The official name of the District shall be Cameron R-I Public Schools.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

The District rules and regulations will consist of the District Policies, the Board Manual, the Administrative Manual, the Employee Manual and the Student/Parent Handbook. These documents will provide the rules and regulations for an effective and efficient school system. All Board members, employees, students and patrons are required to follow the District’s rules and regulations. The Superintendent, administrators and District supervisors are required to implement and enforce District policies, the Administrative Manual, the Employee Manual, and the Student/Parent Handbook. Questions regarding the interpretation of any District rule will be directed to the Superintendent or designee.

District policies will be approved by the Board, signed by order of the Board, maintained by the Board Secretary at the District’s offices, and posted on the District’s website. The Superintendent and administrative staff will assist the Board in timely review and revision of District policies. The Board Secretary will ensure that District policies and amendments thereto are transmitted to teachers in the District.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

The mission of the Cameron R-I Public Schools is: To educate and empower our students to reach their full potential. 

The Board has a long-range plan for the governance of the District that is guided by the District’s mission, priorities, goals and objectives. The strategic plan will be developed and amended under the direction of the Board and with input from key District stakeholders.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

The District will develop systems and processes using a variety of communication channels to effectively communicate with the public and key stakeholder groups.  District communications will come primarily from the District’s spokesperson.  If employees or Board members do provide communications during their contact with parents or patrons, such individuals will follow all confidentiality and other restrictions imposed by law or District rules, and ensure all communications are accurate. 

Superintendent as Spokesperson

The Superintendent will serve as official spokesperson for the District unless otherwise directed by the Board.  All employees and Board members will direct requests for statements about District business from the public or members of the media to the Superintendent or designee.  Board members should direct requests for statements about District business to the Superintendent or designee.  If a Board member chooses to make a statement about District business, the Board member will emphasize that he or she may only speak as an individual Board member, not on behalf of the Board or the District.

Communications Plan

The Superintendent or designee will develop a District communications plan that, at a minimum, establishes:

1. District channels of communications.
2. Methods of sharing information with the public.
3. Methods of sharing information with internal District stakeholders.
4. A plan for District communications during emergencies.
5. Information to be provided to parents/guardians and members of the public as required by law. 

Community Engagement 

District patrons should be encouraged to provide ideas, concerns and comments about District programs.  The Superintendent will create opportunities for engaging patrons including through written submissions, participation on committees and stakeholder focus groups, and survey responses.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

Effective communication helps avoid and resolve many complaints, concerns, misunderstandings and disagreements.  Individuals who have a complaint or concern should discuss their concerns with the school personnel involved in the issue at hand in an effort to resolve problems. This step will usually involve communicating directly with the person or persons with whom the complainant has a concern. This step may be skipped when the complainant in good faith believes that speaking directly to the person would subject the complainant to discrimination, harassment or retaliation.  

This step may also be skipped if the complainant in good faith believes that any law or a District policy or written rule has been violated. The District has adopted specific procedures for investigation and resolution for complaints or concerns as required by specific and varying laws that are applicable to the District. The District’s Compliance Officer should be contacted with any complaints or concerns that any law or District written rule has been violated, including but not limited to, laws relating to: civil rights, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; special education matters including the IEP and 504 processes and services; federal programs and related services; bullying; and The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, including student records and confidentiality. 

When communicating directly with the school personnel involved in the issue does not resolve matters satisfactorily, or if it is appropriate to skip the first step as described above, a complainant should consult with the District’s Compliance Officer who will direct the complainant to the appropriate process for resolution of the complaint.  The District designates the following individual to act as the District’s Compliance Officer:

 Name: Assistant Superintendent

 Phone #: 816-882-1031

 Email Address: vutecht@cameronschools.org 

In the event the District’s Compliance Officer is unavailable or is the subject of a report that would otherwise be' made to the Compliance Officer, reports should instead be directed to the alternative Compliance Officer:

 Name: Superintendent

 Phone #: 816-882-1031

 Email Address: mattrobinson@cameronschools.org 

All complaints of violation of any law or a District policy or written rule will be promptly investigated by the District, and appropriate action will be taken. Complainants are strongly encouraged to provide their concerns in writing.

Public Notice

The Superintendent or designee will publicize this policy and will disseminate information about this policy to employees, parents/guardians, and students, as well as to newly enrolled students and newly hired employees.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

The District receives funds under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and is required to follow federal law regarding the ESEA governed programs. Any concerns or complaints that the District may have violated these laws should be reported to the District’s Compliance Officer for immediate investigation so that the District may successfully address the issue. The District’s Compliance Officer will be responsible for investigating and addressing all specific allegations of violations of federal statutes and regulations governing Title I, Parts A, B, C, D; Title II; Title III; Title IV, Part A; or Title V of the ESEA.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

The District is committed to providing equal opportunity in all areas of admission, recruiting, hiring, employment, retention, promotion, contracted services, and access to programs, services, activities, and facilities. The District strictly prohibits any unlawful discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, disability, age, sex, gender, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law. The District also prohibits retaliatory action, harassment, or discrimination against individuals who make complaints of, report, or otherwise participate in the investigation of any such unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The District is an equal opportunity employer.

Anyone who believes that they have been discriminated, harassed, and/or retaliated against in violation of this policy should report the alleged discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation to the District’s Compliance Officer, unless the Compliance Officer is unavailable or the subject of the report. In that case, the report should be made directly to the alternative Compliance Officer. The District designates the following individual to act as the District’s Compliance Officer:

 Name: Assistant Superintendent

 Phone #: 816-882-1031

 Email Address: vutecht@cameronschools.org 

In the event the District’s Compliance Officer is unavailable or is the subject of a report that would otherwise be' made to the Compliance Officer, reports should instead be directed to the alternative Compliance Officer:

 Name: Superintendent

 Phone #: 816-882-1031

 Email Address: mattrobinson@cameronschools.org

All employees, students, and visitors who have witnessed any incident or behavior that could constitute discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under this policy must immediately report such incident or behavior to the District’s Compliance Officer for investigation.

All complaints of violation of this policy will be promptly investigated by the District, and appropriate action will be taken.

Public Notice

The Superintendent or designee will publicize this policy and will disseminate information about this policy to employees, parents/guardians, and students, as well as to newly enrolled students and newly-hired employees.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates and is required by Title IX not to discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in the education program or activity extends to admissions and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX to the District may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator or Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education, or both.

The District designates the following individual to serve as the District’s Title IX Coordinator:

            Name or Title: Assistant Superintendent

            Address: 423 N. Chestnut, Cameron, MO 64429

            Email Address: vutecht@cameronschools.org

            Phone #: 816-882-1031

Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number or electronic mail address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator. 

All employees, students, and visitors who have witnessed, heard about, or received a report about any incident or behavior that could constitute sexual harassment under this policy must immediately report such incident or behavior to the District’s Title IX Coordinator for investigation. If the allegations are against the District’s Title IX Coordinator, it must be immediately reported to the Superintendent, unless the Superintendent is also the Title IX Coordinator, then to the President of the Board of Education.

All complaints of violation of this policy will be promptly investigated by the District, and appropriate action will be taken.

Public Notice

The Superintendent or designee will publicize this policy and will disseminate information about this policy to employees, parents/guardians, students, newly-enrolled students, newly-hired employees, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the District.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

A quorum of at least four Board members must be present, either physically or electronically, at all meetings of the Board. Meetings may be held in person or by means of communication equipment including, but not limited to, conference calls, video conferences, Internet chats or Internet message boards. Board meetings are open to the public unless closed as allowed by law. Open meetings will be held at a time that is reasonably convenient to the public and a place of sufficient size to accommodate the anticipated attendees. The regular meetings of the Board of Education occur on the third Tuesday of each month unless otherwise scheduled.  The District will make reasonable efforts to make the meeting accessible to individuals with disabilities. 

The District may set guidelines for such audio, video and other electronic recordings of open meetings to minimize disruption to the meeting. No recording of a closed meeting is permitted without Board action authorizing the recording.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

Written submissions may be directed to the Board, through the Superintendent, for consideration at a Board meeting. Copies of all correspondence directed to the Board will be made available to all Board members. 

In addition to written submissions, a specific time may be set aside at regular Board meetings for public comments regarding items from the posted agenda. Residents wishing to make public comments on the agenda items under consideration must register prior to the meeting by notifying the Board Secretary or President and providing their name, address, and specific item(s) they intend to address. The Board may limit the number of speakers and may allocate up to 30 minutes for this portion of the meeting. Each citizen will be given one three-minute opportunity to present their remarks to the Board during the allocated public comment period. Only comments reasonably related to the posted agenda items under consideration will be permitted. If the meeting agenda is full, the Board President may reschedule an item for the next regular meeting.

If a resident of the District wishes to have an item placed on the agenda of a regular Board meeting, he or she may make a written request to the Superintendent after going through the appropriate process for a complaint or concern pursuant to District rules.  See District Policy C-120-P regarding Complaints or Concerns. The resident is also required to first meet with the Superintendent/designee to attempt to resolve the issue prior to requesting an item be placed on the agenda. The Superintendent must meet within 20 business days of the request. After the meeting or if the Superintendent/designee does not meet with the resident within 20 business days, the resident may submit a written request to the Board Secretary to have the item placed on the agenda. If the Board Secretary receives the request at least 5 business days prior to the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting, the item will be placed on the agenda. If Board Secretary receives the request less than 5 business days before the next regularly scheduled meeting, the item will be placed on the agenda of the next subsequent regularly scheduled meeting. The agenda item may be moved to another meeting with the consent of the resident.

Rules

     1. The Board may refuse to hear or delay hearing an agenda item if:

            a. The Board has heard an identical or substantially similar agenda item in the previous three calendar months; or

           b. The resident has previously violated District rules regarding conduct at 

meetings or on District property and upon a specific finding by the Superintendent or Board that the refusal or delay in hearing the resident’s agenda item is necessary to protect the Board’s ability to conduct business at its meetings and is unrelated to any viewpoint expressed by that resident or the proposed agenda item.

    2. The Board may delay the hearing of a requested item if more than three resident initiated agenda items are scheduled for the same meeting. The delayed agenda item will be moved to the next regularly scheduled meeting. If a resident's item is delayed for this reason, the resident will be provided an alternate method of communication with the board, such as submitting written comments.

    3. The Board President will make the decision on whether to delay or refuse an agenda item and will communicate that decision to the resident and the other board members. Board members who disagree with the decision may communicate their concern to the board president, request that the agenda item be added, request that a special meeting be called, or make a motion at a meeting for the item to be included on a future meeting's agenda.

    4. The Board will place the agenda item in open or closed session in accordance with law and District policy.

    5. The Superintendent or designee may invite District staff or other relevant persons to be present during the discussion of the agenda item to address the item and answer questions.

    6. The Board will allow the resident five minutes to present their issue to the Board unless the Board President allots more time to the discussion.

    7. Only resident(s) who met with or requested to meet with the Superintendent or 

designee will be allowed to speak during this time.

    8. If more than one resident seeks to speak on the same item at the same meeting, the Board President, at their discretion, will determine the total time that will be devoted to the item and how the time will be shared between the residents. The Board President will encourage residents to appoint a spokesperson or communicate their concerns through other means. If the Board must limit the number of speakers, it will assign priority based on the order in which the requests were received.

    9. Board members may ask the resident questions, seek additional information from the Superintendent or designee, or otherwise discuss the topic.

   10. The Board may allow a resident additional time to speak upon the motion and vote of the Board.

   11. Any Board member who wishes to devote more time to an agenda item may request that the item be put on the agenda for another meeting, which will be voted on by the Board.

  12. The Board may discuss the public business content of presented agenda items but is not required to decide any matter of public business or formulate any public policy as a result of the discussion.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024; Updated August 20, 2024

Generally, the District will ensure the public has access to the meetings, records and votes of the Board. In certain situations, and as permitted by law, these meetings, records and votes will be closed to the public.  

The District’s custodian of records is responsible for responding to requests for District records. Requests for records will be directed to the custodian, whose identity will be made available on request. The Board appoints the following person as custodian of records:

 Title: Central Office Staff - Kelly Walker

Address: 423 North Chestnut, Cameron, MO 64429

Phone #: 816-882-1031

Email: custodianofrecords@cameronschools.org

In addition, the Superintendent will designate an alternate records custodian to serve in the absence of the records custodian.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

To promote health of all individuals, the District prohibits all employees, students and patrons from smoking or using tobacco products, electronic cigarettes or imitation tobacco or cigarette products in all District facilities, on District transportation, on all District grounds at all times and at any District-sponsored event or activity while off campus.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

All visitors to school property or events must demonstrate appropriate behavior as good role models for the District’s students. Visitors during school hours, including Board members, must sign in at the building office prior to proceeding elsewhere in the building. The principal of each school building will ensure signs are posted to direct visitors to designated doors nearest the building office. 

Disruptive Conduct

Visitors who engage in disruptive conduct or exceed the scope of permission granted may be considered trespassers and subject to arrest and prosecution. The Superintendent or designee may limit or revoke permission to visit school property or parts of school property at any time by mailing a notice by first-class mail and by certified mail with return receipt requested, unless the individual’s address is unknown.  The Superintendent or designee may inform the visitor that he or she is not welcome back on District property or at District events indefinitely or for a specific period of time. The notice should contain:

1. A description of the inappropriate conduct.
2. The proposed time period for which admission to district events will be denied.
3. Notice of the visitor’s right to appeal the restriction to the Board of Education.

A visitor restricted for “disruptive conduct,” as outlined in this policy, may appeal the restriction by providing written notice of a desire to appeal to the Board of Education’s Secretary. The notice must be received by the Board of Education within ten (10) business days of the restricted visitor’s receipt of the restriction letter. The Board of Education will provide the appealing visitor with a hearing notice, delivered or sent by certified mail with return receipt requested, at least ten (10) days before the Board hearing date.  The hearing notice must contain:

1. The date, time, and place of the Board hearing.
2. A description of the inappropriate conduct.
3. The proposed time period that admission to school events will be denied.

The appeal shall be heard by the Board of Education within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the appeal. The appeal shall be heard by the Board of Education in open session, unless there is an exception listed for closure under the Missouri Sunshine Law. If the restriction relates to the restricted visitor’s use of violence or threats of violence, the restricted visitor may only attend the appeal hearing by phone or videoconference. The appealing visitor may speak to the Board for up to ten (10) minutes. The appealing visitor may reserve up to three (3) of their minutes for rebuttal. The District’s administration may then speak to the Board for up to ten (10) minutes. 

The Board of Education may affirm, overturn, or revise the restriction. The Board of Education will provide notice of its decision in writing to the appealing visitor and the Superintendent within three (3) business days of the Board meeting. The Board of Education’s decision shall be final.

During any period of prohibition, the visitor will not be allowed on District property except that no person may be denied the ability to attend open, public meetings of the board and its committees or advisory committees except upon a specific finding by the Superintendent or Board of Education that denial of admission to such meetings is necessary to protect the Board’s ability to conduct business at its meetings and is unrelated to any viewpoint expressed by that person. The Superintendent may make exceptions to attend open public meetings of the Board of Education, for parents, guardians or custodians of students enrolled in the District if the person's presence is necessary to transport the student or may benefit the student educationally, or in situations where the parent, guardian or custodian will be supervised at all times.  

Possession of Weapons

Possession of weapons, including concealed weapons, is strictly prohibited on District property, on District transportation or at any District function or activity sponsored by the District unless the visitor is an authorized law enforcement official or is specifically authorized by the Board.

Sex Offenders

Individuals listed on the Missouri Highway Patrol's sex offender registry may not be present in any school building, or on District property, in any District vehicle utilized to transport students, or be present at school activities without the written permission of the Superintendent. For those extraordinary circumstances when permission is granted, it will be granted in writing for a specific event. In such cases, the Superintendent will notify the principal of the building in which the sex offender will be present and arrange for the sex offender to be supervised at all times and the sex offender will not be permitted to be alone with a child.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024; Updated August 20, 2024

As a service to the community, the District may allow community groups and individuals to use District facilities for educational, recreational, social, civic, philanthropic and other similar purposes when the facilities are not being used by the District or District-sponsored groups. The Superintendent or designee may approve or deny facility use requests in accordance with law. Unless otherwise required by law, the District will maintain District facilities as nonpublic forums and reserves the right to exclude individuals or groups from its facilities or cancel or modify any permission granted.

Priority of Use

Use of District facilities will not be granted if the use conflicts or interferes with a District-sponsored activity, and all uses granted are contingent upon the District's needs. Any community group or individual may apply to use District facilities but applicants who intend to use District facilities for purposes that directly benefit District students will be given priority. Staff use of District property and facilities for personal purposes, or reasons other than performing the staff member's duties with the District, will be subject to the application process and rules applicable to other applicants.

Fees

The District may charge rental fees and require security deposits for the use of District facilities. The District may also charge for additional costs associated with the use as deemed appropriate by the Superintendent. The Superintendent or designee may waive the fees for individuals and groups created to support the District and non-profits. 

Equal Access 

When the District allows youth or community groups not affiliated with the District to use District facilities outside of school hours, the District will provide equal access and related services and benefits to groups or organizations listed in Title 36 of the U.S. Code that are intended to serve young people under the age of 21, including the affiliates of the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

The District prohibits audio and visual recordings on District property, District transportation or at a District activity unless authorized by the Superintendent. Requests for such authorization must be made within a reasonable period of time prior to the recording. 

Unless otherwise specified by the Superintendent, the following exceptions to this prohibition apply:

1. The District or designated agents of the District may make audio or visual recordings to provide security, to maintain order, for staff or preservice teacher development use, or for educational purposes. 
2. Students may record if required by a District-sponsored class or activity.
3. Individuals may record performances or activities to which the general public is invited such as athletic competitions, concerts and plays.
4. Individuals may record open meetings of the Board or District committees.
5. Outside entities may record an event when using or renting District facilities in accordance with District rules.
6. A parent or legal guardian of a student may audio record any meeting held under the IDEA or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act with no less than 24 hours’ notice to Mary Crawford, Director of Special Services. 

All unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, with the potential to capture or produce visual images of District property or District events must be operated in accordance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations or safety guidelines. All UAS operators must receive authorization from the Superintendent to operate a UAS on or over District property or at a District event.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024

It is the District’s intent to maintain a nonpublic forum. Advertisement is prohibited on District property unless authorized by the Superintendent or designee. Advertising prohibited includes, but is not limited to, personal solicitations, signage, announcements, pamphlets, handouts, and any other dissemination of information regarding products or services available or for sale. The solicitation of information including, but not limited to, political campaigning, is also prohibited.

Adoption Date(s): July 1, 2024