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Case Study: Independence Community School District
Building a Culture of Safety & Consistency Through the McGrath Response System
Independence Community School District (Iowa) partnered with McGrath to establish a consistent, legally aligned system for preventing and responding to bullying, harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct. By implementing the McGrath Response System™, the district transformed an unpredictable approach to handling concerns and complaints into a consistent, reliable, and transparent framework. Their implementation increased staff, student, and community trust in the district and its processes, while also strengthening administrator confidence.
District Snapshot
Independence Community School District:
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Students served:1300
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Staff members: 233
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Number of schools (K-12): 4
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Rural district in northeast Iowa
Independence CSD is a rural district committed to ensuring every student learns in a safe and supportive environment. Prior to adopting McGrath, staff and administrators lacked a common understanding of how to respond to concerns and families increasingly voiced frustration that “nothing was being done.”
The Challenge: Inconsistent Practices & Increasing Concern
Before partnering with McGrath, Independence prevention and response varied widely from building-to-building. Administrators were not certain when to initiate an investigation, how to document concerns, or which steps were legally required and often relied on informal practices.
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This lack of consistency resulted in:
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Uneven responses across buildings administrators.
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Increased anxiety among administrators.
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Lack of trust from staff and families.
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A perception that the district “did nothing” when concerns were raised.
The district needed a legally sound, easy-to-follow system that aligned expectations for all adults and clearly communicated the district’s commitment to student safety.
The Solution: The McGrath Response System™
Superintendent Phillips recognized that McGrath offered the comprehensive, research-based structure the district was missing. The McGrath Response System™ provides the exact guidance administrators need to respond effectively from the first report through resolution. Both ensuring both legal compliance and educational best practice.
Why Independence Chose McGrath:
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Built-in compliance with federal and state requirements.
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Clear, step-by-step protocols for intake, inquiry, and full investigation.
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Standardized forms and scripts that bring consistency to every building.
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Comprehensive training for staff, students, and families.
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Ongoing implementation support from McGrath experts.
“Implementation meetings aren’t optional—they’re a priority for both McGrath and our district. The support is unlike anything I’ve experienced with other programs.”
— Erin Burmeister, Director of School Improvement & Title IX Coordinator
Key Outcomes/Measurable Impact
School Year 2024-2025
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7/8/2024 - Start date
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11 administrators and school leaders trained in Intake & Investigation Foundations Course
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Risk assessment baseline
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223 staff trained
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1308 students in grade K-12 trained
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45 minute in person parent/guardian training provided
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Policy review
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Risk assessment check
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McGrath Training Solutions™ guided implementation meetings
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On call support from McGrath Training Solutions™ Team
School Year 2025-2026
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4 - administrators and school leaders trained in Intake & Investigation Foundations Course
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233 staff trained
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1296 students in grade K-12 trained
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10 minute parent/guardian awareness training offered - website
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FAQ provided at conferences
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Policy review
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Risk assessment check
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The McGrath Response System™ did more than streamline investigations—it enriched the way the district supports students.
“We’re not just investigating; we’re teaching. We’re helping kids learn what to do when their boundaries are crossed.”
— Jennifer Anderson, Special Education Director & Investigator
Independence completed an assessment to track their implementation progress. Growth over a year's time showed statistically significant gains in the following areas:
“From the time we started nine months ago until now, I can tell you that the conversations that used to surface monthly about ‘there’s a bullying problem, the district doesn’t do anything,’—I haven’t heard those in the last six months. Our data shows improvement across the board — staff, students, and community confidence are up.”
— Erin Burmeister, Director of School Improvement & Title IX Coordinator
Looking Ahead...
Independence plans to extend this work beyond the school system and into the broader community.
“These aren’t just school problems—these are community problems that come into the school system. We have an obligation to help inform and educate.”
— Cynthia Phillips
The district’s partnership with McGrath is now a central pillar of its commitment to student safety and adult readiness.
We're Here to Help
McGrath has 40+ years of experience working with K-12 school districts to create safer and more effective environments to learn and work. We are familiar with budgeting processes, board approvals, and academic calendars. We look forward to partnering with your school or district!
1-800-733-1638
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