Legal & Annual Notices
Annual Education Reports (AER)
The Annual Education Report (AER) provides key information about the educational progress on the complex reporting of information required by federal and state laws. The reports contain information about student assessment, accountability and teacher quality. We have three AERs available to parents and the community. Below is a list of each school with a link to its AER letter and data.
MAISD District - Annual Education Report (AER)
MAISD Early College - Annual Education Report (AER)
MAISD Local/Center - Annual Education Report (AER)
MAISD Seiter Education Center - Annual Education Report (AER)
Statement of Non-Discrimination
Statement of Non-Discrimination
It is the policy of Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) that no person shall be subjected to discrimination in any educational program, service, or activity that it provides, nor in any employment for which it is responsible. As such, MAISD and its Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender (including orientation or transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected classes.
Inquiries related to discrimination should be directed to the Kyle Hamlin, MAISD Superintendent, at khamlin@maisd.com or 616-225-6148.
School Calendars for Local Districts and MAISD Buildings/Programs
In collaboration with teams of administrators and bargaining units from our school partners across the county, Montcalm Area ISD coordinates a county wide common school calendar containing information for the next 5 consecutive school years. The dates listed are complete to the best ability possible. This calendar identifies dates when Montcalm County schools are not in session for winter break, spring break, county wide professional development, and any additional county wide dates planned for school closure. The document also includes information about the first day of school and calculating winter break dates.
CALENDAR LINKS
MAISD Common School Calendar 2023-2028
Web Accessibility
Web Accessibility Standards
The MAISD website content conforms to the W3C WAI's Web Content Accessibility (WCAG) 2.1 or newer guidelines as they are released to ensure the highest level of accessibility for people with disabilities.
In cooperation with our website host, MAISD subscribes to an ADA compliance reporting service for automated monthly website content scanning and reporting to ensure ADA compliance.
In addition, MAISD utilizes the Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) for routine accessibility scanning of our website for the purpose of identifying and addressing noncompliant elements that may be missed during automated scanning.
Our website content managers have attended training on web accessibility and our designated Web Accessibility Manager conducts periodic audits of our website content to ensure standards are maintained.
MAISD uses closed-captioning, alternative text, and tagging where possible to ensure content within our control is equally accessible to all users visiting our website.
Third-Party Content
MAISD is not responsible for the online content or accessibility of any third-party sites that are not offered as part of MAISD's programs, services, or activities.
Reporting Accessibility Issues
If you have trouble accessing the MAISD website, or information within the website, please use the link below to notify our Web Accessibility Manager.
We are happy to resolve content issues within our abilities, provide supplemental content where necessary, or remove offending content we are unable to resolve, to ensure equity and inclusion for all visitors.
Please be sure to provide the web address of the material you tried to access, the problem experienced, and your contact information. We will contact you to either provide the information in an alternative format or let you know the content has been corrected for you to access.
The MAISD Web Accessibility Manager is committed to responding to reported issues within the next business day and will remediate barriers within our control related to website content within 5 business days.
Report a web accessibility issue
File A Formal Web Accessibility Complaint
While we strive to address website concerns quickly and encourage you to report issues directly to us. If a resolution has not been provided in a timely manner you have the right through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to file a formal complaint of discrimination with the Office of Civil Rights by visiting the ADA.GOV website at the link below.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Annual Notice
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records. These rights are:
- The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days after the day the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) receives a request for access.
Parents or eligible students who wish to inspect their child's or their education records should submit to the school principal or Associate Superintendent of Special Education a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
- The right to request the 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 [School] to amend their child's or their education record should write the school principal [or Associate Superintendent of Special Education, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and 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 when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to provide written consent before the school 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 legitimate educational interests. A school official typically includes a person employed by the school or school district (including all 3rd party contractors acting on behalf of MAISD) as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health/nurse, medical, mental health staff, and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the school board. A school official also may include a volunteer, contractor, or consultant who, while not employed by MAISD, performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist; a parent or student
volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, MAISD discloses education records without consent to officials of another school or school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student's enrollment or transfer. [NOTE: FERPA requires a school or school district to make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent or student of the records request unless it states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request or the disclosure is initiated by the parent or eligible student.]
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the MAISD to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Model Notice for Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD), with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child's education records. However, MAISD may disclose appropriately designated "directory information" without written consent, unless you have advised the MAISD to the contrary in accordance with MAISD procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the MAISD to include information from your child's education records in certain school publications. Examples include:
A playbill, showing your student's role in a drama production;
the annual yearbook;
Honor roll or other recognition lists;
Graduation programs; and
Sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members.
Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent's prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with the following information - names, addresses and telephone listings - unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student's information disclosed without their prior written consent. [Note: These laws are Section 9528 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. § 7908) and 10 U.S.C. § 503(c).]
If you do not want MAISD to disclose any or all of the types of information designated below as directory information from your child's education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the MAISD in writing by August 1st of any given school year. The MAISD has designated the following information as directory information: [Note: an LEA may, but does not have to, include all the information listed below.]
- Student's name
- Address
- Telephone listing
- Electronic mail address
- Photograph
- Date and place of birth
- Major field of study
- Dates of attendance
- Grade level
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height of members of athletic teams
- Degrees, honors, and awards received
- The most recent educational agency or institution attended
- Student ID number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used to communicate in electronic systems but only if the identifier cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user's identity, such as a PIN, password, or other factor known or possessed only by the authorized user
- A student ID number or other unique personal identifier that is displayed on a student ID badge, but only if the identifier cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user's identity, such as a PIN, password, or other factor known or possessed only by the authorized user.
See the list below of the disclosures that MAISD may make without consent.
FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students' education records, without consent of the parent or eligible student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the parent or eligible student, § 99.32 of the FERPA regulations requires the school to record the disclosure. Parents and eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A school may disclose PIT from the education records of a student without obtaining prior written consent of the parents or the eligible student -
- To other school officials, including teachers, within the educational agency or institution whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in§ 99.3 l(a)(l)(i)(B)(l) - (a)(l)(i)(B)(3) are met. (§ 99.3 l(a)(l))
- To officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student's enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of§ 99.34. (§ 99.3l(a)(2))
- To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as the State educational agency (SEA) in the parent or eligible student's State. Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of§ 99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf, if applicable requirements are met. (§§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
- In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary for such purposes as to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§ 99.31(a)(4))
- To State and local officials or authorities to whom information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed by a State statute that concerns the juvenile justice system and the system's ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records were released, subject to§ 99.38. (§ 99.31(a)(5))
- To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction, if applicable requirements are met. (§ 99.31(a)(6))
- To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§ 99.31(a)(7))
- To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§ 99.3l(a)(8))
- To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena if applicable requirements are met. (§ 99.31(a)(9))
- To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to § 99.36. (§ 99.31(a)(10)
- Information the school has designated as "directory information" if applicable requirements under§ 99.37 are met. (§ 99.31(a)(ll))
- To an agency caseworker or other representative of a State or local child welfare agency or tribal organization who is authorized to access a student's case plan when such agency or organization is legally responsible, in accordance with State or tribal law, for the care and protection of the student in foster care placement. (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(l)(L))
- To the Secretary of Agriculture or authorized representatives of the Food and Nutrition Service for purposes of conducting program monitoring, evaluations, and performance measurements of programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, under certain conditions. (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(l)(K))
LINKS
MAISD FERPA Annual Notice 2019-2020
MAISD Board of Education Policy 8330 Student Records
Michigan Compiled Law MCL 380.1136 Protection of pupil privacy
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Procedures and Guidelines Annual Notice
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231-15.246, provides for public access to certain public records, permits the charging of prescribed fees and deposits, and provides remedies and penalties for non-compliance. A person has a right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of certain requested public records. Some public records are permitted or required not to be disclosed. The ISD is a public body that must comply with the FOIA. The ISD has established the following Procedures and Guidelines to comply with state law. For purposes of these Procedures and Guidelines, terms have the same meaning as defined in the FOIA. A complete copy of the FOIA is available on the Michigan Legislature’s website at www.legislature.mi.gov.
Introduction
As a public body under the Freedom of Information act, the District has developed procedures and guidelines to implement and assure compliance with FOIA. The District has also created the following written public summary of the specific procedures and guidelines explaining how to submit written request to the District and how to understand the District’s written responses, deposit requirements, fee calculations and avenues for challenge and appeal.
How to Submit Written Requests
A written request to inspect, copy, or review a public record should be submitted to the ISD’s FOIA Coordinator.
FOIA requests can be sent via U.S. Mail to: Jessica Chivell, FOIA Coordinator
Montcalm Area ISD
621 New Street
Stanton, MI 48888
FOIA requests sent via email should be sent to: jchivell@maisd.com
FOIA requests sent via fax should be faxed to: (989) 831-6189
A request must describe the public record in sufficient detail to enable the ISD to find the requested record. A request must include the requestor’s (1) complete name (e.g., first and last), (2) mailing address, and (3) either phone number or email address. A valid mailing address must be written in compliance with United States Postal Service addressing standards. A request made by an organization, business, or other entity must include the above-listed contact information of an agent or representative. A person who qualifies as indigent under FOIA is not required to provide contact information.
A person may subscribe to future issuances of public records created, issued, or disseminated by the ISD on a regular basis, such as notices of school board meetings. A subscription is valid for up to 6 months and may be renewed by the subscriber.
In lieu of paper copies, the requestor may stipulate that the ISD provide non-exempt public records on non-paper physical media, electronically mailed, or otherwise electronically provided. The ISD is not required to produce non-exempt public records on non-paper physical media if the ISD lacks the technological capability necessary to provide the requested records on the particular non-paper physical media stipulated in the particular instance. The ISD is not required to use non-paper physical media provided by the requestor and, to safeguard the ISD’s information technology infrastructure, shall not do so.
A person may request a certified copy of a public record.
Explanation of Written Responses
The ISD will respond to a written request under the FOIA within 5 business days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) after the ISD receives the written request, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the requestor. The FOIA defines the date of receipt by the ISD differently depending upon how the request was delivered to the ISD (e.g., hand-delivery, regular mail, e-mail, facsimile).
The ISD will respond to a request by doing one of the following: (a) granting the request; (b) issuing a written notice denying the request; (c) granting the request in part and issuing a written notice denying the request in part; or (d) issuing a notice extending for not more than 10 business days the period during which the ISD will respond to the request. The ISD shall not issue more than 1 notice of extension for a particular request.
If a requestor asks for information that is available on the ISD’s website, the ISD will notify the requestor in its response where the records may be found on its website. Paper copies of public records available on the ISD’s website will be made available upon request, but a fee may be charged as explained in Section II and on the detailed fee itemization form.
The ISD will provide reasonable facilities for a requestor to inspect non-exempt public records. The facilities will be available during the ISD’s normal business hours. The FOIA Coordinator will establish rules regulating the manner in which records may be inspected to protect the ISD’s records from loss, alteration, mutilation, or destruction, or to prevent undue interference with the ISD’s normal operations.
If a request is denied in whole or in part, the ISD will include in the written notice of denial an explanation of the basis for the denial and, if applicable, a certificate that the public record does not exist under the name given by the requestor or by another name reasonably known to the ISD. A sample Certificate of Non-Existence of Public Record is appended as Attachment B. If a public record or information is separated and exempt from disclosure (redacted), the ISD will describe generally the material exempted unless that description would reveal the contents of the exempt information and thus defeat the purpose of the exemption.
Deposit Requirements
Where the ISD estimates that the fee authorized under the FOIA and these FOIA Procedures and Guidelines for responding to a request will exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00), the ISD may require a good-faith deposit from the requestor before providing the requested records. A good-faith deposit shall not exceed one-half (½) of the total estimated fee and shall include a detailed itemization of estimated fee amounts. The FOIA Coordinator will provide the requestor with a detailed itemization of the allowable fees estimated to be incurred by the ISD to process the request, along with a notice that the requestor must pay the deposit within 48 calendar days after the date of the notice. The ISD will include with its request for good-faith deposit a best efforts estimate of the time frame within which the ISD will provide the requested public records. The timeframe estimate is not binding on the ISD but will be made in good faith and the ISD will strive to be reasonably accurate.
If a requestor previously requested public records from the ISD, and if the ISD made the requested public records available on a timely basis but was not paid in full the total estimated fee for that previous request, the ISD may, to the extent permitted by the FOIA, require a deposit of up to 100% of the estimated fee for the subsequent request(s).
If the requestor fails to pay the good-faith deposit within 48 calendar days after the date of the deposit notice, and if the requestor has not appealed the deposit amount, the request will be considered abandoned and the ISD will no longer be required to fulfill the request.
Fee Calculations
The FOIA permits the ISD to charge six fee components: (a) labor costs of searching for, locating, and examining public records; (b) labor costs of separating or deleting (redacting) exempt information from non-exempt information; (c) labor costs to duplicate or publish requested public records; (d) actual costs of paper copies (not to exceed 10 cents per sheet for standard 8-1/2 by 11 or 8-1/2 by 14 sheets of paper); (e) actual costs of non-paper physical media (e.g., flash drive, CD) if requested and if the ISD has the technological capability to comply; and (f) actual costs of postal delivery. For more detailed information about the ISD’s fee calculations, including fee reductions for untimely responses, see the Procedures and Guidelines attachment. The FOIA Coordinator will require that payment be made in full for the allowable fees before the requested records are made available.
- Fee Waivers. A search for a public record may be conducted or copies of public records may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge if the ISD determines that a waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because searching for or furnishing copies of the public records can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.
- Discounts. Under the following circumstances, a public record search shall be made by the ISD and a copy of a non-exempt public record shall be furnished without charge for the first $20.00 of the fee:
a. If an individual who is entitled to information under the FOIA:
1. submits an affidavit stating that the individual is receiving specific public assistance or is unable to pay the fee because of indigence and stating that the individual is not making the request in conjunction with outside parties in exchange for payment or other remuneration; and
2. that individual has not previously received discounted copies of public records from the ISD twice during the same calendar year.
b. If a nonprofit corporation formally designated by the State of Michigan to carry out activities under subtitle C of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, Public Law 106-402, and the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act, Public Law 99-319, or their successors, submits a request that meets all of the following requirements:
1. Is made directly on behalf of the organization or its clients;
2. Is made for a reason wholly consistent with the mission and provisions of those laws under section 931 of the Mental Health Code, 1974 PA 258, MCL 330.1931; and
3. Is accompanied by documentation of its designation by the state, if requested by the ISD.
Avenues for Challenge and Appeal
Challenge to Record Denial. If the ISD fails to respond to a FOIA request or makes a final determination to deny all or a portion of a request, the requesting person may submit an appeal to the ISD’s Board of Education or may commence an action in the circuit court for the county in which the public record or one of ISD’s offices is located. See the FOIA Procedures and Guidelines for a more detailed explanation of the procedures and timelines for appealing a record denial.
Challenge to Fee. If the ISD requires a fee that requestor believes exceeds the amount permitted under the FOIA or the ISD’s publicly available procedures and guidelines, the requesting person may commence an action in the circuit court for the county in which the public record or one of ISD’s offices is located. See the FOIA Procedures and Guidelines for a more detailed explanation of the procedures and timelines for a fee appeal.
Links
Freedom of Information Act Procedures and Guidelines
Freedom of Information Act - Web Disclosures
Michigan Compiled Law MCL 15.231 Freedom of Information Act (Excerpt)
Michigan Freedom of Information Act 442 of 1976
CEPI Data Access and Management Policy
Asbestos Management Program
The Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) utilizes an Asbestos Management program for all buildings. Informational binders about the current program and the location of any remaining asbestos are available and can be reviewed at the front desk of each building.
Please direct requests for additional information to: Don Thompson, Director of Facilities
Montcalm Area ISD
621 New Street
Stanton, MI 48888
dthompson@maisd.com
Competitive Bidding Notice
The Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD), for the purposes of competitive bidding, may advertise competitive bids for construction projects or other purchases of supplies where the value is expected to exceed the state mandated competitive bidding threshold.
Advertisement of bids may be distributed in a variety of sources which may include one or more of the following:
- the district's public web site
- local community newspaper
- State of Michigan bidding site
- USAC E-rate program web site - for projects meeting program guidelines for reimbursement
In addition to the above sources, bids may be distributed to specific industries, product sectors, or local businesses and organizations through E-mail or contact lists to ensure thorough distribution.
Montcalm Area ISD - Bidding Site
Michigan Compiled Law MCL 380.1267 (Excerpt from Public Act 451 of 1976)
Open Meetings Act Notification
The Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD), as a Michigan school district and public body, complies with the Open Meetings Act 267 of 1976 for posting information related to public notices of regular and special meetings including changes in schedule, rescheduling, recess or adjournment, emergency sessions, emergency public meetings, meetings in residential dwellings, limitations, and duration of meetings.
Meeting notices or changes are posted at the entrance of the district's administration building located at 621 N New Street, Stanton, MI 48888 and on the district's public web site home page as well as Board of Education section of the web site.
MAISD District Web Site Home Page
MAISD Board of Education Web Page
Michigan Compiled Law, Section 15.265 (Open Meetings Act - Excerpt)
Michigan Open Meetings Act 267 of 1976
Pesticide Notification
Montcalm Area ISD utilizes an Integrated Pest Management program executed by Four Seasons Extermination. Notification of pest management is included in staff and student handbooks.
Landscaping pesticides are applied occasionally by TruGreen with application notification posted with flagging on the property and at the front entrance to buildings at the time of each application.
Fraud and Abuse Reporting
The Montcalm Area Intermediate School District is dedicated to efficient and ethical business practices.
If you are aware of possible fraud or abuse please submit a confidential report using the form link below.
Reports of fraud and abuse are received directly the Superintendent of the Montcalm Area ISD and are confidential unless otherwise requested.
