Annual Notifications

COVID-19 UPDATES

Kelloggsville Goal Progress Report Fall 2022

Kelloggsville Continuity of Learning Response Plan

Kelloggsville Goal Progress Report Spring 2022

Kelloggsville COVID-19 Prevention Strategy for Schools

Kelloggsville Public Schools are required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act to make annual notification of the availability of the Asbestos Management Plan.

The school district has conducted an extensive asbestos survey of all the buildings.  Based on the findings of the inspection, a comprehensive management plan has been assembled.  The plan details the response actions regarding asbestos-containing materials in the buildings.

This plan is available during normal business hours for inspection at our offices without cost or restriction.  If you desire a personal copy, please notify the Central Office (242 - 52nd Street, SE) and it will be sent to you within five (5) working days at a cost of $ .30 per page.

Kelloggsville Public Schools has adopted an Integrated Pest​ ​Management program. Inherent with this are the District’s efforts to​ ​reduce pesticide use as much as possible. While it may occasionally​ ​be necessary to apply a pesticide, this program does not rely on​ ​routine pesticide applications to resolve problems. We use various​ ​​techniques such as habitat alteration, sanitation, mechanical means,​ ​exclusion, etc. to prevent pests from becoming a problem.​ ​

As required by Michigan law, you will receive advanced notice of the non-emergency application of a pesticide (insecticide, fungicide,​ ​or herbicide), other than bait or gel formulation, which is made to the school, school grounds, or buildings. This advance notice of a​ ​pesticide application will be given 48 hours before the application by​ ​the following two methods:​ ​

1. Posting at the primary entrances to your child’s school. The​ ​entrances that will be posted are the main entrance and those​ ​that have a sidewalk that leads directly to a parking lot.​ ​

2. Posting in the common area located by the main office of the​ ​school.​ ​

Please note that notification is not given for use of sanitizers,​ ​germicides, disinfectants or anti-microbial cleaners. In certain​ ​emergencies, such as an infestation of stinging insects, pesticides​ ​may be applied without prior notice to prevent injury to students, but​ ​you will be promptly notified following any such application, via the​ ​two posting methods identified (above).

You may review the school’s Integrated Pest Management program​ ​and records of any pesticide application upon request by contacting​ ​​David Skinner, Building and Grounds Director, at dskinner@kvilleps.org.

Parents or guardians of children attending the school are also entitled​ ​to receive advance notice of pesticide application, other than a bait​ ​or gel formulation, by first class United States mail postmarked​ ​at least three days before the application, if they so request. If​ ​you would like to be notified by mail please contact Maintenance​ ​Department, ​Dave Skinner at the following number: 616-551-4789.​ ​Please submit your name, mailing address, and what school(s) your​ ​child or children attend, and they will put your name on the advance​ ​notification by US Mail list.

Please note that after the school year is completed and during the​ ​months when school is not in regular session (summer), those parents who requested advance notice by mail will be notified using​ ​an alternative method, the telephone message notification system.​ ​Parents and guardians may call 616-551-4789, at least one day​ ​before an application for advance notification. The school will also​ ​continue posting an advanced notification at the school by the methods​ ​identified earlier.

Sincerely,

​David Skinner

Facility Director, Kelloggsville Public Schools

616-532-1574

​dskinner​@kvilleps.org

Understanding Concussion

Since 1995, state and federal law requires schools to expel students who possess dangerous weapons, or commit arson or rape in a school building or on school property.

In compliance with state law, the Board shall permanently expel any student who possesses a dangerous weapon in a weapon-free school zone or commits either arson or rape in a district building or on school property, including school buses and other school transportation.

For purposes of this policy a dangerous weapon capable of inflicting bodily harm is defined as a "firearm, gun, of any type, including air and gas-powered guns (whether loaded or unloaded), knives, razors, clubs, electric weapons, metallic knuckles, martial arts weapons, ammunition, and explosives.  This policy shall also encompass such actions as look-alike items, false alarms, bomb threats, or intentional calls to falsely report a dangerous condition.

Kelloggsville High School 2023-2024 School Improvement Plan

54th Street Academy 2023-2024 School Improvement Plan

Kelloggsville Virtual School 2023-2024 School Improvement Plan

Kelloggsville Middle School 2023-2024 School Improvement Plan

Central Kelloggsville Elementary 2023-2024 School Improvement Plan

Southeast Kelloggsville Elementary 2023-2024 School Improvement Plan

West Kelloggsville Elementary 2023-2024 School Improvement Plan

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records.  These rights are:

• The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access.  Parents or eligible students should submit to the School principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect.  The School official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
• The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading.  Parents or eligible students may ask the School to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading.  They should write the School principal (or appropriate official), clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.  If the School decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the School will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.  One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.  A school official is a person employed by the School as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the School has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her task.  A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. 
• The right to file a complaint with the Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School to comply with the requirement of FERPA.  The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901

Kelloggsville Public Schools is an equal opportunity institution.  Kelloggsville Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, or physical/mental disability in its educational programming, enrollment, employment, or contraction. 

The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination & Title IX policies:

Harassment of a student(s) by other students or any member of the staff is contrary to the Board of Education's commitment to provide a physically and psychologically safe environment in which to learn and may be a violation of federal or state law.

In addition to sexual harassment, which includes unwelcome sexual advances or any form of improper physical contact or sexual remarks, harassment shall also include any speech or action that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive learning environment.

The Student Code of Conduct contains language prohibiting any form of harassment.  It also provides a means for a student to report any incident of harassing behavior from a fellow student. staff member, or a school visitor, in a way that avoids embarrassment and protects the confidentiality of the student.

All reports shall be investigated.  Anyone found to have violated this policy and/or the Code of Conduct shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion from the district.

Kelloggsville Public Schools does not provide student accident insurance. We do work with First Agency, Inc. for families to purchase a student accident insurance plan for students enrolled Pre-k thru 12th grade. This would be a secondary plan to any other insurance that your student may be covered by. 

You can contact First Agency to find more information regarding their accidental insurance plan.

The Board of Education believes that the right of persons to use tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine products must be balanced against the right of those who do not use tobacco to breathe air untainted by tobacco.

In order to protect students and employees who choose not to use tobacco from an environment noxious to them and potentially damaging to their health, the Board prohibits the use of tobacco on District premises (owned or leased), in District vehicles, at all school-sponsored events and in all school buildings owned and/or operated by the District.

For the purpose of this policy, “use of tobacco product” means any of the following: the carrying by a person of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other lighted smoking devices; the inhaling or chewing of a tobacco product; the placing of a tobacco product within a person’s mouth; and/or the smoking of electronic, “vapor,” or other substitute forms of cigarettes, clove cigarettes or other lighted smoking devices for burning tobacco or any other substance.

Kelloggsville Public Schools and Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act

As a public institution in the state of Michigan, Kelloggsville Public Schools is subject to provisions of the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).  Under the FOIA, “all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees….”  Consequently, any individual other than a federal, state or county prisoner has the right to inspect and/or receive copies of public records maintained by the District.

What is a public record?  

The FOIA defines a public record as a “writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function, from the time it is created.” 

The law defines a “writing” as “handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostatting, photographing, photocopying, and every other means of recording and includes letters, words, pictures, sounds, or symbols, or combination thereof, as papers, maps, magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films, or prints, microfilm, microfiche, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums, or other means of recording or retaining meaningful content.”  E-mail messages are considered public records under the FOIA if they deal with official District business.  A person’s correspondence requesting information under the FOIA is also considered a public record.  However, the law specifically excludes computer software from the definition of public records.  

Please note that the District is not required to make a compilation, summary or report of information, or to create a new public record.  

How to file a FOIA request with the District?  

Superintendent, James Alston, is the Freedom of Information Coordinator at Kelloggsville Public Schools, and his office is responsible for handling FOIA requests.  Written FOIA requests should be sent as to the attention of:

James Alston, Superintendent

Kelloggsville Public Schools

242 – 52nd Street SE

Grand Rapids, MI  49548

Requests can also be faxed to the office at:  616-532-1597 or;

E-mailed to jalston@kvilleps.org

The District has prepared a FOIA request form, which is available through Mr. Alston's office and may be used to submit requests. 

KPS FOIA Request Form            KPS FOIA Fee Schedule

If the form is not used, the following is recommended when making a request:

• Please specify with as much detail as possible the records you wish to inspect and/or receive copies of.  For example, if applicable, please include the time period involved and the department where the documents may be located, if you know it.
• Please include your mailing address and daytime phone number, as well as an e-mail address and fax number, if applicable.

Can some records be withheld?  

The law recognizes that, in some instances, the public interest may be better served by not disclosing information.  FOIA therefore makes certain public records exempt from disclosure, for reasons ranging from matters of privacy to confidential research-related information.  One exemption that applies uniquely to schools prohibits Kelloggsville Public Schools from disclosing student records protected under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  

At Kelloggsville Public Schools, the decision whether material should be withheld is made by the FOIA Coordinator, if necessary after consultation with other appropriate offices including the Office of HR and Legal Services.  The FOIA Coordinator has the authority to deny a FOIA request.  

How much time does the District have to respond?  

The District has five (5) business days after receiving a written request to respond, although the response period can be extended by the FOIA Coordinator for up to an additional ten (10) business days.  Day 1 of the response period is considered to be the next business day following receipt of the written request.  Email is considered “received” one business day after it was sent.  If, however, the request is electronically transmitted and delivered to a span or junk mail folder, the request will be deemed received one (1) day after the District becomes aware of it.  Sometimes requests involve voluminous documents spread over several departments.  In those cases, full compliance with the request may take longer than fifteen (15) business days.  

The FOIA Coordinator can either grant a request; deny it in full or in part, citing one or more exemptions; or certify that the requested document(s) does not exist.  

Fees for providing documents?  

The District may charge a fee for the search, review, separation of exempt from non-exempt information, copying and mailing of documents.  Upon receipt of the request, if a fee is to be assessed, the requester will be provided a detailed itemization of fees that will list and explain the allowable charges that compose the total fee and the District will ask whether he/she wants to proceed.  In calculating the cost of labor incurred, the District can charge the hourly wage, plus fringe benefit costs, of the lowest paid employee capable of performing the task.  

The labor costs are estimated and charged in increments of fifteen (15) minutes, with all partial increments rounded down.  If the District does not employ someone capable of determining what information should be released, the District may contract the work to an outside person or organization.  In such instances, the requester will be notified of the name of the contracted person/firm on the detailed itemization of fees.  The cost of contracted services cannot exceed six times the minimum wage, which currently equals $48.90 per hour.  

In addition, the requester may be charged the actual cost of any non-paper physical media (e.g., computer disks, tapes, etc.) or paper requests.  The maximum charge per piece of letter/legal sized paper is .10 (10 cents), as well as the actual cost of mailing the request.  

If the information that is requested is available online, the District will notify the requester of such, including the specific webpage location where the information can be found.  Online availability will be noted separately on the fee summary.  If the requester still requests paper copies, he/she may be charged an additional fee and will be notified of the amount in the itemized fee summary.  

Upon determination and disclosure of the fee, if the estimate exceeds $50.00, the FOIA enables the District to require a good faith deposit of up to half of the estimate before beginning the search for documents.

The first $20.00 of the fee must be waived for a person who is on welfare or presents facts showing inability to pay because of indigence.  Even in such cases, however, the District may still charge a fee if the person has already received discounted copies from the District twice during the calendar year or if the request is made on behalf of an outside party who is offering payment.  The first $20.00 of the fee will also be waived for a non-profit organization designated by the State to carry out certain activities related to persons with disabilities.

Can I inspect a public record in person?

Yes, the District will provide “a reasonable opportunity for inspection and examination of its public records, and shall furnish reasonable facilities for making memoranda or abstracts from its public records during the usual business hours “ (8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on District business days).  However, the District may make reasonable rules to protect its records and to prevent excessive and unreasonable interference with the discharge of its functions.  Please note that in some instances where original documents contain exempt information, the exempt material may be removed and copies made for inspection.  

Also, please note that there still may be a fee charged for the cost of searching for and reviewing the original records before the requester can examine them.   

What recourse do I have if the response is untimely, the fee is excessive or I am denied information?

If the District fails to respond to an appropriately submitted and recognizable FOIA request within the timelines explained above, the labor costs to produce the documents must be reduced by 5% for each day the response is delayed, up to 50% of the total fee.

If the requester believes that the estimated fee for producing public records exceeds the amount permitted, the requester may appeal to the Board.  If the Board fails to timely respond or denies that appeal, the requester may file a lawsuit in state court for reduction of the fee within 45 days.

If the request is denied, in whole or in part, then within 180 days of the District’s denial, the requester can either submit a written appeal to the Board of file a lawsuit in state court.  The Board typically has 10 business days after receipt for an appeal to respond, but in unusual circumstances, the Board may take an additional 10 business days.  Failure to respond is considered a final determination to deny a request.  If the requester chooses to appeal to the Board, and the Board either denies or fails to timely respond to the appeal, the requester still can file a lawsuit in state court.

The District cannot destroy a document once it has been requested.  If the FOIA Officer denies the request, the document must be retained for at least 180 days from the date of the denial letter.