Annual Notices

  • Annual Notices
     
    Jackson Local Schools is required by state and federal laws to provide notice annually regarding the following:
     
    Anti-Harassment/Intimidation/Bullying Policy
     
    Per Ohio Law, House Bill 276 required all school districts to develop and adopt an Anti-Harassment/Intimidation/Bullying policy by December 31, 2007. In addition to adopting and implementing this policy, district administrators must provide semiannual summary reports of verified acts of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. The Jackson Local School District’s semiannual summary report ending June 30, 2024, includes four (4) verified acts of harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying. One (1) of these reports was substantiated, intervention strategies were provided, and disciplinary action was taken where appropriate. The Board designates the following individuals to serve as "Anti-Harassment Compliance Officers" for the District.  They are hereinafter referred to as the "Compliance Officers." Note: The Compliance Officers may also serve as the District's Section 504 and Title IX Coordinators.
     
    Barry Mason, Assistant Superintendent (bdm2jc@jackson.sparcc.org) (330) 830-8000 7602 Fulton Dr. NW Massillon, OH 44646
     
    Monica Myers, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (mmm3jc@jackson.sparcc.org) (330) 830-8000 7602 Fulton Dr. NW Massillon OH 44646 
     
    Asbestos Management Plan
     
    The US EPA published their AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act) Regulations in 1986. These regulations require all local education agencies (LEA’s) to have their buildings inspected for asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM), to have a written Asbestos Management Plan created, and to institute an Asbestos Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Program to train in-house personnel how to properly manage and work around the ACBM in their buildings. An annual notification is required to be sent to all school district employees, parents, groups and organizations to explain the Management Plans and any current relevant activities. The Jackson Local School District has completed all of these requirements.
     
    The master copy of the Asbestos Management Plan for all school buildings is maintained in the office of Harley Neftzer, Building and Grounds Supervisor, Jackson Local School District, 7602 Fulton Dr. NW, Massillon, Ohio 44646 (330) 830-8000. A copy of the Asbestos Management Plan that is specific to each building is maintained in the principal’s office at the following school locations: Amherst Elementary, Lake Cable Elementary, Sauder Elementary, Strausser Elementary, Jackson Memorial Middle and Jackson High School.
     
    The Asbestos Management Plan is available for review by any interested party. Harley Neftzer can be contacted by phone or in writing at the address listed above to answer questions or to arrange for a review of the Management Plan. If requested, a suitable location on-site will be provided for review of the Management Plan. Copies of any pages from the Management Plan will be provided by the Jackson Local School District at a cost of $0.10 per page.
     
    The purpose of this Annual Notification is to explain the status and availability of the Asbestos Management Plan, to review recent asbestos-related activities in the school district, and to list the asbestos-related activities that are planned to take place in the upcoming calendar year.   There are no recent or planned activities for the 2012-2013 school year.
     
    Notification of Rights under FERPA for Elementary and Secondary Districts
     
    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:
     
    (1) The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the District receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. 
     
    (2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate. Parents or eligible students may ask the District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the Director of Pupil Services, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the District 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.
     
    (3) 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 District officials with legitimate educational interests. A District official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the District Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another District official in performing his or her tasks. A District official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the District discloses education records without consent to officials of another District in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
     
    (4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements 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
     
     
    Student records shall be available only to students and their parents, eligible students, designated school officials, and designated school personnel, who have a legitimate educational interest in the information, or to other individuals or organizations as permitted by law.
     
     
    Both parents shall have equal access to student records unless stipulated otherwise by court order or law. In the case of eligible students, parents may be allowed access to the records without the student's consent, provided the student is considered a dependent under section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code. Only "directory information" regarding a student shall be released to any person or party, other than the student or his/her parent, without the written consent of the parent, or, if the student is an eligible student, without the written consent of the student, except to those persons or parties stipulated by the Board's policy and administrative guidelines and/or those specified in the law.
     
     
    Each year the District provides public notice to students and their parents of the District's intent to make available, upon request, certain information known as "directory information." The Board designates as student "directory information": a student's name; address; telephone number; date and place of birth; major field of study; participation in officially-recognized activities and sports; height and weight, if a member of an athletic team; dates of attendance; date of graduation; awards received; honor rolls; and scholarships. Directory information shall not be provided to any organization for profit-making purposes. The Board may disclose "directory information" on former students without student or parental consent. For information about parent and student rights to inspect, review and request amendments to educational records, or if parents/students believe their rights under Federal law have been violated, please contact Kathy Brand, Director of Special Programs at (330) 830-8000.
     
    Jackson Local Schools Seeks to Serve Children with Disabilities
     
    Within the intent of the federal statutes (Rehabilitation Act of 1973-section 504 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA-public law 105-17), the Jackson Local School District continues its effort to locate and identify children with disabilities from birth through age 21.

    Children with disabilities have physical, emotional, and or mental impairments that may require special education.  Public schools provide free and appropriate education regardless of a child’s disability. However, before these children can be served, they must be found.

    Many of these children are not visible because they may not function in the community’s mainstream, and many are preschoolers.  Parents may not realize that programs and services are available through their school district or from agencies in their community.  If you are aware of a child who may need a special education program or services, contact Kathy Brand, Jackson Local School District’s Special Programs Director with any question you may have regarding the above notice.

    Contact Information:

    Kathy Brand, Special Programs Director

    7602 Fulton Drive N.W.

    Massillon, Ohio 44646

    Office:  (330) 830-8006

    Section 504 Concerns and/or Complaints
     
    Students, employees or residents with complaints or concerns under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 can obtain a complaint form from the District’s 504 Compliance Officer, Kathy Brand, at 7602 Fulton Dr. NW, Massillon, Ohio 44646. The phone number is (330) 830-8000. The District’s grievance procedure may be obtained from the above individual at the address and phone number indicated.
     
    Title IX
     
    The Board of the Jackson Local School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education program or activity, and is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in its education program or activity extends to admission and employment. The District’s Title IX Coordinator(s) is/are:
    Barry Mason
    Assistant Superintendent
    330-830-8000
    7602 Fulton Dr NW, Massillon, OH  44646
    bdm2jc@jackson.sparcc.org
     
    Monica Myers
    Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
    330-830-8000
    7602 Fulton Dr NW, Massillon, OH  44646
    mmm3jc@jackson.sparcc.org
    Any inquiries about the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations to the District may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator(s), the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.
    The Board has adopted a grievance process and procedures that provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints alleging any action that is prohibited by Title IX and/or its implementing regulations. The grievance process and procedures are included in Policy 2266 – Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities, which is available at http://jackson.stark.k12.oh.us.  The grievance process and procedures specifically address how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of Sexual Harassment, and how the District will respond.
     
    Records Access and Confidentiality
     
    Under the Federal Education and Privacy Act of 1996, parents or adult students (18 years or older) in the Jackson Local School District have the right to inspect and review official student records and related information upon written request to the principal of the building to which the student is assigned. An appointment for the review of the records will be made at a mutually convenient time as soon after the receipt of the written request as possible. A parent or adult student who believes that information contained in the educational records of the student is inaccurate or misleading or violates the privacy or other rights of the student may request in writing that the records be amended. A student’s records and related information shall not be released to any individual, group, organization or agency, except with the written consent of the student’s parents or an adult student himself/herself. Exception to this rule would be in regard to compliance with judicial order (subpoena) or other situations as defined by law and/or Board of Education Policy.
      
    Input Sought On Federal Funds 
     
    The Jackson Local School District receives notification of their entitlement of federal funds allocated in accordance with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, Public Law 92-142. Utilization of these funds is designated to provide services and programs for disabled students. Persons who wish to comment on how to utilize these designated funds are welcome and encouraged to contact Becky Gribble, Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, at 7602 Fulton Dr. NW, Massillon, Ohio 44646. The phone number is (330) 830-8000.
      
    Americans With Disabilities Act (A.D.A.)
     
    The Jackson Local Board of Education welcomes and encourages any and all comments from individuals interested in the Americans With Disabilities Act (A.D.A) The A.D.A. contains Title I-Employment, Title II-Public Services, and Title III-Public Accommodations. Please contact Kathy Brand, Director of Special Programs, at 7602 Fulton Dr. NW, Massillon, Ohio 44646. The phone number is (330) 830-8000.

    Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports and Limited Use of Restraint and Seclusion

    The Board of Education is committed to implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) framework on a District-wide basis and the establishment of a school environment focused on the care, safety, and welfare of all students and staff members. Staff are directed to work to prevent the use of physical restraint and/or seclusion. The PBIS framework shall serve as the foundation for the creation of a learning environment that promotes the use of evidence-based academic and behavioral practices aimed at enhancing academic, social and behavioral outcomes for all students. An emphasis shall be placed on promoting positive interventions and solutions to potential crises. If a student's behavior, however, presents a threat of immediate physical harm to the student or others, staff may, as a last resort (i.e., there is no other safe and effective intervention available) and in accordance with the terms of this policy, use approved physical restraint or seclusion to maintain a safe environment.

    To see full policy please go here to po5630.01 in our Board Policy. 

     
    Helping Located Children With a Disability
     
    School districts throughout Ohio are mandated to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with a disability from birth through age 21. Conditions such as autism, deaf/blind, mental retardation, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment and other health impairment, emotional disturbances, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment, deafness and hearing impairments may qualify for services.
     
    Because some parents may not be aware that programs and services are available, we are asking for your help. If you know of a child with a disability, please contact Kathy Brand, Director of Special Programs, at 7602 Fulton Dr. NW, Massillon, Ohio 44646. The phone number is (330) 830-8000. 
     
    Non-Discrimination Policy
     
    The Jackson Local School District affirms that no persons shall, on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity conducted under its auspices. This shall extend to employees therein and to admission thereto. Inquiries concerning the application of this policy may be referred to the superintendent or designated coordinator. This policy shall prevail in all board policies concerning school employees and students.  Title VI complaints (sex, race, color, national origin, or disability) should be referred to Barry Mason, Assistant Superintendent, at 7602 Fulton Dr. NW, Massillon, Ohio 44646. The phone number is (330) 830-8000. 
     
    Stark County Career Compact Civil Rights Compliance Statement
     
    The Stark County Career Compact 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.
    Title 1 Evaluation
     
    Each spring, parents and teachers evaluate the Title 1 Program. Comments and input from both are used as plans are made for services the following school year. If your child is not receiving service or you would like to comment on the Title 1 Program, please complete a survey that is available in all school offices or by contacting Becky Gribble, Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, at 7602 Fulton Dr. NW, Massillon, Ohio 44646. The phone number is (330) 830-8000. These surveys may be returned to any Jackson Local school office.