The District supports creating an orderly educational environment for students. Classroom teachers have authority to remove students from the classroom who cause violent or nonviolent disruptions to instruction, however this authority is not absolute. Students who are removed from the classroom must be afforded due process that is consistent with applicable laws and board policy.
Discipline will be administered consistent with law and board policy and accompanying regulations. Removal and discipline of students with disabilities will comply with the provisions of applicable federal and state laws.
Each teacher providing instruction to a student with a plan under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act shall review the plan and provide written confirmation of that review to the student’s special education teacher.
The district will also ensure that at least one paraeducator or other employee who assists a teacher in providing classroom instruction to the student attends meetings related to the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan.
All members of a student’s IEP team will be provided training on the least restrictive environment requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act. Teachers who become injured due to a student’s violent disruption occurring in the performance of the teacher’s work duties shall be granted a leave of absence for physical recovery no more than three (3) days with full pay. If the teacher requests additional physical recovery time, the school board will consider the request if accompanied by a note from a physician indicating a need for longer absence. It is within the discretion of the school board to grant or deny such requests.
Upon the request of a teacher as defined by Iowa Code 256.145, the principal will ensure that a mental health professional, guidance counselor, or behavioral interventionist is made available to students, teachers, and other school employees to address immediate trauma arising from a violent or nonviolent disruption. Students less than the age of 18 must have consent from a parent or guardian in order to receive mental health services unless they are an emancipated minor.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. §1232g
20 U.S.C. § 1400
42 U.S.C. § 12101
Iowa Code §§ 279.8, 279.65B, 279.89, 279.90
NOTE: This policy and accompanying regulations are mandatory.
NOTE: Extended removals may raise additional concerns. School districts should carefully consider how removals might implicate other rules, policies, or legal requirements (e.g. in school suspensions).
NOTE: 279.65B(4) requires that each attendance center within the school district creates an oversight review committee that is responsible for developing a policy that establishes when a student who has been removed from the classroom for nonviolent disruptive reasons be readmitted to the classroom. The committee must consist of:
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2 teachers who work at the attendance and are selected by fellow teachers at the attendance center ;
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1 administrative employee, mental health professional, or behavioral interventionist of the attendance center and selected by the principal of the attendance center .
Adopted: 7/15/26 Reviewed: Revised:
