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SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICIES
SECTION K: SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS For Office Use Only: K_INDEX.CHL (12/03) It is the theory of the Board of Education that the aims of the program of public information can best be served by operating a fine instructional program in all classrooms throughout the system. The proper interpretation of the instructional program is, however, the responsibility of all persons officially connected with the Chillicothe R-II schools. The media through which information may be made available to the public include all official school publications, newspapers, radio, television, speeches by school personnel and other means approved by the superintendent.
Organization The principal is responsible for the public information program of each individual school. Within each school, there may be an organization or class whose primary purpose is the development of a news publication or bulletin for the school. These organizations serve two important functions. First, they provide valuable training for people interested in the field of journalism. Secondly, they serve as an important means of disseminating information concerning the school to both students and patrons interested in the school. These organizations shall be closely supervised by competent advisors employed by the school. In the interest of coordination and an informed public, information, articles and editorials will be cleared through the principal’s office.
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Portions © 2000 Missouri School Boards’ Association
FILE: KBA Confidential records are not open to the public. These include staff and student personnel records, personal correspondence, minutes of executive sessions and records pertaining to such matters as may be discussed in executive session.
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Portions © 2000 Missouri School Boards’ Association
FILE: KBCA Matters pertaining to the Board of Education and the school system at large will be released through the office of the superintendent. The building principal is responsible for matters pertaining to an individual school. When the representative of any news media, both in and out of school, request information concerning any phase of the school or the schools system’s program, the staff member queried should offer all possible cooperation. Staff members should, however, offer information regarding only that portion of the program for which they are responsible. Questions concerning other areas of the schools or its program should be referred to the person responsible. Principals must be informed of such releases.
* * * * * * * For Office Use Only: KBCA-S.CHL
FILE: KC The Board is mindful that it is accountable to the patrons of the district and shall give substantial weight to the advice it receives from individuals and community groups interested in the district's schools. The district is also mindful that it must take into account its responsibility for the welfare of the entire district in arriving at decisions. The Board recognizes that many residents of the district may be specially qualified to assist and advise the district because of their training, experience or personal characteristics, and the Board encourages them to take an active part in school affairs. The Board also recognizes that community involvement is not only important at the district level but is often most effective at the school level. Each school in the district will advise patrons about any avenues for providing input unique to that school and will encourage them to take advantage of those opportunities.
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© 2004, Missouri School Boards' Association, Registered in U.S. Copyright Office
FILE: KG Permission to use school facilities will be granted to community organizations and residents by the superintendent, or his or her designee, in keeping with the policies, rules and regulations adopted by the Board. However, such use will not interfere in any way with the regular programs and activities of the school district. A nominal rental fee to cover operational costs (heat, lights, etc.) and custodial service will be charged in accordance with a schedule recommended by the superintendent and approved by the Board. The fee will not be charged to any school-related organization. The Board may consider waiving the fee for special public programs. The use of playgrounds and buildings during the summer months for recreational purposes shall be governed by the superintendent according to the Board policies, rules and regulations. Where possible, a certificate of insurance or hold-harmless agreement shall be provided by the persons or organizations using school facilities.
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© 2000, Missouri School Boards' Association, Registered in U.S. Copyright Office
FILE: KG-R 1. Written application for a permit to use school facilities shall be made with the superintendent or designee for a date satisfactory to the requirements of the school program, at least one (1) week prior to the date of use. 2. The assistant superintendent or designee will be responsible for maintaining an accurate calendar of all uses of school facilities by school and community groups. 3. The Board shall have final authority in interpreting Board policy, and in settling disputes regarding the eligibility of a non-school group's use of district facilities, as well as any fee waivers that may be allowed. 4. A majority of an organization's members must be residents of the school district before the organization's application for use of school facilities will be considered. 5. The signing of an application for use of school facilities shall be interpreted as a guarantee to the district that the organization will be responsible for the proper use of the premises, for proper adult supervision, for orderly conduct of the meetings held under its control and for prompt payment to the district to cover any damage to school property resulting from the organization's use of the facility. 6. The person whose signature appears on the application will be held responsible for fulfilling the terms of the contract, and must be a citizen of the school district. Copies of the rental agreement shall be provided to the renter and to the building principal concerned. 7. The Board shall not surrender its control of school property, and shall have the right to countermand the use of any school premises at any time if it decides it is in the best interest of the district. Use of school premises shall not be granted if it interferes with school-sponsored activities. 8. Any service club may have the use of the school building and charge admission, when the money obtained is to be used for school or community improvement. Rental fees shall be designed to give preference to community groups with an objective of education or community improvement. 9. Kitchens, shops and specialized equipment shall not be available for rent. 10. No apparatus or equipment shall be brought into the school buildings except upon written permission of the superintendent or designee. 11. Use of school equipment shall not be granted unless approval is received from the building principal and such equipment is properly supervised by an employee of the district, if deemed necessary by the building principal. It shall be a general policy not to lend school property for non-school use. Rental fees shall be required for the use of all property that is available for rental. With the exception of property normally used off school premises such as vehicles or music and athletic equipment, property shall not be removed from school premises without the consent of the superintendent or assistant superintendent. 12. Buildings will be closed on school holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Washington's birthday and Easter vacation. 13. When the superintendent has declared the schools "closed" because of inclement weather, use of the buildings will be restricted as determined by the superintendent. 14. The superintendent or designee shall have the authority to approve routine applications. If, in the superintendent's opinion, an application calls for the use of the building for extraordinary purposes, the application shall be referred to the Board of Education. "Extraordinary purposes" shall include such programs or activities beyond the routine activities that have by custom and practice become acceptable to the Board. 15. In case of an emergency, the superintendent reserves the right to cancel, at his or her discretion, any scheduled activity of a non-school group. Such cancellation shall be made as early as possible so that all persons involved can be notified. 16. The use of alcoholic beverages, profane language or gambling in any form is not permitted in school buildings. Smoking is allowed on the grounds only. 17. All groups using building facilities shall be under adult leadership or supervision. Al least one (1) adult shall be present from the time of arrival until all persons leave the building. 18. A fee schedule for rental of school facilities shall be established.
* * * * * * * For Office Use Only: KG-R.CHL (9/93)
FILE: KH
Gifts, Donations and Bequests to the District In deciding whether to accept a gift, the superintendent, the Board or its designee will minimally consider whether the contribution will further the goals of the district, whether it will be used, whether it is appropriate for the school environment and whether it will unequally distribute resources in the district. No gift will be accepted without verification that there are no encumbrances against the gift. All gifts accepted will be reported to the Board of Education, publicly announced and appropriately acknowledged. The donor will be officially thanked in the district’s name.
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© 2003, Missouri School Boards' Association, Registered in U.S. Copyright Office
FILE: KL If a complaint has been made and appealed in accordance with administrative procedures, the parent/guardian or member of the public may appeal the issue to the Board by submitting a written request to the superintendent or the secretary of the Board. The Board will address the complaint in an appropriate and timely manner.
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© 2003, Missouri School Boards' Association, Registered in U.S. Copyright Office
FILE: KL-AP
1. Complaints on behalf of individual students should first be addressed to the teacher or
employee involved. The decision of the Board shall be final except in the case of complaints concerning the administration of federal programs. In that case the complainant may go to the appropriate section of DESE and from there on to the United States Secretary of Education. The Board considers it the obligation of the professional and support staff of the district to field the questions of parents/guardians or the public. Accordingly, the district will inform patrons of this complaint procedure and its availability. Complaints regarding district compliance with nondiscrimination laws will be processed according to the grievance procedure (AC-R) established for that purpose. Employee grievances will be processed in accordance with the established employee grievance procedure or as otherwise required by law. All other grievances for which there is a specific policy or procedure will be addressed pursuant to that policy or procedure.
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© 2003, Missouri School Boards' Association, Registered in U.S. Copyright Office
FILE: KLB It is therefore the policy of the Board to require that books and other instructional materials shall be chosen for values of educational interest and the enlightenment of all students in the community. Instructional materials shall not be excluded on the basis of the writer's racial, nationalistic, political or religious views. Every effort will be made to provide materials that present all points of view concerning the international, national and local problems and issues of our times. Multi-cultural, disability-aware and gender-fair concepts will be criteria for selection of materials. Books, or other instructional or media materials of sound factual authority, shall not be prescribed, nor removed from library shelves or classrooms on the basis of partisan or doctrinal approval or disapproval. The Board will strive to provide stimulating, effective materials that will be appropriate to the community's values and the students' abilities and maturity levels. Despite the care taken to select those materials deemed to be educationally useful, occasional objections to the selection of instructional materials may be made by the public. However, the principles of academic freedom and the freedom to read must be defended, rather than the materials. If a challenge is made, it should be properly channeled through guidelines and procedures established by the Board of Education.
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© 2000, Missouri School Boards' Association, Registered in U.S. Copyright Office SECTION A: FOUNDATIONS AND BASIC COMMITMENTS | SECTION B: SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONS SECTION C: GENERAL SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION | SECTION D: FISCAL MANAGEMENT | SECTION E: SUPPORT SERVICES SECTION F: FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT | SECTION G: PERSONNEL | SECTION I: INSTRUCTIONS | SECTION J: STUDENTS SECTION K: SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS | SECTION L: EDUCATION AGENCY RELATIONS |