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Des Moines school board adopts district policy to implement new state student-behavior law
Summary
The Des Moines Public Schools board approved a new district-wide policy to implement Senate File 2428, effective July 1; the policy creates building-level oversight committees and requires processes to acknowledge IEP and 504 plans as schools draft building-specific rules.
The Des Moines Public Schools board on July 14 approved a new districtwide policy to implement Senate File 2428, the state law on student behavior that took effect July 1.
The policy was introduced to the board as part of the consent agenda. Jonathan, a district staff member who explained the proposal, said the policy is new to the district and will be used to guide building-level policy development. “Senate File 2428 went into effect on July 1,” he said. “This is a brand-new board policy that we’re bringing forward. The changes in the law we are reflecting … include an oversight committee at each building and recognition of certain nonviolent and violent behaviors that must be communicated to staff, plus acknowledgement processes for IEPs and 504 plans.”
Why it matters: The board-level policy sets district expectations so building leaders can write site-specific procedures required under the law. District staff told the board the policy is intended to codify requirements that have existed in federal and state law but are now consolidated in one place for consistent local implementation.
Board member Josie Campos asked for clarity on the practical difference between the prior approach and the new policy. Jonathan and Superintendent Smith said the district had not had a single, district-level policy on this subject; the new policy establishes required oversight committees at every attendance center and a process to ensure certain staff acknowledge receipt of individualized education plans and 504 accommodations.
The policy was approved as part of the consent agenda that also included financial items. The consent package passed unanimously, 6-0. School leaders told the board that after board adoption the district will work with building leaders to draft and adopt the site-level policies required by the legislation.
What comes next: Building administrators will draft the required building-level policies and the board will receive further documentation and timelines as staff implement the district policy.
