COMMUNITY RELATIONS OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Transcription

1 ARTICLE 1: COMMUNITY RELATIONS OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1. Communication with the public by the Superior Public School District A. Community relations goals of the Superior Public School District Public information of the Superior Public School District School sponsored media of the Superior Public School District B. Responsibilities of school personnel and Board of Education Relative to communication with the public Participation of the public of the Superior Public School District A. Association of the public with the Superior Public School District Citizen s Advisory Committees of the Superior Public School District Parental involvement in the Superior Public School District a. Parental Involvement in the Title I Program B. Citizen assistance to school personnel of the Superior Public School District Purpose of citizen assistance to school personnel of the Superior Public School District C. Visits to the Superior Public School District by individuals of the District D. Denying access to Superior Public School District premises or activities

2 3. Public activities involving staff, students or the Superior Public School District facilities A. Relations between the public and the Superior Public School District personnel B. Suggestions and/or recommendations from the public relative to the operation of the Superior Public School District Complaint Procedure C. Relations between the public and students attending the Superior Public School District Contact of Superior Public School District students by the public during school hours a. Police questioning and apprehension of students attending the Superior Public School District D. Use of the Superior Public School District facilities by the public Equal access to the facilities of the Superior Public School District by students of the Superior Public School District

3 ARTICLE 1: COMMUNITY RELATIONS OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC BY THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY RELATIONS GOALS OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT The Superior Public School District Board of Education maintains that public education can be improved, resulting in increased instructional benefits for students, by the recognition of a positive communications network between the patrons of the Superior Public School District. Such recognition shall include the following principles: 1. The public relations program should be a planned, systematic, two way process of communication between the Superior Public School District and its internal and external publics. 2. The public relations program should be many faceted and should include a variety of media to efficiently and effectively inform all citizens of the Superior Public School District. 3. The public relations program and communication network, to be effective, must include a program of involvement and feedback from the patrons of the District. 4. The communication must be internal as well as external and must stress the dissemination of factual, objective and realistic data relative to the Superior Public School District. 5. The public relations and communication must be dynamic and sensitive to the wants, needs and changes as determined by events and evaluation of the public relations program.

4 PUBLIC INFORMATION OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT The Superior Public School District Board of Education realizes that the community is interested in their schools since the school serves as an extension of the home. This extension exists to perform a special function in the development of the children of the Superior Public School District. To facilitate the dissemination of information concerning the Superior Public Schools to the patrons of the District, the superintendent or his/her designee, shall serve as the public relations representative. It shall be the superintendent s responsibility to communicate with the local news media to provide them with information concerning the school system s programs on a continuing basis.

5 SCHOOL SPONSORED MEDIA OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT The superintendent of schools or his/her designee shall facilitate all school sponsored media to the patrons of the District. Such media shall include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Upcoming events in the school(s). 2. Notes from the administration, counselors and activities director. 3. Events in which students are involved in the school. 4. Events occurring within the various classrooms in the schools.

6 RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND BOARD OF EDUCATION RELATIVE TO COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC The Superior Public School District Board of Education, realizing that the schools are operated through public funds and closely scrutinized by the public, endorses and supports communication between parents, students and all patrons of the District by the members of the Board and all school personnel. The Board encourages communication via telephone, electronic communication, personal visits and written communication to patrons and/or parents of the District to make them cognizant of pupil progress and events within the Superior Public School District.

7 PARTICIPATION OF THE PUBLIC OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF THE PUBLIC WITH THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT In maintaining the belief that the educational programs of the Superior Public School District are the proper concern of all the patrons of the District, it shall be the policy of the Board to promote and encourage the broadest possible participation by the public in school affairs. Such participation is encouraged in order that the educational program will have the benefit of the ability, talent and experience of the citizens of the District community. The Superior Public School District Board of Education shall provide adequate financial support for the communication effort and shall annually review the program to evaluate its effectiveness.

8 CITIZEN S ADVISORY COMMITTEES OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT The Superior Public School District Board of Education recognizes the following as goals for advisory committees established by the administration or the Superior Public School District Board of Education: 1. To provide the Board with assistance in adapting programs to the Superior Public School District community. 2. To enhance the quality of the courses taught to give the youth of the Superior Public School District a better opportunity to meet employability needs. 3. To assist the Board in developing goals and in the evaluation process in reaching those goals. 4. To recommend such changes in programs, services or activities as warranted by evaluation. The Board further recognizes citizen s advisory committees in the capacity of advisement only. The Board is not obligated nor bound by a decision rendered in any report from such committees. P0LICY ADOPTED: June 1, 2007

9 PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT It shall be the policy of the Superior Public School District to foster and facilitate, to the extent appropriate, parental information about and involvement in, the education of their children. It is with that intent that the following shall be in effect: 1. Textbooks, tests and other curriculum materials used in the Superior Public School District are and shall be, available for review by parents at school upon request. Since textbooks, tests and other curriculum materials constantly change and may be discarded when no longer needed by the Superior Public School District, parents wishing to review such items must govern their requests accordingly. 2. Parents wishing to attend and monitor courses, assemblies, counseling sessions and other instructional activities must obtain prior approval of and from the proper teacher, counselor and administrator. Parents attending or monitoring courses, assemblies, counseling sessions and other instructional activities with prior approval, who by their conduct or presence interfere with the educational process or constitute an interference with school purposes, will be asked to leave the school premises. 3. The Superior Public School District will excuse students from testing, classroom instruction and other school experiences, upon parental request, only under circumstances required by law. Parental requests must be in writing and submitted to the proper teacher and administrator a reasonable time prior to the testing, classroom instruction or other school experience and must be accompanied by written proof, acceptable to the school district, that the action is required by law. A plan for an acceptable alternative shall be approved by the proper teacher and administrator prior to, or as a part of, the granting of any parent request. 4. Parents and others will be provided access to records of students according to law. 5. Testing shall occur in the Superior Public School District as determined appropriate from time to time by District staff to ensure proper measurement of educational progress and achievement. 6. Participating in surveys of students shall occur in the Superior Public School District from time to time when determined appropriate by District staff for educational purposes. Parents may remove students from such surveys only under circumstances required by law. Parental requests must be in writing and submitted to the proper teacher and administrator a reasonable time prior to the survey and must be accompanied by written proof, acceptable to the school, that the action is required by law. POLICY REVIEWED: July 11, 2016

10 PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE TITLE I PROGRAM The school district will jointly develop with parents a School-Parent-Student Compact that outlines shared responsibility for improved student academic achievement. The school district recognizes the unique needs of students who are being served in its Title I program, and the importance of parental involvement in the Title I program. Parental Involvement in the Title I Program shall include, but is not limited to: 1. An annual meeting to which all parents of participating children will be invited. Invitations may take the form of notes sent with students or announcements in the school newsletter. Additional meetings may be scheduled, based upon need and interest for such meetings. 2. An explanation of the details for the child s and parents participation, including but not limited to: curriculum objectives, type and extent of participation, parental input in educational decisions, coordination and integration with other district programs, and evaluations of progress. This information may be included in the annual Title I Individual Education Plan (IEP) for the student. 3. Opportunities for parent involvement activities, such as training on ways to support children s learning. This opportunity may include, but is not limited to, attendance at the annual Nebraska State Title I Parent Involvement Conference. The goal of these parent activities is to provide parents with opportunities to participate in decisions relating to the education of their students, where appropriate. 4. The district will, to the extent practicable, provide parents of limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children with opportunities for involvement in the Title I Program. Communication to parents about student progress and the district s other Title I Program communications will be provided in the language used in the home to the extent practicable. Responses to parent concerns will be provided in a timely manner. 5. Opportunities for parent-teacher conferences, in addition to those regularly scheduled by the school district, if requested by the parents or as deemed necessary by school district staff. 6. The district will coordinate and integrate parental involvement programs and activities with other programs in the community. These may include cooperation with other community programs such as Head Start and preschools and other community services such as the public library. This policy shall be reviewed annually at the annual meeting where concerned parties can have a conversation about possible changes to the Parental Involvement Policy, and the Board will either (1) alter the policy and adopt it as altered, or (2) reaffirm the policy, following a public hearing. POLICY ADOPTED: July 11, 2016 POLICY REVIEWED:

11 CITIZEN ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT The Superior Public School District Board of Education accepts the willingness of individuals in the District to serve as assistants or aides within the schools. The Board recognizes aides in the following areas: 1. Assistance in the classroom in the form of volunteer aides or classroom helpers. 2. Assistance with co-curricular activities or extra-curricular activities in the form of a coach s aide. The teacher assistant may be assigned duties which are non-teaching in nature and are planned and supervised by the classroom teacher. Before the assistant is placed in the position of classroom assistant or coach s aide, the administration shall be assured that the assistant has been specifically prepared for such duties, including the handling of emergency situations which might arise in the course of his/her work.

12 PURPOSE OF CITIZEN ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT Individuals serving as assistants or aides in the Superior Public School District are to assist school personnel with activities which shall enrich the school curriculum and the extra and co-curricular programs of the District. Such assistants or aides are under the direct management of school personnel and are not permitted to direct, manage or plan activities unless approved by school personnel.

13 VISITS TO THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT BY INDIVIDUALS OF THE DISTRICT The Superior Public School District Board of Education encourages parents and interested patrons of the District to visit and observe the educational process of the schools as long as such visits do not interfere with the learning process within the school. Individual parents or patrons are subject to visitation rules as established by building administrators relative to parent/patron visitations. Visitors to any of the school buildings of the District must first report to the office prior to contact with any teacher, student or other school personnel.

14 DENYING ACCESS TO SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL PREMISES OR ACTIVITIES The Superior Public School District shall provide access to the District s buildings, grounds and activities subject to the rules of the school, to all parents or guardians of students and other persons, including students, who have legitimate reasons for being on school grounds. The superintendent of schools or his designee (hereinafter referred to as administrator) shall have the right to limit or deny access to school buildings, grounds and activities to persons who: 1. disrupt the educational environment or activity; 2. are unreasonably boisterous; 3. engage in violence, force, coercion, threats, intimidation or similar conduct; 4. willfully cause or attempt to cause damage to school property or to the property of any student or school employee; 5. cause or attempt to cause personal injury to any student, school employee or other person on school grounds or at a school activity on or off of school grounds; 6. use vulgar, profane or demeaning language; or 7. use fighting words. If the administrator determines that an individual, including a student at an extracurricular activity, has engaged in, or is engaging in conduct which constitutes grounds for exclusion under this policy, the administrator shall warn the individual that he or she must cease engaging in that conduct or be barred from the school buildings, grounds and activities. If the individual persists in conduct which is contrary to the standards set out in this policy or school rule, the administrator shall direct the individual to leave the activity or the school premises immediately. The administrator shall not be required to give the warning referred to in this paragraph if, in his or her professional judgment, the conduct is so severe as to warrant immediate removal, or if giving a warning might endanger other persons or school property. If an individual refuses to leave after having been directed to do so by the administrator, the administrator shall summon law enforcement authorities and direct them to remove the offending person from school grounds. The administrator may request assistance from the police and/or the county sheriff s office to remove an offending individual from the school grounds.

15 If the administrator removes a person from the school grounds under this section, the administrator shall also have the power and authority to fix a time when, and the conditions under which, the offending individual may return to school premises. The offending individual shall not return to the school premises except at such time and under such conditions as are established by the administrator. Any person who reenters the school premises in violation of the conditions established by the administrator shall be deemed to be trespassing on school property. In that case, law enforcement authorities shall be summoned immediately to remove the individual from school premises and the administrator shall request that law enforcement officials initiate criminal proceedings. The administrator shall be reasonable in fixing the time during which an offending person is excluded from school grounds and the conditions under which the individual may return. The period of exclusion and conditions for return shall be no greater or more severe than reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the school district, its students and staff. Any person who feels that he or she has been aggrieved by an action of the administrator under this policy may appeal to the Board of Education which shall consider the matter at its next regular or special meeting, provided the appeal is initiated sufficiently in advance of the meeting to enable the Board to comply with the Public Meetings Law and any other applicable provisions of Board policy. The appeal shall be initiated by filing a written grievance setting forth all applicable facts and claims on a form provided by the school district.

16 PUBLIC ACTIVITIES INVOLVING STAFF, STUDENTS OR THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITIES RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL The Superior Public School District Board of Education encourages all school personnel to become involved with the local community. Such encouragement is suggested due to the opportunity for communication between school personnel and the public. Each District employee should communicate openly and honestly with the public and are encouraged to do so in their respective area of responsibility.

17 SUGGESTIONS AND/OR RECOMMENDAITONS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATIVE TO THE OPERATION OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT The Superior Public School District Board of Education encourages all patrons, parents, students and school employees to make suggestions and recommendations for the improvement of the Superior Public School District. Such suggestions and recommendations may be made in writing to the superintendent of schools, the Superior Public School District Board of Education, via personal contact or by personal presentation before the Board at a regular or special meeting of the Board. Individuals wishing to speak to the Board at a regular or special meeting should contact the superintendent of schools to be placed on the agenda, prior to the meeting in accordance with Board policy.

18 COMPLAINT PROCEDURE Good communication helps to resolve many misunderstandings and disagreements. This complaint procedure applies to board members, patrons, students and school staff, unless the staff member is subject to a different grievance procedure pursuant to policy or contract. Individuals who have a complaint should discuss their concerns with appropriate school personnel in an effort to resolve problems. When such efforts do not resolve matters satisfactorily, including matters involving discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, or age, a complainant should follow the procedures set forth below: 1. The first step is for the complainant to speak directly to the person(s) with whom the complainant has a concern. For example, a parent who is unhappy with a classroom teacher should initially discuss the matter with the teacher. However, the complainant should skip the first step if complainant believes speaking directly to the person would subject complainant to discrimination or harassment. 2. The second step is for the complainant to speak to the building principal, Title IX/504 coordinator, superintendent of schools, or president of the board of education, as set forth below. a) Complaints about the operation, decisions, or personnel within a building should be submitted to the principal of the building. b) Complaints about the operations of the school district or a building principal should be submitted in writing to the superintendent of schools. c) Complaints about the superintendent of schools should be submitted in writing to the president of the board of education. d) Complaints involving discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, marital status, disability, or age may also be submitted, at any time during the complaint procedure to the School District's Title IX/504 coordinator. Complaints involving discrimination or harassment may also be submitted at any time to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education: by at OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov; by telephone at (816) ; or by fax at (816) When a complainant submits a complaint to an administrator or to the Title IX/504 coordinator, the administrator or Title IX/504 coordinator shall promptly and thoroughly investigate the complaint, and shall: a) Determine whether the complainant has discussed the matter with the staff involved.

19 1) If the complainant has not, the administrator or Title IX/504 coordinator will urge the complainant to discuss the matter directly with that staff member, if appropriate. 2) If the complainant refuses to discuss the matter with the staff member, the administrator or Title IX/504 coordinator shall, in his or her sole discretion, determine whether the complaint should be pursued further. b) Strongly encourage the complainant to reduce his or her concerns to writing. c) Interview the complainant to determine: 1) All relevant details of the complaint; 2) All witnesses and documents which the complainant believes support the complaint; 3) The action or solution which the complainant seeks. d) Respond to the complainant. If the complaint involved discrimination or harassment, the response shall be in writing and shall be submitted within 180 days after the administrator or Title IX/504 coordinator received the complaint. 4. A complainant who is not satisfied with the administrator's or the Title IX/504 coordinator's decision regarding a complaint may appeal the decision to the superintendent. a) This appeal must be in writing. b) This appeal must be received by the superintendent no later than ten (10) business days from the date the administrator or Title IX/504 coordinator communicated his/her decision to the complainant. c) The superintendent will investigate as he or she deems appropriate. However, all matters involving discrimination or harassment shall be promptly and thoroughly investigated. d) Upon completion of this investigation, the superintendent will inform the complainant in writing of his or her decision. If the complaint involved discrimination or harassment, the superintendent shall submit the decision within 180 days after the superintendent received complainant's written appeal. 5. A complainant who is not satisfied with the superintendent's decision regarding a complaint may appeal the decision to the board. a) The appeal must be in writing.

20 b) This appeal must be received by the board president no later than ten (10) business days from the date the superintendent communicated his/her decision to the complainant. c) This policy allows, but does not require the board to receive statements from interested parties and witnesses relevant to the complaint appeal. However, all matters involving discrimination or harassment shall be promptly and thoroughly investigated. d) The board will notify the complainant in writing of its decision. If the complaint involved discrimination or harassment, the board shall submit its decision within 180 days after it received complainant's written appeal. e) There is no appeal from a decision of the board. 6. When a formal complaint about the superintendent of schools has been filed with the president of the board, the president shall promptly and thoroughly investigate the complaint, and shall: a) Determine whether the complainant has discussed the matter with the superintendent. 1) If the complainant has not, the board president will urge the complainant to discuss the matter directly with the superintendent, if appropriate. 2) If the complainant refuses to discuss the matter with the superintendent, the board president shall, in his or her sole discretion, determine whether the complaint should be pursued further. b) Strongly encourage the complainant to reduce his or her concerns to writing. c) Determine, in his or her sole discretion, whether to place the matter on the board agenda for consideration at a regular or special meeting. d) Respond to the complainant. If the complaint involved discrimination or harassment, the response shall be in writing and shall be submitted within 180 days after the president received the complaint. The school district prohibits retaliation against any person for filing a complaint or for participating in the complaint procedure in good faith. REVISED: July 13, 2015

21 COMPLAINT STATE YOUR COMPLAINT IN DETAIL. State all relevant facts, including all names, dates and times so that the administration will be able to investigate thoroughly. If your complaint is about any person(s), please state their name(s). Use the back of this sheet or additional sheets as necessary. LIST ALL SUPPORTING EVIDENCE, including witnesses, documents and other types of evidence which support your complaint. STATE THE WAY YOU WOULD LIKE THE COMPLAINT TO BE RESOLVED. Complainant s Name (print and sign): Date: Address: Phone number:

22 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND STUDENTS ATTENDING THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT All Superior Public School District students or groups of students who are asked to perform at public activities or contests either during or after school hours are to be under the direct supervision of the moderator of the students or groups of students. Requests for performance or contest events of the Superior Public School District shall be approved by the building principal prior to acceptance of such public appearance or contest by the student(s).

23 CONTACT OF SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS BY THE PUBLIC DURING SCHOOL HOURS Any person, other than a school employee, who arrives at the school to talk or take a student from the school premises, must obtain permission of the building administrator or his/her designee prior to contacting the student. The building administrator or his/her designee shall not grant such permission unless the individual making the request has a valid reason for contacting the individual student. Such contacts may be restricted to the parents of students, law enforcement officers, individuals identified by the parents or guardians or a close friend of the family when a dire emergency exists.

24 POLICE QUESTIONING AND APPRESHENSION OF STUDENTS ATTENDING THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT Law enforcement officers and any officer of the court are encouraged to contact students of the Superior Public School District after school hours whenever possible. In the event it is necessary for such officers to have a conference with a student of the Superior Public School District, an administrator or his/her designee shall contact the student s parents or guardians and inform them of the conference. If the parent or guardian of such student cannot be contacted or the parent or guardian is unable to be present during the conference between the law enforcement officer and the student, the conference shall not be held during the school hours nor on school property unless the officer is in pursuit of a student or has a warrant for a student s arrest. Student s at risk, i.e. suspected child abuse or neglect, or students who are a threat to themselves or others, deemed such by the administration or his/her designee, may conference with the representatives of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services or law enforcement officers without parent permission during school hours. No student will be allowed to be taken from the school premises by a law enforcement officer without prior knowledge of the parent or guardian or an administrator.

25 USE OF SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITIES BY THE PUBLIC It shall be the policy of the Superior Public School District Board of Education that its buildings and grounds shall be made available to the community subject to such rules and regulations as may be established, provided that no use shall be permitted which, in the judgment of the Board and administration is in any way prejudicial to the best interest of the Superior Public School District or in conflict with school programs. The Board authorizes the superintendent of schools or his/her designee to require rentals, charges or use fees to offset costs for the usage, maintenance and upkeep of the facilities or grounds by such groups and/or individuals making application for facility usage. Such rentals, charges or fees shall be developed in written from by the superintendent of schools and approved by the Board. The Board further authorizes the superintendent of schools or his/her designee to waive such rental, charge or fee after consideration of the type of group or organization making application for such use. The following is a listing in rank order of the priorities for usage of the District s facilities or grounds: 1. Activities and programs of the Superior Public School District that directly relate to the instructional and educational program of the District. 2. Events or activities that are designed to serve the youth and citizens of the individual school community which are planned and directed by school affiliated groups and are connected with a community recreation program. 3. Use by community organizations whose primary purpose is service to the youth, or through the use of school facilities, is the improvement of the general welfare of the community, and where no admission is charged. 4. Use by civic and service groups whose purpose, through the use of school facilities, is to improve the general welfare of the community and where admission is charged and whose net receipts are expended for the welfare of the pupils or charitable purposes. 5. Use by individual groups who are eligible to rent the facilities for legitimate purposes and whose net receipts are not for the welfare of the pupils or charitable purposes. The member of the organization or the individual having contact with the school to secure the facility will be the responsible individual for any personal injury or property damage that may take place during the use period. The Board and the administration reserve the right to refuse the use of school facilities when it deems it necessary in the public interest.

26 EQUAL ACCESS TO THE FACILITIES OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT BY STUDENTS OF THE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT The Superior Public School District shall not deny equal access or a fair opportunity to, or discriminate against, any student(s) who wish to conduct a meeting within the confines of the facilities of the Superior Public School District on the basis of religious, political, philosophical or other content of the speech at such meeting. The Superior Public School District shall offer a fair opportunity to students who wish to conduct a meeting within the confines of the facilities of the Superior Public School District so long as the following are met: 1. The meeting is voluntary and student initiated. 2. There is no sponsorship of the meeting by the school, the government or its agents or employees. 3. Employees or agents of the school or government are present at religious meetings only in a non-participatory capacity. 4. The meeting does not materially and substantially interfere with orderly conduct of educational activities within the school. 5. Non-school persons may not direct, control or regularly attend activities of student groups unless special permission is granted by the superintendent of schools. The Superior Public School District personnel shall have the authority to maintain order and discipline on the school premises to protect the welfare of students and faculty and to assure that attendance at such meetings is voluntary.