Public Notices

Novi Community School District Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Notification

Each school building within the district has been inspected for the presense of asbestos-containing materials as required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).  A copy of the Building Inspection and Management Plan for each building is available int he buiding's main office.  The plans may be inspected by the members of the public and by district employees during normal business hours.  A copy of the plan will be made available upon request for a nominal fee.

Re-Inspection - The AHERA regulation requires a three-year re-inspection of the condition of asbestos containing materials in all school buildings. This monitoring is being conducted by Arch Environmental.  Any questions can be sent to Mike Dragoo, Director of Maintenance & Operations. 

Student Bullying 

The Board recognizes that bullying and cyberbullying significantly interfere with the learning process.  Through this Policy, the Board prohibits bullying "at school," as defined below, as well as off-campus conduct that is likely lead to a material or substantial disruption of the school learning environment for one or more students.

This Policy is intended to protect all students from bullying, including cyberbullying, regardless of the subject matter or motivation for the behavior.  The Board, through this Policy, also prohibits retaliation or false accusations against a target of bullying, as well as a witness or another person with reliable information about an act of bullying.  The identity of an individual who reports an act of bullying shall remain confidential.

In order that this Policy be properly implemented, the Board directs that:

Implementation

Responsible School Official.  The Principal of each school building is primarily responsible for implementing this Policy for the school to which he or she is assigned.

Publication.  The Superintendent shall revise the District's Student Code of Conduct, consistent with this Policy, to specifically prohibit bullying and cyberbullying, as defined below.  The Superintendent is directed to post this Policy on the District's website.

Reporting.  The Superintendent shall report to the Board of Education, on an annual basis, all verified incidents of bullying, and the resulting consequences that were imposed.

Administrative Regulations.  The Superintendent shall promulgate such administrative regulations as he/she may deem necessary for the implementation of this Policy.  The regulations shall include all of the following:

• A procedure for an individual to report an act of bullying;
• A procedure for the prompt investigation of a report of an act of bullying by the building principal or his/her designee;
• A procedure for providing notification to the parent or guardian of both the claimed victim of an act of bullying and the parent or guardian of the alleged perpetrator;
• A procedure to protect the confidentiality of a person making a report of bullying;
• A procedure for documenting any prohibited bullying incident that is reported; and
• A procedure for the Superintendent to report to the Board of Education, on an annual basis, all verified incidents of bullying, and the resulting consequences that were imposed.

Definitions.  The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this Policy:

"Bullying" means any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, including, but not limited to, cyberbullying, that is intended or that a reasonable person would know is likely to harm one or more District students, either directly or indirectly, by doing any of the following:

1. Substantially interfering with educational opportunities, benefits or programs;
2. Adversely affecting a student's ability to participate in or benefit from educational programs or activities by placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing substantial emotional distress;
3. Having an actual and substantial detrimental effect on a student's physical or mental health; or,
4. Causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.

"At school" means in a classroom, anywhere else on school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle and at a school-sponsored activity or event, whether or not the activity or event is held on school premises.  "At school" includes the off-premises use of a telecommunications access device or telecommunications service provider if the device or service provider is owned by or under the control of the District.

"Cyberbullying" means any electronic communication that is intended or that a reasonable person would know is likely to harm one or more pupils either directly or indirectly by doing any of the following:

1. Substantially interfering with educational opportunities, benefits or programs;
2. Adversely affecting a student's ability to participate in or benefit from educational programs or activities by placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing substantial emotional distress;
3. Having an actual and substantial detrimental effect on a student's physical or mental health; or
4. Causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.

Accountability.  Each student in the School District is accountable for his/her own behavior, based on age-appropriate expectations.  Respect for all students is part of a safe and healthy learning environment.  Each student is expected to demonstrate respect through their interactions with the give-and-take of friendships, group cooperation, social interaction, compromise and acceptance of differences among other students and staff.

Retaliation.  Retaliation against a target of bullying, a witness, another person with reliable information about an act of bullying or any person who reports, is thought to have reported, files a complaint, or otherwise participates in an investigation or inquiry concerning allegations of bullying is prohibited and will not be tolerated.  Such retaliation shall be considered a serious violation of Board policy independent of whether a complaint is found to have been substantiated.  Suspected reprisal or retaliation should be reported in the same manner as bullying.

Making intentionally false reports about bullying for the purpose of getting someone in trouble is similarly prohibited and will not be tolerated.

Retaliation and intentionally false reports may result in disciplinary action.

The Superintendent is directed to implement this Policy and is authorized and directed to promulgate such administrative regulations as may be deemed necessary.

If, however, you would prefer not to have your child featured, please contact your child's school and they will be happy to give you an Opt-Out form.  Please be aware that in filling out this form, your child will not be included in any photos, videos, articles, or student directories.

The District may disclose "Directory Information" from the educational records of a student. "Directory Information" is designated by the district as:

• student's name, address and telephone number;
• names of student's parents;
• student's date and place of birth;
• student's class designation (i.e. 1st grade, 10th grade, etc.);
• student's extra curricular participation;
• student's achievement awards or honors;
• student's weight and height if a member of an athletic team;
• student's photograph;
• previous educational institutions attended by the student;
• student's dates of attendance;
• name of school student currently attends;
• student's electronic mail address;
• student projects, artwork, web pages, and photographic or video images created by the district or students in conjunction with school sponsored activities may be used for information and/or instructional purposes including, but not limited to, video and audio playback, internet and print publication, and cable television transmission.

The district may disclose any of the above without prior written consent unless the building administrator is notified to the contrary in writing. Each building administrator maintains a list of student names wherein disclosure has been refused. These lists are reviewed and students will be excluded from Directory Information disclosures.

The Novi Board of Education developed specific district policies regarding student and staff behavior. Policies and procedures cover virtually all areas of behavior including smoking, drugs, dress, weapons, sexual harassment and use of the Internet. In addition, each building has a Student Code of Conduct that specifies the behavior expected of its students. The district's Parent/Student Handbook also provides a compilation of information that every parent and student should know.

Copies of this handbook and District Policies are available through the Office of the Superintendent, Educational Services Building, 25345 Taft Road; or by calling 248.449.1204. School building policies may be obtained by contacting the building principal.

The Board of Education recognizes that the misuse of drugs is a serious problem with legal, physical, and social implications for the entire school community.  In accordance with the federal and state law, the Board establishes a "Drug-Free School Zone" that extends 1000 feet from the boundary of any school property.  The Board prohibits the use, possession, concealment, delivery, or distribution of any drug or any drug-related paraphernalia, including alcohol and marijuana, at any time on School District property, within the Drug-Free Zone or at any School District-related event.  Further, the Superintendent, or his/her designee, will take the necessary steps to ensure that an individual eighteen (19) years of age or older who knowingly delivers or distributes controlled substances so designated and prohibited by Michigan statue within the Drug-Free School Zone to another person is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The federal law known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age and older ("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 30 days of the day the District receives a request for access.
   
   Parents or eligible students who wish to inspect their education records should submit to the school 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 an amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights under FERPA..
   
   Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the Novi Community School District to amend a record should submit a written request to the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it should be changed.  If the district decides not to amend the record as requested, 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 at the time they are notified of the right to a hearing.
    
3. The right to provide written consent before the district discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from 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 a legitimate educational interests. A designated school official with a legitimate educational interest inlcudes a person employed by the district as an administrator, teacher, or other person designate by the Board of Education.  A school official also includes a liaison officer who, while not employed by the district, may be granted access to student educational records (including video footage) at the direction and supervision of a school administrator.  A school official also may include a contractor or consultant who, while no employed by the district, performs an institutional service of function (such as design and maintenance of the district's security camera system) for which the district would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the district with respect to the use and maintenance of personally identifiable information from student education records.
    
4. The right to refuse to allow the disclosure of "directory information". 
   
   "Directory information" regarding a student may be released to any requesting person or party, in addition to the eligible student or his/her parent, without written consent.  The Board of Education has defined "directory information" to include a student's :
    
   1. Name,
   2. Address and telephone number,
   3. Photograph,
   4. Birth date and place of birth,
   5. Participation in District related programs and extracurricular activities,
   6. Academic awards and honors,
   7. Height and weight, if a member of an athletic team,
   8. Honors and awards, and
   9. Dates of attendance and date of graduation.
      
      In the event inconsistency exists between the Board of Education policy defining "directory information" and this annual notification, the policy prevails.
      
      Each year, the Superintendent, or his/her designee, will provide public notice to students and parents of the district's intent to make directory information available to students and parents.  Common uses for students' directory information, which include, but are not limited to: PTO and Athletic Booster directories.
      
      Eligible students and parents may refuse to allow the district to disclose any or all of such directory information upon written notification to the district within thirty (30) days after receipt of the district's public notice.  Parents may submit written notification to the building principal of their child's school and/or fill out the district opt-out form.
       
5. 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 is:
   
   Family Policy and Compliance Office
   U.S. Department of Education
   400 Maryland Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC 20202-4605
    
6. United States Armed Forces - The district is required to provide United States Armed Forces recruiters with at least the same access to student directory information as is provided to other entities offering educational or employment opportunities to those students as is permitted and/or required by law.  "Armed forces of the United State" means the armed forces of the United States and their reserve components and the United States Coast Guard.  An eligible student or the parent may submit a signed, written direction to the district that the student's directory information not be accessible to United States Armed Forces recruiters.  In such case, the information will not be disclosed.
    
7. Other Agencies or Institutions - As permitted by FERPA, the district may forward education records, including disciplinary records, without student or parental consent, to other agencies or institution in which the student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student's enrollment to transfer and upon receipt of a request for a student's school or education records.
    
8. Compliance - The district will comply with a legitimate request for access to education records within a reasonable period of time, but not more than thirty (30) days after receiving the request or within a shorter period as may be applicable by law to students with disabilities.  The requesting party may be charged a processing fee for the information.

As a public body under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the District has developed procedures and guidelines.  These written procedures and guidelines explain how to submit written request to the District and how to understand the District's responses, fee calculations and submission, and avenues for challenge and appeal:  FOIA Procedures and Guidelines Manual

The Executive Assistant to the Superintendent is designated by the Superintendent to serve as the District FOIA Coordinator.  In this capacity he/she is authorized to facilitate the processing of the FOIA requests.  The Superintendent retains authority to grant FOIA requests and to approve denials.

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.

The Board of Education has designate the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources as the School District's Coordinator under the Homeless Assistance Act.  For questions or assistance, please contact:

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
25345 Taft Road
Novi, MI 48374
248.449.1406

No person may be denied admission to any school in the School District, be denied the benefits of or be discriminated against in any curricular, extracurricular, or other school District program or activity based on the person's gender, religion, race, color, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.  The Board of Education has adopted a Discrimination and Harassment Policy which prohibits all forms of illegal harassment and discrimination within the School District.  Any person who believes that he/she has been the victim of discrimination may see resolution of his/her complaint through the procedures that have been established by the School District.  A person wishing to pursue a complaint may contact the School District's Civil Rights Compliance Officer. 

The District appoints the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources as the District's Compliance Officer whose responsibility it will be to ensure that Federal and State regulations are complied with and that any inquiries and complaints are dealt with promptly in accordance with law. S/He shall also ensure that proper notice of nondiscrimination for Title II, Title VI, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is provided to students, their parents, staff members and the general public.

Contact information for the Compliance Officer is as follows:

Novi Community Schools Compliance Officers:

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
25345 Taft Road
Novi, MI 48374
248.449.1205

or

Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services
25345 Taft Road
Novi, MI 48374
248.449.1208

The Novi Community School District utilizes an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to control pests. IPM is a pest management system that utilizes all suitable techniques in a total pest management system to provide students and staff with an environment that is free of pests, pesticides, and harmful chemicals to the extent required by law. The IPM Program includes routine inspections or surveys of all school facilities and various strategies to prevent pests from becoming a problem.  Pest management techniques emphasize sanitation, pest exclusion, and biological controls. One of the objectives of using an IPM approach is to reduce or eliminate the need for chemical applications of pesticides. 

Notification is not given for the 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 notified following any such application.

Advance notification of pesticide applications, other than a bait or gel formulation, will be given by at least 2 methods. The first method will be by posting at the main entrance to the school / day-care center. The second method will be by posting information on the Novi Community School District web site. Parents or guardians of children attending the school may review the school’s Integrated Pest Management program and records of any pesticide application upon request, please complete the request form and mail it to:

 Maintenance & Operations Department
 Attn.: Pesticide Notification
 45495 Eleven Mile Road
 Novi, MI 48374

The Novi Community School District offers evaluations, programs, and services to individuals who are identified as having, or who are suspected of having, a disability as defined in either the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These services are available to eligible persons ages 0-26 who reside within, or attend a K-12 school program within, the Novi Community School District attendance boundaries. Referrals are accepted from parents, staff members, community agencies, and other interested parties. For more information about available services, parent/ student rights or referral procedures, contact the Novi Community School District Office of Student Services at 25345 Taft Road, Novi, MI, 48374, or call 248.449.1200.

All children who enter schools in Michigan are required by state law to be fully vaccinated in accordance with Part 92, Act 368 of the Public Acts of 1978. New enrollees must provide proof of immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, varicella, mumps and Hepatitis B or present a statement signed by the parent/guardian that there are religious or other objections to the immunization. New enrollees, including kindergartners, cannot attend without the required immunizations or waiver. The Oakland County Health Department advises that all children obtain these immunization boosters. For more information contact the office of the building in which your child is to be enrolled.

The Board acknowledges the need for a reasonable degree of in-school storage of student possessions and will provide storage places, including desks and lockers, for that purpose.  Where lockers are provided, students may lock them against incursion by other students, but lockers remain School District property.  Students do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to School District personnel or their designees in lockers or other in-school storage places provided by the School District.

The Board also authorizes the use of canines, trained in detecting the presence of drugs or devices.  Canines are used to determine the presences of drugs in locker areas and other places where such substances may be concealed.  Canine detection is usually conducted in collaboration with law enforcement authorities or other certified organizations and is not used to search individual students without legally sufficient suspicion, a warrant or parental permission has been obtained.

School authorities are authorized to take reasonable steps to safeguard the safety and well-being of the students by, among other things, implementing the School District's Student Code of Conduct.  Within the discharge of their responsibilities, School District personnel may search students, student property, and school property in the manner permitted by law.

Drill Requirement

Public Act 12 of 2014 that went into effect on July 1, 2014 revises the number and scheduling of required school safety drills.  Ten drills will be required each year:

• Five fire drills per school year. Three of which must take place by December 1. (There must be a reasonable interval between each drill.) The other two during the remainder of the school year.
• Two tornado safety drills per school year. One of which must take place in March.
• Three lockdown drills per school year, including security measures appropriate to an emergency "such as the release of hazardous material or the presence of a potentially dangerous individual on or near the premises." At least one of the drills must take place by December 1 and at least one after January 1. (There must be a reasonable interval between each drill.)
• At least one of the above-listed drills must be scheduled during lunch, recess, or at another time when a significant number of students are present, but not in classrooms.

For a list of scheduled and completed drills, visit the desired school's school safety drills web page. 

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requires the district to submit an annual storm water management plan update to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The required annual report was submitted and reviewed and found to be in compliance with the COC No. MIS040076 of the MS4 Jurisdictional General Permit No. MIS040000. Copies of the Novi Community School District Storm Water Management Program Plan may be obtained by sending a written request to the Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, 25345 Taft Road, Novi, MI 48374.

Learn more about Stormwater Management 

Novi Community School District is committed to the environment and strives to be a good steward of the land within its jurisdiction by using appropriate Best Management Practices to contribute to the improvement of water quality within the Huron River and Rouge River Watersheds where the district is located.

Novi Community School District encourages all students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors to get involved through opportunities provided by the local watershed groups including the Huron River Watershed Council, Friends of the Rouge, and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).

Why worry about stormwater?

Many people may not realize that stormwater collected in drains located on the street curbs does not flow to their local water treatment plant. Rather, this water remains untreated and is discharged directly into the waterways. During this journey to the waterways, stormwater collects and carries a broad range of pollutants. Stormwater is a nonpoint source of pollution thus making it extremely difficult to address and the single greatest threat to our water quality and watershed health.  Nonpoint source pollution comes from many diffuse runoff sources such as rainfall and snowmelt, flowing over and through the ground, picking up pollutants as it goes. Some of these pollutants occur naturally, such as nutrients from sediments, manure, or pet wastes. Other pollutants such as fertilizers, automotive grease, and oil occur from our interaction with the environment. Stormwater acts as a carrier of nonpoint source pollution and is therefore considered a major cause of water quality problems both in Michigan and nationwide.

Public Notice of Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)

To this end, the school district has developed and implemented a “Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)” to reduce the discharge of pollutants from their MS4 to the Maximum Extent Practicable and protect water quality in accordance with the appropriate water quality requirements of Michigan Act 451, Public Acts of 1994, Part 31, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the district National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit (NPDES).

A copy of the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) is available for review on the district’s website.  Any questions or comments regarding the Stormwater Management Plan should be directed to the Maintenance and Operations Department at (248) 449-1240.