Public Notices

School accountability data, including the Annual School District Report Card is available on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.

The District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free of any form of bullying or intimidation. Bullying is strictly prohibited on school grounds, or school time, at a school sponsored activity or in a school related context. Bullying is the intentional action by an individual or group of individuals to inflict intimidation, unwanted aggressive behavior, or harassment that is repetitive or is substantially likely to be repeated and causes a reasonable student to fear for his or her physical safety or property; substantially interferes with the educational performance, opportunities, or benefits of any student without exception; or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school. Bullying may consist of physical actions, including gestures, or oral, cyberbullying, electronic, or written communication, and any threat of retaliation of reporting acts of bullying.

Cyberbullying means bullying as defined above through the transmission of a communication including, but not limited to, a message, text, sound, or image by means of an electronic device including, but limited to, a telephone wireless telephone, or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager. The District may prohibit and discipline for cyberbullying that originates on any District campus or at a District activity if the electronic communication was made using the school’s technological resources. If there is a sufficient nexus to the educational environment, or if the electronic communication was made on the District’s campus or at a District activity using the student’s own personal technological resources. Further, students who engage in significant acts of misconduct off campus which materially and adversely impact the education of District students will be subject to discipline.

Bullying, as defined in this policy, is strictly prohibited. Students are encouraged to report any incident of bullying which they have witnessed or incurred, by contacting their building principal. District employees are required to report any instance of bullying of which the employee has witnessed within two (2) school days of the occurrence. Employees shall report the occurrence to the building principal, who is the person the District designates to receive reports of incidents of bullying. A principal who receives a report of an incident of
bullying shall initiate an investigation into the allegations within two (2) school days of receipt of the report. The principal may assign other employees to assist in the investigation, or request that the superintendent assign an outside investigator. The investigation shall be completed within ten school days from the date of the written report of bullying unless good cause exists to extend the investigation. No employee or student who reports an act of bullying shall be subject to reprisal or retaliation for making such a report. Any person who engages in reprisal or retaliation against an employee or student who reports and act of bullying shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Students who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to consequences depending on factors such as: age of student(s), degree of harm, severity of behavior, number of incidences, etc. Possible consequences to a student for a violation of this policy
include: loss of privileges, classroom detention, conference with teacher, parents contacted, conference with principal, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, expulsion and/or law enforcement contacted.

The District shall give annual notice of the policy to students, parents or guardians, and staff. This policy shall be included in all student handbooks. This policy shall also be posted on the District’s web page (as a Board policy) and a copy shall be placed in the District Administrative Office.

The District shall provide information and appropriate training to District staff who have significant contact with students regarding the policy. All staff with significant student contact shall be trained on the requirements of this policy on an annual basis.

The District shall provide education and information to students regarding bullying, including information regarding this policy prohibiting bullying, the harmful effects of bullying, and other applicable initiatives to address bullying, including student peer-to-peer initiatives to provide accountability and policy enforcement for those found to have engaged in bullying, reprisal, or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying.

The District shall instruct its school counselors, school social workers, licensed social workers, mental health professionals, and school psychologists to educate students who are victims of bullying on techniques for students to overcome bullying’s negative effects. Such techniques include but are not limited to, cultivating the student’s self-worth and self-esteem; teaching the student to defend himself or herself assertively and effectively; helping the student develop social skills or encouraging the student to develop an internal focus of
control. District administrators will implement programs and other initiatives to address bullying, to respond to such conduct in a manner that does not stigmatize the victim, and to make resources or referrals available to victims of bullying.

The Wentzville R-IV School District (the “District”) is required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) to annually notify parents, guardians, and eligible students of their rights concerning student education records. This notice summarizes those rights and provides information about how to exercise them. For full details, see Board Policy 2400 and Board Regulation 2400, available on the District’s website or by contacting the District’s Custodian of Records.

Rights Under FERPA

Parents, guardians, and eligible students have the following rights:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s education records.
• The right to request that the District amend the student’s education records that are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights.
• The right to provide written consent before the District discloses personally identifiable information, except as authorized by law.
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with FERPA.
• The right to opt out of the disclosure of directory information or limited directory information, including disclosures to military recruiters.
• The right to obtain a copy of Board Policy 2400 and Board Regulation 2400.

Directory Information

The District has designated the following as directory information:

• Student’s name
• Grade level
• Address and telephone listing of parent or guardian
• Date of birth or age
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Weight and height of athletic team members
• Dates of attendance
• Degrees and awards received
• Most recent previous school attended
• Photographs

For students in grades 9–12, the District has also designated limited directory information, which includes the student’s name and the mailing address and telephone number of the student’s parents or guardians.

This information may be disclosed in accordance with federal and state law unless a parent, guardian, or eligible student opts out.

By default:

• For students in grades PreK–8, directory information will only be disclosed to third parties affiliated with the District (e.g., yearbook publishers, photography vendors) unless written consent is provided.
• For students in grades 9–12, limited directory information may also be shared with military recruiters, colleges, scholarship and financial aid providers, verified employers, trade schools, and other institutions offering educational or career opportunities—unless opted out.

Opting Out of Disclosure

Before disclosing directory information, the District provides public notice of the categories of information it has designated as directory. A reasonable period of time is allowed for parents, guardians, or eligible students to notify the District that they do not want directory or limited directory information disclosed.

To opt out of directory or limited directory information disclosures, written notification must be submitted to the District no later than September 1 of the current school year. Instructions and forms are available on the District’s website or from the school office.

Additional Privacy and Records Practices

Security Video Recordings.

Security videos maintained for general surveillance purposes are not education records under FERPA.

If a video is directly related to a student and is maintained by the District for educational purposes, it is an education record and may be reviewed by parents or eligible students.

The District may provide access to view the video but is not required to provide copies. Efforts will be made to redact other students from the video when feasible.

Email Communications.

Not all emails mentioning a student are education records. Only emails saved within the District’s student information system (e.g., Contact Logs) that are directly related to a student are considered education records under FERPA and may be inspected or amended.

Copies of Education Records

The District is not required to provide copies unless failure to do so would prevent the right to inspect and review.

The District provides up to 50 pages per student per school year at no charge. Additional pages are charged at $0.50 per page, payable in advance.

Exceptions to fees may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Third-Party Requests for Records.

Third-party requests for a student’s education records will be honored only in compliance with FERPA and District policy.

• Subpoenas and court orders seeking education records must be directed to the District’s Custodian of Records at the District’s Central Administrative Center, 280 Interstate Drive, Wentzville, Missouri 63385. When required by FERPA, the District will make reasonable efforts to notify the parent, guardian, or eligible student prior to compliance with such requests, unless otherwise directed by the issuing authority.
• Requests accompanied by a valid signed, written consent from a parent, guardian, or eligible student may be directed to the building principal of the school the student currently attends or most recently attended, or the principal’s designee.

All third-party requestors must comply with applicable federal and state requirements, and records will only be released to the extent permitted under law.

Third parties requesting copies of education records are subject to the same cost structure as parents and eligible students. The District provides up to 50 pages per student per school year, in paper or electronic format, at no charge. Additional pages are charged at $0.50 per
page, and payment must be made in advance. Fees may be waived on a case-by-case basis.

Requesting Amendments

If a parent or eligible student believes education records are inaccurate or violate privacy rights, a written request to amend the record may be submitted to the appropriate Executive Director of Student Services.

If the request is denied, a formal hearing may be requested, with procedures outlined in Regulation 2400.

The Wentzville School District is committed to fiscal transparency and responsible stewardship of public funds. Comprehensive budget documents, including detailed information on District revenues, expenditures, and financial planning, are available on the District Finance Department webpage.

Additional financial data, including state-reported expenditure summaries, tax levies, and per-pupil spending figures, can be accessed through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) at https://dese.mo.gov.

These resources are provided to help parents, staff, and community members understand how public funds are invested to support student learning, school safety, and long-term educational goals.

All responsible public agencies are required to locate, evaluate, and identify children with disabilities who are under the jurisdiction of the agency, regardless of the severity of the disability, including children attending private schools, highly mobile children, such as migrant, homeless, and foster children, and children who are suspected of having a disability and in need of special education even though they are advancing from grade to grade. The Wentzville R-IV School District (the “District”) assures that it will provide a free, appropriate public education (“FAPE”) to all eligible children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 under its jurisdiction. Students with disabilities are defined as those students who have one of the categorical disabilities as enumerated in the Missouri State Plan for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (the “IDEA”) and who are in need of special education services or who have a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The District assures that it will provide information and referral services necessary to assist the State in the implementation of early intervention services for infants and toddlers eligible for the Missouri First Steps program.

The District assures that personally identifiable information collected, used, or maintained by the agency for the purposes of identification, evaluation, placement or provision of FAPE of children with disabilities may be inspected and/or reviewed by their parents/guardians. Parents/guardians may request amendment to the educational record if the parent/guardian believes the record is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the privacy or other rights of their child. Parents have the right to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education concerning alleged failures by the district to meet the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The District has developed a Local Compliance Plan for the implementation of State Regulations for the IDEA. This plan contains the District’s policies and procedures regarding storage, disclosure to third parties, retention and destruction of personally identifiable information, and the District’s assurances that services are provided in compliance with the General Education Provision Act. The Local Compliance Plan may be reviewed at the District’s Central Office, 280 Interstate Drive, Wentzville, MO between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

This notice will be provided in native languages as appropriate.

The Wentzville R-IV School District (the “District”) is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their housing situation, have access to a free, appropriate public education. Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students who are experiencing
homelessness are entitled to specific educational rights and services to support their academic success.

Who is Considered Homeless?

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, a student is considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including those who:

• Share housing with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.
• Live in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
• Live in emergency or transitional shelters.
• Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for humans.
• Live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
• Are migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in the conditions described above.

Rights of Homeless Students

Students who qualify as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act have the right to:

• Immediate enrollment in school, even if they lack required documents such as school records, proof of residency, immunization records, or birth certificates.
• Continue attending their school of origin, if in the student’s best interest, and receive transportation to and from the school of origin.
• Enroll in the local school where they are living.
• Receive comparable services to those provided to other students, including transportation and supplemental educational services.
• Participate in school programs with children who are not homeless.
• Receive assistance with school-related expenses such as uniforms, school supplies, and fees.

How to Access Services

If you believe your child may be eligible for services under the McKinney-Vento Act, or if you have any questions about the rights of homeless students, please contact our District's Homeless Liaison:

Dr. Laura Rowe-Holler
Homeless Liaison
280 Interstate Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385
Phone: (636) 327-3800
Email: lauraroweholler@wsdr4.org

The Homeless Liaison can assist with enrollment, transportation, obtaining school records, and accessing other resources to support your child's education.

For more information about the McKinney-Vento Act and resources for homeless families, you can also visit the National Center for Homeless Education's website at https://nche.ed.gov.

The Wentzville R-IV School District is dedicated to providing every student with the support and resources they need to succeed academically, regardless of their housing situation.

The purpose of this policy is to maintain consistent meal account procedures throughout the District. Unpaid charges place a financial strain on District finances. The Food Service Department is responsible for maintaining food charge records and for notifying the District’s accounting department of outstanding balances.

Administration

Student Groups:

• Elementary students will be allowed to charge a maximum of twenty-five ($25.00) dollars.
• These meals will include only the menu items of the reimbursable meal.
• After the balance exceeds twenty-five ($25.00) dollars, the student may be given a designated menu alternate.
• Middle School and High School students will be allowed to charge a maximum of twenty-five ($25.00) dollars. After this maximum has been met, no additional charges will be accepted.
• No charges will be allowed for ala carte foods and beverages.

Parents/guardians of students with negative balances will be contacted electronically, by correspondence, by phone call by the Food Service Department or designee.

On May 15 annually all charging will be cut off.

Parents/guardians will be sent a written request for “payment in full.”

All charges not paid before the end of the school year will be carried forward into the next school year.

Graduating seniors must pay all charges in full. Failure to do so may result in the delinquent
student being denied participation in graduation ceremonies.

If a financial hardship is suspected, families will be encouraged to apply for free/reduced meals at any time during the school year.

The Food Service Department will notify all parents on or before the first day of school of the requirements of this policy. This policy will also be published on the District’s website.

Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA.

The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written
description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant

Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

(1) mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email:
program.intake@usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Collection of Unpaid Meal Charges

Unpaid meal charges, like any other money owed under the District’s Food Service Program, will be considered delinquent debt as long as it remains collectible and reasonable efforts are being made to collect it. Delinquent debt will be reviewed annually to determine whether further collection efforts are feasible. In addition to the notices of delinquency provided in this Policy, District officials will work with parents/guardians in an effort to implement reasonable repayment plans. If such efforts are unsuccessful, the District may consider other options, including placement with a collection agency or legal action.

When District officials determine that further collection efforts for delinquent debt are no longer feasible or cost-effective, the debt will be reclassified as “bad debt” and will be written off as an operating loss.

Federal funds may be used for reasonable collection efforts on delinquent debt prior to its reclassification. However, once reclassified as bad debt, federal funds will not be used for any associated costs, including continued legal and collections costs.

Such operating losses will be covered using non-federal funds, including transfers from the District’s general fund or other non-federal sources, as authorized by the Superintendent or designee.

Records relating to bad debts and any non-federal fund transfers used to cover them will be maintained in accordance with federal record retention requirements.

The Wentzville R-IV School District offers opportunities for virtual instruction through both part-time and full-time pathways, as authorized by Missouri law.

Part-Time Virtual Courses (Policy 6190)

Through the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (“MOCAP”), eligible students in grades K–12 residing in Missouri may enroll in individual virtual courses. These courses may be taught by District instructors or by third-party providers contracted by the District. Students and families interested in part-time virtual course options should consult the District’s virtual education resources and MOCAP information page.

Full-Time Virtual Education (Policy 6191 and Regulation 6191)

Students may also enroll in full-time virtual programs. A full-time virtual student is defined as one who is enrolled in six or more credits per regular term. Full-time virtual instruction is coordinated by a designated "Host District" Wentzville School District does not determine eligibility, approve courses, manage enrollment, or handle appeals for full-time virtual students. All such decisions are made exclusively by the Host District.

If a student is disenrolled from a full-time virtual program, they may not re-enroll in that same program during the same school year. Additionally, the student's academic performance during their first twelve months of enrollment in the Wentzville School District following disenrollment will not be factored into the District’s Annual Performance Report (APR).

Parents and guardians of full-time virtual students will receive progress reports at least four times during the school year. Full-time virtual students may also access Wentzville school facilities during the school day for participation in certain instructional activities, as specified
in state enrollment agreements.

Additional Resources

• DESE’s MOCAP Website: https://mocap.mo.gov
• District MOCAP Information Page: WSD – MOCAP
• DESE’s current MOCAP Guidance Document is provided to all families annually and is posted on the District’s website.

Parents and students should immediately report to the District for investigation any incident or behavior that could constitute discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. For more information, please refer to Board Policies 1300, 1301, and 2100 as well as the contact information included below.

The Wentzville R-IV School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or age, in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Board Policy 1300 Compliance Officers

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Dr. Amy Neill
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
280 Interstate Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385
636-327-3800
amyneill@wsdr4.org
Staff to Staff

Staff to Student
Dr. Laura Rowe-Holler, PreK-5
Executive Director of Student Services
280 Interstate Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385
636-327-3800
lauraroweholler@wsdr4.org

Student to Student
Student to Staff
Mr. Ryan Bishop
Executive Director of Student Services, 6-12
280 Interstate Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385
ryanbishop@wsdr4.org
Student to Student
Student to Staff

Filing an OCR Complaint

Individuals who wish to file a complaint with OCR may contact OCR:

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut Street, Suite 320
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Telephone: (816) 268-0550
Fax: (816) 268-0599
TDD (800) 877-8339
Email: OCR.KansasCity@edgov.

For additional information, see https://ocrcas.ed.gov/office-for-civil-rights-discrimination-complaint-form.

The Board of Education appoints the Custodian of Records for the District. This individual is responsible for maintaining the District’s public records and ensuring access to them.

Residents inquiring about District records should contact:

Joni Goodwin, Custodian of Records
280 Interstate Drive
Wentzville, MO 63385
636.327.3800
custodianofrecords@wsdr4.org

For more information, please refer to Board Policy and Regulation 1450: Public Access to District Documents.

The Wentzville R-IV School District (the “District”), as a recipient of federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Education and operates a public elementary or secondary education program and/or activity is required to undertake to identify and locate every qualified person residing in the District who is not receiving a public education; and take appropriate steps to notify disabled persons and their parents or guardians of the District’s duty.

The District assures that it will provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to each qualified disabled person in the District’s jurisdiction regardless of the nature or severity of the person’s disability. For purposes of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the provision of an appropriate education is the provision of regular or special and related aids and services that (i) are designed to meet individual educational needs of disabled persons as adequately as the needs of nondisabled persons are met and (ii) are based on adherence to procedures that satisfy the requirements of the 504 federal regulations.

The District has developed a 504 Procedures Manual for the implementation of federal regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Subpart D. This Procedures Manual may be reviewed at the District’s Central Office during regular business hours and may be accessed through the District’s website through the following link: https://www.wentzville.k12.mo.us/departments/student-services/504section-title-ii.

The Wentzville R-IV School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law and prohibits discrimination, including harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates. Retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, makes a report of harassment or discrimination, files a complaint of harassment or discrimination, serves as a witness, or participates in an investigation or grievance process is also a violation of the District’s nondiscrimination policy and is prohibited.

Title IX Compliance Officers

The District has designated the following individuals to coordinate efforts to comply with and carry out its nondiscrimination responsibilities, and questions regarding the District’s nondiscrimination commitments, as well as related laws, regulations, and District policies, may be referred to the designated Title IX Compliance Officers:

Dr. Amy Neill
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
280 Interstate Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385
636-327-3800
amyneill@wsdr4.org
Staff to Staff
Staff to Student

Dr. Laura Rowe-Holler
Executive Director of Student Services, PreK-5
280 Interstate Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385
636-327-3800
lauraroweholler@wsdr4.org
Student to Student
Student to Staff

Mr. Ryan Bishop
Executive Director of Student Services, 6-12
280 Interstate Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385
ryanbishop@wsdr4.org
Student to Student
Student to Staff

The District is required not to discriminate on the basis of sex by Title IX and its implementing regulations. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to Board Policy and Regulation 1300. Any person may also report sex discrimination, including harassment, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator.

The District’s nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located via the Board of Education Policy Portal.

Title IX Compliance Officer Training

In compliance with federal Title IX regulations, the Wentzville School District ensures that all individuals involved in the Title IX grievance process receive appropriate and ongoing training. This includes the District’s Title IX Coordinators, Investigators, Decision-Makers, and Facilitators of informal resolution processes.

These trainings cover the definition of sexual harassment under Title IX, the scope of the District’s education programs and activities, how to conduct investigations and grievance processes (including hearings, appeals, and informal resolutions, as applicable), and how to serve impartially by avoiding prejudgment of the facts, conflicts of interest, and bias.

The training materials used in these trainings are made publicly available and can be accessed using the following link:

View Title IX Training Materials

The District remains committed to transparency, due process, and compliance with all Title IX requirements.

Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative, our educators and staff are trained to recognize the signs of trauma and chronic stress that may impact a student’s well-being and ability to succeed in school.

By using trauma-informed practices, the District works to promote resilience, reduce barriers to learning, and ensure that every student is supported socially, emotionally, and academically.

To learn more about Missouri’s Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative and access statewide resources, please visit the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s

Trauma-Informed Schools page.
https://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/school-counseling/traumainformed

The District is committed to provision of a quality education in a transparent and supportive environment. Employees who engage in certain discussions of District operations; disclosure of alleged prohibited activities or testimony before a court, administrative, or legislative body will not be subject to disciplinary action as provided in this Policy 4865. The protection of this policy extends to dismissal, demotion, transfer, reassignment, suspension, reprimand, warrant of such disciplinary action, withholding of work irrespective of whether such action affects the employees’ compensation.

The following categories of employment activity are protected under this policy.

Discussion of District Operations

Employees are protected in discussing the operations of the District with any member of the legislature, state auditor, attorney general, a prosecuting or circuit attorney, a law enforcement agency, news media, the public or any state official or body charged with investigating any alleged misconduct described in this policy. Such protection will not restrict or preclude the administration from disciplining an employee who knew the information discussed was false; the information was closed or confidential under law, or when the discussions relate to the employee’s own violations, mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or endangerment of public health or safety.

Disclosure of Prohibited Activity

Employees are protected in making disclosures of any prohibited activity under investigation or any related activity, or for the disclosure of information which the employee reasonably believes demonstrates:

• Violation of any law, rule or regulation.
• Mismanagement, a gross waste of funds or abuse of authority, violation of policy, waste of public resources, attention of technical findings, or communication of scientific opinion, breaches of professional ethical census, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, if the disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law.

Similarly, no employee will be required to give notice to a supervisor prior to disclosing any
activity set out in this subsection.

Employees are protected in their testimony before a court, administrative body, or legislative body regarding an alleged prohibited activity or disclosure of related information.

Limitations on Protected Activity

The employee protections set out in this policy will not prohibit:

• A supervisor from requiring employees to inform the supervisor concerning legislative requests for information; the substance of testimony made or the substance of testimony to be made to legislators on behalf of the District.

• A supervisor may preclude an employee from leaving their assigned work area during normal work hours or without complying with the applicable rules, regulations and policies. However, this limitation will not apply when an employee is requested by a legislator/legislative committee to appear before such legislative committees.
• A supervisor from disciplining an employee who represents their personal opinions as the opinion of the District.
• A supervisor from disciplining an employee who discloses or discusses information the employee knew was false; the information is closed or is confidential under the provisions of the open meetings law or any other law; or the disclosure relates to the employee’s own violations, mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, abuse of authority or the endangerment of public health or safety.

Referral to the State Auditor

Where an employee alleges that they were disciplined for disclosure or discussion of information related to the receipt or expenditures of public funds, the employee may request the state auditor to investigate the alleged misconduct and whether unlawful disciplinary action was taken as provided in this policy.

Policy Posting

The District will post a summary of this policy in locations in all District facilities where it would reasonably be expected to come to the attention of all District employees. In addition, this policy will be posted on the District's website.