licensed/certified employees of the District who hold individual employment contracts, and (2) a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the Board is generally required to change certain appropriations stated in the District's previously-adopted annual operating budget.

All Board members, including the presiding officer, are expected to vote on all issues before the Board except on matters involving actual or potential conflicts of interest or where a Board member has some other valid reason to abstain from voting. When a Board member abstains from voting at a meeting, the abstention shall be recorded in the Board meeting minutes.

A Board member abstaining due to an actual or potential conflict of interest or due to possible bias in a matter shall neither vote nor participate in the Board’s discussion or deliberations on the matter. The Board strongly encourages a Board member who is abstaining from voting due to an actual or potential conflict of interest or due to concerns with possible personal bias to physically leave the meeting room during all consideration of the matter to further document his/her nonparticipation

No action of the Board shall be deemed void, voidable, or otherwise improper solely due to a failure to adhere to discretionary voting procedures set forth or incorporated within Board policy.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.88 [ballots and voting]
Section 118.22(2) [majority vote of the full membership of the school board required to employ or dismiss a full-time teacher]
Section 118.24(6) [majority vote of the full membership of the school board required to employ or dismiss a full-time teacher]
Section 65.90(5)(a) [vote of 2/3 of the entire membership of the board required to amend a previously-adopted tax levy or budget]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 183 Sample Policy 2

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 1982
March 1994
April 2001
August 2001
January 2002
May 2020

MINUTES OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
Policy 184
Waunakee Community School District 

The Board Clerk shall cause a complete and accurate set of minutes to be recorded for each regular and special meeting of the Board of Education, including closed sessions. The minutes shall constitute an official record of each Board meeting. At a minimum, the minutes shall:

1. Clearly identify the date, time, and location of the meeting and the Board members who were in attendance at the meeting;
2. Create a record of all official actions of the Board, including but not limited to actions approved by unanimous consent and a sufficient detailing of the official actions approved by a single motion under any consent agenda;
3. Record all motions made at the meeting, identify the Board member making and seconding each motion (if any), and provide a sufficient record of the votes and any voting abstentions on each motion; and
4. Record the presiding officer’s announcement that precedes each vote to convene in closed session.

The minutes shall not present the recorder’s personal value judgments or opinions. Except to the extent necessary to create an adequate record of a quasi-judicial or due process hearing (e.g., recording the minutes of an expulsion hearing), or as part of documenting violations of decorum and any sanctions, or as otherwise directed by the Board, the minutes of a Board meeting shall not attempt to include a transcript or a summary of speaker comments or of the Board’s discussion.

Copies of proposed meeting minutes shall be made available to all Board members prior to the Board meeting at which the minutes are to be approved. By making a motion to amend the minutes, Board members may propose corrections to the minutes for purposes of clarity and/or accuracy. Proposed minutes and any proposed amendments thereto shall be approved by the Board through a formal motion or by unanimous consent.

Once approved, an official copy of the approved minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the Board Clerk and entered into the official record of Board proceedings, along with official copies of related orders, resolutions, and any other proceedings from the meeting.

Copies of the minutes of all open session meetings shall be posted on the District’s website. With such exceptions as are permitted by the Public Records Law (e.g., in certain cases, closed session minutes or specific portions thereof), the minutes of Board meetings shall otherwise be open to public inspection.

The proceedings of each Board meeting shall be published or publicized, per the requirements of state statutes, within 45 days after the meeting.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.21(6) [retention of public records; generally]
Section 19.35(1) [right to record inspection and authority to potentially deny access to closed session meeting records under specified conditions]
Section 19.85 [closed session meetings]
Section 19.88 [taking and recording motions and votes; public inspection]
Section 120.11(1) [duty of clerk to record minutes of regular and special meetings]
Section 120.11(4) [dissemination of the proceedings of board meetings]
Section 120.15(5) [duty of president to see that minutes of meetings are properly recorded, approved, and signed]
Section 120.17(3) [duty of clerk to enter minutes, orders, resolutions, and other proceedings into the board’s official records]
Section 985.01 [definitions of “proceedings” and “substance” of official action]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 184 Sample Policy 1

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
March 1994
January 2002
May 2020

STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
Policy 185
Waunakee Community School District 

The Board of Education believes committees can be useful in the decision-making process. By using a Board committee structure, the Board is able to conduct its business in an efficient and effective manner and study issues facing the District more in depth. The committee structure is designed to assist the Board in the conducting of Board business.

The Board shall have at least the following standing committees, which shall be subunits of the Board, and each committee shall consist of 3 Board members unless otherwise indicated:

1. Goals/Objectives
2. Budget
3. Policy
4. Curriculum
5. Co-Curricular
6. Human Resources
7. Facilities

Standing committees shall perform functions and duties as determined by the Board. Unless the Board gives contrary direction, committees may also take up issues within the general scope of their charge on their own initiative or upon referral by the Superintendent or his/her administrative-level designee. The Board’s standing committees shall generally be deliberative and advisory in nature. Therefore, unless acting with authority that has been expressly and unambiguously delegated to the committee by a Board decision, committees shall have no power to take official action in place of the Board or to otherwise commit the Board or District to any specific course of action or expenditure of funds.

In the event of any uncertainty surrounding a committee’s scope of responsibility, and to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, the Board retains discretion to make final determinations as to the most appropriate committee, if any, to address specific issues.

The quorum of each standing committee shall be defined as a majority of the full membership of the committee. The members of each standing committee shall be appointed by the Board President. The appointments shall normally occur within 30 days of the annual election of Board officers. The Board members appointed to the various committees shall serve until the next annual appointments are made, assuming no vacancies occur and assuming no intervening action by the Board to modify committee structures or committee membership.

In the event of a vacancy on the Board, and in the absence of any Board action to the contrary, the person appointed to fill the Board vacancy (if any) shall also assume the committee appointments formerly held by the Board member whose absence created the vacancy.

Subject to any more specific directive of the Board, the Superintendent shall either personally serve as or designate another staff member to serve as an administrative liaison to each standing committee. Such liaison shall normally attend the committee’s meetings.

A chairperson for each standing committee will normally be expressly designated in the committee appointment process. However, if no chairperson is designated, the committee shall select its own chairperson. Committees shall select an alternate chairperson to preside in the absence of the chairperson.

Except to the extent that the Board takes official action establishing a contrary rule or directive, any Board member may attend and participate in the discussion that occurs at any meeting of a standing committee. However, only the appointed members of the committee will have the authority to make motions and vote at the committee’s meetings.

Notice of Board committee meetings shall be issued in accordance with state law and any applicable Board policy. When appropriate, such notice shall include a statement to reflect that a quorum of the Board may be present at the committee meeting, that such committee meeting may, therefore, also constitute a meeting of the Board for purposes of the Open Meetings Law, but that the Board will take no action as a governmental body at such committee meeting.

A committee formed for or meeting for the purpose of collective bargaining is not a governmental body under the Open Meetings Law, and this policy is not intended to separately apply any provisions of the Open Meetings Law to such a committee.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.82 [definitions under the open meetings law]
Section 19.83 [public meetings]
Section 19.84 [public notice of meetings; limited exceptions for certain meetings of subunits]
Section 19.85 [exemptions to open meetings]
Section 19.89 [exclusion of board members from meetings]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 185 Sample Policy 1

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
4/22/1991
March 1994
February 2019
May 2020

RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
185-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District 

Except as otherwise expressly specified by the Board of Education with respect to a specific committee, the appointed chairperson of a standing or ad hoc committee that has been created by the Board (or the alternate chairperson in the chairperson’s absence) shall:

1. With notice to other committee members, schedule any committee meetings that are in addition to those that are scheduled by a decision of the committee itself;
2. Plan meeting agendas with assistance from the committee’s administrative liaison and input from the committee itself;
3. Ensure that committee meetings are sufficiently noticed in compliance with the Open Meetings Law;
4. Act as the presiding officer of the committee’s meetings;
5. Ensure that the minutes of each committee meeting are taken, approved, and filed;
6. Ensure that the official records of the committee are appropriately transferred to the District Office for retention or are otherwise being appropriately retained by an authorized agent (e.g., District legal counsel, if applicable); and
7. On behalf of the committee, request that certain subjects be included on a Board meeting agenda in order for the committee to present reports and/or make specific recommendations to the Board. Such requests shall be processed according to established procedures for determining meeting agendas.

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 2020

WASB PRG 185 Sample Rule 1

AD HOC COMMITTEES CREATED BY THE BOARD
Policy 186
Waunakee Community School District 

At its discretion, the Board of Education may establish ad hoc committees to perform a specific function determined by the Board. An ad hoc committee under this policy shall have a defined membership and may include, exclude, or consist entirely of individuals who are not Board members. This policy is not intended to apply to groups with effectively unlimited participation, loosely constituted groups having a fluid and undefined membership, or to work teams or similar groups created or called together at the discretion of the administration as part of the day-to-day work of the operation of the District.

Ad hoc committees created by the Board shall generally be deliberative and advisory in nature. Therefore, unless acting with authority that has been expressly and unambiguously delegated to the committee by applicable law or by the Board, ad hoc committees shall have no power to take official action in place of the Board or to otherwise commit the Board or District to any specific course of action or expenditure of funds.

Members of an ad hoc committee will be appointed by the Board by a standard majority vote, except where a different process is expressly established by law, by Board policy, or by a Board decision at the time the Board creates the committee. Prior to making appointments, the Board may request nominees from one or more sources. The Board retains discretion to add, remove, or change appointees to any ad hoc committee at any time. The Board similarly retains discretion to either fill or not fill any vacancy on an ad hoc committee. Unless expressly appointed to a date-bound term of office that expires prior to the committee being dissolved, appointees to an ad hoc committee will normally serve until the committee is dissolved.

An ad hoc committee is dissolved upon the earlier of (1) reaching any dissolution date established by the Board; (2) the completion of the committee’s assigned task(s) and the delivery of any final report or recommendation to the Board; or (3) any decision of the Board that otherwise dissolves the committee.

A quorum of an ad hoc committee shall consist of a majority of the appointed members of the committee. In the event a meeting is called but no quorum is reached, those members who are in attendance may gather information about and discuss matters related to the intended subject(s) of the meeting, but no motions shall be made and no votes or other official action shall be taken.

A chairperson and alternate chairperson for each ad hoc committee will normally be expressly designated in the committee appointment process. However, if no chairperson and/or alternate has been designated, the committee shall select its own chairperson and/or alternate at its first meeting. Except as otherwise specified by the Board in connection with a specific committee, the chairperson of an ad hoc committee shall have the same duties and responsibilities as the chairperson of a Board standing committee.

Subject to any more specific directive of the Board, the Superintendent shall either personally serve as or designate another staff member to serve as an administrative liaison to each ad hoc committee. Such liaison shall normally attend the committee’s meetings.

The ad hoc committee itself may schedule its meetings, and the chairperson may also call a meeting of the committee with notice to the other committee members.

Notice of ad hoc committee meetings shall be issued in accordance with state law requirements and any applicable Board policy. When appropriate, such notice shall include a statement to reflect that a quorum of the Board may be present at the committee meeting, that such committee meeting may, therefore, also constitute a meeting of the Board for purposes of the Open Meetings Law, but that the Board will take no action as a governmental body at such committee meeting.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.83 [public meetings]
Section 19.84 [public notice of meetings]
Section 19.85 [exemptions to open meetings]
Section 19.89 [exclusion of board members from meetings]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 186 Sample Policy 2

Adoption/Revision Dates:
5/10/82
4/22/91
March 1994
February 2019
May 2020

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS DURING BOARD MEETINGS
Policy 187
Waunakee Community School District 

While the public has the right to attend meetings of the Board of Education that have not been convened in a closed session, individuals or groups generally do not have a right to be included on a Board meeting agenda or a right to enter into the discussions or deliberations of the Board. However, without affecting the Board’s discretion to authorize other forms of input or participation during Board meetings from persons who are not Board members, the Board expressly authorizes and directs limited public participation during duly-noticed public comment periods as follows:

1. The Superintendent and Board President shall ensure that the agenda and public notice of the Board’s primary regular business meeting each month includes a period for public comment. During a public comment period noticed under this paragraph, interested persons may briefly address the Board on topics that are reasonably germane to some aspect of the District’s policies, practices, programs, or operations, regardless of whether the speaker’s topic is otherwise noticed as a specific subject matter of the meeting in question.
2. Subject to any more specific decision or directive of the Board, the Board President has discretion to include a period of public comment on the agenda and public notice of additional Board meetings. In exercising such discretion, the President may specify on the public notice of the meeting that speaker comments during the public comment period will be limited to topics that are sufficiently germane to the noticed subject matter of the meeting.

When a public comment period is expressly included on the public notice of a Board meeting and there is sufficient interest in addressing the Board, the period shall either include at least 10 individual speakers or extend for 30 actual minutes, whichever limitation permits the greater total number of speakers. However, the Board may extend the total duration of a noticed public comment period at any meeting by a majority vote.

The Superintendent, or his/her designee, will implement a viewpoint-neutral speaker registration process that establishes an order for speaking in the event that the interest in appearing before the Board at any meeting may exceed the time that is allocated for the public comment period. Each speaker, upon being recognized by the presiding officer, will state his/her name and identify his/her connection to the District (if any) and to any group they are representing in connection with their remarks.

Each speaker’s presentation is normally limited to a maximum of 3 minutes. However, at a meeting the Board may vote to reduce the time limit to no shorter than 2 minutes per speaker in order to accommodate a greater total number of speakers. In addition, at the Board’s discretion, a speaker’s time may be briefly extended provided that, upon request, a similar extension shall be granted to other speakers at the same meeting. Any individual may speak only once during the public comment period at any meeting.

Speakers generally should not expect an immediate response or reaction to their comments from the Board. Further:

1. If, at applicable meetings, a speaker raises a topic during a public comment period that was not among the publicly-noticed subject matter of the meeting, the extent of any response to the speaker and his/her remarks shall be limited in accordance with applicable law.
2. During a public comment period, Board members will not engage in a substantive discussion of or otherwise attempt to materially investigate or reach a Board resolution of either (a) complaints or grievances regarding the conduct of individual staff members or individual students; or (b) attempts to appeal staff or administrative decisions relating to individual District employees or students. A public comment period during a Board meeting is not the preferred or established means of processing such issues or bringing such matters to the Board’s attention.
3. If time or other limitations preclude an interested person from addressing the Board at a specific meeting, the person may submit written information to the Board and/or attempt to utilize a public comment period at a future meeting.

Subject to an appeal to the Board that is made by a Board member, the presiding officer of the Board meeting shall have the authority to conduct and maintain proper order in connection with any authorized public comment period, including the authority to (1) recognize speakers; (2) enforce established time limits; (3) interject and request that speakers voluntarily redirect specific complaints, grievances, or attempted appeals to more appropriate District procedures; and (4) terminate the remarks of any individual who does not adhere to established rules and procedures for public participation, who speaks in a threatening or profane manner, whose comments are repetitive of that person’s previous comments, or whose conduct is disruptive and impedes the Board’s ability to conduct its business in an orderly and timely fashion.

Individuals who are permitted to address the Board during a meeting are responsible for the content of their comments. The forum represented by a public comment period does not exempt a speaker from any liability arising from his/her comments (e.g., for defamation or for any breach of legally-protected confidentiality).

This policy and any rules and/or procedures that may be adopted related to the administration of public comment periods under this policy are not intended to apply to the following:

1. A meeting or any portion of a meeting that constitutes a formal public hearing on a particular topic or issue.
2. Instances where the Board seeks or agrees, by majority vote, to accept input that is relevant to a noticed agenda item from a person who is not a Board member in order to (for example) resolve a formal or informal point of information that arises during the Board’s discussion of an agenda item.
3. Meetings of any standing or ad hoc committee that may be established by the Board.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.81 [state policy on open meetings]
Section 19.83(2) [discussion during period of public comment]
Section 19.84(2) [public notice of board meetings, including public comment period]
Section 19.85 [exemptions to open meetings]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 187 Sample Policy 4 (with substantial local adaptation)

Adoption/Revision Date(s):
October 1989
March 1994
September 1994
January 2000
February 2002
May 2020
January 2022

SPEAKER REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
187-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District

The speaker registration process that is implemented by the Superintendent to assist with the implementation of public comment periods at meetings of the Board of Education shall, at a minimum, require each person who is interested in addressing the Board to complete a “Registration to Speak” form prior to the beginning of the public comment period. Such forms shall be provided to the Board President to assist in recognizing speakers, and the forms shall include at least the following information:

1. The individual’s name.
2. The individual’s connection to the District (if any), such as a resident of the District, a payer of District property taxes, a parent/guardian of one or more students, a District employee, a District student, etc.
3. The topic(s) the person intends to address in his/her comments, which at certain meetings may need to be confined to comments that are relevant to a noticed agenda item.
4. To the extent applicable, whether the individual wishes to speak in opposition to, in favor of, or “for information only” on the identified topic(s).

Adoption/Revision Dates:
May 2020

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION DURING BOARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Policy 187.1
Waunakee Community School District 

Subject to any more specific direction that may be issued by the Board of Education with respect to any particular committee or committee meeting, a standing or ad hoc committee established by the Board may choose to include or exclude, and appropriately limit, periods of public comment at the meetings of the committee. At a minimum, any such public comment periods shall be restricted to subject matter that is reasonably within the domain of the committee’s charge, and the Board strongly encourages committees to expressly limit the scope of any such public comment periods to comments that are reasonably germane to the noticed subject matter of the particular meeting. Periods of public comment at committee meetings shall be publicly noticed to the extent required by law.

Subject to an appeal to the committee that is made by a committee member, the presiding officer of the committee meeting shall have the authority to conduct and maintain proper order in connection with any authorized public comment period, including the authority to (1) recognize speakers; (2) enforce established time limits; (3) interject and request that speakers voluntarily redirect specific complaints, grievances, or attempted appeals to more appropriate District procedures; and (4) terminate the remarks of any individual who does not adhere to established rules and procedures for public participation, who speaks in a threatening or profane manner, whose comments are repetitive of that person’s previous comments, or whose conduct is disruptive and impedes the committee’s ability to conduct its business in an orderly and timely fashion.

By majority vote during a committee meeting, a committee may also solicit or agree to accept input that is relevant to a noticed agenda item from a person who is not a committee member in order to (for example) resolve a formal or informal point of information that arises during the committee’s discussion of the agenda item. Such discretion shall be exercised in a lawful manner.

The Board or, unless otherwise directed by the Board, the committee itself may also schedule a duly-noticed public hearing to occur at a meeting of the committee on a particular issue or topic.

Members of the public who are permitted to address a committee during a meeting are responsible for the content of their comments. Such speakers are not exempt from any liability arising from their comments (e.g., for defamation or for the breach of legally-protected confidentiality).

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.81 [state policy on open meetings]
Section 19.83(2) [discussion during period of public comment]
Section 19.84(2) [public notice of board meetings, including public comment period]
Section 19.85 [exemptions to open meetings]

Cross References:
[Insert appropriate cross references to the policy as applicable to your district.]

Adoption/Revision Dates:
January 200
January 2002
May 2020

BROADCASTING OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
Policy 189
Waunakee Community School District 

The Waunakee Community School District Board of Education encourages all students, parents, staff and district residents to be well informed about school district business. Therefore, the School Board shall broadcast the following Board meetings: Regular Board Meetings, Special Board Meetings, Public Hearings, and, Public Listening Sessions. Board committee meetings may be taped and broadcast upon the vote of a majority of the committee. Executive sessions of the Board will not be videotaped or otherwise recorded for purposes of public dissemination under this policy. The taping and broadcasting of meetings will be subject to the guidelines and conditions outlined below.

1. The taping and broadcasting of meetings should not interfere with the ability of the Board to conduct the regular business of the school district. Therefore, the Board president shall exercise his/her authority to control the length of comments and the number of times an individual can speak on an agenda item to avoid any attempts to monopolize time on camera or discuss business not on the agenda.
2. Due to the possibility of individuals making comments that could be defamatory all individuals wishing to speak at a regular or special board meeting or recorded committee meeting shall complete a “Request to Speak” form which contains a statement that the Board is not responsible for their comments and that as such any slanderous or defamatory statements are their sole responsibility and that the district, with the advice of its attorney and its record’s custodian, may edit the tape to remove the comments before broadcasting the meeting. The Board president will make a statement at the beginning of public hearings and listening sessions to the same effect, as it would be impractical to have all those present complete a request form. The Board President or meeting chair shall make a public statement at the outset of all recorded meetings that it is being recorded and livestreamed.
3. Each taped board meeting will be posted indefinitely on the school district’s YouTube channel and Facebook account. District staff shall endeavor to livestream all meetings through an online video service, such as YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook Live, and to post visible links to said livestreams in advance on the district’s webpage and social media accounts upon the posting of public notice of all recorded public meetings.
4. The broadcasts of Board meetings shall be of sufficient video and audio quality so viewers can easily hear the comments and be able to identify who is making the comments. In the event that meetings are not held in a location with sufficient access to quality audio/video equipment, all aforementioned requirements in this policy shall be deemed suspended due to limitation of the location except that the Board, at its sole discretion may vote to adjourn the meeting. Further, technical or other unforeseen difficulties associated with recording or transmitting video and/or audio as intended under this policy shall not prevent a meeting from continuing unless the Board votes to adjourn the meeting at its sole discretion.
5. Given the omnipresence of personal recording devices through mobile devices, nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to prevent any member of the public, the press, or any Board member from recording and distributing any personal recording of any district meeting that is held in public (open) session. Closed sessions of the Board shall not be recorded or distributed by any individual, unless expressly authorized or directed by the Board (e.g., for purposes of recording a due process hearing to serve as or facilitate the production of minutes of the hearing.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.81 [state policy on open meetings]
Section 19.85 [exemptions to open meetings]
Section 19.90 [use of recording and photography equipment in open session]

Cross References:

Adoption Date:
August 2001
January 2002
February 2019
May 2020

ADMINISTRATION GOALS
Policy 210
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Proper administration of the Waunakee Community Schools is most vital to a successful educational program. The general purpose of the District’s administration shall be to coordinate and supervise, under the policies of the Board of Education, the creation and operation of an environment in which students work and learn most effectively. Administrative duties and functions should be appraised in terms of the contributions made to improving instruction and learning and in accordance with Board adopted job descriptions.

The Board shall rely on its chief executive officer, the superintendent, to provide at the District level the professional administrative leadership demanded by such a far-reaching goal.

The District’s administrative organization shall be designed so that all divisions and departments of the central office and all schools are part of a single system guided by Board policies which are implemented through the superintendent. Principals are all expected to administer their units in accordance with Board policy and the superintendent’s rules and procedures.

The superintendent and each administrator shall have the authority and responsibility necessary for his/her specific administrative assignment. Each shall likewise be accountable for the effectiveness with which the administrative assignment is carried out. The Board shall be responsible for clearly specifying requirements and expectations of the superintendent, then holding the superintendent accountable by evaluating how well those requirements and expectations have been met. In turn, the superintendent shall be responsible for clearly specifying requirements and expectations for all other administrators, then for holding each accountable by evaluating how well requirements and expectations have been met.

Major goals of administration in the Waunakee Community School District are:

1. To manage the District’s various departments, schools, and programs effectively.
2. To provide professional advice and counsel to the Board and to advisory groups established by the Board.
3. To implement the management function so as to assure the best and most effective learning programs, through achieving such subgoals as (a) keeping the District abreast of current educational developments; (b) developing staff to establish and operate learning programs that better meet learner needs; (c) coordinating cooperative efforts to improve learning programs, facilities, equipment, and materials; and (d) providing access to the decision-making process by staff, students, parents, and the public in order to facilitate the communication of ideas.

ADMINISTRATION GOALS
Policy 210
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.19 [licensure, generally]
Section 118.24 [administrator contracts]
Section 121.02(1)(a) [school district standards; employ teachers, supervisors and administrators with appropriate license/certification]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(a) [school district standards; assure proper license/certification is on file]
PI 34 [licensure requirements]

Cross References:
Administrative Staff Job Descriptions

Adoption and Revision Dates:
March 1994
January 2002
February 2022

RECRUITMENT AND HIRING OF ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Policy 221.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

All of the District’s recruitment, selection, and hiring practices and procedures are subject to and guided by the District’s commitment to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in employment, as further identified in related Board policies. The primary goals of these processes shall be to attract and identify a diverse range of highly qualified candidates who, if hired, will demonstrate a high degree of commitment to the District’s mission, to the District’s goals, and to their assigned duties and responsibilities, and who will also make positive personal and professional contributions to the District.

This policy applies to the recruitment and hiring for positions of employment in the District for which the employee and the Board of Education will execute an administrator contract under section 118.24 of the state statutes, except for the position of Superintendent. This policy also applies to managerial-level positions in the District for which the employee does not hold an administrator contract under section 118.24. To be considered a managerial position under this policy, the position must be paid on a salary basis and directly supervise and evaluate at least one other position.

The Board, at its discretion and without being bound by any administrative recommendation, shall make the decision to employ an individual in any position covered by this policy. If required by applicable law, such a decision must be supported by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board. Accordingly, no binding offer of employment may be made and no contract of employment shall be executed until properly approved by formal Board action.

In making its discretionary employment decisions and to the extent consistent with applicable law, the Board may consider any aspect of an individual’s candidacy, including whether the Board finds the results of a candidate’s background checks to be acceptable – regardless of whether the administration also assessed such issues and found the candidate acceptable to recommend to the Board for possible employment.

Unless the Board directs otherwise in connection with a specific position opening, the Superintendent and Director of Human Resources shall define and oversee the implementation of the District’s practices and procedures surrounding recruitment, selection, and hiring for the positions covered by this policy. Different practices and procedures may be applied to different types of positions and to specific openings where the administration determines that there is reasonable cause for doing so. However, the following minimum requirements shall be observed in connection with the process that is used to fill positions addressed by this policy:

1. The District shall seek and consider applications that are received from both internal and external applicants for a specific opening unless the Board approves an administrative recommendation to first consider filling the position in question with one or more internal candidates via promotion, a change in positions, or reassignment (including via the application of any pre-defined leadership succession plan).
2. The administration shall not recommend a candidate to the Board to fill a position covered by this policy unless the individual has participated in at least one personal interview for the position in question.
3. The administration shall not recommend an external candidate to the Board to fill a position covered by this policy unless the individual assigned to conduct background checks has verified the candidate’s relevant employment history and the results of such verification are deemed acceptable to the Superintendent or his/her administrative-level designee.

RECRUITMENT AND HIRING OF ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Policy 221.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

4. The process shall include a criminal background check.
5. If applicable to the position, the process shall include verification of the license(s), or sufficient pre-licensure status, of the individual the District intends to employ.
6. If applicable to the individual who the District intends to employ, the process shall include verification that the individual has been released from any contract that would prevent the Board from contracting with the candidate.
7. Unless waived by the Board or unless the Board accepts an administrative recommendation to initially consider an internal candidate, the Superintendent shall structure the hiring process for principals and directors such that either (a) Board member(s) selected by the Board will participate in at least one personal interview of the job candidate(s) prior to a candidate being recommended to the Board; or (b) the recommended candidate is interviewed by the Board prior to the Board’s consideration of the individual’s employment.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.36(7) [public disclosure of applicants for local public office]
Section 66.0502 [employee residency requirements prohibited]
Subch. II of Ch. 111 [the state fair employment law]
Section 118.19 [licensure, generally]
Section 118.24 [administrator contracts]
Section 121.02(1)(a) [school district standard; employ teachers, supervisors and administrators with appropriate license/certification]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(a) [school district standard; assure proper license/certification is on file]
PI 34 [licensure requirements]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 221.1 Sample Policy 1

Adoption and Revision Dates:
02/14/22

HIRING ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: CONDITIONAL OFFERS OF EMPLOYMENT
221.1-Admin Rule
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

This rule applies to the hiring of persons for District positions for which the employee and the Board of Education will execute an administrator contract under section 118.24 of the state statutes, except for the position of Superintendent. This rule also applies to managerial-level positions in the District for which the employee does not hold an administrator contract under section 118.24.

Unless inapplicable to the specific position or unless fully satisfied prior to the point at which an offer of employment is made, offers of employment made to candidates for positions covered by this rule shall be made expressly contingent on the following:

1. Verification of current licensure or verification of other pre-licensure status (e.g. provisional licensure) that is acceptable to the District and that is sufficient for the position in question under the rules and guidelines of the Department of Public Instruction;*
2. Completion of all applicable criminal, professional, and personal background checks, with results that the Superintendent or Director of Human Resources, in his/her discretion and consistent with applicable law, finds satisfactory and sufficient to recommend the candidate to the Board for possible employment;*
3. Completion of any required health examination with results that the District, consistent with applicable law, deems satisfactory at its discretion;
4. The candidate providing evidence acceptable to the District showing that the candidate has been released from any employment contract that the candidate holds with another entity that, if not released, would prevent the Board from contracting with the candidate; and
5. The Board’s wholly discretionary post-recommendation approval of (a) the employment of the candidate; and (b) the terms and conditions of his/her proposed employment contract.

* The preferred practice is for the District to verify a candidate’s licensure status and to conduct and initially review the results of applicable background checks prior to extending any offer of employment to a candidate for a position covered by this rule.

Any conditional offer of employment that includes an unsatisfied contingency (including any of those listed above) is revocable if the District determines that the contingency has not been sufficiently and timely satisfied. Further, the District shall not execute any employment contract with any individual until all outstanding contingencies have been satisfied, unless any outstanding contingency has been adequately incorporated into the individual’s contract such that the contract is either voidable or can be terminated at the discretion of the District if the contingency is not satisfied on a timely basis.

Adoption and Revision Dates:
02/14/2022

HIRING ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: CONDITIONAL OFFERS OF EMPLOYMENT
221.1-Admin Rule
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

WASB PRG 221.1 Sample Rule 1

ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACTS
Policy 222
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

This policy applies to all positions of employment in the District for which the employee and the Board of Education execute an administrator contract that, by law, is subject to sections 118.24(5) to (7) of the state statutes, including the Superintendent. Within this policy, such positions of employment and the individuals holding such positions shall be referred to as “administrators.”

To the extent required by state law, no administrator may be employed or dismissed except by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board. The Board and each administrator employed by the Board will mutually execute a written employment contract. However, the Board shall not enter into an employment contract with any administrator for any period of time as to which the individual is already under a contract of employment with another school board.

The maximum term, renewal, nonrenewal, and possible extension of each administrator contract shall be governed by applicable state law, by the discretionary decisions of the Board permitted by state law, and by the rights and obligations that are established within the contract itself. The Board shall formally approve (or reject) any proposed modification to, or the termination of, any administrator contract.

At least 6 months prior to the expiration of any administrator contract and sufficiently far in advance of any deadline for the Board to make a decision regarding the vesting of an extension of any administrator contract, the Superintendent shall inform the Board of the relevant deadline(s); the procedures for renewing, nonrenewing, or extending the contract(s); and, except for his/her own contract, provide the Board with a recommendation regarding the renewal, nonrenewal, or extension of each such contract.

The Board shall approve the contractual salary and establish the other contractual and non-contractual compensation and benefits of the administrators who are employed by the District. The Board’s ability to individualize certain aspects of administrator contracts, including certain aspects of the structure and levels of an administrator’s benefits and total compensation, is limited by various state and federal laws. Not all terms and conditions of an administrator’s employment are contractual. To the extent consistent with state and federal law, such non-contractual terms and conditions of employment remain subject to the managerial discretion of the Board and the District at all times.

If the Board has approved an administrator’s employment and the terms and conditions of the individual’s administrator contract, and provided that all applicable contingencies have been satisfied, the Board President and Clerk, or such other Board officers as may be alternatively designated by the Board shall execute the contract on behalf of the Board.

If any administrator does not continuously hold a license that is required by law or by his/her employment contract, or if he/she is otherwise not legally eligible to hold the position identified in his/her contract, then (1) he/she shall be considered to be in material breach of the contract which may lead to termination; and/or (2) the contract may be void or voidable to the extent required or permitted by law. Each administrator who is required to be licensed (i.e., certified) by law, or as a condition of employment established by the District, shall provide a copy of his/current license(s) and any subsequent renewal or extension to the Human Resources Office, where such license(s) shall remain on file. Each administrator is personally and solely responsible for remaining appropriately and continuously licensed in good standing by the Department of Public Instruction throughout his/her employment, including knowing the expiration date of his/her license(s) (if any) and meeting all applicable requirements for maintenance/renewal in a timely manner.

ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACTS
Policy 222
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 66.0502 [employee residency requirements generally prohibited]
Section 111.31 [declaration of fair employment policy]
Section 118.24 [administrator contracts]
Section 121.02(1)(a) [school district standard; employ teachers, supervisors and administrators with appropriate license/certification]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(a) [school district standard; assure proper license/certification is on file]
PI 34 [licensure requirements]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 222 Sample Policy 1

Adoption and Revision Dates:
10/11/82
March 1994
January 2002
02/14/2022

ADMINISTRATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Policy 223
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The District’s professional development plan for licensed employees, which shall be developed or updated at least annually under the leadership and supervision of the Superintendent, shall include a section addressing the professional development needs of licensed administrators. Administrators are expected to maintain high standards of knowledge, skills, and professional competency and practice. Accordingly, subject to applicable budgetary constraints and appropriate supervisory approval, administrators are encouraged to continue their professional growth through the following:

1. Active involvement in formal and informal professional learning communities both within and outside the District;
2. Use of a wide range of technology-based resources;
3. Leading professional development activities for District employees or other educators;
4. Participation in conventions, programs, professional meetings and other activities conducted by administrator associations, government agencies, and other entities that actively serve public schools and educators;
5. Seminars, workshops, and courses offered by institutions of higher education; and
6. Other formal and informal professional development activities, including any activities appropriate for the particular administrator that may already be included in the District’s staff development plan for licensed employees.

Expenses directly related to an administrator’s qualifying professional development activities will be paid for or reimbursed by the District to the extent and in the manner provided by applicable District procedures, including all procedures that relate to (1) obtaining supervisory approval for specific activities, costs, and any time away from work; and (2) the submission of complete and timely documentation of qualified expenses. The submission of any inappropriate or unreasonable costs or expenses for payment by the District may affect the administrator’s evaluation and/or result in discipline.

Administrators are expected to use the District’s performance evaluation process as an opportunity for direct discussion between the administrator and his/her supervisor/evaluator concerning the standards, content areas, and/or specific activities that would be most beneficial for the administrator to consider as a focus for his/her upcoming professional development activities. Because administrator professional development will often be more self-directed and rely more heavily on external resources, relationships, or affiliations than may be the case for non-administrative personnel, such discussions are particularly important as a means for administrators to share ideas and gain awareness of sources for high-quality professional development activities.

ADMINISTRATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Policy 223
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

SUPERINTENDENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Superintendent has heightened responsibility, relative to other employees, to self-monitor his/her own professional development activities to ensure that they do not interfere with the appropriate performance of his/her other duties and that any District costs remain in line with the Board of Education’s expectations and established budgetary parameters. The Superintendent shall adhere to established procedures regarding approval of professional development activities, costs, and expenses. When traveling, the Superintendent shall ensure that he/she makes appropriate arrangements regarding his/her contact information and for any appropriate in-District leadership designations that will apply in his/her absence.

The Superintendent shall, at least annually, prepare and present to the Board of Education a proposal for his/her own professional development activities, which shall be consistent with this policy and with the District-wide professional development plan for licensed employees. In consultation with the Superintendent, the Board may approve, reject, or modify the proposal. The proposal may identify specific activities along with their expected costs, and it may also identify general goals that could be pursued through a variety of activities as different opportunities arise. The Superintendent will inform the board if there are any changes to the annual plan.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.24(5) [attendance at conventions by selected administrators]
Section 121.02(1)(b) [professional staff development plan]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(b) [professional staff development plan]
PI 34.003 [DPI’s administrator standards]
PI 34, Subchapter V [stages of licensure, including orientation and mentoring requirements]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 223 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date:
02/14/2022

BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT ROLES AND WORKING RELATIONSHIP
Policy 224
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The Board of Education and the Superintendent share responsibility for working together to provide effective leadership for the School District. Accordingly, the Board and Superintendent likewise share responsibility for the goal of developing and maintaining a productive, mutually-respectful working relationship.

While the Board’s and the Superintendent’s leadership roles are different, they are complementary and involve a degree of overlapping duties and responsibilities.

As the elected representatives of the community and as the highest-level governing authority in the District, the Board’s primary leadership role involves establishing the District’s mission, goals, strategic priorities, governance policies, and annual budgets, and then providing the necessary support, oversight, and advocacy to foster and monitor their proper implementation.

As a highly-skilled professional educator and as the Board-selected chief administrator, the Superintendent’s role includes (1) prudently leading and managing the District’s schools, programs, and operations on a day-to-day basis in a manner that implements and that is consistent with the Board’s governance decisions; (2) assisting the Board in performing its governance role, including by making significant contributions to the establishment the District’s goals, priorities, policies, and budgets; (3) overseeing the design, implementation, and review of learning standards, curriculum, and professional practice in the District; and (4) setting the expectations and accountability structures for other staff members that the Superintendent will ultimately use to demonstrate his/her own accountability to the Board.

The Superintendent and Board will work to develop, and refine as needed, their shared understanding regarding (1) their respective roles; (2) the extent, methods, and timing of communication between the Board and the administration; and, (3) especially where not otherwise definitively addressed by applicable law or by existing policies and procedures, their respective spheres of decision-making authority. When either the Board or the Superintendent has concerns regarding the effective functioning of the leadership team, each is expected to identify those concerns to the other members of the leadership team and to attempt to identify appropriate means by which the leadership team can address those concerns. An important primary, but not exclusive, means for the Board to bring such issues to the attention of the Superintendent is through the performance evaluation process.

BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT ROLES AND WORKING RELATIONSHIP
Policy 224
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.24 [district administrator duties]
Section 120.12 [school board duties]
Section 120.13 [school board powers]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 224 Sample Policy 1

Adoption and Revision Dates:
5/10/82
4/22/91
March 1994
January 2002
02/14/2022

BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT ROLES AND WORKING RELATIONSHIP
224-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

In addition to other responsibilities or expectations that the Board of Education may identify, the Board’s expectations for its working relationship with the Superintendent include the following:

1. The Superintendent shall be prepared to provide the Board with a timely recommendation and supporting rationale regarding decisions that are presented for Board action. Such recommendations are intended to promote the Board’s understanding of the relevant issues and to encourage a robust, professional dialogue regarding such decisions.
2. Once the Board makes a decision, it becomes the decision of the Board and the administration. The Superintendent, along with other administrative and managerial-level employees, will support lawful Board decisions by carrying out the decisions to the best of their ability and by not engaging in conduct that serves to undermine a decision, notwithstanding any professional or personal disagreement with the decision.
3. The Superintendent shall exercise sound professional judgment in identifying issues, incidents, and other information of which all members of the District’s leadership team need to be aware, and in deciding when and how to appropriately communicate such information to the Board.
4. The Superintendent shall treat all members of the Board even-handedly.

The Board’s further expectations for itself, and for which the community should hold its elected representatives accountable, include the following:

1. Through its polices, the Board recognizes that the sound functioning of the District and the achievement of the District’s goals require shared responsibility for leadership and the delegation of significant responsibility to (and through) the Superintendent. Should the Superintendent raise a concern to the Board regarding the Board’s performance of its primary leadership role or a concern that the Board is intruding too far into the administrative role, the Board owes a duty to the community to give such concerns due consideration.
2. The Board should use its authority as a governing body to limit and diffuse actions by individual Board members that contravene the will of the Board majority and that, in the judgment of the Board, are serving to inappropriately undermine the effectiveness of the District’s leadership team.
3. In the event of a disagreement with an administrative recommendation or decision, the Board expects that the interaction among the Board members and administrators will remain respectful.
4. The Board will work with the Superintendent to achieve a resolution to complaints, concerns, or controversies that may arise in a manner that is consistent with each other’s respective roles and with established policies and procedures. Individual Board members, in particular, have a responsibility to ensure that they are referring complaints, concerns, or controversies through appropriate channels. An individual Board Member will not seek to resolve a concern on their own. A Board Member may request that the administration provide an update to the Board on any issue.

BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT ROLES AND WORKING RELATIONSHIP
224-Board Rule 1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Adoption and Revision Dates:
02/14/2022

WASB PRG 224 Sample Rule 1

EVALUATION OF ADMINISTRATORS
Policy 225
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The Superintendent and other licensed administrators in the District shall receive a formal, written evaluation at the end of their first year of employment and at least every third year thereafter. If an administrator’s employment contract requires more frequent evaluations and/or particular types of evaluation(s), the administrator and the applicable evaluator(s) shall adhere to those additional contractual requirements. Further, beginning no later than the first year in which the District is required to use the educator effectiveness evaluation process, all principals shall be evaluated in substantial and material compliance with the educator effectiveness evaluation system for principals that the District implements pursuant to state law.

Written evaluations shall be based, at least in part, on Board-adopted position descriptions, including the administrator’s job-related activities, and shall include observation of the administrator’s performance as part of the evaluation data. However, nothing in this policy shall be interpreted as a limitation on the number, scope, or type of formal or informal performance evaluations that may be conducted with respect to administrators. The District may place different employees holding similar positions on different evaluation schedules and use different evaluation procedures or methods based upon, for example, the District’s identification of a need for an employee to improve performance in one or more areas.

The Board of Education shall be responsible for the Superintendent’s evaluation, including determining the specific criteria and procedures it will use in assessing the Superintendent’s performance. The Superintendent shall notify the Board President of any required or agreed-upon dates by which his/her evaluations are to be conducted, and the Board President shall work with the Superintendent to ensure that sufficient meetings are scheduled so that the evaluation process can reach its conclusion in a timely fashion. The Board normally expects to begin an evaluation of the Superintendent’s performance by no later than January of each school year and complete this evaluation in April, or at such other time consistent with the Superintendent’s current contract so that a relatively recent evaluation normally precedes any decision regarding a possible contract extension or contract renewal.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for the evaluation of other administrators in the District and shall either perform those evaluations himself/herself or shall direct that those evaluations be performed by other persons who have the training, knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate licensed administrative personnel. The Board delegates to the Superintendent the responsibility for defining and implementing a systematic program of evaluation for other administrative staff covered by this policy. The Superintendent shall inform the Board of any significant changes to the District’s administrative staff evaluation processes as implemented under this policy.

The Superintendent shall be prepared to present to the Board information on the performance evaluations of individual administrators any time the Board is addressing individual contract decisions regarding renewal/nonrenewal, contract extensions, individual salary determinations, and at other times as directed by the Board or as deemed beneficial by the Superintendent.

EVALUATION OF ADMINISTRATORS
Policy 225
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 115.415 [educator effectiveness; principal evaluation]
Section 118.24 [administrator contracts]
Section 120.12(2m) [school board duty to evaluate principals using DPI-developed educator effectiveness evaluation system or equivalency evaluation process]
Section 121.02(1)(a) [school district standard; verification of licensure]
Section 121.02(1)(b) [school district standard; professional development of employees]
Section 121.02(1)(q) [school district standard; evaluation of licensed staff]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(a) [annual certification to DPI of administrator’s current license]
PI 8.01(2)(q) [board evaluation of district administrator]
PI 34.003 [DPI’s administrator standards]
PI 47 [equivalency process for educator effectiveness evaluation; principals and teachers]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 225 Sample Policy 2

Adoption and Revision Dates:
9/14/81
10/11/82
4/22/91
March 1994
January 2002
02/14/2022

SCHOOL BUILDING ADMINISTRATION
Policy 230
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

Acting with the approval of the Superintendent, the principals shall be the chief administrators of their schools. Except as otherwise established by the Board or Superintendent, all personnel assigned to a building shall be directly responsible to the principal. Staff members who work in more than one school shall be responsible to the principal of each school in which they work during the time they are working there.

The principal is charged with the supervision and direction of the staff and the students assigned to the building, and with care of the school facility and its equipment. He/she shall see that the rules and regulations of the District, the directives of its officers, and the guidelines for the instructional program are observed. Within the framework of the policies and directives of the Board of Education and the general rules, regulations, and directives set by the Superintendent, the principal may establish and enforce such regulations as he/she deems advisable for the efficient operation of the school.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.24 [administrators]

Cross References:

Adoption and Revision Dates:
10/11/82
March 1994
02/14/2022 (renumbered from former Policy 240)

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR/STUDENT RATIOS
Policy 230.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Board of Education believes that the success or failure of a school is largely dependent on the building principal. The number of students and staff supervised by the principal impacts on the overall quality of the school. Therefore, the Board establishes the following guidelines based on building administrator/student ratios to help guide the Board and administration in making decisions regarding the number of administrators assigned to each building:

Range of Students
School Type per Building Administrator

Elementary (Grades K-6) 400 to 500
Middle (Grades 7-8) 300 to 400
High School (Grades 9-12) 300 to 350

The Board recognizes that it will be impossible to always stay within these ranges. The ratio may fall above or below the range depending on specific circumstances. The Board may choose to provide additional administrative support during periods of transition on a part time or shared basis or through the use of interns. However, the Board recognizes the importance of the role of building administrators in maintaining a safe and orderly school and providing quality supervision of staff. This can best be provided by staff members dedicated fully to student and staff supervisory duties.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.24 [administrators]

Cross References:

Adoption and Revision Dates:
1999
02/14/2022 (renumbered from former Policy 240.1)

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE
Policy 253
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The policies developed by the Board of Education and the administrative regulations, procedures, and handbooks developed to implement policy are designed to promote an effective and efficient school system. All District employees are expected to reasonably familiarize themselves with and adhere to the District policies, rules, and procedures that are relevant to their position(s) and role(s). All employees are encouraged to bring questions, concerns, and suggestions about such policies, rules, and procedures to the attention of their immediate supervisor and/or to an appropriate building or departmental administrator.

Within their assigned area(s) and role(s), District employees who hold administrative and supervisory positions have the following additional general responsibilities:

1. To oversee and reasonably monitor the implementation of District policies, rules, and procedures;
2. To promote and facilitate an awareness and understanding of applicable District policies, rules, and procedures among subordinate employees and, to the extent applicable, among students and among other District agents and stakeholders; and
3. To model the process of referring to established policies, rules, and procedures in day-to-day work and operations; and
4. To identify and communicate to appropriate members of the administrative leadership team identified concerns regarding District policies, rules, and procedures, which may include, for example, concerns about legal compliance, inadequate awareness/understanding among relevant stakeholders, inconsistent implementation, lack of sufficient coordination with current practices, or potential ambiguities or conflicts.

Cross References:

Adoption and Revision Dates:
10/11/1982
4/22/91
March 1994
January 2002
02/14/2022 (renumbered from former Policy 263)

DEVELOPMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
Policy 253.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The Board of Education delegates to the Superintendent the function of defining and managing the detailed arrangements under which the District’s schools and other programs and functions are operated on a day-to-day basis. In some cases, these detailed arrangements may be set forth in formal, written administrative rules. As used in this policy, the term “rule” is synonymous and interchangeable with “procedure.”

The Superintendent is responsible for developing, approving, reviewing, and overseeing the implementation of administrative rules as needed. While retaining overall accountability for and oversight of such rules, the Superintendent may further delegate these responsibilities to other administrators and supervisors. In addition, the Board encourages the involvement of other affected staff persons and stakeholders in such processes. In addition:

1. All administrative rules shall be consistent with Board policies and legal requirements.
2. Formal administrative rules that are defined and maintained in written form shall be appropriately organized for ease of reference and use. Some administrative rules may be maintained with related Board policies and any related Board-adopted rules.
3. Proposed, new, and revised administrative written rules will be presented to the Board for informational purposes or input.
4. Any District procedure, District plan, or other management document for which Board approval/adoption is required by, and non-delegable under, applicable law shall not be considered an “administrative rule” within the meaning of this policy.

In authorizing the administration to develop, implement, and enforce formal administrative rules, the Board in no way intends to limit the authority of the District’s administrative and supervisory personnel to issue other directives, establish other responsibilities and expectations, or define other practices and procedures as may be lawful, prudent, and consistent with Board policy for the sound management of the District. Similarly, certain aspects of the day-to-day management and operation of the District require the exercise of discretion such that it may be either impractical or imprudent to attempt to reduce the matter to a formal policy or rule. Applicable legal authority, District policies and rules, and Board and managerial directives shall guide and provide a general framework for the exercise of such discretion.

Although this policy expressly establishes that the development and implementation of administrative rules is a delegated responsibility, the Board ultimately reserves the right to review, modify, suspend, and revoke administrative rules should the Board conclude that the rules are inconsistent with Board policies or applicable legal requirements, or upon determining that such action is in the best interests of the District.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 120.13 [power to do all things reasonable for the cause of education, including making rules for the organization, gradation and government of the schools]

DEVELOPMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
Policy 253.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Cross References:
WASB PRG 253.1 Sample Policy 2

Adoption and Revision Dates:
10/11/1982
4/22/91
March 1994
02/14/2022 (renumbered from former Policy 263.1)

EMPLOYEE HANDBOOKS
Policy 253.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The District’s Employee Handbook(s) contain provisions that are derived from or reflective of a variety of sources, including applicable laws and regulations, District policies and procedures, and statements of managerial expectations for employees. The provisions of the Employee Handbook also serve a variety of purposes, including the following:

1. Establishing the District’s compliance with certain legal requirements;
2. Giving notice of certain rights, responsibilities, and obligations;
3. Identifying certain conditions of employment; and
4. Serving as a reference document for various employment-related practices and procedures.

Neither the Employee Handbook as a whole nor any specific provision within the Handbook:

1. Constitutes or creates an employment contract, or any other type of contract, between the District and any employee;
2. Modifies, adds to, or subtracts from the terms of any contract that may be held by an individual employee, except to the extent that such contract expressly incorporates one or more Employee Handbook provisions by reference;
3. Is intended to create or confer a property interest in any person’s continued employment with the District;
4. Is intended to create or confer any third-party rights or causes of action to persons who are not District employees, except as strictly required by applicable law.

Employee Handbook provisions are subordinate to conflicting provisions of any applicable state or federal law or regulation, any Board of Education-approved individual employment contract, or any Board-ratified collective bargaining agreement. Accordingly, changes in applicable laws, regulations, or contracts may supersede, modify the application of, or eliminate certain provisions found in the Employee Handbook.

To the fullest extent permitted under the law, the District, as the employer, reserves the right to modify the provisions of the Employee Handbook at its discretion at any time. The Board will normally be responsible for approving (or rejecting) proposed modifications to an Employee Handbook.

Where a provision of the Employee Handbook represents the entirety of, an excerpted portion of, or a direct summary of a separately-maintained Board policy or Board-adopted rule, any Board-adopted change to such Handbook provision shall simultaneously amend the associated Board policy or rule, and any Board-adopted change to the associated policy or rule shall simultaneously amend the applicable Handbook provision(s).

The current version of the District’s Employee Handbook(s) shall be accessible to employees on the District’s website.

Board Expectations for Employees Related to the Employee Handbook

All District employees are subject to and are expected to review and follow the provisions of the Employee Handbook that are applicable to their position and role.

If an employee has a concern that any provision of the Employee Handbook is or may be in conflict with any applicable state or federal law or regulation or any separately-established District policy, rule, contract, or performance expectation, the employee shall raise the concern with his/her immediate supervisor, who shall involve other employees, supervisors, or administrators as necessary to resolve the issue.

To the extent a provision of the Employee Handbook may be ambiguous as written or as applied, or if any employee otherwise has questions, concerns or requires any clarification regarding any provision(s) of the Handbook, the employee shall contact his/her supervisor, who shall involve other employees, supervisors, or administrators as necessary to resolve the issue.

EMPLOYEE HANDBOOKS
Policy 253.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 120.13 [power to do all things reasonable for the cause of education, including making rules for the organization, gradation and government of the schools]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 253.2 Sample Policy 1

Adoption and Revision Dates:
02/14/2022

STUDENT HANDBOOKS
Policy 253.3
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The District’s student handbooks are intended to provide information for the benefit of students, parents and guardians, staff and other interested persons in the school community. Student handbooks serve a variety of purposes including the following:

1. Giving notice of certain policies, rules, rights, responsibilities, and obligations;
2. Serving as a reference document for various school-related practices, procedures, and expectations; and
3. Establishing the District’s compliance with certain legal requirements.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for ensuring that the District maintains, updates, and periodically reviews student handbooks for each of the District’s schools in each school year.

Student handbook provisions are subordinate to conflicting provisions of any applicable state or federal law or regulation, and shall be consistent with applicable Board-adopted policies, rules, and directives. Within these parameters, the Superintendent, or his/her administrative-level designee, has authority to approve and implement changes to the content of student handbooks without seeking advance approval from the Board of Education.

Where a student handbook provision represents the entirety of, an excerpted portion of, or a direct summary of a separately-maintained Board policy or Board-adopted rule, any Board-adopted change to the associated policy or rule shall simultaneously amend the applicable student handbook provision(s).

The current version of the District’s student handbook(s) shall be accessible to the public on the District’s website.

Student handbook will be approved by the Board annually at or before the regular August Board Meeting.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 120.13 [power to do all things reasonable for the cause of education, including making rules for the organization, gradation and government of the schools]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 253.3 Sample Policy 1

Adoption and Revision Dates:
02/14/2022

EMPLOYEE JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Policy 254
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Superintendent and the Director of Human Resources shall oversee the development, revision, and maintenance of written job descriptions for all employee classifications in the District. At a minimum, each job description shall list the required qualifications and the essential functions (primary duties) that have been identified for the staff position(s) covered within the relevant classification.

Job descriptions for all professional employee classifications that require the employee to hold a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) license, including those for administrative staff, shall be adopted by the Board of Education. Job descriptions for other classifications may be approved and modified under the authority of the Superintendent.

Relevant administrative and supervisory personnel are responsible for reviewing the job descriptions applicable to their area(s) of responsibility on an ongoing basis to ensure that the descriptions remain reasonably current and accurate and to coordinate with the Superintendent and the Director of Human Resources regarding any concerns or potential changes.

The District’s current job descriptions shall be accessible to employees on the District website.

Postings for specific positions, individual employment contracts, specific District policies and handbooks, or other supplemental descriptions for specific positions, assignments, and roles within an employee classification may augment a general job description. Further, all employees are expected to perform such duties and attend to such responsibilities as may be reasonably assigned by a supervisor.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(q) [evaluations of licensed personnel to be based, in part, on board-adopted written job descriptions]

Federal Laws
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 [disability discrimination in employment; reasonable accommodations]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 254 Sample Policy 1

Adoption and Revision Dates:
02/14/2022

TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
Policy 260
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The Superintendent, any building principal, and any other administrator or supervisory employee is responsible for making appropriate arrangements for the in-District leadership and supervisory designations that will apply during a period of leave, in his/her temporary absence from work, or when he/she will not be working on site within the District for any significant portion of a work day. As applicable to such circumstances, the employee shall also ensure that he/she appropriately conveys his/her contact information, or other applicable emergency contact information, to other members of the District’s staff who may have a need to consult with or have a decision made by an employee or official with the appropriate knowledge and authority.

In the event of an unexpected vacancy or any temporary absence from work that exceeds or is expected to exceed 2 consecutive weeks in any administrative or supervisory position, the Superintendent or his/her administrative-level designee shall make or approve appropriate interim arrangements for the performance of the duties and responsibilities of the position, subject to the following:

1. The Board of Education shall approve any individual contract modifications or any non-contractual modifications to an employee’s monetary compensation that may be necessary to implement such interim arrangements.
2. The Board shall approve any interim replacement for the Superintendent.
3. At its discretion, the Board may elect to modify such interim arrangements.

When all of the following apply, the Board designates the Executive Director of Operations to make decisions or take action in the best interests of the District. If he/she is also unavailable or unreachable, the Directors of Elementary and Secondary Curriculum and Instruction will oversee all matters that involve students or parental concerns and the Director of Human Resources will oversee all matters that involve staff or district operations:

1. An emergency or other urgent situation arises that necessitates an administrative decision or that requires administrative action that would normally be made/taken by the Superintendent;
2. The Superintendent is unavailable or unable to be reached;
3. It would be impractical or clearly imprudent to defer the matter until normal lines of authority could be utilized; and
4. A more-specific interim or temporary administrative arrangement is not in place that applies to the specific situation.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.24 [administrative authority and assignment of responsibilities]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 260 Sample Policy 1

TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
Policy 260
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Adoption and Revision Dates:
10/11/82
4/22/91
March 1994
02/14/2022 (renumbered from former Policy 270)

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILS, CABINETS, AND COMMITTEES
Policy 262
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The superintendent shall create committees and other advisory groups from within the staff, as the need arises, for the purpose of developing or implementing Board of Education policy or for whatever other purpose the superintendent deems necessary.

In the development of rules, regulations and procedures, the superintendent shall include at the planning stage, whenever possible, employees who are affected.

The Superintendent periodically reviews its committee structure and adopts a committee handbook which outlines the various committees of the District which includes their purposes, membership and responsibilities.

Adopted:
10/11/82

Revised:
4/22/91
March 1994
02/14/2022

Waunakee Community School District

ANNUAL SCHOOL CALENDAR AND SCHOOL HOURS
Policy 321
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The School Board’s goal is to approve an annual school calendar that establishes at least the days that are planned for direct student instruction and on which students are expected to attend school, as well as any days on which parent conferences are planned, by September of the preceding school year.

The District Administrator shall prepare a proposed annual school calendar and present the proposed calendar to the Board for approval in a timely fashion. In addition to identifying at least the days on which students will be expected to attend school and any days that are planned for parent conferences, the calendar proposal shall (1) expressly identify the hours of a normal school day for the applicable school term, (2) include a calculation of the planned hours of student instruction, and (3) identify the extent to which such planned hours of student instruction meet or exceed the minimum requirements established by applicable laws and regulations. The hours of a normal school day and the calculation of the planned hours of student instruction shall be broken down by grade, school, or program, to the extent there is variation across the District.

The administrative calendar proposal may identify one or more items which are more tentative in nature and which, therefore, may be more likely to change and/or which may expressly be left as “subject to later confirmation.”

Once established by the Board, the schedule of hours shall be distributed to local media and District residents.

After an annual school calendar is approved by the Board and publicized, the school administration and the Board will be reluctant to substantially modify the calendar, but the District cannot guarantee that no changes will be made.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 115.001 [definitions; including “school year,” “school term,” etc.]
Section 115.01 [classifications; including the definition of “school day”]
Section 118.045 [commencement of school term; September 1st start date]
Section 120.12(15) [board duty to establish the hours of a normal school day]
Section 120.12(27) [school closings and re-openings]
Section 121.02(1)(f) [school district standards; required hours of direct student instruction]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(f) [school district standards; required hours of direct student instruction]
PI 8.01(4) [waivers from school hours]
PI 27 [commencement of school term]

Cross References:
321.1 Wednesday Evening and Sunday Activities
323.1 Special Observance Days

ANNUAL SCHOOL CALENDAR AND SCHOOL HOURS
Policy 321
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

WASB PRG 321 Sample Policy 2

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002
August 2022

WEDNESDAY EVENING & SUNDAY ACTIVITIES
Policy #321.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

School events shall not be scheduled after or extend beyond 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evenings or at any time on Sundays. This time shall be left open for community and family activities. School events that must be scheduled on Wednesday evenings or Sunday shall be subject to the superintendent's approval.

Adoption Date:
2/14/83

Revised:
4/22/91
March 1994
July 2002

Reviewed:
August 2022

HOLIDAYS AND RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Policy #323.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

Respect for religious and cultural differences is fundamental to American democracy and contributes to harmonious living in a free society. These holiday guidelines are intended to reflect the District's commitment to provide an inclusive environment where religious and cultural diversity are acknowledged and appreciated. It is not the responsibility or intention of the schools to celebrate religious observances.

1. School activities associated with religious observances will be in the context of teaching about traditions, will have educational purposes and will neither inhibit nor promote religion.
2. Teachers may allow appropriate student-initiated sharing of family customs and traditions with the guidance normally present in any classroom-sharing situation. Teachers will provide opportunities for students to share information about religious customs and traditions, when appropriate, provided that it fits the context of the classroom experience, does not involve proselytizing, is respectful of all students, and respects students’ and their families’ religious choices, whether they adopt particular religious beliefs or choose not to adopt religious beliefs and participate in religion.
3. Sc hool activities and instruction associated with religious observances will involve a balanced perspective of multiple cultural traditions. Musical programs that include selections from religious traditions must withstand the test of the following questions:

What is the purpose of the activity/instruction? Is the purpose secular in nature, e.g., studying music of a particular composer’s style or historical period?
What is the primary effect of the activity/instruction? Is it the celebration of religion? Does the activity either promote or inhibit religion? Does the activity/instruction have curricular or academic value, by providing instruction in academic subjects or disciplines that are related to the course in question?
Does the activity/instruction involve excessive entanglement with a religion or religious group, or between the schools and religious organizations?

Since music that is based on a sacred text or has a religious origin (particularly choral music) often is or serves as a foundation for a substantial body of important music, music literature, and the history of music, competent music education necessarily may include music that is related to one or more of the world’s religions.

4. Classroom activities, concerts, presentations or programs will show sensitivity to the beliefs of all students, will aim for inclusivity, and will treat all students’ beliefs with respect and dignity. Activities will be appropriate to the age and developmental level of the students.
5. School classroom celebrations must be in the context of the curriculum, should involve limited instructional time and, cannot be associated with a religious observance. It is the responsibility of all faculty members to ensure that such activities are strictly voluntary, do not compel students to participate or give any impression that participation is required, do not exclude or ostracize minority groups or individuals, and do not interfere with the regular school program.

HOLIDAYS AND RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Policy #323.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

6. Displays or decorations will reflect a balanced perspective of multiple cultural traditions and will have an educational purpose.
7. Schools may have multicultural presentations or programs following the guidelines established by this Policy.
8. The Waunakee Community School District recognizes that exam schedules or due dates for major projects can conflict with a student’s ability to participate in and/or observe religious holidays, observe the prevailing practices of one’s religion, or comply with the mandates of a student’s religion. The District also recognizes that any number or religious holidays or dates of religious observance do not require that students’ academic schedule, coursework, test dates or project deadlines be changed. Any missed work, projects, or exams will be rescheduled or made up by the student, at a time determined by the teacher, when it does not interfere with the religious observance or religious holiday.

Therefore, the District will excuse a student from exams and/or will grant a student relief from deadlines for submitting major projects, provided that at least one week’s notice is given to the attendance office and to teacher(s) that have scheduled exams or established deadlines for projects on the date identified.

Students that ask to be excused from an exam or major project deadline may be asked to demonstrate that taking exams or submitting major projects on the religious observance date in question does, in fact, interfere with the prevailing practices or mandates or a student’s religion.

For purposes of this Policy, a “major project” shall be defined as a project that counts for at least 10% of a student’s overall grade.

LEGAL REF.: Sections 118.01(2)(b)7 Wisconsin Statutes
118.13
118.15(1)(a)
118.155
120.13
Wisconsin Constitution, Article X-Section 3
PI 41, Wisconsin Administrative Code
Every Student Succeeds Act of 2016
U.S. Department of Education Guidance Document Regarding Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools

CROSS REF.:
381.1, Teaching About Religion
411, Equal Educational Opportunities
430 Rule 2 Approved Legal Excuses for Student Absence

HOLIDAYS AND RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Policy #323.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

Adoption Date: 5/11/1992

Revised: March 1994
November 2018

Reviewed: August 2022

NATIONAL ANTHEM/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/FLAG DISPLAYS
Policy #323.3
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The United States flag and Wisconsin flag will be flown on the school grounds from before the opening to after the close of school on all school days.

In any assembly or gathering where the flag is to appear on the stage or speaker’s stand, it is the teacher’s or advisor’s responsibility to see that the flag appears correctly at the right of the speaker.

Each school day shall begin with the Pledge of Allegiance or National Anthem in each school. No student shall be compelled against his/her objections or those of his/her parents or guardians to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance/National Anthem.

Legal Ref.: Section 118.06 Wisconsin Statutes

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

Revised: March 1994
January 2002

Reviewed: August, 2022

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT
Policy 330
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

The major objective of curriculum development is to improve the District’s educational offerings and its instructional activities and practices in order to increase student engagement in the learning process and improve student achievement. The School Board will provide the resources to develop and implement the curriculum within the financial capabilities of the District. The District's curriculum and instructional programs shall be in line with the state’s educational standards, goals, and expectations; other applicable legal requirements; and the local goals and standards established by the Board and/or the administration.

To the extent consistent with the remainder of this policy, the Board delegates responsibility for the development, evaluation and improvement of the curriculum to the District’s professional staff, under the leadership and direction of the District Administrator, Director of Instruction, building principals, and other administrators who have direct responsibilities in instructional areas. Curriculum and instructional program development should be a participatory process within the District.

1. Communication and coordination among grade level and subject area teachers should be emphasized on a K-12 basis whenever curriculum is developed or evaluated. The Board encourages the use of intra-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary work teams.
2. The Board encourages practices that seek to engage the broader community in the evaluation of curriculum and instruction and in generating ideas for improvement.
3. The Board’s belief is that all instructional personnel have a professional obligation to participate in and contribute to the curriculum development and evaluation processes.
4. Curriculum development and evaluation should be guided and supported by appropriate internal and external research.
5. The Board expects that the District’s professional educators will seek and utilize resources and expertise from outside the District as they strive to develop and improve the effectiveness of the District’s curriculum.

The District Administrator, or an appropriately-licensed designee, shall develop and implement a District curriculum plan to structure the curriculum development, evaluation, and improvement process. The District-level plan shall specify the normal allocation of instructional time among subject areas at the various instructional levels.

As part of the District-level plan, the District shall develop and maintain sequential curriculum guides, in either a print or electronic format, in the various subject areas identified in state law.

1. These guides shall provide the instructional framework for each broad area of study, and for specific courses.
2. Each guide shall specify the sequential learning objectives for the subject area and the core course content; identify the instructional resources that are available for each course/grade; identify appropriate means of student assessment; and include a program evaluation method.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT
Policy 330
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

3. The guides shall be aligned with applicable standards and goals. Explicit connections should be made between the standards and goals that are being addressed by particular curricular objectives and content.
4. The guides shall also be aligned with the District’s locally-established learning goals and objectives. Explicit connections should be made between the local goals and objectives that are being addressed by the specific learning objectives and content of a given course of study.
5. The curriculum guides shall address and facilitate instructional differentiation within the applicable course of study.
6. Objectives and activities related to the use of technology and computer literacy shall be integrated into the curriculum guides for all grade levels.

The Board shall make decisions to add or remove District programs and areas of study. However, subject to the limitations and expectations defined in this policy, the administration shall have authority to approve and implement revisions to the various curriculum guides created for various subject areas. Within the programs and among the various courses and areas of study that have been approved by the Board, the District Administrator and building principals may also decide, without obtaining Board approval, whether a particular course, class, or curricular activity will be offered in a given mid-year term dependent on the grade level, or school year.

Instructional personnel are responsible for providing student instruction that is consistent with applicable academic and instructional standards, the approved curriculum, any mandatory instructional elements or assessments that are included in the relevant curriculum guide(s), and such other directives or expectations as may be established by the employee’s supervising administrator(s). In most cases, these general boundaries are expected to leave instructional staff with reasonable professional latitude to creatively define particular instructional activities, approaches to instruction, assignments, and means of assessment that will further the objective of improving student engagement and student learning, and that will also further the District’s locally-established learning goals and objectives for students.

The District Administrator, or an appropriately licensed designee, shall establish, continuously monitor, and revise as necessary (e.g., due to newly issued standards or due to targeting a specific area for improvement) a schedule for conducting periodic program evaluations in each area of study that is covered by the District’s sequential curriculum guides. The overall program evaluation method shall be reviewed at least once every 5 years and revised as appropriate. After reviewing the results of such periodic evaluations, the District Administrator shall provide the Board with any reports and recommendations for possible Board action that he/she deems necessary or prudent.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT
Policy 330
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.01 [state educational goals and expectations]
Section 118.015 [development of a comprehensive reading curriculum]
Section 118.019 [human growth and development instruction]
Section 118.30(1g)(a)1 [board adoption of academic standards]
Section 120.12(13) [annual declaration and notice of academic standards]
Section 120.12(14) [school board duty to determine school course of study]
Section 120.13 [school board broad power to do all things reasonable for cause of education]
Section 121.02 [school district standards; generally]
Section 121.02(1)(k) [school district standards; curriculum plans]
Section 121.02(1)(L) [school district standards; required instruction]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8 [school district standards, generally]
PI 8.01(2)(k) [curriculum plan requirements for school districts]

Cross References:
310, Instructional Goals
335, Development and Sale of Curriculum Materials/Copyright Ownership
WASB PRG 330 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

Revised: March 1994
January 2002
October 2022

STUDENT PRIVACY PROTECTION PROCEDURES
333-Rule
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

© 2015 Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Inc. 1/2/15

A. Protection of Student Privacy in the Administration or Distribution of Surveys Containing or Revealing Protected Information

The following additional arrangements apply to further protect student privacy in the event the District administers or distributes any survey for which the District has not obtained affirmative, written consent from a parent or guardian (or adult student) and where the survey in question contains or would reveal information in any of the eight protected-information categories outlined in Board policy:

1. All student responses to such surveys shall be anonymous, unless the students’ parents or guardians (or adult students) were given express notice that the survey responses would not be anonymous.
2. Students shall be informed that their participation in the survey is voluntary (i.e., participation remains the student’s choice, even though the student’s parent or guardian did not preemptively opt the student out of participation in the survey).
3. Survey responses will be collected and handled in a manner that prevents students and others with no legitimate role in the survey process from accessing the content of individual survey responses.

B. Protection of Student Privacy in the Collection, Disclosure or Use of Personal Information for Marketing Purposes

The following additional arrangements apply for the protection of student privacy in the event that the District collects, discloses or uses personal information from students for the purpose of marketing, or otherwise provides personal information to others for that purpose:

1. The District shall not sell, or allow the collection of personal information from students by others for the purpose of selling, any lists or other records that contain student or parent names, addresses, telephone numbers, or email addresses.
2. The District shall not collect, disclose or use a student’s or parent’s social security number for any marketing purpose, or for the purpose of selling such numbers.
3. The District shall honor any parent opt-out from the disclosure of personal information that is identified as “directory data” under the District’s student record policies and/or procedures as an opt-out from the District’s disclosure of any personal information collected from his/her student to any third party for the purpose of marketing.
4. The use of any instrument to collect personal information from students for the purpose of marketing must have the express pre-approval of the District Administrator.

STUDENT PRIVACY PROTECTION PROCEDURES
333-Rule
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

© 2015 Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Inc. 1/2/15

5. The District shall not use a student’s or parent’s name, portrait, or picture for public advertising purposes in a manner that reasonably implies endorsement of the District or its programs without having first obtained the written consent of the person, or if the person is a minor, his/her parent or guardian. This provision shall not be construed to encompass announcements of awards or achievements, or the production of materials such as athletic program guides, playbills, activity rosters, or similar materials for school-related programs and activities.

Adoption Date: November 2022

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND OWNERSHIP OF CURRICULUM AND OTHER WORKS AND MATERIALS
Policy 335
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Copyright

Copyright and other associated rights of ownership of works created by District employees within the scope of their employment (i.e., work that advances the objectives of the person’s employment) are subject to the “work made for hire” doctrine under copyright law. Therefore, to the extent consistent with applicable law, and unless the School Board or an authorized designee acting on the Board’s behalf approves a different arrangement in writing, such rights and works are the property of the District and the District retains all associated rights of ownership.

If any District employee wishes to request approval for an arrangement under which the employee would retain (1) a personal ownership interest (either in whole or in part) in a particular work or in the work’s related intellectual property rights, or (2) a right to independently use, sell, or license such a work, a request should be made in writing and submitted to the District Administrator. Whenever practicable, the request should be submitted in advance of pursuing the endeavor. The District Administrator may approve or deny such a request, in writing, on behalf of the Board or submit the request for Board approval.

Subject to applicable law, examples of particular works that are covered by this policy regarding copyright generally include in-District academic research; published material that relates to the author’s District employment; staff development presentations and training materials; curriculum, instructional modules, assessments, or lessons plans; any software or electronic application that is developed for use or possible use by a District employee in connection with instruction or other District operations or programs; guides, procedures, handbooks, or forms; and works of art created within the scope of employment. However, reaching a determination of whether or not any particular work is a “work made for hire” under copyright law requires an analysis of the specific work and the circumstances under which the work was created.

Patents

The ownership and rights to non-infringing use of patents for any inventions or other patentable work conceived or created by an employee during his/her hours of employment or while working with District-provided resources shall be determined by applicable law.

District-Commissioned Work by Independent Contractors

If the District commissions a work by an independent contractor with the intent of retaining ownership and/or intellectual property rights in the resulting work, the relevant contract shall specify the allocation of such rights to the extent required by law or as otherwise deemed advisable by the District or the District’s legal counsel.

Decisions Regarding District Intellectual Property

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND OWNERSHIP OF CURRICULUM AND OTHER WORKS AND MATERIALS
Policy 335
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Decisions to license, publish for sale, or otherwise distribute or authorize the use of works, marks, and related intellectual property owned by the District shall be made by the Board or by the District Administrator on the Board’s behalf. Other employees who receive requests or inquiries regarding the use of District-owned works, marks, or related intellectual property should refer the request to the District Administrator.

Legal References:

Federal Law
Title 17 U.S.C. §101 et seq [federal copyright law]
Title 35 U.S.C. §100 et seq [federal patent law]

Cross References:
335-Rule, Sale and Distribution Cost of District-Owned Curricula Material
771, Printing and Duplicating Services (Copyright)
823, Access to Public Records
WASB PRG 335 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 4/22/91

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002
October 2022

NON-DISTRICT RESEARCH INVOLVING DISTRICT SCHOOLS OR PROGRAMS
Policy 336
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The School Board generally encourages the District’s professional employees to contribute to the field of education through research and other scholarly work that, for example, studies or evaluates methods of instruction, student learning, or innovative practices. However, it is also important that such activities be properly planned, vetted, and authorized. In some cases, the District may reject well-intended research proposals due to concerns with ethical research practices, limitations on the use of certain records/information, the appropriate allocation and use of District resources, or possible disruptions to District program operations.

Accordingly, if any District employee or non-District third party wishes to independently initiate any research project or study that involves the District, either on their own behalf or in collaboration with others, the individual shall first request and obtain written permission to undertake the activity from the appropriate Director of Instruction for the District building level if any of the following apply:

1. The research or study would be likely to be considered a type of “human subject research.” Examples of such research may include activities in which individuals are assigned to a control group or experimental group with respect applying some research-related intervention, or research that involves the administration of certain surveys or interviews. (In the case of a non-District third party’s request, this criteria assumes that the relevant research is seeking access to “human subjects” through the District.)
2. The research or study would be conducted or analyzed using the paid time of any District employee(s) or otherwise impose costs on the District that the District has discretion to approve or deny.
3. The research or study would involve the access, use, or disclosure of any individually-identifiable student record information or other individually-identifiable District data/records as to which any applicable state or federal law places relevant restrictions on such access, use, or disclosure.
4. The research or study would require any other special access to District facilities, programs/operations, personnel, students, or data beyond that which is generally accessible to any member of the public. Examples of data/records that are generally accessible to the public include data obtained as the result of a public records request, data that is already published by the District and accessible to the public (e.g., on the District website), and District data that is publicly available from the Department of Public Instruction.

A District employee’s or a non-District third party’s current enrollment in or other association with an institution of higher education does not change the above requirements for obtaining advance permission to conduct a research project or study that involves the District.

Although appropriate care and caution regarding ethical research practices and ensuring the appropriate use and security of confidential records/information must also be exercised with District-initiated efforts to evaluate its own programs and operations, this policy is not intended to directly apply to intra-District studies or evaluations that are undertaken within the scope of an employee’s duties solely for internal purposes or that are otherwise authorized or directed by the appropriate Director of Instruction for the District building level.

NON-DISTRICT RESEARCH INVOLVING DISTRICT SCHOOLS OR PROGRAMS
Policy 336
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Subchapter II of Ch. 19 [state public records law]
Section 118.125 [state student records law]
Section 120.12(2m) [prohibition on the disclosure of certain employee evaluations]

Federal Laws
20 U.S.C. §1232h [Protection of Pupil Rights Provision of General Education Provisions; student privacy policies required and other privacy and parent’s rights mandates]
20 U.S.C. §1232(g) [Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; the federal student records law]
34 C.F.R. Part 99 [U.S. Department of Education FERPA regulations]
34 C.F.R. Part 300, Subpart F [U.S. Department of Education IDEA regulations; confidentiality and maintenance of records]
42 U.S.C. §1758(b)(6) [heightened privacy rules for students’ eligibility status and other National School Lunch Program records; limitations on local district use of such data]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 336 Sample Policy 1
333, Parent Rights in Relation to District Programs/Activities and Student Privacy
347-Rule (1), Student Record Procedures
526, Personnel Records
823, Access to Public Records

Adoption Date: 1/15/90 (as 893)

Revised Date:
March 1994 (as 893)
July 2002 (as 893)
February 2025 (recoded as 336)

DISTRICT READING GOALS AND EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM
Policy 341.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

© 2024 Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Inc. 3/29/24

District Reading Goals

The District shall maintain a program of reading goals for grades kindergarten to 12. Any changes to the District’s reading goals shall be approved by the Board.

1. Upon a request made by the Board or at any other time that the District Administrator determines that it would be beneficial or prudent for the District to revisit its existing goals, the District Administrator shall propose specific amendments to the District’s reading goals for the Board’s consideration.
2. In developing a proposal to maintain or modify specific District reading goals, the District Administrator or a designee shall solicit input from the Director or Elementary Curriculum and/or the Director of Secondary Curriculum.
3. Following approval by the Board, the District’s current reading goals shall be a component of (1) the District’s annual evaluation of the reading curriculum and (2) the District’s regular and ongoing assessment of reading-related needs across all instructional levels.

State-Mandated Early Literacy Reading Readiness Assessments

The District Administrator, or a designee who is licensed either as a reading specialist or as an administrator with curricular and instructional responsibilities, shall (1) determine the annual dates (or date ranges) during which the District will administer the early reading screening assessments required by state law and (2) establish procedures to facilitate and monitor the timely administration and scoring of the screening assessments and, as applicable, any state-mandated reading diagnostic assessments. All District-selected dates for the administration of reading readiness assessments must meet the timing parameters found in state law.

Early Literacy Remediation Plan (effective beginning in the 2024-25 school year)

The District will maintain a written, Board-approved Early Literacy Remediation Plan, which shall be developed under the oversight of the District Administrator. The District administrator shall ensure that the Director of Elementary Curriculum and/or Director of Secondary Curriculum is directly involved in formulating the substantive content of the plan, including any future substantive amendments. Board approval of substantive plan amendments is required.

As required by state law, the District’s current Early Literacy Remediation Plan shall be posted on the District website.

DISTRICT READING GOALS AND EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM
Policy 341.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

© 2024 Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Inc. 3/29/24

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.015 [reading instruction; early literacy curricula and instructional materials; district reading goals and annual reading curriculum evaluation]
Section 118.016 [reading readiness assessments and interventions; mandatory early literacy remediation plan]
Section 118.30(1g)(a)1 [board adoption of academic standards, including in reading]
Section 121.02(1)(c) [school district standards; remedial reading and interventions]
Section 121.02(1)(k) [school district standards; curriculum plans]
Section 121.02(1)(r) [school district standards; annual third grade standardized reading test]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(c) [school district standards; remedial reading and interventions]
PI 8.01(2)(k) [curriculum plan requirements for school districts]

Cross References:
WASB PRG Policy 341.1 Sample policy 1

Adoption Date: October, 2024

EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
Policy 341.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

The District shall provide access to an education for employment program, which serves as an umbrella for a variety of inter-related initiatives that address individualized learning, academic and career planning, career and technical education, and college and career readiness.

Under state law, the program must minimally incorporate all of the following:

Guidance and counseling services
College preparation
Technical preparation programs designed to gain advanced standing in a technical college district's associate degree program
A youth apprenticeship program or other job training and work experience opportunities
Instruction in skills relating to employment
Applied curricula

As part of its education for employment program, the District shall provide age and developmentally-appropriate academic and career planning services, along with related information and opportunities, to students in grades 6 to 12 with the intent and purpose of:

Increasing student engagement with school and learning by actively involving students in setting goals and planning for their own futures;
Increasing students’ self-awareness of their own strengths and interests;
Increasing students’ awareness of and preparation for different postsecondary options, including postsecondary education and training that leads to careers;
Providing individualized support, appropriate to the student’s needs, such that all students have appropriate access to academic and career planning services, including but not limited to students with disabilities, English learners, at-risk students, gifted and talented students, students who are in alternative programs or who have other program or curriculum modifications, and students who have transferred between different schools or programs.

The District’s education for employment program shall be guided by a long-range program plan that is developed, monitored, and updated if deemed appropriate under the primary direction and supervision of the School to work Coordinator with the participation and input of District staff and community stakeholders, as further designated by the Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction.

The School to Work Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the District’s long-range program plan, any recommended revisions to the plan, and an annual report reviewing the plan, plan-related goals, and program implementation are timely presented to the School Board for action or informational purposes, as appropriate. The [School to Work Coordinator] shall also have oversight responsibility regarding the District’s overall compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements that relate to the District’s long-range education for employment plan and the implementation of the District’s education for employment program.1

EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
Policy 341.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 106.07 [high school seniors in apprenticeship programs]
Section 106.13 [state-sponsored youth apprenticeship program]
Section 115.28(59) [academic and career planning requirements]
Section 118.34 [technical preparation programs]
Section 118.56 [special work-based learning programs for grades 9-12]
Section 121.02(1)(L)2 [required introductory instruction in career exploration and planning]
Section 121.02(1)(m) [school district standard; education for employment program]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(L)5 [required introductory instruction in career exploration and planning]
Chapter PI 26 [education for employment plans and programs]

Federal Laws
20 U.S.C. §6312(b) [Title I plan requirements related to effective student transitions, integration of academic and career and technical education content, and work-based learning opportunities]
20 U.S.C. Chapter 44 [career and technical education funding and programs under federal law; includes local plan requirement for recipients of funding]
34 C.F.R. Appendix B to Part 100 [Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, and Handicap in Vocational Education Programs; includes nondiscrimination provisions and related annual notice requirements]

Cross References:
Education for Employment Plan
WASB PRG 341.2 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 4/23/86

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002
October 2022

EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
Policy 341.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

1 Note that Wisconsin Legislature: PI 26.03(1) requires that the school board approve of an education for employment plan. Schools that accept Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act funds are required to adopt a local plan for career and technical education and should coordinate the PI 26.03(1) plan with the Carl Perkins plan. Wisconsin Legislature: PI 26.04(2) requires districts to annually review their PI 26.03(1) plan and issue a report on their Education for Employment program. The last two paragraphs of this sample assign responsibility to one or more administrators to oversee development of the plan, seek community and staff input and oversee the annual plan review and program report.

HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTION
Policy 341.31
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The School Board directs the administration to implement an instructional program in human growth and development for students in grades K-12. A student’s parent or guardian is entitled to file a written request that exempts the student from participating in the applicable grade-level’s human growth and development curriculum. Parent requests for exemptions should be filed with the Building Principal .

The Directors of Curriculum & Instruction or his/her administrative-level designee, shall have primary administrative responsibility for overseeing the development, maintenance, and implementation of the District’s human growth and development curriculum.

• For each grade level, the curriculum specifications shall clearly indicate the portions of the instruction, if any, that will be delivered to students while the students are separated by gender.

• The curriculum materials shall include the grade-level outlines that must be annually provided to the parents and guardians of the students who are in the grades where the instructional program is offered.

• The Directors of Curriculum and Instruction shall present any proposed significant substantive revisions to the District’s human growth and development curriculum to the Board for approval prior to the implementation of the proposed revisions

Human Growth and Development Ad Hoc Committee

The Directors of Curriculum and Instruction, or in his/her absence, a school principal designated by the District Administrator, shall serve as the chairperson of the District’s ad hoc committee on the human growth and development curriculum. As established by state law, the role of the committee is to advise the Board and administration on the design and implementation of the applicable curriculum and to periodically review the curriculum on an advisory basis.

As express exceptions to any conflicting policies that otherwise address ad hoc committees in the District:

• In any school year in which the ad hoc committee will be convened, the chairperson shall propose a list of appointees for the ad hoc committee that is reflective of the membership goals identified in state law. The District Administrator may approve the proposed appointments on behalf of the Board for the then-current iteration of the ad hoc committee.

• An iteration of the ad hoc committee shall be appointed and convened prior to the implementation of any proposed significant substantive revisions to the District’s human growth and development curriculum, and no less frequently than at least every 5 years.

• The chairperson and District Administrator shall notify the Board any time a new iteration of the ad committee is being convened.

• The Board may seek specific feedback from the current iteration of the committee.

HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTION
Policy 341.31
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

• At his/her sole discretion, the chairperson may fill any vacancies that may arise on the committee.

• Unless otherwise directed by the Board, appointments to the committee will terminate and the current iteration of the ad hoc committee shall be considered disbanded upon the delivery of a curriculum review and recommendation report to the Board.

• The report to the Board may note any areas of consensus among the committee members and any areas where no consensus could be reached.

• Meetings of the ad hoc committee will be noticed pursuant to the Open Meetings Law.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.01(2)(d)2.c [mandated instruction in physiology and hygiene, sanitation, the effects of controlled substances and alcohol upon the human system, symptoms of disease and the proper care of the body; separate from any formal human growth and development curriculum and subject to a separate parent exemption decision]
Section 118.01(2)(d)8 [mandated instruction in elementary schools covering knowledge of effective means by which students may recognize, avoid, prevent and halt physically or psychologically intrusive or abusive situations which may be harmful to students; separate from any formal human growth and development curriculum]
Section 118.019 [human growth and development instruction]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(j)1 [school district standards; general instruction in health education]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 341.31 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002
May 2005
November 2022

PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Policy 342.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

The School Board recognizes its responsibility to provide an array of programs, interventions, aids, services, modifications, accommodations, and procedural and substantive protections for students with disabilities. The District’s legal obligations with respect to students with disabilities arise under various state and federal laws, including but not limited to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and section 118.13 and Chapter 115, Subchapter V of the state statutes. While this policy primarily addresses the District’s special education program under the IDEA, the District recognizes that the various state and federal laws create both complimentary and independent rights, protections, and obligations. That is, special education under the IDEA represents only one aspect of the District’s comprehensive program for students with disabilities. Further, in order to meet the needs and respect the legal rights of all students with disabilities, the District recognizes that it must not only maintain a comprehensive system of general processes and supports, but also assess each student as an individual and each situation in its unique context.

IDEA Policies, Procedures, and Forms

The Board has adopted a special education policy and procedure manual based on the model prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), presently without District-specific substantive modifications. The Board has also adopted the DPI model special education forms, presently without District-specific substantive modifications.

The Board delegates to the Director of Special Education the authority and responsibility to approve and immediately implement such changes to the District’s special education policies, procedures, and forms as are necessary to comply with applicable law, including the approval and implementation of DPI-issued revisions to the DPI model policy and procedure manual and model forms. However, any discretionary substantive changes to the District’s special education policies, procedures, and forms that deviate from the DPI models and that are not legally mandated shall be presented to the Board for approval prior to implementation.

The Director of Special Education shall have responsibility for recording, tracking, and reporting to DPI how the District’s special education policies, procedures, and forms differ from the DPI models, if at all.

IDEA Programs and Services

Specific education programs and services for students with disabilities under the IDEA shall be determined by the student’s individualized education program (IEP) team and based on an assessment of the student’s individual needs. To the extent outlined in the student's IEP (and/or as a result of the application of other legal rights), such students shall participate in state or District academic assessments, with or without accommodations, or in appropriate alternate assessments.

The Board delegates to the Director of Special Education the authority to designate and maintain a current list of the District employees who are authorized to serve as the local education agency (LEA) representative on District IEP teams and in other special education processes. Such designees shall receive periodic training that is specific to serving in that role. To the extent the administration designates an employee as an LEA representative whose current job description does not expressly include that responsibility, the District Administrator shall determine whether the applicable job description should be modified and advise the Board accordingly.

The District may contract with its assigned Cooperative Educational Service Agency, other public school districts, and other qualified persons to provide special education programs and/or services whenever the District determines that such contracting would appropriately meet the needs of the student(s) and otherwise serve as an appropriate means of implementing the special education and related services defined in each student’s IEP.

PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Policy 342.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

Reports, Audits, and Plans

The District Administrator or his/her designee shall complete and timely submit all special education report forms, audit materials, and District plans as may be required by any state or federal agency in relation to the District’s programs for students with disabilities.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Chapter 115, Subch. V [educational programs and services for children with disabilities]
Section 118.13 [student nondiscrimination]
Section 118.30(2)(b)1 [state student assessments; children with disabilities]
Section 121.54(3) [student transportation; children with disabilities]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 11 [educational programs and services for children with disabilities]

Federal Laws
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [programs and services for students with disabilities]
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [disability discrimination; reasonable accommodations]
Americans with Disabilities Act [disability discrimination; reasonable accommodations]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 342.1 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

Revised:
3/94
10/12/98
8/14/00

PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Policy 342.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

January 2002
November 2022

HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION
Policy 342.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

There are two types of homebound instruction: homebound instruction for regular education students and homebound instruction for students with disabilities.

Homebound instruction for regular education students may be provided for students who are unable to attend school due to mental or physical illness or injury. The student’s parent/guardian should address such a request to the Director of Special Education. Written documentation from the student’s physician will be required.

Homebound instruction for students with disabilities who are unable to attend school due to mental or physical illness or injury shall be provided in accordance with legal requirements and the District’s established referral and IEP procedures as outlined in Special Education Handbook. Homebound requests for IEP consideration should be addressed to the Director of Special Education. Written documentation from the student’s physician will be required.

Legal Ref.: Sections 118.15(1)(d)(5) Wis. Statutes
115.79(4)

Cross Ref.: Special Education Handbook

Adopted: 11/8/82

Revised:
1/11/88
March 1994
January 2002
February 2010
November 2022

GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM
Policy 342.3
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Upon recommendation of the District Administrator, the School Board shall employ or, if already employed, designate the licensed employee who is assigned to coordinate the District’s gifted and talented program (the “Coordinator”). The Coordinator shall have primary responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day implementation and the ongoing development, evaluation, and revision of the District’s plan for gifted education for students in all grades.

The Coordinator shall not implement substantive amendments or changes in the District’s plan for gifted education without first obtaining the approval of the District Administrator. If the District Administrator determines that a proposed change to the District’s plan fundamentally alters the nature of the District’s program for gifted education, the District Administrator shall present the proposed change to the Board for approval prior to implementation. Further, if any such change to the plan necessitates an amendment to an approved District budget (or to the Board’s proposed budget if the budget for the school year in question has not yet been formally adopted), then the administration shall obtain advance Board approval of the change to the plan, and the related budget amendment(s).

Annually following the conclusion of each school year, or at such other times as may be directed by the District Administrator or the Board, the Coordinator shall prepare a written report concerning the status of the District’s program and plan for gifted education.

The following are the Board’s expectations for the District’s program and plan for gifted education:

1. The plan and program shall provide for the identification and, as needed, further assessment or evaluation of students who may require educational programming, services, or activities based on identified exceptionalities in specific academic areas or in the other categories/capabilities that are addressed in the plan.
2. The identification and referral process within the plan and program shall allow for and encourage identification and referral based on multiple measures and multiple sources of information.
3. The plan and program shall provide an opportunity for parental participation in the identification and referral process, and in determining any individualized programming for the student.
4. The District’s plan and program for gifted education shall be designed and implemented in a manner that is consistent with the District’s nondiscrimination obligations and policies. No student shall be denied the opportunity to access or participate in gifted education in a manner that would constitute unlawful discrimination or that would otherwise violate any applicable law or Board policy.
5. The plan and program shall recognize that giftedness can emerge or be first identified at different ages; and, therefore, the plan or program shall not preclude initial identification based solely on a student’s age or grade.
6. Notwithstanding the designation of a specific Coordinator, all licensed employees have some responsibilities with respect to gifted and talented education. All such employees are expected to work collaboratively to identify and meet student needs and to implement and improve the District’s program for gifted education.

GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM
Policy 342.3
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

7. The District’s plan for gifted education shall include expressly stated goals that are aligned with state law, administrative rule, professional standards, research, and effective practice.
8. Where the District determines that the general curriculum is not educationally appropriate for the student, the primary focus should be on providing the student with different curriculum, assignments, services, activities, or opportunities that are intended to facilitate the student’s further growth and development in light of the student’s identified exceptionalities and his/her educational needs. Secondarily, the District may consider the extent to which programming modifications could be structured to meet other needs of the student (e.g., needs related to social and emotional development). The purpose of the program for gifted education is not to simply assign the student more work to complete in addition to the work that is already expected of other students.

In meeting its obligation to provide gifted education, the District is required and challenged to identify and provide programming for students for whom there is demonstrated evidence of extraordinary capabilities and for whom some aspect(s) of the District’s standard curriculum and regular programs may be inappropriate. At the same time, it is the Board’s expectation that the District’s standard curriculum and educational programs will be sufficiently adaptable, and cover a sufficiently wide span of rigor, such that they will be appropriate for, and adequately challenge, many students who are very intelligent, creative, hard-working, and resourceful, as well as many students who consistently demonstrate above-average performance. This expectation for the standard curriculum is aligned with the Board’s foundational belief that all students have (1) a tremendous aptitude and capacity to learn; (2) valuable talents, skills, and abilities that should be nurtured and celebrated; and (3) unique educational needs and interests. Keeping this foundational belief in mind, the District will consider and may implement individualized curricular and program modifications or other individualized interventions for any student.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 115.997(5)(b) [educational program placement of children affected by military transfer, including placement in gifted and talented programs]
Section 118.13 [student nondiscrimination]
Section 118.15(1)(d) [program and curriculum modifications]
Section 118.35 [programs for gifted and talented students]
Section 121.02(1)(t) [school district standard; gifted and talented education]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(t) [regulations for school district standards; gifted and talented education]
PI 18.04 [modifications to high school graduation standards to accommodate students with exceptional needs and interests]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 342.3 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date:
October, 2022

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AT RISK
Policy 342.4
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

Pursuant to a District-wide plan, the District shall identify students who are at risk of not graduating from high school and provide appropriate interventions, services, program and curriculum modifications, or other accommodations.

At a minimum, the District-wide plan for students at risk shall:

1. Address prevention and early intervention measures for students of all ages and at all grade levels. In early childhood through grade 4, prevention and early intervention efforts may reflect a combination of (a) general curriculum and program offerings, and (b) programs or services that are based on the individual needs of an identified student.
2. Specify how students will be identified as eligible for programs, services or other accommodations under the plan. For purposes of identification, the plan may consider indicators and criteria that are in addition to those indicators/criteria that expressly define “children at risk” under state law.
3. List the services, programs, and other accommodations that may be used to meet the needs of students who are identified under the plan, including any coordinating services provided by community agencies and other organizations.
4. Provide for the appropriate written notification of the student’s parent or guardian upon the student being identified as a student at risk.
5. If the District has identified any private, nonprofit, nonsectarian agencies located in the school district, or within five miles of the District boundaries, that can provide an adequate and appropriate program for students at risk in grades 5-12, such agencies and programs shall be identified in the plan, but no student shall be served in such a program until after the Board has entered into a formal contract with the agency.

The District Administrator shall designate another administrator as the District’s At Risk Coordinator, and that individual shall have primary responsibility for:

1. Developing, and annually reviewing and revising to the extent necessary, the District-wide plan that is required under this policy. The annual plan shall be in place no later than August 15th.
2. Overseeing the implementation of the plan, including the coordination of staff training activities and efforts designed to improve parent and community awareness.
3. Coordinating an annual evaluation of plan activities and the preparation of any reports that are created for the District Administrator and the School Board.

The District’s At Risk Coordinator, the Director of Student Services, and the High School Principal shall have joint responsibility for:

1. Ensuring that any alternative education program or curriculum modification offered to a student at risk in grades 9 through 12 shall be designed to allow the student to meet high school graduation requirements.

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AT RISK
Policy 342.4
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

2. Ensuring that the special education and related services needs of a student with a disability are first addressed in the student’s individualized education program (IEP), whenever that student is also eligible to be served in an at risk program.
3. Working with technical college personnel concerning educational options for students at risk, including options involving attendance at the technical college in a program that will lead to the student’s high school graduation, or, where allowed under state law, that will lead to a high school equivalency diploma.
4. Ensuring that any work-based learning experience and other similar program or activity taking place outside school for which a student receives academic credit are supervised by DPI-licensed teachers or other DPI-licensed school personnel.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 115.28(7)(e) [alternative education programs]
Section 118.15 [compulsory student attendance and program and curriculum modifications]
Section 118.153 [children at risk of not graduating from high school; plan requirement]
Section 118.16 [school attendance enforcement; habitual truancy]
Section 118.33 [high school graduation standards]
Section 121.02(1)(n) [school district standards; plan requirement for children at risk]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 18 [high school graduation standards]
PI 25 [children at risk plan and program]

Cross References:
342.4 Exhibit, Children at Risk of Not Graduating from High School Plan
345.5 High School Graduation Requirements/Procedures
WASB PRG 342.4 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: September 1986

Revised:
April 1991
March 1994
August 2000
January 2002
October 2022

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AT RISK
Policy 342.4
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

TITLE I PROGRAMMING
Policy 342.5
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

© 2016 Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Inc. 12/6/16

In an effort to help students master challenging curricula and meet high academic standards, the District participates in the federal Title I program.

The District schools that participate in the Title I program use the targeted-assistance model

The Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction shall have overall responsibility for monitoring both the success of the District’s Title I programming and the District’s compliance with the various legal requirements that apply to participation in the Title I program. The administration’s oversight responsibilities in regard to the Title I program include the following:

1. Ensuring District-level involvement in the planning, delivery, and regular evaluation of the Title I programs and services at individual schools. This includes ensuring that school-based plans, goals, and service initiatives are complementary to District-level plans, goals, and initiatives.
2. Ensuring the appropriate development, maintenance, dissemination, and periodic updating of a District-level Title I parent and family engagement policy, and verifying that the corresponding school-level parent and family engagement policies and compacts are in place.
3. Ensuring the establishment and implementation of procedures for providing parents and guardians with the various notifications required under the federal Title I laws and regulations, including an annual notification of this policy.
4. Structuring opportunities for the District to appropriately coordinate and collaborate with private schools and other entities providing educational services (e.g., early childhood development programs) in the community.
5. Providing the fiscal and operational planning and direction needed to ensure, to the extent required by federal law and applicable to the District, that there is an appropriate degree of intra-District comparability in teacher compensation and in the teachers, administrators, support personnel, curriculum materials, and instructional supplies that are provided to particular grades or schools.
6. Ensuring the appropriate documentation and reporting structures are in place to:
   a. Monitor key compliance factors such as the District’s maintenance of fiscal effort, the “supplement and not supplant” restrictions on the use of federal Title I funds, and, to the extent applicable, the intra-District comparability-of-service requirements established under federal law.
   b. Facilitate the timely completion and submission of state and federal reports, applications, or other information that may be required or requested by state or federal officials in connection with the District’s participation in the Title I program.
   c. Appropriately track the allocation, distribution, and expenditure of Title I funds.

TITLE I PROGRAMMING
Policy 342.5
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

© 2016 Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Inc. 12/6/16

Legal References:

Federal Laws
20 U.S.C. Sec. 6312 [local educational agency Title I plans; includes expectations regarding teacher and paraprofessional qualifications and annual notice requirements]
20 U.S.C. Sec. 6313 [eligible school attendance areas]
20 U.S.C. Sec. 6314 [school-wide Title I programs]
20 U.S.C. Sec. 6315 [targeted-assistance Title I schools]
20 U.S.C. Sec. 6318 [parent and family engagement]
20 U.S.C. Sec. 6320 [participation of children enrolled in private schools]
20 U.S.C. Sec. 6321 [fiscal requirements]
20 U.S.C. Sec. 6322 [coordination requirements]

Federal Regulations
34 C.F.R Part 200 [federal Title I regulations]

Cross References:
WASB PRG 342.5 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: February 2009

Revised Date: December 2022

TITLE I PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICY GUIDELINES
342.5-Rule
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 4

The District recognizes the importance of parent and family engagement in children’s education. Therefore, the District shall provide appropriate opportunities for parents and family members to become involved in the design and implementation of the District’s Title I Program activities and, more generally, in improving the academic achievement and school performance of their children. As used in these policy guidelines, “parent(s)” shall be understood to include a student’s legal guardian(s) where applicable.

The federal Title I laws and regulations required that these District-level parent and family engagement policy guidelines, along with any school-level supplementary guidelines, shall be developed jointly with, agreed on with, and distributed to parents and family members of participating students.

District-Level Parent and Family Engagement Guidelines and Initiatives

At a District level, under the leadership and direction of the Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction and the building principals, the District shall:

1. Involve parents and family members in the planning, review, and improvement of the District’s Title I Program Plan.

a. Such parent and family member participation shall occur through multiple mechanisms that may include surveys, representation on applicable work teams, and, as may be applicable, participation in school-based or District-based meetings that serve an advisory function related to the Title I Program and its goals.

b. If the District’s Title I Program Plan is not satisfactory to the parents or family members of participating children, the District shall submit any parent or family member comments about the Program Plan to the State when the Plan itself is submitted.

c. An annual review of the District’s Title I Program Plan will be conducted each spring and may include an analysis of state and local assessment data, a review of grade level needs and of the services provided, survey data, and a summary analysis of the effectiveness of Title I services.

2. Involve parents and family members in an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of these District-level parent and family engagement policy guidelines. The evaluation shall focus on:

a. the extent to which existing parent and family engagement strategies and activities aid in improving student achievement and the academic quality of the schools;

b. identifying barriers to greater participation by parents in parent and family engagement activities, with particular attention given to parents who are economically disadvantaged, are disabled, have limited English proficiency, have limited literacy, or are of any racial or ethnic minority background;

TITLE I PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICY GUIDELINES
342.5-Rule
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 4

c. identifying strategies to support successful school and family interactions; and

d. determining whether adjustments to current practices should be made.

3. Provide coordination, technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent and family engagement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance.
4. Coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies under Title I with parent and family engagement strategies under other programs, such as Head Start, Reading First, Early Reading First, Even Start, Parents as Teachers, and Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters, and conduct other activities that encourage and support parents and family members in more fully participating in the education of their children.
5. Conduct, with the involvement of parents and family members, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parent and family engagement policy in improving the academic quality of the schools served under Title I, including identifying:

a. barriers to greater participation by parents in parent involvement activities (with particular attention to parents who are economically disadvantaged, are disabled, have limited English proficiency, have limited literacy, or are of any racial or ethnic minority background); and

b. the needs of parents and family members to assist with the learning of their children, including engaging with school personnel and teachers; and

c. strategies to support successful school and family interactions.

6. Use the findings of the evaluation described above to design evidence-based strategies for more effective parental involvement, and to revise, if necessary, the parent and family engagement policies described in this section.
7. Involve parents in the activities of the schools served under Title I, which may include establishing a parent advisory board comprised of a sufficient number and representative group of parents or family members served by the District to adequately represent the needs of the population served by the District.

TITLE I PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICY GUIDELINES
342.5-Rule
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 4

Building Capacity for Parent and Family Engagement

To ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the school involved, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement, each school and the District shall:

1. Provide assistance to parents of children served by the school or District in understanding such topics as the State’s academic content standards and student academic achievement standards, State and local academic assessments, the requirements of Title I, and how to monitor a child’s progress and work with educators to improve the achievement of their children.
2. Provide materials and training to help parents work with their children to improve their children’s achievement, such as literacy training and using technology (including education about the harms of copyright piracy), as appropriate, to foster parent and family engagement.
3. Educate teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, principals, and other school leaders, and other staff, with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and the school.
4. To the extent feasible and appropriate, coordinate and integrate parent involvement programs and activities with other Federal, State, and local programs, including public preschool programs, and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children.
5. Ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is sent to the parents of participating children in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand.
6. Provide such other reasonable support for parent and family engagement activities as parents may request.

TITLE I PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT POLICY GUIDELINES
342.5-Rule
Waunakee Community School District Page 4 of 4

Accessibility

In carrying out the parent and family engagement requirements of this part, the District and participating schools, to the extent practicable, shall provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing information and school reports required under section 1111 of the ESEA in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language such parents understand.

Adoption Date: February 2009

Revised Date: December 2022

SERVICES/PROGRAMS FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS
Policy 342.7
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

The Waunakee Community School District shall provide appropriate programs and services for students who are identified as English learners (EL) and are enrolled in District schools. The purpose of these programs and services will be to help students acquire English language skills that will enable them to benefit from the instructional program at the Waunakee Community School District (WCSD) and to meet established academic standards.

If a sufficient number of English learners from the same language group are identified, bilingual-bicultural programs and services must be offered. Once state requirements are met, these programs and services are provided as required by State Law.

Students with English learning (EL) needs shall be identified according to WCSD English Learner identification guidelines, which are in accordance with the processes identified in the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction English Learner Policy Handbook and state law. Once identified, English learners shall receive an English proficiency level. Service delivery shall be determined after careful data analysis to identify student needs. The degree of curricular and instructional modification and accommodation, type of supportive services and their duration shall be individually determined based on student needs. Specialized instructional materials and techniques designed to teach English to speakers of other languages shall be used in the District. English learners shall be provided with full access to supportive services available to other students in the District.

Parents/guardians of English learners shall be notified of the students’ English language assessment results and of educational programs and services available to help their child improve their English language skills and academic achievement. Parents/guardians of English learners will be provided a Notification of Service Delivery and Parental Rights, which is reviewed on an annual basis. Parents/guardians will be notified when/if changes in service delivery are made. Notifications shall be provided in the parent/guardian’s native language to the extent possible. These notifications shall be made consistent with legal requirements and in such a manner as to ensure that the student’s parent or guardian understands them.

English learners shall be assessed academically in accordance with legal requirements and established District procedures. Decisions regarding the administration of statewide academic assessments to English learners, including any testing accommodations, shall be made according to State and District guidelines on a case-by-case basis. The results of statewide and District academic assessments and alternative assessments shall be used consistent with District policies in making programmatic decisions. Academic assessment results may not be used as the sole criterion to re-classify an English learner from an English as a second language or bilingual-bicultural education program or to determine if grade promotion, eligibility for courses or programs, eligibility for graduation for eligibility for participation in postsecondary education responsibilities.

The English language proficiency of English learners shall be assessed annually according to Federal and State requirements. Reclassification/exiting decisions shall also be made according to WCSD procedures that are aligned in the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction English Learner Policy Handbook.

SERVICES/PROGRAMS FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS
Policy 342.7
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

Procedure:

Enrollment Procedure:

1. All new students are required to register at the Waunakee Community School District Registrar’s office, 905 Bethel Circle, Waunakee. All families must provide proof of residency and complete a student enrollment form and a Home Language Survey for each student.
2. Answers to questions on the Home Language Survey will determine the need for English language proficiency screening.

English language proficiency screening and identification procedures shall be conducted according to WCSD procedures, which are aligned to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction English Learner Policy Handbook.

Having another language spoken in the home or in another setting is not an automatic identification of a student as having English language learning needs.

Programming and Progress Monitoring:

1. English Learner (EL) teaching staff provide support for English learners under a variety of service models. Services are defined in the Notification of Service Delivery and Parental Rights and require consent of parent/guardian.
2. EL teachers and general education teachers will monitor progress of current English learners including two years after English learners have exited programs and services. Staff will meet with parents/guardians and students when students are not making expected progress. If during that time, it is determined that the student was exited from the EL program prematurely, the student shall be placed back in the program.
3. If an English learner is suspected of having special education needs, all required procedures for screening and evaluation under the District Multi-Level Systems of Support (MLSS) process and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) apply. A consideration in determining eligibility for special education services will be the student’s patterns of language acquisition and whether or not they are typical of bilingual learners. The EL staff shall collaborate with special education and student services staff in order to determine whether or not assessments should be conducted in languages other than English.

SERVICES/PROGRAMS FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS
Policy 342.7
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

LEGAL REF: 115.95 Wisconsin Statutes
115.96 Wisconsin Statutes
115.97 Wisconsin Statutes
118.13 Wisconsin Statutes
118.30 Wisconsin Statutes
121.02(1)(r) Wisconsin Statutes
212.02(1)(s) Wisconsin Statutes
PI 8.01(2)(r) Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 14 Wisconsin Administrative Code
Elementary and Secondary Education Act Part A-Subpart 1
Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
34.C.F.R. 200.06(f)

CROSS REF: 310 Instructional Goals
342.1 Programs for Children with Disabilities
342.3 Title I Comparability
345.1 Grading Systems
345.4 Promotion/Retention of Students
345.5 High School Graduation Requirements/Procedures
346 Student Assessment Program
411 Equal Educational Opportunities
420 School Admissions
422 Admission of Non-Resident Students

Adopted:
June, 2022

Reviewed:
November, 2022 

SECTION 504 PLANS AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Policy 342.8
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the District shall provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to each eligible student who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity. The District’s duty to provide FAPE applies to each such student, regardless of the specific nature or severity of the student’s disability.

Further, the District shall not discriminate against any student based upon (1) any prior record of physical or mental impairment, or (2) a student being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment (e.g., based upon an assumption or perception of a disability). In connection with these obligations, the District shall take reasonable steps intended to protect a student with a disability from being harassed or retaliated against on the basis of the student’s disability.

To meet its obligations under Section 504, the District shall:

1. Engage in appropriate notification and “child-find” activities that are designed to identify and locate children residing in the District who may have a disability and who may be in need of special education and related services;
2. Make and accept referrals for evaluations as required by law;
3. Conduct evaluations and make eligibility and placement determinations in a manner that reflects the standards and requirements established under both Section 504 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), such as the following: (a) parent consent is required for initial evaluations; and (b) all eligibility and placement determinations must be made on an individualized basis with a focus on the student’s identified educational needs;
4. Employ appropriate procedural safeguards, including providing parents and guardians with required notices and appropriate opportunities to review their child’s records;
5. Develop, implement, and appropriately review a written Section 504 plan for each qualifying student with a disability (NOTE: An individualized education program (IEP) generally serves as the 504 plan for students who are also IDEA-eligible provided that the IEP is sufficient to meet the District’s Section 504 obligations to the student.);
6. Reevaluate students before any significant change in placement and in order to periodically redetermine eligibility; and
7. Adhere to appropriate procedures and standards in connection with the suspension and/or potential expulsion of any student with a disability.

The Special Education Director is the District’s designated Section 504 Coordinator. The Coordinator shall have primary responsibility for the administrative procedures used within the District to implement the requirements of Section 504 and this policy. The Coordinator shall also be responsible for ensuring appropriate staff training and professional development in connection with the District’s obligations under Section 504, and for monitoring and evaluating the District’s overall implementation of Section 504.

SECTION 504 PLANS AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Policy 342.8
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

The District encourages informal resolution of complaints and concerns regarding the implementation of Section 504 procedures. Accordingly, the Section 504 Coordinator shall make efforts to address a parent’s or guardian’s complaints or other concerns by appropriate means that may include scheduling additional meetings of relevant members of the applicable 504 team or attempting to mediate a resolution. Any informal resolution of a complaint or concern that requires a modification to a student’s 504 plan shall be incorporated into the plan using appropriate procedures.

Any person who believes that a student with a disability has been discriminated against, retaliated against, or harassed on the basis of the student’s disability, or who believes that the District has otherwise violated Section 504 or its implementing regulations, may file a complaint through the internal complaint procedure established under the District’s student nondiscrimination policy. A person who wishes to file such a complaint, or who requires more information about the complaint procedure, should contact the District’s Section 504 Coordinator or, if the Section 504 Coordinator is temporarily unavailable or if the complaint in question involves any alleged improper conduct by the Coordinator, the District Administrator.

A parent or guardian (or adult student) who disagrees with the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of a free appropriate public education of a student with a disability under Section 504, and who has been unable to reach a satisfactory resolution of the issue(s) with the District, has the right to request an impartial hearing. The complaining party shall have the right to participate in such a hearing, to present evidence, and to be represented by a person of their choice, including an attorney. A request for an impartial hearing must be made in writing and mailed or delivered to Director of Administration. Upon receipt of a request for a hearing, the necessary arrangements will be made by the District, including the selection of a hearing officer. Any party aggrieved by the decision of the hearing officer may seek judicial review of the decision to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Relationship between Section 504 and the IDEA. Section 504 and the IDEA are related but distinct laws. For example, a student with a disability who is not eligible for special education or related services under the IDEA may have rights to receive certain aids, services, modifications, or academic adjustments under Section 504. Further, even in the case where a student with a disability does not need any special education or related services, or any modifications to the District’s policies, procedures, or practices, the student remains protected by the general nondiscrimination provisions found within Section 504, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, state law, and District policy.

SECTION 504 PLANS AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Policy 342.8
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

Relationship between Section 504 and pre-referral intervention strategies. The Board encourages the identification and use of individualized interventions that address the unique needs of a student. A regular education intervention plan can be appropriate for any student who does not have a disability, and who is not suspected of having a disability, but who is facing challenges in school. However, such pre-referral assistance and interventions must not be intended to impede or to serve as a substitute for necessary referrals, evaluations, and eligibility determinations under the IDEA and/or Section 504.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.13 [student discrimination prohibited]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 9 [student nondiscrimination]

Federal Laws
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [disability discrimination; reasonable accommodations]
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [programs and services for students with disabilities]
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act [disability discrimination; reasonable accommodations]

Cross References:
WASB PRG Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: November, 2022

DISTRICT DAY CARE PROGRAMS
Policy 342.9
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The Board of Education recognizes the value of extended day care programs for school-age children and their parents. Therefore, the Board will cooperate with day care providers in making facilities available for before and after school day care opportunities in the District.

Day care providers shall be permitted to administer a before and after school day care program in a primary/elementary school within the District under the following conditions:

1. There is reasonably available space within the primary/elementary school.
2. Before and after school services are available only to primary/elementary students within the primary/elementary school boundaries.
3. The District is not responsible for providing transportation to or from the before and after school day care program.
4. The day care providers have submitted a written request to the Board in accordance with state law which includes: the name of the primary/elementary school, the number and ages of the students to be served, and the time the provider intends to operate the program. In addition, the request must include assurances that the day care provider will be responsible for actual incremental costs, will be liable for any damages incurred, and will not provide religious instruction or permit religious practices to be conducted during the day care program.
5. Day care providers will meet the standards for licensed day care centers established by the Department of Health and Family Services.
6. Applications of day care providers must be received by the superintendent’s office by April 1st, annually.
7. A contract will be written on an annual basis allowing the District to adjust for enrollment changes and room space availability.
8. Contracts will follow the terms and conditions of the Board’s rental policy.
9. The providers will hold the District harmless from any liability, claim, or damages caused by the acts or omissions of the provider and will acquire adequate liability insurance, as determined by the District, to be in effect throughout the term of the contract.
10. Requests for consideration by day care providers will come to the Board through the superintendent.

DISTRICT DAY CARE PROGRAMS
Policy 342.9
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

11. Nothing in the contract will prohibit the District from permitting other day care providers to provide services to students in the same building during the same time.
12. Additional criteria to be considered in the selection of day care providers will be:
    a. provider’s experience/length of service in years
    b. the ratio of employees to children
    c. the credentials of and recommendations provided by the provider
    d. program model, activities and goals
    e. submittal of a self-evaluation survey by the provider
    f. provider’s ability to meet District requirements as outlined in this policy
    g. the fee schedule to be charged by the provider
13. A screening committee appointed by the superintendent will interview and investigate potential providers and make a recommendation to the superintendent and Board. The committee membership will represent administrators, parents, primary and elementary teachers.

Day care providers shall enter into a written agreement with the Board in accordance with state laws and regulations. The agreement can be terminated with thirty days notice by either party.

Legal Ref.: Sections 120.125, 120.13(14) Wisconsin Statutes
HFS 55.50 - 55.51, Wisconsin Administrative Code

Cross Ref.: 342.8-Rule, Basic Responsibilities of Before and After School Day Care Programs
830, Public Use of School Facilities

Adopted: 5/11/92

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002

Reviewed & Recoded: November 2022

BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDING BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL DAYCARE PROGRAMS
Policy 342.9
RULE
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

A. Responsibilities of the Board of Education

1. Formally resolve to use school facilities as specified in policy for day care.
2. Arrange to lease school facilities in keeping with the Board’s use of school facilities policy.
3. Establish procedures and criteria for Board approval of all programs to be provided by the provider.
4. Select suitable program sites.
5. Compose, in cooperation with the program providers, a joint agreement regarding the day to day operation of day care program(s). This agreement would include references to:
   a. Working relationship between a Board-designated person and the program coordinators;
   b. Board’s provision of all necessary utilities (including phone access), maintenance and custodial coverage;
   c. Schedule of payment to the District for use of facility.
   d. Any duties of school personnel such as principals or secretaries that may result from such a program;
   e. The rooms or spaces that may be used by the program (including storage) and the extent to which exclusive or shared use would be possible;
   f. Those items of school equipment that may be used; and
   g. Setting the program calendar and meshing it with the school’s schedule of student and non-student days.
6. Provide a representative to any advisory committee(s) formed by the program providers.

BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDING BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL DAYCARE PROGRAMS
Policy 342.9
RULE
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

B. Responsibilities of the Program-Providing Agency

1. Establish and carry out all staffing procedures including:
   a. Overall coordination of staff;
   b. Screening and securing staff; and
   c. Setting pay and fringe benefits.
2. Monitor all financial matters including:
   a. Establishing student fees including variable rates and scholarships;
   b. Developing the annual budget;
   c. Determining options for supplementary funding; and
   d. Purchasing materials and supplies.
3. Comply with all state regulatory requirements of the dealing with:
   a. Student-staff ratio;
   b. Group size;
   c. Space/student allocations;
   d. Equipment;
   e. Staff qualifications;
   f. Records maintenance;
   g. Insurance; and
   h. Health requirements (such as immunizations).
4. Establish procedures for collection of student fees and follow-up on unpaid charges.
5. Establish procedures on day to day administration and operation of the program including:
   a. Promotion and publicity (including phone listing);
   b. Hours and days of operation;
   c. Transportation policies and pick up expectations for parents/guardians;
   d. Age requirements;
   e. Attendance policies;
   f. Student conduct;
   g. Off-site activities such as field trips;
   h. Offering food options; and
   I. Making parent/guardians contacts.
6. Develop a program philosophy and curriculum build around academic assistance and recreation.
7. Arrange to keep the Board regularly apprised of the program’s development, changes, and usage.

BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDING BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL DAYCARE PROGRAMS
Policy 342.9
RULE
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

Adopted: 5/11/92

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002

Reviewed & Recoded November, 2022

RECORDING OF IEP AND SECTION 504 MEETINGS
Policy 342.10
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

It is the goal of the Board of Education to conduct meetings held pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as other meetings between district employees, parents/guardians, and students, that promote a free and open exchange of information between the participants in order to successfully identify student educational needs and the selection of the appropriate educational services. The Board believes that a discussion format that leads to a cooperative effort between meeting participants fosters positive outcomes that are in the best interest of the student and builds trust between district employees and parents/guardians. Accordingly, the Board adopts the following policy and procedures with regard to the audio and visual taping of IEP and Section 504 meetings.

Accordingly, the use of audio, visual, and other recording devices at IEP and Section 504 meetings, as well as other meetings between district employees and parents/guardians, shall be prohibited.

Exceptions to this prohibition may be made when a parent/guardian, student, or employee is a qualified person with a disability under Section 504 or has a language barrier that prevents his or her access to or meaningful participation at such meetings and recording of such meeting is selected as a reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access and participation at the meetings.

In accordance with its obligation under Section 504, the School District administrators shall consider a student/parent/guardian request to record IEP or Section 504 student meetings by using the following procedures:

1. The student/parent/guardian requesting to record meetings (“Requestor”) shall provide written notice to the building administrator that he or she requests permission to record the meeting.
2. A request to record a meeting shall be made at least two weeks prior to a meeting.
3. The Requestor shall state the reason for the request. The administrator shall deny any requests based on reasons inconsistent with this policy.
4. The Requestor shall provide documentation from a qualified professional sufficient for the administrator to determine that the Requestor (1) is a qualified person with a disability; or (2) has a language barrier, that qualifies him or her for a reasonable accommodation of the meeting format to ensure his or her participation at the meeting. A qualified person with a disability is one who has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits his or her ability to perform a major life activity.
5. The administrator, with the assistance of the District’s Section 504 Coordinator or other designee, shall schedule and conduct an interactive meeting with the Requestor to discuss the Requestor’s eligibility for an accommodation of the meeting format and explore alternatives for a reasonable accommodation of the meeting format based on the Requestor’s disability or linguistic characteristics.

RECORDING OF IEP AND SECTION 504 MEETINGS
Policy 342.10
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

6. Insufficient or no documentation of the Requestor’s eligibility for a reasonable accommodation of the meeting format shall result in a denial of the request to record the meeting(s).
7. Confidentiality. If the School District audio or video records the meeting, it will maintain the recording as part of the student’s educational record and accord the recording the same measure of confidentiality as any other educational record pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Wisconsin Statute section 118.125 and any other applicable state or federal statute.

Legal References: Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended)
Americans with Disabilities Act
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Wis. Stat. 118.125

Cross References: 342.1 Programs for Students with Disabilities
411 Equal Educational Opportunities

Date of Adoption: May 2016

Reviewed & Recoded: November 2022

INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS (IEEs)
Policy 342.11
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Subject to applicable laws and regulations and the District’s special education policies and procedures, the parent (or legal guardian) of a child with a disability pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), or of a child who is suspected of having an IDEA disability, generally has the right to obtain an independent educational evaluation at public expense if the parent disagrees with a completed evaluation that has been conducted or obtained by the District.

When the District is responsible under the IDEA for the education of the child in question, “independent educational evaluation” (IEE) means an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the District. While the parent generally has the right to select the evaluator for an IEE, the evaluation obtained by the parent must meet the District’s established evaluation criteria for IEEs. To the extent consistent with the parental right to an IEE and subject to any exceptions that are made based on a demonstration of unique circumstances, the criteria under which an IEE is obtained must be the same as the criteria that the District uses when it initiates an evaluation for the same purpose.

A parent is entitled to only one IEE at public expense for any District-arranged IDEA evaluation with which the parent disagrees. However, a parent may always obtain an educational evaluation for his/her child at his/her own cost. If a parent presents the results of a non-publicly funded evaluation to the District, the District shall, to the extent required by and consistent with applicable law, consider the results in connection with decisions made with respect to the child.

The Director or Special Education, in consultation with the District Administrator and other staff as needed, shall have primary administrative responsibility for the following:

1. Ensuring that the District has appropriate procedures in place for receiving and responding to parent notifications that the parent is seeking an IEE at public expense.
2. Ensuring that the District develops, maintains, and appropriately provides to parents, information about where an IEE may be obtained and the District criteria applicable to IEEs.
3. Overseeing the District’s response to any actual parent notification that the parent is seeking an IEE at public expense.

In situations where the individual with a disability has reached the age of 18 and has not been adjudicated incompetent under state law, the adult student with a disability (or suspected disability) stands in the place of the parent for purposes of this policy and any related procedures, except that the District shall provide notices related to IEEs to both the parent and the adult student to the extent required by law.

INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS (IEEs)
Policy 342.11
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Chapter 115, Subch. V [educational programs and services for children with disabilities]
Section 115.792(3)(b)1 [notice of procedural safeguards to include right to independent educational evaluation]
Section 115.80(1)(b) [district authority to file for a hearing to contest the payment of an independent educational evaluation]
Section 118.13 [student nondiscrimination]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
Chapter PI 11 [educational programs and services for children with disabilities]

Federal Law
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [programs and services for students with disabilities]
34 C.F.R. §300.502 [federal regulation on independent educational evaluations]

Cross References:
342.11-Rule, Procedure to Obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation at Public Expense
342.1, Programs for Students with Disabilities
411, Equal Educational Opportunities
Special Education Policy and Procedure Handbook

WASB PRG Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: August 2019

Revised: December 2022

INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS (IEEs)
Policy 342.11
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Subject to applicable laws and regulations and the District’s special education policies and procedures, the parent (or legal guardian) of a child with a disability pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), or of a child who is suspected of having an IDEA disability, generally has the right to obtain an independent educational evaluation at public expense if the parent disagrees with a completed evaluation that has been conducted or obtained by the District.

When the District is responsible under the IDEA for the education of the child in question, “independent educational evaluation” (IEE) means an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the District. While the parent generally has the right to select the evaluator for an IEE, the evaluation obtained by the parent must meet the District’s established evaluation criteria for IEEs. To the extent consistent with the parental right to an IEE and subject to any exceptions that are made based on a demonstration of unique circumstances, the criteria under which an IEE is obtained must be the same as the criteria that the District uses when it initiates an evaluation for the same purpose.

A parent is entitled to only one IEE at public expense for any District-arranged IDEA evaluation with which the parent disagrees. However, a parent may always obtain an educational evaluation for his/her child at his/her own cost. If a parent presents the results of a non-publicly funded evaluation to the District, the District shall, to the extent required by and consistent with applicable law, consider the results in connection with decisions made with respect to the child.

The Director or Special Education, in consultation with the District Administrator and other staff as needed, shall have primary administrative responsibility for the following:

1. Ensuring that the District has appropriate procedures in place for receiving and responding to parent notifications that the parent is seeking an IEE at public expense.
2. Ensuring that the District develops, maintains, and appropriately provides to parents, information about where an IEE may be obtained and the District criteria applicable to IEEs.
3. Overseeing the District’s response to any actual parent notification that the parent is seeking an IEE at public expense.

In situations where the individual with a disability has reached the age of 18 and has not been adjudicated incompetent under state law, the adult student with a disability (or suspected disability) stands in the place of the parent for purposes of this policy and any related procedures, except that the District shall provide notices related to IEEs to both the parent and the adult student to the extent required by law.

INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS (IEEs)
Policy 342.11
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Chapter 115, Subch. V [educational programs and services for children with disabilities]
Section 115.792(3)(b)1 [notice of procedural safeguards to include right to independent educational evaluation]
Section 115.80(1)(b) [district authority to file for a hearing to contest the payment of an independent educational evaluation]
Section 118.13 [student nondiscrimination]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
Chapter PI 11 [educational programs and services for children with disabilities]

Federal Law
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [programs and services for students with disabilities]
34 C.F.R. §300.502 [federal regulation on independent educational evaluations]

Cross References:
342.11-Rule, Procedure to Obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation at Public Expense
342.1, Programs for Students with Disabilities
411, Equal Educational Opportunities
Special Education Policy and Procedure Handbook

WASB PRG Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: August 2019

Revised: December 2022

CLASS SIZE
Policy 343.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Board of Education believes that many factors must be given consideration in the establishment of class size. All efforts will be made to maintain classes at a sound educational level. However, this provision in no way should interfere with the ability of the Board and administration to experiment with different forms of classroom instruction.

Legal Ref.: Section 120.12(2) Wisconsin Statutes

Cross Ref.: 343.2-Rule, Class Size Guidelines

Adopted: 2/13/84

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002
April 2012

Reviewed November 2022

CLASS SIZE GUIDELINES
Policy 343.2
RULE
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

Recommended class sizes, other than special education classes, online classes, bilingual classes, English learner classes, shall be:

Maximum Size Optimum Size Minimum Size

K-2 22 20 15
3-6 25 23 15
7-12 Lab Classes 24 22 15
7-12 Non-Lab Classes 30 25 15
Modified Regular Classes 21 16 *
Recover/At-risk Classes 12 8 *

*Per discretion of the superintendent.

Any class that falls three (3) students above the maximum or below the minimum size will need prior approval from the superintendent and any class with less than 12 students or more than 28/33 students will need approval from the District Administrator.

The following considerations will be used when making decisions:

1. Consideration will be given to those courses which are sequential in nature, such as Spanish I, II, III, and IV.
2. If assistant time would improve the instruction of the class.
3. Characteristics of special classes or special needs of students, such as vocational courses, advanced mathematics or science courses, or small group music instruction.
4. Attitude assessments of the community, local traditions, and current status of public opinion.
5. Current and projected enrollment. (Class size might be low one year and projected to be higher the next year).
6. The Board recognizes that these are guidelines and special circumstances or financial considerations may require class sizes even greater than the maximum or less than the minimum. Specific classes may be approved that are less than the minimum or greater than the maximum.
7. Modified regular classes – these classes would be open to identified students who need modifications in pacing, delivery, or depth of content in the particular curriculum.
8. Recover/At-risk classes – these classes are solely intended for the population of the student body who would not be eligible to graduate on time because of credit shortages.

Adopted: 2/13/84

Revised:
March 1994
4/13/98
July 2004
April 2012
November 2020

TECHNICAL COLLEGE COURSE PROGRAM (“Start College Now”)
Policy 343.45
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 4

High school students in the 11th grade or 12th grade who meet the eligibility requirements defined in applicable statutes, regulations, and District policies may be permitted to enroll in one or more courses at a technical college through the “Start College Now” program. In addition to other applicable eligibility requirements, a student who wishes to enroll in a course through a technical college under this policy must:

1. have the written approval of a parent or guardian, if a minor;
2. notify the District of his/her intent to attend a technical college by submitting a “Start College Now” application form to the District by March 1 if the student intends to enroll in a technical college course in the fall semester, and by October 1 if the student intends to enroll in the spring semester;
3. have completed 10th grade
4. not be a child at risk of not graduating from high school, as defined by state law; and
5. be in good academic standing within the District.

Solely for purposes of determining a student’s eligibility to enroll in a course at a technical college under this policy, “good academic standing” in the District means that the student has a cumulative high school grade point average of at least 2.0 at the time of the determination.

A student who is interested in attending individual courses under the “Start College Now” program may also be required to submit enrollment forms or other enrollment information directly to the applicable technical college, pursuant to any procedures and deadlines established by the technical college.

A technical college district board may deny a high school student admission to the technical college, or registration in a specific course, for any reason that is consistent with state law, including the technical college’s determination that the student has an unacceptable record of disciplinary problems. To the extent consistent with student records laws and with the District’s student records policies and procedures, the District will certify student disciplinary information that is necessary for completing and processing a student’s application to enroll in and take a course at a technical college under the “Start College Now” program.

Program Administration

The High School Principal, Director of Secondary Curriculum and School to Work Program Coordinator processes requests/applications related to the “Start College Now” program; and (2) except for refusal of permission to take a course that is based on an undue financial burden, determining whether the District will approve individual applications and pay for specific courses based on the criteria established in state law, any applicable state regulations, and applicable District policies and procedures.

The authority of the program administrator(s) includes, but is not limited to, the authority to make or approve the following determinations on behalf of the District:

1. Whether a student meets the minimum eligibility criteria for participation in the program;
2. Whether a proposed course is comparable to a course already offered in the District;
3. Whether the student will be eligible to receive high school credit for the successful completion of a proposed course and the amount of credit (if any); and
4. Whether the proposed course and any resulting credit meets any of the District’s high school graduation requirements.

While the District may refuse to allow a student with a disability to attend a technical college through the “Start College Now” program if the costs related to any special services required for the student would impose an undue financial burden on the District, the determination of an undue financial burden shall be made or directly approved by the School Board.

TECHNICAL COLLEGE COURSE PROGRAM (“Start College Now”)
Policy 343.45
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 4

Responsibility for Costs; Limitations on District Payments

To the extent required by state law, the District shall pay for certain costs associated with students’ enrollment in a technical college under this policy if the course is eligible for high school credit toward a high school graduation requirement and the course is not comparable to a course offered in the District. Limitations on the District’s responsibility for payment include the following:

1. The District shall pay only such tuition, fees, and course materials costs as are required by law. If the District is required to pay the technical college for the cost of a book or similar resource that is not a one-time use item, the student shall be required to return the resource(s) to the District upon completion of the course.
2. The District shall pay for no more than the equivalent of a combined total of the maximum number of credits; must be 18 post-secondary semester credits per student for any courses that are taken through the “Start College Now” program or the Early College Credit Program.2 Students may not participate concurrently in both the Start College Now and Early College Credit Program in the same term as defined in statute.
3. The District shall require a student who receives a failing grade in or who fails to complete a technical college course to reimburse the District for all amounts paid for the course on the student’s behalf. For a student who is a minor, the student’s parent or guardian is responsible for such reimbursement. If reimbursement is not made upon request, the student is ineligible for any further participation in the “Start College Now” program and the Early College Credit Program.
4. Unless otherwise required by law, the District is not responsible for providing transportation to technical college courses taken under this policy or paying for transportation-related costs.

Determinations of Course Comparability, Eligibility for High School Credit, and Satisfaction of High School Graduation Requirements

TECHNICAL COLLEGE COURSE PROGRAM (“Start College Now”)
Policy 343.45
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 4

The District’s determinations of whether a proposed course satisfies a high school graduation requirement, whether completion of the course will result in the awarding of high school credit, and the amount of such credit (if any), shall be made with reference to the District’s current high school graduation requirements policy and by applying the same method and criteria that the District applies to its own course offerings and to other outside courses that are submitted for a similar assessment (e.g., by students who are transferring into the District).

In order for a student to receive high school credit for a course taken at a technical college under this policy, the student must complete the course and receive a passing grade, as determined by the technical college. In addition, no credit toward satisfaction of a high school graduation requirement shall be available for a course that substantially repeats the same content for which the student has already taken a course and already received high school credit.

For purposes of determining whether a course that a student wishes to take through the “Start College Now” program is comparable to a course offered by the District, the District shall apply the standards found in PI 40.06(2) of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, as such standards have been defined for the state’s Early College Credit Program.

At least 30 days before the beginning of the technical college semester in which the student will be enrolled, the District shall notify the student, in writing, if a course in which the student intends to enroll (1) does not meet the high school graduation/credit requirements, and (2) whether the course is comparable to a course offered in the District.

Appeals of District Decisions

If an applicant for the program disagrees with a District decision regarding course comparability or the satisfaction of high school graduation requirements, state law provides that the applicant may appeal the District’s decision to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction within 30 days after the District’s decision.

TECHNICAL COLLEGE COURSE PROGRAM (“Start College Now”)
Policy 343.45
Waunakee Community School District Page 4 of 4

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 38.12(14) [attendance at technical college under the technical college course program, also known as the “Start College Now” Program]
Section 115.385(4) [parent notification of educational options]
Section 118.15(1)(b) [attendance at a technical college in lieu of high school or on a part-time basis by a child 16 years of age or over and a child at risk]
Section 118.15(1)(d) [discretionary program and curriculum modifications]
Section 118.153(1)(a) [definition of a child at risk of not graduating from high school]
Section 118.33 [high school graduation requirements]
Section 118.55 [early college credit program]
Section 118.57 [public notification of educational options]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
Chapter PI 40 [regulations governing the early college credit program, which are not directly applicable to the “Start College Now” program]

Cross References:
343.46 Early College Credit Program
345.4-Rule, Promotional and Retention of Students
345.6, High School Graduation Requirements/Procedures

WASB PRG 343.45 Sample Policy 2

Adoption Date: May 1992

Revised:
March 1994
April 1998
January 2000
January 2002
May 2004
June 2018
December 2022

EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM
Policy 343.46
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 4

High school students who meet the eligibility requirements defined in applicable statutes, regulations, and District policies may be permitted to enroll in one or more courses at an institution of higher education through the Early College Credit Program. In addition to other applicable eligibility requirements, a student who wishes to enroll in a course under this policy must:

1. have the written approval of a parent or guardian, if a minor;
2. notify the District of his/her intent to attend an institution of higher education by submitting an Early College Credit Program application form to the District by March 1 if the student intends to enroll in a course during the fall semester, and by October 1 if the student intends to enroll in a course during the spring semester;
3. be enrolled in a public or private high school or a home-based private educational program; and
4. be in good academic standing within the District.

Solely for purposes of determining a student’s eligibility to enroll in a course under this policy, “good academic standing” in the District means that the student has a cumulative high school grade point average of at least 2.0 at the time of the determination.

A student who is interested in attending individual courses under the Early College Credit Program may also be required to submit enrollment forms or other enrollment information directly to the applicable institution of higher education, pursuant to any procedures and deadlines established by the institution.

An institution of higher education may deny a high school student admission to the institution, or registration in a specific course, for any reason that is consistent with state law, including the institution’s determination that the student has an unacceptable record of disciplinary problems. To the extent consistent with student records laws and with the District’s student records policies and procedures, the District will certify student disciplinary information that is necessary for completing and processing a student’s application to enroll in and take a course under the Early College Credit Program.

Program Administration

The High School Principal, Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction, and/or their administrative-level designee(s) shall have primary responsibility for (1) processing requests/applications related to the Early College Credit Program; and (2) except for refusal of permission to take a course that is based on an undue financial burden, determining whether the District will approve individual applications and pay for specific courses based on the criteria established in state law, any applicable state regulations, and applicable District policies and procedures.

The authority of the program administrator(s) includes, but is not limited to, the authority to make or approve the following determinations on behalf of the District:

1. Whether a student meets the minimum eligibility criteria for participation in the program;
2. Whether a proposed course is comparable to a course already offered in the District;
3. Whether the student will be eligible to receive high school credit for the successful completion of a proposed course and the amount of credit (if any); and
4. Whether the proposed course and any resulting credit meets any of the District’s high school graduation requirements.

While the District may refuse to allow a student with a disability to attend an institution of higher education through the Early College Credit Program if the costs related to any special services required for the student would impose an undue financial burden on the District, the determination of an undue financial burden shall be made or directly approved by the School Board.

EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM
Policy 343.46
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 4

Responsibility for Costs; Limitations on District Payments

To the extent required by state law, the District shall pay for certain costs associated with students’ enrollment in an institution of higher education under this policy if the course is eligible for high school credit toward a high school graduation requirement and the course is not comparable to a course offered in the District. Limitations on the District’s responsibility for payment include the following:

1. The District shall pay only such tuition, fees, and course materials costs as are required by law. If the District is required to pay the institution for the cost of a book or similar resource that is not a one-time use item, the student shall be required to return the resource(s) to the District upon completion of the course.
2. The District shall pay for no more than the equivalent of the maximum number of postsecondary semester credits allowed under state law for any courses that are taken through the Early College Credit Program or the “Start College Now” program. Students may not participate concurrently in both programs in the same term as defined in statute.
3. The District shall require a student who receives a failing grade in or who fails to complete a course to reimburse the District for all amounts paid for the course on the student’s behalf. For a student who is a minor, the student’s parent or guardian is responsible for such reimbursement. If reimbursement is not made upon request, the student is ineligible for any further participation in the Early College Credit Program and the “Start College Now” program.
4. Unless otherwise required by law, the District is not responsible for providing transportation to courses taken under this policy or paying for transportation-related costs.

Determinations of Course Comparability, Eligibility for High School Credit, and Satisfaction of High School Graduation Requirements

EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM
Policy 343.46
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 4

The District’s determinations of whether a proposed course satisfies a high school graduation requirement, whether completion of the course will result in the awarding of high school credit, and the amount of such credit (if any), shall be made with reference to the District’s current high school graduation requirements policy and by applying the same method and criteria that the District applies to its own course offerings and to other outside courses that are submitted for a similar assessment (e.g., by students who are transferring into the District).

In order for a student to receive high school credit for a course taken under this policy, the student must complete the course and receive a passing grade, as determined by the institution of higher education. In addition, no credit toward satisfaction of a high school graduation requirement shall be available for a course that substantially repeats the same content for which the student has already taken a course and already received high school credit.

For purposes of determining whether a course that a student wishes to take through the Early College Credit Program is comparable to a course offered by the District, the District shall apply the standards found in PI 40.06(2) of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

At least 30 days before the beginning of the semester in which the student will be enrolled, the District shall notify the student, in writing, if a course in which the student intends to enroll (1) does not meet the high school graduation/credit requirements, and (2) whether the course is comparable to a course offered in the District.

Appeals of District Decisions

If an applicant for the program disagrees with a District decision regarding course comparability or the satisfaction of high school graduation requirements, state law provides that the applicant may appeal the District’s decision to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction within 30 days after the District’s decision.

EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM
Policy 343.46
Waunakee Community School District Page 4 of 4

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 115.385(4) [parent notification of educational options]
Section 118.15(1)(b) [attendance at an institution of higher education in lieu of high school or on a part-time basis]
Section 118.15(1)(d) [discretionary program and curriculum modifications]
Section 118.33 [high school graduation requirements]
Section 118.55 [early college credit program]
Section 118.57 [public notification of educational options]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
Chapter PI 40 [regulations governing the early college credit program]

Cross References:
343.45 Technical College Course Program (“Start College Now”)
345.4-Rule, Promotion and Retention of Students
345.6 High School Graduation Requirements/Procedures

WASB PRG 343.46 Sample Policy 2

Adoption Date: June 2018

Revised: December 2022

TUTORING SERVICES
Policy #343.5
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

Although the Board of Education supports tutoring or supplementary services for the purpose of helping students with their academic needs, it does feel there should be limits placed on the use of school facilities for these activities. School facilities will be used during the school day for programs approved by the Board and under the supervision of district staff.

Individuals under contract to the District, part of a recognized and Board-approved volunteer program or working for an agency which has a contract with the District to perform services, are the only individuals allowed to use District facilities or work with students enrolled in the Waunakee Community Schools during the normal school day.

Individuals, groups or organizations may rent District facilities, as per Board policy, and provide individual or group educational services outside the normal school day.

Staff members are not to enter into private tutoring arrangements with parents/guardians which interfere with their normal work day. Staff members are strongly discouraged from entering into tutoring arrangements with children in their classes. School facilities are not to be used by staff members for tutoring arranged under a private contract with parents/guardians.

Cross Ref.: 830, Public Use of Facilities

Adopted: 10/9/89

Revised: March 1994

Reviewed: December, 2022

PROMOTION/RETENTION OF STUDENTS
Policy #345.4
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The district makes extensive efforts to avoid the necessity of high stakes promotion/retention determinations through a system of strategic supports and interventions to address individual student learning deficits. Early identification of problems is important to assist the student, parent/guardian, and school in resolving them. If, after extensive efforts, insufficient academic progress results and retention is necessary, a detailed retention plan is prepared designed to maximize modifications and supports to the student during the retention year.

Promotion/retention determinations are based on multiple criteria. Significant factors considered are Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS) test scores, other district and classroom assessment results, teacher recommendations, grades, and attendance.

Each principal delineates the specific rationale, procedures and timelines for promotion and retention decisions in his/her building and conveys them to staff and parents/guardian. Promotion and retention determinations are made by administrators at the building levels and may be appealed to the Superintendent.

A. Elementary and Intermediate Promotion/Retention

The decision to promote or retain at the elementary and intermediate levels is made after careful consideration of academic achievement in core academic subjects (reading, written language, mathematics, science, and social studies.) Also considered are study skills, social development, physical development, problem-solving abilities and attendance. Promotion and retention decisions shall be made consistent with state law requirements.

The principal, guidance counselor, and classroom teacher are key members of the committee responsible for assessing student progress and making promotion and retention decisions. Other specialists are included as necessary. Parent input is encouraged throughout the process and parents are to be informed no later than the spring parent-teacher conferences that their child is being considered for retention.

B. Middle School Promotion and Retention

Promotion from grade to grade within the middle school to high school is determined on the basis of academic achievement represented by successful completion of the core academic subjects (communication arts, mathematics, science, social studies). Other considerations may be study skills, social development, physical development, problem solving abilities, and attendance. Each student with one or more core academic subject failures is considered for retention. Promotion and retention decisions shall be made consistent with state law requirements.

The principal, assistant principal, guidance counselor, and classroom teacher are key members of the committee responsible for assessing student progress and making promotion and retention decisions. Other specialists are included as necessary. Parent input is encouraged throughout the process and parents are to be informed no later than the spring parent-teacher conferences that retention is being considered for their child.

C. High School Student Classification

Students acquire grade classifications by earning the stated number of credits prior to the start of each academic year.

PROMOTION/RETENTION OF STUDENTS
Policy #345.4
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Grade
Credits

9
Promotion from grade 8

10
6 credits

11
12 credits

12
18 credits

Graduate
Meeting high school requirements
(BOE Policy 345.5)

Promotion/retention determination made at the building levels may be appealed to the Superintendent.

Legal Ref.: Sections 118.24 (2)(a)
118.33 Wisconsin statutes
121.02(1)(p)
120.12(2)
120.13
PI 18, Wisconsin Administrative Code

Cross Ref.: 345.5, Graduation Requirements
460, Student Scholarships
345.1-Rule, Specific Grading System
345.4-Exhibit(1)
345.41, Acceleration
346, Student Assessment Program

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

Revised:
9/8/86
9/11/88
5/11/92
March 1994
September 8, 1997
April 13, 1998
5/10/99
7/12/99; Corrected 7/19/99
January 2002

Reviewed: January 2023

4K-8 PROMOTION/RETENTION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
Policy #345.4 Exhibit 1
Waunakee Community School District
Page 1 of 2

Promotion or retention decisions are made based on the “whole child” concept. Ongoing performance, existing standardized test results (including the state assessments), teacher observation, and other cognitive factors are considered in the promotion and retention process. Students who are demonstrating overall success in their ongoing performance and on standardized tests (including the state assessments) will not be considered for retention.

Parents/guardians are kept informed and involved with their child’s educational progress. Teachers notify parents/guardians of ongoing student performance through mid-quarter progress reports and quarterly grade reports. Teachers are responsible for establishing the first contact with parents/guardians to share concerns about student progress in specific content areas. Teachers are responsible for providing parents/guardians with updates on student progress as requested or needed.

Guidance counselors are responsible for sharing information with parents/guardians on standardized test results including the 4th and 8th grade state assessments.

Principals will provide parents/guardians with a copy of Board policy when the Promotion and Retention Committee initially consider a child for retention.

September (Early to Mid)

Principals share information with teachers on the BOE policies, specific criteria, procedures, and timelines for identifying students for remediation and potential retention. (BOE policy 345.4 reviewed.)

Beginning in December and continuing until May 1

Principals request information from teachers on students who are of concern and may be considered for retention. Ongoing performance, staff reviews, and standardized test results, (including the state assessments) will be considered when reviewing students. Students scoring at minimal on the state assessments will be reviewed. Teachers inform parents/guardians verbally (if possible) and in writing of their concerns about classroom and/or content area performance prior to sending their concerns to the committee. A copy of this letter is placed in the student record. Teachers return information on students who may be considered for retention to administrators or guidance counselors.

4K-8 PROMOTION/RETENTION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
Policy #345.4 Exhibit 1
Waunakee Community School District
Page 2 of 2

345.4-Exhibit (1) continued

Beginning in January and continuing a minimum of once monthly until May 1

The Promotion and Retention Committee (administrators, guidance counselors, psychologist, social worker, reading specialist, director of special education, director of student support services, and appropriate teachers) meet to review information submitted. Review of interventions and suggestions for additional interventions are made and conveyed to parties involved, including parents/guardians. Parents/guardians are informed of recommendations in writing from a representative of the Promotion and Retention Committee. A copy of this letter is placed in the student record.

Students who require additional consideration for retention remain under review of the committee while others are provided appropriate services and are no longer considered. Parents/guardians of the students considered for retention are informed verbally (if possible) and in writing by a representative of the Promotion Committee. Parents/guardians are kept informed and involved throughout the process. A copy of this letter is placed in the student record. Teachers receive a memo from a representative of the committee on recommendations made for specific students. Teachers/specialists implement intervention suggestions. Teachers provide the Promotion and Retention Committee reports of student progress. As needed, teachers participate in the committee meetings. Parents/guardians are invited to meet with teachers and committee members as needed to support their child’s progress. Interventions and testing, if any are reviewed. A variety of screeners will be used to review student performance including a research-based tool such as Light’s Retention Scale.

March (Mid)

Principals will notify parents/guardians of students still being considered for retention by phone (if possible) and in writing. Principals will review the reasons the child is being considered for retention. A copy of the letter to the parents/guardians is placed in the student record. A parent meeting is requested and arranged (if possible). Administrators, specialists, and teachers (as needed) are involved in the meeting.

No Later Than May 15

The Promotion and Retention Committee reviews student progress updates. The committee makes the promotion or retention decisions and those decisions are conveyed to parents/guardians verbally (if possible) and in writing. A copy of this letter is placed in the student record.

Adoption Date: July 1999

Revised:
October 2000
January 2002
March 2013

Reviewed: January 2023

Waunakee Community School District

ACCELERATION
Policy #345.41
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Board of Education strongly urges the staff to see that all learners are assisted in moving ahead as rapidly as they wish and can. While acceleration ahead of grade should be approached with caution, gifted or capable students may be so advanced, but only after thorough discussion with each student’s principal, Pathways (G/T) coordinator, and guidance counselor and with the joint approval of parents/guardians.

Acceleration (other than grade acceleration) includes single subject acceleration, multiple subject acceleration and higher level instructional options. All these options are to be discussed when considering the best approach to serving individual students.

The procedures outlined in the “Pathways Guidelines” for acceleration will be followed in determining the best option for a student being considered for acceleration.

Middle School Students Enrolled in High School Classes

Middle school students enrolled in a course(s) at the high school will not be counted towards high school credit or GPA. It will appear on the middle school report card and in the student’s cumulative file. A notation will be made in the comment section of the student’s high school transcript that this course was taken while the student was in middle school.

Students may be provided the option to retake the class when enrolled in high school for high school credit or GPA.

Legal Ref.: Sections 118.35 Wisconsin Statutes
121.02(1)(t)

PI 8.01(2)(t), Wisconsin Administrative Code

Cross Ref.: Pathways Guideline’s

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002
July 2004
February 2010

Reviewed: January 2023

3rd GRADE PROMOTION/RETENTION
Policy #345.42
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Waunakee Community School District shall comply with all requirements of Wisconsin Statute §118.016 related to third grade reading readiness. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that students demonstrate sufficient reading proficiency before being promoted from third grade to fourth grade.

A student shall be promoted from third grade to fourth grade if the student is reading at or above grade level as determined by the state-approved assessment.

A student who does not meet the required reading proficiency shall be considered for retention in third grade unless an exemption applies under state law.

The District shall provide appropriate interventions and supports to assist students in developing reading skills. Parents/guardians shall be notified of their child’s reading progress and any concerns regarding promotion or retention.

The District shall follow all procedures, timelines, and notification requirements as established by state law, including the development of a personal reading plan for students identified as at risk.

Legal Ref.: Section 118.016 Wisconsin Statutes

Cross Ref.: 345.4, Promotion/Retention of Students
345.4-Exhibit(1)
346, Student Assessment Program

Adoption Date: June 2018

Revised: December 2022

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS/PROCEDURES
Policy 345.6
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Board of Education shall award a high school diploma to every student who meets the requirements established by the Board and the State of Wisconsin.

Graduation from high school in the Waunakee Community School District requires the successful completion of a program of studies that includes courses in English, social studies, mathematics, science, physical education, health, and other courses as established by the Board of Education.

The specific number of credits required for graduation and the distribution of those credits among subject areas shall be established by the Board and reviewed periodically.

In addition to credit requirements, students may be required to meet other criteria for graduation as established by the Board of Education and consistent with state law.

The administration shall establish procedures to ensure that students and parents/guardians are informed of graduation requirements and the student’s progress toward meeting those requirements.

The District shall not unlawfully discriminate in the methods, practices, and materials used for evaluating students on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, any physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability, or any other legally-protected status or classification.

Legal Ref.: Section 118.33 Wisconsin Statutes

Cross Ref.: 345.4, Promotion/Retention of Students
345.1, Grading Systems

Adoption Date: 2/13/84

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002
November 2022

GRADUATION CEREMONY/HONORS
Participation and Recognition
Policy #345.7
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

I. Official district recognition at the graduation exercises shall consist of the following:

A. Students may only wear Gold honor cords and Laude cords (Purple, Silver, & White) for the graduating students attaining these recognitions. No other third party cords, stoles or other items may be worn at the graduation ceremony.

B. Notation in the program of those students having attained a 3.60 or greater GPA on a 4.0 system.

II. Participation in the graduation ceremony shall be reserved for those senior students who have:

A. Met all the graduation requirements as outlined in Board Policy 345.5.

B. Participated in practice for graduation and abides by the rules for participation in the ceremony established by the principal (free from the influence/use of drugs and alcohol, proper dress, no noisemakers, etc.).

Cross Ref.: 345.1-Rule, Specific Grading Systems
345. 6, Graduation Requirements/Procedures

Adoption Date: 11/14/94

Revised:
6/8/98
January 2002
January 2023
June 2025

HIGH SCHOOL GRADING SCALE, GRADE POINT AVERAGE, AND CLASS RANK
Policy 345.11
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 4

GRADES IN 4K

4K school report cards shall use the following performance descriptors.

Grade Descriptor Score
Consistent C
Developing D
Beginning B

GRADES IN ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL COURSES

Elementary and Intermediate school report cards shall use the following performance descriptors.

Grade Descriptor Score Domain
Advanced 4 Academic
Proficient 3 Academic
Basic 2 Academic
Minimal 1 Academic
No Mark NM Academic
Secure S Personal Development
Developing D Personal Development
Emerging E Personal Development

GRADES IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL COURSES

The following is the District’s standard letter-based grading scale and grade point average (GPA) conversion chart for high school courses:

Grade GPA
A+ 4.3
A 4.000
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3.000
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2.000
C- 1.7
D+ 1.333
D 1.000

HIGH SCHOOL GRADING SCALE, GRADE POINT AVERAGE, AND CLASS RANK
Policy 345.11
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 4

D- 0.7
F 0.000 (No credit earned)
PASS Credit earned; not factored into GPA
FAIL No credit earned; not factored into GPA
I Incomplete
NM Not Graded
WP Withdrawn w/ school approval. Present status satisfactory.
WF Withdrawn w/ school approval. Present status unsatisfactory.

No courses eligible for inclusion in the calculation of a GPA receive weighted treatment when the letter grade is converted to the numerical scale.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADE POINT AVERAGES

Semester Grade Point Average. The District uses the end-of-semester composite grade that a student earns in each course for purposes of calculating a grade point average for each individual semester.

Cumulative Grade Point Average. A student’s cumulative high school grade point average is a calculation derived using each end-of-course final grade.

Courses and course grades are either included in or excluded from the District’s GPA calculations as follows:

1. Courses that the District offers for high school credit are included in the student’s GPA whenever a high school student takes the course in the District and receives a grade that has a numerical GPA equivalent. This includes online courses offered by the District that are taken without applying to or attending another educational institution.
2. Provided that the administration determines that the grade awarded can be adequately converted to the District’s high school grading scale, grades received in the following courses are included in the student’s GPA:

• Courses taken at or through a Wisconsin technical college or college/university in an attempt to earn high school credit (whether for dual credit or only for high school credit).

• Courses taken at another public high school or accredited private high school for which the District would award high school credit for a passing grade.

• Courses for which the District would award high school credit for a passing grade and which the student has taken in either a District alternative education program or a District program for students with exceptional educational interests, needs, or requirements.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADING SCALE, GRADE POINT AVERAGE, AND CLASS RANK
Policy 345.11
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 4

3. A course taken by an 8th grade student for credit toward high school graduation in the area of health education is not included in the student’s cumulative high school grade point average.
4. Middle school students enrolled in a course(s) at the high school will not be counted towards high school credit or GPA. It will appear on the middle school report card and in the student’s cumulative file. A notation will be made in the comment section of the student’s high school transcript that this course was taken while the student was in middle school.
5. Courses taken on a Pass/Fail basis with District approval (i.e., no letter grade is recorded) are not used in determining GPA.
6. In cases of transfers from alternate grading systems such as Pass/Fail and students from home-based private educational programs, foreign countries, including study abroad or any other non-accredited private educational programs, the high school principal in consultation with school counseling staff shall evaluate the student’s records at the time of enrollment and determine a grade for purposes of computing a GPA. Pass/Fail courses may be removed from the computation at the discretion of the principal.

AVAILABILITY OF CLASS RANK

School-wide class rankings will not be reported on high school transcripts or made generally available to students and their families. Rank information will only be generated if needed for college admissions, scholarships, and recruitment eligibility and will be communicated to such requesting organizations upon receipt by the school counseling office of a request from a student and their parent or guardian.

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The District shall not unlawfully discriminate in the methods, practices and materials used for evaluating students on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, any physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other legally-protected status or classification. This does not, however, prohibit the use of special testing materials or techniques to meet the individualized needs of students. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established procedures.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.33 [high school graduation requirements]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
HEA 9.05(2) [high school grading policy required]
PI 9.03(1)(f) [student nondiscrimination in student evaluation/testing policies]

HIGH SCHOOL GRADING SCALE, GRADE POINT AVERAGE, AND CLASS RANK
Policy 345.11
Waunakee Community School District Page 4 of 4

PI 18 [high school graduation requirements]

Cross References:
420-Rule, Transfer Student Admission Procedures
460, Student Scholarships

Adoption Date: - April, 2023

STUDENT ASSESSMENT
Policy 346
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

Ongoing assessment is essential to the District’s mission of providing an education appropriate to each student. Systematic collection, interpretation, and application of assessment data are necessary to determine student learning and progress, to allow for accountability in teaching and learning, and to facilitate appropriate program review. Therefore, student participation in assessments shall be strongly encouraged.

In addition to standardized achievement tests, District assessment plans and procedures may involve the use of a variety of formal and informal assessment techniques. Examples of such techniques include the following: teacher-designed assessments, direct observations of student performance, instruments supplied by companies that create instructional materials, diagnostic assessments, tests of learning aptitude, career awareness and career aptitude/attitude assessments, portfolios, and any assessments required by state and federal laws.

The District expects student assessments to arise from established instructional goals and achievement expectations, to serve an instructionally-relevant purpose, to utilize a reasonable and appropriate methodology, and to reasonably control for sources of bias and distortion that can lead to inaccurate assessment.

Decisions regarding the assessment of students with disabilities and English Learners shall be made on an individualized basis to the extent required by law and in accordance with established District policies and procedures.

Administration shall notify the parent or guardian of each student scheduled to be administered a standardized test that he/she may request the Board of Education via the school principal to excuse the student from participating. Upon written request of the student’s parent or guardian, the School Board shall excuse the student from taking an exam administered under the state pupil assessment law in grades 3-11 or a standardized assessment under the district program. Student participation in assessments shall be strongly encouraged and students will not be excused from assessments required for a course grade, for graduation, or for progress monitoring for learning supports or interventions.

Summary District assessment data will be available to administrators and the School Board. Appropriate summary assessment reports, as well as information about the assessments administered to students, will also be provided to the public as required by law. Summary data will be used for curriculum development and evaluation, program development and evaluation, establishing District goals, making budgetary decisions, and developing remediation plans at the classroom, building, and District level when needed. Summary data will also be used to monitor the effectiveness of curriculum, materials, and instruction, to identify relevant trends with respect to groups of students, to provide accountability to parents and guardians, and to determine areas for staff development and study. Students and parents or guardians will receive individual assessment results. These will usually be provided via digital distribution, mailings, conferences, or with report cards.

When maintained by the District, scores, grades, and other assessment data that are personally identifiable to an individual student are legally-protected student records that will not be disclosed except as otherwise permitted or required by applicable law and by the District’s student records policies.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT
Policy 346
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

In connection with any of the methods, practices, or materials used for testing and evaluating students, the District shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, any physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other legally-protected status or classification. This does not, however, prohibit the use of special testing or counseling materials or techniques to meet the individualized needs of students. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established procedures.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 115.415 [educator effectiveness evaluation requirements; include use of student assessment results]
Section 115.77(1m)(bg) [assessments; students with disabilities]
Section 118.016 [reading readiness assessments]
Section 118.13 [student nondiscrimination]
Section 118.30 [state required student assessments]
Section 118.301 [alternative student assessments]
Section 118.33(1m)(a) [civics test requirement for high school graduation]
Section 118.33(6) [use of state student assessment scores in promotion decisions]
Section 121.02(1)(r) [school district standard; 3rd grade reading tests]
Section 121.02(1)(s) [school district standard; state-required examinations]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(r) [3rd grade reading tests]
PI 8.01(2)(s) [achievement tests]
PI 9.03(1) [student nondiscrimination in testing/evaluation policies]
PI 13 [assessments; limited English proficient students]

Federal Laws
Elementary and Secondary Education Act [Part A - Subpart 1]
20 U.S.C. §6311(b)2 [ESEA federal testing requirements]
20 U.S.C. §6312(e)2 [Title I requirements to give notice of and publicize assessment-related information]

Cross References:
346-Exhibit, Student Assessment Program
346-Rule, Testing Program Guidelines
346.1, Nondiscriminatory Testing
411-Rule (1), Student Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedures
345.4, Promotion/Retention of Students
345.5, Graduation Requirements/Procedures
WASB PRG 346 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

STUDENT ASSESSMENT
Policy 346
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

Revised:
9/8/86
9/14/87
March 1994
September 1994
January 2002
July 2002
June 2018
March 2023

Local Choice

Assessment: Qualitative Reading Inventory
Grades Tested: 1-6
Type: Universal screener, diagnostic
Test Window:
Fall
Oct. 20-Nov. 25 (1-4)
Sept. 9-Nov. 25 (5-6)
Winter (K-6)
Jan. 27-March 2
Spring (K-6)
April 27-May 29
District selected

The QRI provides graded word lists and numerous passages designed to assess a student's oral reading accuracy, rate of reading and comprehension of passages read orally and silently. Its features include narrative and expository passages at each level from pre-primer through high school, as well as all self-contained selections that are highly representative of the structure and topics of materials found in basal readers and content-area textbooks.

Assessment: AimsWeb
Grades Tested: K-10
Test Window: September 2025-May 2026
Type: Progress monitor

Aimsweb Plus is a progress monitor used to determine student progress if they are receiving an academic intervention. Use as a progress monitor in special education will be explored in 2025-2026.

Assessment: iReady (ELA and Math)
Grades Tested: 5-8
Test Window:
FALL-Sept 10-26, 2025
WINTER-Jan 12-30, 2026
SPRING-May 12-27, 2026
District selected

i-Ready is a computer adaptive assessment. We use it as an universal screener, achievement measure, and growth measure. At the Middle School we have personalized instruction resources customized for each student based on their i-Ready performance.

Assessment: Naglieri General Ability Test
Grades Tested: 2
Test Window: Late winter 2025
Type: District selected screener for advanced learning

Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT) measure general ability using verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal test questions. The NGAT include approaches to test construction that allow schools to identify students with high intellectual ability in a fair and equitable manner. To achieve that goal, the newest version of the NGAT can be solved regardless of the language a student knows and the test questions demand only a small amount of specific content knowledge.

Assessment: Gates/McGinnitie
Grades Tested: 7-8
Type: Achievement placement for AE9
Test Window: Late winter 2025

The Gates-McGinnitie Reading Test (GMRT) measures overall reading achievement. It can be utilized for several purposes, but we use it to add a data point to guide our placement decision making for our advanced English sections.

Local Choice continued

Assessment: AimswebPlus
Grades Tested: K-4, 4K
Test Window:
FALL - Sept. 8-Oct. 10, 2025
WINTER - December 1-12, 2025
SPRING-K-3 April 6-17, 2026;
4th grade April 20-May 15, 2026
FALL September 22-26, 2025
SPRING April 13-17, 2025
Type: State selected

The State of Wisconsin has selected AimswebPlus as the statewide reading screener as part of the ACT 20 mandates. We use AimswebPlus as the state required screener for reading 4K-3, and we will also use it for fourth grade. We will use AimswebPlus as our mathematics assessment K-4 as well.

WI State Choice

Assessment: Wisconsin Forward Exam
Grades Tested: 3-8, 10 (social studies), All students
Test Window: WI test window March 16-April 24, 2026
Type: State selected

The WI Forward Exam is a computer based assessment that provides in depth information on students achievement on the state standards. Students in grades 3-8 are assessed in English Language Arts and Math. Students in grades 4 and 8 will also be assessed in Science and Social Studies. Students in grade 10 are tested in Social Studies only. Forward Exam data is received in late May and provide useful information on student achievement and also year-to-year growth. It is a significant data source for state and federal accountability. The Forward Exam is also used to identify students for intervention and advanced programming.

Assessment: Local PreACT
Grades Tested: 9, 10, 11
Type: Proficiency and College Readiness Achievement
Test Window: Local test window is October 6-10, 2025
District Selected

PreACT is a local, non-secure version of the PreACT assessment given to 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students that is aligned to the ACT and the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards. The PreACT measures what students have learned in the areas of English, Reading, Mathematics, and Science. In the non-secure version, we will receive item analysis information that will help prepare students for WI PreACT Secure and WI ACT in the state testing window. PreACT Secure scores predict how students will perform on the PreACT Secure and ACT, and their readiness for college-level coursework. PreACT is an online assessment.

Assessment: WI PreACT Secure
Grades Tested: 9, 10
Type: Proficiency and College Readiness Achievement
Test Window: WI test windows for standard and accommodated testing.
WI test window March 16-April 24, 2026
State Selected

PreACT Secure is a summative assessment given to 9th and 10th grade students that is aligned to the ACT and the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards. PreACT Secure measures what students have learned in the areas of English, Reading, Mathematics, and Science. The PreACT Secure closely mirrors the ACT in many ways, including implementation, test delivery, scoring, and reporting. PreACT Secure scores predict how students will perform on the ACT when they reach 11th grade and their readiness for college-level coursework. PreACT Secure is an online assessment.

Assessment: WI ACT
Grades Tested: 11
Type: Proficiency and College Entrance
Test Window: March 10, 2026
Makeup April 7, 2026
State selected

The ACT Plus Writing consists of four multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science; and a 40-minute essay test that measures writing skills. It provides important and well-recognized information on the state standards, ACT College Readiness Standards and Benchmarks. Students receive their individual scores within 3-6 weeks following the exam, but we receive our summary data in April. ACT data plays an important role in college admissions and the state and federal accountability system. We also use it as an important measure of academic performance for our school district.

National Choice

Assessment: AP
Grades Tested: 11-12
Type: College Entrance
Test Window: May 4-15, 2026
Student selected

Capstone assessment for College Board Advanced Placement Courses. AP Exams allow students to earn college placement and sometimes credit. Most students in AP classes take the exam, but students have a choice not to take the exam. In addition to college use, AP data is used to evaluate improvement opportunities for the delivery of our AP courses.

Assessment: PSAT/NMSQT
Grades Tested: 11
Type: College Prep, Scholarship
Test Window: October 1-31, 2025
Student selected

The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test that provides first-hand practice for the SAT. It also provides juniors an opportunity to enter National Merit scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools. The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills.

Assessment: ACCESS for ELLs
Grades Tested: K-12
Test Window: December 1, 2025-January 30, 2026
State Selected

ACCESS for ELLs is an annual assessment of the developing social and academic English language proficiency (ELP) of English learners (ELs) in grades K through 12. This assessment allows educators, students, and families to monitor students’ progress in acquiring academic English in the domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. ACCESS for ELLs is aligned with WIDA’s English Language Development (ELD) Standards.

Assessment: DLM
Grades Tested: 3-11
Test Window: WI test window March 16-April 24, 2026
State Selected

The DLM™ assessment measures the academic progress of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in the subject areas of ELA and Mathematics at grades 3-11, Science at grades 4 and 8-11, and in Social Studies at grades 4, 8, and 10. This is an online assessment delivered via the computer; however, some students may need their teacher to present the items to them. The teacher will then enter the student’s response into the online platform. The DLM system is designed to map a student’s learning throughout the year. The system will also use items and tasks that are embedded in day-to-day instruction. Instruction for these students is based upon the Wisconsin Essential Elements and aligns with the Wisconsin Academic Standards. This gives teachers the opportunity to see what students know during the year when teachers still have time to change instruction to better support student learning.

STUDENT RECORDS
Policy 347
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Student records shall be maintained in the interest of the student to assist school personnel in providing appropriate educational experiences for each student in the District.

The School Board recognizes the need for confidentiality of student records. Therefore, the District shall maintain the confidentiality of student records at collection, storage, disclosure and destruction. Student records shall be available for inspection or release only with prior approval of the student’s parent or guardian or the adult student, except in situations where legal requirements specify release of records without such prior approval.

Building principals shall have primary responsibility for the collection, maintenance and dissemination of student records in accordance with state and federal laws and established District procedures.

Student record notices shall be published annually in accordance with state and federal law.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 19.65 [rules of conduct; employee training; and security regarding personally-identifiable information]
Section 48.396 [law enforcement officer records]
Section 115.812(2) [reporting information regarding specified students with disabilities to appropriate county departments]
Section 118.125 [state student records law; policies required]
Section 118.126 [privileged communications related to student alcohol and drug use]
Section 118.127 [law enforcement agency record information]
Section 118.51(8) [full-time open enrollment; disciplinary and special education records]
Section 118.52(10) [part-time open enrollment; disciplinary records]
Section 146.82 [confidentiality of patient health care records]
Section 146.83 [access to patient health care records]
Section 252.15 [access to HIV test results]
Section 767.41(7) [custody and physical placement; parent access to records]
Section 938.396 [access to records; law enforcement and court records]
Section 950.08(2w) [information provided by district attorney to schools in criminal cases]

Federal Laws
20 U.S.C. §1232(g) [Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the federal student records law]
34 C.F.R. part 99 [U.S. Department of Education FERPA regulations]
34 C.F.R. part 300, subpart F [U.S. Department of Education IDEA regulations; confidentiality and maintenance of records]
20 U.S.C. §7908 [providing high school students’ contact information to military recruiters and institutions of higher education]
10 U.S.C. §503(c) [providing high school students’ contact information to military recruiters]
42 U.S.C. §1758(b)(6) [heightened privacy rules for students’ eligibility status and other National School Lunch Program records; see also 7 C.F.R. §245.6]

STUDENT RECORDS
Policy 347
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Cross References:
WASB PRG 347 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: December 2003

Revised:
June 2005
July 2011
March 2023

PROCEDURES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS

347-Rule
Waunakee Community School District

A. CONTENT OF RECORDS

Student records include all records relating to an individual student other than notes or records maintained for personal use by teachers or other certified personnel which are not available to others, records necessary for and available only to persons involved in the psychological treatment of a student, records created or received by the District after an individual is no longer a student in attendance and that are not directly related to the individual’s attendance as a student, and law enforcement unit records.

1. Progress records

Progress records maintained by the school include a statement of courses taken by the student, the student's grades, the student’s immunization records, the student's extracurricular activities and the student's attendance record.

2. Behavioral records

Behavioral records maintained by the school include psychological tests, personality evaluations, records of conversations, written statements relating specifically to an individual student's behavior, tests relating specifically to achievement or measurement of ability, the student’s physical health records other than his/her immunization records, law enforcement agency records and any other student records which are not progress records.

a. Law enforcement agency records

"Law enforcement agency records" include those records and other information obtained from a law enforcement agency relating to:

1. The use, possession or distribution of alcohol or a controlled substance by a student enrolled in the District;
2. The illegal possession of a dangerous weapon by a child;
3. An act for which a District student was taken into custody based on the law enforcement officer's belief that he/she violated or was violating any state or federal criminal laws; and
4. The act for which a juvenile enrolled in the District was adjudged delinquent.

The law enforcement agency may provide such record information to the District on its own initiative or on the request of the District Administrator or designee, subject to the agency's official policy. The District may also enter into an interagency agreement with law enforcement and other appropriate agencies to provide for the routine disclosure of record information in accordance with state law provisions. If a law enforcement agency denies access to any of the aforementioned records, the District may file a petition with the court seeking access to the records based on legitimate educational or safety interests in the records.

b. Court records

“Court records" include those records received from a court clerk concerning a juvenile enrolled in the District who:

1. Has had a petition filed with a court alleging that he/she has committed a delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult;
2. Has been adjudged delinquent;
3. Has school attendance as a condition of his/her court dispositional order; or
4. Has been found to have committed a delinquent act at the request of or for the benefit of a criminal gang that would be a felony if committed by an adult, and has been adjudged delinquent on that basis.

c. Physical health records

“Physical health records" include basic health information about a student, including the student’s immunization records, the student's emergency medical card, a log of first aid and medicine administered to the student, an athletic permit card, a record concerning the student's ability to participate in an education program, the results of any routine screening test such as for hearing, vision or scoliosis, and any follow-up to such test, and any other basic health information as determined by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

d. Patient health care records

"Patient health care records" include all records relating to the health of a student prepared by or under the supervision of a health care provider which are not included in the student "physical health records" definition above. Any record that is required to be treated as a patient health care record is subject to different disclosure and confidentiality requirements than other behavioral records.

3. Directory data

Directory data are those student records designated in the District’s student directory data policy 347.1.

4. Law enforcement unit records

Law enforcement unit records include those records maintained by a law enforcement unit of the District that were created for the purpose of law enforcement. A “law enforcement unit of the District” is an individual, office, department, division or other component of the District that is authorized by the School Board to do any of the following:

1. Enforce any law or ordinance, or refer to the appropriate authorities a matter for enforcement of any law or ordinance against any person other than the school district; and/or
2. Maintain the physical security and safety of a public school.

Law enforcement unit records relating to juveniles must be treated according to the same limitations on use and disclosure that apply to a law enforcement agency’s treatment of any juvenile’s records.

B. CONFIDENTIALITY

All student records are confidential, subject to:

1. The following exceptions;
2. Any other disclosures of student records that may be mandated by state or federal law; and
3. Any more specific restrictions on disclosure that are imposed by a state or federal law that protects specific records to a greater extent than provided under these procedures.

1. Release of student records to students and parents or guardians

a. A student or the parent or guardian of a minor student shall, upon request, be shown and provided with a copy of the student's progress records.

b. To the extent authorized by state and federal law, an adult student or the parent or guardian of a minor student shall, upon request, be shown the student's behavioral records in the presence of a person qualified to explain and interpret the records. Such a student or parent or guardian shall, upon request, be provided with a copy of the behavioral records.

c. To the extent authorized by state and federal law, a parent shall have access to a student's school records regardless of whether the parent has legal custody of the child, unless the parent has been denied periods of physical placement with the child as ordered by the court.

d. Personally identifiable information from an adult student's records may be disclosed to the student's parent(s) or guardian(s), without the adult student's written consent, if the adult student is a dependent of his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) under the Internal Revenue Code. However, disclosure under this paragraph shall not be made when an adult student has informed the school, in writing, that the information may not be disclosed.

2. Access to student records (other than patient health care records) by school officials

a. School officials shall have access to a student’s records only if they have a legitimate educational interest, including safety interest, in the record. A "school official" is a person employed by the District who is required by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to hold a license; a law enforcement officer(s) who is individually designated by the Board and assigned to the District, a person who is employed by or working on behalf of the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor or support staff member (including health or medical staff); a person serving on the Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a specific task (such as an attorney, hearing officer, auditor, medical consultant or therapist); or a person serving on an official committee such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his/her tasks. A school official has a "legitimate educational interest" if the official needs to review a student record in order to fulfill his/her professional or District responsibility.

b. Law enforcement agency record information received by the District may be made available to those school officials with legitimate educational interests, including safety interests, in the information. If law enforcement agency record information obtained by the District relates to a District student, the information may also be disclosed to those District employees who have been designated by the Board to receive that information for the purpose of providing treatment programs for District students. The information may not be used as the sole basis for suspending or expelling a student from school, or as the sole basis for taking any other disciplinary action against a student, except action under the District's athletic/activity code.

c. Law enforcement unit records may be made available to school officials under the same conditions as outlined above regarding access to law enforcement agency record information.

d. Court records obtained by the District must be disclosed to District employees who work directly with the juvenile named in the records or who have been determined by the Board to have legitimate educational interests, including safety interests, in the information. An employee cannot further disclose the information, and the information cannot be used as the sole basis for suspending or expelling a student from school, or as the sole basis for taking any other disciplinary action against a student, except action under the District's athletic/activity code.

e. Notwithstanding their confidential status, student records may be used in suspension and expulsion proceedings and by individualized education program teams under special education laws.

C. MAINTENANCE, DISCLOSURE, AND DESTRUCTION OF STUDENT RECORDS

1.While students are attending school, their records will be maintained in the school of attendance. Upon transfer of the student to another school operated by the District, the records shall be transferred to that school. Patient health care records, law enforcement agency and law enforcement unit records shall be maintained separately from a student's other records.

2. The Director of Special Education shall provide each building principal with procedural and other technical assistance for the purpose of ensuring the confidentiality of all student records kept at the principal’s school. Except as otherwise provided, all requests for inspection or for transfer to another school or school district should be directed to the building principal who will determine whether inspection or transfer is permitted under state and federal law and these procedures. The building principal or his/her qualified designee shall be present to interpret behavioral records when such a request has been made by the parent, guardian, or adult student. Upon transfer of student records to the central administrative office, the District Administrator or his/her qualified designee shall assume these duties.

A record of each request for access to and each disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records of a student shall be maintained with such student's records, except when the request is from or the disclosure is to the following person/party:

• the parent or guardian or adult student;
• a school official;
• a party with written consent from the parent or guardian or adult student;
• a party seeking directory data; or
• a party seeking or receiving the records as directed by a federal grand jury or other law enforcement subpoena and the issuing court or other issuing agency has ordered that the existence or the contents of the subpoena or the information in response to the subpoena not be disclosed.

3. When a student ceases to be enrolled in a school operated by the District, the student’s remaining student records shall be maintained as follows:

a. Behavioral records that are identifiable to the student will be maintained for no longer than one year after the student graduated from or last attended the school unless the student or his/her parent or guardian, if the student is a minor, gives permission that the records may be maintained for a longer period of time.

• The District will normally request consent to maintain the behavioral records of such former students (such as students with disabilities) for the period of time that such records may be needed for program audit purposes. If the District does not obtain such consent, the District will arrange to maintain records needed for audit purposes in a manner that is not identifiable to the individual student.

b. Student progress records shall be maintained for a minimum of 5 years after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled in the District.

c. Any request for the “directory data” of a former student will be treated according to the District’s policy on “directory data,” and, to the extent applicable, the District will continue to honor any valid request to opt out of the disclosure of directory information (e.g., such as the opt-out decision that was in effect when the student was last in attendance), unless such opt-out decision is appropriately rescinded.

4. The Director of Special Education shall oversee the management of the records of students with disabilities.

a. The District shall inform the parent(s) or guardian of a student with disabilities, or the adult student if applicable, when personally-identifiable information that was collected, maintained, or used under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is no longer needed to provide educational services to the child. Except for a record of a student's name, address, and phone number, his/her grades, attendance record, classes attended, grade level completed, and year completed, such personally identifiable information must be destroyed at the request of the parent(s), guardian, or adult student. By submitting a timely written request, the parent, guardian, or student may elect to take possession of the personally-identifiable records in lieu of having the records destroyed.

b. Such a notice that certain records are no longer needed to provide a child with educational services will normally be given at the time the child graduates or otherwise ceases to be enrolled in the District. As further described above, the District will also normally, at the same time, request consent to maintain particular records for the additional time period that they are needed for program audit purposes.

D. PARENT/GUARDIAN/STUDENT REQUESTS FOR AMENDMENTS OF STUDENT RECORDS

1. A parent or guardian or adult student who believes that information contained in the student's records is inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student's rights of privacy may request the District to amend the records. Such request shall be addressed in writing to the school official having custody of the records. Within a reasonable time after receiving the request, the person having custody of the records shall decide whether to amend the records in accordance with the request and inform the parent or guardian or adult student of the decision.

2. If the person having custody of the records refuses to amend the records, he/she shall inform the parent or guardian or adult student of the refusal and advise him/her of the right to a hearing. The request for the hearing shall be filed in writing with the District Administrator or designee. The parent or guardian or adult student shall be given notice of the date, place and time of the hearing reasonably in advance of the hearing.

a. The hearing shall be conducted by the District Administrator or designee, who must be someone who does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing.

b. The parent or guardian or adult student shall be afforded the opportunity to present relevant evidence and may be assisted or represented by individuals of his/her choice at his/her own expense, including an attorney.

c. The decision of the hearing officer shall be based solely upon the evidence presented and shall include a summary of the evidence and the reason for the decision.

d. The hearing shall be held and the parent(s) or guardian or adult student informed of the hearing officer's decision in writing within a reasonable period of time after the hearing.

e. If the hearing officer decides that the information is inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights, the education records of the student shall be amended accordingly.

f. If the hearing officer decides that the information is not inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights, the District shall inform the parent or guardian or adult student of the right to place a statement commenting upon the information in the education records and/or describing reasons for disagreeing with the decision of the hearing officer.

E. COMPLAINTS REGARDING ALLEGED NONCOMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

Adult students or parents or guardians of minor students may file a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education for alleged District noncompliance with requirements of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

F. ANNUAL NOTICE

Parents, guardians and adult students shall be notified annually of the following:

1. Their rights to inspect, review and obtain copies of student records;
2. Their rights to request the amendment of the student's school records if they believe the records are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student's rights of privacy;
3. Their rights to consent to the disclosure of the student's school records, except to the extent state and federal law authorizes disclosure without consent; and
4. Their right to file a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education.

The notice shall be distributed to parents and guardians and adult students at the beginning of each school year. When a student transfers into the District after the above notice has been given, the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian shall receive a copy of the notice at the time and place of enrollment.

G. OTHER NOTICES

In a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law, the District shall provide parents, guardians, and adult students with notice of the District’s student directory data designations and their right to opt-out of the release of such information as student directory data.

Cross References:
WASB PRG 347 Sample Rule 1

Adoption Date: July 2011
Revised Date: March 2023

Directory Information Pupil Data Fields Identified for Disclosure/Non-Disclosure
Policy # 347.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

I. Except as otherwise provided in this policy, the Waunakee Community School District will not disclose any of the following directory data information (per 118.125 and FERPA) without written consent of parents/guardians or adult students:

1. Name
2. Address
3. Telephone number
4. Date and place of birth
5. Dates of attendance
6. Records
7. Name of the school most recently previously attended

II. The Waunakee Community School District designates the following data elements as directory data and will disclose the following directory data information (per 118.125 and FERPA) upon request unless the parents/guardian or adult student notifies the school to not disclose within (14) fourteen days of receiving the district’s annual pupil record notification, or 14 days after first receiving the annual pupil record notification:

1. Name as part of their participation in officially recognized activities/programs and/or sports
2. Weight and height, if a member of an athletic team
3. Photographs and associated name
4. Degrees and awards received and associated name
5. Major field of study and associated name

III. Separate and independent of the District’s designation of student directory data items under this policy, federal law requires the District to provide institutions of higher education and military recruiters, upon their request, with the following contact information for high school students unless an eligible student or the parent or guardian of a minor student has notified the District that such information shall not be released without the prior written consent of a parent or guardian (or adult student, if applicable):
a. To institutions of higher education: a high school student’s name, address, and telephone number.
b. To military recruiters: a high school student’s name, address, telephone number, and electronic mail address.

The District shall notify parents and guardians of high school students (or, if applicable, an adult student) of the option to opt out of such disclosures, and the administration shall implement appropriate procedures for submitting an opt-out decision to the District.

IV. The Waunakee Community School District will disclose the following pupil and family information, with active parent consent, to parents in a child’s classroom/school as part of a student directory list, created at the direction of the building principal. The building principal will create a process to allow parents to opt in to the specific directory data, from below, that they are willing to disclose.

1. Student’s Name
2. Parent’s Name
3. Student’s Address
4. Parents’ Phone Number
5. Parent’s Email

Directory Information
Pupil Data Fields Identified for Disclosure/Non-Disclosure
Policy # 347.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Legal Ref.: Sections 48.396 Wisconsin Statutes
115.812
118.125
118.126
118.127
118.51 (8)
118.52 (10)
120.13(1)(f)
146.81 – 146.84
252.15
767.24(4)
938.396

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g, 34 C.F.R. Sec.99)
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Section 9528)
Protection of Pupil Rights Provision of General Education
Provisions Act (20 USC 1232h)
U.S.A. Patriot’s Act

Cross Ref.: 347-Procedures Rule (1)
347-Procedures Rule (2)

Adoption Date:
December 2003

Revised Date:
June 2005
March 2023

MODEL NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA
347.1 Rule (1)

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and pupils over 18 years of age (“eligible pupils”) certain rights with respect to the pupil’s education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the pupil’s education records within 45 days of the day the District receives a request for access.

Parents/guardians or eligible pupils should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent/guardian or eligible pupil of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

2. The right to request the amendment of the pupil’s education records that the parent/guardian or eligible pupil believes are inaccurate or misleading.

Parents/guardians or eligible pupils may ask the Waunakee Community School District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent/guardian or eligible pupil, the District will notify the parent/guardian or eligible pupil of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent/guardian or eligible pupil when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the pupil’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or pupil serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

347.1 Rule (1) continued

A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Upon request, the District discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a pupil seeks or intends to enroll. (NOTE: FERPA requires a school district to make a reasonable attempt to notify the pupil of the records request unless it states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request.)

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Adopted: January 2002
Revised: December 2003

Waunakee Community School District

FIELD TRIPS
Policy 352
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Student field trips can enhance student learning, help to develop new interests and more excitement for learning, and provide useful opportunities for students to engage with people, environments, activities, and resources outside of the confines of the school campus. At the same time, field trips require substantial advance planning, can sometimes be costly, and introduce certain safety risks.

District employees and other agents of the District are always responsible for ensuring that they have been sufficiently authorized to allow students to participate in any off-premises, District-supervised trip, event, or activity.

The School Board may establish limited funding for fields trips within the District’s annual budget. The administration is responsible for monitoring the allocation of any such funding and for developing and implementing guidelines and procedures that address:

1. The number and type(s) of field trips that are planned for specific schools, classes/grade levels within schools, and, if applicable, among District-sponsored co-curricular groups/activities. Such guidelines shall be developed, implemented, and monitored with sensitivity to equity considerations (such as possible perceptions that students in different schools or classes are not offered comparable opportunities) and avoiding undue repetition in destinations/activities for the same group of students.
2. Requirements for field trip requests/proposals.
3. Field trip approval authority.
4. Requirements for obtaining permission for participation from a parent or guardian.
5. Fees that may be assessed to students who participate in a field trip and the District’s approval of such fees.
6. Health and safety considerations, such as:
   a. Adequate and appropriately-authorized supervision;
   b. Medication administration and other individual health needs; and
   c. Emergency preparedness, including possible medical emergencies.
7. Planning for student transportation.
8. Planning for meals/food (if applicable).
9. Accessibility of field trips for students with disabilities.
10. Planning for the supervision of and alternative educational activities for students who do not participate in the field trip but who are in the relevant class, activity, or group and attend school on the day of the field trip.

Field trips under this policy are normally offered to students as a privilege that enhances or supplements the District’s core instructional activities and curriculum. With the approval of an administrator, the District may deny a student the opportunity to participate in a field trip as a consequence for misconduct, including for violations of school rules or violations of other District expectations that were communicated to the student and the parents/guardians. The lack of required permission or other necessary information are examples of other reasons that a student may not be permitted to participate in a field trip.

FIELD TRIPS
Policy 352
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

The appropriate school principal or assistant principal may approve a student field trip that otherwise complies with this policy and any related administrative guidelines and procedures. The District Administrator, at his/her discretion, may also elect to refer a particular field trip proposal to the Board for review and possible approval.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.13 [student nondiscrimination]
Section 121.54(7) [transportation for extracurricular activities, including field trips]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 9 [student nondiscrimination]

Cross References:
110, Educational Mission Statement
352-Rule (1), Field Trip Guidelines
352-Rule (2), Extend Field Trip for Foreign Study Tour Procedures
352-Rule (3), Overnight Accommodations on Field Trips
352-Exhibit, Overnight and Extended Trip – Parental Permission Waiver
WASB PRG 352 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 1/15/1990

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002
April 2023

FIELD TRIPS GUIDELINES
Policy #352
Rule (1)
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The following guidelines are set to implement the planning of field trips:

1. Written parental permission is required for each student on any trip which requires transportation.
2. Trips must be taken in conveyances properly covered by a comprehensive general liability policy.
3. Adequate supervision must be provided at all times while on a field trip.
4. All local or co-curricular trips taken during normal school hours must be within the budgetary allotments for such purpose and be approved by the principal.
5. The arrangements for trips must be approved by the principal.
6. For co-curricular trips scheduled outside normal school hours and outside the normal school program, a fee covering the actual cost of the trip will be charged.
7. School buses or commercial buses will be used for field trips. Students will not be permitted to use their own cars or to provide transportation for other students for a field trip.

Field Trip Permission:

1. Field trips, other than local or co-curricular trips, must be approved by the superintendent.
2. Field trips and co-curricular trips requiring travel outside the State of Wisconsin shall require the Board’s authorization.
3. Field trips and co-curricular trips requiring in State overnight accommodations shall require the district administrator’s authorization.

Other Points of Consideration:

The Board recognizes that not all educational opportunities can be provided within the boundaries of our school district and field trips are a vital part of our educational program. However, the Board also believes that measures need to be taken to minimize time missed from school and instruction.

The following parameters will guide decisions regarding student travel, but unique and unanticipated opportunities that do not particularly fit these parameters can be reviewed for consideration by the superintendent and the Board of Education on a case by case basis.

FIELD TRIPS GUIDELINES
Policy #352
Rule (1)
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

• Students who qualify for a regional/national competition through co-curricular programs will be allowed the opportunity to travel and compete in these events.

• The band/choir/orchestra trips to cultural centers (ie. New York City, etc.) will be considered in an effort to provide a cultural and arts related experience that is an extension of the school music program that cannot be easily replicated by staying local. Attendance on these trips must be voluntary.

• Trips planned during a break from school are acceptable as long as they do not consume the majority of a spring or holiday break.

• The Board places a preference for all athletic activities to remain in Wisconsin and to seek competition within our own borders.

• Athletic teams or co-curricular groups shall be allowed to travel to states that border Wisconsin as part of higher levels of competition or unique opportunities such as high level invitation only activities.

• Athletic teams may stay overnight to alleviate early morning or late night travel.

Legal Ref.: Section 121.54(7) Wisconsin Statutes

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

Revised:
1/15/90
March 1994
January 2002
September 2010
December 2012

Reviewed: April 2023

EXTENDED FIELD TRIP FOR FOREIGN STUDY TOUR PROCEDURES
Policy #352
Rule (2)
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The following procedures shall be used for the planning and approval of extended field trips for foreign study tours:

1. All foreign study tours must be approved by the School Board prior to any fundraising or commitments being made.
2. A detailed proposal must be submitted to the District Administrator for review prior to submission to the School Board. The proposal should include, but is not limited to:
   a. Educational purpose and objectives of the trip;
   b. Proposed itinerary;
   c. Estimated costs per student;
   d. Fundraising plans;
   e. Number of students and chaperones;
   f. Safety and emergency procedures;
   g. Insurance coverage; and
   h. Plans for students who do not participate.
3. Trips should be planned to minimize disruption to the instructional program.
4. Participation in foreign study tours shall be voluntary.
5. Adequate supervision must be provided at all times.
6. Students must comply with all school rules and expectations while participating in the trip.
7. Parents/guardians must provide written permission for student participation.

EXTENDED FIELD TRIP FOR FOREIGN STUDY TOUR PROCEDURES
Policy #352
Rule (2)
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

8. The District may deny participation based on student conduct, academic standing, or failure to meet established requirements.
9. Final approval authority rests with the School Board.

Legal Ref.: Section 121.54(7) Wisconsin Statutes

Adoption Date: 1/15/90

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002

Reviewed: April 2023

OVERNIGHT ACCOMODATIONS ON
FIELD TRIPS
Policy #352
Rule (3)
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Board of Education establishes the following guidelines for school field trips that require overnight accommodations:

1. Reasonable times will be established by staff for lights to be out and for there to be quiet to provide students with appropriate sleep time.
2. Staff will periodically check rooms/tents to assure that student behavior is within established guidelines.
3. Students will not share rooms/tents with staff or chaperones.
4. Students will share rooms/tents with students of the same gender.
5. Students will not share beds with other students unless the student and his/her parents/guardians agree to do so to reduce the individual cost of the accommodations.
6. Student room assignments will be shared with parents/guardians at least 14 days prior to departure, exceptions may be made in the timeline for short-notice events such as qualifying for a competition.
7. Special circumstances will be determined by School Administration on an individual basis
8. All rules and regulations established by Board policy, school handbooks, and administrative procedures and guidelines shall be adhered to by students/staff/chaperones at all times, including time spent in individual rooms/tents on school sponsored trips.

Adoption Date: 8/10/98

Revised: April, 2023

SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
Policy 353.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

The School Board encourages and recognizes the value of parents, guardians, and other community members who are willing to volunteer their time and service to enhance and make special contributions to student learning, District programs and activities, and District operations. The Board also encourages District efforts to highlight and express appreciation for the many important contributions made by volunteers.

The District Administrator and his/her administrative-level and supervisory-level designees are authorized to establish practices and procedures related to (1) the creation of volunteer roles; (2) the definition of a volunteer’s responsibilities and scope of authority; (3) the authorization of individual volunteers for particular roles; and (4) the oversight of authorized volunteers by District staff. Such practices and procedures shall be consistent with the following:

1. The degree to which the District examines a potential volunteer’s background and qualifications shall take into account the nature of the proposed volunteer role. For example, if an individual seeks authorization to serve as a volunteer head coach, that proposed role involves the substantial and generally independent supervision of students; significant responsibilities related to student health and safety, student learning, and student conduct; and the application of many important District policies (e.g., student record confidentiality and the student and co-curricular codes of conduct). In such a situation, the Board’s expectation is that the District will examine the potential volunteer’s background and qualifications in a manner that is similar to the process that would apply to an applicant for employment in a similar role.
2. Volunteers shall be provided with appropriate orientation, direction, and supervision by District staff.
3. Volunteers shall not be assigned responsibilities that are properly the responsibility of a licensed staff member unless the volunteer is appropriately licensed or otherwise authorized by law.
4. Volunteers shall not have access to confidential student records or information except as permitted by law and District policy.
5. Volunteers shall comply with all applicable District policies, rules, and procedures.

SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
Policy 353.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

6. The District may require background checks for certain volunteer positions based on the nature of the volunteer role and the level of contact with students.
7. The District may deny or revoke volunteer authorization at any time if it determines that doing so is in the best interests of students or the District.
8. Volunteers serve at the discretion of the District and may be dismissed at any time without cause.
9. Volunteers are not employees of the District and are not entitled to compensation or benefits.
10. Volunteers shall not represent themselves as employees of the District.
11. The District may establish additional procedures and requirements as necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of students and the effective operation of volunteer programs.

SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
Policy 353.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.07(4)
Section 120.13

Cross References:

WASB PRG 353.1 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: January 2002

Revised:
March 2023

VOLUNTEER COACHES AND
ACTIVITY ADVISORS/SUPERVISORS
353.1-Rule
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The following guidelines apply to the creation, selection, and implementation of volunteer roles where a community volunteer may serve as a volunteer coach or volunteer activity or club advisor/supervisor (including assistants).

1. Teachers, coaches, and activity advisors are not permitted to unilaterally create volunteer coaching or volunteer advisor positions (including assistants). Teachers, coaches, and activity advisors are also not permitted to unilaterally select, offer, or approve individuals to fill such volunteer positions. Instead, the creation of the role and the evaluation and selection of a volunteer to potentially fill the role shall be coordinated with the Athletic Director and/or Building Principal and follows the hiring process for coaching and advising positions as per the Human Resources practice.
2. Individuals interested in serving as a volunteer coach or volunteer activity advisor must submit any application materials that the District may require.
3. The District will conduct a personal interview of candidate(s) for a volunteer coaching or advising role.
4. The District will conduct a criminal background and personal reference check that is substantially similar to the background checks that the District conducts for applicants for employment.
5. Volunteer coaches and volunteer advisors may be required to complete specific orientation, training, or certification-related activities to the extent required by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA), or other applicable activity organization, and/or by the District.
6. The Athletic Director or an administrative-level designee will notify the individual, and, if applicable, the head coach or lead advisor of the applicable activity, when such individual has been approved as a District-authorized volunteer. The District may require the individual to satisfy other contingencies (such as returning a signed letter of appointment or other signed acknowledgements). The individual shall not commence service in the proposed volunteer role until such approval has been issued and any such contingencies have been satisfied.
7. An authorized volunteer coach or activity advisor/supervisor must adhere to all applicable District policies and procedures, exhibit professionalism and observe appropriate boundaries in all communications and interactions with students, and reasonably adhere to directives and expectations provided by the District and its authorized representatives.
8. The District’s general policy regarding school volunteers applies in full force to a volunteer coach or volunteer activity advisor/supervisor.
9. If a volunteer is authorized to serve in an assistant role, the head coach or lead advisor and the Activities Director will meet to discuss and further define the boundaries of the assistant role. Issues that may be covered include authority to access the facilities, authority to conduct activities with students in the absence of the head coach/lead advisor, issuance and use of a District email account (if applicable), the appropriate process to use for addressing student conduct concerns, etc.

VOLUNTEER COACHES AND
ACTIVITY ADVISORS/SUPERVISORS
353.1-Rule
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Adoption Date: June 2000

Revised:
July 2002
August 2004
April 2023

Cross References:
WASB PRG Sample Rule 2

Maintenance & Control of Instructional Materials
Policy #361
Rule
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The following regulations will govern the issuance of textbooks and supplies:

1. All textbooks will be numbered and marked as the property of the school.
2. Students will be issued textbooks free of charge for their course work., unless approved by the Board of Education
3. Each school building will develop a register of all books and supplies issued to students. They will see that they are used with care and returned at the appropriate time.
4. Students will be held responsible for any loss or damage to books issued to them.
5. Students may be allowed the use of textbooks during the summer with the permission of the building principal.

Legal Ref.: Sections 120.13(5)

Cross Ref.:
361, Textbook Selection and Adoption
362, Instructional Materials Selection
363, Special Interest Materials
361.1 Selection of Textbooks
361.1 Exhibit Request for Reconsideration of Library Media Materials

Adoption Date: 1/10/83

Revised:
4/22/91
March 1994
June 2002
July 2024

SELECTION OF TEXTBOOKS AND
OTHER CLASSROOM
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND
RESOURCES
Policy 361.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

Textbooks and other classroom instructional materials and resources, including audio-visual and digital resources, shall be carefully selected using the general criteria outlined in this policy and in accordance with established District procedures. All textbooks and other instructional materials and resources selected for use in the classroom shall support the District’s mission, goals, curriculum plans, and academic standards.

The School Board delegates the general review and selection of textbooks and other instructional materials and resources to the District’s administrative and instructional staff. The process shall involve obtaining input from at least one or more members of the instructional staff who will be using the materials, and may involve consultation with other personnel. As a general rule, the Board’s expectation is that the selection of core materials intended for use throughout a grade span and/or regardless of the individual instructor (e.g., textbooks) should be subject to a more extensive and participatory evaluation process and should involve more District-level oversight and coordination than the selection of class-specific or teacher-specific supplemental materials that are less likely to serve as key elements of the District’s course-to-course and grade-to-grade curricular sequences.

Textbook selection recommendations shall be submitted to the Board for review and adoption as required by law. The purchase of instructional materials using District funds shall follow established purchasing procedures.

When selecting textbooks and other instructional materials and resources for use in the classroom, consideration shall be given to each of the following factors, allowing for the possibility that, in some cases, staff may determine that a particular factor is not especially relevant:

The extent to which the materials are judged to support and enhance student learning of the subject area(s) being taught, as identified with the input of instructional staff and based on relevant research;
The extent to which the materials (and particularly textbooks) facilitate the District’s ability to provide students with an appropriately sequential curriculum, both within a grade/course and from one grade/course level to the next;
The extent to which the materials facilitate an appropriate assessment of student learning;
The overall appropriateness of the materials relative to the intended student audience (i.e., relative to the anticipated range of age, skills, cognition, and maturity of the students who are most likely to use the materials);
The effect of the selection decision on the District’s legal obligation under state law to provide adequate instructional materials, texts and library services which reflect the cultural diversity and pluralistic nature of American society, including an evaluation of the materials for any improper or discriminatory bias, misinformation, or stereotyping;
The extent to which the materials are likely to actively engage students and encourage their interest in learning;

SELECTION OF TEXTBOOKS AND
OTHER CLASSROOM
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND
RESOURCES
Policy 361.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

The extent to which the materials facilitate differentiated instruction and the pursuit of personalized learning objectives, including the extent to which the materials can help members of the instructional staff accommodate different learning targets and learning styles;
The current capacity of staff members to make productive use of the resource, or planning for the staff development that would be needed to build that capacity;
The accessibility of the item to individuals who require special formats (e.g., certain students with disabilities and English language learners), recognizing that the District has certain legal obligations to provide instructional materials and resources that will enable students with special needs to obtain applicable educational opportunities and benefits in a manner that is as timely, effective, and integrated as it is for other District students; and
Budgetary considerations, including but not limited to the extent to which the materials being evaluated would address a current priority area among possible alternative acquisitions.

The Board recognizes that occasional objections to textbooks and other instructional materials and resources used in the classroom may occur. When parents or guardians or other individuals have concerns about particular instructional materials or resources, these concerns shall be brought forward in accordance with established administrative procedures, carefully considered, and accorded the courtesy of a prompt reply by appropriate school personnel.

The District shall not unlawfully discriminate in the selection and evaluation of instructional materials or resources on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, any physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other legally-protected status or classification. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established District procedures.

SELECTION OF TEXTBOOKS AND
OTHER CLASSROOM
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND
RESOURCES
Policy 361.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 115.77 [local education agency duties related to students with disabilities]
Section 115.787(3) [development of individualized education programs for students with disabilities; duty to consider need for assistive technology]
Section 118.03 [textbook adoption]
Section 118.13 [student nondiscrimination]
Section 120.13(5) [school board power to purchase necessary books, equipment and materials for use in the schools]
Section 121.02(1)(h) [school district standard; selection of instructional and library media materials]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(h) [school district standard; selection and reconsideration of instructional and library media materials]
PI 9.03(1)(e) [requirement to address student nondiscrimination in selection of instructional and instructional and library media materials policy]

Federal Laws and Regulations
20 U.S.C. §1400 et seq. [The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, providing for programs, services, and other rights for students with disabilities, including the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard and the provision of assistive technology devices and services for students with disabilities; implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 300]
29 U.S.C. §794 et seq. [Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, prohibiting discrimination based on a qualifying disability by recipients of federal funds; implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 104, 28 C.F.R. Part 42, Subpart G, and 29 C.F.R. Part 1640]
Assistive Technology Act of 1998 [assistive technology devices and services]

Cross References:
110, Educational Materials Selection
310, Instructional Goals
361.2 Library Materials Selection
WASB PRG 361.1 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

Revised:
9/14/87
March 1994
October 2001
January 2002
April, 2023

REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF
LIBRARY MEDIA MATERIALS
Policy 361.1 – Exhibit
Waunakee Community School District

Name of Complainant: __________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________

City: __________________________ State: ______ Zip: _____________

Telephone: _____________________ Email: _________________________

Do you represent:
☐ Self
☐ Organization (Name: ______________________________________)

Resource on which you are commenting:
☐ Book
☐ Textbook
☐ Video
☐ Display
☐ Audio Recording
☐ Digital Resource
☐ Other: _________________________________________________

Title: ________________________________________________________

Author/Producer: ______________________________________________

Publisher: ____________________________________________________

1. What brought this resource to your attention?

2. Have you examined the entire resource?
   ☐ Yes
   ☐ No

If not, what parts have you examined?

3. What concerns you about this resource? (Please be specific; cite pages or sections if possible.)

4. What do you believe is the theme or purpose of this resource?

5. Are there other resources you would recommend to provide additional information and/or perspectives?

6. What action are you requesting the District consider?
   ☐ No action
   ☐ Removal of the resource
   ☐ Restrict access to the resource
   ☐ Reassign to another grade level
   ☐ Other: _________________________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________ Date: __________

Thank you for your time and concern. Please return this completed form to the building principal, who will review its contents and will notify you of the next step in the complaint process.  

Cross References:  WASB PRG 361.1

Sample Rule 1  

Adoption Date:  April , 2023 

LIBRARY MATERIALS SELECTION
Policy 361.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The purpose of the school library media program is to support and enhance the curriculum of the school district. The school library media program provides a wide range of materials on all levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and the presentation of different points of view.

The School Board recognizes that the selection of library materials is a professional responsibility that shall be vested in the licensed school library media specialist, in consultation with other instructional staff as appropriate. Library materials shall be selected in accordance with the District’s educational goals and objectives, and shall support the curriculum and the informational and recreational needs of students and staff.

Materials shall be selected to provide a broad range of ideas, information, and perspectives, including materials that reflect the cultural diversity and pluralistic nature of American society. The selection process shall also consider the appropriateness of materials for the intended age level and the educational suitability of the materials.

In selecting library materials, consideration shall be given to the following factors:
The overall purpose and educational value of the material;
The appropriateness of the material for the intended audience;
The contribution of the material to the curriculum and instructional program;
The accuracy, currency, and reliability of the material;
The reputation and significance of the author, publisher, or producer;
The presentation of multiple viewpoints on controversial issues;
The quality of the material’s format, organization, and design; and budgetary considerations.

The Board recognizes that some materials may be controversial. The inclusion of such materials in the library media collection does not imply endorsement of the views expressed therein but reflects the District’s commitment to providing a balanced collection representing diverse viewpoints.

LIBRARY MATERIALS SELECTION
Policy 361.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Concerns about library materials shall be addressed through established procedures for reconsideration of materials. Individuals with concerns are encouraged to discuss the matter with appropriate school personnel and may file a formal request for reconsideration in accordance with District procedures.

The District shall not unlawfully discriminate in the selection of library materials on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, any physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other legally-protected status or classification. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established District procedures.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.13 [student nondiscrimination]
Section 120.13(5) [school board power to purchase necessary books, equipment and materials]
Section 121.02(1)(h) [school district standard; selection of instructional and library media materials]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(h) [selection and reconsideration of instructional and library media materials]
PI 9.03(1)(e) [student nondiscrimination]

Cross References:
361.1 Selection of Textbooks
361.1 Exhibit Request for Reconsideration of Library Media Materials
WASB PRG 361.2 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

Revised:
March 1994
January 2002
April 2023

PROCEDURES FOR THE SELECTION,
MANAGEMENT AND
RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY
MEDIA TECHNOLOGY CENTER
MATERIALS
361.2-RULE
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 8

A. Selection of Library Media Technology Center Materials

No single standard can be applied to all library media technology center (LMTC) materials selection and acquisition decisions. As guidelines for such decisions:

1. The District staff members who are involved in a specific review and selection decision will refer to and consider the selection criteria and factors expressly identified in Board policy.
2. A recommendation to acquire a particular LMTC item or resource shall be supported by at least one of the following:

a. as a preferred benchmark, a direct and substantive review of the item/resource by a member of the District’s LMTC or instructional staff;

b. a recommendation or review found in a professional journal or in a reputable education-industry publication; or

c. a recommendation or review from another reputable source that is reflective of the concerns and interests of a public school library.

3. It is the District’s goal, and in some situations it is the District’s legal obligation, to make LMTC acquisition and service decisions that will enable students with special needs to obtain the educational opportunities and benefits of the LMTC in a manner that is as timely, effective, and integrated as it is for other District students and patrons who utilize the school LMTC. Accordingly, when selecting LMTC materials and resources for use in the schools, including digital materials, consideration shall be given to the accessibility of the materials or resources for students with disabilities and other students who may require special formats (e.g., English language learners). Every effort, including consideration of state and national resource centers, will be made to acquire a variety of materials that provide access for all students. Accessibility considerations are likely to be particularly relevant when the District is purchasing multiple copies of an item or resource, in connection with the selection/acquisition of digital resources, when multiple comparable resources are under consideration, or when multiple formats of the same resource are available.
4. Library media specialists and other District personnel involved in evaluating and selecting LMC resources shall consult with the Director of Technology and obtain an administrator’s approval prior to selecting, recommending the purchase of, or purposefully making available to staff or students any computer-based media or other digital resource (including any Internet-based application) that requires one or more of the following:

PROCEDURES FOR THE SELECTION,
MANAGEMENT AND
RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY
MEDIA TECHNOLOGY CENTER
MATERIALS
361.2-RULE
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 8

a. Active acceptance by an agent of the District or by student users of specific licensing terms, contractual terms of service, or a subscription agreement (including via a “click-through” agreement).

b. The installation of any new software or plug-in application on a District network or on District devices.

c. The creation/use of individual student accounts or logins for the resource.

d. The submission of any personally-identifiable information of any student(s) (e.g., for purposes of assessment or tracking individual progress).

B. Renewal/Nonrenewal of Subscription-Based Materials and Services

The decision to continue or terminate a subscription-based item or service upon its renewal date should generally be viewed as a standard selection and acquisition decision relative to all other acquisition priorities, subject to the following:

1. The District employee(s) responsible for making a recommendation or decision regarding the discretionary renewal of a library/media subscription:

a. May rely on a previous evaluation of the item/service to support a renewal recommendation/decision.

b. Shall additionally evaluate and consider (1) the extent to which the item or service is in active instructional use, and (2) any instructional consequences of allowing the subscription to expire.

c. Shall follow standard District procurement procedures to process a renewal.

2. If a decision is made to allow a subscription to expire and the decision affects only one school, then notice of the decision shall be given, at a minimum, to the relevant school principal. If desired, the principal may initiate a further review of the decision.
3. If a recommendation is formulated to allow a subscription to expire and the resource has been available on a District-wide basis or the recommendation would affect multiple schools, then notice of the recommendation shall be given, at a minimum, to the Director of Technology, the level Director(s) of Curriculum and Instruction, and to the principals of the affected schools. The Director of Technology and the level Director(s) of Curriculum and Instruction are authorized to make the decision to approve, reject, or modify the recommendation.

C. Gifts of Library Media Materials

PROCEDURES FOR THE SELECTION,
MANAGEMENT AND
RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY
MEDIA TECHNOLOGY CENTER
MATERIALS
361.2-RULE
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 8

The District welcomes gifts of LMC materials/resources and any monetary donations that are intended to benefit the school LMCs, with the understanding that they are subject to the District’s general public gifts to the school’s policy and that donated materials/resources will be evaluated using the same review and selection criteria (aside from budgetary considerations) that are applied to purchased materials. If the gifts do not meet these criteria and the items are not recommended for acquisition, the District generally reserves the right to reject the gift or, if impractical to return the gift to the donor, to dispose of the gifted materials in a manner consistent with established procedures.

D. Relocation of Library Media Technology Center Materials

Relocation means changing the LMTC in which a District LMTC item or resource is maintained, or converting a LMTC item/resource into a classroom or program resource (or vice versa) within the District. Provided that the decision is appropriately reflected in inventory records, the library media specialist for the building in which a resource is presently located may approve the relocation of a District LMTC resource based on a determination that the proposed new location for the resource would be an appropriate and at least equally effective use of the resource.

E. Reconsideration of Library Media Technology Center Materials

Reconsideration is a process for reevaluating an acquisition, access/use, or placement decision of a LMTC item or resource in response to a written complaint. Prior to filing a written complaint, a concerned person is encouraged to discuss and attempt to resolve their concerns with the relevant school principal and the library media specialist.

District personnel who evaluate materials during the reconsideration process shall, at a minimum, assess the materials and the basis for the complaint relative to any applicable content-focused criteria that the District would apply to the selection of the specific challenged materials. The overriding question the reconsideration process is intended to answer is whether retaining the challenged item/resource as part of the District’s LMTC materials (either with or without changes to location, access, or other usage) continues to be lawful, reasonable, and sufficiently consistent with the District’s curricular standards and instructional and programmatic goals.

The reconsideration process established in these procedures is intended to normally be concluded within 90 days of receipt of a written complaint, with each main decision-making stage of the process (the initial administrative determination, the Materials Review Committee process, and any final appeal) normally occurring within 30 days. The District shall communicate with the complainant regarding any material delays and the reason(s) for any such delay.

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1. Submitting a Written Complaint.

a. A complaint may be filed by the parent/guardian of a student, a student, a District employee, or a District resident. Other persons seeking to file a complaint must demonstrate that they have a sufficient connection to the District to qualify as an aggrieved person, and the District reserves discretion to decline to process and dismiss the complaint of a person who the District determines lacks such a connection.

b. The written complaint must (1) identify the complainant, the specific resource being challenged, and the basis for the challenge, and (2) request removal of the item or some other school-wide or District-wide relief other than an individualized accommodation or modification. (See below regarding separate processing of any such individualized requests.)

c. A written complaint seeking reconsideration of LMTC materials shall be submitted to one or more of the following:

i. The principal of the school at which the challenged materials are located or being used.

ii. The Director of Curriculum and Instruction for that level.

iii. The Director of Student Services when a complainant intends to allege that materials may constitute a form of unlawful discrimination (including unlawful harassment) based on a legally-protected status (such as race, national origin, sex, disability, religion, etc.).

iv. [Insert any other applicable position(s)].

2. Initial Processing of a Complaint.

a. The District official who initially receives a written complaint shall promptly:

i. Provide the complainant with documented acknowledgement that the complaint has been received. An electronic mail message is sufficient.

ii. Notify, at a minimum, the District Administrator and all individuals identified in E.1.c of this policy that a formal LMC reconsideration complaint has been filed.

b. If a written complaint requests an individualized accommodation or modification for one or more specific students, that aspect of the complaint shall be processed separately (i.e., outside of these procedures) as a request for a program or curriculum modification or other type of accommodation under applicable District policies.

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c. The use/circulation of LMC materials will not be restricted during the reconsideration. However, a program or curriculum modification or other accommodation may be approved for one or more individual students separate from the reconsideration decision.

d. If required or permitted by law due to the specific basis of a particular complaint (e.g., for a complaint that alleges unlawful sex discrimination under Title IX), the District may redirect a complaint seeking reconsideration of LMTC materials to a different District process for resolution.

e. Duplicative or otherwise redundant requests to reconsider the same resource or to reconsider a different resource with substantially similar content for substantially similar reasons may be restricted. In the event that the District concludes that a reconsideration request is redundant to a previous request in which a relevant resource was thoroughly reviewed and evaluated, the District will inform the complainant that the District is choosing to rely on the previous evaluation and that the complainant may immediately appeal the decision under the final intra-District appeal step, as identified below.

3. Materials Review Committee.

a. Upon receipt and initial processing of the complaint a Materials Review Committee will be convened. The Committee will normally be comprised of the following:

i. The Director of Curriculum and Instruction for that level, or both if the material is present in LMTC’s at both levels.

ii. a Library Media Specialist from a different school

iii. two educators from the school with the complaint.

iv. a principal from the school.

v. a school district resident

vi. a student representative (if high school)

vii. a parent of a student attending the school using the challenged material

b. However, the membership of the Committee is subject to the following:

i. The District Administrator will select members based on the above criteria.

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ii. The District Administrator may include additional personnel as he/she deems appropriate (e.g., including a technology director/coordinator in connection with the review of an electronic resource).

iii. The District Administrator shall designate one person as the chairperson and presiding officer of the Committee.

c. As scheduled by the chairperson, the meeting(s) of the Materials Review Committee will be conducted in compliance with the Open Meetings Law, including ensuring appropriate public notice of the committee’s meetings. Minutes will be kept of the Committee’s proceedings.

d. The members of the Committee shall assess the challenged materials and the basis for the complaint and formulate and provide a recommendation regarding the resolution of the complaint. Committee members must read the entire work before voting.

e. The committee will make its decision determined by the simple majority to retain, move the resources to a different level, or remove the resource. This will be a secret ballot vote.

f. The complainant will be given an opportunity to present a brief statement in support of the complaint to the Committee, which statement may be made in person at a meeting of the Committee or submitted in writing.

g. The chairperson of the Committee or his/her designee shall communicate the recommendation and any supporting rationale that was approved by the Committee (which may include identification of any dissenting position) to the District Administrator and to the complainant.

h. If the resolution at this stage includes the permanent removal of a resource from the District, the District Administrator shall notify the Board of the removal decision.

4. Final Intra-District Appeal.

a. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the decision reached at the previous step, then within 14 calendar days of the date the District sends notice of the decision to the complainant, the complainant may submit a written request to the Office of the District Administrator for a final review of the decision by the Board of Education. The request shall identify the reasons the complainant disagrees with the decision.

b. Upon an appeal, the School Board shall review the Committee’s decision and other information relevant to the complaint and the appeal at a Board meeting. The Board may decide the appeal with or without requesting additional information and with or

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without requesting/permitting appearances by the complainant or by District personnel. The Board’s decision is the final District decision.

c. The District Administrator shall ensure that the complainant and relevant District personnel are notified of the final District decision. To the extent the complaint had alleged that the challenged LMTC materials violate the state student nondiscrimination laws, this reconsideration process may serve as the applicable District complaint procedure, and the notice of the final District decision shall also inform the complainant of the right to appeal an adverse determination of the complaint to the State Superintendent within 30 days and of the Chapter PI 1 procedures for making the appeal.

F. Removal of Library Media Center Materials from the Collection (Weeding)

The following may be removed in connection with routine maintenance of the District’s LMTC collections under the direction and supervision of school library media specialist:

• Materials that are excessively worn/damaged;

• Materials that are obsolete (such as any outdated or superseded editions);

• Materials that are unnecessarily duplicative of other resources (such as excess copies of a book no longer in significant demand);

• Materials that are unused for lengthy periods of time and that have minimal current educational value; and

• Materials that are negatively affecting either the usability of the LMTC or the efficiency of LMTC operations.

To the extent space availability is an issue within any facility, items may be removed giving priority to items that would be subject to removal through routine maintenance of the District’s collections and, if space remains constrained, to any items identified through a District-initiated evaluation process under the direction of the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for that level.

Decisions to remove or relocate LMTC materials are to be based on the District’s policies, standards, and instructional/program goals. District personnel shall not remove/relocate or recommend the removal or relocation of any LMTC resource based upon their personal disagreement with or personal objection to the ideas, opinions, or perspectives presented in the resource or due to any preferences of non-District persons or groups.

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To alleviate concerns that removal decisions could reflect a form of censorship:

1. Prior to the final removal and disposal of LMTC resources and materials under this section of these procedures, the library media staff making such evaluations shall provide a list of items that have been identified for removal that briefly identifies each item and the basis for the decision to another library media specialist in the district for consideration and feedback.
2. Items in usable condition that are removed from a LMTC (and not relocated) should be donated to charitable organization in an effort to preserve public access to the materials to the extent such a procedure is otherwise consistent with established District procedures for disposal of property that will no longer be used by the District for school purposes.

Cross References:
WASB PRG 361.2 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 11/8/82

Revised: March 1994
November 2003
April 2023

USE OF RATED FILMS AND A-V MATERIALS

Policy #361.3
Waunakee Community School District

Generally, commercial films produced for entertainment are not to be shown in schools during instructional time. Films or videotapes having obvious educational value may be shown when appropriate for the content, district curriculum, and level of the subject being taught.

Commercial films may be shown for entertainment as part of co-curricular or after school event or as a reward for a class achieving a major goal.

In addition to a film’s content being appropriate for the subject taught, films will have to meet certain rating requirements or have prior administrative or parent/guardian approval for a student to view the film. These are as follows:

“G” Rating
These films may be shown at any grade level with the principal’s approval.

“PG” Rating
These films may be shown at any grade level with parent/guardian and principal approval.

“PG 13” Rating
These films may be shown at grades 7–12 with parent/guardian and principal approval.

“R” Rating
These films may be shown at grades 11–12 after a review and approval of the Superintendent. Parent/guardian approval will also be necessary. The film’s content and message must be integral to the subject taught and no other material would provide students with the information, knowledge or understanding that the film provides.

“Unrated”, “NC17” and “X” Rating
Under no circumstances will “NC 17” or “X” rated films be shown in the school setting. “Unrated” films may be shown if approved by the principal after a preview of the film. Parent/guardian permission will be necessary.

Staff members requesting a film approval are responsible to give the principal an accurate description of the film’s content.

Staff members making film or video selections for classroom use should determine that the material is part of face-to-face teaching as part of an organized curriculum to meet provisions of copyright law (PL 94-553, Section 110(1)). Staff members are encouraged not to show students videotapes of network or cable television performances which the students have probably already seen at home.

Legal Ref.: Section 120.13 Wisconsin Statutes

Cross Ref.:
110, Educational Mission Statement
310, Instructional Goals
362, Selection of Instructional Materials
771, Printing and Duplicating Services (Copyright)
851, Advertising in the Schools

Adoption Date: 1/10/96
Revised: January 2002
November 2003
May 2008
Reviewed/Renumbered: April, 2023

LIBRARY MEDIA SERVICES

Policy 362
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The District Administrator shall ensure that the District’s staffing plan, whether via employment or via contracted services, includes a licensed library media person who is designated to direct and coordinate the District's library media program. Under the administrative direction and supervision of the Directors of Curriculum and Instruction, the licensed individual shall:

1. Coordinate the formulation and periodic review and updating of the District’s written, long-range plan for library services.
2. Work with supervising administrators to ensure that any proposed substantive revisions to the long-range plan are presented to the School Board for approval. Data documented in the plan may be updated without any additional Board approval.

At a minimum, the District’s long-range plan for library services development shall:

2. Incorporate goals and related action steps to guide the future direction of the District’s library and media services, including goals that address at least one or more of the following priority areas:

a. Developing and implementing the District’s student curriculum through instruction relating to areas such as literacy, research and inquiry, critical thinking, and effective and responsible use of technology.

b. Providing effective and equitable access to resources, including technology resources that facilitate successful learning.

c. Developing and maintaining the District’s collection of library media resources, across multiple formats and different types of content, in a manner that facilitates the District’s compliance with its statutory and regulatory obligations to make available to students a current, balanced collection of resources which, in an unbiased manner, reflects the cultural diversity and pluralistic nature of American society.

d. Strengthening instructional partnerships and collaboration among the District’s classroom teachers and the District’s licensed library staff, including leveraging the contributions of non-licensed paraprofessionals.

e. The role of the library media specialist(s) in planning, providing, or otherwise facilitating staff professional development.

f. Creating and improving the physical and virtual spaces that promote inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and community.

g. Cultivating community connections to promote engagement, access, and lifelong learning.

3. Incorporate the District’s library media materials selection policies and procedures, including the procedures for submitting and addressing complaints that request reconsideration of any such materials.
4. Document examples of policies, procedures, services, or resources that reflect efforts directed at legal compliance, including at least in the areas of copyright, student data privacy, and Internet safety.

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5. Include data, or a summary analysis of data, that is deemed relevant to assessing progress on goals and to performing an ongoing needs analysis related to library services.
6. Include a statement of any relevant budgetary information, such as any future-oriented budget projections or budget requests, with respect to the District budget components that support the services and goals of the library program.
7. Establish a procedure and timeline for the periodic evaluation and future development and revision of the plan.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 43.72 [library exchanges]
Section 120.12(1) [board duty; care, control and management of school property]
Section 121.02(1)(h) [school district standard; requirement to provide adequate library services]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(h) [detail of the state library media services standard; includes the mandate to maintain a written and board-approved long-range plan for library services]

Cross References:
WASB PRG Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: April, 2023

LMTC ACCESS

Policy #362.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Waunakee Board of Education recognizes the right of students, teachers, staff and administration to reasonable access to school LMTC (Learning Materials and Technology Center), equipment, time, facilities and staff to achieve optimum benefits whether for academic or nonacademic purposes. To that end, it directs its media professionals to plan and implement methods by which greatest access is ensured.

Upon the request of the custodial parent or guardian of a child under the age of 16 the district will disclose to the custodial parent or guardian all library records relating to the use of the library’s documents or other materials, resources, or services by the child.

Legal Ref.: Sections 120.13 Wisconsin Statutes
121.02 (1)(h)
PI 8.01(2)(h), Wisconsin Administrative Code

Cross Ref.:
364-Rule, Departmental Guidelines to Ensure Access to IMC
362, Selection of Instructional Materials
741, Control and Management of Instructional Materials
871, Public Complaints About Instructional Materials

Adoption Date: 4/1/88

Revised:
March, 1994
January 2002
August 2004

STAFF INTERNET SAFETY & ACCEPTABLE USE
Policy #363.2
Rule 1
Page 1 of 5

Intent

The Waunakee Community School District will provide all staff access to technology resources including mobile devices and the Internet to support educational excellence in all our schools. The concept of internet safety and technology use has fundamentally changed and will continue to change in the future. It has become clear that safety is not just an exercise in protecting staff from online dangers or reducing risk for the district population; internet safety also means our staff are good digital citizens.

Staff should use the district’s computer network in a way that is consistent with applicable district policies. Whoever uses the Waunakee Community School District computer network and other instructional technology is expected to behave ethically and to comply with District policy and administrative guidelines. Each employee is expected to understand and comply with the following rules and guidelines. Violation of the rules and guidelines in this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination and legal action, if warranted.

Digital Citizenship

The Waunakee School District expects all users to demonstrate good digital citizenship. They are expected to:

1. Use digital tools, the network, and the internet appropriately for their position’s needs.
2. Use only their own accounts.
3. Follow international copyright laws.
4. Be professional and courteous in their online communications as a representative of the district.
5. Treat all equipment with care.
6. Respect the work and privacy of others.
7. Keep passwords and login information private.
8. Alert an administrator if they receive or learn of threatening or inappropriate online communication, or activity.
9. Use only district authorized software and browsers.
10. Refrain from sharing personal information on the internet.
11. Record or take pictures of others only after obtaining their permission.
12. Remember that all network activities are monitored and retained.

Responsibility

Because the Internet is a network with global reach, individuals may encounter materials that are not considered appropriate or suitable by parents and other members of the learning community. Therefore, acceptable use behaviors and safety policies are outlined below. The District staff and parents and guardians are responsible for conveying and discussing responsible technology use with their students and children. In accordance with federal law, the staff is also responsible for monitoring student use of the Internet while in their classrooms. Although it is unlikely, individual users might gain access to inappropriate materials despite supervision and technology protection measures. Any observed intended, or unintended access to inappropriate material should be immediately reported to an administrator.

The individual user, student and staff alike, is ultimately accountable for all activities conducted while using the Internet, network, or other district instructional technology resources. The smooth operation of the computer network and Internet depends upon the proper conduct of the users. These guidelines are provided so that students and staff are aware of their responsibilities.

Terms and Conditions of Use

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The following guidelines were written to correspond with federal and state law governing computerized communication systems (1995 Wisconsin Act 353, effective June 7, 1996, Children’s Internet Protection Act, 2000).

1. Acceptable Use

a. The Waunakee Community School District has established the computer network and other instructional technologies for a “limited educational purpose,” which includes classroom activities, career development and teacher-approved self-discovery activities.

b. The use of these resources must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Waunakee Community School District.

c. Transmission of any material in violation of any national or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted, harassing, threatening, or obscene material. Pirating, which is the illegal copying or selling of software or copyrighted material, is prohibited.

d. Use any social media application with caution, please be aware that all social media related to staff may be subject to district policies regarding public records. Refrain from communication with students using social media.

e. Staff may analyze legislative proceedings and matters of public concern and communicate with elected officials via the computer network. However, fund-raising for political activities may not be conducted using the network.

f. The computer network is not for commercial purposes.

g. Staff may not use the network to offer or provide products and services of a commercial nature.

h. The District will comply with Wisconsin statutory requirements and administrative rules related to technology.

3. Technology Protection Measure

The term “technology protection measure” means a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access to visual depictions that are:

▪ child pornography, as defined in Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code; or
▪ harmful to minors.

a. The Waunakee Community School District employs technology protection measures to protect students and other individual users from seeing inappropriate materials and prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to our network.

b. One of these technology protection measures shall be an Internet management application, or filter.

•. The District shall filter websites that contain obscenity, child pornography, materials harmful to minors, and may filter sites that interfere with the educational objectives of the school or make excessive demands on network resources.

•The filter’s database shall automatically download updates frequently to keep the protection as current as possible. The technical staff shall be able to open and close sites as needed for instructional purposes.

•. Filtering shall be effective throughout the entire network.

c The District shall utilize firewall technologies to assist in preventing unauthorized access.

d The District has the capability to monitor Internet access and may check an individual’s record of access.

5. E-mail and other electronic communication

a. All network users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

● Be polite. Do not write messages that will harass, offend, or insult anyone.
● Use appropriate language. Do not use profanity, sexual connotations, or other inappropriate language. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.

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Users may not knowingly receive e-mail containing pornographic material or other inappropriate information and data. Please report all inappropriate materials to administration.
Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users.
Exercise caution if you receive an unexpected attachment. Contact the system administrator, a technician, or a lab assistant if you suspect a virus.
E-mail attachments that you create or forward should be consistent with the educational mission of the school district.

b For your personal protection, do not give out your address or phone number.

c Note that e-mail and other electronic communication is not private, privileged, or confidential. People who operate the system have access to all mail. Messages relating to, or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.

d E-mail may be subject to district policies regarding public records.

6. Security

a. Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem on the network, you must notify a system administrator, technician, or lab assistant

b. Do not use another individual’s account or password.

c. Attempts to logon to the network as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges.

d. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be restricted or denied network access.

7. Network Resources

a. Network resources, including but not limited to storage and connectivity, are limited. Avoid excessive demands on network resources.

b. Excessive demands on network resources are subject to restriction by the system administrator. Repeated excess demand on network resources will result in termination of access and possible administrative action.

8. Vandalism

a. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to modify, damage or destroy data, software, operating systems, or equipment, or intentionally disrupt the system.

b. This includes, but is not limited to, the loading or creation of computer viruses and any attempt to bypass network security.

9. Consequences for Violations of the Acceptable Use Policy

a. Violation of any provision of the Acceptable Use Policy may lead to termination of access. School administrators will determine consequences for inappropriate use.

b. An administrator of the school may request the system manager to suspend specific staff user accounts until the incident is reviewed. The district may temporarily deny access to maintain network function or prevent a criminal act pending the disciplinary process.

c. Staff will receive notice of an alleged violation and an opportunity to respond before an extended termination of access.

d. First time violations of a minor nature may be addressed through administrative counseling.

e. Individuals may be subject to action under existing Board of Education Policies, school rules, and contractual agreements.

f. Termination of access does not prohibit the district from pursuing or implementing other disciplinary measures.

• Acceptable Use Violations that are severe or repeated may result in additional sanctions beyond termination of access up to, and including, staff dismissal.

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• The district will contact appropriate local, state, or federal authorities if there is any suspicion of illegal activity. The District will lawfully cooperate with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation concerning illegal activities conducted through the District’s network.

10. Privacy

a. Files in individual, unshared, staff folders should not be viewed by other staff, with the exception of the system administrator, technical personnel, and supervisors.

b. Files in shared folders are not private.

c. Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors are prohibited. Communication with commercial website operators will be governed by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

d. The system administrator and technical personnel have the ability to access personal files, including e-mail.

e. Regular network maintenance and monitoring may detect violations of the acceptable use policy.

f. The system administrator and technical personnel will investigate unusual activity on the network and may access personal files in the course of such investigations.

g. The district retains control of all data stored on all district-owned servers and devices and may exercise this control to monitor compliance with this policy.

11. Warranties of Service

a. The Waunakee Community School District (WCSD) makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing.

b. The WCSD will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or your errors or omissions.

c. The WCSD is not responsible for any costs, liabilities or damages caused by the way you use the computer network.

d. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk.

e. The WCSD specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

12. Electronic Communications with Students

a. Unless otherwise expressly permitted by Board policy or rule, District staff may only engage in electronic communication with students using a district provided or otherwise District-approved means of electronic communication (e.g., a district-approved social media account, district-approved online learning platform, or district-provided email account). The District will establish and maintain a list of district-approved means of electronic communications.

District staff are prohibited from communicating electronically with students using a personal (i. e.,non-district) email, text messaging, or social media account unless, 1) urgent circumstances are present that suggest that there is an imminent threat to the health, safety, or property of any person and the staff member promptly communicates their reliance on this exception to the school principal or other appropriate administrator; or 2) the appropriate school principal or administrator has granted written approval for such communication for a limited purpose.

“Electronic media” includes all forms of social media, such as but not limited by enumeration to the following: text messaging, instant messaging, electronic mail (email), web logs (blogs), electronic forums (chat rooms), video sharing websites (e.g., YouTube), editorial comments posted on the internet, and social network sites (e.g, Facebook, Snapchat, X, Instagram, Tik Tok), and all forms of telecommunications such as landlines, cell phones, and web-based applications.

1. The employee shall limit communications to matters within the employee's professional responsibilities (e.g., for teachers, matters relating to virtual learning, class work, homework, or assessments).

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2. Staff shall not engage with students in inappropriately peer-like social relationships, via activities or communications that reasonably may compromise the staff member’s ability to perform their District role, including their ability to serve as an effective and objective adult authority figure.
3. Staff shall not foster, encourage, or maintain relationships with students in which there is an inappropriate level of communicative, interpersonal, or emotional intimacy that reasonably may compromise the staff member’s ability to perform their District role, including their ability to serve as an effective and objective adult authority figure.

b. Limitations on the scope and application of this policy: This policy and any rules or guidelines developed under this policy shall not be construed or applied in a manner that would impede a staff member’s ability to:

1. Reasonably perform their District authorized role and responsibilities, provided that their communications and conduct remain grounded in legitimate educational purposes and sound professional practice. Depending on the staff members' specific District authorized role(s), legitimate educational purposes may include matters that relate to academics, extracurricular activities, counseling, advising, health and medical matters, social services, or operational services (e.g., transportation or food service).
2. Reasonably respond to urgent circumstances that suggest there's an imminent threat to the health, safety, or property of any person. If a staff member relies on this exception to engage in communication or interaction with the student that may otherwise be inappropriate (e.g., due to the time, location, method, or subject matter), the staff member is expected to promptly report the relevant circumstances to the applicable school principal or other appropriate administrator.
3. An employee is not subject to this prohibition to the extent the employee has a pre-existing social or family relationship with the student. For example, an employee may have a pre-existing relationship with a niece or nephew, a student who is the child of an adult friend, a student who is a friend of the employee's child, or a member or participant in the same civic, social, recreational, or religious organization.
4. Student employees (e.g. Aquatic Center staff, Warrior Media, Summer School Teaching Assistants, Youth Apprentices, etc.) are not subject to this prohibition with peer students. Student employees in roles that involve quasi-supervisory responsibilities would be subject to the policy in relations with non-peer students for which they are partially responsible for supervision or direction, under regular school employees.

c. Consequences for policy violations.

District staff who violate this policy or any rules or directives that the district issues in furtherance of this policy may be subject to discipline or other consequences, up to and including termination of their District role(s) (e.g., employee, volunteer, etc.). The district may also report the circumstances relating to certain violations to law enforcement and other applicable authorities.

Adoption Date: 1/10/96
Revised: 6/8/98
February 2002
February 2009
August 2018
May 2023
June 2025

STUDENT INTERNET SAFETY & ACCEPTABLE USE
Policy #363.2
Rule 2
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 5

Intent

The Waunakee Community School District will provide students access to technology resources including mobile devices and the Internet to support educational excellence in all our schools. The concept of internet safety and technology use has fundamentally changed and will continue to change in the future. It has become clear that safety is not just an exercise in protecting students from online dangers or reducing risk for the district population; internet safety also means our students are good digital citizens.

The purpose of public education is to prepare students for life and work. In the world of work, students will encounter many different situations and technologies. As part of the educational process, students will learn that with access to technology comes responsibility. Whoever uses the Waunakee Community School District computer network and other instructional technology is expected to behave ethically and to comply with District policy and administrative guidelines.

The Waunakee Community School District has revised this policy in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act to comply with all federal requirements. This includes an Internet safety policy and a description of the technology protection measure in place. The district’s student safety program will educate students about appropriate behavior, on social media and chat rooms and generate awareness regarding cyberbullying and how to respond to it. In addition, the policy addresses general network acceptable use.

Digital Citizenship

The Waunakee School District expects all users to demonstrate good digital citizenship. They are expected to:

1. Use digital tools, the network, and the internet for class assignments as directed by teachers.
2. Use only their own accounts.
3. Follow international copyright laws.
4. Use digital tools in a manner that does not distract others.
5. Be polite and productive in their online communications.
6. Treat all equipment with care.
7. Respect the work and privacy of others.
8. Keep passwords and login information private.
9. Alert a staff member if they receive or learn of threatening or inappropriate online communication, or activity.
10. Tell an adult if they read something on the internet that makes them feel uncomfortable.
11. Use only district authorized software and browsers.
12. Refrain from sharing personal information on the internet.
13. Record or take pictures of others only after obtaining their permission.
14. Remember that all your activities are monitored and retained; cyberbullying will not be tolerated.

Responsibility

Because the Internet is a network with global reach, individuals may encounter materials that are not considered appropriate or suitable by parents and other members of the learning community. Therefore, acceptable use behaviors and safety policies are outlined below. The District staff and parents and guardians are responsible for conveying and discussing responsible technology use with their students and children. In accordance with federal

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law, the staff is also responsible for monitoring student use of the Internet while in their classrooms. Although it is unlikely, individual users might gain access to inappropriate materials despite supervision and technology protection measures. Any access to inappropriate materials (intended or unintended) should be immediately reported to a staff member.

The individual user, student and staff alike, is ultimately accountable for all activities conducted while using the Internet, network, or other district instructional technology resources. The smooth operation of the computer network and Internet depends upon the proper conduct of the users. These guidelines are provided so that students and staff are aware of their responsibilities. If anyone violates any of these provisions, his/her account could be terminated, future access could be denied, and additional consequences imposed consistent with district policy, relevant codes, and agreements.

Terms and Conditions of Use

The following guidelines were written to correspond with federal and state law governing computerized communication systems (1995 Wisconsin Act 353, effective June 7, 1996, Children’s Internet Protection Act, 2000).

1. Acceptable Use

a. The Waunakee Community School District has established the computer network and other instructional technologies for a “limited educational purpose,” which includes classroom activities, career development and teacher-approved self-discovery activities.

b. The use of these resources must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Waunakee Community School District.

c. Transmission of any material in violation of any national or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted, harassing, threatening, or obscene material. Pirating, which is the illegal copying or selling of software or copyrighted material, is prohibited.

d. Use any social media application with caution, please be aware that all social media related to student may be subject to district policies regarding public records. Refrain from communication with students using social media.

e. Students may analyze legislative proceedings and matters of public concern and communicate with elected officials via the computer network. However, fund-raising for political activities may not be conducted using the network.

f. The computer network is not for commercial purposes.

g. Students may not purchase products or services via the network without the permission of their principal.

h. The District will comply with Wisconsin statutory requirements and administrative rules related to technology.

2. Student Use of Mobile Devices

Students are supplied a district issued mobile device (iPad or Chromebook), this device is for student use for their education. Students should treat devices as if it is their own. Students are responsible for the care of their district device. The district has provided these devices for educational use, instruction, research, and the facilitation of communication, collaboration, and other district-related purposes. Users are subject to the same standards expected in a classroom and/or professional workplace. The district reserves the right to prioritize who uses the network resources and can access all other computers systems. The ultimate responsibility for acceptable use is the sole responsibility of the individual user.

a. Devices may be used in class only with permission of the teacher.
b. During unscheduled time, devices may be used in the hallways, computer labs, study halls, and LMTC’s unless otherwise directed by the classroom teacher or area supervisor.
c. Devices should not be heard at any time. They must always be in silent mode, or used with headphones.
d. Due to the camera capabilities, devices are never allowed to be in sight or in use in bathrooms or locker rooms.

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e. Inappropriate content may not reside on the device. This includes, but is not limited to, obscene material, material that depicts illegal or violent actions, material that may be used to threaten the safety and wellbeing of others, and software that is used to facilitate breaking security systems.

f. Students should have no expectation of privacy in regard to device use.

g. WCSD reserves the right to examine files and materials stored on a student’s device as needed to monitor acceptable use under the Districts Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policy.

3. Technology Protection Measure

The term “technology protection measure” means a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access to visual depictions that are:

▪ child pornography, as defined in Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code; or
▪ harmful to minors.

a. The Waunakee Community School District employs technology protection measures to protect students and other individual users from seeing inappropriate materials and prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to our network.

b. One of these technology protection measures shall be an Internet management application, or filter.

•The District shall filter websites that contain obscenity, child pornography, materials harmful to minors, and may filter sites that interfere with the educational objectives of the school or make excessive demands on network resources.

•The filter’s database shall automatically download updates frequently to keep the protection as current as possible. The technical staff shall be able to open and close sites as needed for instructional purposes.

•Filtering shall be effective throughout the entire network.

c. The District shall utilize firewall technologies to assist in preventing unauthorized access.

d The District has the capability to monitor Internet access and may check an individual’s record of access.

4. Privileges

a. The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in a cancellation of those privileges.

b. The district provides information and training in proper use of the network. That instruction may include additional guidelines not mentioned in this policy.

c. Students may bring personal laptop and handheld computers or other devices to school under certain conditions. Personal devices will only be allowed to connect to the Guest WiFi.

● The District may examine computers and other electronic devices and search their contents, if there is a reason to believe that school policies, rules, or regulations have been violated. Individuals should have no expectation of privacy in the use of the district network.

• While the student’s laptop, handheld computer, or other electronic device is at school, it is an instructional tool and must be used for school curriculum only. It may not be used as an entertainment system.

• Student-owned digital tools at school are to be used in compliance with the policies, rules, and regulations of the District. The Parent/Guardian and the Student will be bound by all policies and regulations of the District applicable to the use of instructional technology and access to the Internet. Any violation of such policies, rules and regulations may result in the exclusion of the device from school.

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5. E-mail and other electronic communication

a. All network users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

Be polite. Do not write messages that will harass, offend, or insult anyone.
Use appropriate language. Do not use profanity, sexual connotations, or other inappropriate language. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
Users may not knowingly receive e-mail containing pornographic material or other inappropriate information and data. Please report all inappropriate materials to administration.
Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users.
Exercise caution if you receive an unexpected attachment. Contact the system administrator, a technician, or a lab assistant if you suspect a virus.
E-mail attachments that you create or forward should be consistent with the educational mission of the school district.

b. Any e-mail, chat, or other direct electronic communication for instructional purposes will be closely supervised.

c. E-mail, chat, or instant messaging via the Waunakee School District Network is not to be used for the personal use of the student.

d. For your personal protection, do not give out your address or phone number.

e. Note that e-mail and other electronic communication is not private, privileged, or confidential. People who operate the system have access to all mail. Messages relating to, or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.

f. E-mail may be subject to district policies regarding public records.

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6. Security

a. Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you feel you can identify a security problem on the network, you must notify a system administrator, technician, or lab assistant. Students should report security issues to a building administrator, teacher, or lab assistant. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users.

b. Do not use another individual’s account or password.

c. Attempts to logon to the network as a system administrator, or with another user’s accountwill result in cancellation of user privileges.

d. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be restricted or denied network access.

7. Network Resources

a. Network resources, including but not limited to storage and connectivity, are limited. Avoid excessive demands on network resources.

b. Excessive demands on network resources are subject to restriction by the system administrator. Repeated excess demand on network resources will result in termination of access and possible administrative action.

8. Vandalism

a. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to modify, damage or destroy data, software, operating systems, or equipment, or intentionally disrupt the system.

b. This includes, but is not limited to, the loading or creation of computer viruses.

9. Consequences for Violations of the Acceptable Use Policy

a. Violation of any provision of the Acceptable Use Policy may lead to termination of access. School administrators will determine consequences for inappropriate use.

b. An administrator, teacher, or other staff member of the school may request the system manager to suspend specific student user accounts until the incident is reviewed. The district may temporarily deny access to maintain network function or prevent a criminal act pending the disciplinary process.

c. Students will receive notice of an alleged violation and an opportunity to respond before an extended termination of access.

d. First time violations of a minor nature may be addressed through teacher or administrative counseling.

e. Individuals may be subject to action under existing Board of Education Policies, school rules, and contractual agreements.

f. Termination of access does not prohibit the district from pursuing or implementing other disciplinary measures.

•Acceptable Use Violations that are severe or repeated may result in additional sanctions beyond termination of access up to, and including, student expulsion

•The district will contact appropriate local, state, or federal authorities if there is any suspicion of illegal activity. The District will lawfully cooperate with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation concerning illegal activities conducted through the District’s network.

10. Privacy

a. Files in individual, unshared, student folders should not be viewed by other students.

b. Files in shared folders are not private.

c. Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors are prohibited. Communication with commercial website operators will be governed by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

d. The system administrator and technical personnel have the ability to access personal files, including e-mail.

e. Regular network maintenance and monitoring may detect violations of the acceptable use policy.

f. The system administrator and technical personnel will investigate unusual activity on the network and may access personal files in the course of such investigations.

g. The district retains control of all data stored on all district-owned servers and devices and may exercise this control to monitor compliance with this policy.

11. Warranties of Service

a. The Waunakee Community School District (WCSD) makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing.

b. The WCSD will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or your errors or omissions.

c. The WCSD is not responsible for any costs, liabilities or damages caused by the way you use the computer network.

d. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk.

e. The WCSD specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

Adopted: 1/10/96
Revised: 6/8/98
February 2002
February 2009
August 2018
May 2023
Adoption Date: 1/10/96
Revised: 6/8/98
February 2002
February 2009
August 2018
May 2023

TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (Assistive Technology)

Policy 363.3
Waunakee Community School District
Page 1 of 2

The District recognizes that students with disabilities and other students with special needs may require assistive technology devices and/or services to help them access and benefit from their educational program and achieve related standards and goals.

The District shall provide students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) with special education and related services, based on their individualized education programs (IEP), as required by law. A student’s need for assistive technology shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. If the student’s IEP team determines that a particular assistive technology device and/or service is needed in order for the student to benefit from his/her education program, it will be included in the student’s IEP.

For purposes of this policy and its implementation with respect to students with disabilities under the IDEA, an “assistive technology device” means any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of students with disabilities. “Assistive technology service” means any service that directly assists a student with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device.

Those students with disabilities or other special needs but not requiring a formal IEP under the IDEA (for example, students with disabilities under Section 504 or under the Americans with Disabilities Act, migrant students, homeless students, students living with poverty and English language learners), will also be considered for assistive technology devices and/or services on a case-by-case basis. In situations where the potential use of such a device or the provision of such a service is unrelated to a disability, the District will consider the device and/or service in relation to the student’s identified special need(s).

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 115.787(3)(b)5 [IEP development; required to consider assistive technology needs]

Federal Laws
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [programs and services for students with disabilities]
Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001 (Title II, Part D) [educational technology plans, including state-required policies addressing technology concerns for students with special needs]
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [disability discrimination; reasonable accommodations]
Americans with Disabilities Act [disability discrimination; reasonable accommodations]

Cross References:
342.1 Programs for Students with Exceptional Educational Needs

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365 Access to Internet and Other Computer Networks
365-Rule Acceptable Use Policy
411 Equal Educational Opportunities
WASB PRG Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: July 2005
Revised & Recoded: May 2023

SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM

Policy 364
Waunakee Community School District
Page 1 of 3

A comprehensive and sequential program of developmentally-based school counseling services shall be maintained in grades kindergarten through 12 in the District. The broad program components shall include a school counseling curriculum, individual student planning services, responsive services, and system support services (e.g., planned opportunities for professional development, consultation, and collaboration).

School counseling services shall be planned and provided by District school counselors in conjunction with supervising administrators and other licensed staff. Staff members involved in planning these services shall involve and seek the input of students, parents and guardians, and other community members or entities, as appropriate, whose perspectives and insights will help to improve the District’s programs and services.

The school counseling program and services shall be integrated with the District’s Academic and Career Planning services at all appropriate grade levels. School counselors shall have an integral role in delivering Academic and Career Planning services and be represented on District-level and building level Academic and Career Planning leadership teams.

The general goals and functions of the District’s school counseling program, which shall be reflected in a Board-approved plan for such services, shall be:

1. Personal and social development, including the following:
   a. Assist students in developing a better understanding and acceptance of themselves, including knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses, aptitudes, needs, interests and worth as unique individuals.
   b. Assist students in developing skills needed to initiate and maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
   c. Assist students in developing problem-solving and decision-making skills.
   d. Assist students and their parents and guardians with individual concerns, problems, or situations that, even if not directly related to the curriculum and a student’s academic progress, affect the student’s readiness to learn and his/her ability to be successful in school.
2. Academic development and planning, including the following:
   a. Assist students in understanding educational requirements and options.
   b. Assist students in understanding and resolving educational difficulties.
   c. Assist students in accepting increased responsibility for their educational and life-planning goals.
3. Career development and planning, including the following:

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a. Assist students by helping them develop positive work traits.
b. Assist students in exploring various career options.
c. Assist students in identifying and developing career interests.
d. Assist students in learning career decision-making and goal-setting skills.

Staff members who provide school counseling services and other staff who work collaboratively with school counselors are expected to appropriately maintain the confidentiality of information they receive from students and from student record information in accordance with applicable legal requirements and the District’s student records policy and procedures. However, such staff are also expected to avoid making express commitments to students regarding the degree and extent to which ongoing and complete confidentiality can be assured if applicable laws, regulations, District policies, or professional responsibilities could reasonably prevent the staff member from meeting the commitment.

The District shall not unlawfully discriminate in the methods, practices and materials used for guidance and counseling services for students on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, any physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other legally-protected status or classification. This does not, however, prohibit the use of special counseling materials or techniques to meet the individualized needs of students. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established procedures.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 115.28(59) [academic and career planning]
Section 118.01(2)(d) [educational program goals related to personal development]
Section 118.125 [maintenance and confidentiality of student records]
Section 118.126 [privileged communication about student alcohol and other drug problems]
Section 118.295 [liability exemption for suicide intervention]
Section 121.02(1)(e) [school district standard; guidance and counseling services]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 8.01(2)(e) [school district standard; guidance and counseling program requirements]
PI 9.03(1)(f) [requirement to address nondiscrimination in policy on guidance and counseling program]
PI 26 [education for employment regulations, including academic and career planning requirements]

Federal Laws and Regulations
20 U.S.C. §1232(g) [Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; the federal student records law]
34 C.F.R. part 99 [U.S. Department of Education FERPA Regulations]

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34 C.F.R. part 300 [U.S. Department of Education IDEA regulations; confidentiality and maintenance of records]

Cross References:
411-Rule (1), Student Discrimination Complaint/Harassment Procedures
346, Student Assessment Program
457, Positive Emotional Development of Students

WASB PRG Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 11/8/82
Revised: 9/14/87
March 1994
January 2002
Revised & Recoded: May 2023

DISTRICT WEBSITE
Policy #365.1
Waunakee Community School District
Page 1 of 2

The Waunakee Community School District provides the public, staff, and student information through their website on the internet. Web pages are also used for instructional purposes.

1. The district website shall be developed and controlled under the supervision of the Communication and Engagement Specialist and the Director of Technology. They will be responsible for designating webmasters for each of the school building websites and any other departments as needed. No one, other than the designated webmasters are authorized to add, change, or alter district web pages.
2. District web pages will meet the same criteria established under district acceptable use policies and rules for content (i.e., no information that is inappropriate, obscene, racist, sexist, contains obscenities or inflammatory/abusive language). District sites shall not be linked to sites that do not meet the same criteria.
3. District web pages provide identification consistent with the District policies and rules on student directory data.
4. District web pages shall be maintained and updated on a regular basis.
5. Staff members are encouraged to work with their school, or department webmaster to utilize district web pages to provide information to the public on school events, curriculum, programs, staff vacancies, budget, policies, and staff/student accomplishments.

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Legal Ref.: Section 118.125 Wisconsin Statutes
Children’s Internet Protection Act
Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act
Children’s Online Privacy Act

Cross Ref.: 363.2, Internet Acceptable Use & Rules 1 & 2
347, Pupil Records
347-Rule (1), Student Record Procedures
823, Access to Public Records

Adoption Date: 6/8/98
Revised: January 2002
July 2005
May 2023

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (including Athletics)
Policy 370
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

Extracurricular activities are recognized as an integral part of the educational program. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in such activities, while giving their academic work the priority it deserves.

All extracurricular activities sponsored by the District, including organized interscholastic and intra-District athletics and fitness opportunities, shall:

1. Be designed to be an extension of the curriculum or provide experiences for students that enhance student learning and/or personal, social, and physical growth and development.
2. Be approved by the School Board when the activity involves a new or substantially modified funding and/or staffing obligation, or by the District Administrator or building principal when the activity does not involve such additional budgetary or staffing obligations.
3. Have an adult advisor/supervisor appointed by the District Administrator or his/her designee.
4. Be funded in a manner that is consistent with applicable District policies and procedures.
5. Be scheduled in such a way so as to minimize infringement upon the regular school day and the daily schedule of classes. Any activity or event scheduled during the school day must have approval of the building principal.
6. Participation in interscholastic athletics is limited to students in grades 9-12 with participation of properly supervised teams from grades 7 and 8 also permitted in a limited program within their own grade levels with other schools.
7. Students in grades 8 and/or below are prohibited from competing with or against 9-12 grade students in member schools without a waiver from the W.I.A.A.
8. Arrangements shall be made by school administration for the provision of emergency services at all extra-curricular events. This provision may be letting the coach/advisor know whom to contact in case of emergency. The designated person shall be knowledgeable of the school’s emergency nursing policy and procedures as well as the After School Event Emergency Plan. Other school personnel may handle routine first aid procedures and first aid kits must be on hand at every athletic event.

Students shall be expected to abide by all rules and regulations established for participation in District-sponsored extracurricular activities, including interscholastic athletics. Where applicable, these rules and regulations shall be consistent with any rules of eligibility and conduct required by state or other associations to which the activities are affiliated (for example, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) for interscholastic activities offered in the District). Students who violate such rules and regulations shall be subject to disciplinary or other action. All students participating in activities or events as representatives of the Waunakee Schools shall receive a copy of the code of conduct and shall sign a statement indicating that he/she understands the code and its conditions. The building principal or his or her administrative designee shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of the student code of conduct.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (including Athletics)
Policy 370
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

No student or other youth shall be permitted to participate in any District-operated youth athletic activities unless he/she has provided the school with a properly-signed concussion and head injury information sheet as required by state law, the information sheet distributed by the District shall also include information about the nature and risk of sudden cardiac arrest during youth athletic activities.

No student may start practice for any athletic team until he/she has a physical every other year.

The Board encourages the full participation of elementary and middle school (K-8) students in available co-curricular and recreational programs and activities that are offered by and through the District. For purposes of this Board policy, "full participation" means fair and equitable participation opportunities (1) in a manner consistent with applicable nondiscrimination requirements, and (2) to the extent that the budget, facilities, or type of activity allows. The building principals and their designees in the District’s K-8 buildings are responsible for informing students and parents and guardians of the co-curricular and recreational activities that are available at the relevant grade levels and for implementing registration and scheduling processes in a manner that gives due regard for the goal of full participation.

The District shall not unlawfully discriminate in admission to or participation in any program or activity, standards and rules of behavior, disciplinary actions or facilities usage on the basis of the person’s sex, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, any physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other legally-protected status or classification. This policy does not, however, prohibit the District from placing a student in a program or activity based on standards of individual performance, or from providing separate programs and facilities in interscholastic athletics for males and females if such programs and facilities are sufficiently comparable in type, scope, and support from the District. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established District procedures.

Legal References:

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.13 [student discrimination prohibited]
Section 118.133 [home-based private educational program student participation in interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities]
Section 118.293 [requirements for addressing concussions and head injuries in youth athletic activities]
Section 118.2935 [requirements for providing information about sudden cardiac arrest in connection with youth athletic activities]
Section 120.12(23) [policy requirement; access to extracurricular and recreational activities by K-8 students]
Section 120.13(1) [school board power to adopt student conduct rules and discipline students]

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 9.03(1) [student nondiscrimination in student extracurricular activity and interscholastic athletics policies]

Cross References:
District Extracurricular/Athletic Code(s)

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (including Athletics)
Policy 370
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

411-Rule (1) Student Discrimination Complaint Procedures
370-Rule (2), Co-Curricular Program Eligibility
370-Rule (1), Co-Curricular Activity Size Limitations
447.31 In-School Suspension
881, Relations with Community (Wednesday Activities)
WASB PRG 370 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 11/8/82
Revised: 10/9/89
March 1994
January 2002
August 2023

Co-Curricular Activity Size Limitations Coach/Player Ratios
Policy #370
Rule (1)
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

Size Limitations

It will be the responsibility of the principal, athletic director, and assistant principal involved with non-athletic activities, to meet prior to the school year to review the number of students that are expected to engage in an activity and to meet after the activity has begun if the numbers are below the minimum recommended number.

The status of an athletic team is to be reviewed when the number of participants drops below one and one-half times a team’s regulation size. After review, the committee’s recommendation will be presented to the Waunakee Community Board of Education for review and action.

Coach/Player Ratio

Approximate ratios subject to annual review by the athletic director and principal with a final decision by the Board of Education.

A. Middle School

20 to 1 for football, basketball, volleyball, track, cross country and softball
15 to 1 for wrestling
13 to 1 for cheerleading
25 to 1 for dance team

B. High School

13 to 1 for football - all levels, cheerleading - all levels
15 to 1 for volleyball, wrestling, basketball, softball, lacrosse, baseball, track at varsity and JV level, 20 to 1 at freshman level
18 to 1 for soccer - all levels
20 to 1 for cross country, swim, golf - all levels
10 to 1 for hockey, gymnastics
20 to 1 for tennis
25 to 1 for dance team

Cutting

The middle school shall have a no-cut policy for its interscholastic program. Students shall receive the opportunity to play through a rotation system in basketball and volleyball if necessary.

Cutting is allowed at the high school. It is to be done tactfully and personally by coaches (no list posted, etc.). Cuts may be reviewed by the athletic director and principal.

Other Co-Curricular Activities – Director/Student Ratio

A. Middle School

25/1 for Future Problem Solving, and Middle School Drama/Musical Productions and Junior Science Olympia ,or any like performance competition activities

Co-Curricular Activity Size Limitations Coach/Player Ratios
Policy #370
Rule (1)
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

20/1 for Forensics
20 entries/1 coach for Solo/Ensemble*

B. High School

30/1 for Plays/Musical with Director Assistant
20/1 for Forensics
20 entries/1 coach for Solo Ensemble*

Exclusions in definition of entries include:

1. Large group ensembles that are primarily coached during the school day.
2. Ensembles that are listed as another co-curricular (HS and MS jazz ensembles, HS vocal jazz, MS vocal ensemble)
3. Entries that are coached by private instructors.
4. Any solos or other small groups that can be accommodated during the day.

Cross Ref.: 535.21, Coaches/Volunteer Coaches

Adoption Date: 2/13/84
Revised: 4/22/91
March 1994
6/8/98
December 2002
July 2004
January 2007
October 2008
August 2023

Co-Curricular Program Eligibility
Policy #370
Rule (2)
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

Activities governed by eligibility are:

1. Forensics
2. Drama (1-Act, All School Play)
3. Musical
4. Athletics
5. All Music Groups
6. Dance Team
7. Cheerleaders

Academic Eligibility - High School

Students participating in the co-curricular programs are responsible for maintaining scholastic eligibility. Students in all co-curricular activities must take a minimum of six courses each semester. Eligibility is computed each nine-week grading period. In order to maintain scholastic eligibility, a student taking six academic courses must receive a minimum of five passing marks. If a student has one failing mark, he/she must have a “C” or above in one of the remaining five courses. If a student receives two failing marks, he/she will be ruled ineligible. Incompletes are considered failing marks until all work is completed and a grade has been issued.

A student declared scholastically ineligible may regain probationary eligibility after a period of 15 school days and is doing passing work in all classes. The student must have each teacher fill out the “Student Weekly Eligibility Report”, which can be obtained in the school office, and turn it in each school week for the remainder of the nine week grading period.

During the 15 school days of the ineligibility period, he/she may practice but is not allowed to participate in any extra-curricular game or activity. During all succeeding weeks, he/she can participate in all games and activities provided ALL grades received are passing and the form has been returned to the office.

Eligibility is determined by the 1st and 3rd nine-week progress grades and the 1st and 2nd semester grades. INELIGIBILITY may be made up during the summer. Students ineligible at the end of the 2nd semester grading period will follow the procedure outlined above for the first nine weeks of the following school year.

Academic Eligibility - Middle School

• 8th Grade Students - Fall Activities - 8th Grade Eligibility for Fall Activities will be based on a student’s 4th quarter grades of 7th grade. Students with 1 or more F’s will be ineligible for competition for 10 calendar days or a minimum of 1 contest/event. After 10 days or 1 contest/event the student will be reinstated. They will also have to complete the 14 day report to maintain their eligibility.

• 8th Grade Students - 14 day report - (Calendar days from the 1st day of school) - 8th grade students who are ineligible at the start of Fall Activities will be given a grade report sheet on the Monday of the week of the 14th day. Students must return the completed grade report sheet to their coach by that Friday. If the student has 1 or more F’s they will again be ineligible for 10 calendar days or a minimum of 1 competition/event. *Failure to return a grade report sheet would result in the student-athlete being ineligible for 10 calendar days or a minimum of 1 competition/event.

• Incoming 7th Graders - Fall Activities - Incoming 7th graders participating in Fall Activities will be afforded initial academic eligibility. Eligibility will be evaluated when 1st quarter grades are submitted.

Co-Curricular Program Eligibility
Policy #370
Rule (2)
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

• All Students - Winter/Spring Activities - Based on the most recent grade report, quarter or semester: 1 or more F’s will result in a 10-day ineligible period (minimum of 1 competition/event). After 10 days a grade report sheet will be submitted to their coach/advisor. All classes must be passing to regain eligibility.

• Regaining Eligibility - Any student serving an Academic Suspension must turn in a grade report sheet signed by all of their teachers attesting that the student is doing passing work.

Tuition Student Participation in Interscholastic Athletics

Tuition paying students who are paying their own tuition to attend Waunakee Community School District and are residing full-time with their parents in their primary residence are eligible to participate on interscholastic athletic teams in the school in which they are paying tuition to attend.

Attendance Requirement

The district requires students participating in or attending the co-curricular program to be in attendance at school on the days that specific activities will be practicing or participating in a concert, game, etc. A Middle School student must be in attendance at school by 11:55a.m. on a day in which he/she participates in an after school activity. A High School student must be in attendance at school by 11:55 a.m. on a day in which he/she participates in an after school activity. If a participant cannot be in school for reasons other than illness, the absence must be pre-planned and pre-approved by the principal, activities director, or assistant principal for the student to practice or participate that day.

Foreign Exchange Student Participation in Interscholastic Athletics

All foreign exchange students must apply for admission to Waunakee Community High School. Applications for admittance must be received by July 15th if the applications are to be considered for the start of the fall semester of the upcoming year. All applications must be from exchange programs approved by the Board of Education and that have received a “Full” listing status by the Council on Standards for International Education Travel (CSIET). The individual applicants are subject to acceptance or rejection as determined by the high school principal. Subsequent to approval for attendance the district will waive, for one year, upon request, the residence requirement for eligibility and participation in interscholastic athletic competition.

Resident Students Participating in Home-based Educational Programs

Students who resides in the school district and are enrolled in a home-based private educational programs may participate in interscholastic athletics and other extracurricular programs on the same basis and to the same extent that it permits pupils enrolled in the school district to participate.

Adoption Date: 2/13/84
Revised: 4/22/91

Co-Curricular Program Eligibility
Policy #370
Rule (2)
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

March 1994
6/8/98
December 2002
July 2004
January 2007
October 2008
August 2023

Co-Curricular Offerings
Policy #370
Rule (3)
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

Co-curricular activity participation plays a significant role in the total educational development of our young men and women. The Waunakee Community School District offers a wide range of co-curricular activities for students.

Reduction in Offerings

Annually the Activities Director/Principal shall provide to the Board of Education the actual number of participants in each activity. The number of participants shall constitute the basis of reviewing and establishing coaching/advisor staff for succeeding seasons in each district activity. In assessing the need to reduce the number of co-curricular offerings the “priority criteria”, as established in Policy 370-Rule (4) will be utilized.

New Offerings

In order to best provide for the needs and interest of our students, a change in the activities offered must take place from time to time. Consideration will be given to the addition of activities, including the resumption of inactive organizations, based upon criteria as outlined in Policy 370-Rule (4).

Adopted:

Adoption Date: July 2004
Revised: August 2023

Co-Curricular Reduction/Addition Guidelines
Policy #370
Rule (4)
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

Reduction in Offerings:

In assessing the need to reduce or cut co-curricular programs in the following “priority criteria” will be used to formulate the recommendations(s):

1. The total net cost of the program to district.
2. The total number of participants in the program.
3. The cost per participant within the program.
4. The socialization/spectator value of the co-curricular program to students.
5. The combination of a program offering both a girls and boys option (equity).

Other considerations may include:

1. The number of spectators who pay to view the program (revenue).
2. Increasing fees to offset the cost of maintaining a/all programs.
3. The program is offered by a majority of other conference schools.
4. Booster Club funding/support.
5. The Board of Education retains the right to consider the “academic” value of a program in making final budget cut decisions.

New Offerings: (Initial Requests due by October 31st to Co-Curricular Committee)

In assessing the need to add a new co-curricular activity, including the resumption of an inactive activity, the following criteria will be use to evaluate the request:

1. Sufficient demonstrated interest by the student body.
   a. Written registration and certification with the principal/activities director of the required minimum number of students who wish to participate.
   b. A student/parent meeting to discuss the activity.
   c. Prospects for long-term participation and student involvement.
2. Description of the group’s proposed activities including total district budget implications.
3. Availability of funds within budget guidelines as established by Board of Education.
4. Booster Club funding/support.
5. Availability of necessary facilities within which to conduct the activity.
6. Availability of a qualified advisor/coach approved by the administration.
7. Safety/liability factors for students/District.
8. Final approval of the Board of Education.

Co-Curricular request for Paid Advisors

After a Co-Curricular has been active for 3 consecutive years the advisor may submit a request for consideration as a paid advisor. To make this request the advisor must submit to their principal by the end of February the school year prior to be considered as a paid advisor for the next school year. The request submitted to the principal must include the following:

1. Club rosters from the last 3 years
2. A list of activities the club has done
3. A list of activities the club has scheduled for the future

Once received, the principal should draft a statement of support for the request which includes the proposed pay schedule for the activity. Completed packages should be sent to the Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant no later than the first week in March. After that date requests will not be considered for the upcoming school year.

The 3-year waiting period does not apply to new co-curricular offerings of clubs that compete.

Co-Curricular Reduction/Addition Guidelines
Policy #370
Rule (4)
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

NEW CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM
Guidelines/Proposal
BOE Policy 370-Rule (4)

Initial Request are due by October 31st to the BOE Co-Curricular Committee

Name of Organization:_____________________________________________

Contact Person:________________________________ Phone:______________________

Date of Request:__________________________

I.) Students & Staffing

a. Demonstration of interest by student body.

1. Please attach a written list of students who have signed up or are interested.
2. Date of student/parent meeting:__________________________
3. Prospect of long term participation and student involvement:

b. Coach/Advisor/Director:_________________________________________

(or Names of potential coach/advisor/director)

c. Description of Group Activities:

II.) Budget Implications

a. Are district funds being requested? Yes No

b. If yes: approximately how much is being requested? _____________________

c. Are you requesting a paid advisor position after a three-year review period?
Yes No

d. Is there Booster Club support/funding? Yes No

Co-Curricular Reduction/Addition Guidelines
Policy #370
Rule (4)
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

III.) Facilities

a. What District Facilities are needed for this program?

b. Are there any safety/liability factors for the student/district? Yes No

If Yes, please explain:

Principal/Activities Director

Signature:_____________________________________ Date:___________________

District Administrator

Signature:_____________________________________ Date:___________________

Approval by BOE:

Signature:_____________________________________ Date:___________________

Adoption Date: July 2004
Revised: August 2009
August 2023

Waunakee High School Co-Curricular Code & Policies – Use of Alcohol, Tobacco, or Controlled Substances
Policy #370
Rule (5)
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 5

Any student using or possessing alcohol or tobacco or using, possessing, buying or selling illegal controlled substances (street drugs and/or performance enhancing substances) shall be suspended from participation in co-curricular activities. This rule is to be in effect and enforced for twelve months of the year.

Any student who provides, buys or sells either alcohol, non-alcohol "look alikes" or malt beverages, and/or any illegal controlled substance including "look alike" drugs or performance enhancing substances will be subject to the sanction stipulated in the violation sections of the co-curricular code.

First Violation:

Restriction from co-curricular participation (competition) for a period of 33.3% of the participating students co-curricular contests which the violating student would choose to participate in for one season (fall, winter, or spring). Any remaining percentage of the suspension not served shall be applied toward the next sport or activity in which the student participates. A student disciplined for the first violation will be encouraged to practice with his/her team/organization. All training rules and requirements of the team/organization must be followed by the suspended student.

1. If a student is found to be in violation and agrees to go through a student assessment and to follow the assessment recommendations, there shall be a 20% suspension for each co-curricular activity, the next season of participation. Refusal or failure to take the assessment or to follow its recommendation and he/she shall serve the balance of the 33.3% as outlined above.

Second Violation:

Restriction from co-curricular participation (practice and competition) for one full calendar year from the date on which the penalty for the co-curricular code violation was implemented by administrative action.

2. If a student is found in violation for the second time and agrees to an assessment and to follow through with its recommendations, the period of suspension shall be 33.3% of the contests for each activity the student participates in for one full calendar year. Refusal or failure to take the assessment or to follow its recommendations and he/she shall serve the balance of the full calendar year as outlined above.

Third Violation:

Indefinite suspension from participation in Waunakee High School co-curricular activities for his/her high school career. After one calendar year from the date of infraction, the student may appeal to the Principal for a review for reinstatement. If reinstated, any additional violation would be treated as a third violation.

NOTES:

1. Restriction from participation shall be effective from the date determined by administrative action
2. Any student, unsupervised by their parent or legal guardian, present where alcohol is being served to underage individuals, that does not leave in a reasonable amount of time (10-15 minutes), will be subject to the penalties stated under Co-curricular Code violations.

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3. During the period of suspension for a first or second violation, the student is allowed to practice with the team or group, but they may not participate in a game, contest or performance. However, the student must be with the team or group during the event and travel to the event with the team or group. They may not participate or be in uniform.

A. Look Alikes:

Any student, who provides, buys or sells either alcohol, non-alcohol “look alikes” or malt beverages, and/or any illegal controlled substance including “look alike” drugs and performance enhancing substances will be subject to the sanction stipulated in the violation sections of the co-curricular code.

B. Expulsions:

Any student expelled from school is ineligible to practice or compete in co-curricular activities during the period of expulsion.

C. Suspensions:

Any student suspended in or out of school is ineligible to participate during the suspended time. All students suspended out of school during a season of activity will be ineligible to participate in practices, performances, competitions, or activities during the period of suspension. In addition, if the student does not miss a game, performance, event or activity during the suspension the student will miss the next scheduled competition, performance, event or activity.

D. Incarceration and Legal Sanction:

1. A student who is charged/cited for serious unlawful activities (felonies) will be suspended indefinitely until such time that the outcome of the case is decided.
2. A student who is released from incarceration (under the Huber Law or through an electronic monitoring program or any other legally related program that releases a student from incarceration to attend school) to attend school may not participate in co-curricular activities.
3. When a student is released from his/her incarceration, he/she will not be eligible to participate in co-curricular activity for a full calendar year from the date of their conviction.
4. A student who is charged/cited for unlawful activities of less serious nature (misdemeanors) (excluding traffic violations) will be in each individual case, subject to the sanctions stipulated in the violation sections of the co-curricular code. If a student participates in an educational program with a police liaison officer, the penalty will be reduced according to the appropriate violation section.

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E. Waunakee Community School District reserves the right to random drug test.

APPEAL PROCEDURE

If a student and/or parent(s) or guardian(s) wishes to appeal a decision regarding a Co-Curricular code violation sanction, the following appeal procedure must be followed:

1. After a ruling resulting in a suspension from co-curricular eligibility, the student and/or his/her parents(s) or guardian(s) may formally appeal the decision by submitting a written request for a hearing and state the reasons why they believe a hearing is warranted. This request must be received by the Principal within seven calendar days of the date on the suspension letter.
2. After the appeal has been received, a hearing date will be set by the Principal within seven calendar days of receipt of the appeal letter.

First violation penalties may be appealed to the Superintendent for review.
The Superintendent will hear the Principal’s rationale for imposing the Co-Curricular Code penalty.
The Superintendent will also hear the student and/or parent’s or guardian’s rationale as to why the Co-Curricular Code penalty should not be imposed.
The Superintendent’s decision is final.

3. Appeals of second and third violations will be heard by the Principal’s Council. Present at the hearing with the council will be the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s).

A. The student will be provided with an opportunity to testify and present other evidence on his/her behalf.
B. The Principal’s Council members will have an opportunity to question the student before the student and parents/guardians leave the meeting. The council will discuss the situation and end with a ballot vote to sustain or reverse the decision being appealed. Penalties may not be modified or reduced upon appeal.
C. The decision will be put in writing and mailed to the appealing party(ies) within five school days after the closing of the hearing. The student will remain on suspension during the appeal process.

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4. The Principal’s Council will be selected by the Principal as follows:

A. Chairperson: Principal or designee (votes only to break a tie)
B. Athletic Director (non-voting)
C. One Guidance Counselor or faculty member
D. Two persons representing advisors/coaches/director (If the student involved is part of the group controlled by the above council member, an alternate will be selected by the Principal)
E. One student council member (The President or a designee – must be a junior or senior)
F. Two student representatives involved in co-curricular activities.
G. One parent representative.

• Three parents will be appointed to serve in this capacity at the beginning of the school year. One parent will be chosen to serve on the Principal’s Council when an appeal is heard.

5. The purpose of the Principal’s Council is to hear and consider all appeals by a suspended participant. Members of the council shall be appointed by the Principal or designee at the beginning of the school year and will serve on the council for one school year. The Principal or designee will appoint alternates for members unable to attend or serve. The council can act when a majority of its members are present.
6. If the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) are not satisfied with the council’s decision, a second hearing may be requested before the district Superintendent. The Superintendent must receive, in writing, a request for such a hearing within seven calendar days of the date the decision by the council was mailed. The procedures outlined in #3 above, including items (A) through (C) will be applicable relating to the second hearing. This appeal will be heard by two district office administrators appointed by the Superintendent.
7. This appeal procedure shall be the sole and exclusive means for appealing co-curricular eligibility decisions within the school district. For any appeal, the power of the appeal is to uphold or reverse the decision regarding if a code violation occurred. Penalties for code violations as outlined in the code of conduct can not be modified or reduced as a result of an appeal.

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Further Sanctions

Any athlete, who is dismissed from the squad for violating this code, remains ineligible, or quits the squad before its season is completed does not receive any award for that sport.

Adoption Date: March 1914
Revised: September 1994
April 1997
March 2000
January 2002
January 2007
August 2013
Reviewed: August 2023

Waunakee Middle School Co-Curricular Code & Policies
Policy #370
Rule (6)
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 6

It is without question that top mental and physical performance comes from those individuals who prepare themselves mentally and physically to the best of their ability. It is reasonable to assume that each individual participant should take care of his or her body in such a manner that would allow it to perform at peak efficiency at all times. It has been substantially documented medically that certain substances, namely alcohol, tobacco and controlled substances, can be detrimental to any performance. Abstinence from these substances along with proper rest, diet and the observance of good health practices can enhance the physical and mental performance of all individuals. Adherence to these training rules is a matter of individual self-discipline.

A student shall be suspended from contest participation for acts (a) involving use of alcohol or tobacco or the use, possession, buying or selling of controlled substances; (b) involving immoral or unacceptable conduct contrary to the ideas, principles, and standards of the school and the WIAA Handbook.

Conduct Code for All Activities

A. Students participating in school activities, shall at no time act in a manner detrimental to one’s self or the image of Waunakee Community Middle School. Offenders shall be suspended from all school co-curricular activities for 1-3 school days and the next scheduled meet, match, game, event or contest following the student hearing. Students repeatedly reported for misconduct may receive further suspensions or may be expelled from one or all school activities. An appeals process consistent with district policy will be followed if requested by either the student, parent, or guardian.

B. Students will make time at the teachers’ convenience (this may be before the school day, during noon or after school) for misbehaving in class or for classroom tardiness before they may participate in school activities. Students failing to make this time up for a staff person will be considered for suspension from co-curricular activities.

C. Students removed from a class for inappropriate behavior the day of an after school event may not be allowed to attend the event depending on the severity of the situation. A student may be denied involvement for serious inappropriate behavior at any time prior to an activity.

D. A student who is truant from a class period or the full school day during the season, will not participate in the next scheduled event/competition. Arrangements to make up missed time will be made by the teacher, coach and player.

E. Students absent due to illness in the afternoon or on the full day of a school athletic activity cannot participate without permission of the activities director, principal, or principal’s designee.

F. The teacher of any student having academic problems should confer with the student’s advisor/coach to insure the best learning situation for the student. The satisfactory completion of classroom work is very important. Co-curricular activities are secondary to the completion of classroom work.

G. A student who wishes to quit a school activity before the end of the activity season should, out of courtesy, notify the advisor/coach.

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H. For some activities, the coach/advisor may have necessary additional safety or health requirements that are unique to that activity.

I. If a student is having academic difficulty before the first grading period, the teacher and the coach/advisor may take appropriate action to better monitor the student’s classroom progress.

Use of Alcohol, Tobacco Products or Controlled Substances

Any student using or possessing alcohol or tobacco products, or using, possessing, buying or selling illegal controlled substances or look alike drugs/alcohol, shall be suspended from participation in interscholastic athletics. This rule is in effect and enforced for twelve (12) months of the year.

First Violation:

Restriction from co-curricular participation (competition) for two (2) contests. Any remaining contests of the suspension not served shall be applied to the next activity in which the student participates. A student disciplined for the first violation will be encouraged to practice with his/her group. However, he/she cannot dress in the uniform, travel with the group, or sit on the bench. All rules and requirement of the activity must be followed by the suspended student.

a) If the student is found to be in violation and agrees to go through a student assessment and follow the assessment recommendations, there shall be a one contest suspension. Refusal or failure to take the assessment or to follow its recommendations and he/she shall serve the two (2) contest suspension.

Second Violation

Restriction from co-curricular participation (competition) for 33.3% of the contest based on the regular season of that activity.

a) If a student is found in violation for the second time and agrees to an assessment and to follow through with its recommendations, the period of the suspension will be the time it takes to complete assessment and recommendations. There will be minimum of two contest suspension.

Third Violation

Restriction from co-curricular participation in Waunakee Community Middle School (practices and contests) for one full calendar year. There will be no carry over penalty from the middle school years to the high school.

Note: Restriction from participation shall be effective from the date determined by the infraction.

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ELIGIBILITY POLICIES FOR WAUNAKEE MIDDLE SCHOOL CO-CURRICULARS

1. Each participant must be issued a Waunakee Community Middle School Co-Curricular Handbook and a Co-curricular Code from his/her coach/advisor. Students must return the consent form to their coach/advisor with their signature and the signature of their parents/guardians indicating that they understand the handbook and agree to abide by all rules governing their activities.
2. Students must return a WIAA physical examination card completed by both a parent or legal guardian and a licensed physician or advanced practice nurse prescriber to be eligible for practices or contests. Any 8th grader without a valid WIAA physical examination card must have one completed or they are ineligible for practice or contests. Eighth graders who had a WIAA physical examination card completed during 7th grade must have an alternate year card completed by the parent. The district requires that all 7th, 9th, and 11th graders, and students entering during 8th grade who have not had a physical, have WIAA physical examination cards completed. NO ATHLETE MAY PARTICIPATE IN ANY SPORT ACTIVITY UNTIL THE PHYSICAL EXAM PERMIT CARD, CONSENT FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT FORM, AND THE SIGNED CO-CURRICULAR CONSENT FORM ARE PROPERLY COMPLETED AND ON FILE IN THE ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR’S OFFICE.
3. Every participant must attend a meeting before each sport/activity season in which he/she plans to participate. The purpose of this meeting will be to review individual activity requirements, review changes in the co-curricular code, meet the coaches, receive practice and game schedules and any other material pertinent to that activity. A parent must attend one meeting of the first sport/activity in which his/her son/daughter participates each year to review co-curricular code revisions. Parents are not required to make more than one of these meetings per year unless a coach/advisor requests that the parent attends additional meetings if he/she determines it is in the best interest of the student.
4. A middle school student shall be ineligible for co-curricular/athletic competition while competing as a member of grade 7 and 8 team if he/she reaches his/her 16th birthday before August 1st of any given school year.
5. All restrictions from participation shall be effective from the date of the infraction.
6. Parents/Guardians of each participant must fill out and sign a CONSENT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT form. This form is good for the entire school year and will be kept with the coach/advisor during practices, games, and competitions.

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CO-CURRICULAR INELIGIBILITY

All students who are scholastically eligible have the opportunity to participate in the co-curricular program, providing they meet all necessary requirements.

1. Students receiving a grade of “F” for any course will be considered academically ineligible for participation in any co-curricular activity/contest. The student can continue to practice during the period of academic ineligibility with the consent of the coach/director and parent/guardian.
2. At four weeks into each quarter grading period, coaches/advisors/directors will provide a grade behavioral check sheet to all participants. Students are responsible for completing this progress check sheet and submitting this to their coach/advisor/director. If a student earns an “F” in any class, then s/he is responsible for meeting the criteria stated below.

If a student earns an “F” on a grade and behavioral check sheet or in a quarter grading period, s/he is:

• Academically ineligible to compete or perform until the failing grade is removed.
• Responsible for taking an eligibility reinstatement form to ALL assigned teachers until failing grade(s) have been removed.
• Responsible for taking a reinstatement form to the teacher of the specific subject the student failed for three continuous weeks after the failing grade(s) is removed.
• Responsible for taking this reinstatement form to the teacher(s) on every Friday of each week during the three week time period.
• Ineligible for at least one full week (until the following Friday when the reinstatement form can be signed demonstrating eligibility).
• Expected to maintain passing grades to return eligibility status.

3. Students who receive a failing grade during the fourth quarter are ineligible for the first three weeks of any fall co-curricular activity in 8th or 9th grade.
4. Any student dropped from a squad/activity for disciplinary reasons, is ineligible for any sport/activity during that season*, or may be ineligible for the entire school year.
5. During a sport season*, a student may quit one squad and join another squad upon mutual agreement of the coaches and the athletic director.

Seasons apply only to athletic events. The school year shall consist of three sport seasons:

1. Fall sports (August - October)
2. Winter sports (November - March)
3. Spring sports (April - June)

Most middle school contests are scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m., unless otherwise stated on the schedule.

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PROCEDURE OF APPEAL PROCESS RELATED TO CO-CURRICULAR CODE

The appeals process procedure for a student and his/her parents/guardians to follow in appealing decisions relating to eligibility is outlined below. It should be understood that students and parent will be expected to follow the appeal process steps in the event legal action should be initiated at some later date.

1. The principal/assistant principal or activities director shall within three (3) school days of notification of the infraction formalize the consequences in writing and send a letter to the parents/guardians outlining the specific details related to:
   a) the violation or infraction
   b) date of violation or infraction
   c) period of the consequence
   d) other pertinent information
2. After a ruling is made, resulting in a suspension, the student and/or his/her parents/guardians may formally appeal the decision by phone. This must be followed by a written appeal to the principal. The appeal must be received within seven (7) calendar days of the date on the suspension letter. The principal will confer with the activities director on the events leading to the suspension.
3. After the appeal has been received, a date for the hearing will be set by the principal within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of the appeal letter. The case will be heard by the Co-curricular Review Board which consists of the following:

a) Principal or designee
b) Other advisor/coach out of season
c) Faculty member at large

Also present will be the student, his/her parents/guardians, and the activities director. The decision of the hearing will be based on a majority vote of the Co-curricular Review Board.

a) The student will be provided with an opportunity to testify and present other evidence on his/her behalf at the hearing.
b) Proceedings of the hearing, including the decision, will be put in writing and a copy mailed to the student and his/her parents/guardians.

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4. If the student and his/her parents/guardians are not satisfied with the findings of the hearing, a second hearing may be requested before the Board of Education. The superintendent must receive in writing, a request from the parents/guardians of the student for such a hearing before the Board of Education within seven (7) days of the mailing of the outcome of the Co-curricular Board.

If a student is to be suspended or expelled from a school activity, the principal or activities director will inform the parent/guardians, in writing, stating the reason for such a dismissal within three (3) school days of the suspension or expulsion.

Adoption Date: 06/08/98
Revised: July 2001
February 2002
Reviewed: August 2023

State/National (Non-Athletic) Competitions
Policy #370.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The Waunakee Community School District believes that Participation of students in state/national competition as part of their co-curricular participation can promote participation, develop self-esteem, expand social/performance skills and provide recognition for the individual, the program and the school district.

The district supports opportunities of this nature however participation in any national competition that requires out of state travel and/or for any extended periods of time is restricted to those students and programs that compete at the grade 9-12 (high school) levels only. Participation in local/state competition will be supported and approved for fifth through eighth grade levels students providing there are an adequate number of chaperones (staff/parents).

Participation in local/state or national competition will not be approved for any PreK through fourth grade student/program.

Costs for recognized/approved state/national competition participation at the 9-12 level will be provided through a combination of fundraising/parent support and district support. The district will provide funding support for in-state travel only. Competition costs for district recognized and approved local/state competition for students at fifth through eighth grade will be funded by the district. Local/state competition funding will include necessary entry fees, transportation to/from the competition and any competition costs directly associated with the event.

Chaperones/advisors will also be reimbursed for their meal costs. Parents will be responsible for any extraneous costs beyond those identified above including hotel/overnight accommodations and meal costs.

Requests for participation in local, state or national competition shall be submitted for Board approval per the appropriate guidelines as outlined in Policy 352 – Field Trips and Excursions – Rules 1-3 and Exhibit.

The District shall not discriminate in admission to or participation in, rules of behavior for or disciplinary action in any co-curricular program or activity or facilities usage because of the person’s sex, race, national origin, religion, color, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability or handicap.

State/National (Non-Athletic) Competitions
Policy #370.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established complaint procedures.

Legal Ref.: Sections 118.13 Wisconsin Statutes
120.12 (23)
120.13 (1) (a)
PI9

Cross Ref.: 352-Field Trips and Excursions Rule 1-3/Exhibit
370 – Student Co-Curricular Activities Rule 1-4
411 – Equal Educational Opportunities Rule 1-2/Exhibit
447.31 – In School Suspension
881 – Relations with Community (Wednesday Activities)

Adoption Date: August 2006
Reviewed: August 2023

STUDENT-INITIATED CLUBS AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS
Policy 371.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The District permits the formation of voluntary, noncurricular student organizations at the Secondary level. Such organizations are generally interest-based groups whose meetings and activities are planned and run by current students whose primary school of enrollment and attendance is a District school. While noncurricular student organizations are subject to regulation by the District, they are not District-sponsored and are not District-directed co-curricular or extracurricular activities. A District staff member or other agent of the District may be assigned to qualified noncurricular student organizations for general custodial purposes, including serving as an initial point-of-contact for the group’s operational questions.

Third-party individuals or organizations who are not affiliated with the District may not create, be members of, regularly attend, or direct or control the activities of a noncurricular student organization.

To take advantage of access to school facilities (e.g., for meeting time/space) and any other benefits that may be offered to noncurricular student organizations at a particular school, such an organization must be registered through a process that shall be administratively defined.

1. The administration is authorized to establish lawful criteria and procedures for the registration, recognition, operation, and possible discontinuation of noncurricular student organizations, which may include, for example, a requirement for a showing of interest and/or a requirement to hold regular meetings or other activities at school. Such criteria and other rules may vary by school, subject to final oversight by the District Administrator or his/her administrative-level designee.
2. The registration and operation of a noncurricular student organization may be denied for lawful reasons, such as that the group intends to engage in or advocate criminal conduct or engage in or advocate activities that pose an unreasonable risk to health and safety.
3. Noncurricular student organizations may not discriminate in their membership or in their activities in a manner that would violate the District’s student nondiscrimination policies. However, the District also acknowledges its obligation to avoid engaging in any unlawful discrimination against any proposed or active student organization, or participating student, on the basis of, for example, the religious, political, or philosophical content or viewpoint of such an organization or its activities or speech.

The District reserves all lawful power and authority to maintain order and discipline on District premises, to prevent disruption of instructional time and activities, and to protect the well-being of students and staff. If the District determines that a student’s conduct inappropriately disrupts the meetings or activities of a noncurricular student group, or that any student’s conduct violates other District policies, rules, or directives, the District may deny the student permission to continue to participate in the group and the student may be subject to other District-imposed disciplinary consequences.

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 118.13 [student nondiscrimination]

STUDENT-INITIATED CLUBS AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS
Policy 371.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Wisconsin Administrative Code
PI 9 [student nondiscrimination]

Federal Laws
20 U.S.C. §§4071-4074 [Equal Access Act; denial of equal access prohibited]

Cross References:
411-Rule (1), Student Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedures
830, Public Use of School Facilities
WASB PRG 371.1 Sample Policy 1

Adoption Date: 4/22/91
Revised: March 1994
January 2002
Revised & Recoded: May 2023

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
Policy #372
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Board of Education encourages the use of school-sponsored publications to express students' points of view. They shall be free from all policy restrictions except those identified in the district’s policy on student expression activities (the avoidance of libel, obscenity, defamation, false statements, or material advocating racial or religious prejudice). Student publications shall provide as much opportunity as possible for the sincere expression of student opinion. The student editorial staff and faculty advisor shall establish editorial policy which promotes responsible journalism. Continuation of student publications is subject to budget considerations and student interest.

Legal Ref.: Sections 120.12(2) Wisconsin Statutes
120.13
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier 56 U.S.L.W. 4079 (1988)

Cross Ref.: 440 Student Expressions-Activities
851, Advertising in the Schools

Adopted:
Revised:
Reviewed:

Adoption Date: 11/8/82
Revised: March 1994
Reviewed: May 2023

STUDENT SOCIAL EVENTS
Policy #373
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Board of Education believes that social activities in school life assist students in learning how to enjoy worthwhile group events, how to conduct them, and how to contribute to the enjoyment of others. Therefore, school groups and classes may use school facilities to hold social events for their membership.

Well-conceived and well-managed social events are vital to the healthy growth of young people. Parties, dances, banquets, and comparable social events have an important place in a well-rounded school program. The staff is encouraged to use such events intelligently and in the best interests of students, parents/guardians, and the school.

The building principal shall have the authority to regulate all student social events.

Proper chaperoning shall be provided under direction of the principal.

Legal Ref.:
Section 120.12(2) Wisconsin Statues

Adoption Date: 11/8/82
Revised: March 1994
Reviewed: May 2023

STUDENT FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
Policy #374
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 3

The Board of Education will allow student fund-raising activities for school-related projects only on a limited basis and only if each case can be defended on the merit of the program. The activity must be approved by the faculty advisor and the building principal through the District’s fundraising procedures.

No material shall be used which advertises any particular brand of goods and the students will not solicit business going door-to-door without Board approval. Competition between District businesses and the Waunakee Community School District shall be avoided whenever possible.

The Board prohibits any door-to-door fundraising activities by students below grade nine (9) for any school activities or school-related activities. (PTO, Booster Clubs, etc.) Door to door sales must be done by a minimum of two or more students together. Safety rules shall be reviewed by the supervising director with all students going door to door.

Booster Clubs shall consult with the district’s Activities Director on specific fundraising activities as-well-as the use of students in these activities. PTO’s shall consult with the building principals on specific fundraising activities as-well-as the use of students in these activities.

Questions of the appropriateness of Booster Clubs or PTO fundraising activities shall be brought to the attention of the superintendent.

The Board discourages fundraising by students age twelve (12) or younger and will approve this activity only for special or unique reasons.

Individual and/or family incentives shall not be utilized at the elementary or middle school level. Group rewards (party or program) to celebrate a successful sale are allowable at the elementary and/or middle school level. Participation in fundraising activities is to be voluntary on the part of students and families.

Student groups and booster groups are encouraged to raise funds through service projects and by using local vendors for resale of products. However, should a fundraising company or fundraising organization be considered for involvement in a project, they must provide a disclosure statement to the school principal that outlines the per unit cost of the product to the company, other per unit costs for the fundraising company, the per unit “profit” for the school group sponsoring the fundraising, and the per unit profit for the company. Any outside fund raising companies or organizations shall not utilize individual/family incentives or prizes for students at the elementary or middle school level.

Any fundraising activity involving the sale of food before or during the school day shall be limited to food items that (1) meet the minimum nutrition standards for foods sold outside of the school meal programs before and during the school day as established by the U.S.

STUDENT FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
Policy #374
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 3

Department of Agriculture (USDA) and (2) meet other applicable District-established nutrition guidelines. The building principal may allow a limited number of fundraisers by student groups involving the sale of food items that do not meet the required nutrition standards, consistent with the limits established by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Student fundraising activities shall be approved, through the District’s fundraising procedures, as follows:

FUNDRAISING GOAL REVIEW & APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Up to $9,999 Building Principal* – Review & Approve
$10,000 to $24,999 Building Principal* – Review & Recommend Approval to
District Administrator
District Administrator – Final Approval
$25,000 + District Administrator – Review and Recommend Approval to
Board of Education
Board of Education – Final Approval

*The Athletic Director shall follow the review/approval process for any/all booster club fundraising activities.

Funds raised by student groups under this policy will be held by the District on behalf of the applicable organization, club, or other student group and shall be managed in accordance with sound business practices and applicable District policies and procedures, including the District’s policy on student activity funds management.

Administration will provide an annual report to the Board of Education in July.

Wisconsin Statutes
Section 103.23(2) [minors under 12 participating in fundraising activities]
Section 118.12 [sale of goods and services at schools]
Section 120.16(2) [board treasurer duty; account for extracurricular activities funds]

Cross Ref.: 375, Student Activity Funds Management
850, Public Sales and Solicitations on School Property
851, Advertising in the Schools
881.1-Exhibit Parent Organization/Booster Club Relations and Information Guidelines
WASB PRG 374 Sample Policy 1

STUDENT FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
Policy #374
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 3

Adoption Date: November 1982
Revised: April 1991
March 1994
December 1996
January 1998
October 1998
March 2000
May 2000
January 2002
March 2006
July 2010
August 2018
May 2023

STUDENT ACTIVITIES FUNDS MANAGEMENT
Policy #375
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Board of Education encourages fund-raising activities to support student clubs, organizations, class functions, and other activities. However, funds raised for school-sponsored activities must be turned over to the District treasurer, as required by law, and accounted for by the Board.

To help the Board fulfill this obligation, the principal will:

1. Assign a faculty advisor to each student group that wishes to raise funds for its activities.
2. Inform the advisor that each fund-raising activity and each disbursement of funds must be approved in advance by the building principal.
3. Inform the advisor of his/her responsibility to document the collection and disbursement of all funds.

Funds raised by students and deposited in the District’s accounts may earn interest which will be credited to the student group which raised the funds. No account shall be allowed to operate with a negative balance. Exceptions may be made by the Principal if there is reasonable expectation that a negative balance is temporary and will be corrected with the collection or raising of funds.

Any funds left in the account at the end of a school year may be carried over to support activities in the next school year, with the exception of funds raised by the senior class. Senior class officers, after covering the expenses and activities of their class, may designate, with principal approval, how remaining funds will be spent. However, the funds unspent or undesignated for certain expenditures when the class graduates will become part of the District’s general fund or transferred to other activity accounts. Periodically the Principal shall take action to assign funds from inactive accounts to designated active accounts.

Annually, the Board of Education shall review and approve all student activity accounts based off a report generated from the district’s financial accounting software.

Legal Ref.: Sections 120.12(1) Wisconsin Statutes
120.16(2)(5)
66.042
21 OP Atty. Gen. 376.1932

Cross Ref.: 652, Revenues from Investments
661, Depository of Funds
680, Fiscal Accounting and Reporting
684, Audits

Adoption Date: 11/8/82
Revised: March 1994
January 2002
March 2011
Reviewed: May , 2023

State Tournament Attendance
Policy #377.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

When attendance is not mandatory, the Board of Education will furnish a maximum of four season tickets to each athletic sport state tournament. The principal, activities director, and the head coach of the sport for which the ticket is purchased will determine when and by whom tickets will be utilized. A maximum of four coaches may be excused during the school day to attend state tournament games.

Students who wish to attend the tournament may do so if they purchase their own ticket and follow the prescribed policy for making up work prior to their attendance. Students must follow district prescribed attendance procedures in addition to the requirements of this policy.

The district may purchase tickets for Board members and district staff serving as chaperones/supervisors for student spectators/participants when a Waunakee team is participating in a state athletic tournament.

The district shall purchase tickets for the following individuals when a Waunakee team is participating in a state athletic tournament: Students representing the school in support of the team (i.e., dance team if performing, pep band if performing, cheerleaders). Tickets will be purchased by the district subject to funds being available.

Legal Ref.: Sections 118.15 Wisconsin Statutes
120.13

Cross Ref.: Policy 431, Attendance Procedures
Current Employee Agreement

Adoption Date: 11/08/82
Revised: March 1994
June 8, 1998
February 2002
Reviewed: August 2023

Random Drug Tests and Co-Curricular Participation
Policy #377.2
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The Waunakee Community School District has a strong and long-standing commitment to discouraging and preventing the use of illegal drugs and alcohol among its student population. The School District recognizes that the problem of illegal drug and alcohol abuse presents a continuing challenge in its schools and a clear danger to the student population. Students, by virtue of their voluntary decision to pursue co/extracurricular opportunities, and because of their position as leaders and role models in the school community, have a heightened responsibility to be drug and alcohol free. Consistent with these principles and in accordance with the guidance of the United States Supreme Court, it is the policy of the Waunakee Board of Education to help “prevent students involved in co-curricular activities from using drugs, to protect their health and safety, and to provide drug users with assistance programs.” Accordingly, the board directs the Superintendent to implement and conduct a program of random drug testing of student “participants” meaning those involved in co/extracurricular activities at the high school level.

Guidelines for random drug testing of student “participants” are set forth in administrative rule. More specific procedures, necessary to implement these Guidelines, may be developed by the Superintendent or designee. This Policy and Procedures shall be overseen and implemented by the Superintendent or designee.

Legal Ref.: Sections 120.12(2) Wisconsin statutes
120.13
Veronia School District v. Acton 115 S.Ct. 2386 (1995)

Cross Ref.: 377-Rule (1), High School Co-Curricular Code of Conduct
377-Rule (2), Middle School Co-Curricular Code of Conduct
443.4, Drug-Free Schools

Adoption Date: June 2000
Revised: February 2002
Reviewed: August 2023

Random Drug Tests
Policy #377.2
Rule (1)
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 4

I. DEFINITIONS

A. Student Participant: Any student who is trying out for or participating in any school-sponsored co or extracurricular activity at the high school, as outlined in the student handbook.

B. Alcohol: Any liquor, wine, beer, or other drink containing alcohol.

C. Drugs: Phencyclidine (PCP), marijuana (THC), cocaine, methamphetamine, morphine, alcohol, nicotine, and anabolic steroids, except when taken pursuant to a legal prescription issued and any other substance determined by the United States Department of Transportation to be a controlled substance.

D. Positive Results: A test result which indicates the presence of illegal drugs or alcohol.

E. Administrative Failure: Is a failure to follow the drug testing procedures in an effort to deceive or pass the random drug test. This would include all/any attempts to provide a false sample, assist in providing a false sample, or in any other manner refuse to or not comply with the testing procedures. An administrative failure will be treated the same as a failed drug test and the appropriate co-curricular penalties will be applied.

II. CONSENT FORM

Students signing up for high school co/extracurricular activities shall be given a consent form, the execution of which by the student and, if the student is a minor, his/her parents/guardians, constitutes express permission and agreement that the student will submit to periodic random drug testing. Signing the consent form, and adherence to its conditions thereafter, shall be a condition of participation in the co/extracurricular activity.

III. RANDOM SELECTION OF STUDENTS FOR TESTING

Each student participant shall be assigned a number by the Superintendent or his or her designee. Random draws will be done by the drug screen technician. Random selection of numbers will not occur on the same day each week. A designated number of participants, to be determined at the beginning of each quarter.

IV. NOTIFICATION OF STUDENT PARTICIPANT SELECTED

Students selected to be tested will be called to the office. If a student participant has not been tested by the end of the test day, the Superintendent or designee will determine if the student participant is absent from school. If the absence is due to truancy, the student participant will be ineligible for participation, practice, or competition/performance until the next testing date and then will automatically be tested on that date. If the absence is excused, the student participant will remain eligible for participation, practice, and competition/performance but will automatically be tested the next date. If a student participant has a second excused absence, he or she will then be declared ineligible until the next test date at which time the student participant will be tested. Ineligibility may be waived upon review by building and/or superintendent.

Random Drug Tests
Policy #377.2
Rule (1)
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 4

V. TESTING PROCEDURES

A licensed medical facility selected by the Superintendent shall take every reasonable precaution to collect an unadulterated specimen during the collection process and will provide an accurate chain of custody for each and every specimen. Student participants submitting an adulterated specimen will be re-tested, at the expense of the student or his/her parents or legal guardians, in an observed setting.

VI. TESTING NEGATIVE

The medical review officer will contact the Superintendent or designee within two (2) days of the testing date if results are negative. The parents or legal guardians of a student participant who tests negative will be notified by mail within three (3) days of the district’s receipt of the information.

VII. TESTING POSITIVE

The medical review officer will contact the Superintendent or designee within four (4) days of the testing date if the results are positive. The parents or legal guardians of a student participant who tests positive will be notified within twenty-four (24) hours of the district’s receipt of the information. The student/athlete immediately becomes ineligible for participation in the student activity, subject to the exercise of options listed with Section IX.

VIII. RE-TESTING

The student participant will have an opportunity within twenty-four (24) hours of the notification of the first positive test results to have the specimen re-tested in the certified facility of the family’s choice and at its expense. The Superintendent or his or her designee may consult with medical professionals to evaluate the results of the re-test, taking into consideration any evidence offered by the student. Should the re-test confirm a positive result, and there is not a satisfactory explanation for the positive results, all conditions set forth in Section VIII and XI will apply.

IX. CONSEQUENCES

In the event of a positive test:

First Violation:

Restriction from co-curricular participation (competition/performance) for a period of 33.3% of the participating student’s co-curricular competitions/performances which the violating student would choose to participate in for one season (fall, winter or spring). If the student is not involved in any co-curricular activities at the time of the violation the penalty will apply to the next season of participation. Note: WIAA regulations require a minimum penalty in the next sport if a student is not involved in a sport at the time of the violation. A student could not serve a penalty in a non-athletic event in the fall and participate in a winter athletic activity without the penalty being imposed in that winter sport.

If a student is found to be in violation of the co-curricular code and agrees to complete an AODA/Tobacco assessment and to follow the assessment recommendations, there shall be a 20% suspension for each co-curricular activity, the next season of participation. If a student fails to complete the assessment or follow the recommendations of the assessment then he/she shall serve the 33.3% suspension as outlined above.

Random Drug Tests
Policy #377.2
Rule (1)
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 4

A second confirmed positive test will result in:

Second Violation:

Suspension from co-curricular participation (practice and competition) for one full calendar year from the date on which the penalty for the co-curricular code violation was implemented by administrative action.

If a student is found to have violated the co-curricular code a second time and agrees to complete an AODA/Tobacco assessment and to follow through with the assessment recommendations his/her period of suspension will be reduced to 33.3% of each co-curricular activity the student participates in for one calendar year from the date on which the penalty for the co-curricular code violation was implemented by administrative action. If a student fails to complete the AODA/Tobacco assessment or fails to follow the recommendations of the assessment he/she will be suspended from co-curricular participation for one full calendar year from the date the penalty for violation of the co-curricular code is implemented by administrative action.

A third confirmed positive test will result in:

Third Violation:

If a student is found to have violated the co-curricular code for a third time, the student will be indefinitely suspended from participation (practice and competition) in co-curricular activities for the duration of their high school career.

(NOTE: Nothing in Board policy and rule shall prohibit or limit the application of the District’s or the WIAA regular student disciplinary rules and regulations to the student participants. The provisions of this policy are considered an addition to all other rules and regulations governing student conduct and discipline.

X. REGAINNING ELIGIBILITY

Random Drug Tests
Policy #377.2
Rule (1)
Waunakee Community School District Page 4 of 4

After the conclusion of the period of exclusion from participation in the co/extracurricular activity as outlined in section IX, the student participant will again be eligible to participate.

XI. CONFIDENTIALITY

The results of any test administered under the terms of Board policy and rule shall be kept confidential and disclosed only to the student, his or her parents or legal guardians, and school officials designated by the Superintendent consistent with legal requirements.. The results of the testing shall not be used as a basis for any disciplinary action other than disqualification as provided for in this policy, the District’s or the WIAA rules and regulations. The test results will not be part of the student’s permanent record but will be kept in a secure file in the Activities Director’s Office.

Adoption Date: June 2000
Revised: February 2002
Reviewed: August 2023

STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Policy #378
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

Teachers shall be encouraged to make students available for public performances when such performances contribute to the educational process and do not excessively interfere with other scheduled activities or classes.

1. All performances involving the use of students shall be approved by the building principal.
2. The extended use of one particular group of students shall be discouraged.
3. Students participating in a performance shall conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for their ages and in such a way as to bring credit to their school.
4. Performances that are scheduled outside school hours are preferred. Performances during school hours should be limited.
5. Student organizations or groups shall not be paid for participating or performing when they represent the school, but donations may be accepted.

Legal Ref.: Sections 118.13 Wisconsin Statutes
120.13
PI 9, Wisconsin Administrative Code

Cross Ref.: 411-Rule (1), Student Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedures
411, Equal Educational Opportunities

Adoption Date: 11/8/82
Revised: March 1994
January 2002
Reviewed: May 2023

OUT OF SEASON ATHLETIC CLINICS/LEAGUES
Policy #379/831.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The Waunakee Community School District Board of Education recognizes the interest and positive aspects of the young people of the community being involved in organized sports leagues and clinics. However, there are concerns about the impact these programs, if not regulated, will have on the time young people, especially below the high school age, have to complete school work and be involved in school activities. Additionally, these programs, if not properly structured and operated, could jeopardize the athletic eligibility of student athletes in WIAA sanctioned sports in the middle and high school.

Therefore, the Board of Education has adopted the following policy and procedures to guide administration, staff, and community members on the use of school facilities for these activities and to allow for a review of activities that may endanger a student’s eligibility to participate in district sponsored athletic programs.

1. Any requests for facility use for the purpose of conducting an athletic clinic (or similar activity), practice, or competition for students in grades 7 through 12 will be sent to the athletic director for review before granting permission for the use of the facility. The athletic director will determine if the activity is in compliance with WIAA rules and regulations. Use will be denied if there is a probable violation of these rules and regulations.
2. Individuals applying for facility use for clinics, practice or competition shall be provided a copy of the WIAA regulations on “out-of-season” clinics.
3. The district shall not grant permission to use school district facilities for athletic clinics, practice or competition to programs for participants in sixth grade or younger that will conclude after 9:00 p.m. on an evening preceding a day school is scheduled.

Facilities will not be scheduled for non-school athletic clinics, practice or competition that will conclude after 10:00 p.m on any evening.

4. District varsity coaches in cooperation with the athletic director, shall develop and publish a statement of their “philosophy” on out of season clinics/competitions. This shall be shared with parents/guardians and booster club members. The intent is to provide support for having student-athletes involved in as many different athletic opportunities as reasonably possible without it negatively impacting academic excellence, family life, or future athletic opportunities.

Legal Ref.: Sections 120.13(17) Wisconsin Statutes
120.13

Cross Ref.: 830, Public Use of School Facilities
WIAA Handbook

OUT OF SEASON ATHLETIC CLINICS/LEAGUES
Policy #379/831.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

Adoption Date: 6/8/98
Revised: January 2002
May 2005
August 2013
May 2023
December 2024

TEACHING ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES
Policy #381
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 2

The consideration of controversial questions shall have a legitimate place in the work of the Waunakee Schools. Young people must meet and face such questions in order to gain experience in handling them under circumstances that promote consideration of all pertinent factors.

Teachers are generally expected to avoid the pursuit of controversial topics that have no substantial connection to the curriculum the teacher is charged with delivering. For example, in a math class, a math teacher should not direct a learning activity about religion and religious controversies. An exception to this general rule may apply when, for example, a school administrator or leadership team directs or approve the examination of an issue of immediate concern that students are having to process.

The decision as to whether a controversial question shall become a part of school curriculum shall be based on such considerations as the timeliness of the question, the maturity of the students, the needs of the students, and the philosophy and goals of the Waunakee Community School District.

District employees may not use their position to attempt to indoctrinate or convince students to adopt the employee’s personal beliefs or personal world view with respect to controversial subjects/issues. District employees also shall not demonstrate any improper favoritism toward students who may share or who express support for beliefs, positions, or opinions on controversial issues that are consistent with those held by the employee.

Although it will often be appropriate for educators to avoid revealing their personal opinions, positions, or beliefs to students on a controversial topic or issue, if an educator determines that circumstances exist that justify making such a disclosure, the educator is expected to do so in a manner that does not denigrate the legitimacy of other positions/responses.

Educators who are unsure whether or how to approach a controversial issue in a class or other school activity are expected to communicate such concerns to the building principal. Educators are expected to notify a supervising administrator if a parent or guardian complains that the teacher or other representative of the school improperly handled a controversial issue or topic.

Questions regarding controversial issues should be addressed to the building principal. Questions not resolved by the building principal should be submitted to the superintendent in writing who shall act upon the question and report his/her actions to the Board of Education. The Board shall have final authority regarding questions arising from teaching about controversial issues.

Legal Ref.: Sections 118.01(2)(d) Wisconsin Statutes
118.019

Cross Ref.: 110, Educational Mission Statement
381.1, Teaching About Religion

TEACHING ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES
Policy #381
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 2

310, Instructional Goals
341.3-Rule, Health Education Parental Objection
341.31, Family Life Education (Human Growth and Development)
411.1, Equal Educational Opportunities
871, Public Complaints About the Curric7ulum or Instructional Materials

Adopted: 11/8/82
Revised: March 1994
January 2002
May 2023

Adoption Date: 11/8/82
Revised: March 1994
January 2002
May 2023

Sensitive Topics in the Learning Community
In accordance with WCSD Policies 330, 361, 362, 362.1, 381, 871

Careful planning is paramount in our efforts to create inclusive teaching and learning environments

WCSD lessons and resources MUST:

Support the grade level standards
Be appropriate for the age and developmental level of the students
Be accurate, current, and research-based
Reflect sensitivity with regard to gender, race/ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, social or geographical environment, intellectual and physical abilities

IF your lesson or resource includes sensitive and controversial topics like these:

Slavery
Rape or sexual abuse
Political affiliation
Violence and physical abuse
Genocide
Gender expression
Religious affiliation
Oppressive power structures
Abortion
Economic hardships
Sexual orientation
Legalization of controlled substances
Death penalty
Immigration policy
Racial slurs & trigger speech

THAT IS OKAY because students deserve true and accurate history.

BUT we must

● Create an environment that honors feelings and
● Ease students into these conversations

AND ANALYZE the lesson or resource ahead of time by answering:

1. Whose voices, perspectives, or experiences are heard and centered in this resource?
2. What identities are included in this resource? Consider all facets of identity: race, religion, gender, gender identity, ability, socio-economic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, family structure, language, citizenship, age, political viewpoint or affiliation, etc.
3. Are hierarchies and power structures shown through this resource? Who is benefitting from the hierarchies and structures?
4. Who is shown to be harmed from these hierarchies and power structures? What consequences or forms of oppression are shown or explained?

AND REFLECT using Readiness Indicators for Sensitive Topics

WHAT IF?

Even with thoughtful consideration, we may cause harm without intending to do so.

Should anyone raise a concern related to a topic, resource, or lesson that may be causing trauma, curriculum endorsed prejudice, or any aspect of harm, staff should immediately do the following.

1. Stop.
2. Apologize for the harm you caused.
3. Listen empathetically to those harmed.
4. Ask what is needed to repair the harm.
5. Take action to follow through.
6. Alert your supervisor to the incident.
7. Seek advice and support from administrators, instructional coaches, and peers as needed.

ALSO

IF the lesson or resource asks students to simulate a situation where one group has power over another…
DON’T USE IT.
This could harm a student.

IF the lesson or resource includes stereotypes of a marginalized group…
ALSO SHOW that these stereotypes are harmful and aid in racist/bigoted thinking.

IF the lesson or resource shows people harmed by systems of power…
ALSO SHOW their resistance and personal agency.

AND CONSULT your PLC, instructional coach, or administrator. This resource includes hard history, and you need to carefully plan trauma informed talking points.

Originally created by D. Fogarty & K. Lundquist 2021, adapted from: the Sun Prairie Area School District and The Great Lakes Equity Center

WCSD Supplementary Instructional Resource Flow Chart
In accordance with WCSD Policies 361, 362, 362.1, 381, 871

Resources focus on the concepts and disciplinary practices that reinforce the grade level standard.
Information is accurate, current and research-based.
Discipline specific vocabulary is prevalent throughout the resource.

Resource is suitable for use with a diverse population and reflects sensitivity with regard to gender, race/ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, social and/or geographic environment, intellectual and physical abilities.

Does this resource include sensitive and controversial topics such as…

Slavery
Genocide
Rape/Sexual Abuse
Economic Hardships
Violence and Physical Abuse
Oppressive Power Structures
Gender Expression
Sexual Orientation
Abortion
Death Penalty
Immigration Policy
Racial Slurs and Trigger Speech
Political Affiliation
Religious Affiliation
Legalization of Controlled Substances

NO →

YES → Have you analyzed the Readiness Indicators for Sensitive Topics

This resource includes histories that include groups of people faced with trauma, pain or death. Why? How can you include stories of resistance and agency.

Talking points need to be planned out with your PLC, Instructional Coach, and/or administrator.

Are those who are shown being harmed from systems of power also being shown as resisting or including personal agency?

YES → Use resource

NO → Seek a different resource to meet your need. Refer back to the district adopted materials or collaborate with your team, coach, or admin for support.

Originally created by: D. Fogarty & K. Lundquist 2021
Adapted from: the Sun Prairie Area School District and The Great Lakes Equity Center

TEACHING ABOUT RELIGION
Policy #381.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 1

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides both freedom of religion and prohibition against the establishment of religion by the government. The Waunakee Community School District, as an agency of the government, will be neutral with respect to religion and will not engage in any activity that advocates or disparages religion. The Waunakee Community School District will treat the values of all religions -- within the education context -- in an open, forthright way, without advocating or disparaging any religious belief. For policy purposes, the term "religion" includes other belief systems such as humanism and atheism.

This policy is designed to achieve the following objectives:

1. To follow the spirit and letter of the First Amendment regarding individual freedom of expression for students and teachers, while maintaining neutrality toward all religions.
2. To avoid causing uncomfortable feelings on the part of children.

Legal Ref.: First Amendment, U. S. Constitution
Wisconsin Constitution, Article X - Section 3

Cross Ref.: 411, Equal Educational Opportunities
371, Student Equal Access to School Facilities

Adoption Date: 11/8/82
Revised: March 1994
January 2002
May 2023

SERVICE ANIMALS IN THE SCHOOL
Policy #383.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 1 of 4

The Waunakee Community School District recognizes its responsibility to permit students and staff with disabilities to be accompanied by a “service animal” in its buildings, classrooms and at school functions as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, its accompanying regulations, and any other applicable laws and/or regulations.

Procedures and a request form to allow a student’s service animal to accompany them at school may be found on the School District’s policy and procedure web page or by contacting the Director of Special Education.

Definitions

Service Animal:
A service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability. For the purpose of this definition, other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals. See 28C.F.R §35.104.

Work or tasks performed:
The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Examples of the work or tasks that can be provided by a service animal may include, but are not limited to: assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, pulling a wheelchair, alerting a person who is deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting an individual to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purpose of this definition. See 28 C.F.R §35.104.

The animal must be individually trained to do work or a task for the individual with a disability. A “therapy animal” is not a service animal for the purposes of these policies and procedures.

Guidelines

SERVICE ANIMALS IN THE SCHOOL
Policy #383.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 2 of 4

Appropriate questions about the service animal:
If an individual requires the assistance of a service animal in order to effectively participate in the educational programs of the Waunakee Community School District, the school staff may ask:

1. If the animal is required because of a disability; and
2. What work or task(s) the animal has been trained to perform

School staff should not ask about the nature or extent of the person’s disability. In addition, school staff should not make additional inquiries about a service animal when it is readily apparent that an animal is trained to do work or perform task(s) for an individual with a disability. (e.g., the dog is observed guiding an individual who is blind or has low vision, pulling a person’s wheelchair or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability.) See 28 C.F.R §35.136

Documentation:
School staff shall require documentation of vaccination status for the animal and additional information required in the Service Animal Request Form, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal.

Access to areas of the school:
Individuals with disabilities shall be permitted to be accompanied by their service animals in all areas of the District’s facilities where members of the public, participants in services, programs or activities or invitees, as relevant, are allowed to go.

Surcharges:
The District shall not require an individual to pay a surcharge to permit the service animal to accompany the person with the disability, even if people accompanied by pets are required to pay fees, or to comply with other requirements generally not applicable to people without pets. An individual may be charged the ordinary charges assessed for participation in a program or activity,e.g., tickets to an event. If the District normally charges individuals for the damage they cause, an individual with a disability may be charged for damages caused by his or her service animal.

SERVICE ANIMALS IN THE SCHOOL
Policy #383.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 3 of 4

Animal under handler’s control:
A service animal shall be under the control of its handler at all times. A service animal shall have a harness, leash or other tether, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or other tether would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks. If a service animal is controlled with a harness, leash or other tether, the service animal must otherwise be under the handler’s control (e.g., voice control, signals or other effective means.).

The owner/handler must ensure that the service animal is not aggressive towards others. The owner and/or handler, shall be liable for any harm or injury caused by the service animal.

Care or supervision:
The District is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal, including walking the service animal or responding to the animal’s need to relieve itself. The District will provide a location for the animal to relieve itself. The owner/handler of a service animal is responsible for anticipating and identifying when the animal needs to relieve itself to avoid accidents in classrooms, but should be equipped to clean up an in classroom accident promptly. The owner/handler is responsible for cleaning up after the animal in a sanitary manner.

The owner/handler is responsible to keep the service animal from disrupting the educational environment. For example, the service animal is to remain quiet and should generally stay within 24 inches of the handler unless needed to go further to perform work or a task and does not block aisles or doorways.

Vaccinations and licenses:
The owner/handler shall provide evidence prior to each school year that all service animal vaccinations are current and service animals must wear a rabies vaccination tag as required pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 95.21(2)(f).

The owner/handler is responsible for all licenses of the service animal. Service animals are to be licensed at no cost pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 174.055.

SERVICE ANIMALS IN THE SCHOOL
Policy #383.1
Waunakee Community School District Page 4 of 4

Removal of Service Animal:
The District may ask an individual to remove a service animal from the premises if it is not unlawful to do so and if: (1) the animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it; (2) the animal is not housebroken or if the animal has an accident (urine or bowel); (3) the service animal “whose behavior or history evidences” a direct threat to the health and safety of those present; or (4) the animal’s presence would “fundamentally alter” the nature of the program, service or activity. Examples may include, but are not limited to, science labs, areas requiring protective clothing, technical education shops with power tools, and food preparation areas.

In the event a service animal would prevent the individual from having a service animal present as provided above, the District shall give the individual the opportunity to participate in the services, program or activity without having the service animal on the premises.

Legal Legal Reference: Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act;
28 C.F.R. § 35.104; 28 C.F.R. § 35.136; WI Statutes Sections §§
95.21(2)(f), 174.055, 174.07,106.52(3)

Cross References

Adoption Date: February 14, 2022
Reviewed: May 2023