Article 9 – STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Section 1 3053 Nondiscrimination

The School District does not discriminate on the basis of prohibited factors in employment and educational programs/activities The School District affirmatively strives to provide equal opportunity for all as required by:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended - prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 - prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex Policy No 2006 “A” Title IX Policy

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) as amended - prohibits discrimination on the basis of age with respect to individuals who are at least 40

The Equal Pay Act of 1963 as amended - prohibits sex discrimination in payment of wages to women and men performing substantially equal work in the same establishment

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - prohibits discrimination against the disabled Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) - prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public service, public accommodations and telecommunications

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) - requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to "eligible" employees for certain family and medical reasons

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 - prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) – provides job protections and reemployment rights to military reservists and National Guard members called to active duty

The Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act which prohibits discrimination against groups that wish to access district facilities.

The Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act (FEPA) – prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), disability, marital status, and retaliation

Nebraska Age Discrimination in Employment Act (Age Act) – prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of age for those individuals who are over 40 years of age

The Equal Pay Act of Nebraska – prohibits discriminatory wage practices based on sex

The Nebraska Equal Opportunity in Education Act – prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (including pregnancy) by any educational institution

Veterans Preference Law (NEB REV STAT §§ 48-225 to 48-231) - stipulates categorical preferences for employment for military veterans and for the spouses of disabled veterans

Additional School Board policies prohibit harassment and/or discrimination against students, employees, or patrons on the basis of sex, race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, marital status, disability, age, pregnancy, and any other legally prohibited basis. Retaliation for engaging in a protected activity is also prohibited.

Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against, denied a benefit, or excluded from participation in any district education program or activity may file a complaint using the district’s complaint procedures.

Inquiries regarding compliance with any of the laws referred to in this policy may be directed to the superintendent or to the district’s Title IX and/or Section 504/ADA Coordinator.

Section 2 2006 Complaint Procedure

Good communication helps to resolve many misunderstandings and disagreements. This complaint procedure applies to board members, patrons, students and school staff, unless the staff member is subject to a different grievance procedure pursuant to policy or contract. Individuals who have a complaint should discuss their concerns with appropriate school personnel in an effort to resolve problems. When such efforts do not resolve matters satisfactorily, including matters involving discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, or age, a complainant should follow the procedures set forth below Students and employees who believe they have been subjected to sex harassment in violation of Title IX should refer to the board’s policy titled “Title IX ”

A preponderance of the evidence will be required to discipline a party accused of misconduct This means that the investigator must conclude that it is more likely than not that misconduct occurred.

Complaint and Appeal Process.

1. The first step is for the complainant to speak directly to the person(s) with whom the complainant has a concern. For example, a parent who is unhappy with a classroom teacher should initially discuss the matter with the teacher. However, the complainant should skip the first step if the complainant believes speaking directly to the person would subject the complainant to discrimination or harassment

2 The next step is for the complainant to speak to the person’s direct supervisor

3 The next step is for the complainant to speak to the building principal a) Complaints about the operation, decisions, or personnel within a building should be submitted to the principal of the building

4 The next step is for the complainant to speak to the building principal’s supervisor a) Complaints about the operations of the school district or a building principal should be submitted to the following department supervisors:

1) If it concerns students, speak to the director of student services

2) If it concerns adults, speak to the director of human resources

3) If it concerns program, curriculum, instruction, and assessment, speak to the directors of teaching and learning.

4) If it concerns special education, speak to the director of special education.

5) If it concerns Kids Klub, speak to the director of Kids Club a) Complaints about the operations of the school district or department supervisor should be submitted in writing to the superintendent of schools. b) Complaints about the superintendent of schools should be submitted in writing to the president of the board of education

6) If it concerns facilities and maintenance, speak to the director of facilities.

7) If it concerns technology, speak to the director of technology.

5. The next step for the complainant is to speak to the executive director of operations or the superintendent.

Complaints involving discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, or age When a complainant submits a complaint to an administrator or to the Title IX/504 coordinator, the administrator or Title IX/504 coordinator shall promptly and thoroughly investigate the complaint, and shall:

1 Determine whether the complainant has discussed the matter with the staff member involved a) If the complainant has not, the administrator or Title IX/504 coordinator will urge the complainant to discuss the matter directly with that staff member, if appropriate b) If the complainant refuses to discuss the matter with the staff member, the administrator or Title IX/504 coordinator shall, in his or her sole discretion, determine whether the complaint should be pursued further. a) Interview the complainant to determine: i all relevant details of the complaint; ii all witnesses and documents which the complainant believes support the complaint; iii The action or solution which the complainant seeks b Respond to the complainant If the complaint involved discrimination or harassment, the response shall be in writing and shall be submitted within 180 calendar days after the administrator or Title IX/504 coordinator received the complaint. c This appeal must be in writing d This appeal must be received by the superintendent no later than ten (10) calendar days from the date the administrator or Title IX/504 coordinator communicated his/her decision to the complainant e The superintendent will investigate as he or she deems appropriate However, all matters involving discrimination or harassment shall be promptly and thoroughly investigated. f.Upon completion of this investigation, the superintendent will inform the complainant in writing of his or her decision. If the complaint involved discrimination or harassment, the superintendent shall submit the decision within 180 calendar days after the the superintendent received the complainant's written appeal g This appeal must be in writing h This appeal must be received by the board president no later than ten (10) calendar days from the date the superintendent communicated his/her decision to the complainant i This policy allows, but does not require the board to receive statements from interested parties and witnesses relevant to the complaint appeal However, all matters involving discrimination or harassment shall be promptly and thoroughly investigated. j.The board will notify the complainant in writing of its decision. If the complaint involved discrimination or harassment, the board shall submit its decision within 180 calendar days after it receives the complainant’s written appeal k There is no appeal from a decision of the board

2. Strongly encourage the complainant to reduce his or her concerns to writing.

If either the complainant or the accused party is not satisfied with the administrator’s or the Title IX/504 coordinator’s decision regarding a complaint her or she may appeal the decision to the superintendent.

If either the complainant or the accused party is not satisfied with the superintendent’s decision regarding a complaint he or she may appeal the decision to the board.

This policy allows, but does not require the board to receive statements from interested parties and witnesses relevant to the complaint appeal. However, all matters involving discrimination or harassment shall be promptly and thoroughly investigated.

Complaints involving discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, marital status, disability, or age may also be submitted, at any time during the complaint procedure to the School District’s Title IX/504 coordinator Complaints involving discrimination or harassment may also be submitted at any time to the Office for Civil Rights, U S Department of Education: by email at OCR KansasCity@ed gov; by telephone at (816) 268-0550; or by fax at (816) 268-0599

When a formal complaint about the superintendent of schools has been filed with the president of the board, the president or his or her designee shall promptly and thoroughly investigate the complaint, and shall:

1 Determine whether the complainant has discussed the matter with the superintendent a) If the complainant has not, the board president or designee will urge the complainant to discuss the matter directly with the superintendent, if appropriate b) If the complainant refuses to discuss the matter with the superintendent, the board president shall, in his or her sole discretion, determine whether the complaint should be pursued further.

2.Strongly encourage the complainant to reduce his or her concerns to writing.

3.Determine, in his or her sole discretion, whether to place the matter on the board agenda for consideration at a regular or special meeting.

4.Respond to the complainant. If the complaint involved discrimination or harassment, the response shall be in writing and shall be submitted within 180 calendar days after the president received the complaint

Special Rules Regarding Educational Services and Related Services to Students with Disabilities. Students with disabilities and their families have specific rights outlined in state and federal law, including administrative processes by which they may challenge the educational services being provided by the school district. Therefore, the appeal process contained in this policy may not be used to challenge decisions made by a student’s individualized education plan (IEP) team or 504 team

Complaints about the educational services provided to a student with a disability, including but not limited to services provided to a student with an IEP, access to curricular and extracurricular activities, and educational placement must be submitted to the school district’s Director of Special Education The Director of Special Education will address the complaint in a manner that he/she deems appropriate and will provide the complainant with a copy of the Notice of IDEA Parental Rights promulgated by the Nebraska Department of Education

Complaints about the educational services provided a student with a disability pursuant to a Section 504 plan must be submitted to the school district’s 504 Coordinator The 504 Coordinator will address the complaint in a manner that he/she deems appropriate and will provide the complainant with a copy of the Notice of Section 504 Parental Rights adopted by the board of education.

Complaints about the educational services provided to a student who is suspected of having a disability must be submitted in writing to the school district’s Director of Special Education or to the district’s 504 Coordinator. The Director of Special Education or 504 Coordinator will either refer the student for possible verification as a student with a disability or will provide prior written notice of the district’s refusal to do so.

No Retaliation The school district prohibits retaliation against any person for filing a complaint or for participating in the complaint procedure in good faith

Bad Faith or Serial Filings The purpose of the complaint procedure is to resolve complaints at the lowest level possible within the chain of command Individuals who file complaints (a) without a good faith intention to attempt to resolve the issues raised; (b) for the purpose of adding administrative burden; (c) at a volume unreasonable to expect satisfactory resolution; or (c) for purposes inconsistent with the efficient operations of the district may be dismissed by the superintendent without providing final resolution other than noting the dismissal There is no appeal from dismissals made pursuant to this section

Section 3 5016 Student Records

The school district shall manage student records and reports as is necessary for effective administration and in compliance with law In general "student records" shall not include transitory communications such as e-mail, text messages, handwritten communication between school and home, and the like, and these items will not generally be maintained by the district

“Student records” also shall not include any records created and maintained by the district’s law enforcement unit for a law enforcement purpose.

For purposes of the district’s compliance with state and federal law, the district “maintains” as “student records” all records, files, and documents which are located in any format and within any storage unit of the district, whether in hard copy, digital, or otherwise

Each building principal will assign responsibilities for the preparation and maintenance of records and will ensure compliance with the applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and record retention schedules regarding their storage and use in the building No “student record” or record required to be retained by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Record Retention Schedules applicable to the district will be destroyed unless it is first saved in a retrievable, digital format This includes only records required to be kept by the applicable Retention Schedules and “student records” as defined by state and federal law, and this policy does not prohibit the district from following its record expungement procedures for all other records

Students or their parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, or school administrators shall have access to the school's files or records maintained concerning themselves or their students. For purposes of this policy, “teachers” include paraeducators and volunteers who are providing educational services to a student on behalf of the School District. A school official may access, maintain, and use education records containing personally identifiable information (PII) when he or she has a legitimate educational interest in such. “School official” includes any agent, volunteer, or contractor performing an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the school district’s direct control with respect to their access to, maintenance of, and use of PII from student records. For example, a school official may include, but would not be limited to, a teacher or other educator, administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); school board member; volunteer; contractor or consultant who, while not employed by the school, performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, representative of the district’s insurance providers, auditor, medical consultant, therapist, or a third-party website operator who has contracted with the school district or its agent to offer online programs for the benefit of students and/or the district; members of law enforcement acting on behalf of the school district; a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks A school official typically has a “legitimate educational interest” if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill a school-related professional, contractual, statutory, or regulatory responsibility.

All disciplinary material shall be removed and destroyed upon the pupil's graduation or after the pupil's continuous absence from the school for a period of three years, and after authorization is given by the State Records Board pursuant to state law. Upon request, the school district will disclose education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

Outside agencies such as physicians, probation officers, psychologists, child guidance clinics, and other agencies concerned with child welfare who are working directly with a child may have access to information pertaining to that child with written parental consent or upon issuance of a valid court order

The school district shall share student data, records, and information with school districts, educational service units, learning communities, and the State Department of Education to the fullest extent practicable unless otherwise prohibited by law This includes sharing information with the Department of Education necessary to comply with the requirement of state law that all third-year high school students take a college entrance exam Any redisclosure of information related to the administration of this exam shall be governed by the agreement between the Nebraska Department of Education and the third-party testing company

Each year, the school district will notify parents and guardians of their rights under this policy and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Section 4 Disclosure of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Colleges (see Policy No. 5015, Protection of Student Rights)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires the District to provide military recruiters and institutions of higher education access to secondary school students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings Parents and secondary students have the right to request that the school not provide this information (i e , not provide the student’s name, address, and telephone listing) to military recruiters or institutions of higher education, without their prior written consent. Employees are expected to follow these requirements.

Section 5 School Nutrition Programs

The District participates in the National School Nutrition Programs Employees are expected to keep information about the participation of students in the program confidential

Section 6 Confidentiality of Protected Health Information

It is the policy of the District to develop and implement all necessary practices, policies, and procedures to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) where and to the extent applicable and to maintain the privacy of protected health information (PHI), as that term is defined by HIPAA, that it receives, obtains, or transmits for employees and students The District designates the Superintendent as its HIPAA privacy officer Student and employee records containing PHI shall be accessible only to those who require such information to carry out their duties.

Appendix B

North Platte Public Schools Asbestos Notification

North Platte School District’s parents, guardians, teachers and employee organizations are informed of the following.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s regulation Asbestos Containing Materials in Schools (40 CFR Part 763) requires each school building to maintain a complete copy of their Asbestos Management Plan with up to date inspections in the Administration Office. Building employees, hired contractors, occupants and occupants’ parents or legal guardians must be informed once a year of asbestos related activities conducted, in progress, or scheduled within that year

The school is required to have a State of Nebraska accredited Asbestos Inspector conduct a re inspection every 3 years of known or assumed asbestos containing materials within our school buildings to insure asbestos containing materials are maintained in good condition. Inspections do not disrupt class times or class scheduling. And every 6 months after the re-inspection, required periodic surveillance is conducted by an adequately trained person.

The Management Plan for our school district is available for review to all school personnel, public, state and federal representatives during normal business hours with proper notice.

Airborne asbestos contamination in buildings can be a significant environmental problem and you can be assured that we are in compliance with all relevant regulations.

For asbestos questions or information, please contact the school’s designated person at (308) 535-7100 or the Environmental Protection Agency- Region VII office at (800) 471-7127 or go to their web site at www.epa.gov/asbestos/asbestos-in-schoools

Appendix C

North Platte Public Schools

Appendix D

Welcome Center is moved to Column B: Current person is grandfathered in Employees will move down a step on each odd year and; In even years only increases within the steps will occur

Appendix F

Para Educators

North Platte Public Schools

Level Does not equal years in district

All placement will be at the discretion of Human Resources with input from building principals, facilitators, and directors.

Category

1: Building / Program Support a Staff assigned to this category do not provide direct individualized support to identified students b Staff are assignable to classrooms and programs by building principals, supervisors, and/ or Directors

May include: Classroom, Library, Office, Accompanist, Kids Klub, Special Education (cased upon assignment and students being served), Title

2: Focused Student Support a Staff assigned to this category provide focused support to students with special needs or behavior needs as identified by Individualized Education Plan (IEP), behavior plans, or discretion of building principal, supervisor, or Directors b Kids Klub staff assigned to this category are assigned to specific sites and are tasked with managing staff and students without direct supervisory support These staff members serve the role as Coordinator or Co-Coordinator c Staff assigned to this category may be required to have additional certification such as bus driving, CPI, and/ or other certification as identified by administration

May include: Special Education Bus Driver, Kids Klub Coordinator, Job Coach, Health, ISS, Behavior Support, Special Education (cased upon assignment and students being served)

3: Specialized Support a Staff assigned to this category provides specialized medical licensure as required by needs of student b Staff assigned to this category provide specialized support as required by language interpretation for students

May Include: LPN, Sign Language Interpreter, ELL

Notes:

Certified Para will be paid hourly rate of substitute according to Substitute Handbook Staff must have required credentials

Substitute Para will be paid at Level 5 experience level in category 1

Appendix G

Appendix H

Appendix H

North Platte Public Schools

Holidays for the 2023-2024 School Year

Holiday Date of Holiday Day of the Week Date Observed

Designated Day July 3, 2023 Monday 7/3/2023

Independence Day July 4, 2023 Tuesday 7/4/2023

Labor Day September 4, 2023

Thanksgiving November 23, 2023

Day After Thanksgiving November 24, 2023

Christmas Eve December 24, 2023

Christmas Day December 25, 2023

New Years Eve December 31, 2023

New Years Day January 1, 2024

Spring Break March 29, 2024

Memorial Day May 27, 2024

Monday 9/4/2023

Thursday 11/23/2023

Friday 11/24/2023

Sunday 12/26/2023

Monday 12/25/2023

Sunday 1/2/2024

Monday 1/1/2024

Friday 3/29/2024

Monday 5/27/2024

Appendix I Appendix J

Personal Leave Pay Deduct Days

2023-2024

ALL personal leave is contingent upon building and district approval. If leave is exhausted, leave may be denied. If PERSONAL leave is requested on the following days, it is with the understanding upon approval that it will be with full pay deduct and loss of personal day, unless it falls within the exceptional circumstances clause specified in the negotiated agreement. IF SICK leave is taken on the following days, then medical documentation must be presented to the HR Director or designee.

August 04

August 07

August 08

August 09

First Day of Contract

Professional Learning Day

Professional Learning Day

Professional Learning Day

August 10 Student first day of semester

August 11 Student first day of semester

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September 11 Professional Learning Day

September 11-14 P/T Conferences 7-12 (depending on the day the schools select for their conference night)

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October 13 Professional Learning Day

October 16-19 P/T Conferences K-6

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November 13 Professional Learning Day

November 13-16 P/T Conferences 7-12 (depending on the day the schools select for their conference night)

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December 22

Professional Learning Day

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January 8

January 15

Student first day of semester

Professional Learning Day

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February 5-8 P/T Conferences K-12

February 12

Professional Learning Day

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March 15

Professional Learning Day

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April 15 Professional Learning Day

April 15-18 P/T Conferences 7-12 (depending on the day the schools select for their conference night)

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May 17 Students last day

May 20

Professional Learning Day

Personal Leave Pay Deduct

North Platte Public Schools and North Platte Education Association have agreed upon the dates when it is essential to the school system that teachers are present. Personal leave may not be on the first two contract days, the first two student days of each semester, Parent-Teacher Conference days (as designation for assigned building), or Professional Learning Days.