Belmont community school district Non-Discrimination Report 2024

Team Members:

1. Denise Brania - Pupil Services Director

2. Brandon Wiese - Assistant Principal / Activities Director

3. Dana Bendorf- Principal

4. Beau Buchs - Superintendent

1. Evaluation of Board-Approved Policies & Procedures:

1. The School District uses NEOLA to facilitate updates to the School Policies. A review was conducted of the policies and we have found many updates to reflect respect to all students, staff, and individuals. Policies are linked on the School District Website. 

    Policies are in place to prevent discrimination in the following places.

1. 1630.01 - Family & Medical Leave of Absence

2. 3430.01 - Family & Medical Leave of Absence

3. 5111.01 - Homeless Students

4. 1422 & 3122 - Nondiscrimination & Equal Employment Opportunity

5.  1662 - Employee Anti-Harassment

6. 2260 - Nondiscrimination & Access to Equal Educational Opportunity

7. 2260.01 - Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Discrimination Based on Disability

8. 3362 - Employee Anti-Harassment

9. 9700 - Relations with Non-School Affiliated Groups

10. 1421 & 3121 - Criminal History Record Check & Employee Self-Reporting Requirements

11. 2260.02 - Services for Bilingual Students/English Learners

12. 2266 - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities

13. 8500 - Food Services

14. 0144.5 - Board Member Behavior & Code of Conduct

15. 5517 - Student Anti-Harassment

II. Evaluation of Enrollment Trends & Patterns in Classes & Programs:

1. Belmont Community Schools has had an increase in diversity within the student population over the last five years. 

   1. 2018: 91.2% White, 8.8% Minority

   2. 2023: 86.2% White, 13.8% Minority

2. Belmont Community Schools has stayed fairly consistent with percentages of students with Disabilities.

   1. 2018: 11.1% of students had special education services.

   2. 2023: 10.9% of students had special education services.

3. Belmont Community Schools has had an increase in economically disadvantaged students.

   1. 2018: 31.2% of students were economically disadvantaged.

   2. 2023: 35.1% of students were economically disadvantaged.

4. Belmont Community Schools has had an increase in English language learners.

   1. 2018: 2.1% of students were English language learners. 

   2. 2023: 6.4% of students were English language learners.

5. Belmont Community Schools has shown improvement in report card scores. 

   1. 2018: Overall Score = 63.9 (meets expectations)

   2. 2023: Overall Score = 67.6 (meets expectations)

Belmont students all receive Physical Education, Music Education, Art Education, Guidance Education, and all have Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, & Language Arts/Reading in Elementary School (K-6).

Belmont students in grades 7-12 have choices in their courses other than required courses. Courses include: Mathematics, Language Arts/English, Spanish, Science, Social Studies, Business, Agriculture, Technology, Art, Band, Choir, Health, Physical Education, Drivers’ Education, Youth Apprenticeship, and Leadership. Students can also take online courses and dual credit courses through UW-Platteville & Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Special Education Support & English Language Support are available to those who qualify. 

We do not see any data that points to any discrimination in our enrollment numbers as students are able to pursue their wishes equally. 

III. Evaluation of Methods, Practices, Curriculum and Materials used in instruction, counseling, and pupil assessment and testing: 

Belmont Community School District students are assessed on a frequent basis through informal and formal assessments.  Our assessments include classroom tests, district assessments held three times per year in reading and math skills, and also state testing which is held in the spring of the school year.  The assessment data is discussed and used to help drive high levels of student achievement. Materials for instruction are evaluated as needed. Over the past 5 years the district has reviewed. piloted, and purchased curriculum for our CTE program, ELA K-12, Science K-12, and Math K-12. This was a structured process with staff and administrative input. Teaching practices are evaluated annually following the CESA 6 Educator Effectiveness model per Wisconsin state requirements.  

IV. Evaluation of trends in discipline actions, including suspensions, expulsions, and handling of pupil harassment:

Belmont Community School District follows a discipline rubric for all referrals from staff. There have been minimal suspensions over the past 5 years, of which most are in-school suspensions. There have been no expulsions. The school district takes harassment complaints seriously and addresses each situation independently. None have resulted in contacting police or filing through Title IX. Most disciplinary actions taken are detentions due to minor misconduct or being tardy to school or class. Having a rubric in place allows for consistency and guidance with situations as they arise. Our system in place is effective. 

V. Evaluation of participation trends and patterns and district’s support of athletics & extra-curricular activities:

Belmont Community School District offers the following activities: MS & HS Football, MS & HS Volleyball, HS Boys/Girls Cross Country, MS & HS Boys & Girls Basketball, MS & HS Girls and Boys Wrestling, Gymnastics, HS Baseball, HS Softball, MS & HS Girls and Boys Track, FFA, FBLA, Band, Choir, Spanish Club, Yearbook, Student Council, & Drama/Musical.

Participation numbers are strong as we average over 90% of our HS students participating in at least one extracurricular activity while many participate in multiple activities. More boys have participated in athletics but we also know that girls can choose from 7 sports to participate in while boys can participate in 6 sports that are offered currently. For extra-curricular activities, both genders can participate in whatever they choose. 

VI. Evaluation of trends in awarding scholarships and other forms of recognition and achievement provided by the school district:

Belmont Community School District facilitates local scholarships from organizations and businesses within our community.  Many of these scholarships require our local Belmont application.  Some require additional essays.  Scholarships are selected by committee’s throughout the community as well as the region.  Recipients are selected based on criteria revolving their post-high school career pursuits as well as through involvements and academic achievements. In accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Belmont Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of handicap, sex, race, color, religion, or national origin in their educational programs, activities, admission procedures, or employment practices. Each year, scholarships are awarded to all seniors receiving a scholarship at an awards night for all that are interested in attending.

VII. Evaluation of school district efforts to achieve equality of educational opportunity and non-discrimination:

• Access to high-quality and appropriately licensed educators:

  • Additional staffing hired due to increase in ELL population (2 positions)

  • Additional staffing was hired due to a new program for Early childhood special ed student needs in the district (1 staff member)

  • Hiring processes include administration, staff members, and Board of Education members

  • Our current staff tenure with three or more years of experience is 26.7 FTE.  This is compared to the 2018-2019 school year of 20.2 FTE.

• Access to a full range of courses:

  • Higher level and more diverse course offerings through online courses

  • Youth Apprenticeship Opportunities

  • Updated curriculums in ELA, Math, Business

  • Individual accommodations are included to make every student successful in a variety of coursework

• High-quality instructional materials:

  • The curriculum committee meets throughout the year to discuss updates to curriculum purchases or review current or future materials

  • Staff training and coaching are held for teaching resources to ensure the resource is used with fidelity and understanding

  • Staff meetings are held to discuss instructional materials

  • Materials are used with students in special education and Title 1-continuum of resources students are familiar with in the classroom is beneficial

  • Materials are aligned to state and Common Core standards

  • Materials are offered in the student’s home language 

  • School counselors use social-emotional curriculum materials aligned with CASEL standards

• Distribution of funding:

  • The population of economically disadvantaged students has grown from 31.2% (2018-19) to 35.1%. (2023-24)

  • The population of students who identify from the Latin X Community has grown from 5.9% (2018-19)  to 11.6% (2023-24)

  • Funding is utilized to help all students to the best of our ability. The district has added an ELL Teacher and Paraprofessional to meet the needs of our students.

• Family engagement:  

  • Families are contacted through Social media, email, phone calls, district newsletter, teacher newsletter, Skyward Informational System, 

  •  Family events are held throughout the school year

    • Family Reading Night

    • End-of-Year School Picnic

    • Belmont Community School Fair

  • Student events in academics, arts, or sports bring families into the school

  • Families help plan and conduct school activities

  • Family members serve on school advisory councils

VIII. Evaluation of school district technology including electronic communication by school district staff:

Belmont Community School District distributes chromebooks for each student to use in grades K-12. Each student is given google emails and they are able to use all google education tools including translation for students who are not fluent in english. Each student is given the same opportunity for technology access. We also evaluated our parent communication tools in which we use school messenger. We also are able to send communication with translated messages to parents who speak other languages. The District also just updated our school website so most content can be changed to other languages for anyone viewing our website.  All students follow the same rules regarding use of school issued technology. One last item that we found was regarding the timeframe during school closings due to covid, the school district provided hot spots for families that did not have internet at home so all students could access school technology and homework.  

IX: Reflection on any feedback received from pupils, teachers, administrators, parents/guardians, and residents of the school district:

A public notice was published in the newspaper in the fall of 2023 to solicit input from residents of the school district. Here is the communication:

The Belmont Community School District provides assurance that no student is discriminated against because of the student’s sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability. 

The District is currently conducting a self evaluation of it’s status of pupil nondiscrimination. Residents of the School District have an opportunity to provide comments in regard to the following areas of student activity:

• School Board Policies and Administrative Procedures.

• Enrollment trends in classes and programs.

• Methods, practices, curriculum and materials used in instruction, counseling, and pupil assessment and testing. 

• Trends and patterns in disciplinary actions, including suspensions, expulsions, and handling of pupil harassment.

• Participation trends and patterns and school district support of athletic, extracurricular and recreational activities. 

• Trends and patterns in awarding scholarships and other forms of recognition and achievement provided or administered by the district.

• School district efforts to achieve equality of educational opportunity and non-discrimination.

• School district technology, including electronic communication by school district staff.

The District received no input regarding discrimination concerns. 

X: Overall Summary and Closing Statements:

After reviewing the areas above, we are not seeing any concerns with discrimination in our School District. We feel that everyone has equal opportunities to learn and participate in their education in Belmont Community School District. 

This report was shared and presented at the May 20, 2024 School Board Meeting. The school board approved the report on May 20, 2024.