1221
RELATIONS WITH PARENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Board of Education recognizes the importance of parent organizations and the contributions they make to benefit the total school community and encourages parents to join PTA and/or SEPTA organizations.
The PTA is a national organization directly involved with the welfare of children and youth in the home, school, and community. The district’s local PTA functions at each school and as an interschool unit.
The local PTA is comprised of elected officers and general membership. The numerous committees in each school are responsible for implementation of the PTA programs. Some of the committees include Legislation, School and Community, Newsletter, Class and Telephone Mothers, Preschool Committee and Cultural Arts.
SEPTA is a Special Education Parent Teacher Association organized under the authority of the New York State PTA. It is an association of parents who have children with special needs. The local SEPTA encompasses all four school districts in Valley Stream (Thirteen, Twenty-four, Thirty, and Central High School ).
1 st Reading 6/21/00
2 nd Reading & Adoption
1225
RELATIONSHIP WITH LOCAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Board of Education recognizes the value of the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen Educational Foundation, Inc. and its efforts to support the district by enhancing the resources available to our schools and students.
To help ensure that the Foundation’s fundraising efforts and its planning of activities are in concert with the district’s mission and goals, the trustees of the Foundation are invited to meet with the Board on an annual basis. The Superintendent or his/her designee will serve as the liaison to the Foundation.
Foundation activities, if they involve the use of district facilities or resources, must be planned in accordance with policy 1500, Public Use of School Facilities. Donations offered by the Foundation will be considered in accordance with policy 1800, Gifts from the Public. The Superintendent is charged with sharing the applicable policies and procedures with the trustees of the Foundation.
The Board of Education recognizes the Foundation as a separate legal entity from the school district. The Board encourages the leadership of the Foundation to coordinate its fundraising efforts with other school-community organizations such as the Parent-Teacher Association.
Cross-ref: 0000, Mission and Goals
1500, Public Use of School Facilities
1800, Gifts from the Public
2160, School Board Officer and Employee Ethics
1st Reading January 26, 2010
2nd Reading & Adoption February 23, 2010
1st Reading August 16, 2011
2nd Reading and Adoption September 27, 2011
1230
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS
1230
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS
The Board of Education encourages public participation on school related matters at board meetings.
Persons wishing to address the Board shall advise the Board President or the Superintendent of Schools prior to the scheduled starting time of the meeting. The request shall be made in writing on the “Visitor’s Request to Speak” form provided by the district and shall include the name and signature of the speaker, the address, telephone number, name of organization represented (if any), and a brief description of the topic to be addressed. Any group or organization wishing to address the Board must identify a single spokesperson. The form should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board.
Presentation should be as brief as possible. No speaker will be permitted to speak for longer than three minutes. Only District residents and District personnel will be permitted to speak. Speakers may comment on matters related to any agenda item. The Board will not permit in public session discussion involving individual district personnel or students. Persons wishing to discuss matters involving individual district personnel or students should present their comments and/or concerns to the Superintendent during regular business hours. All speakers are to conduct themselves in a civil manner. Obscene language, libelous statements, threats of violence, statements advocating racial, religious, or other forms of prejudice will not be tolerated.
Persons making presentations at a Board meeting will address remarks to the President and may direct questions or comments to Board members or other district officials only upon the approval of the President. Board members and the Superintendent shall have the privilege of asking questions of any person who addresses the Board.
Questions and comments from the public concerning matters which are not on the agenda may, at the discretion of the Board President, be heard by the Board of Education at the end of the agenda or referred to the Superintendent. Persons wishing to have matters included on the agenda shall contact the Superintendent in accordance with Policy 2342, Agenda Preparation and Dissemination.
The President shall be responsible for the orderly conduct of the meeting and shall rule on such matters as the time to be allowed for public discussion and the appropriateness of the subject being presented. The President shall have the right to discontinue any presentation which violates this policy.
Cross-ref: 1400, Public Complaints
2342, Business Agenda, Preparation and Dissemination
1st Reading December 18, 2001
2nd Reading & Adoption January 29, 2002
1st Reading for Re-adoption: March 28, 2006
2nd Reading & Re-adoption: April 25, 2006
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 make every effort to resolve the matter satisfactorily, if unable to do so, the Superintendent shall refer the issue to the Board for final resolution.
Concerns registered directly to the Board as a whole or to an individual Board member shall be referred as soon as is reasonably possible to the Superintendent for investigation, report, and/or resolution, to the Board.
Cross-ref : 1440, Complaints about School Personnel
1 st Reading 6/21/00
2 nd Reading & Adoption 7/5/00
1420
COMPLAINTS ABOUT CURRICULA OR INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility for the selection of instructional materials. The Board expects district teachers and administrators to recommend 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.
Any criticism of instructional materials that are in the schools that cannot be resolved informally shall be submitted in writing to the Superintendent of Schools, in accordance with the procedures specified in 1420-R. An Instructional Material Review Committee, consisting of an administrator, a librarian, a teacher and a parent of a student enrolled in the district, will be designated by the Superintendent to investigate and judge the challenged material.
The committee shall make recommendations to the Superintendent concerning the disposition of the complaint, and the Superintendent will issue a decision. This decision may be appealed to the Board, and the decision of the Board shall be final.
Cross-ref : 4511, Textbook Selection and Adoption
4513, Library Materials Selection and Adoption
4524, School Libraries
Ref : Education Law §§1709(15); 1711(5)(f)
Board of Educ., Island Trees UFSD v. Pico , 457 US 853 (1982)
1 st Reading 6/21/00
2 nd Reading & Adoption 7/5/00
1420-R
COMPLAINTS ABOUT CURRICULA OR INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS REGULATION
The following procedures shall apply to the handling of complaints concerning any textbook, library book or material and any other instructional material used in district schools.
1. When a person has a complaint concerning a textbook, library book or other instructional material and protests its use in class or its availability in a school library, the Building Principal shall hold an informal meeting with the complainant and the teacher, librarian, or other staff member who is using or providing the book or material. At this meeting, the complainant will be asked to make clear his or her objection to the material; the teacher or librarian will be asked to explain the educational value of the material.
2. If the complaint is not resolved informally, the complainant may file a formal written complaint with the Superintendent of Schools on a form provided for this purpose.
3. Upon receiving a formal written complaint, the Superintendent shall designate an Instructional Review Committee, consisting of an administrator, a librarian, a teacher and a parent of a student enrolled in the district, to investigate and judge the challenged material.
4. The committee shall:
a. read and examine the challenged materials;
b. consider the specific objections to the material voiced by the complainant;
c. weigh the values and faults of the material as a whole;
d. consider oral presentations made to the committee, if any;
e. where appropriate, solicit advice or opinion from other district faculty and/or relevant professional organizations such as the American Library Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, National Council of Social Studies Teachers; and
f. issue a report to the Superintendent containing its recommendations concerning any complaint.
5. The Superintendent shall review the report of the committee, make a decision and notify the complainant and appropriate staff.
6. If the complainant is not satisfied with the Superintendent's decision he/she may refer the complaint to the Board. The Superintendent will deliver a copy of his/her decision and the committee's report to the Board for its consideration. The final decision shall be made by the Board.
1420-E
COMPLAINTS ABOUT CURRICULA OR INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS EXHIBIT
REQUEST FOR REEVALUATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Request initiated by
Date Telephone
Address
Complainant represents: Self ______ Group
If Group (name)
TITLE:
AUTHOR:
Publisher or Producer:
Publisher's recommended grade level: ________
Book ____ AV material (please specify format)____ Other _____
1. Have you read/heard/seen the material in its entirety?
2. To what do you specifically object? Please cite specific passages, pages, etc.
3. Is your objection to this material based upon your personal exposure to it, upon reports you have heard, or reviews you have read?
4. What do you believe is the theme or purpose of the material?
5. What do you feel might be the result of reading/ viewing this work?
6. Do you wish to make an oral presentation of 15 minutes or less to the Materials Review Committee? ______
Signature Date
PUBLIC USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
While the district’s school buildings and grounds are maintained primarily for the purpose of educating students within the district, the Board of Education recognizes that the buildings and grounds are a valuable community resource and believes that this resource should be available to the community for specific uses that will not interfere with educational activities. This policy is intended to identify the uses that community groups may make of those facilities.
It is the policy of the Board of Education that organizations, agencies, and all other entities or users of school facilities shall not discriminate against any District resident, including children who reside within the District, on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.
Permitted Uses
District facilities may be used for the purposes listed below, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in this policy.
A. Instruction in any branch of education, learning or the arts.
B. Social, civic and recreational meetings and entertainments, or other uses pertaining to the welfare of the community so long as such uses are non-exclusive and open to the general public.
C. Meetings, entertainment and occasions where admission fees are charged, when the proceeds are to be utilized for an educational or charitable purpose.
D. Polling places for holding primaries and elections, for the registration of voters and for holding political meetings.
E. Civic forums and community centers.
F. Recreation, physical training and athletics, including competitive athletic contests of children attending a private, nonprofit school.
G. Graduation exercises held by not-for-profit elementary and secondary schools, provided that no religious service is performed.
Prohibited Uses
Any use not permitted by this policy is prohibited. In addition, the following
uses are specifically prohibited.
A. Use of district facilities by any outside organization or group to conduct religious services or religious instruction.
B. Meetings sponsored by political organizations.
C. Meetings, entertainments and occasions that are under the exclusive control of and the proceeds are to be applied for the benefit of a society, association or organization or a religious sect or denomination or of a fraternal, secret or exclusive society or organization, other than veterans’ organizations or volunteer fire fighters or volunteer ambulance workers.
D. Private or restricted meetings not open to the general public.
Conditions of Use for District Facilities
A. Use of district facilities may be permitted unless such facilities are in use for school purposes, or during educational programs. The district reserves exclusive and nonreviewable judgment to determine if a requested use would interfere with or disturb the district’s educational programs. Any organization using school facilities is responsible for providing adequate supervision to insure proper use. The District has the right to determine if supervision is adequate, and implement sanctions when supervision is determined to be inadequate.
B. Facilities must not be used later than midnight. Facilities are not available for use on Sundays, holidays or during school vacation periods. All meetings must be closed fifteen minutes before the time scheduled for leaving the building in order to clear the rooms and to put them in an orderly condition.
C. To ensure that district facilities are preserved for the benefit of the greater district community, only community based groups and organizations (that is, groups which are located within the geographic area covered by the district) may be granted access to district facilities. Any exceptions must be approved by the Board of Education.
D. Use of district facilities will be permitted only where the applicant agrees to pay the district a use fee according to a schedule adopted by the district to cover the costs of heat, electricity, maintenance, custodial services and any other expenses associated with the requested use. Facilities may be used without payment of overtime fees until 11:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. There is an overtime charge based on the hourly fee per custodian after 11:00 P.M., Monday through Friday and all day Saturday. The district retains the right to condition use upon an applicant depositing with the district a sum equaling the estimated costs and fees associated with the
proposed use 10 days in advance of the requested use. The district retains the further right to waive use fees for groups that are associated with or sponsored by the district.
E. Where, in the judgment of the district, the requested use of district facilities requires special equipment or supervision, the charges for building use are contained in the administrative regulations. Stage flats are intended primarily for school use and may not be used by any organization without express permission of the Building Principal. Under no circumstances may these flats be painted. No kitchen equipment may be used. The organization must supply its own utensils, china, or silverware. Only authorized personnel shall operate district equipment.
F. Organizations will be billed for charges. Payments must be made by check payable to V.S.U.F.S.D. Thirteen and mailed to the Business office. Cash payments to any personnel are not acceptable.
G. Civilian Defense units, recognized veterans’ organizations, volunteer firefighters, American Red Cross units, Valley Stream District Thirteen Educational Foundation, Inc., PTA’s, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4H Clubs and other similar organized children’s groups as approved by the Board of Education are exempt from fees for the use of equipment.
H. Use of district facilities will only be permitted where the organization provides the district timely evidence of adequate insurance coverage ($2,000,000 minimum) to save the district harmless from all liability, property damage, personal injuries and/or medical expenses. The district will exercise complete and unreviewable discretion regarding what constitutes adequate insurance coverage for each proposed use.
I. Organizations which have permission to use school facilities must notify the school involved one week in advance of the date of a meeting if such meeting is to be canceled. If this is not done, the organization may be denied further use so that the facilities may be provided to another organization unless unusual circumstances develop on the night of the reservation.
J. The Board reserves the discretion to deny use of district facilities described above, or to terminate use of district facilities:
1. By an applicant who has previously misused or abused district facilities or property or who has violated this policy;
2. For any use which could have the effect of violating the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution or other provisions of the United States or New York State Constitutions;
3. By an applicant whose use is determined to violate the district’s requirement that meetings be non-exclusive and open to the general public;
4. For any use which, in the estimation of the Board, could reasonably be expected to or actually does give rise to a riot or public disturbance;
5. For any use which the Board deems inconsistent with this policy;
6. For any use by a private for-profit entity that has the direct or indirect effect of promoting the products or services of such entity;
7. In any instance where alcoholic beverages or unlawful drugs are sold, distributed, consumed, promoted or possessed;
8. Failing to pay fees within sixty days after use;
9. Remaining beyond permitted time;
10. Failing to provide correct information in its application; and
11. For any use prohibited by law.
Application Procedure for Use of District Facilities
A. All applications for use of school facilities must be obtained at any Principal’s office and should be submitted to the Principal of the building to be used. Applications must be submitted in time for consideration by the Board of Education (regular meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month) whenever:
(a) The organization has not previously been granted use of facilities
(b) There is any doubt on the part of the Principal as to whether proposed use is permissible
(c) Use is desired at times other than those specified
B. The applicant must clearly and completely described the intended use of the district facility in the application.
C. All applicants must review this policy prior to submitting the application. All applications must be signed by an authorized agent of the group or organization requesting use. The applicant’s signature on the application shall attest to the group or organization’s intent to comply with all Board policies and regulations and to use district facilities strictly in accordance with the use described in the application.
D. All applicants must agree to assume responsibility for all damages resulting from its use of district facilities. Proof of adequate insurance must be provided by the applicant at least 10 days before the date of the requested use.
E. Permits shall be valid only for the facility, use, dates and time specified in the permit. No adjustment to the permit is allowed except with the prior written approval of the Principal and Assistant Superintendent for Business. Permits shall not be transferable.
F. The Principal is authorized to alter or cancel any permit if it becomes necessary to use the facility for school purposes or for other justifiable reason.
G. With regard to scheduling activities, the district retains the right to give preference to groups and organizations which are associated with or sponsored by the district.
H. Issuance of a permit shall not limit the right of access to the facility by district staff.
I. Interpretations of these rules by the School Administration may be appealed to the Board of Education by the organizations concerned.
Ref: Education Law §414
1st Reading March 28, 2001
2nd Reading & Adoption April 24, 2001
1st Reading January 22, 2008
2nd Reading and Re-adoption February 26, 2008
1st Reading October 25, 2011
2nd Reading for Re-adoption November 22, 2011
1520
PUBLIC CONDUCT ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
The Board of Education recognizes that the primary purpose of the district is to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning and education. Any action by an individual or group aimed at disrupting, interfering or delaying the education process or having such effect, is hereby declared to be in violation of Board policy. The Board shall approve rules and regulations to effect this policy as required by Education Law §2801.
The Board also recognizes its responsibility to protect school property and declares its intent to take appropriate legal action to prevent damage or destruction of school property. The Board will also seek restitution from, and prosecution of, any person who willfully damages school property.
It is not the intent of this policy to limit freedom of speech or peaceful assembly. The Board recognizes that free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the objectives of a school district. The purpose of the rules and regulations is to prevent abuse of the rights of others and to maintain public order, not to prevent or restrain controversy or dissent.
Ref : Education Law §2801
1 st Reading 6/21/00
2 nd Reading & Adoption 7/5/00
1520-R
PUBLIC CONDUCT ON SCHOOL PROPERTY REGULATION
These rules govern the conduct of students, faculty and other staff, licensees, invitees, and all other persons, whether or not their presence is authorized, upon district property, and also upon or with respect to any other premises or property under the control of the district and used in its teaching programs and activities, and in its administrative, cultural, recreational, athletic, and other programs and activities.
Prohibited Conduct
The following acts are prohibited on any portion of the district’s buildings and property:
1. violation of any law of the State of New York or any applicable federal or local regulation or law;
2. willful injury to any person or threaten to do so;
3. willful damage or removal of district property or to other property lawfully on district premises;
4. disruption of the orderly conduct of classes, school programs or other school activities;
5. distribution or wearing of materials on school grounds which appear obscene, which advocate illegal action, discriminate against race, nationality or religion, appear libelous, disruptive to the school program or obstruct the rights of others;
6. intimidation, harassment, or discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability;
7. entering any portion of the school premises without authorization or remaining in any building or facility after it is normally closed;
8. obstruction of the free movement of any person in any place to which these rules apply;
9. violation of the traffic laws, parking regulations or other restrictions on vehicles;
10. possession, consumption, sale, distribution or exchange of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, or found to be under the influence of either on school property or at any school-related function;
11. possession or use of firearms and/or other weapons including air guns, pistols, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, explosives, box cutters, knives, gas canisters, pepper spray or other noxious spray in or on school property (except in the case of law enforcement officers or except as specifically authorized by the school district);
12. loitering on or about school buildings or grounds;
13. gambling on school premises;
14. refusing to comply with any lawful order of an identifiable school district official acting in the performance ofhis/her duties;
15. willfully inciting others to commit any of the acts herein prohibited; and/or
16. violation of any federal or state statute, local ordinance, or Board policy.
Penalties and Procedures
A person who violates any of the provisions of these rules shall be subject to the following penalties and procedures:
1. If a licensee or invitee, his/her authorization to remain upon the grounds or other property shall be withdrawn and he/she shall be directed to leave the premises. In the event of failure to do so, he/she shall be subject to ejection.
2. If a trespasser or visitor without specific license or invitation, he/she shall be subject to ejection.
3. If he/she is a student, he/she shall be subject to immediate ejection and to disciplinary action as the facts of the case may warrant, including suspension, probation, loss of privileges, reprimand or warning as prescribed by section 3214 of the Education Law, so long as the provisions pertaining to notice and hearing have been met.
4. If a tenured faculty member, he/she shall be subject to immediate ejection, and to warning, reprimand, suspension and/or other disciplinary action as prescribed by and in accordance with section 3020-a of the Education Law.
5. If a staff member in the classified service of the civil service, he/she shall be subject to immediate ejection and to the penalties and procedures prescribed in section 75 of the Civil Service Law.
6. If a staff member other than one described in subdivisions 4 and 5, he/she shall be subject to immediate ejection and to dismissal, suspension without pay or censure.
Enforcement Program
1. The Superintendent shall be responsible for the enforcement of these rules, and he/she shall designate the other personnel who are authorized to take action in accordance with such rules when required or appropriate to carry them into effect.
2. In the case of any apparent violation of these rules by such persons, which, in the judgment of the Superintendent or his/her designee, does not pose any immediate threat of injury to person or property, such school official may make reasonable effort to learn the cause of the conduct in question and to persuade those engaged therein to desist and to resort to permissible methods for the resolution of any issues which may be presented. In doing so such school official shall warn such persons of the consequences of persistence in the prohibited conduct, including their ejection from any district properties where their continued presence and conduct is in violation of these rules.
3. In any case where violation of these rules does not cease after such warning and in other cases of willful violation of such rules, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall cause the ejection of the violator from any premises which he/she occupies in such violation and/or, if appropriate, make recourse to police authorities. The school official may also initiate disciplinary action as hereinbefore provided.
4. The Superintendent or his/her designee may apply to the public authorities for any aid which he/she deems necessary in causing the ejection of any violator of these rules and he/she may request the Board's Counsel to apply to any court of appropriate jurisdiction for an injunction to restrain the violation or threatened violation of such rules.
This regulation and the penalties contained herein are not considered to be inclusive or to preclude in any way the prosecution and conviction of any person for the violation of any federal law, state law, or local ordinance and the imposition of a fine or penalty provided for therein.
Amendment
These rules and regulations may be amended or modified by the Board. All future amendments shall be filed with the Board of Regents and Commissioner of Education not later than ten days after adoption.
1530
SMOKING ON SCHOOL PREMISES
Due to the health hazards associated with smoking, and in accordance with federal and state law, the Board of Education prohibits smoking or other tobacco use in all school buildings, on school property, or at school-sponsored activities.
The district's smoking policy shall be prominently posted in each building. The Board designates the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee as agent responsible for informing individuals smoking in a non-smoking area that they are in violation of Article 13 of the Public Health Law and/or federal Pro-Children Act of 1994.
Ref : Education Law §§409(2); 3020-a(4)
Goals 2000: Educate America Act §§1041 et seq. (The Pro-Children Act of 1994)
Public Health Law Article 13-E §§206; 340; 347
1 st Reading 6/21/00
2 nd Reading & Adoption 7/5/00
1710
RELATIONS WITH EDUCATION RESEARCH AGENCIES
All requests for research, parent or child questionnaires, or use of educational records must receive prior written approval of the Superintendent of Schools. The Board will be informed by the Superintendent of all requests for research studies that the Superintendent is reviewing for adoption by the Board.
To obtain written approval of research studies the following must be presented to the Superintendent:
A. A written request for approval.
B. The purpose, data needed, and parameters of the study.
C. The method of collecting the data.
D. The method of reporting the data.
E. The protocol to ensure confidentiality of students.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain prior written approval of the parent in order to begin the study and use parental or student data.
After the superintendent issues a written approval for the research project, the implementation phase will be supervised by the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. All on-going correspondence, questionnaires, data collection, and reporting will be monitored by the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.
1 st Reading March 26, 2002
2 nd Reading & Adoption April 23, 2002
1 st Reading August 21, 2007
2 nd Reading and re-adoption September 18, 2007
1741
HOME INSTRUCTION
The Board of Education shall ensure that children instructed at home are taught by a competent instructor and receive an education substantially equivalent to that offered in the district's schools.
Parents/Guardians who wish to educate their children at home must submit to the district an individual home instruction plan (IHIP), outlining the educational goals to be met and the course materials and syllabi to be used each year for the child's learning process. The district may accept or deny an IHIP. Parents/Guardians must submit quarterly reports which will provide the district with the necessary information to make determinations of substantial equivalency and competency of instruction on an ongoing basis.
Parents/Guardians may appeal to the Board a determination by the Superintendent of Schools or designee that an IHIP is not in compliance with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. Parents/Guardians shall have the right to appeal the final determination of the Board to the Commissioner of Education within 30 days of receipt of such determination.
Cross-ref : 5100, Student Attendance
5130, Compulsory Attendance Ages
Ref : Education Law §3202(4)
8 NYCRR §100.10
Matter of Abookire , 33 EDR 473 (1994)
1 st Reading 6/21/00
2 nd Reading &Adoption 7/5/00
1800
GIFTS FROM THE PUBLIC
It shall be the policy of the district to accept a gift, provided it is made within the statutory authority granted to school districts and has received the approval of the Board of Education.
Persons or organizations wishing to donate a gift to the school should contact the Building Principal for guidance. The donor(s) will be required to send a letter to the Board President requesting acceptance of this gift, and indicating the value of the gift. The letter must include the phrase “as estimated by the donor”.
In granting or withholding its consent, the Board will review the following factors:
2. The gift must not benefit a particular or named individual or individuals.
3. If the purpose of the gift is an award to a single student, the determination of the recipient of such award shall be made on the basis that all students shall have an equal opportunity to qualify for it and shall not be denied its receipt on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or disability.
4. If the gift is in trust, the obligation of the investment and reinvestment of the principal shall be clearly specified and the application of the income or investment proceeds shall be clearly set forth.
5. No gift or trust will be accepted by the Board unless:
a. it is in support of and a benefit to all or to a particular public school in the district, or
b. it is for a purpose for which the school district could legally expend its own funds, or
c. it is for the purpose of awarding scholarships to students graduating from the district.
Once a gift is accepted, it becomes property of the school district. Any gift rejected by the Board shall be returned to the donor or his/her estate within 60 days together with a statement indicating the reasons for the rejection of such gift.
Cross-ref : 5800, Student Awards and Scholarships
Ref : Education Law §1709(12)
1 st Reading 6/21/00
2 nd Reading Adoption 7/5/00
1810
Naming Facilities and Acceptance of Materials
The Board of Education is solely responsible for naming or changing the name of any facility. Requests to memorialize an individual shall be directed to the Board in writing. A special committee of the Board will be appointed by its president to evaluate the request.
The following criteria shall be considered by the Board in naming or renaming a school facility:
- Long-standing service to the district
- Outstanding contribution to school or district
- Significant contribution to the education of youth
- Exemplary record of service
- Extraordinary educator
- Significant accomplishment in the profession locally or on the state or national level
- Citizen of local or national prominence
- Former member of the Board of Education
It is the intent of the Board of Education that the naming of any facility shall be for individuals who have not received monetary compensation for their services in the past. Only under very unusual circumstances will an exception be granted. Voluntary non-monetary service shall be the overriding criteria.
In lieu of naming facilities, the Board in its discretion, may find an appropriate or suitable alternative to recognize an individual. This recognition may be in the form of a plaque, memorial, or dedication as designated by the Board.
The Board of Education will consider requests for memorials and memorial scholarships in honor of deceased students, employees or other members of the community on an individual basis. The Board of Education may appoint an ad hoc committee of Board members for recommendation to the full Board an appropriate course of action. Furthermore, the Board reserves the sole right to determine the nature of any memorial it accepts.
The Board of Education will review the request and make a decision regarding the request within 90 days.
The President of the Board of Education will notify the party or parties of the decision of the Board of Education as soon as possible following its decision.
In determining whether to accept a memorial respecting deceased employees or other adult members of the community, the Board of Education will consider the same criteria as described above (naming or re-naming a school facility).
In determining whether to accept a memorial respecting deceased students, the Board will consider the appropriateness of the memorial's effect on the health, safety and welfare of current and future students.
In all cases, the Board of Education reserves the right in determining whether to accept a memorial to consider the following factors:
- Cost to school district of initial installation of memorial and associated maintenance expenses.
- Size of memorial
- Placement of memorial
1st Reading May 25, 2004
2nd Reading & Adoption June 22, 2004
1900
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
The Board of Education believes that positive parental involvement is essential to student achievement, and thus encourages such involvement in school educational planning and operations. Parental involvement may take place either in the classroom or during extra-curricular activities. Parent volunteers may be assigned to the following non-teaching duties:
a. Assisting with orientation programs, field trips, parties, assemblies;
b. Keeping records, distribution, materials and equipment;
c. Performing such other services as are determined and supervised by teachers.
However, the Board also encourages parental involvement at home (e.g., planned home reading time, informal learning activities, and/or homework support The Board directs the Superintendent of Schools to develop a home-school communications program in an effort to encourage all forms of parental involvement.
To assure compliance with federal Title I guidelines, the Board further directs the administration to implement programs, activities and procedures to achieve parental involvement in planning, designing and implementing such programs. To this end, the district will send an annual newsletter informing parents of the reasons, objectives and methods of the program; provide training opportunities for parents to work with their children at home; convene an annual meeting for parents of participating students; and utilize such parents as volunteers or paid classroom aides. Parent notification correspondence will be provided in the language understood by the parents.
Ref : 20 U.S.C. 2726; 2731(a)(4)
34 CFR 200.4; 200.34
8 NYCRR §§100.3(b)(3); 100.4(f); 100.5(d)(4); 149.3(16)
1 st Reading 6/21/00
2 nd Reading & Adoption 7/5/00
1925
INTERPRETERS FOR HEARING-IMPAIRED PARENTS
The Board of Education recognizes that those district parents with hearing impairments which prevent a meaningful participation in their child’s educational program must be afforded an opportunity equal to that afforded other parents to participate in meetings or activities pertaining to the academic and/or disciplinary aspects of their child’s education. Accordingly, and pursuant to law, the school district will provide an interpreter for hearing-impaired parents for school-initiated academic and/or disciplinary meetings or activities including, but not limited to:
· Parent/teacher conferences
· Child/study or building level team meetings
· Planning meetings with school counselors regarding educational progress
Career planning
· Suspension hearings or other conference with school officials relating to disciplinary actions
The school district will provide an interpreter for the hearing-impaired parent if a written request for the service has been submitted to and received by the district within ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting or activity. If an interpreter is unavailable, the district will then make other reasonable accommodations which are satisfactory to the parents (e.g., note taker, transcript, decoder, or telecommunication device for the deaf). These services will be made available by the district at no cost to the parents.
The Board directs the Superintendent of Schools to maintain a list of available interpreters and to develop procedures to notify parents of the availability of interpreter services, the time limitation for requesting these services, and of the requirement to make other reasonable accommodations satisfactory to the parents should an interpreter not be available.
Hearing-impaired parents are requested to submit the attached form to request accommodation of their disability.
Ref : Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§12131-12134
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §794
Education Law §3230
8 NYCRR §100.2(aa)
Rothschild v. Grottenthaler , 907 F.2d 286 (2d Cir. 1990)
1 st Reading 6/21/00
2 nd Reading &Adoption 7/5/00
1925-E.1
INTERPRETERS FOR HEARING-IMPAIRED PARENTS
Accommodation Request
Parents in need of interpreter services are asked to complete this form:
TO: Superintendent of Schools
Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen
FROM:
Name
Address
Please identify the type of interpreter needed:
___ Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired: ( ) American Sign; ( ) English
In the event an interpreter is not available, please identify the type of alternative service preferred:
___ Written Communication
___ Transcripts
___ Decoder
___ Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)
___ Other (please specify)
1925-E.2
INTERPRETERS FOR HEARING-IMPAIRED PARENTS EXHIBIT
Response to requests for accommodation
FROM: Superintendent of Schools
Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen
TO:
Name
Address
The Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen hereby:
grants your request for accommodation of a hearing disability in accordance with Board Policy 1925;
denies your request for accommodation of a hearing disability for the following reason:
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