School Policies

SCHOOL POLICIES

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

It is the policy of Mason County Eastern Schools that no person shall, on basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, height, weight, disability or any other protected characteristic, be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in educational programs, activities, services, nor be denied equal opportunity for employment. Equal opportunity is the right of employment for all persons on the basis of job-related standards of education, training, experience and personal qualifications.
This policy complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Questions, concerns, requests, or complaints which relate to these federal laws are to be directed to the Superintendent of Schools, Mason County Eastern Schools, 18 S. Main St., Custer, MI 49405 (757-3733)

RIGHT TO ACCESS, PRIVACY OF STUDENT RECORDS

It is the policy of Mason County Eastern Schools that no student's parents/legal guardians or an eligible student shall be denied his/her/their rights and protections under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and sections 121a-560 through 121a-576 of the Education of the Handicap Act -Part B.
This act allows: 1) the right of parents, legal guardians and eligible students to inspect and review educational records of the student; 2) the right of parents, guardians, or eligible students to respond with a written amendment to questionable or misleading information which violates the rights of the students and; 3) the right to a hearing to present evidence that the educational record should be changed if the school system denies the request for a change.
The intent of the policy of the Mason County School District is to limit disclosure of information contained in a students education records to the following: 1)by prior written consent of the students parents, legal guardian, or eligible student; 2) for use by the teachers and officials of the school district who have a legitimate interest in such information for the performance of their schools responsibilities; 3) as directory information; 4) under certain limited circumstances as permitted by federal law.
All requests for examination of student records shall be directed to the office of the Principal having custody of such records review, a request for a copy , or any questions or concerns about this policy are to be directed to the Superintendent of Schools, Mason County Eastern Schools, 18 S. Main St., Custer, MI 49405 (757-3733)

STUDENT RECORDS

The Mason County Eastern School District, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, maintains directory information of the following types and makes this information available to interested parties.
1. Honors and Awards
2. Participation in School Activities
3 Height and Weight of Athlete
4. Information Generally Found in Yearbooks
Names and addresses of students may be released to any organization offering bonafide post-high school education or training, including the United States Armed Forces.
Parents and guardians, and students 18 years of age or older, have the right to refuse disclosure of any or all of the above designated directory information pertaining to that particular student by informing school officials, in writing, within five(5) days of publication of this notice.
Parents and guardians have the right to review the contents of individual student records. Arrangements may be made through the buildings principal.

SEXUAL AND OTHER FORMS OF UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

This district supports and maintains a learning environment that is free from unlawful discrimination, including sexual harassment. The district's policy is to provide an environment free from acts of harassment and discrimination based on a person's gender, race, color, national origin, age, martial status, religion, disability, height, weight, and any other protected characteristic. This policy applies to all board members, employees, students and any other individual on school premises or at school events related to board members, employees, or students. Questions or concerns about this policy are to be directed to the Superintendent of Schools, Mason County Eastern Schools, 18 S. Main St., Custer, MI 49405 (757-3733)

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CURRICULUM

The Mason County Eastern Boards of Education has established a program of instruction in sex education. As a component of the sex education program, reproductive health is offered in identified courses.
According to law ( P.A. 226 of 1977) a parent/guardian has the right to review the materials to be used in these courses. A parent/guardian wishing to review these materials should contact the school at 757-3733 to make arrangements for view of the materials.
All children are eligible to participate in this course. By law, a parent/guardian has the right to excuse his/ her child from the participation in the classes which include reproductive health and/or family planning instruction, if he/she chooses. If a parent/guardian wishes to exercise his/her right to excuse his/her child, without penalty, from instruction in reproductive health. Including family planning, he/she should send a written notice to the Superintendent of Schools, Mason County Eastern Schools, 18 S. Main St., Custer, MI 49405 (757-3733)

DRUG FREE SCHOOLS & STUDENT SERVICES POLICY

The district seeks to provide all students with an education needed to participate as responsible citizens in an ever-changing world. The district is committed to providing a tobacco, alcohol, and other drug- free environment for students and staff. The possession/use of alcohol, controlled substances, mind/ mood altering substances, drug paraphernalia, and/or other illicit drugs is prohibited in any attendance center, on school district grounds, or at any school sponsored activity( this list is not all inclusive). Those in violation will be subject to disciplinary procedures. Tobacco use by all students is prohibited at all times and by staff members during regular working hours. The safe environment will help students accomplish the educational outcomes of the districts.
The district acknowledges that some students and staff have academic, physical, emotional, social, alcohol or other drug problems that interfere with learning. Prevention programs and student services are designed to help students and staff learn skills to live productive lives, avoid mind/mood altering substances use programs, and deal with issues that might deter their academic, personal, and professional success.
The district accepts the concept that chemical dependency and other related problems are treatable. The prevention programs and students services provide appropriate options for prevention education, assessment, intervention, and referral. Any employee who has been convicted of violating a criminal drug statute based on conduct occurring in the workplace must notify the superintendent within five(5) days after conviction.
Questions or concerns about this policy are to be directed to the Superintendent of Schools, Mason County Eastern Schools, 18 S. Main St., Custer, MI 49405 (757-3733)

WEAPON FREE SCHOOL ZONE POLICY

The Board of Education of Mason County Eastern School District, as both an employer and a public school district, is concerned with and interested in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of students employees, and visitors. The Board of Education recognizes that school buildings, facilities, vehicles, grounds, and other school property are best utilized in the educational process in the absence of threats to physical well-being and safety, by individuals possessing weapons and/or dangerous objects.
Accordingly, the Board of Education (or superintendent, a principal, or other District official as may be designated by the Board of Education) shall permanently expel a student from attending school in the Mason County Eastern School District, if the student possesses a weapon in a weapon free school zone. Such expulsion is mandatory, unless the student establishes, in a clear convincing manner, at least one of the following:
1. That the object or instrument possessed by the student was not possessed for use as a weapon, or for direct or indirect delivery to another person for use of a weapon;
2. The weapon was no knowingly possessed by the student;
3. The student did no know or have reason to know that the object or the instrument possessed by the pupil constituted a weapon or dangerous weapon;or
4. That the weapon was possessed by the student at the suggestion,request,or direction of, or with the express permission of school police authorities.

WATER QUALITY REPORT

Mason County Eastern Schools have been identified as a nontransient noncomunity water supply under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 1976 PA 399 as amended. The annual water quality report is available for inspection in the Mason County Eastern Schools' district administration office, 18 South Main Street, Custer, Michigan 49405-9624 (231-757-3733).