Community Civility

In our Knappa community, all individuals deserve to be treated in a civil manner.  That doesn’t mean we always have to agree, however.  During spring of 2022, stakeholders shared feedback which led to creation of Knappa’s first civility policy.  In addition, the proper process for addressing concerns is being shared and reinforced.  Each group also made commitments to how they will act to maintain civility (commitments) as well as their expectations of others (expectations).  These commitments and expectations are shared here and shall be reviewed annually with stakeholders. 

Community Civility Policy 

Statement and Purpose:

The Knappa School Board (“Board”) and, in turn, the District recognize and value the free expression of ideas in a high-quality educational process. A need for a safe, civil environment that is characterized by mutual respect is essential. Conversely, uncivil conduct, like other forms of disruptive behavior, interferes with a student’s ability to learn and the District’s ability to educate its students. 

This policy is designed to promote mutual respect and civility among and between all the stakeholder groups in the Knappa School District community. The following ideas were gathered from those listening sessions and the expectation is that all members of the school community (Board, District employees, parents, volunteers, students and the public) will: 


  • Keep the best interests of students first;
  • Acknowledge that most people are acting with the best of intentions and we should assume goodwill at the outset of an interaction.
  • Listen for understanding to other persons’ perspectives before forming a judgement;
  • Go to the source of a concern or to someone in a position to address the concern; 
  • Value the voices of those responsible for the educational programs and enhance the partnership with the families whose children attend our schools;
  • Be honest, patient and genuine;
  • Suspend judgement until all points of view are heard, and all information is gathered; and
  • Maintain composure and tone of voice when communicating problems and concerns 

Social media is discouraged as a resource for solving complaints

People should avail themselves of the District’s complaint process, KL and KL-AR.

The Board intends to ask each stakeholder group to review and reaffirm its commitments and expectations to promote civility and mutual respect annually.  The initial commitments and expectations affirmed by each stakeholder group are attached to this policy.

The Board directs the Superintendent to communicate and publish a flow-chart to be used by parents and community members for the purpose of resolving complaints and disputes in a timely manner. Such flowchart shall be in included with the AR associated with this Policy.

Definitions 

“Uncivil Conduct” is defined as behavior in a discourteous or disrespectful manner when communicating or interacting with others whether it occurs in person or on social media. 

“Uncivil Conduct” does not include the expression of controversial or differing viewpoint that may be offensive to some people. 

Knappa School District #4

Code: KC 

Adopted: 6/22/2022 

End of Policy

Stakeholder Commitments and Expectations

Administrators 

To create an environment that recognizes and values the free expression of ideas in a high-quality educational process, a need for mutual respect and civil engagement is essential. 

As administrators in the district, we made the following commitments and listed our expectations on April 12, 2022, to achieve a more civil and respectful school environment:

We Commit To:
  • Always put students first 
  • Listening for understanding by actively listening instead of preparing a response 
  • Communicating and using the KL process for addressing concerns 
  • Being polite 
  • Showing respect for others, by recognizing people’s differences and personal beliefs 
  • Communicating directly with the source of a concern or issue 
  • Assuming good will 
  • Telling stories that are my own and not ones that belong to others
We Expect:
  • Others to be committed to the success of all students 
  • To be treated with respect and be judged on our actions and not on others’ perceptions of our actions 
  • To be spoken to in calm voice and free from profanity 
  • Honesty 
  • Others to consider multiple perspective and to use the KL process 
  • Mutual respect when being asked for contact with the Superintendent 
  • Others to understand that KSD is short-staffed with many doing multiple job functions 
  • Others will follow the protocol and chain of command when addressing complaints
  • To communicate and publish a flow chart of common issues of concern 
  • To respond to requests in a timely manner 
  • Others to only tell their own stories

Certified Staff

To create an environment that recognizes and values the free expression of ideas in a high-quality educational process, a need for mutual respect and civil engagement is essential. 

As certified employees in the district, we made the following commitments and listed our expectations on April 12, 2022, to achieve a more civil and respectful school environment:

We Commit To:
  • Keeping the best interests of students first
  • Being honest and genuine 
  • Listening for understanding 
  • Suspending judgment until all points of view are heard and all information is gathered 
  • Being present each day in the classroom to engage our students in the learning process
We Expect:
  • Others to listen for understanding and keep an open mind  
  • Others to be willing to change their points of view as a result of deep listening 
  • Others to suspend judgment until all points of view are heard and all information is gathered
  • A recognition that perception is not reality until all facts are known 
  • Social media to not be used to criticize the KSD or staff when problems go unresolved
  • Social media to not be used for the purpose of sharing and for resolving disputes 
  • Mutual respect when conversing with others
  • Teachers’ input, their individual voices and their influence and expertise as professionals to be valued and respected
  • Problems to be resolved in a collaborative way throughout the K-12 spectrum with opportunities for cross grade levels conversations 
  • Mentorship to be valued and prioritized

Classified Staff & Coaches

To create an environment that recognizes and values the free expression of ideas in a high-quality educational process, a need for mutual respect and civil engagement is essential. 

As classified employees and coaches in the district, we made the following commitments and listed our expectations on April 11-12, 2022, to achieve a more civil and respectful school environment:

We Commit To:
  • Keeping the best interests of students first
  • Discharging our duties as school employees consistent with state and local guidelines  
  • Being a better listener by listening for understanding 
  • Maintaining composure with an even tone of voice when addressing concerns 
  • Acting respectfully by being honest and transparent
  • Fostering respect by showing respect
  • Valuing each employee’s contributions and trust in decisions that are made
We Expect:
  • Others to go to the source of a concern/complaint when confronted with a problem or to someone in a position to address the matter
  • Transparency and Honesty to be essential 
  • And assume that all stakeholders (teachers, parents, administrators, staff, board members and the community) are acting with the best of intentions 
  • Social media not to be used to criticize the KSD when problems are identified
  • Social media not to be used for the purpose of sharing or resolving disputes 
  • KSD to communicate and publish a flowchart where others can take issues of concern/complaints: (e.g., curriculum issue; behavior consequences; etc.) 

High School ASB Officers

To create an environment that recognizes and values the free expression of ideas in a high-quality educational process, a need for mutual respect and civil engagement is essential. 

As student leaders in the ASB, we made the following commitments and listed our expectations on April 11, 2022, to achieve a more civil and respectful school environment:

We Commit To:
  • Genuine caring, like helping someone out
  • Showing some assertiveness and confidence to express ourselves in ways to show who we are
  • Being approachable and able to accept criticism
  • Freely exchanging ideas in a respectful way such as having your point of view questioned is okay
  • Listening in order to understand others’ points of view
  • Inspiring others
  • Being open-minded, like accepting roles that are given to us
  • Leading by example / being a positive role model, especially to younger students
We Expect:
  • Others to keep an open mind
  • To not shut people down before understanding their points of view
  • Showing patience and listening to others before responding—listening to understand/not listening to respond
  • Being less prejudiced and accept alternative points of view
  • Not judging someone on what she/he may have done in other circumstances
  • To be happy with other people’s success
  • A loss or failure or being wrong will help us grow and will not let pride get in the way (e.g., being a good loser)
  • To win with grace and be able to be happy for others’ success

Middle School Students

To create an environment that recognizes and values the free expression of ideas in a high-quality educational process, a need for mutual respect and civil engagement is essential.
As middle school students in the district, we made the following commitments and listed our expectations on April 12, 2022, to achieve a more civil and respectful school environment:

We Commit To:
  • Acting civilly and respectfully 
  • Being a good role model 
  • Accepting the points of view of others
  • Assume everyone has best interests
  • Being open-minded 
  • Make decisions that benefit everyone
  • Maintain eye contact when listening and speaking 
  • No talking with others are speaking
  • Being a good listener 
  • Being kind on social media
We Expect:
  • Others to be trustworthy as we are to them or until trust is broken 
  • Individuals will show concern about me 
  • To receive the respect that we give to others
  • That others are acting with good intentions 
  • Others will take seriously what is shared with them 
  • To be both good winners and a good loser 
  • Others will be kind in using social media
  • That social media is not used to solve problems

Parents

To create an environment that recognizes and values the free expression of ideas in a high-quality educational process, a need for mutual respect and civil engagement is essential. 

As parents, we made the following commitments and listed our expectations on April 12, 2022, to achieve a more civil and respectful school environment:

We Commit To:
  • Keeping the best interests of students first 
  • Being genuine 
  • Showing up and being present especially when conflict exists 
  • Actively listening and trying to understand the other person’s perspective 
  • Listening to listen and not just to respond 
  • Going to the source of the problem or concern 
  • Suspending judgment until after hearing and understanding all perspectives
We Expect:
  • Everyone is acting with the best of intentions
  • Transparency and Honesty to be essential 
  • Social media not to be a useful tool to solve problems 
  • To seek partnership and collaboration with school staff when issues arise 
  • Parents and teachers to have timely conversations about students, especially when issues or concerns arise
  • The KSD to communicate and publish a flowchart where parents can take issues or concerns
  • Our community to be aware and engaged in what is happening in the schools 

Community Members  

To create an environment that recognizes and values the free expression of ideas  in a high-quality educational process, a need for mutual respect and civil  engagement is essential.  

Community members who attended the April 11, 2022, meeting made the  following commitments and listed expectations to engage in a civil and respectful  discourse:

We Commit To:
  • Keeping the best interests of students first  
  • Fostering respectful engagements  
  • Acknowledging that everyone,  especially our teacher, are well intentioned
We Expect:
  • The district to treat every child equitably and with respect and dignity  
  • The staff to enforce school rules to  ensure a safe and caring environment  
  • To investigate complaints and take appropriate actions promptly  
  • The district to use resources wisely, especially focusing on high quality educational materials

Complaint Process Flow Chart

Stop sign clip art

Use of social media is not a way to raise concerns in Knappa. Please use the process described by the flow chart. It is more likely to help. 

Informal: Discuss the matter with the person who can fix the concern. This communication is best done in person, in a virtual meeting, or on the phone, NOT VIA EMAIL. *Email can be used to arrange a time to meet/chat. 
If not satisfied at the informal level, file the KL complaint form with the person who can fix the concern. Participate in a meeting with them to try to resolve formally.
If not satisfied at Level 1, file the complaint form with the supervisor at Level 2. Participate in a meeting with them to try to resolve the issue.
If not satisfied at Level 2, file a complaint form with the superintendent at Level 3. Participate in the meeting with the superintendent to try to resolve the issue. 
If not satisfied at Level 3, file a complaint with the School Board. You may be invited to a meeting with the School Board to discuss the matter. They will review the matter and create a response. 
Note: some types of issues may be forwarded to the Oregon Department of Education after the Board review step. Some issues have a different process, including special education concerns, Title IX concerns, child abuse reporting, and bullying concerns. Feel free to contact the Superintendent's office if your concern is related to these issues, and they will provide appropriate guidance.