I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to inform the school community and the general public of the position of the Moorhead School Board on visitors to school buildings and other school property.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT
A. The School Board encourages interest on the part of parents and community members in school programs and student activities. The School Board welcomes visits to school buildings and school property by parents and community members, provided the visits are consistent with the health, education and safety of students and employees and are conducted within the procedures and requirements established by the school district.
B. The School Board reaffirms its position on the importance of maintaining a school environment that is safe for students and employees and free of activity that may be disruptive to the student learning process or employee working environment.
III. POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS STUDENTS
A. A student enrolled in a post-secondary enrollment options course may remain at the school site during regular school hours in accordance with established procedures.
B. A student enrolled in a post-secondary enrollment options course may be provided with reasonable access, during regular school hours, to a computer and other technology resources that the student needs to complete coursework for a post-secondary enrollment course in accordance with established procedures.
IV. RESPONSIBILITY
A. In accordance with City Ordinance 4-4-18:
During such time as regularly scheduled classes are in session, no person shall enter or remain in any public elementary or secondary school building within the City of Moorhead without registering in the main office of said school provided; however, this section shall not apply to members of the School Board of Moorhead Area Public Schools, faculty and employees of Moorhead Area Public Schools and students enrolled in that school.
B. The school district administration shall present recommended visitor and post-secondary enrollment options, student procedures, and requirements to the school board for review and approval. The superintendent shall be responsible for providing coordination that may be needed throughout the process and providing for periodic school board review and approval of the procedures.
Reasonable notification of the requirements of this section shall be conspicuously posted at the entrance to every public elementary and secondary school within the City of Moorhead, and no complaint for a violation of this section shall issue unless such notice is given.
IV. VISITOR LIMITATIONS
A. All visitors of school district buildings during the school day shall be required to wear an appropriate form of identification when on school premises. An individual or group may be denied permission to visit a school or school property, or such permission may be revoked if they do not comply with the school district procedures and regulations or if the visit is not in the best interest of students, employees, or the school district.
B. An individual or group who enters school property without complying with the procedures and requirements may be guilty of criminal trespass and thus subject to criminal penalty. Such persons may be detained by the building administrator or a person designated by the building administrator in a reasonable manner for a reasonable period of time, pending the arrival of a police officer.
C. Visitors, post-secondary enrollment option students, are authorized to park vehicles on school property at times and in locations authorized by school officials. When unauthorized vehicles are parked on school property, school officials may:
1. move the vehicle or require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to move it off school district property; or
2. if unattended, provide for the removal of the vehicle, at the expense of the owner or operator, to the nearest convenient garage or other places of safety off school property.
V. EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT STRANGERS AND SUSPICIOUS PERSONS
All employees in the school district are to report strangers and suspicious persons observed on school grounds and sites to the building administrator or appropriate supervisor.
Legal References:
Minn. Stat. 123B.02 (General Powers of Independent School Districts)
Minn. Stat. § 124D.09 (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program)
Minn. Stat. 609.605, Subd. 4 (Trespasses on School Property)
Moorhead City Ordinance 4-4-18 (Registration in Public Schools)
Minn. Stat. 128C.08 (Assaulting a Sports Official Prohibited)
Cross Reference:
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 903: Visitors to School District Buildings and Sites