Everest High School – Policy LibraryPAGE 1 OF 55

Everest High School

Policy Library

Table of Contents

ACCOUNTING FOR FIXED ASSETS

Student Admissions Policy

Adoption of Written Policies & Procedures

Adoption of Written Policies & Procedures Regarding Determination of a Specific Learning Disability

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES - (Use of Facsimile Signatures)

CASH IN SCHOOL BUILDINGS

SPECIAL EDUCATION CHILD FIND PROVISION

Credit Card Policy

DANGEROUS WEAPONS ON EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDS

DATA AND RECORDS RETENTION

GRADUATION POLICY

INVESTMENTS POLICY

PERSONNEL POLICIES AND GOALS

PERSONNEL RECORDS

POLICY PERTAINING TO THE DISMISSAL OF STAFF

Pesticides, Toxic Hazards and Asbestos Policy

PUBLIC RECORDS TRAINING APPOINTMENT OF DESIGNEE(S)

PUBLIC’S RIGHTS TO KNOW

PURCHASING POLICY

SPECIAL USE OF SCHOOL VEHICLES

STUDENT ADMISSIONS

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

Credit Flexibility

STUDENT DISCIPLINE

STUDENT EXPULSION

GANG ACTIVITY

STUDENT HAZING & HARASSMENT

STUDENT RECORDS

Student Residency

STUDENT SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL

WELLNESS

TELEPHONE SERVICES

TRAVEL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT

Contact Information

Related Information

ACCOUNTING FOR FIXED ASSETS

Summary

The Board, as steward of EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL property, recognizes that efficient management and full replacement upon loss requires accurate inventory and properly maintained property records.

Policy

EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL shall keep a complete inventory of all EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL-owned equipment and supplies at the Board’s discretion. For purposes of this policy, “equipment” means a unit of furniture or furnishings, an instrument a machine, an apparatus or articles which retain shape and appearance with use, is nonexpendable and does not lose its identity when incorporated into a more complex unit.

EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL shall maintain a fixed assets accounting system. The fixed asset system shall maintain sufficient information to permit:

  1. preparation of year-end financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
  2. adequate insurance coverage; and
  3. control and accountability.

Computers are tagged and a list is maintained for security & insurance purposes. Keyboards, monitors, and other peripherals are not tagged.

A physical inventory of supplies over $100 is taken at the building level at the close of the school year. This list is sent to the Treasurer’s Office to be maintained for insurance purposes.

Capitalization of fixed Assets

All equipment with a cost of $1,000.00 or more and with an estimated useful life of 1 year or more is tagged and made part of the equipment inventory.

Classification of Fixed Assets

Fixed assets shall be classified as follows:

  1. Land and Land Improvements
  2. Buildings and Building Improvements
  3. Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment
  4. Vehicles and buses

Depreciation/Estimated Useful Lives

Capitalized assets will be depreciated using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Estimated useful lives shall be as follows:

  1. Buildings – 40 years
  2. Moveable Structures – 25 years
  3. Building Improvements – 20 years
  4. Furniture and Fixtures – 10 years
  5. Vehicles & Buses – 8 years
  6. Equipment (including computers) – 5 years

Student Admissions Policy

Policy

THE Everest High School Governing Board recognizes that THE Everest High School is a dropout prevention/ recovery high school and adheres to the following foundational concepts consistent with Ohio Revised Code3314.06, as they pertain to the admission of students:

  1. That except as otherwise provided in section of ORC 3314.06, admission to THE Everest High School shall be open to any individual age 16-21 who is considered to be “at risk” of meeting state graduation requirements, or who at their time of admission are at least one grade level behind their cohort age group and/or have experienced a crisis that significantly interferes with their academic progress, to the extent they cannot continue in the traditional high school program;
  2. That there will be no discrimination in the admission of students to THE Everest High School on the basis of race, creed, color, disability, or gender;
  3. That upon admission of any student with a disability, THE Everest High School will comply with all federal and state laws regarding the education of students with disabilities;
  4. That THE Everest High School will not limit admission to students on the basis of intellectual ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, or athletic ability;
  5. That as a Reynoldsburg City Schools Conversion Charter High School, THE Everest High School will consider students who live in the Reynoldsburg City School District as priority 1 students and these students will be given preference for enrollment over those students who reside outside the geographical boundaries of Reynoldsburg City Schools;
  6. That if space permits, students who meet the admission requirements as stipulated in section 1 of this Governing Board policy, will be enrolled in THE Everest High School if they reside in school districts contiguous with the boundaries of Reynoldsburg City Schools;
  7. That THE Everest High School will enroll the number of students that does not exceed the capacity of the school facility, programs, classes, or grade levels;
  8. That under division B of ORC section 3314.061, if the number of applicants exceeds the capacity restrictions of section 7 of this governing board policy, students shall be admitted by lot from all those students submitting enrollment applications, except preference shall be given to students attending THE Everest High School the previous year and to students who reside within the boundaries of the Reynoldsburg City Schools.
  9. That since Everest High School is not designed as a “behavior modification program,” it will not enroll students who are, or were, suspended or expelled from other high schools or programs for disciplinary reasons, or who are, or were, recommended for suspension or expulsion for disciplinary reasons.

Legal Ref: ORC Section 3314.06; 3313.64; 3313.65; 3324.03

Adoption of Written Policies & Procedures

Policy

The Ohio Operating Standards for Ohio Educational Agencies Serving Children with Disabilities (“Operating Standards”) require school districts and community schools to adopt written policies and procedures in a number of different areas. Our district/school has chosen to meet this obligation by (check one of the following options):

Adopting the Model Special Education Policies and Procedures prepared by the Ohio Department of Education. We adopted the Model Special Education Policies and Procedures on May 3, 2011.

Adopting its own written policies and procedures, attached, on ______.

Adoption of Written Policies & Procedures RegardingDetermination of a Specific Learning Disability

Policy

The Operating Standards specifically permit each school district and community school to choose which process that it will use to determine whether a child has a specific learning disability, and does not require the use of a severe discrepancy model. See OAC Rule 3301-51-06(H)(1). The Operating Standards do, however, require districts/schools to develop written procedures for the implementation of any method used to determine the existence of a specific learning disability which, at a minimum, incorporate guidelines developed by the Ohio Department of Education. OAC Rule 3301-51-06(H)(3)(f).

We have chosen to meet this obligation by (check one of the following options):

Using valid, reliable techniques to assess discrepancies between the child’s achievement and ability, using a process based on the child’s response to scientific, research-based intervention or a combination of these two methods and implementing that method in accordance with guidance set forth in Procedures and Guidelines for Ohio Educational Agencies Serving Children With Disabilities at § 6.7, Specific Learning Disabilities.

Using one, both or a combination of the two methods described above and writing our own written policies and procedures which were adopted on ______.

Using a process based on other alternative research-based procedures which is described in the attached written policy and procedure developed by the district and adopted on ______.

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES - (Use of Facsimile Signatures)

Policy

The Treasurer’s signature is used on checks, drafts, warrant-checks, vouchers and other orders on public funds deposited in designated depositories.

The Treasurer authorizes these designated depositories to honor any instrument bearing the Treasurer’s facsimile signature in a form as he/she may designate and to charge the same to the account as fully as though it bore a manually written signature.

A facsimile signature includes, but is not limited to, the reproduction of any authorized signature by a copper plate or a photographic, photo static or mechanical device.

CASH IN SCHOOL BUILDINGS

Policy

All monies collected are receipted, accounted for and deposited every 24 hours, if possible. In the event the Treasurer or person in charge of an activity is unable to deposit the money in 24 hours, the money will be accounted for and deposited in a safe or other secure location. The money can be held no longer than three business days after receipt and the amount must be under $1000.00. If the amount is more than $1000.00, or the money cannot be adequately safeguarded, it must be deposited on the business day following the date of receipt.

SPECIAL EDUCATION CHILD FIND PROVISION

Policy

In accordance with federal law, the Everest High School assumes responsibility for the location, identification and evaluation of all children 16 through age 21 who are eligible to enroll in our school and who require special education and related services.

This includes students who are:

  1. Advancing from grade to grade;
  2. Enrolled by their parents in private secondary schools, including religious schools (regardless of the severity of their disability);
  3. Wards of the state and children who are highly mobile, such as migrant and homeless
  1. children; and
  1. Home-schooled.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY

At Everest High School, the Evaluation Team ensures that the student meets the eligibility requirements of IDEA and state regulations.

In all cases, the Evaluation Team will not determine that a student has a disability if the

suspected disability is because of a lack of instruction in reading or math. If the student is not

proficient in English, Everest High School will not identify the student as disabled if the limited English proficiency (LEP) is the cause of the suspected disability.

CHILD IDENTIFICATION PROCESS

(1) GENERAL

Everest High School has a child identification process that includes the location, identification and evaluation of a child suspected of having a disability. The Everest High School case manager coordinates the child identification process. The department and its staff use a variety of community resources and systematic activities in order to identify children requiring special services. Everest staff members consult with appropriate representatives of private school students attending private schools in carrying out this process. Everest High School ensures that this process for students attending private or religious schools is comparable to activities undertaken for students with disabilities in the public schools.

(2) IDENTIFICATION OF CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 16 and 21

When the Everest High School becomes aware of a child between the ages of 16 and 21 who has or may have a disability, it either:

  1. Makes a child referral directly to the county family and children first council responsible
  1. for implementing the “Help Me Grow” (HMG) early intervention services under Part C
  2. of the IDEA; and/or
  1. Provides the parents with the information so that they can make the referral themselves.
  1. Parents may opt out of and/or opt not to be referred for Part C services. They may request an
  2. evaluation from Everest High School to determine if their child has a disability that may require special education. These parents are entitled to an evaluation from Everest High School, if the child is between the ages of 16 and 21. Everest is responsible for providing an evaluation but is not responsible for the provision of FAPE for an eligible child until the age of 16.

(3) TRANSITION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION FROM HELP ME GROW (HMG).

Everest High School and the county family and children first council responsible for HMG have a current interagency agreement that includes processes for the referral of children from HMG to Everest High School. Everest has an assigned transition contact with HMG regarding children transitioning from that program.

  1. If invited by a representative of HMG (and with parent permission), a Everest High School
  1. representative attends a transition conference to discuss transition from early intervention
  2. services for a child suspected of having a disability.
  1. If the parents request, Everest High School invites the Part C service coordinator to the initial IEP meeting. If there is a suspected disability and the child is eligible for special education and related services as a 16 year old student, Everest High School works to ensure that an IEP is in place and implemented by the child’s 16th birthday. In the case of children who are 45 days or less from their 16th birthday and who are suspected of having disabilities, an evaluation is completed within 60 days of parental consent, but an IEP is not required by their 16th birthday.
  1. As part of the IEP process, the IEP team determines if extended school year services are required
  2. for the preschool child.

(4) COORDINATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES.

Everest High School has interagency agreements with the relevant county board(s) of MR/DD for identification, service delivery and financial responsibilities to adequately serve

children with disabilities 16-21 years of age.

Credit Card Policy

Summary

The Governing Board recognizes the value of an efficient method of payment and recordkeeping for certain expenses. The Board, therefore, authorizes the use of School credit card(s).

Policy

However, credit cards are not to be used to circumvent the general purchasing procedures required by State law and Board policy.

The Board authorizes the use of credit cards in the following manner:

  1. A credit card issued to and in the name of the School shall be held and supervised by the Treasurer and used only for approved School related activities. Any employee wishing to use the credit card must sign out the card and is responsible for any purchases charged to the card while in their possession.
  2. Receipts are to be turned in with the credit card to the Treasurer within five (5) business days upon completion of approved use. Failure to turn in receipts and/or the card within five (5) business days may result in the charges being deemed unrelated or unsubstantiated. The user is responsible for any unrelated or unsubstantiated purchases/charges.
  3. It is the intent of the Board to pay off all credit card balances monthly to avoid any finance charges. If an employee fails to turn in the credit card and/or the appropriate receipts in a timely manner and causes the School to incur finance charges, the employee will be responsible for the finance charges.
  4. Credit cards may be used for School related transportation, reservations and conference expenses provided that a purchase order is in place prior to use.
  5. Credit cards may be used by school employees for school related purchases from vendors who do not accept purchase orders; provided a purchase order is made out to the credit card company detailing items to be purchased is done in advance.

Under no circumstances may a person use a School credit card for personal expenses. Persons using a School credit card for personal, non-authorized, or undocumented expenditures shall be held personally responsible for those expenditures. Abuse of the credit card, which includes personal use, is subject to disciplinary procedures, including termination.

The use of a School credit card does not supersede the required completion of a purchase order(s).

DANGEROUS WEAPONS ON EVEREST HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDS

Summary

The Governing Board is committed to providing the students of The Everest High School with an educational environment which is free of the dangers of firearms, knives and other dangerous weapons

Policy

The definition of a firearm is any weapon (including a starter gun) which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer or any explosive, incendiary or poisonous gas, bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine or device similar to any of the devices described above. A knife is defined as a cutting instrument having a sharp blade.

Unless a student is permanently excluded, the Superintendent shall expel a student from school for a period of one year for bringing a firearm or knife on The Everest High School grounds, except that the Superintendent may reduce this requirement on a case-by-case basis in accordance with this policy. Any such expulsion shall extend, as necessary, into the school year following the school year in which the incident that gives rise to the expulsion takes place.

Matters which might lead to a reduction of the expulsion period include: the student’s mental and/or physical characteristics or conditions; the age of the student and its relevance to the punishment; the prior disciplinary history of the student and/or the intent of the perpetrator.

A student may be expelled for up to one year for firearm-related or knife-related incidents occurring off Everest High School property while at school-sponsored events, including school events sponsored by Reynoldsburg City Schools.

A student suspended, expelled, removed or permanently excluded from school for misconduct involving a firearm or knife also loses his/her driving privileges. The Superintendent of The Everest High School must notify the county registrar and juvenile judge within two weeks of the suspension, expulsion or permanent exclusion.

The Superintendent is authorized to expel a student from school for a period not to exceed one year for making a bomb threat to Everest High School, or to any premise at which a school activity is occurring at the time of the threat. Any expulsion under this provision extends, as necessary, into the school year following the school year in which the incident that gives rise to the expulsion takes place.

The Governing Board prohibits students from knowingly possessing an object on school premises or at a school activity if both of the following apply: