Children who are residents of the school district community will attend the school district without paying tuition.  The residence of a student means the place, abode, or dwelling of the student. Generally, the legal dwelling of minors is the same as their parents. A student may establish a dwelling with someone other than the parents and attend public school in the school district without paying tuition if the primary purpose for residing in the school district is not for the purpose of obtaining a free public education. Further, students who have reached the age of majority and who are still eligible to attend an Iowa secondary school may declare their residence independent of the residence of the parents.

Each case involving the bona fide residence of a student will be decided upon its individual merits by the superintendent.

Legal Reference:
Lakota Cons. Ind. School v. Buffalo Center-Rake Comm. School, 334 N.W.2d 704 (Iowa 1983).
Mt. Hope School Dist. v. Hendrickson, 197 N.W. 47 (Iowa 1924).
Oshel v. Creston Comm. School Dist., DPI Admin. Doc. 570 (1981).
33 D.P.I. Dec. Rule 80 (1984).
Iowa Code §§ 257.6; 282.2, .6, .7; 285.4.

Cross Reference:
100 Legal Status of the School Board
 

Approved: 4-10-89
Reviewed: 12-11-23
Revised: 12-11-23

Students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school but who are not legal residents of the school district may be admitted into the school district at the discretion of the superintendent upon application and payment of tuition. The tuition rate is the current per-pupil cost of the school district as computed by the board secretary and as authorized by the Iowa Department of Education.

Resident students whose families move from the school district after the start of a semester and who wish to complete the semester in their former resident school district will be permitted to attend.. Students who plan to open enroll to their former resident district for the next school year may do so without approval from the board. 

Students in grades eleven or twelve who are no longer residents of the school district, but were residents in the preceding school year, may continue to attend school until they graduate without the payment of tuition. These students may be required to identify an adult, who resides in the school district, identified for purposes of administration.

Nonresident students who are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and who have evidence they will become legal residents of the school district prior to October 1 may be allowed to attend without the payment of tuition.
 

Legal Reference:
Lakota Cons. Ind. School v. Buffalo Center-Rake Comm. School, 334 N.W.2d 704 (Iowa 1983).
Mt. Hope School Dist. v. Hendrickson, 197 N.W. 47 (Iowa 1924).
Oshel v. Creston Comm. School Dist., DPI Admin. Doc. 570 (1981).
Iowa Code §§ 257.6; 282.1, .2, .6, .7, .24.

Cross Reference:
 

Approved: 4-10-89  
Reviewed: 12-11-23
Revised: 12-11-23

Parents within the school district who have children over age six and under age sixteen by September 15, in proper physical and mental condition to attend school, will have the children attend the school district at the attendance center designated by the board. Students will attend school the number of days school is in session in accordance with the school calendar. Students of compulsory attendance age will attend school a minimum of days.

Students not attending the minimum days must be exempted by this policy as listed below or, referred to the county attorney. Exceptions to this policy include children who:

• have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or have obtained a high school equivalency diploma;
• are excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge;
• are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
• are unable to attend school due to legitimate medical reasons;
• has an individualized education program that affects the child’s attendance;
• has a plan under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C §794, that affects the child’s attendance;
• are attending an approved or probationally approved private college preparatory school;
• are attending an accredited nonpublic school;
• are receiving independent private instruction; or,
• are receiving competent private instruction.

It is the responsibility of the parent of a child to provide evidence of the child's mental and physical inability to attend school or of the child's qualifications for one of the exceptions listed above.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 259A; 279.10-.11; ch. 299; 299A.

Cross Reference:
501 Student Attendance
601.1 School Calendar
604.1 Competent Private Instruction

Approved:4-10-89
Reviewed: 8-12-24
Revised: 8-12-24

Children in the school district community will be allowed to enroll in the school district's regular education program beginning at age five. The child must be age five on or prior to September 15 to participate in the school district's kindergarten program. The child must be age six on or prior to September 15 to begin the first grade of the education program.

Before the student may enroll in the district’s education program, the board will require evidence of age and residency in the form of a birth certificate or other evidence of age. It is within the discretion of the superintendent to determine what is satisfactory evidence for proof of age.

Prior to enrollment, the child must provide the administration with their health and immunization certificate. Failure to provide this information within the time period set by the superintendent is reason for suspension, expulsion or denying admission to the student.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 139A.8; 144.45(5); 282.1, .3, .6.

Cross Reference:
507.1 Student Health and Immunization Certificates
607.2 Student Health Services
607.2R1 Student Health Services Regulation

Approved: 4-10-89  
Reviewed: 12-11-23
Revised: 12-11-23 

The board will have complete discretion to determine the boundaries for each attendance center, to assign students to the attendance centers.

Parents or guardians of siblings in the same grade level academically in grades kindergarten through grade five may request the siblings be placed in the same or different classrooms. In order to be valid, the request must be made in writing and submitted to the school principal at the time of registration for classes, or within fourteen days after the children’s first day of attendance during the school year. If a valid request is received by the school principal, the request must be honored. While a parent or guardian may make a placement request that siblings be placed together or apart, the district administration retains complete discretion to select the classroom teacher(s) to which siblings are assigned. If after the initial grading period following the placement of siblings in the same or different classrooms the school principal determines the placement is disruptive to the class; the principal may assign one or more of the siblings to different classrooms.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board annually regarding the assigned attendance center for each student. In making the recommendation, the superintendent will consider the geographical layout of the school district, the condition and location of the school district facilities, the location of student population, possible transportation challenges, financial condition of the school district and other factors deemed relevant by the superintendent or the board.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 279.11; 282.7-.8.

Cross Reference:
 

Approved 4-12-21
Reviewed  12-11-23 
Revised _______

Students who transfer into the school district must meet the immunization and age requirements set out for students who initially enroll in the school district.

The school district will request the student's cumulative records from the previous school district. If the student cannot offer proof of grade level, the superintendent will make the grade level determination. The superintendent may require testing or other information to determine the grade level. Students expelled or suspended from their previous school district will only be enrolled after approval of the board.

The superintendent will determine the amount of credits to be transferred. If the student has not previously attended an accredited school, it is within the superintendent's discretion to accept or reject credits or grades.  The board may deny admission if the student is not willing to provide the board with the necessary information.

Legal Reference:
20 U.S.C. § 1232g.
Iowa Code §§ 139A.8; 282.1, .3, .4; 299A.

Cross Reference:
501.15 Open Enrollment Transfers- Procedures as a Receiving District
505.3 Student Honors and Awards
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
604.10 Online Courses
604.11 Appropriate Use of Learning Platforms

Approved: 4-12-21
Reviewed:12-11-23
Revised: 12-11-23

If the student's parents wish to withdraw or transfer the student from school prior to completing and graduating from the education program, they should notify the superintendent in writing as soon as possible of the decision to withdraw or transfer the student from the education program. The student or parent should present this written notice at the office and receive instructions regarding the return of textbooks, library books, locker equipment, hot lunch tickets, etc.

The notice should state the student's final day of attendance. If the student is not enrolling in another school district, the school district will maintain the student's records in the same manner as the records of students who have graduated from the school district.

If the parents wish to have the student's cumulative record sent to the new school district, the parents must notify the superintendent in writing. This notice will include the name of the school district and the person at the new school district to whom the student's cumulative records should be sent. If the new school district requests the student's cumulative records, the school district will forward the cumulative records and notify the parents the records have been sent. The notice will inform the parents of their right to review the records sent.

If the student is of compulsory education age and not transferring to another public school district or an accredited nonpublic school, the parents will notify the superintendent that the student is receiving competent private instruction reports.

Legal Reference:
20 U.S.C. § 1232g.
Iowa Code §§ 274.1; 299.1-.1A; 299A.11

Cross Reference:
501.15 Open Enrollment - Procedures as a Receiving District
604.1 Private Instruction

Approved: 4-12-21
Reviewed: 12-11-23
Revised: 12-11-23

As part of the school district's records, the daily attendance of each student is recorded and maintained on file with the permanent records of the board secretary.

It is the responsibility of the principals to ensure that such reports are filed with the board secretary, the custodian of school records.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).

Cross Reference:
 

Approved: 6-24-75
Reviewed: 12-11-23
Revised: 12-11-23

The district believes that traditional, in-person school attendance leads to the greatest learning opportunities for students. Students who are present in school and engaged active learners take greater ownership over their educational outcomes.  For this reason, it is the priority of the district to foster regular student attendance throughout the school year and reduce barriers to regular attendance for students in the district.

Chronic absenteeism/absences means any absence from school for more than ten percent of the 90 day in the semester established by the district.

Truant/truancy means a child of compulsory attendance age who is absent from school for any reason for at least twenty percent of the 90 days in the semester. Truancy does not apply to the following students who:

• have completed the requirements for graduation in an accredited school or has obtained a high school equivalency diploma
• are excused for sufficient reason by any court of record or judge;
• are attending religious services or receiving religious instruction;
• are unable to attend school due to legitimate medical reasons;
• are attending a private college preparatory school accredited or probationally accredited;
• are excused under Iowa Code §299.22; and
• are exempt under Iowa Code §299.24.

Students could be subject to disciplinary action for truancy including suspension and expulsion.  

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the designated school officials, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.  
 

Legal Reference:
34 C.F.R. sec. 300
28 C.F.R. Pt. 35
Iowa Code §§ 294.4; 299.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).

Cross Reference:
        501    Student Attendance
        503    Student Discipline
        504    Student Activities
        506    Student Records

Approved 4-12-21    
Reviewed  11-11-24   
Revised  8-12-24

Students in grades may be allowed to leave the school district facilities when they are not scheduled to be in class.  Students who violate school rules may have this privilege suspended.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code § 294.4.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(4).

Cross Reference:
 

Approved: 8-6-81  
Reviewed: 12-11-23
Revised: 12-11-23

The board encourages pregnant students to continue to attend the education program as long as they are physically able to do so. The pregnant student is encouraged to notify the principal or the guidance counselor as soon as they are aware of the pregnancy in order for the district to facilitate the student's equal access to the district's education programs and activities. The school may require that a pregnant student provide the principal with a written note from their doctor relative to special conditions that might exist and specific suggestions as to how long the student may continue to attend classes. If the student is unable to attend school because of her pregnancy, the student may be excused and arrangements made to continue her studies during their absence. The student will resume classes upon the recommendation of her physician.

Legal Reference:
34 C. F. R. § 106.40
Iowa Code §§ 216; 279.8; 280.3.

Cross Reference:
604.2 Individualized Instruction

Approved: 4-12-21
Reviewed: 7-17-24
Revised: 7-17-24

Students who have attained legal age may continue the education program without payment of tuition as long as they are eligible to attend an Iowa public school and are residents of the school district.

Parents will be allowed to access and view the student's records without written permission from the student if the student is still a dependent for tax purposes. In most cases, with the discretion of the principal or the superintendent, the student will be able to make decisions and sign documents rather than requiring parental permission or signature.

Legal Reference:
20 U.S.C. § 1232g.
Iowa Code §§ 22; 282.2, .6, .7; 285.4; 599.1; 622.10.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6).

Cross Reference:
501 Student Attendance
506 Student Records

Approved: 4-12-21
Reviewed: 12-11-23
Revised: 12-11-23

The school district will participate in open enrollment as a sending district. As a sending district, the board will allow resident students who meet the requirements to open enroll to another public school district.

Parents requesting open enrollment out of the school district for their student will notify the sending and receiving school district no later than March 1 in the school year preceding the first year desired for open enrollment. The notice is made on forms provided by the Department of Education. The forms are available at the central administration office.

Parents of children who will begin kindergarten in the school district are exempt from the open enrollment March 1 deadline. Parents of children who will begin kindergarten and prekindergarten children enrolled in special education programs and included in the district’s basic enrollment will file in the same manner set forth above by September 1. Parents who have good cause as defined by law for failing to meet the March 1 deadline may make and open enrollment request by September 1 unless another deadline applies.

The receiving district will approve or deny open enrollment requests according to the timelines established by law. The parents may withdraw the open enrollment request prior to the start of the school year. The receiving district's superintendent will notify the parents and sending school district by mail within five days of the school district's action to approve or deny the open enrollment request.

Subject to applicable laws, the board may approve a student's request to allow the receiving district to enter the school district for the purposes of
transportation.

An open enrollment request out of the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The determining factor for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the receiving school district is appropriate for the student's needs. The area education agency director of special education serving the receiving district will determine whether the program is appropriate. The special education student will remain in the school district until the final determination is made.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to maintain open enrollment request applications and notice forms. It will also be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 139A.8; 274.1; 279.11; 282.1, .3, .8, .18; 299.1.
281 I.A.C. 17.

Cross Reference:
501.15 Open Enrollment - Procedures as a Receiving District 

Approved: 9-19-89  
Reviewed: 7-17-24
Revised: 7-17-24

The school district will participate in open enrollment as a receiving district. As a receiving district, the board will allow nonresident students, who meet the legal requirements, to open enroll into the school district. The board will have complete discretion to determine the attendance center of the students attending the school district under open enrollment.

The (board or superintendent) will take action on the open enrollment request at the next regular school board meeting.

The superintendent will notify the sending school district and parents within five days of the school district's action to approve or deny the open enrollment request. 

Open enrollment requests into the school district will not be approved if insufficient classroom space exists. Open enrollment requests into the school district will also not be approved for students who have been suspended or expelled by the administration or the board of the school district the student is or was attending until the student has been reinstated into the school district from which the student was suspended or expelled. Once the student is reinstated, the student's open enrollment request will be considered in the same manner as other open enrollment requests provided the required timelines are met. The District reserves the right to deny continued open enrollment to any student who meets the definition of truant. The district will notify the truant student’s parent or guardian and district of residence of the decision to deny enrollment in the future in accordance with applicable laws.

Open enrollment requests into the school district that, if denied, would result in students from the same nuclear family being enrolled in different school districts, will be given highest priority. The board, in its discretion, may waive the insufficient classroom space reason for denial for students of the same nuclear family to prevent the division of a nuclear family between two school districts. Other open enrollment requests into the school district are considered in the order received by the school district with the first open enrollment request given a higher priority than the second open enrollment request and so forth.

Students in grades nine through twelve open enrolling into the school district may be eligible for participation in interscholastic athletics, at the varsity level, in accordance with applicable laws. 

Parents of students whose open enrollment requests are approved by the (board or superintendent) are responsible for providing transportation to and from the receiving school district without reimbursement.

If an open enrolled student’s primary residence is closer to the receiving district’s attendance center than the distance from the student’s primary residence to the ending attendance center, the sending district will allow the student’s receiving district to send school vehicles no more than two miles into the sending district’s boundaries to pick up the student.

An open enrollment request into the school district from parents of a special education student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The determining factors for approval of such an open enrollment request will be whether the special education program available in the school district is appropriate for the student's needs and whether the enrollment of the special education student will cause the class size to exceed the maximum allowed. The area education agency director of special education serving the school district will determine whether the program is appropriate. The special education student will remain in the sending district until the final determination is made. For children requiring special education, the receiving district will complete and provide the resident district the documentation needed to seek Medicaid reimbursement for eligible services.

The policies of the school district will apply to students attending the school district under open enrollment.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop appropriate office procedures and administrative regulations necessary for open enrollment requests.
 

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 139A.8; 274.1; 279.11; 282.1, .3, .8, .18; 299.1.
281 I.A.C. 17.

Cross Reference:
501.6 Student Transfers In
501.7 Student Transfers Out or Withdrawals
501.14 Open Enrollment Transfers - Procedures as a Sending District
606.6 Insufficient Classroom Space

Approved: 9-19-89
Reviewed: 7-17-24
Revised: 7-17-24

The Forest City Community School District believes all students should have access to a free, appropriate public education. The district will ensure that homeless children and youth have equal access to the same free, appropriate  public education as other children and youth.

The term "homeless children and youth" means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The term includes:

Children and youth who are:

• Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason (sometimes referred to as "doubled up");
• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
• Living in emergency or transitional shelters; or
• Abandoned in hospitals.
• Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
• Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
• Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.

To help ensure that homeless children and youth have a full opportunity to enroll, attend, and succeed at school, the board shall:

• Designate the Forest City High School Principal as the local homeless children and youth liaison;
• Provide training opportunities for staff so staff may help identify and meet the needs of homeless children and youth;
• Remove barriers, including those associated with fees, fines, and absences, to the identification, enrollment, retention, attendance and/or success in school for homeless children and youth;
• Ensure collaboration and coordination with other service providers;
• Ensure transportation is provided in accordance with legal requirements;
• Provide school stability in school assignment according to the child's best interests;
• Ensure the privacy of student records, as provided by applicable law, including information about a homeless child or youth's living situation;
• Engage in the dispute resolution process for decisions relating to the educational placement of homeless children and youth as provided by applicable law; and
• Prohibit the segregation of a homeless child or youth from other students enrolled in the district.

The superintendent may develop an administrative process or procedures to implement this policy.

Legal Reference:
20 U.S.C. § 6301.
42 U.S.C. § 11302.
42 U.S.C. §§ 11431 et seq.
281 I.A.C. 33.

Cross Reference:
503.3 Fines - Fees - Charges
507.1 Student Health and Immunization Certificates
603.3 Special Education
711.1 Student School Transportation Eligibility

Approved: 10-10-94
Reviewed: 12-11-23
Revised: 12-11-23