po6605 - CROWDFUNDING

This policy applies to the use of any form of crowdfunding utilizing an online service or website-based platform for the financial benefit or gain of the District – be it a specific classroom, grade level, department, school, or curricular or extra-curricular activity.

“Crowdfunding“ is defined as the solicitation of resources from individuals and/or organizations to support identified activities or projects that enhance the educational program or a specific cause approved by the District. The solicitation is typically from a large number of individuals/organizations utilizing internet-based technologies.

Crowdfunding activities aimed at raising funds for a specific classroom or school activity, including extra-curricular activity, or to obtain supplemental resources (e.g., supplies or equipment) that are not required to provide free appropriate public education to any students in the classroom may be permitted, but only with the specific approval of the Superintendent.

All approved crowdfunding activities shall protect the privacy of students, children, and young adults in accordance with District policies and administrative guidelines and applicable State and Federal law, including FERPA and IDEIA. 

Materials, supplies, equipment, and other proceeds of the crowdfunding activity shall become the property of the District or school.  Cash or equivalent payment to District personnel is prohibited.  All fiscal transactions shall comply with appropriate District policies.

All crowdfunding activities are subject to AG 6605.

BULLYING AND OTHER FORMS OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR

The Board of Education is committed to providing a safe, positive, productive, and nurturing educational environment for all of its students. The Board encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations between members of the school community.

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying toward a student, whether by other students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes aggressive behavior, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, and violence within a dating relationship. The Board of Education will not tolerate any gestures, comments, threats, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation. This policy applies to all activities in the District, including activities on school property or while enroute to or from school, and those occurring off school property if the student or employee is at any school-sponsored, school-approved or school-related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the school's control, in a school vehicle, or where an employee is engaged in school business.

Board Policy Bullying and Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior (5517.01)  and procedures.

5630.01 - POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT AND LIMITED USE OF RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION

The Board is committed to the District-wide use of Positive Behavior Intervention and Support ("PBIS") with students. Student Personnel shall work to prevent the need for the use of restraint and/or seclusion. PBIS emphasizes the prevention of student behavior problems through the use of non-aversive techniques, which should greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the need to use restraint and/or seclusion. Click here to view policy 5630.01

COMPLIANCE OFFICER

The Fostoria City School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated as the "Compliance Officer" to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

            Director of Student Services
            1001 Park Avenue
            Fostoria, OH 44830
            419-436-4101

The Compliance Officer will be available during regular school/work hours to discuss concerns related to unlawful harassment, and to assist students, other members of the District community, and third parties who seek support or advice when informing another individual about "unwelcome" conduct or to intercede informally on behalf of the student, another member of the School District community or third party in those instances where concerns have not resulted in the filing of a formal complaint and where all parties are in agreement to participate in an informal process.

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, call 1-800-421-3481.

NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

1422/3122/4122 - Professional & Classified Staff (View Full Policies Here)

The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, military status, ancestry, age, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

The Superintendent shall appoint a compliance officer whose responsibility it will be to ensure that Federal and State regulations are complied with and that any inquiries or complaints are dealt with promptly in accordance with law. S/He shall also ensure that proper notice of nondiscrimination for Title II, Title VI, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act is provided to staff members and the general public. Any sections of the District's collectively bargained, negotiated agreements dealing with hiring, promotion, and tenure need to contain a statement of nondiscrimination similar to that in the Board's statement above. In addition, any gender-specific terms should be eliminated from such contracts.

3122.01/4122.01 - DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (View Full Policies Here)

The Board of Education believes that quality education is not possible in an environment affected by drugs. It will seek, therefore, to establish and maintain an educational setting that is not tainted by the use or evidence of the use of any controlled substance.

The Board shall not permit the manufacture, possession, use, distribution, or dispensing of any controlled substance, alcohol, and any drug paraphernalia as the term is defined by law, by any member of the District's professional staff at any time while on District property or while involved in any District-related activity or event. Any staff member who violates this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with District guidelines and the terms of collective bargaining agreements.

The Superintendent shall establish guidelines that ensure compliance with this policy and that each staff member is given a copy of the standards regarding the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by staff and informed that compliance with this requirement is mandatory. Such guidelines shall provide for appropriate disciplinary actions, if and when needed, which comply with the terms of any negotiated agreement.

NONDISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENETIC INFORMATION OF THE EMPLOYEE (1422.02/3122.02/4122.02) (View Full Policies Here)

The Board of Education prohibits discrimination on the basis of genetic information in all aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, compensation, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training, fringe benefits, or any other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. The Board also does not limit, segregate, or classify employees in any way that would deprive or tend to deprive them of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect the status of an employee as an employee, based on genetic information. Harassment of a person because of his/her genetic information is also prohibited. Likewise, retaliation against an applicant or employee for engaging in protected activity is prohibited.

In accordance with the Genetic Information Act (GINA), the Board shall not request, require or purchase genetic information of employees, their family members, or applicants for employment. Further, in compliance with this Act, employees are directed not to provide any genetic information, including the individual’s family medical history, in response to necessary requests for medical information, with the exception that family medical history may be acquired as part of the certification process for FMLA leave when an employee is asking for leave to care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition. Applicants for employment are directed not to provide any genetic information, including the individual’s family medical history, in response to requests for medical information as part of the District’s application process.

The District recognizes that genetic information may be acquired through commercially and publicly available documents like newspapers, books, magazines, periodicals, television shows, or the Internet. The District prohibits, however, its employees from searching such sources with the intent of finding or obtaining genetic information or accessing sources from which they are likely to acquire genetic information.

"Genetic information," as defined by GINA, means information about: (a) an individual’s genetic tests; (b) the genetic tests of that individual’s family members; (c) the manifestation of disease or disorder in family members of the individual (i.e., family medical history); (d) an individual’s request for, or receipt of, genetic services, or the participation in clinical research that includes genetic services by the individual or a family member of the individual; or (e) the genetic information of a fetus carried by an individual or a pregnant woman who is a family member of the individual and the genetic information of an embryo legally held by an individual or family member using assistive reproductive technology.

If the District either legally and/or inadvertently receives genetic information about an employee or applicant for employment from the employee, an applicant for employment, or a medical provider it shall be treated as a confidential medical record in accordance with law.

The Superintendent shall appoint a compliance officer who shall be responsible for overseeing the District’s compliance with Federal regulations and promptly dealing with any inquiries or complaints. S/He shall also verify that proper notice of nondiscrimination for Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 is provided to staff members and that all District requests for health-related information (e.g., to support an employee’s request for reasonable accommodation under the ADA or a request for sick leave) is accompanied by a written warning that directs the employee or health care provider not to collect or provide genetic information. The warning shall read as follows:

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) prohibits employers and other entities covered by GINA Title II, including the Board of Education, from requesting or requiring genetic information of an individual or family member of the individual, except as specifically allowed by law. To comply with this law, do not provide any genetic information when responding to this request for medical information (unless the request pertains to a request for FMLA leave for purposes of caring for an immediate family member with a serious health condition). "Genetic information," as defined by GINA, includes an individual’s family medical history, the results of an individual’s or family member’s genetic test, the fact that an individual or an individual’s family member sought or received genetic services or participated in clinical research that includes genetic services, and genetic information of a fetus carried by an individual or an individual’s family member or an embryo lawfully held by an individual or family member receiving assistive reproductive services.

The District offers health services, including a wellness program. Participation in the services/program is voluntary. Genetic information (such as family medical history) may be obtained as part of an individual’s participation in the service/program. If that occurs, individual genetic information may be provided to the individual receiving the services and to his/her health services providers, but only genetic information in aggregate form will be provided to the Board.

REPORT FRAUD

Ohio Fraud Reporting System provides citizens and public employees with several ways to anonymously report allegations of fraud, abuse, or misuse of taxpayer funds. 

Individuals can:

   1.  Anonymously call the Auditor of State’s Fraud Hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866.372.8364)

   2. Email to Report Fraud

   3.  Submit a written complaint via the U.S. mail to:

Ohio Auditor of State’s Office
Special Investigations Unit
88 East Broad Street, P.O. Box 1140 
Columbus, OH 43215