Annual Notices
CIVIL RIGHTS NOTIFICATION
OCR VOC/ED GUIDELINES – Civil Rights Comprehensive Notification for Paola USD 368
In compliance with the Executive Order 11246; Title II of the Education Amendments of 1976; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and all other Federal, State, School rules, laws, regulations, and policies, the Paola Unified School District 368 shall not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or handicap in the education programs or activities which it operates.
It is the intent of Paola USD 368, Paola, Kansas, to comply with both the letter and spirit of the law in making certain discrimination does not exist in its policies, regulations, and operations. Grievance procedures for Title IX and Section 504 have been established for students, their parents, and employees who feel discrimination has been shown by the local education agency.
Specific complaints of alleged discrimination under Title IX (sex) and Section 504 (handicap) should be referred to:
TITLE IX COORDINATOR: Matt Meek , Superintendent of Schools, 1115 E. 303rd St., Paola, KS, 66071 - 913 294-8000.
SECTION 504: Matt Meek, Superintendent of Schools, 1115 E. 303rd St., Paola, KS, 66071 - 913 294-8000.
Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 complaints can also be filed with the Regional Office for Civil Rights – US Department of Education, Region VII, Office for Civil Rights, One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut St., Suite 320, KCMO 64106; Telephone: 816-268-0550; Fax: 816-268-0599; TTY: 877-521-2172; Email: OCR.KansasCity!ed.gov.
Matt Meek, USD #368 Superintendent, matt_meek@usd368.org.
Matt Meek, Superintendent, USD 368
GOLDEN AGE PASSES
Paola USD 368 no longer issues Golden age passes, all league schools will let anyone over 65 in for free.
DRUG/SMOKE-FREE SCHOOLS & WORKPLACE
The use of tobacco in any form is not allowed on USD 368 property, in USD 368 owned/leased/rented vehicles, in contracted school buses or at USD 368 activities at any time, by anyone.
A student shall not knowingly possess, sell, use, transmit, or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, any controlled substance, or alcoholic beverage of any kind:
- On school grounds before, during, or after school;
- On school grounds at any other time when the school is being used;
- Off school grounds during a school function.
Use of a drug authorized by a medical prescription from a registered physician shall not be considered a violation of this rule. Violation of any provision of this may result in suspension or expulsion. Use of a drug dog has been authorized by the Board of Education as a part of the drug-free program.
IMMUNIZATIONS/PHYSICALS
Kindergarten students & students entering USD 368 for the first time must have a current immunization record. All kindergarten students must present a signed physical exam form at the time of enrollment. Physicals are also required for students involved in sports and for those students new to the district that are 8 years of age or younger.
For more information, call the Superintendent’s Office at 913-294-8000, or stop by 1115 E. 303rd St., Paola.
FERPA STATEMENT OF RIGHTS
USD 368 respectively informs parents and students that the Family Privacy Act of 1974 applies to our student body. Student Directory information will be considered public and may be released by USD 368 including, but not limited to, colleges and the military. A written notice should be filed within 14 days of the publication of this notice in the local newspaper at the Superintendent of Schools’ Office, 1115 E. 303rd St., or the appropriate attendance building if the parent or student wishes to withhold the following Student Directory information:
- The student’s name, address, phone number, date of birth;
- The names of the student’s parents;
- The student’s class designation/grade level;
- The student’s participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
- The weight and height of members of athletic teams
- The student’s work, degrees, honors, and awards received;
- The student’s photograph;
- Schools/dates of attendance;
- High School student district email address.
- Parents and eligible students have the following rights under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and this policy;
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education record;
- The right to exercise a limited control over other people’s access to the student’s education record;
- The right to seek to correct the student’s education record in a hearing, if necessary;
- The right to the United States Department of Education;FERPAThe right to report violations of the
- The right to be informed about FERPA rights
HUMAN SEXUALITY & AIDS EDUCATION
Human Sexuality & AIDS Education is required instruction. Parents or guardians (or students eighteen years of age or older) who do not want their student involved in all, or some, of the classes may obtain an opt-out request form from the principal. Opt-out requests shall be required annually and are valid for the school year in which they are submitted.
HOMELESS
If your family is homeless, the children have certain rights or protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.
Parental Consent & Release Form Print and Broadcast Media, District Website
SCHOOL ACCIDENT INSURANCE
USD #368 does not cover students with life or health insurance. If your child is injured on school grounds or during a school function or activity, USD #368 is not liable and the student’s family is responsible for handling all related claims and expenses. Accident insurance is available to all students in USD #368. It is mandatory that every athlete be insured against injury while participating in our athletic program. A signed statement from the parent indicating that the student has accident or hospitalization insurance with another insurance agency will release that individual from purchasing athletic insurance through the school. We strongly urge that you consider the program we have to offer this year as in many instances accident or hospitalization policies will not cover all medical expenses as a result of injury.
USD #368 has contracted our current year's athletic programs through Student Assurance Services, Inc. The policy will provide primary blanket medical insurance. The plan will be supplemental to any other valid insurance plan and full benefits will be provided for medical eligible expenses unpaid by other insurance sources. Contact the Athletic Director at Paola High School for offered coverage and premium costs.
2026-2027 Student Insurance Brochure & Enrollment Form
Click here to Enroll & Purchase Student Insurance online