Belmond-Klemme Community School District

The 2009 Iowa Legislature adopted new laws related to Iowa’s Sex Offender Registry (SOR).  This bill makes a number of changes to Iowa’s sex offender statue and moves Iowa toward compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act.  While there are some new details about who has to register, etc., generally the law prevents those on the SOR from being present on school grounds.  Anyone on the SOR wishing to be on school grounds must get permission from the Superintendent of Schools; who has the authority to determine whether to grant access to registrants who have committed a sex offense against a minor.  Questions regarding this legislation should be directed to Superintendent Jenn Peter – (641) 444-4300 ext. 2227

Each state educational agency shall ensure that each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youth. The definition of homelessness as covered by the McKinney-Vento Act is any child or youth without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence is considered “homeless” under the law.  This includes students who are:

• Living with a friend, relative or someone else because they lost their home or their family is having temporary financial problems.
• Staying in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or campground because they have nowhere else to go.
• Living in a shelter, including emergency or transitional shelters, domestic violence shelters, and runaway and homeless youth shelters.
• Staying in substandard housing.
• Living in places not ordinarily used for sleeping, including cars, parks, public places, abandoned buildings, or bus or train stations.
• Awaiting foster care placement.
• Abandoned in a hospital School districts must make sure students who are homeless can enroll and succeed in school.  

School districts must make sure these young people receive appropriate services, including transportation, preschool, special education, English language learner services, and vocational education.  The school must make referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health services or other care providers. Resources can be accessed through the District’s Homeless Liaison, Cynthia Jensen.  Please contact her at (641) 444-4300 ext. 2221 or at ckay.jensen@bkcsd.org. 

The Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) process is available to all students.  This process is interactive and ongoing.  It involves teams of individuals collaborating with one another to create academic/ behavioral interventions designed to meet the diverse needs of individual students.  Members of MTSS teams include parents, educators, caregivers, administrators, AEA support staff, and others who are knowledgeable about the educational needs of a student. The purpose of our MTSS process is to identify and implement academic/behavioral intervention strategies that address individual student needs in general education classroom settings.  The MTSS process involves direct and frequent monitoring of student progress in the area of concern.  It is also part of the assessment.

All certified school personnel are Mandatory Child Abuse Reporters according to state law.  Suspected child abuse must be reported to the appropriate authorities. 

School Rules on Bullying and Respect

Our school is a place where everyone should feel safe. Because of that, there are very strict rules against harassment, bullying, and abuse.

What is Bullying?

To keep it simple: Bullying is when someone uses their "power" (like being bigger, older, or more popular) to hurt someone else's body or feelings on purpose, and they keep doing it over and over again. It isn't just a one-time disagreement; it’s a pattern of being mean to make someone else feel scared or left out.

Important Things to Know

• It’s Against the Rules: Breaking these rules is a big deal. If the behavior is very serious or dangerous, the school might even have to call the police to help handle it.

• We Take it Seriously: The school has the authority to step in and make sure the bullying stops so that every student can learn in peace.

• How to Get Help: If you see bullying or if it is happening to you, you can tell an adult or fill out a Complaint Form. You can find these forms in the main office or on the school’s website.

Please be advised that the school doors will be locked during school hours.  Visitors will need to go to the main entrance of each building to buzzed into each office by school personnel.  ONLY upon approval of who you are and why you are entering, will you be able to gain entry into the building.  All other doors will be locked.  NEVER come to a different door and request a student to open the door for you. All buildings utilize cameras for the safety and security of our students and our premises.   

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has guidelines for schools to use in identifying asbestos within buildings.  The EPA has designed a system for determining relative risks and suggesting appropriate safety responses.  Friable and non-friable asbestos containing materials will be maintained in good condition and appropriate precautions will be followed when the material is disturbed.  If there is a need to replace asbestos, it will be replaced with non-asbestos containing materials.

Belmond-Klemme school facilities are inspected annually.  All inspections are done by a certified asbestos inspector, as required.  A copy of the district’s asbestos management plan is available for your inspection in our administrative offices.  Please direct any questions to Asbestos Program Manager, Cory Heifner at (641) 444-4300 ext. 2147. 

Recent legislation has specific guidelines pertaining to what will be considered acts of physical or sexual abuse by school employees, including inappropriate as well as intentional sexual behavior towards students.  All such activities are clearly in violation of the policies of the Belmond-Klemme Community School District. Reports of abuse should be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services. DHS will determine if the complaint is founded or unfounded.