Annual Notices

DDSDP Cedar Falls February 2020.pdf

Annual Notices

State and Federal regulations, as well as some district policies, require the district to annually post certain notifications to the public. Many of these notifications are distributed in several ways.

If you have questions about any of the information, please contact Superintendent Dr. Andy Pattee at 319-553-3000 or andy.pattee@cfschools.org.

Asbestos: The school district is continuing to safely manage and follow asbestos-related matters as required under AHERA (Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) laws incorporated into the District Management Plan. The district conducts periodic inspections to enable us to locate and repair damaged materials. A copy of the updated Management Plan is available in your school principal’s office for review.

Integrated Pest Management: An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for controlling insects, rodents, and weeds are used at Cedar Falls Community Schools. Our IPM approach focuses on making the school building and grounds an unfavorable habitat for these pests by removing food and water sources and eliminating their hiding and breeding places. We accomplish this through routine cleaning and maintenance. We routinely monitor the school building and grounds to detect any pests that are present. The pest monitoring team consists of our building maintenance, office, and teaching staff and includes our students. Pest sightings are reported to our supervisor of buildings and grounds who evaluates the "pest problem" and determines the appropriate pest management techniques to use to address the problem. The techniques can include increased sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, etc. 

We only use chemicals (pesticides) when necessary to eliminate a pest problem. The school will try to use the least toxic products when possible. Applications will be made at times when accidental exposures to unauthorized persons can be minimized. 

Information requiring specific pesticide use is available to any school staff, student or parent seeking additional information by contacting the supervisor of buildings and grounds.

Equal Educational Opportunities for Students: The board supports the delivery of the education program and services to students free of discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, marital status, socio-economic status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. This concept of equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to school district facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students. Board policies, rules, and regulations affect students while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school-owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management, and welfare of the school district. A “complaint” constitutes an allegation that these rules as they relate to the district’s Equal Educational Opportunity Policy, Title IX, Title VI, the ADA, or Section 504, have been violated. Any student who believes that these rules or laws have been violated shall notify the building principal, supervisor, or the Associate Superintendent. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator, Dr. Adrian Talbot, Executive Director of Human Resources, James L. Robinson Administrative Center, 1002 West First St., Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (319)553-3000 or by email at adrian.talbot@cfschools.org. Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, City Group Center, 500 West Madison St, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL (312) 730-1560, or Iowa Dept. of Education, Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA. 515-281-5294. This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be submitted instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action: The Cedar Falls Community School District will select for employment qualified applicants for each position without improper discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnic background, age, disability, or genetic information. Persons with disabilities who can perform the essential functions of an assignment with or without reasonable accommodations shall be considered qualified applicants. The District shall take affirmative action in the recruitment, appointment, assignment, and advancement of personnel to accomplish the goals of equal employment opportunity. In keeping with the law, the District shall consider the veteran status of applicants. The Cedar Falls Community School District will not unlawfully discriminate against any individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of such individual's race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnic background, age, disability, or genetic information. The director of human resources shall be designated as the District’s compliance officer to ensure that applicants and employees are treated in accordance with this policy. The compliance officer shall also be responsible for coordinating the preparation, implementation, evaluation, and updating of written equal employment opportunity and affirmative action plans, with systematic input from diverse racial/ethnic groups, women, men, and persons with disabilities. 

Physical and Sexual Abuse of Students by Employees: It is the policy, (504.4) of the Cedar Falls Community School District that all forms of physical abuse and sexual abuse, as defined by law, of students by school employees are prohibited. Each employee, regular or temporary, is covered by this policy. Each report or complaint alleging or indicating the possibility of abuse of a student or students by an employee or employees will be investigated immediately, in accordance with legal requirements. The primary investigators (level one investigators) will be the Associate Superintendent, Pam Zeigler, and the Director of Human Resources, Adrian Talbot. An official or officials of the Cedar Falls Police Department or other trained, experienced professional(s) shall be utilized as the alternate (level two) investigator(s). All results of an investigation of reported physical or sexual abuse will be forwarded to the superintendent or designee as soon as is possible. It is the responsibility of the superintendent of schools to cause such actions as may be appropriate to remedy any founded report of abuse.  

Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex Prohibited-Title IX

Harassment/Bullying: The Board of Education prohibits harassment, bullying, hazing, or any other victimization, of students, based on any of the following actual or perceived traits or characteristics, including but not limited to, age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status. This policy (504.5) is in effect while students are on property within the jurisdiction of the board; while on school-owned or school-operated vehicles; while attending or engaged in school-sponsored activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school or school district. The school or school district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of bullying or harassment. The Associate Superintendent or designee will be responsible for handling all formal complaints by students alleging bullying or harassment. You may contact them by calling 319-553-3000.

Counselor to Respond to Needs of Minority Children: Dave Berns has been designated as the counselor to respond to the specific needs of minority children (including interracial children). As a specialist in the problems of minority children (including interracial children), he may be reached at Aldrich Elementary at 319-553-2201. Staff, students and/or parents with specific problems in the areas indicated should contact him through the Aldrich Elementary telephone number.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the school to amend a record should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want to be changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student 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 or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to privacy of personally identifiable information in the student’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 school 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 school has outsourced services or functions it would otherwise use its own employees to perform (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); a parent or student serving 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 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, Cedar Falls Community School District discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school 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 20202-8520.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Directory Information: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that the Cedar Falls Community School District, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, Cedar Falls Schools may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the District to the contrary in accordance with the District procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the Cedar Falls Schools to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include a playbill, showing your student’s role in a drama production - the annual yearbook - honor roll or other recognition lists - graduation programs - sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members. Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with three directory information categories – names, addresses, and telephone listings – unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent. If you do not want the Cedar Falls School District to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the District in writing by October 1. The Cedar Falls Community School District has designated the following information as directory information: student's name, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees, and awards received, address, birth date, course of study, and other similar information regarding individual students.

Please Note: Cedar Falls Community School District contracts with Goulden Rule Driving School to provide driver education instruction pursuant to Iowa Code Section 321.178. Cedar Falls Community School District will be releasing a child’s eligibility for a full or partial waiver for school fees to Goulden Rule Driving School. Parents/guardians may prevent the release of directory information upon written objection filed with the building principal. However, for those parents/guardians who opt out of this disclosure, the parent/guardian will be expected to pay 100% of the cost of the driver education course.

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA): PPRA affords parents certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:
Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED):
1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; 2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family; 3. Sex behavior or attitudes; 4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; 5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships; 6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers; 7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or 8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.
Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of:
1. Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding; 2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and 3. Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.
Inspect, upon request and before administration or use:
1. Protected information surveys of students; 2. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and 3. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum. These rights transfer from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State law.

Cedar Falls Community School District has adopted policies, in consultation with parents, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. Cedar Falls Schools will directly notify parents of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. Cedar Falls Schools will also directly notify, such as through U.S. Mail or email, parents of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific activities or surveys noted below and will provide an opportunity for the parent to opt his or her child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. Cedar Falls Schools will make this notification to parents at the beginning of the school year if the District has identified the specific or approximate dates of the activities or surveys at that time. For surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, parents will be provided reasonable notification of the planned activities and surveys listed below and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out of such activities and surveys. Parents will also be provided with an opportunity to review any pertinent surveys. Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this requirement: Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution. Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or part by ED. Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above. Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 2020-8520

Chapter 103 Notice: Corporal Punishment, Restraint, and Physical Confinement and Detention: State law forbids school employees from using corporal punishment against any student. Certain actions by school employees are not considered corporal punishment. Additionally, school employees may use “reasonable and necessary force, not designed or intended to cause pain” to do certain things, such as prevent harm to persons or property. State law also places limits on school employees’ abilities to restrain or confine and detain any student. The law limits why, how, where, and for how long a school employee may restrain or confine and detain a child. If a child is restrained or confined and detained, the school must maintain documentation and must provide certain types of notice to the child’s parent. The complete text of the law and additional information is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website: www.iowa.gov/educate.

Education Rights Under McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act:  The McKinney-Vento Act ensures homeless children access to attend either the local school or the school of origin as well as transportation to and from their school of origin free of charge. Students must have access to the same programs and services that are available to all other students. It further requires schools to immediately register and enroll homeless children even if they lack normally required documents, such as immunization records or proof of residence. To implement the Act, States must designate a statewide homeless coordinator to review policies and create procedures, including dispute resolution procedures, to ensure that homeless children are able to attend school. Local school districts must appoint Local Education Liaisons to ensure that school staff is aware of these rights, to provide public notice to homeless families (at shelters and at school) and to facilitate access to school and transportation services. Cedar Falls Schools' Liaison is Jill White, 319-553-3015 or jill.white@cfschools.org.

Rights of Students with Disabilities: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, is designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. The law states: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States…shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…”As a parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian you have the right to: Have your child take part in and receive benefits from public education programs without discrimination because of a disabling condition. Have the district advise you of your rights under federal law. Receive notice with respect to identification, evaluation, or placement of your child. Have your child receive a free and appropriate public education. This includes the right to be educated with nondisabled students to the maximum extent appropriate. It also includes the right to have the school district make reasonable accommodations to allow your child an equal opportunity to participate in school and school-related activities. Have your child educated in facilities and receive services comparable to those provided to nondisabled students. Have your child receive special education and related services if your child is found to be eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Have evaluation, educational, and placement decisions made based upon a variety of information sources and by persons who know the student, the evaluation data, and placement options. Have transportation provided to and from an alternative placement setting at no greater cost to you than would be incurred if the student were placed in a program operated by the district. Have your child be given an equal opportunity to participate in nonacademic and extracurricular activities offered by the district. Examine all relevant records relating to decisions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, educational program, and placement. Obtain copies of educational records at a reasonable cost unless the fee would effectively deny you access to the records. Receive a response from the school district to reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of your child’s records. Request amendment of your child’s educational records if there is reasonable cause to believe that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of your child. If the school district refuses this request for amendment, it shall notify you within a reasonable time and advise you of the right to a hearing. Request mediation or an impartial due process hearing related to decisions or actions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, educational program, or placement. You and your child may take part in the hearing and be represented by an attorney. Seek reimbursement of reasonable attorney fees if you are successful in your claim. File a grievance or citizen complaint with the Associate Superintendent and/or the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). For additional information regarding Section 504, please contact your building principal or the student services office at 319-553-3000.

Open Enrollment: Open enrollment applications are available on our District website or at the J.R. Robinson Administrative Center. Applications must be sent to both the resident and receiving districts. Low-income families may qualify for transportation assistance. 

Notification of Access to Student Records: In regard to student records, parents or eligible students have the right to 1. Inspect and review the student’s educational records 2. Request the amendment of the student’s education records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights 3. Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that regulations authorize disclosure without consent 4. File with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint under Sec. 99.64 concerning alleged failures of the school district to comply with requirements 5. Obtain a copy of Student Records Access Policy #506.3. This policy can be obtained by contacting the Superintendent of Schools, 1002 West First Street, Cedar Falls, or by accessing the district website; www.cfschools.org and following the link under Board Policies.

Parents’/Guardians’ Rights Notification: Parents/Guardians in the Cedar Falls Community School District have the right to learn about the following qualifications of their child’s teacher: state licensure requirements for the grade level and content areas taught, the current licensing status of your child’s teacher, and baccalaureate/graduate certification/degree. You may also request the qualifications of an instructional paraprofessional who serves your student in a Title I program or if your school operates a school-wide Title I program. Parents/Guardians may request this information from the Office of the Superintendent by calling 319-553-3000 or sending a letter of request to Dr. Andrew Pattee, Superintendent, 1002 West First Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. The District will notify the parents, either by email or US mail, should your child be taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified.

District Committees: Community participation in our district-wide and building-level committees is always welcomed. If you would like to volunteer to serve on a committee, please call the Administration Center at 319-553-3000.

Health Exemption: Iowa Code provides for the exemption of the state requirement for human growth and development curriculum and health courses. Iowa Code 279.50(5) states a pupil shall not be required to take instruction in human growth and development if the pupil’s parent/guardian files with the appropriate principal a written request that the pupil is excused from the instruction. Notification that the written request may be made shall be included in the information provided by the school district. Human growth and development curriculum is defined as instruction regarding human sexuality, self-esteem, stress management, interpersonal relationships, domestic abuse, HPV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Iowa Code 256.11 (6 states) that a pupil is not required to enroll in health courses if the pupil’s parent/guardian files a written statement with the school principal that the course conflicts with the pupil’s religious beliefs. For more information about these exemptions, please contact your building principal.

Dispensing of Medication: Cedar Falls School District Policy and the Iowa Administrative Code requires ALL medication (prescription and over-the-counter medication) that is administered at school: 1. Be authorized with the written permission of the student’s parent/guardian. 2. Be brought to school in its original container. If parents/guardians disregard this requirement and allow their child to use of over-the-counter medications (cough drops, throat lozenges, nasal sprays, pain relievers, etc.) during school hours, the parent/guardian will assume all liability and responsibility for any adverse effects. It is also the responsibility of the parents/guardians to provide safe delivery of medication to and from school. It is the responsibility of the school to store the medication in a secured area and to keep confidential, written medication administration records. Medication will be administered by the school nurse or persons who have successfully completed a medication administration course. Forms for written permission may be obtained online. The Cedar Falls School District does allow for self-medication administration of certain emergency medications (inhalers, insulin, and EpiPens only) provided the parent/guardian has given written permission for such administration and the physician provides written authorization containing the purpose of the medication, prescribed dosage, administration time(s), and special circumstances under which the medication is to be administered. In addition, the parent/guardian and the student must provide written documentation they agree the self-medication administration in accordance with school district rules and if the student abuses the self-administration policy, the ability to self administer may be withdrawn by the school or discipline may be imposed. Pursuant to state law, the school district and its employees are to incur no liability, except for gross negligence as a result of any injury arising from self-administration of medication by the student, as established by Iowa Code 280.16.

The Cedar Falls Community School District also approves and may administer to students the following over the counter products: isopropyl alcohol, baking soda, table salt, normal saline eyewash, lotion, Vaseline, insta-glucose or glucose tablets, cleaning/wetting solution for hard/soft contacts, peppermints, antiseptic towelettes, and saltine crackers. Pediculocide shampoo may be administered in extreme situations with parent/guardian consent. If a parent/guardian does not wish their child to receive any of these treatments, they are asked to contact their school nurse.

Security Camera Supervision: The Cedar Falls Community School District Board of Education has authorized the use of security cameras on school district buses and facilities. The security cameras will be used to monitor student behavior to maintain order and to promote and maintain a safe environment. Students and parents are hereby notified that the content of the video recordings may be used in a student disciplinary proceeding. The content of the video recordings are confidential student records and will be retained with other student records. Video recordings will only be retained if necessary for use in a student disciplinary proceeding or other matter as determined necessary by the administration. 

Video Recordings: As part of the Cedar Falls Community School District’s partnership with UNI, our teachers host and mentor many preservice teachers in field experiences and student teaching. The UNI students are required to video record their performance in the classroom and examples of their feedback on student work. The recordings are viewed and evaluated by UNI instructors and in some cases by external national evaluators. No student’s names will appear on materials that are submitted. If the video recordings are to be used for any other purpose, separate permission will be specifically requested by the UNI preservice teacher or UNI faculty.

Non-Discrimination language for CTE:
The Cedar Falls School District offers career and technical programs in the following service areas:
-Business Education
-Family and Consumer Science Education
-Industrial Technology Education
-Marketing Education

It is the policy of the Cedar Falls Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices.

There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator at 319-553-3000.

Last updated July 2022.

It is the policy of the Cedar Falls Community School District not to illegally discriminate in either: its educational programs on the basis of race, religion, creed, socioeconomic status, color, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or genetic information; or its employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnic background, age, disability, or genetic information. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator, Dr. Adrian Talbot, Executive Director of Human Resources, James L. Robinson Administrative Center, 1002 West First St., Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, 319-553-3000 or by email at Adrian.Talbot@cfschools.org.