To the Members of the Western Dubuque Community School District Board of Education:

We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Western Dubuque Community School District (WDCSD) add to an upcoming school board meeting agenda, within the required time frame, a discussion and review of current district policies, including the Student Code of Conduct and the district’s compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.

Recent incidents at Cascade High School have demonstrated that current policies do not provide adequate protection and support for students. As concerned parents, students, staff, and community members, we urge the Board to take the following actions:

1.     Implement parent advocacy teams at each district school to make sure parents have an outlet for expressing safety concerns, inappropriate behaviors, and provide parental support.

2.     Conduct a thorough review of the district’s policies related to student conduct, discipline, and Title IX compliance to ensure they are effective in protecting students. 

3.     Publish for parent access all district metrics with regards to student disciplinary actions that are currently reported to the state.

4.     Gather information from other school districts across Iowa, particularly those that have faced and addressed similar issues, to identify best practices and policy improvements.

5.     Assess whether existing disciplinary measures are appropriately addressing misconduct, whether these practices are consistently enforced, and if additional steps need to be implemented to foster a safer and more respectful learning environment.

6.     Develop specific protections for victims of sexual misconduct, assaults, threats, or bullying, to include when these behaviors occur online.  Ensure that counseling services are available to victims both during and beyond school hours to protect the privacy of victims.

7.     Evaluate the partnership between the schools and local law enforcement as well as the effectiveness of school resource officers to ensure that there is open and timely communications and engagement whenever student safety is in jeopardy or when there are potential legal/criminal ramifications.

8.     Review current policies regarding the seizure of students’ electronic devices to ensure that there is clear direction on how long the school can maintain possession of the devices and when it is to be handed over to legal authorities.

9.     Develop a curriculum that provides regular education for the entire student body on safe and ethical uses of technology, mental wellness and suicide prevention, as well as the dangers of other risky behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse.  Utilize experts in each field to ensure students are being presented with current and accurate information.

10.  Establish a robust training program for administration, teachers, and staff on crisis management, including sexual misconduct, to ensure they have the skills needed to provide emotional support to victims, are given tools to conduct investigations into these matters, and have a clear direction as to when to involve law enforcement. 

11.  Provide a transparent review process detailing subsequent action plans with opportunities for community input, including parents, students, and staff, to ensure all voices are heard and considered.

Students deserve a school environment where they feel safe and supported. Ensuring that policies are comprehensive, enforceable, and aligned with legal and ethical standards is critical to achieving this goal. We request the Board take immediate action to prioritize student safety and well-being by addressing these concerns.