Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)

The Superintendent shall appoint an administrator or staff person to serve as the Toxic Hazard Preparedness (THP) Officer. The THP Officer shall be responsible for identifying potential sources of toxic hazards, obtaining Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), ensuring that all incoming materials are properly labeled with the identity of the chemical, hazard warning and the source of the chemical, and maintaining a current file of the MSDSs for all hazardous materials present on the District's property, among other duties as required by law. The Board will rely on MSDSs from material suppliers to meet hazard determination requirements.

In accordance with state and federal law, the District shall have an asbestos management plan for each school building; maintain and update the plan to ensure that it is current with ongoing operations and maintenance; engage in periodic surveillance, inspection, re-inspection, and response action activities; and comply with the EPA regulations governing the transportation and disposal of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials. The Superintendent shall be responsible for creating and implementing the asbestos management plan. At least once each school year, the District will notify the parents, teachers and other staff of the availability of the asbestos management plan. The Superintendent shall be responsible to ensure proper compliance with federal and state laws and the appropriate training and instruction of staff and students.

Child Nutrition Programs

The Superintendent shall prepare and implement administrative guidelines and SMART Goals, in accordance with applicable law, with input from the District's Wellness Committee, that promote students health, nutrition, well-being, and regular physical activity as part of the learning environment, in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Principal of each school building shall have the authority and responsibility to ensure that each school building complies with this policy.

The District will inform the public annually about the wellness policy, provide a link to the wellness policy online, review the wellness policy at least triennially, and provide information to the public on how they can participate on the wellness committee and assist with the development, implementation and periodic review and update of this policy.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation's foundational education law dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities for all students.

The previous version, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2002, made significant strides in highlighting areas where students were progressing and where additional support was needed. However, NCLB's requirements became increasingly challenging for schools and educators to meet over time. In response, the Obama administration joined with educators and families in 2010 to advocate for a new law aimed at fully preparing all students for success in college and careers.

ESSA includes provisions to support student and school success, such as:

- Promoting Equity: Upholds critical protections for disadvantaged and high-need students. 

- High Academic Standards: Requires that all students be taught to standards that prepare them for college and careers. 

- Access to Vital Information: Provides educators, families, and communities with essential data through annual statewide assessments that track student progress. 

- Supporting Local Innovation: Fosters local, evidence-based interventions developed by educators and community leaders. 

- Expanding Preschool Access: Builds on efforts to increase access to high-quality preschool programs. 

- Accountability: Sets expectations for action and improvement in the lowest-performing schools, especially where student groups are not progressing, or graduation rates are consistently low. For more details, you can review the full ESSA legislation by clicking here.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Allegan Area ESA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, martial status, or handicap in the admission to, access to, participation in, benefits of, or employment in its programs or activities as provided by district policy and in compliance with federal and state law. For more information, please contact:

William Brown, Superintendent 310 Thomas Street Allegan, MI 49010

To file a program discrimination complaint with USDA, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), available online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office. You may also write a letter to USDA, including all information requested in the complaint form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

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

Fax: (202) 690-7442

Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The School District, in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, will ensure that homeless children and youth in transition have access to a free and appropriate public education, including preschool, and given a full opportunity to participate in state and District-wide assessments and accountability systems. A student may be considered eligible for services if he/she is presently living:

In temporary shared housing, a shelter, or transitional living program;

In a hotel/motel, campground, or similar situation due to lack of alternative;

At a bus station, park, car, or abandoned buildings; or

In a temporary or transitional foster care placement.

Non-Discrimination Notices

Allegan Area ESA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, martial status, or handicap in the admission to, access to, participation in, benefits of, or employment in its programs or activities as provided by district policy and in compliance with federal and state law.

For more information, please contact:

William Brown, Superintendent 310 Thomas Street Allegan, MI 49010

To file a program discrimination complaint with USDA, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), available online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office. You may also write a letter to USDA, including all information requested in the complaint form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

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

Fax: (202) 690-7442

Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) provides parents with certain rights regarding surveys, the collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These rights include:

Consent before students participate in a survey funded by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) that covers any of these protected areas:

-Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or their parent

-Mental or psychological issues of the student or their family

-Sex behavior or attitudes

-Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior

-Critical appraisals of individuals with whom students have close family relationships

-Legally recognized privileged relationships (e.g., lawyers, doctors, ministers)

-Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents

-Income, except as required by law for program eligibility

Notice and an opportunity to opt out of:

-Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding source

-Non-emergency, invasive physical exams or screenings required as a condition of attendance, unless necessary for the immediate health and safety of the student (exceptions include hearing, vision, scoliosis screenings, or state-required exams)

-Activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information from students for marketing or sales purposes

-Inspection rights for parents to review:

-Protected information surveys administered to students

-Instruments used to collect personal information from students for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes

-Instructional materials used as part of the educational curriculum

-These rights transfer from parents to students who are 18 years old or legally emancipated

Allegan Area ESA has established policies in consultation with parents to protect student privacy in surveys and in the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing. The District will notify parents of these policies annually at the start of the school year and after any substantive policy changes. Allegan Area ESA will also directly notify parents, by U.S. Mail or email, of specific activities or surveys and provide an opportunity to opt out.

If the District knows the specific or approximate dates of such activities or surveys at the beginning of the school year, it will include this information in the annual notice. For activities or surveys scheduled after the school year begins, parents will receive reasonable notification.

Covered activities and surveys include:

-Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or distribution purposes

-Administration of any protected information survey not funded by ED

-Non-emergency, invasive physical exams or screenings as described above

Parents who believe their rights under PPRA have been violated may file a complaint with:

Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20202

Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Discrimination Based On Disability

William Brown
Superintendent
(269) 512-7700
310 Thomas Street
Allegan, MI 49010
william.brown@alleganaesa.org

Abby Lloyd
Assistant Superintendent
(269) 512-7700
310 Thomas Street
Allegan, MI 49010
abby.lloyd@alleganaesa.org

Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity

Abby Lloyd
Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations
(269) 512-7700
310 Thomas Street
Allegan, MI 49010
abby.lloyd@alleganaesa.org

Erika Kavanagh
Director of Human Resources
(269) 512-7700
310 Thomas Street
Allegan, MI 49010
erika.kavanagh@alleganaesa.org

Anti-Harassment

Abby Lloyd
Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations
(269) 512-7700
310 Thomas Street
Allegan, MI 49010
abby.lloyd@alleganaesa.org

Erika Kavanagh
Director of Human Resources
(269) 512-7700
310 Thomas Street
Allegan, MI 49010
erika.kavanagh@alleganaesa.org

Nondiscrimination and Access to Equal Educational Opportunity

Abby Lloyd
Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations
(269) 512-7700
310 Thomas Street
Allegan, MI 49010
abby.lloyd@alleganaesa.org

Erika Kavanagh
Director of Human Resources
(269) 512-7700
310 Thomas Street
Allegan, MI 49010
erika.kavanagh@alleganaesa.org

Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment

William Brown
Superintendent
(269) 512-7700
310 Thomas Street
Allegan, MI 49010
william.brown@alleganaesa.org

Abby Lloyd
Assistant Superintendent
(269) 512-7700
310 Thomas Street
Allegan, MI 49010
abby.lloyd@alleganaesa.org

Below are quick access links to essential information and support services for students, families, and staff. Explore key links to learn more about our programs and initiatives, including:

• Child Find – Resources & guidance to ensure all children who may need special education services are identified, evaluated, and supported

• Medicaid – Information on Medicaid programs that benefit eligible students within our school system

• School Mental Health – Access to mental health resources and support programs that foster student wellness and resilience

• School Board Calendar – Stay informed about upcoming School Board meetings and events throughout the school year

Allegan Area ESA values the privacy of our community, including students, families, teachers, and staff. This privacy policy outlines our practices regarding the collection, us, and sharing of personal information through our SMS messaging service powered by RingCentral and interactions on our website, www.alleganaesa.org. It also details your privacy rights and how you can exercise them.

We collect personal information in the following ways: 

Direct Interactions: When you opt-in to receive SMS messages or provide personal information through forms on our website, such as the opt-in form.  

SMS Messaging: By contacting us through our RingCentral numbers, you consent to communicate and receive messages from us. These numbers will only be used for direct communication, not for promotional purposes. 

The personal information we collect is primarily used to: 

Communicate with you, including responding to inquiries and sending important information about our services 

Improve our services and website experience 

Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms and conditions 

Allegan Area ESA is committed to not selling or sharing your information with third parties for marketing purposes. Information may be shared with: 

Service Providers: Including RingCentral, to facilitate our communication services. 

Legal and Regulatory Authorities: When required by law or to protect the rights and safety of Allegan Area ESA, our users, or others. 

You have the right to: 

Access: The personal information we hold about you 

Correct: Any inaccuracies in your personal information 

Delete: Your personal information from our records, subject to certain exceptions 

Opt-Out: Of receiving SMS messages by following the instructions in the messages you receive or by contacting us at smsoptin@alleganaesa.org to open a help desk ticket. 

We may update this policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for the latest information.  

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at smsoptin@alleganaesa.org to open a help desk ticket. 

This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites that may be linked from our site. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites before providing your personal information. 

To access specific student forms for each location, please click on the desired school name below.

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