Dear KCSD Families and the Keokuk Community,
During the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session, SF 2428 was passed and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. This law established a statewide process for district response to classroom disruptions and the goal, per Reynolds, is to protect each student’s opportunity to learn in a safe and orderly environment. Public schools and charter schools are required to follow the law for discipline of students who cause violent or nonviolent disruptions.
The law breaks classroom removals into two categories, nonviolent classroom disruptions and violent classroom disruptions. The Department of Education has provided guidance on what behaviors fall under each category. Locally, we are tasked with creating building level committees that will determine what constitutes a classroom removal and what the consequences will be for those removals. Our building leaders are currently working to create that guidance for their buildings. Each building must create a team to review what the law requires and how that building will meet the requirements set forth in the law.
When a student is removed from a class that guidance includes:
Parent Notification
A parent or guardian will be notified as soon as reasonably possible. School staff will explain the reason for removal from the classroom and discuss the next steps.
Administrative Review
The principal or a designee will review the reported incident and determine the appropriate response in accordance with SF2428 and district procedures. Students are expected to complete any schoolwork missed during the classroom removal for full credit.
Teacher Consultation
Before a student returns to the classroom after a removal, the principal or the designee must meet with the classroom teacher to discuss the plan for the student’s return. Depending on several factors the meeting may occur later in the same day as the incident or the following school day.
Minimum Removal Time
- Grades K – 5: Students may not return to the classroom for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Grades 6 – 12: Students may not return to the classroom they were removed from until the following school day.
Students may return to the classroom once all requirements of SF 2428 and district procedures have been completed.
When is a parent meeting required?
A parent meeting must occur before a student returns to the classroom if:
- The removal is for a violent classroom disruption, or
- Every disruption after the first removal for a nonviolent classroom disruption during the semester.
The meeting must include the student, parent/guardian, classroom teacher, principal, and school counselor. At the meeting the incident will be reviewed, a behavior intervention/support plan and course of discipline will be developed with the goal of the student successfully returning to the classroom.
What happens after repeated classroom removals?
Repeated classroom removals will result in additional disciplinary action as required by Iowa law and district policy. Depending on the circumstances this will include suspension, expulsion, or placement in an alternative learning environment. If a student is removed from a classroom multiple times for a nonviolent disruption, a team must meet to establish a behavior plan and course of discipline to correct the student’s behavior. Parents will receive notification of any disciplinary action taken.
After two nonviolent disruptions the student will receive a suspension for each disruption. The student will receive a suspension for each violent disruption. The length of the suspension will be based on the level and number of disruptions per semester.
Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) who are removed from a classroom due to nonviolent or violent classroom behavior will trigger an automatic IEP meeting. Parents will be required to attend according to state law.
Our focus at KCSD is to continue to foster partnerships with students, parents, and families to create a culture of communication, teamwork, and positive interactions so that all students can be successful.
If you have questions about SF 2428 or on our procedures regarding student behavior, please contact your child’s school building. If you have questions about our requirements under the law, please feel free to contact me at todd.liechty@keokukschools.org.
Sincerely,
Todd Liechty
KCSD Interim Superintendent
PDF of Letter: SF2428 Letter
