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BG - SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES

The development, adoption and review of policies that govern the school district is one of the School Board’s most important functions. Board policies establish the goals, direction and structure of the school unit under the authority of state law. In addition to policies required by state and federal laws and regulations, the Board adopts policies to provide direction to the Superintendent and other administrators in the management of the school unit, to guide the education program, and to provide clear expectations for school staff, students and parents.

Board policies are intended to provide the framework for school district operations and the educational system. In general, the operational details as to how policies will be implemented are contained in administrative procedures developed by the administration. However, the Board will adopt administrative procedures concerning its own operations and when the Board decides that an issue is of sufficient legal, educational and community importance to warrant a Board-level procedure.

Policy Procedure

  1. The Policy Committee is responsible for recommending policy actions to the Board for its consideration, including adopting new policies, revising existing policies and deleting obsolete policies.
    1. Individual Board members, Board standing or advisory committees, the Superintendent or other interested persons may submit policy suggestions and concerns to the Board Chair, who will forward them to the Policy Committee.
    2. The Policy Committee, with the assistance of the Superintendent, will review and research policy suggestions and prepare draft policies, as appropriate.
    3. The Superintendent shall notify the teachers’ association of any new, proposed or revised educational policy, and the Superintendent and Policy Committee shall meet and consult with the association upon request.
    4. As appropriate to the particular topic, the Policy Committee may also seek input from other affected persons and/or groups.
  2. Recommended new and revised policies and recommendations for policy deletions shall be placed on the agenda of a regular Board meeting for a first reading. Board members shall receive the policy and the Policy Committee’s recommendations in advance of the meeting date.
  3. Any changes agreed upon by the Board during the first reading shall be made by the Policy Committee prior to the second reading.
  4. At the next regular Board meeting (or a later meeting if so agreed by the Board), the policy shall be placed on the agenda for a second reading and action. Amendments may be made and acted upon. If the policy is not approved by majority vote, the process for that policy is ended unless the Board agrees to table consideration of the policy to a specific date.
  5. Approved policies become effective immediately unless the motion to approve the policy includes a specific implementation date.
  6. Notice of new and revised policies will be provided to affected groups (i.e., school staff, students, parents) through a means determined by the Superintendent.
  7. The Superintendent shall retain copies of all policies deleted from the Board policy manual for future reference.
  8. An up-to-date policy manual shall be maintained in the Superintendent’s Office and on the school district’s website.

20-A M.R.S.A. § 1001

Cross Reference:

  • BDE – Board Committees
  • BEDB – Agenda
  • BG-R Policy Adoption and Amendment Procedures

ADOPTED:

  • October 9, 1984

Revised:

  • October 11, 1994
  • March 8, 2005
  • April 9, 2013

 

 

 

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