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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.

PolicyThe ProcedureCape Elizabeth School Board considers policy development its most important governance function.

  1. The Policy Committee

    It is responsiblethe forintent recommending policy actions toof the Board to develop written policies that will serve as the foundation for the successful and efficient operation of Cape Elizabeth School Board and its consideration,schools.

    including

    The adoptingBoard newaccepts policies,the revisingdefinition existingof policy set forth by the National School Boards Association:

    School Board policies are statements that set forth the purposes and deletingprescribe obsoletein policies.general

      terms
    1. Individualthe Boardorganization members,and Boardprogram standingof ora advisoryschool committees,system. They create a framework within which the Superintendent and the staff can discharge their assigned duties with positive direction. They tell what is wanted. They may also indicate why and how much. Policies should define clearly the goals and objectives of the school system, allow for the flexibility that is vital in day-to-day operations, reflect the Board's vision, define roles and responsibilities (who is supposed to do what), and include measurable outcomes.

      The Board's policies are framed and meant to be interpreted in terms of federal laws and regulations, state statutes and the rules of the Maine Department of Education, State Board of Education, and other regulatory agencies at various levels of government. The Board's policies are also intended to reflect the Board's educational philosophy and instructional objectives and practices and procedures that are supported by research and generally accepted by leaders and authorities in the field of public education.

      It is the Board's intent that its policies set goals and provide direction and guidance for administrators, staff, and students and serve as sources of information for parents, community members, and others who are interested in or connected with the schools.

      The Board regards policy development and review as an ongoing process. The need for a new policy or revision or deletion of an existing policy may arise from a change in law and/or regulations, modification of the school unit's vision or goals, educational research or trends, the occurrence of a significant incident or a recommendation or request from Board  members, school administrators, staff, parents, students, or other interested personspersons.

      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

      Adoption 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, proposednew 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 recommendationsrepeal forof policyexisting deletionspolicies shallis solely the responsibility of the Board. Policies will be placedadopted, onamended, or repealed only by the agendaaffirmative vote of a regularmajority of members present and voting.

    Policies shall become effective upon Board meetingadoption foror at a firstfuture reading.date Board members shall receive the policy and the Policy Committee’s recommendations in advance of the meeting date.

  3. Any changes agreed upondesignated by the Board duringat the firsttime readingof shalladoption.

    The Superintendent/designee will 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 agendaresponsible 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 ofdistributing new andor revised policies willto beBoard providedmembers and for making policies accessible to affected groups (i.e., school staff,personnel, students, parents) through a means determined byand 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.
public.

20-A M.R.S.A. § 1001

Cross Reference:

ADOPTED:

  • October 9, 1984

Revised:

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

 

 

 

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