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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-2014 Human Rights CommissionAGENDA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL December 15, 2014 6:00 P.M. 1. Call Meeting to Order/ Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes from November 18, 2014 Meeting 3. Public Comment of Items Not on the Agenda 4. Meeting Business: a. Center for Worker Justice Just Employment Initiative (Coulter) b. Commission Action Plan for 2015 (Bowers) c. 2013 Equity Report (Coulter) d. Request to Make Johnson County a Human Rights County (Olmstead) e. Consider Sponsoring a Job Fair for Retired Persons (Retish) f. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Proclamation Submission to Mayor (Bowers) g. Certificate of Appreciation to Outgoing Commissioner Cohen (Ohnstead) 5. Reports: a. Human Rights Breakfast i. 2014 Survey b. Education Subcommittee (Retish, Olmstead, Coulter) i. Draft Letter Requesting Meeting with Superintendent c. Building Communities Subcommittee (Townsend) d. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights (Ghoneim, Olmstead) e. Commission f Staff 6. Set Next Regular Meeting Date for January 20 at 6:00 pm 7. Adjourn The Human Rights Commission meetings follow the Iowa City Community School District closings for inclement weather except for early dismissals for heat. Minutes Human Rights Commission November 18, 2014 — 6:30 PM Helling Conference Room Preliminary Members Present: Harry Olmstead, Shams Ghoneim, Orville Townsend, Ali Ahmed, Kim Hanrahan, Joe Coulter, Stella Hart, Andrea Cohen. Members Excused: Paul Retish. Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers. Recommendations to Council: No. Call to Order: Olmstead called the meeting to order at 18:30. Consideration of the Minutes from the October 21, 2014 Meeting: Motion Coulter, seconded by Townsend. Motion passed 7-0. (Hanrahan not present). Meeting Business: Human Rights Breakfast Discussion centered on whether to hold the Breakfast at the Iowa Memorial Union in the future. Bowers will prepare and send out a survey to attendees to get feedback on the service, parking, food quality and acoustics at the Iowa Memorial Union. Job Fair Bowers reported attendance near 100 for the job fair held on Thursday, October 30 at the Eastdale Plaza. Over 20 employers and social service agencies participated in the job fair. Commissioners suggested looking at the Old Capital Centre, The Spot or The Mercer Aquatic Center for future sites for the job fair. Public Accommodation Training Olmstead provided a report on the training that was held on Wednesday, November 12 at the Iowa City Public Library. Many of the attendees were City staff. The training discussed accommodations and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Education Subcommittee Retish drafted a letter to send to the Superintendent of the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD). The draft letter requests a copy of the Office of Civil Rights document the ICCSD recently received, along with the ICCSD response. The draft letter also requests the process for recruiting, hiring and retaining diverse staff and the status and future goals of programs for minority and second language learners in special education classes. Motion Coulter, seconded by Ghoneim for Bowers, Relish and Cohen to work on the draft letter for clarity and to present an updated draft at the December Commission meeting. Motion passed 8-0. Building Communities Townsend spoke on the appointment of the new Equity & Staffing Director for the ICCSD. Townsend said the ICCSD is attempting to work with the minority community and is making strides in the right direction. University of Iowa Center for Human Rights Ghoneim spoke on a recent event held in honor of the University of Iowa's Center for Human Rights 15th Anniversary. Both Ghoneim and Olmstead spoke very highly of a community panel that was part of the event. Some of the panelists were Royceaun Porter, Senator Joe Bolkum, Pastor Bob Welsh, Jeffrey Ford and former Iowa Senator Maggie Tinsman. Reports of Commission Cohen spoke on her recent notice of resignation from the Commission. Hart mentioned that she attended the encore presentation of Woke up Black and also had a very successful bystander training on harassment. The training had over 40 individuals in attendance. Ahmed discussed the recent press conference held by the Center for Worker Justice (CWJ) that concerned wage theft allegations against several local employers. Motion Coulter, seconded by Townsend to place on the December agenda the RockTenn concerns expressed by the CWJ with an invitation for the Executive Director (Misty Rebik) for the CWJ to attend the December meeting. Motion passed 5-3. (Cohen, Hanrahan, Townsend in the negative). Ghoneim reported that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Iowa Chapter hopes to have an executive director hired by January 2015. Ghoneim currently serves on the ACLU Iowa Chapter Board of Directors. Coulter notes that the Equity Report is a product of the Commission and suggests improving it by adding housing, employment, and education. Coulter further added that the Commission should share ideas and participate. Hanrahan recently applied to serve on the ICCSD Equity Board. Olmstead and Retish both currently serve on the Equity Board. Olmstead reported on the success of Hart's recent bystander training. Townsend mentioned the Awards Breakfast and that the program keeps getting better. Staff Bowers reminded Commissioners that the next meeting is on Monday the 15th and not Tuesday the 16th. Hanukkah starts at sundown on the 16th. Adjournment: 19:35 Next Regular Meeting — December 15 at 6:00 pm. Human Rights Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2013/2014 (Meeting Date) NAME TERM EXP. 12/17/ 13 1/21/ 14 2/18/ 14 3/191 14 4/29/ 14 5/20/ 14 6/17/ 14 7/15/ 14 8/19/ 14 9/16/ 14 10/2/ 14 10/21/ 14 11/18/ 14 Ali Ahmed 1/l/17 - X X O/E O/E O/E X X X O/E X X X Orville Townsend, Sr. 1/1/17 X X X X O/E X X X X X X X X Paul Relish 1/1/17 X X X O/E X X X O/E X O/E X O/E O/E Kim Hanrahan 111115 X X X X X O/E O/E X X X X X X Shams Ghoneim 111115 X O/E X X X X X X X X X X X Ste0a Hart 111115 - - _ _ _ _ X X X O/E X X X Jewell Amos 111115 X X X O/E R R R R R R R R R Joe D.Coulter l/l/16 X X X X X X X O/E X X X X X Harry Olmstead 1/1/16 X X X X X X X X X X X X X Andrea Cohen 1/1/16 X X X O/E X X X X X O/E X O/E X KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting — = No longer a member R = Resignation Agenda Item 4a Dodging Accountability, Eroding Workers' Rights RockTenn, a national corporation boasting nearly $10 billion in sales in 2014, operates a facility in SE Iowa City that assembles displays for Proctor & Gamble and other companies. Very few of its hundreds of supervisors and production workers are hired directly bythe company —they work for one of two temporary agencies with offices that operate out of RockTenn's cafeteria. The names of the temporary agencies change periodically, but there are currently two agencies providing supervisors and production workers to RockTenn in Iowa City: CFA Staffing and Sedona Staffing. Of&, RockTenn x AI CfA Staffing Customer First Always! r SEDONA STAFFING The temporary workers who run most of RockTenn's packaging lines work under conditions of extreme insecurity, even compared with other temporaryjobs. According to reports by dozens of current and former workers: Most workers are required to arrive and sign -in at work 30 minutes before their shift, and wait for their shift to begin without pay, or they are not allowed to work that day. • Several workers have reported serious individual cases of wage theft in the past year. • Workers receive their wages on a debit card. Several workers have reported they were denied paystubs when they wanted to track their hours of work and rate of pay. • Workers' schedules are completely insecure, varying from hour -to -hour and day-to-day. Each morning, team leaders arbitrarily decide which workers will be chosen to work that day. • Workers are paid poverty wages of $8/hour with no benefits for fast -paced production work. • Workers report crude and disrespectful treatment from managers, and some say they have been discouraged from leaving the line for water in the summer. Some of these allegations are violations of federal and state law. Others are simply unjust. We should expect more from production jobs at a multi -billion dollar corporation. Members of the Center for Worker Justice are calling on RockTenn and its contractors to live up to fundamental principles of just employment: pay living wages; provide paystubs for all workers; establish secure schedules for employees; protect workers' right to organize; and provide workplaces free of racism and discrimination. Agenda Item 4b CITY OF IOWA CITY HUMiN RIGHTS COMMISSION Action Plan January zois — December zois Adopted DATE A goal setting session was held on October 2, 2014, at the Eastside Recycling Environmental Education Center. The following Commissioners were in attendance and participated at this meeting: Harry Olmstead (Chair), Andrea Cohen (Vice -Chair), Shams Ghoneim, Paul Retish, Stella Hart, All Ahmed, Orville Townsend Sr., and Kim Hanrahan. Also in attendance was Human Rights Coordinator Stefanie Bowers. Commissioner Joe D. Coulter was unable to attend. What follows is the prioritization of initiatives identified at the goal setting session. The initiatives will be reviewed by the Commission at its monthly meetings on a quarterly basis. ON -GOING INITIATIVES Human Rights Breakfast. Youth Awards. Job Fair. Collaboration with community organizations & groups. Participation in community events. Sponsor professional development programs. ORGANIZATIONAL INITIATIVES Continue sub -committees. Initiate more educational programs and outreach programs from trends reported in the Annual Report or the Equity Report. Increase participation of all Commissioners in Commission sponsored events, programs and outreach. NEW INITIATIVES .. other mpletiDn Curnmi5sloner Commission Members Outcome Audience Date. ,. ate Outreach to Involved void Foster Community Community Listening Community Posts Dialogue & Community Engagement Outreach to Present Maintain Council Council Proclamations Positive , Provide Relationship Notice of with the Upcoming Council Programs & Events Educational Events on Community Community Events for the Affordable, Engagement, Community Universal, & Education, & Accessible Outreach Housing Educational Presentations Awareness Schools, Presentations on Who the aboutthe Community to the Commission is Commission & Groups, Community and the Role Access to Service Clubs, the Resources Faith Commission Communities Plays in the Community Agenda Item 4d Stefanie Bowers From: WELSHBOB@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 6:32 AM To: Stefanie Bowers Cc: harryo3@aol.com Subject: Please share with Commission Members of Iowa City Human Rights Commission I wish to thanks you for your role in the Fifteenth Anniversary Conference. It was an honor to be asked to serve on the afternoon panel. I am also writing to express the hope that your meeting tonight or at your next meeting that you will vote to indicate to the University's Center for Human Rights your willingness to work with them to make Johnson County a Human Rights County. You may remember that Burns Weston mentioned this possibility in his opening remarks. He mentioned the following website: hfto://i)dhre.org/Human Rights Cities Book.odf This idea was also mentioned in the closing discussion. Thank you for your consideration of this proposal. Bob Welsh 84 Penfro Drive Iowa City, Iowa 52246 354-4618 Agenda Item 4e Stefanie Bowers From: Retish, Paul M <paul-retish@uiowa.edu> Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2014 11:41 AM To: Stefanie Bowers s. At the December meeting,which I can attend, I want propose that the commission sponsor a fair for retired people or anyone who is looking to volunteer. We would invite nonprofits, who need volunteers, to interview attendees who are interested in volunteering. I would hope we can use the library and they would have tables and chairs for us to use. If this will work there should be no costs involved. Thanks Paul Sent from my iPad O W A CITY Agenda Item 5bi HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 410 E. Washington Street • Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (319) 356-5022 • (319) 887-6213 (FAX) www.icgov.org/humanrights December 5, 2014 Stephen F. Murley Superintendent Iowa City Community School District 1725 North Dodge Street Iowa City, IA 52245 Dear Superintendent Murley, I am writing you today to request a meeting between you 2ndt0h!Education Subcommittee of the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. Commissioners on the Education Subcommittee are Paul Retish, Joe D.Coulter and myself. The Iowa City Human Rights Commission as part of our mission is charged with disseminating information and educating the public on illegal discrimination and human rights. We work in collaboration with other organizations in an effort to better the community. Currently we have been very interested in the Iowa City Community School District's diversity initiatives. It is our desire to offer assistance to the Iowa City Community School District which is why we would like to meet. The topics of note at the meeting would be the following: 1. What are the current processes and practices beiny the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) to recruit, hire, and retain more diverse teachers, administrators, and staff? 2. What is the status and future goals regarding placement and specific education services for minority and second language learners in special education classes? 3. What education programs and services are provided for minority and second language learners who have been removed from special education classes and placed in mainstream classes? 4. What is the status of the Settlement Agreement between the ICCSD and the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights? This correspondence does not come as a critique of you or the ICCSD but simply our desire to assist in a meaningful way to the education of all children in this community. Please contact me to arrange a meeting day and time. My phone number is 338-2931or my email address is harryo3@aol.com. We can meet either at the ICCSD Administrative Offices or at City Hall. Sincerely, X407 �y Harry Olmstead Chair, Iowa City Human Rights Commission U.S. Education Department Announces Voluntary Resolution of Iowa City, Iowa, Comm... Pagel of 2 m El U.S. Department of Education ARCHIVED INFORMATION Do I Find... ? U.S. Education Department Announces VoluntaryHow P. Btutlant bam.mroivemsa Resolution of Iowa City Iowa1Community School -mllaae.htrnl?srom) District Compliance Review Coneee aafed union eEMP BER 20, 2013 (htlbl/°°e,ad.apV/arLfatlitaE°M • No Chid left Behind mount: Pram Offxe,(202)401-157fi, °rose®edmov lmaiem:wssa®adaevl (htunriwonsZed.awi.denandim: Ism? sro col FERPA fmbJ/wwv2.ed.aov/ooGav/aen/°u"dbc nit ndm The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights announced today the successful resolution of a sue^ compliance review that was initiated at the Iowa City Community School District In Iowa City, Iowa. The ' FAR A (haomafsaedaam review examined whether the school district discriminates against Arran American students m the bases of Mare"' race and/or disability, in the pre-reteralfreferral and evaluation of these students for special education and in (hf ni.-th wxzaa'°°v/about oo- their placement In special education. lesks.hhnl From the inception of the review, the district worked collaboratively with OCR. The district voluntarily entered Information into a resolution agreement prior to OCR's making any compliance determinations. About... The investigation revealed, however, that African American students continue to be enrolled in special Irensfamlm Teachlm education in the district at a rate that is disproportionate m their enrollment. In particular, In the 2012-2013 (/lexchim) school year, African American students accounted for 2,222 of the 12,774 students, or 17.4 percent, enrolled Family and Community in the district and were 407 of the 1,385 students, or 29.4 percent, in special etlucatien. Emaoament (/family-arM- communiwanmmemeMl 'Inappropriatelylacin students of mix in placing special edumtien Programs can have adverse long-term Early Lsamina (/earlaieaminm n educational consequences for these students; saitl Catherine E. Lhamon, assistant secretary car the Office K-12 Reform ln-lzramms) for Civil Rights.'M appreciate the district's commitment to working with OCR to address this Important civil Mare... tlal°dtlasl rights Issue." Search press Under the comprehensive agreement, the district will: releases Hire an expert with expentse In addressing the overrepresentatmn of students of color in special education to review the district's procedures and make recommendations as to what measures the district should Wks to ensure that it is making approprli is determinations and address the roct muses of the Find By Month overrepresentation of students of color in special education • Develop and implement a plan to expand its universal early weaning process used to identify individual, December 2014 (kn wiJins, - grade -level and sc hmHevel needs. nsimmarmonthlv/20141M • Ensure that every school in the district has implemented a systematic, teem -based means of providing November 2014 (Inawa/oresr nlsmmamwnthiva01411) intervention strategist In rife classroom for students experiencing amdemic or behavior difficulties. ocmbw 2014 aneweroress- Provide training to all teaching staff designed to increase awareness of the oveifepresentatlen of African releaseShmo rthlv12014101 American students in special education and emphasize the purpose and signi0mnce of placement In aealember 2014 (Inawalaresr special education. releesarm°nr ntorM409) • Provide training to teachers and stag at each school on the Intervention process and on intervention Auoua20114 (MewWreao- strategies for students. relemashonnmlvrz01409) • Review specific special educahm records for current students to assess whether eligibility and placement • July 2014llnasvdoreas- ntlsssn'renmW120140n decisions were appropriate, and take appropriate action in response. Jum 2014 (lnsworoross Maintain data and use the data and other informed on gathered during the implementation of the nsImseahm°nihh•12014051 agreement to annually evaluate the effectiveness of Its screening, intervention, evaluation, and placement Mav 2014 (mewmen- processes and analyse data related to teacher referral and the Provisim of team -prescribed interventions, rMeasadmonmlvlzolaasl to determine whether students of all races and national atglnt were heated equitably. AaB N14lfnawamrass- minseshmonmN1201404) OCR will monitor this agreement unfit such time that the district has futhlled the terms of the agreement and 'March 20140newororoae- is in compliancewith Title VI, Section 504, and Title It. rNeacWmonithM1403)Febmam M14 Unewsraeas- A copy of the resolution letter Is posted here(hile:/Awm2.ed.amidammenWpmsa-releasesfiowa- iN- releaseal.on 1201402) letter.doc and the agreement here (hdpJAw 2.ed.am/documents/amss-releasesfima-cit -mmement dm). • January 2014 lAre oohs. ,�aseslmemhhno14a1) OCR's mission Is m ensure equal access to education and promote educational excellence throughout the AILPress Releases llnewaforess nation through the vigorous enforcement of civil rights. OCR Is respensible for entorcing federal Gull rights eaus laws that prohibit discrimination by educational Institutions on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, and age, as well as the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2001. Connect Additional information about OCR is available at htm:/Aw .ed.00v/abouVof lwsflsVocrAnd" html Olsool000k (htm:/An.ed.aov/abmt/otfices/I'stA=rmdexhtrn0. ©�tl� writ ixusEo si Tpe: IM1re'0oitic.smNuaow 8� http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-education-department-announces-voluntary-res... 12/3/2014 U.S. Education Department Announces Voluntary Resolution of Iowa City, Iowa, Comm... Page 2 of 2 TweM (Mpb'/M1wflMr comkherel iMe,.,.e,. �rrn. ....e..A.wx Ma M. mw�.w.w.v^Nvee.mm/u�y/� M.m fhBG:leYww2 etl WebouVoverri /faueho ' I -metlie.hVnB Netla9s(Mlo:/hxw2.aE.00WnotiraN�Mex.Mm4N'yB FOIA!/adlwhaMlenROMHoWCMmII Pfl fMMJMww4 tl /mticetlM cNntl M li qt Sewnly lMlo:/FYw4.eJ.oebneli ysecuMNntlex Mmliv¢TI l uHeMo Inseee rGammlm ffiY tl W b WofiweMU iM tl MM9 -fl 4YhileMuee.bbv BAM:/Avww.wM1lohouae obN 115A.00v BNolNnmi.usa.aoM BeneM.00v BYM:/Mwvi_bmeels.beW1 Reoulallonaoov AAM:/Nwv_reeMBl'Ma uuM http://www.ed.govinews/press-releases/us-education-department-announces-voluntary-res... 12/3/2014 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT Case #05-10-5004 The Iowa City Community School District (District) enters into the following Agreement to resolve compliance review #05-10-5004. The review addressed whether African American students are subjected to discrimination on the bases of race and/or disability, in the pre-referral/referral and evaluation of these students for special education and their placement in special education. The District enters into this Agreement to ensure its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), 42 U.S.C. § 2000d, and its implementing regulation, 34 C.F.R. Part 100, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794 (Section 504), and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 104, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in programs, services or activities operated by recipients of Federal financial assistance, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12132 (Title II), and its implementing regulation at 28 C.F.R. Part 35, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities. The District agrees to take the following actions: Outside Expert By December 1, 2013, the District will hire an expert with expertise in addressing the overrepresentation of minority students in special education. The expert will review the District's procedures for screening, identification, evaluation and placement of students with regard to special education and/or the provision of related aids and services. The expert will examine the root cause(s) of the racial disparity in the overrepresentation of minority students in special education. The expert will make recommendations as to what measures the District should take to ensure that it is making appropriate determinations as to its students' eligibility for special education and/or related aids and services and to address the overrepresentation of minorities in special education and the root causes of this overrepresentation. The expert may be an independent contractor(s) for the District and/or an employee(s) of the District. The District, after retaining its expert, shall promptly provide the expert with all appropriate information the expert believes is necessary to engage in this process. As part of the expert's review and assessment, the following may be considered: a. Access to, awareness and participation (or lack of participation) of students in early intervention programs and activities; b. Parent involvement and awareness of regular education interventions and the building team procedures; c. The effectiveness of regular education interventions available to students at all schools and of the training provided to teachers regarding use of these interventions; these interventions may include informal classroom interventions, building team interventions and interventions outside of the classroom and/or after school hours, such as after school programs, tutoring, mentoring or other programs designed to help students succeed. Page 2 — Settlement Agreement #05-10-5004 d. Availability of high quality reading programs for all elementary school students that are focused on improving the reading performance of such students. REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By December 16, 2013, the District will submit documentation that it has hired an expert to OCR. By January 31, 2014, the District will submit the expert's recommendations to OCR, along with the District's reason(s) for accepting or rejecting each recommendation and a description of changes the District plans to make to implement the recommendations. By July 1, 2014, July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016, the District will provide OCR documentation of its implementation of the recommendations. Screening 2. By November 30, 2013, the District will develop a plan to expand its universal screening process to identify students in need of extra assistance as early as possible in their academic careers and early each school year, on an annual basis, with a goal of ensuring that students are not inappropriately referred for a special education evaluation. This plan will specify the dates the District will expand the screening to other academic areas beyond reading, the methods staff will use to screen students, the steps the District will take to train all District staff on use of the screening process, and the means by which the District will monitor the implementation and success of the screening process and will, as needed, modify the screening in future years. REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By December 16, 2013, the District will submit a copy of the plan to OCR with the name(s) of all District personnel involved in developing the plan. 3. Beginning in the second semester of the 2013-2014 school year, and at the beginning of each ensuing school year, the District will implement the plan referenced at item #2 and other screening improvements identified by the expert. REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By July 1, 2014, July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016, the District will submit documentation to OCR showing implementation of the universal screening in the preceding school year, a copy of its assessment of the implementation and success of the process and any resulting modifications that were implemented, and a description of its plans for conducting the screening in the upcoming school year. Interventions/Buildine-Level Teams 4. By the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, and by the beginning of the following school years, the District will ensure, with the assistance of the expert, that every school in the District has implemented a systematic, team -based means of providing intervention strategies for students experiencing academic or behavior Page 3 — Settlement Agreement #05-10-5004 difficulties. The District will develop written procedures to be provided to all schools that encompass the following, at a minimum; a. guidelines on the purpose and composition of the teams; b. a description of training to be provided to team members and other staff members; c. procedures for referring students to the team and oversight to ensure consistency of the referral process in each school, including: o specificity regarding the circumstances under which a student should be referred to the team; o the timeliness of referrals to the team after identification of the need for referral; o the extent to which informal classroom interventions should be attempted prior to referral to the team and the suggested timeframes for such; and o documentation of the reasons for the referral to the team; d. procedures for conducting team meetings to ensure consistency in the conduct of these meetings at each school, including: o specificity regarding the timeliness of the convening of team meetings after teacher referrals of students to the team; o attendance and participation of principals and/or assistant principals in each team meeting; and, o documenting decisions made at each team meeting for each student, including the date the student was referred to the team, the date of the meeting, the interventions recommended, and the date the team will follow-up regarding the effectiveness of the interventions; e. procedures for providing team -prescribed interventions to ensure consistency in the provision of these interventions at each school, including: o specificity regarding the availability of staff to provide team - prescribed interventions; o the amount of time that team -prescribed interventions should be provided; o how teachers and other staff should document the provision of the team -prescribed interventions; and o requirements that interventions prescribed by the team for students whose dominant language is not English are provided in an effective manner; f. procedures, timeframes, and objective criteria, including measures of feedback from parents, for evaluating the effectiveness of pre -referral interventions prescribed by the team, and determining next steps if the prescribed interventions are deemed ineffective; and, Page 4 — Settlement Agreement #05-10-5004 g. documentation schools are to use to track the success of intervention strategies and consideration of alternate pre -referral interventions and/or consideration of referral for special education. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: By September 15, 2014, the District will submit to OCR a copy of all documentation provided to schools pursuant to this item. By July 1, 2014, July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016, the District will submit documentation to OCR demonstrating implementation of the team process in the preceding school year, a description of any plans to modify the process in the upcoming school year, and the reason(s) for such modifications. By the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, the District will review and revise its materials regarding intervention strategies distributed to District personnel, parents/guardians, students, and other stakeholders to whom the District ordinarily distributes copies of such materials, in both hard copy and online (if such materials are posted online), to reflect any changes made pursuant to item #4 above. In addition, the materials will clarify how parents can request intervention strategies prior to referral for a special education evaluation and will state that the District's intervention strategies are not a substitute for and shall not delay the timely and appropriate evaluations and/or special education services. By September 1, 2014, the District will also distribute copies of the materials to District personnel, parents/guardians, students, and other stakeholders to whom the District ordinarily distributes copies of such materials. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: By September 15, 2014, and by the same date annually thereafter, the District will provide OCR a copy of the materials referenced in this item and will document that it has provided District personnel, parents/guardians and other stakeholders of the materials. Professional Develonment/Trainina 6. By November 1, 2013, and by the same date annually thereafter, the District will provide training to all teaching staff designed to increase awareness of the overrepresentation of African American students in special education and emphasize the purpose and significance of placement in special education is designed only to serve students with disabilities. The training will also address the identification of possible non -disability related causes of academic or behavior deficits; and, the provision of appropriate regular education interventions and behavior management techniques that can be implemented in the regular education classroom to address these deficits. REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By December 16, 2013, and by the same date annually thereafter, the District will submit to OCR a copy of all materials provided in the training and a list of all individuals who attended the training. Page 5 — Settlement Agreement #05-10-5004 By the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, and by the same date annually thereafter for new staff, the District will provide District -wide training to all members of each school's building level team on the intervention process and on intervention strategies for students. The training will address the identification of possible non -disability related causes of academic or behavior deficits; and, the provision of appropriate regular education interventions and behavior management techniques that can be implemented in the regular education classroom to address these deficits. REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By September 15, 2014, and by the same date annually thereafter, the District will submit to OCR a copy of all materials provided in the training and a list of all individuals who attended the training. 8. By the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, and by the same date annually thereafter for new staff, the District will provide all teachers with training on the building -level teams, including, but not limited to the following: a. the purpose of the team; b. its written procedures for referring students to the building -level teams, focusing on the circumstances under which a student should be referred to the team, the timeliness of referrals to the team after identifying the need for referral, the extent to which informal classroom interventions should be attempted prior to referral, including suggested timeframes, and the need to document the reason(s) for the referral and the types of, and extent to which, informal interventions were provided prior to the referral; c. the team's process for discussing the student and developing a plan to provide additional interventions; and d. documentation used by the team, including documentation used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By September 15, 2014, and by the same date annually thereafter, the District will submit to OCR a copy of all materials provided in the training and a list of all individuals who attended the training. Special Education Evaluations 9. By November 30, 2013, the District will review the special education records of all students in grade 3 and lower who were identified for special education based on behavior. The District will examine the data concerning the behavior of each student, will assess whether the data supports reducing the amount of time in which the student is placed in special education in the 2013-2014 school year and, if so, will convene a meeting of the Individual Education program (IEP) team for each such student to consider revisions to the student's IEP for 2013-2014, including possible provision of compensatory regular education services. Page 6 — Settlement Agreement #05-10-5004 REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By December 16, 2013, the District will submit to OCR a list of students whose records were reviewed as part of the implementation of this item, with the race of each student, and will indicate the percentage of time the student was placed in special education in 2012-2013 and the percentage of time the student will be placed in special education in 2013- 2014. For any students whose percentage of time in special education is being held constant or increasing from 2012-2013 to 2013-2014, the District will provide a narrative explanation. 10. By November 30, 2013, the District will conduct a review of the most recent evaluation of all students in special education in order to assess whether the student was determined eligible for special education based on the published criteria, including whether the student was determined eligible based on multiple factors, whether the student showed a sufficient discrepancy from peers or expectations to justify eligibility for special education, and whether the team properly ruled out all exclusionary factors in finding the student eligible for special education. For any student who this review reveals may not have met special education eligibility criteria, the District will immediately commence a re- evaluation to determine whether the student is in fact eligible for special education. A District -level administrator will oversee all re-evaluations conducted under this item to ensure that teams consistently apply the District's eligibility criteria. For any students who this review determines were improperly found eligible for special education, the District will provide by the end of the 2013-2014 school year all necessary compensatory and/or remedial services to address any deficits resulting from the improper placement. REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By December 16, 2013, the District will submit to OCR a list of students whose records were reviewed as part of the implementation of this item, with the race of each student, will indicate for which students it determined a re-evaluation was warranted, and will provide a description of the outcome of each re-evaluation. By July 1, 2014, the District will document to OCR that it has provided all compensatory and/or remedial services determined necessary as a result of this review. Data Maintenance and Evaluation 11. On an annual basis, the District will maintain the following data: a. the number of students, by race and national origin, enrolled in each District school in the most -recently completed school year; b. the number of students, by race and national origin, in special education in the District in the most -recently completed school year; c. a list of students, by race or national origin, and school, who were referred to the building -level team due to academic or behavioral concerns in the most -recently completed school year, including for each the date of referral to the team, the date of the initial building level team meeting, Page 7 — Settlement Agreement #05-10-5004 whether the principal and/or assistant principal participated in the meeting, the interventions recommended (if any), the date the team followed up regarding implementation of the team -prescribed interventions (if any), and whether the student was referred for a special education evaluation, and if so, on what date; and d. a list of students, by race or national origin, and school, who were referred for initial special education evaluation in the most -recently completed school year, and the outcome of each evaluation. REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By July 1, 2014, July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016, the District will provide to OCR the data referenced in this item for the just completed school year. 12. Using the data maintained pursuant to item #11, and other information gathered during the implementation of the Agreement, the District will annually evaluate the effectiveness of its screening, intervention, evaluation, and placement processes and identify improvements necessary in these areas to ensure it is making appropriate determinations and addressing the overrepresentation of minorities in special education. REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By July 1, 2014, July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016, the District will provide to OCR the evaluation referenced in this item, and a description of any steps to be taken in response to the evaluation. 13. The District will analyze its data related to teacher referrals of elementary school students to the building -level team, to determine whether students of all races and national origins were treated equitably in this regard. At a minimum, the District will analyze referrals made by each elementary school teacher to determine whether African American students were referred by any particular teacher at a disproportionate rate when compared to their representation in that teacher's classroom. If so, the District will determine whether over -referral by a particular teacher was based on race or national origin; and take appropriate actions to address any problems noted. REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By July 1, 2014, July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016, the District will provide to OCR the analysis of teacher referrals prepared for the just completed school year. At a minimum, the information provided for each school year will indicate: a. The name of each elementary school teacher, and the teacher's school and grade level; b. the number of students enrolled, by race and national origin, in the teacher's classroom; c. the number of students referred to the team by the teacher, by race and national origin; and Page 8 — Settlement Agreement #05-10-5004 d. the District's analysis of whether referrals by the teacher were disproportionate for African American students, and if so, how the District addressed any problems identified with regard to the over -referral; and e. An assessment of whether each teacher referred students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds for similar reasons. 14. The District will also analyze data related to the provision of team -prescribed interventions, to determine whether students of all races and national origins were treated equitably in this regard. At a minimum, the District will determine whether all interventions prescribed by the team to each student were provided, whether teams met timeframes for meeting to determine the effectiveness of team -prescribed interventions, and whether teams were consistent in determinations made regarding whether additional interventions were necessary or whether a referral for special education evaluation was necessary. REPORTING REQUIREMENT: By July 1, 2014, July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016, for the just completed school year the District will provide to OCR the analysis of the provision of team -prescribed interventions. At a minimum, the information provided for each school year will indicate: a. the name of each elementary school teacher, and the teacher's school and grade level; b. the number of students who received team -prescribed interventions in each teacher's class; c. the District's analysis of whether all interventions prescribed by the team were provided; and if not, how the District addressed any problems identified; d. the number of students who received team -prescribed interventions at each elementary school; e. the date that each student was referred to the team; f. the date that the team met to evaluate each student referred; g. any classroom interventions attempted for each student, including how long each intervention was attempted and the outcome; h. the District's analysis of whether teams met timeframes for meeting to determine the effectiveness of team -prescribed interventions for these students; and, i. the District's analysis of whether teams were consistent in determinations made regarding whether additional interventions were necessary or whether a referral for special education was necessary. Other Information The District understands that OCR will not close the monitoring of this Agreement until OCR determines that the recipient has fulfilled the terms of this Agreement and is in compliance with Title VI, 42 U.S.C. §2000d, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a) and (b), Section 504,29 U.S.C. § 794, and its implementing Page 9 — Settlement Agreement #05-10-5004 regulation at 34 C.F.R. §§ 104.33—104.36, and Title H, 42 U.S.C. § 12132, and its implementing regulation at 28 C.F.R. § 35.130, which were at issue in this case. Prior to the conclusion of OCR's monitoring, the District will provide documentation establishing that any disparities relating to the identification, evaluation and placement of students in special education are not the result of discrimination prohibited by Title VI and its implementing regulations. The District understands that by signing this Agreement, it agrees to provide data and other information in a timely manner in accordance with the reporting requirements of this Agreement. Further, the District understands that during the monitoring of this Agreement, if necessary, OCR may visit the District, interview staff and students, and request such additional reports or data as are necessary for OCR to determine whether the District has fulfilled the terms of this Agreement and is in compliance with Title VI, 42 U.S.C. §2000d, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a) and (b), Section 504,29 U.S.C. § 794, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. §§ 104.33—104.36, and Title II, 42 U.S.C. § 12132, and its implementing regulation at 28 C.F.R. § 35.130, which were at issue in this case. The District understands and acknowledges that OCR may initiate administrative enforcement or judicial proceedings to enforce the specific terms and obligations of this Agreement. Before initiating administrative enforcement (34 C.F.R. §§ 100.9, 100.10), or judicial proceedings to enforce this Agreement, OCR shall give the recipient written notice of the alleged breach and a minimum of sixty (60) calendar days to cure the alleged breach. Superintendent or designee Date December Correspondence City Will Offer Training On Discrimination In Places Of Public Accommodation On Nov... Page 1 of 1 1FXZ rneex Resments Busw'"Lt Governff"l wslltxs /Cgov oro Home n News City Will Offer Training On Discrimination In Places Of Public Accommodation On Nov. 12 Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 3:00 PM Contact Information The City of Iowa City Human Rights Division is sponsoring a training on Name: Stefanie Bowers Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation. In general, public Email: Send Mail accommodations discrimination happens when someone is denied access to the facilities or services of a business or other public place. It may happen when Phone: (319) 356-5022 services are denied outright, such as when someone is refused admission. It may also happen when someone is denied the same service others receive — for Attached Documents example, if they are charged a different price or offered less service. It may also be illegal discrimination when a physical barrier or other issue makes services Training fiver inaccessible to someone who has a physical disability. PDF Document 154 KB Tom Good, a former Training Specialist II with the State of Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) will be the presenter. The purpose of the program is to educate participants on local, state and federal laws covering public accommodations. Examples of public accommodations include: •Hotels, motels, inns and other places of lodging; -Restaurants, bars and other places where food and/or drinks are served; -Casinos, theaters and other places of entertainment; -Stores, banks, barber/beauty shops and retail establishments; -Colleges, universities and educational institutions; -Medical clinics, homeless shelters and other social service providers; -Parks, health clubs and other centers for recreation or fitness; and -Museums and other places of public display. This program would be ideal for service providers, store owners/managers, restaurant owners/managers, hotel owners/managers, mall management as well as the general public to learn and understand the law. The training will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room A. The program is free and open to the public, but pre -registration is required. To register please send an email to humanrights@iowa-citv.oro. Please note that space is limited. Registration will remain open through Monday, Nov. 10 unless all spots are reserved prior to that time. For more information, call City of Iowa City Human Rights Coordinator Stefanie Bowers at 319-356-5022. A-Z Index Citizen Service Center Contact Information_ Residents Transit Routes Web Policies Business News City Emolovee Resources Government E-Subscriotions Visitors Jobs Calendar Copyright® 2006-2012 City of Iowa City Store 410 E Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 Phone (319)356-5000 http://www.icgov.org/apps/news/?newsID=10081 11/19/2014 Applications are now being accepted for a VACANCY IOWA CITY HUMAN Q RIGHTS COMMISSION to fill an unexpired term which will end on January 1, 2016. The commission member who is named to fill the seat may request reappointment when the term expires, if'he or she chooses to do so. Full terms run for three years. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION INCLUDE disseminating information and educating the public on civil and Human rights, including planning programs and activities to eliminate various types of discrimination. and making recommendations to the City Council. The Commission meets at least once a month in the evening with special meetings scheduled when necessary. Service is on a volunteer basis Applicants must be at least l& years of age and reside in Iowa City. Applications are available online at http:llwww.icgov.orglhumanrights, by calling 356-5022 or by emailing humanrights@iowa-city.org. Completed applicatlans are due in the City Clerk's office, 410 E. Washington Street. by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, 0eeember 10. State law requires that most boards and commissions be gender - balanced. Currently, five men and three women serve on the Human Rights Commission. 1 Subm y Staff univercity Homes For Sale Affordable homes in established neighborhoods • Walkable homes close to campus and downtown • Ideal for downtown area employees, singles, and families • These homes and neighborhoods are full of character and charm! About the Program: Do I have to be a University of Iowa employee to participate? NO, the program assists moderate income households with the purchase of homes near the downtown and Univer- sity to create owner -occupied housing for qualified buyers. Do you want to purchase an affordable, quality home located in a vibrant, safe, and attractive neighborhood? If so, the UniverCity program is for you! Visit www.icgov.org/univercify to find out if you qualify. For More Information: Lucy Joseph, Neighborhood Development Services City of Iowa City phone: 319-356-5128 email: lucy-joseph@iowa-city.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/univercityia Twitter: UniverCity View homes: www.icgov.org/univercity bank. UNIVERSITY OF IM COMMUNITY CREDITUNION leditf tt �; Ban `cmiT*t CITYIOWA CITY The Loo Submitted by Staff Eastern Iowas ` 1 re GLBT Chords presents... Dn Ifonodn,j Ourfirst Ten Years Saturday, December 13,2014 r T30pm Zion Lutheran Church 310 St., Cat, C eT) .rW For more information, or to make a tax-deductible contribution, visit www.thequire.org Those needing accommodation in order to attend, }lease call 319.321.2349