1000

 

                                  COMMUNITY RELATIONS GOALS

 

           The Board of Education strives to conduct district affairs by way of a continuing, open dialogue between the community and the schools.  Given district residents' high level of interest in the education of children, the Board wishes to maintain its high level of sensitivity to the needs and desires of the community and to act expeditiously to meet changing needs and conditions.

 

           To this end, the Board establishes the following goals for community involvement:

 

1.        to provide every possible means whereby all residents of the school district may have the opportunity to contribute their best thinking to the orderly planning of public education for children in the district, including:

           a.     opportunities for the public to be heard at Board meetings; and

           b.     a commitment to the use of ad hoc citizens' and/or standing committees on a regular basis;

2.        to take appropriate measures to ensure that the community is accurately informed about its schools and district affairs.  Abbreviated agendas and approved minutes of Board meetings will be on file in each school and the District Office to be made available to taxpayers upon request;

3.        to understand community attitudes and aspirations for the schools;

4.        to encourage contributions from the parent­-teacher associations of the district so that school personnel and parents cooperate to advance the educational welfare of the children;

5.        to handle all complaints from the public by the administrative officer in charge of the unit of the school district organization closest to the complainant.  However, such complaints may be carried to the Superintendent of Schools and/or the Board if the problem cannot be solved at that level;

6.        to promote a spirit of cooperation, general respect and honest participation from and among the Board, the schools, various school staffs, professional and non-professional, students, standing committees, Parent-Teacher Associations, various civic organizations, service organizations, from all who are in any way affected by or are part of the school community and the community-at-large;

7.        to encourage a spirit of openness at all district installations, including Board meetings and all public school buildings and offices, within the limitations of safety and control and with the necessary restrictions to prevent the disruption of the orderly process of education.  This effort will include, but not be limited to such items as:

 

           a.     courteous and responsive telephone manners;

           b.     scheduling events to maximize the opportunities for interested parents to attend and to avoid conflicts throughout the district;

           c.     frequent and full information to parents through Parent-Teacher Association meetings or bulletins to the home;

           d.     invitations to visit our schools; and

           e.     parent-teacher-Building Principal conferences.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                            1000

 

8.        to develop a custom of acknowledging, thanking and commending appropriate persons and groups for activities and/or performances that merit recognition.

9.        to develop and maintain the confidence of the community in the Board and the school district staff;

10.      to expand the public understanding of every aspect of the school system, and stimulate public interest in the school;

11.      to facilitate dissemination of information to the community concerning issues and activities in the school;

12.      to ascertain the community's opinions and desires with respect to the operations of the school system, and to incorporate that knowledge into its actions;

13.      to develop arrangements among civic and community organizations for sharing of resources, especially in the creation of programs designed to benefit students; and

14.      to develop and maintain the most effective means of communication possible with the people of the district.

 

           Notwithstanding the above, the final decisions in these areas will rest with the Board.

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

                                                                                                                            1050

 

                      ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING AND ELECTION

 

           The district shall hold an annual meeting and election at which the district’s authorized voters will elect members of the Board of Education and vote on the district budget for the coming school year.  The annual district meeting and election will be held on the third Tuesday in May, unless this date conflicts with religious observances on that day, in which case the annual meeting and election will be held on the second Tuesday in May.

 

           The District Clerk shall publish a notice of the time and place of the annual meeting and election at least four times within the seven weeks prior to the meeting, in two newspapers having general circulation within the district. The first publication of the notice shall be at least 45 days prior to the meeting.  The notice shall also contain notice of any other matter required by law.

 

           A budget hearing will be held not less than seven nor more than 14 days prior to the annual district meeting, at which the district’s voters will vote on the budget.

 

           Copies of the budget will be available in each district school building for taxpayers upon request at the time of the annual meeting and 14 days (other than Saturday, Sunday and holidays) prior to the meeting.  Notice of the availability of copies of the budget must be included in the notice of the annual meeting.  Additionally, the announcement and introduction of candidates for the Board will be made as well as the presentation and explanation of any special propositions contained in the notice of the annual meeting. 

 

           The District Clerk shall serve as clerk of the Annual District Meeting.  Written records shall be filed with the District Clerk within 24 hours after a meeting or election.  At a Board meeting held before the annual meeting, the Board shall appoint assistant clerks and election inspectors necessary for the annual meeting and election.  Assistant clerks and election inspectors appointed may be compensated.

 

Propositions

 

           The Education Law provides that school boards have the authority to adopt reasonable rules and regulations concerning the submission of petitions to the Board to place propositions on the ballot which may amend the budget.  Pursuant to those provisions, the Board establishes the following guidelines:

 

1.        Unless otherwise provided by the Education Law, petitions for the submission of a proposition must contain a minimum of 25 signatures of qualified voters of the district, or 5 percent of the number of voters at the last annual election, whichever is greater.  Petitions shall be filed on a form provided by the District Clerk.  The names of the petitioners must be in ink and in legible handwriting and include the petitioners' full name and address.  The address must include the house number, street and municipality.

                                                                                                                            1050

 

2.        Petitions must be filed with the District Clerk at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting, except for petitions relating to a proposition which must be included in the notice of the annual meeting (e.g., changing the number of board members).  Such petitions must be submitted 60 days in advance of the annual meeting to facilitate the preparation and printing of the ballots.

3.        Propositions must include the specific appropriations necessary for the purposes listed.

4.        All petitions for submission of propositions shall contain a clear and concise statement of the proposition to be submitted.  Wording of a petition must comply with legal requirements. If not, it may be changed or altered by the Board, or the Board may reject a petition for failure to comply.

5.        The Board shall examine each petition filed for the submission of questions and propositions and shall determine whether such question or proposition is for a purpose authorized by law to be voted upon by the qualified voters of the district.  If the Board shall determine that the question or proposition is for a purpose not authorized by law to be voted upon by the qualified voters of the district, the Board shall omit such question or proposition from the voting machine.

 

           Propositions received in accordance with these specifications will be placed on the ballot as amendments and will be voted upon by the voters in the same manner as the proposed budget, except that the Board shall not be required to place any proposition on the ballot which is within the exclusive province of the Board, or otherwise forbidden by law.  No proposition involving the budget may be submitted to the voters more than twice.

 

           The Board may also, on its own motion, submit propositions.

 

Cross-ref:   2120, School Board Elections

                  2120.1, Candidates and Campaigning

                  6100, Annual Budget

                  6120, Budget Hearing

                  6130, Budget Adoption

 

Ref:     Education Law §§416(3); 1608(2); 1716(2) 1804(4); 1906(1); 2002(1); 2003(1)(2); 2004(1)-(7); 2009; 2021; 2022(1), (4)-(5); 2035(2); 2601-a(2)

           General Construction Law §60

           Matter of Hebel, 34 EDR 319 (1994)

           Matter of Martin, 32 EDR 567 (1993)

           Matter of Como, 30 EDR 214 (1990)

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

Revision date: September 21, 1999

                                                                                                                            1100

 

                                 PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM

 

           The Board of Education believes that good human relations are far more effective than any techniques of public relations that are known.  However, the Board shall maintain a complete, specific and continuing public information program, in order to promote widespread understanding of the school program, and to gain the support and participation of the community in the school system.  The public information program will be conducted with an eye toward positive human relations.

 

           In addition to encouraging members of the community to attend and participate in public Board meetings, the Superintendent of Schools shall develop a program to disseminate information about Board policies, procedures, actions and district educational programs to the public.

 

           The Superintendent shall coordinate the activities of district administrators to ensure their direct involvement in the public information program.  Each school, through its faculty and staff, shall participate not only in the dissemination of information to the public, but also in the planning of events and social programs aimed at getting the community involved in school district activities.

 

           Parents and citizens wishing to obtain information should inquire first through a Building Principal or other school administrator, then through the Superintendent, and finally through the Board.

 

Cross-ref:   1900, Parental Involvement

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

                                                                                                                            1110

 

                              SCHOOL SPONSORED PUBLICATIONS

 

           The district will disseminate information to the community concerning school and district affairs through the promulgation of certain types of communication through a variety of school and district-sponsored publications.  School and district-sponsored publications may consist of widely differing forms, such as:

 

1.        direct mailings or flyers from individual schools;

2.        direct mailings or releases on a district-wide basis from the office of the Superintendent of Schools;

3.        the distribution of printed posters;

4.        publication of Sachem News;

5.        individual school newspapers and announcements; and

6.        use of Sachem web site.

 

           Any distribution of informative flyers from individual schools which is promulgated by mailing or delivery by students must first be checked for suitability and correctness.  The final responsibility for such releases or flyers shall rest in all cases with the Building Principal.  He/She may, for this purpose, designate a specifically appointed school publicity officer competent to make corrections.

 

           Student handbooks shall be published at all secondary schools.  A full curriculum description shall be developed at the high school.

 

           Whenever possible, district-wide notification to each household in the district should precede every public meeting of an informational nature or one held for purposes of voting.  Such notifications shall announce the time, place and purpose of any such meeting.

 

           From time to time, particularly in the event of district elections, the office of the Superintendent shall cause announcement posters to be placed at designated locations within the district.

 

           Board publications will be published on a regular basis or more frequently if circumstances warrant additional issues.                                                                       

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

                                                                                                                         1110.1

 

                        SCHOOL SPONSORED ELECTRONIC MEDIA

 

           The Board of Education and the district shall use its locally owned and controlled radio station (WSHR) and the district’s web site as prime channels of communication with the community.  The main function(s) of the radio station and web site are as instructional tools and their purpose is education. 

 

           The Board encourages the station's involvement as a community service.  Regular community news broadcasts shall be a part of the programming of radio station WSHR and the web site.  Such programming shall include school and district news.  The district public relations person shall be in regular contact with the adult supervisor of WSHR and the web site and appropriate student station officials.  The district public relations person will make news releases, school news, appropriate Board agenda items, etc. available to it on a regular and early basis and use WSHR and the web site as a prime source of communication with the community and cooperate fully with the station.

 

           The Building Principal of the high school, the faculty director of the station itself, and all adults who are connected with the radio station will ensure against commercial or other exploitation for commercial or other reasons of the station itself and the students who are a part of its educational program.

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

                                                                                                                           

 

1120

SCHOOL DISTRICT RECORDS

 

It is the policy of the Board of Education to inform members of the public about the administration and operation of the public schools in accordance with the Freedom of Information Law of the State of New York.

 

The Superintendent of Schools shall develop regulations ensuring compliance with the Freedom of Information Law and setting forth the procedures to be followed to obtain access to District records, and submit such regulations to the Board for approval.   The Superintendent shall designate, with Board approval, a Records Access and Records Management Officer, pursuant to law.

 

Retention and Destruction of Records :

 

The Board hereby adopts the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule ED-1 issued pursuant to Article 57-A of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, which contains the legal minimum retention periods for District records.   In accordance with Article 57-A, the District will dispose of only those records described in the schedule after they have met the minimum retention periods set forth in the schedule.   The District will dispose of only those records that do not have sufficient administrative, fiscal, legal or historical value to merit retention beyond the established legal minimum periods.

 

The Superintendent will establish procedures in the event the School District is served with legal papers.   The Superintendent will communicate with applicable parties, including the school attorney and the records management official, to ensure that, when appropriate, a litigation-hold is properly implemented.   The litigation-hold is intended to prevent the destruction or disposal of records that may need to be produced as part of discovery.   It is the intention of the Board of Education to comply with applicable rules and regulations regarding the production of necessary documents, data, files, etc.   The Board directs the Superintendent to institute such procedures to implement this policy.

 

Cross-ref: 8630, Computer Resources and Data Management

 

Ref: Public Officers Law §84 et seq. (Freedom of Information Law)

Education Law §2116

Arts and Cultural Affairs Law §57.11

Local Government Records Law, Article 57-A

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 16, 26

8 NYCRR Part 185

Adoption date: November 18, 1997

Revision date: November 20, 2007


1120-R

 

SCHOOL DISTRICT RECORDS REGULATION

 

The following comprises the rules and regulations relating to the inspection and production of school district records:

I. Designation of Officers

1. The Records Access Officer shall be the District Clerk.   He/She shall:

a. receive requests for records of the District and make such records available for inspection or copying when such requests are granted; and

b. compile and maintain a detailed current list by subject matter, of all records in the possession of the District, whether or not available to the public.

2. The Superintendent of Schools, with the Board's approval, shall designate a Records Management Officer for the District.   The Records Management Officer will develop and oversee a program for the orderly and efficient management of District records.

II. Definition of Records

1. A record is defined as any information kept, held, filed, produced or reproduced by, with or for the District in any physical form whatsoever, including but not limited to reports, statements, examination, memoranda, opinions, folders, files, books, manuals, pamphlets, forms, papers, designs, drawings, maps, photos, letters, microfilms, computer tapes or disks, rules, regulations or codes.

 

2. The Records Access Officer will have the responsibility for compiling and maintaining the following records:

a. a record of the final vote of each member of the Board on any proceeding or matter on which the member votes;

b. a record setting forth the name, school or office address, title and salary of every officer or employee of the District; and

c. a reasonably detailed current list by subject matter of all records in possession of the District, whether or not available for public inspection and copying.

3. No record for which there is a pending request for access may be concealed or willfully destroyed.

III. Access to Records

1.Time and place records may be inspected:   Records may be requested from, and inspected or copied at the Office of the Records Access Officer, at 245 Union Avenue, Holbrook, during the hours of 9 am and 3 pm on any business day on which the District Offices are open.   Records may also be requested via e-mail at the following address:   cadelberg@sachem.edu.

 

2. Fees:   The fee for documents up to 9 x 14 inches is 25 cents per page.   For documents larger than 9 x 14 inches, tape or cassette records, or computer printouts, the cost will be based on the cost of reproduction or program utilized.   Fees are subject to periodic review and change.   However, no fee shall be charged for records sent via e-mail, the search for or inspection of records, certification of documents, or copies of documents which have been printed or reproduced for distribution to the public.   The number of such copies given to any one organization or individual may be limited, in the discretion of the Records Access Officer.

 

3. A request for access to records should be sufficiently detailed to identify the records. Where possible, the requester should supply information regarding dates, titles, file designations or other information which may help identify the records.   A request for any or all records falling within a specific category provides sufficient identification.

 

4. Procedures:   Requests to inspect or secure copies of records shall be submitted in writing, either in person, by mail or via e-mail, to the Records Access Officer.   

 

5. All requests for information shall be responded to within five business days of receipt of the request.   If the request cannot be fulfilled within five business days, the Records Access Officer shall acknowledge receipt of the request and advise the approximate date when the request will be granted or denied.  

 

6. If a request cannot be granted within 20 business days from the date of the acknowledgement of the request, the District must state in writing both the reason the request cannot be granted within 20 business days, and a date certain within a reasonable period when it will be granted depending on the circumstances of the request.

IV. Appeals

1. The Superintendent of Schools, or designee, shall hear appeals for denial of access to records under the Freedom of Information Act.

 

2. An applicant who is denied access to a public record may within thirty (30) days after the denial file an appeal by delivering a written appeal to the Superintendent, or designee, identifying:

a. the date of the appeal;

b. the date and location of the request for records;

c. the records to which the requester was denied access;

d. whether the denial of access was in writing or was a failure to provide records promptly as required by Section II; and

e. the name and return address of the requester.

3. The Superintendent, or designee, shall inform the requester and the New York State Committee on Open Government of his/her decision in writing within ten (10) business days of receipt of an appeal.   The District Clerk shall transmit to the Committee on Open Government photocopies of all appeals and determinations.

 

4. An individual whose final appeal is denied may initiate a court review of this determination, as provided for in Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules.

V. Prevention of Unwarranted Invasion of Privacy

To prevent an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, the Records Access Officer may delete identifying details when records are made available.   An unwarranted invasion of personal privacy includes but shall not be limited to:

1. disclosure of confidential personal matters report to the District which are not relevant or essential to the ordinary work of the District;

 

2. disclosure of employment, medical or credit histories or personal references of applicants for employment; unless the applicant has provided a written release permitting such disclosures;

 

3. sale or release of lists of names and addresses in the possession of the District if such lists would be used for private, commercial or fund-raising purposes.

 

4.  disclosure of information of a personal nature when disclosure would result in economic or personal hardship to the subject party and such records are not relevant or essential to the ordinary work of the District; or

 

5.  disclosure of items involving the medical or personal records of a client or patient in a hospital or medical facility.

Unless otherwise deniable, disclosure shall not be construed to constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy when identifying details are deleted, when the person to whom records pertain consents in writing to disclosure, or when upon representing reasonable proof of identify, a person seeks access to records pertaining to him or her.

 

VI. Listing of Records

 

Pursuant to Section 87(3)(c) of the Public Officers Law, the current records retention schedule for school districts, published by the Commissioner of Education, shall serve as the list by subject matter of all records in the possession of the school district, whether or not available under the law.

 

VII. Litigation-Hold

 

The Superintendent will designate a "discovery" team, comprised of the school attorney, Director of Information Systems, the Records Access and Records Management Officers, and other personnel as needed.   The discovery team will convene in the event litigation is commenced to plan to respond to the request for records.   The Superintendent, with the assistance from the Director of Information Systems, will ensure that measures are put into place to preserve applicable records.

 

Adoption Date: November 20, 2007

                                                                                                                            1130

 

                                         NEWS MEDIA RELATIONS

 

           The Board of Education invites and welcomes the active participation of all forms of mass media in promoting the cause of good education within the district and elsewhere.  The Board encourages suggestions and advice from representatives of the media as to how best to facilitate the flow of information to them from the

 Board and others within the school system.

 

           All staff desiring to release information to the media should first notify the Building Principal.  The Superintendent of Schools shall establish all necessary procedures to govern day-to-day interactions between the schools and the news media.

 

           The Board reserves the right to control and/or limit media access to the buildings in order to facilitate pending consultation with the Superintendent of Schools, a Building Principal, or his/her representative.

 

           The information officer shall be the contact spokesperson or the liaison official between the news media and the district.  He/She shall maintain a close contact with the press and respond to their inquiries in the best interest of the district.  Administrators and others in authority may also be sources of information for media contact as per direction of the Superintendent.

 

Ref:     Arts and Cultural Affairs Law §61.09

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

Revision date: September 21, 1999

                                                                                                                           

 

                                                  NEWS RELEASES

 

           Because of the importance and delicacy of matters before the Board of Education, it is essential that an accurate, considered account be released by the information officer whenever information is deemed necessary.  The information officer shall develop news articles and information releases from all district sources, including all school buildings, district offices and Board meetings.  The information officer should be made aware of all school-related meetings and activities and publicize them appropriately.

 

           In addition to information disseminated in school-sponsored media, the information officer may also prepare statements, announcements and news releases to the following media and to any others that may be introduced to the community about such items as Board plans and policies:

 

YANKEE TRADER                                        MID-ISLAND NEWS

1 Glenmere Lane                                              P.O. Box 805

Coram, NY  11717-1461                                Smithtown, NY  11787

 

PENNYSAVER NEWS                                  RONKONKOMA REVIEW

P.O. Box 679                                                   P.O. Box 925

Farmingville, NY  11738                                  Smithtown, NY  11787

 

SUFFOLK LIFE                                             NEWSDAY Education Page

137 Fairharbor Drive                                        235 Pinelawn Road

Patchogue, NY  11772                         Melville, NY 11747-4250

Carol Brooks                                                   Stacey Altherr

 

BROOKHAVEN REVIEW                             NEWSLETTER - AREA 12

P.O. Box 925                                                   41 Glenmere Lane

Smithtown, NY  11787                                    Coram, NY  11727

                                                                        Pamela Betheil

 

THIS WEEK                                                   OUR PLACE

425 Smith Street                                               P.O. Box 346

Farmingdale, NY 11735                                   Bohemia, NY  11716

Region 6 Calendar                                            Bea Hoffer

 

OUR TOWN USA NEWS                              CABLEVISION

P.O. Box 10                                                     1600 Motor Parkway

Shirley, NY  11967                                          Hauppauge, NY  11788

Beverly Barthel                                     Lynn Zawacki

                                                                                                                            1131

 

CHANNEL 12 NEWS                                    WSHR RADIO STATION

12 Media Crossways                                        Sachem North High School

Woodbury, NY  11797                                    Lake Ronkonkoma, NY  11779

 

WBLI RADIO STATION                               WMJC RADIO STATION

3090 Route 112                                               P.O. Box 697

Medford, NY  11763                                       Melville, NY  11746

News Director                                                  News Director

 

WALK RADIO STATION                             SACHEM WEB SITE

Colonial Drive

East Patchogue, NY  11772

News Director

 

           Should an event of special public interest (such as the appearance of a guest speaker or interviewee, or the performance of a musical or play) be scheduled by the district or one of the district schools, advance announcement shall be made to local press.  School activities (for example, the results of an interscholastic athletic contest) shall be reported to the appropriate local news media.

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

Revision date: September 21, 1999

                                                                                                                            1150

 

          SCHOOL BUDGET AND BOND REFERENDA INFORMATION

 

           The annual district budget shall be submitted for voter approval as required by law.  Any voter-presented propositions shall be submitted in accordance with the procedure specified by law and district policy.  The resubmission of any defeated budget or the submission of any propositions by the Board of Education will be done at the discretion of the Board as permitted by law.

 

           The Superintendent of Schools shall approve all information regarding district expenditures submitted to the district voters for approval.  The Superintendent shall ensure that any document, newsletter, advertisement or other communication prepared and/or distributed at district expense shall be factual in nature to the best of his/her knowledge, and shall not exhort district voters to vote to approve or disapprove any matter submitted for voter approval.

 

           The duties of the Publicity Representative shall include the preparation of budget brochures and publications related to all district-sponsored public referenda.

 

Cross-ref:   6100, Annual Budget

 

Ref:     Education Law §1716

           Phillips v. Maurer, 67 NY2d 672 (1981)

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

                                                                                                                            1220

 

   RELATIONS WITH COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

 

           The Board of Education recognizes the potential benefits of community and business partnerships with school districts.  The Board and district staff shall therefore cooperate with those organizations which may provide support in improving the educational, vocational, counseling, and/or extra-curricular opportunities in the district.  Board members shall seek to maintain regular interaction with community and business leadership, both on a formal and informal basis.

 

           Partnerships with these organizations may include mentor and/or apprenticeship programs, pilot projects, grants, off-campus counseling services, and volunteer services, in addition to or as part of the district curriculum.

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

                                                                                                                            1221

 

RELATIONS WITH PARENT AND BUILDING LEADERSHIP TEAM ORGANIZATIONS

 

           The Board of Education formally encourages the concept of active community groups within the district.  The Board recommends the establishment of PTAs and BLTs in all buildings and the coordination of their efforts.

 

           The Board endorses cooperation with these groups and recommends that there be structured into the operation of the district a system that will enhance that spirit of cooperation.

 

           The Board welcomes discussion with the local groups and the involvement of those groups in matters that are appropriate within their sphere of concern.

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

                                                                                                                            1222

 

                      RELATIONS WITH BOOSTER ORGANIZATIONS

 

           The Board of Education recognizes that extracurricular support groups, or "booster" organizations, provide important support to district schools, and can be a valuable means of stimulating community interest in the aims and activities of district schools.  Booster organizations may be defined in two ways:

 

1.        an organization which is created to foster community support and raise funds for a specific extracurricular activity (e.g., athletics, speech and debate, and/or musical groups); or

2.        an organization which is created to foster community support and raise funds for the school's general extracurricular program.

 

           Parents and other interested members of the community who wish to organize a booster club for the purpose of supporting a specific school program are encouraged to do so, as long as the activities of such organizations do not interfere unduly with the total educational program, or disrupt district operations in any way.

 

           The Board retains final responsibility and authority on all activities which have an impact on students, the schools, school programs, and/or school-owned property.

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

                                                                                                                            1230

 

                     PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS

 

           The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to hear and respond to public comment, and therefore encourages public participation at Board meetings.  There will be a specific agenda item at each Board meeting to provide an opportunity to address the Board.

 

           A reasonable period of time, not to exceed three minutes per person (which may be waived by a majority vote of the Board), shall be set aside during the first part of each regular Board meeting during which the taxpayers, community citizens, school personnel, and school students may openly express themselves related to agenda items.  A second comments from visitors section is held later in the meeting to allow for public comment on any topic (not to exceed three minutes per person).  Persons wishing to speak should first be recognized by the President, then identify themselves, any organization they may be representing at the meeting and the agenda topic they wish to discuss.  Comments should be kept to three minutes and relate to school matters.

 

           The President is responsible for the orderly conduct of the meeting and shall rule on such matters as the time to be allowed for public discussion, the appropriateness of the subject being presented, and suitability of the time for such a presentation.  The Board as a whole shall have the final decision in determining the appropriateness of all such rulings.

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

                                                                                                                            1400

 

                                             PUBLIC COMPLAINTS

 

           The Board of Education recognizes the right of community members to register individual or group concerns regarding instruction, district programs, materials, operations, and/or staff members.  The main goal of the district is to resolve such concerns with only the parties involved, whenever possible.  Public complaints about the school district will be directed to the proper administrative personnel.  Complaints about specific classroom practices shall be directed to the teacher concerned.  If the matter is not settled satisfactorily, the complainant shall then contact the Building Principal; if there is no resolution on this level, the Superintendent of Schools shall be contacted.  The Superintendent shall refer the issue to the Board for final resolution.

 

           Matters referred to the Superintendent and/or the Board may be required to be placed in writing.  Concerns registered directly to the Board as a whole or to an individual Board member may be referred as soon as is reasonably possible to the Superintendent or his/her designee for investigation, report, and/or resolution.

 

Cross-ref:   1440, Complaints about School Personnel

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

                                                                                                                            1410

 

                                    COMPLAINTS ABOUT POLICIES

 

           Complaints about Board of Education policies should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools.  Complaints shall be in writing, stating the specific objections to the specific policy(ies).

 

           The Superintendent shall review any complaint and conduct whatever study or investigation he/she deems appropriate.  The Superintendent shall then submit the complaint and his/her recommendation to the Board.  The Board shall then review the policy, amend or repeal the policy, if appropriate, and notify the complainant of the action taken.

 

Adoption date:  November 18, 1997

                                                                                                                            1420

 

                              COMPLAINTS ABOUT CURRICULA OR

                                     INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

 

           The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility for the purchase of instructional materials.  The Board encourages district teachers and administrators to select books and other materials in accord with sound educational principles and practices, and to use them effectively in the classrooms.  However, the Board also recognizes the right of community members to voice concerns and/or complaints regarding the implementation of a particular curriculum and/or instructional material.

 

           All complaints concerning textbooks, library books and other instructional material shall be submitted to the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee.  The Superintendent shall promulgate regulations subject to Board of Education approval establishing a complaint procedure.

 

Cross-ref:   4511, Textbook Selection and Adoption

                  4513, Library Materials Selection and Adoption

                  4524, School Libraries

 

Ref:     Education Law §§1709(15); 1711(5)(f)