For the entire 1000 Section
First Reading February 11, 2013
Second Reading March 4, 2013
Philosophy/Objectives...................................................................................................
1000
The Board of Education of Hayes
Center Public Schools believes that the school is responsible to the community
for the many common concerns and needs of its students. The following
philosophies and objectives should serve as pivotal questions for continual
study and discussion as the means of structuring its goals.
1.
The curriculum, instructional program, extra-curricular
activities and other services shall be planned and implemented in relation to
the interests, talents and future plans of its students.
2.
The major emphasis of the educational program shall be
on a continuing and broadening program, adapted to the characteristics of the
students served, and directed primarily to developing the full potential and a
maturing sense of social and civic responsibility in each student.
3.
The instructional program shall reflect good balance
between the study of past cultures and consideration of contemporary works and
social changes.
4.
The classroom instruction shall place major emphasis on
active student involvement in such activities as problem solving, investigative
procedures, exchange of ideas, planning and evaluation as effective procedures
in learning.
5.
The classroom instruction shall offer each student the
opportunity to develop higher order thinking and problem-solving skills by means
of adequate preparation in mathematics, science, the social sciences, language
arts, and foreign languages, and through appropriate and progressive use of
technology.
6.
The program of the secondary school shall include both
effective preparation for education beyond the high school and effective
preparation that lead to entering employment.
7.
The instructional program shall instill in each student
the ability and desire to continue learning throughout his/her life.
Internal
Board Policies/Personnel
Use of Public Resources by Board Members and Employees.......................................
1010
Restrictions on Use
No Board
member or employee of Hayes Center Public Schools shall use or authorize the use
of his or her public office or any confidential information received through the
holding of the public office to obtain financial gain, other than compensation
provided by law, for himself or herself, a member of his or her immediate
family, or a business with which the individual is associated.
No Board
member or employee shall use or authorize the use of school district personnel,
resources, property, or funds under his or her official care and control other
than in accordance with prescribed constitutional, statutory, and regulatory
procedures or use such items, other than compensation provided by law, for
personal financial gain.
No Board
member or employee shall use or authorize the use of school resources for the
purpose of campaigning for or against the nomination or election of a candidate
or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a ballot question.
For purposes of this restriction, “school resources” means personnel,
property, resources, or funds under the official care and control of the Board
member or employee.
Authorized Uses
The uses
described below are not authorized by employees, and violate this policy, where
an employee’s use: (1) interferes with the conduct of school business; (2)
interferes with the performance of the employee’s duties and responsibilities;
(3) is contrary to another Board policy or a rule or directive set forth in an
employee handbook or other employee communication device; (4) is contrary to a
supervisor’s directive; or (5) the use is for the employee’s personal financial
gain or potential for personal financial gain.
Incidental or De Minimis Use:
Use of school resources by a Board member or employee which is incidental
or de minimis does not constitute a violation of this policy.
Personal Use as Part of Compensation:
Use of school resources for personal purposes is authorized by this
policy if:
1.
the use of the resource for personal purposes is part of
the employee’s compensation provided in an employment contract or is consistent
with this policy; and
2.
the personal use of the resource as compensation is
reported in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
taxes, if any, are paid by the affected employee.
Employees who engage in such personal use shall, upon request of the Board of
Education or the administration, provide evidence to establish that the
compensation has been reported and taxes paid as required by the Tax Code.
School Vehicles:
Use of a school vehicle by a Board member or employee to travel to a
designated location or the home of the Board member or employee is permissible
when the primary purpose of the travel serves a school district purpose.
Such use is authorized by this policy.
No travel other than directly to the school-related trip destination
shall occur, however, when students are in the vehicle or if the vehicle is a
school bus.
Communication Devices:
A Board member or employee may use a telecommunication system, a cellular
telephone, an electronic handheld device, or a computer under the control of the
school district for email, text messaging, a local call, or a long-distance
call, to a child at home, a teacher, a doctor, a day care center, a baby-sitter,
a family member, or any other person to inform any such person of an unexpected
schedule change or for other essential personal business. Any such communication
shall be kept to a minimum and shall not interfere with the conduct of school
business or the performance of an employee’s duties.
A Board
member or employee shall be responsible for payment or reimbursement of charges
(e.g. long distance charges), if any, that directly results from any such
communication. The Board member or employee shall promptly report any such
communication that results in an expense to the
Use of the
District’s internet system for such communications shall not be permitted to the
extent such use violates the terms of the E-Rate program, which restricts use of
the internet system to “educational purposes.”
Election Issues:
A Board member or the Superintendent, in the normal course of his or her
duties, may use school resources to research and prepare materials to assist the
School Board in determining the effect of a ballot question on the
Mass
mailings, mass duplication, or other mass communications at school expense for
the purpose of qualifying, supporting, or opposing a ballot question is not
permitted. Mass communications does not include placing public records
demonstrating the consequences of the passage or defeat of a ballot question
affecting the
A Board
member or employee may campaign for or against the qualification, passage, or
defeat of a ballot question or the nomination or election of a candidate when no
school resources are used. An employee shall not engage in campaign activity for
or against the qualification, passage, or defeat of a ballot question or the
nomination or election of a candidate while on duty time.
A Board
member or authorized employee may make school facilities available for campaign
purposes if the identity of the candidate or the support for or opposition to
the ballot question is not a factor in making the facilities available or a
factor in determining the cost or conditions of use.
The School
Board may discuss and vote upon a resolution supporting or opposing a ballot
question.
A Board
member may respond to specific inquiries by the press or the public as to his or
her opinion regarding a ballot question or provide information in response to a
request for information.
A Board
member or employee may identify himself or herself by his or her official title
when communicating about a ballot question.
Employees who do so shall clearly communicate that their communication is
their personal opinion and does not reflect the position or views of the Board
of Education or the
Legal Reference:
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§49-14,101.01 and 49-14,101.02
INTERNAL BOARD POLICIES
Internal Board Policies/Personnel
Conflict of Interest - Employment of Family Member of Board Member
or Supervisor and Employment of Board Member…………………………………………1010.5
1.
A member
of the Board of Education or an administrator or other employee with supervisory
responsibilities may employ or recommend or supervise the employment of an
immediate family member if:
a.
He or she
does not abuse his or her official position (for this purpose, “abuse” means
employing an immediate family member: who is not qualified for and able to
perform the duties of the position; at an unreasonably high salary; or who is
not required to perform the duties of the position);
b.
He or she
makes a full disclosure on the record to the Board of Education and a written
disclosure to the Superintendent and/or Secretary of the Board; and,
c.
The Board
of Education approves the employment or supervisory position.
2.
No
immediate family member of a Board of Education or an administrator or other
employee with supervisory responsibilities shall be employed by the School
District:
a.
Without
first having made a reasonable solicitation and consideration of applications
for such employment.
b.
Who is
not qualified for and able to perform the duties of the position.
c.
For any
unreasonably high salary.
d.
Who is
not required to perform the duties of the position.
3.
Neither the Board of Education nor an administrator or other employee
with supervisory responsibilities shall terminate the employment of another
employee so as to make funds or a position available for the purpose of hiring
an immediate family member.
4.
This policy shall not apply to an immediate family member of a member of
the Board of Education or an administrator or other employee with supervisory
responsibilities who was previously employed in a position with the School
District prior to the election or appointment of the Board member or employee.
Prior to or as soon as reasonably possible after the official date a
Board member takes office or an employee assumes his or her responsibilities,
such Board member, administrator or other employee with supervisory
responsibilities shall make a full disclosure of any immediate family member
employed in a position subject to this policy.
5.
A member of the Board of Education may not be engaged in a contract to
teach with the Hayes Center Public
School District. Nor shall a member
of the Board of Education cast a vote in favor of the election of any employee
when the Board member is related by blood or marriage to such employee.
Legal
Reference:
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 49-1499.04;
'49-1499.05; 79-544; and
79-818
INTERNAL BOARD POLICIES
Code of Ethics . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 1011
All members of the Board of
Education shall be familiar with the Nebraska School Board Members code of
Ethics and abide by this code.
I.
As a member of my local Board of Education, representing
all the citizens of my school district, I recognize:
That my fellow
citizens have entrusted me with the education development of the children and
youth of this community.
That the
public expects my first and greatest concern to be in the best interest of each
and every one of these young people without distinction as to who they are or
what their background may be.
That the
future welfare of this community, of this State, and of the Nation depends on
the largest measure upon the quality of education we provide in the public
schools to fit the needs of every learner.
That my fellow
board members and I must take the initiative in helping all the people of this
community to have all the facts all the time about their schools, to the end
that they will readily provide the finest school program, school staff, and
school facilities.
That legally
the authority of the Board of Education is derived from that State which
ultimately controls the organization and operation of the school district and
which determines the degree of discretionary power left with the Board of
Education and the people of this community for the exercise of local autonomy.
That I must
never neglect my personal obligation to the community and my local obligation to
the State, nor surrender these responsibilities to any other person, group, or
organization; but that, beyond these I have a moral and civic obligation to the
Nation which can remain strong and free only as long as public schools in the
United States of America are kept free and strong.
II.
In view of the foregoing consideration, it shall be my
constant endeavor:
To devote
time, thought, and study to the duties and responsibilities as a Board of
Education member so that I may render effective and creditable service.
To work with
my fellow Board of Education members in a spirit of harmony and cooperation in
spite of differences of opinion that arise during debate or points at issue.
To base my
personal decision upon all available facts in each situation; to vote my honest
conviction in every case, unswayed by partisan bias of any kind; thereafter, to
abide by and uphold the final majority decision of the Board of Education.
To remember at
all times that as an individual I have no legal authority outside the meetings
of the Board of Education, and to conduct my relationships with the school
staff, the local citizenry, and all media of communication on the basis of this
fact.
To resist
every temptation and outside pressure to use my position as a Board of Education
member to benefit either myself or any other individual or agency apart from the
total interest of the school district.
To recognize
that it is as important for the Board of Education to understand and evaluate
the educational program of the school as it is to plan for the business of
school operation.
To bear in
mind under all circumstances that the primary function of the Board of Education
is to establish the policies by which the schools are to be administered, but
that the administration of the education program and the conduct of school
business shall be left to the employed Superintendent of schools and his
professional and non-professional staff.
To welcome and
encourage active cooperation by citizens, organizations, and the media of
communication in the district with respect to establishing policy on current
school operation and proposed future developments.
Finally, to
strive step-by-step toward ideal conditions for most effective Board of
Education service to my community, in a spirit of teamwork and devotion to
public education as the greatest instrument for the preservation and
perpetuation of our representative democracy.
PROCEDURES FOR OPERATION
Conflict of Interest . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 1012
Each member of the Board of
Education shall be responsible for declaring his/her potential conflict of
interest in any matter coming before the Board of Education. Should a conflict
exist the member must: 1) make an official declaration for the record; 2) not
vote nor participate in the discussion of the matter; and 3) not act on behalf
of the District as to the inspection of performances under any contract
involving a matter which involves a conflict of interest.
Individual members shall not be
prohibited from doing business with the District provided a statement of
conflict of interest is filed and a record of all business transactions is
maintained. All statutory requirements shall be followed.
No Board of Education member
shall vote on an individual contract of any employee related to him/her by blood
or marriage. However, a Board of Education member may vote on all issues of
contracts which are generally applicable to all employees within a
classification and do not single out his/her relative.
No member of a school board
shall be engaged in a contract to teach.
Date Revised:
March 4, 2013
INTERNAL BOARD POLICIES
Remuneration and
Reimbursement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 1013
A member of the Board of Education shall receive no
compensation for his or her services.
1.
Out-of-state travel. Board of Education members
authorized to attend educational conferences out of state shall be reimbursed
for reasonable expenditures in addition to transportation to and from the
destination and registration fees. Board of Education members must have approval
in advance from the board of Education.
2.
In-state travel. Board of Education members shall
be granted reimbursement for reasonable expenditure in addition to registration
fees.
3.
Mileage/Meals. All Board of Education members are
authorized to be reimbursed for their mileage and meals upon submission of
receipts that shall be kept on file for review and reference. (See Exhibit A)
Mileage:
Reimbursed at the
district-approved rate adopted by the Board of Education each year at the
September meeting.
Meals:
Reimbursed for actual amount but not to exceed $10.00.
Exhibit A
Employee Mileage Report and Claim
Name_________________________
Address_______________________
________________Zip___________
Date_________________
Position_______________________
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DATE |
DESTINATION From
To |
REASON |
REIMB MILES |
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TOTAL
Reimb. Miles X .25
_________
FOR
ACCOUNTING CODES
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Total Other Expenses__________
GRAND TOTAL OF CLAIM ___________
______________________________________
Claimant’s Signature
Summary of Other
Expenses
(not including
mileage)
Itemized
Expenses Claimed for Out-of-town Travel
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Days
Itemized |
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Totals |
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Hotel
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Trans
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Park, Tolls |
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Conv Fees |
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Meals:
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Other Expenses: |
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Attach
Receipts for All Expenses Claimed
Miscellaneous
Expenses Claimed
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DATE |
EXPLANATION |
TOTALS |
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Total Other Expenses
INTERNAL BOARD POLICIES
Membership and Attendance at
Local, State and National Meetings . . . . . . . . . . 1014
Hayes Center Public Schools
shall consider holding membership in various national and state associations for
boards and administrators annually.
Attendance at meetings related
to education and school matters is encouraged by the Board of Education. The
Board of Education encourages attendance of its own members at:
1.
District meetings and state conventions of the N.A.S.B.
2.
Legislative sessions and related activities.
3.
Other local or regional meetings and/or in-service
activities.
4.
National conventions of National School Board
Association and/or American Association of School Administrators on a rotating
basis among its members.
GENERAL ORGANIZATION
Organization . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 1100
LEGAL NAME
The corporate name shall be “Hayes Center Public Schools” a Class III
school district in
LEGAL STATUS
The legal status of Hayes Center Public Schools is contained in States
Statutes and it possesses all the usual powers of a corporation for public
purposes. Schools are creatures of statute and possess no other powers than
those granted by the legislature. This district shall assume the authorized
powers, duties and responsibilities granted to it. The Hayes Center Public
Schools Board of Education in carrying out its policies, acts as a
legislative body and delegates its executive duties primarily to the
Superintendent and on rare occasions to Committees of the Board of Education
specifically authorized by the Board of Education to carry out a specific task.
MEMBERS The Board
of Education shall be composed of six (6) members.
GENERAL ORGANIZATION
Board Vacancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1101
A vacancy on the Board of Education shall be filled by
appointment of an eligible citizen of the district by action of the remaining
members of the Board of Education for the unexpired term.
GENERAL ORGANIZATION
Organizational Meeting .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 1102
The Board of Education shall elect from its members
annually at its regular meeting in January a president, vice-president,
treasurer and secretary who shall serve one year. The Board of Education shall
also establish an Americanism Committee of three (3) members of the Board of
Education.
The Board of Education may establish other standing
committees as the need arises. Ad hoc committees may be established by the Board
of Education to serve for a length of time to be determined by the Board of
Education.
GENERAL ORGANIZATION
Board Meetings, Procedures
and Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1110
Types of meetings:
Regular meetings
The regular
monthly board meetings shall be held on the second Monday of each month. Notice
shall meet
Special meetings
The President, Superintendent, or any two members of the Board of
Education may call special meetings. All Board of Education members shall have
notice of time and place of the special meeting. Special meetings can deal only
with the subject matter given in the notice.
In the case of an emergency meeting the minutes shall report the nature
of the emergency and the agenda shall be limited to the emergency. The meeting
may be held by means of electronic or telecommunication equipment.
I.
Opening procedures
II.
Items on which action is requested
III.
Discussion items
IV.
Information items
V.
Adjournment and notification of next regular meeting
All meetings by the Board of Education and subcommittees of such Board of
Education if empowered to take formal action on behalf of the Board of Education
are subject to and will abide by all “open meetings acts or laws” set forth in
the Nebraska State Statutes.
A majority of members shall constitute a quorum.
The public shall have the right to attend school board meetings except
for closed sessions. The public shall have the right to videotape, televise,
photograph, broadcast, or record part or the entire board meeting. The Board of
Education has the right to make and enforce reasonable rules and regulations
regarding the conduct of persons attending, speaking or making pictorial or
sonic reproduction of its meeting.
The Board of Education may hold a closed session by the affirmative vote
of a majority of its voting members. Closed sessions may be held for, but not be
limited to, such reasons as:
a.
Strategy sessions with respect to collective bargaining,
real estate purchases, or litigation;
b.
Discussion regarding deployment of security personnel or
devices;
c.
Investigative proceedings regarding allegations of
criminal misconduct;
d.
Evaluation of the job performance of a person when
necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such
person has not requested a public meeting.
Board Meetings, Procedures and Operations
Recording Board Meetings………………………………………………………1110.1
It is the policy of the Hayes
Center Public Schools Board of Education to video and audio tape, photograph,
and broadcast, its meetings on behalf of the board.
Members of the public may video or audio tape, photograph, or broadcast
board meetings to the extent allowed under the Open Meetings Act.
A board member may video or audio tape, photograph, or broadcast a board
meeting
only in his or her capacity as a
member of the public. Video and
audio tapes, copies of broadcasts, and pictures of board meetings shall not be
used by any board member, any school district employee, or any other school
district representative to create documents or records on behalf of the
district.
On June 13, 2011 the Hayes
Center School Board moved to record their minutes.
The audio will be available for download from the district website,
according to the timeline set by State Statute.
Board
Meetings, Procedures and Operations
Minutes
………………………………………………………………………………1110.2
The Board of
Education shall keep minutes of all meetings showing the time, place, members
present and absent, and the substance of all matters discussed.
The resignation of a Board member or any other circumstance that results
in a vacancy in office shall be made a part of the minutes.
The minutes
shall be prepared by the secretary immediately following the meeting, shall be
written, shall be available for inspection by the public and for distribution to
the members of the Board within ten (10) working days, or prior to the next
convened meeting, whichever occurs earlier, and shall be a part of the agenda
for the next regular meeting at which time they shall be corrected, if
necessary, and approved.
The minutes
shall be kept in the office of the superintendent and shall be public records
and open to public inspection during normal business hours.
Legal
Reference:
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 79-555; 79-570; and 79-577
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 84-1408 to 1414
Date of
Adoption:
April 14, 2011
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF
EDUCATION
Construction of Agenda .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 1111
The Superintendent in
cooperation with the President shall be responsible for the construction of the
agenda. Any member of the Board of Education wishing to place an item on the
agenda must contact the Superintendent’s office or the Board President by 24
hours preceding the regular scheduled meeting.
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF
EDUCATION
Advance Delivery of Meeting
Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 1112
The Superintendent shall mail or deliver the meeting agenda, minutes,
claims and other meeting materials, to all Board of Education members in time to
permit review prior to the meeting.
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF
EDUCATION
Addressing the Board of
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 1113
Patrons and students of the
District are encouraged and welcome to attend Board meetings. The Board of
Education believes that pertinent and constructive input on Board of Education
matters from individuals with a genuine interest in the welfare of the district
and its’ students is valuable. The Board of Education also believes that
meetings are to be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect for individual’s
concerns as well as the Board of Education’s responsibilities. In an effort to
provide for public input and provide for an effective and efficient setting for
conducting its business, the following guidelines for addressing the Board of
Education shall be followed:
1)
Time for hearing public input shall be scheduled prior
to items on which action is requested during regular monthly meeting.
2)
Individuals wishing to address the Board of Education
are encouraged to notify the Superintendent in advance.
3)
Persons must sign up in advance to address the Board of
Education.
4)
Each speaker shall be limited to three minutes.
The total public input time will be limited to 15 – 20 minutes.
The Board of Education reserves the right to limit the amount of time
devoted to a particular topic and/or public input.
5)
Individuals wishing to read a statement to the Board of
Education are encouraged to provide copies for the Board of Education and
Superintendent.
6)
Groups are encouraged to select a speaker or speakers to
represent the group.
7)
The Board of Education members may ask clarifying
questions of any speaker during the meeting, but will postpone further
discussion until after public input.
8)
The Board of Education shall take no action on any item
brought to the Board of Education unless it is specifically listed as an action
item on the agenda.
9)
Individuals will not be allowed to express complaints
about specific employees. This is in accordance with the Open Meetings Law,
which protects students and employees.
Date Revised:
February 11th, 2013
Request to
Address the Board of Education
The Board of Education welcomes you to this meeting and
will be glad to listen to your opinion on subjects being considered or any
constructive statement or complaint you may wish to make. (See Board Policy
#1113 on back)
The Board of Education follows a
written agenda; a copy of which action is required at each regular monthly
meeting to hear individual’s comments. In an effort to receive input from all of
those who desire to address the Board of Education and conduct its business in a
timely manner, time will be limited to a maximum of three minutes for each
speaker. The President of the Board of Education has the right to waive this
limit if needed.
Please complete the following
and present it to the Secretary of the Board of Education.
Name
____________________________________ Phone # ______________________
Address
________________________________________________________________
Date
___________________________________________________________________
Name of Organization You
Represent (If Applicable) ____________________________
Item on the Agenda:
Number of Item
___________________________ Subject ________________________
Item Not on Agenda:
Subject:
________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Date Revised:
February 11th, 2013
Official Action of the Board
of Education Limits of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1114
The Board of Education exercises its authority only when it is in
official session. In cases of emergencies, the Superintendent or President may
poll board members individually on action to be taken. Such action shall be
approved at the next regular meeting of the Board of Education.
Individual Board of Education members should be willing to listen to
patrons’ concerns; however, no commitments to course of action should be made
nor implied. Patrons’ concerns should be directed to the Superintendent or
person(s) affected. Individual Board of Education members have no authority and
cannot act on behalf of the District. No individual Board of Education member,
as a Board of Education member, shall exercise any administrative responsibility
with respect to the school nor instruct any of the employees of the District on
the performance of their duties.
PROCEDURE OF OPERATION
Policy Development . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 1120
All policies are subject to change when it seems that they are no longer
applicable, inadequate or circumstances change. Any proposed policy adoption or
change should be submitted to the Board of Education as a whole for
consideration at a regular meeting. Policies will, barring emergencies, be
adopted or amended after consideration at two meetings of the Board of Education
in which such proposed policies, amendments, or revisions thereof shall be read
and discussed.
If an emergency need arises an exception to this policy may be made upon
the majority consent of those Board of Education members present at the duly
constituted meeting.
The formal adoption of policies shall be by majority vote of all members
of the Board of Education and the action shall be recorded in the minutes of the
Board of Education. Only those written statements so adopted and so recorded
shall be regarded as official policy.
The normal procedure for proposing adoption or change is to consult with
the Superintendent in advance of the meeting in which the proposal is to be
submitted so that he may include it on the agenda that goes out to the Board of
Education members in advance of meetings.
The Board of Education of Hayes Center Public Schools shall reappraise
its policies on an on-going basis. Adoption or change in policies shall follow
stated guidelines.
PROCEDURE OF OPERATION
Reporting Performance . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 1130
Because the Hayes Center Public Schools exist to educate the youth of the
community, it is appropriate that the parents and patrons of the district
periodically be provided information about the student and school performance.
Not only do the residents of the district furnish much of the financial support
for the operation of the schools, they also have great interest in being assured
that future generations are properly educated to enhance their personal
development, to contribute to the culture of the community, and to be productive
members of society. Reporting of student and school performance will provide
this assurance and should enhance public support for the schools.
The Superintendent shall annually prepare and distribute to the Board of
Education and the general public a written report that describes the school’s
success in meeting local goals. The report will include a summary of results of
the following assessment or studies as required by the Nebraska Department of
Education’s Regulations and Procedures for the Legal Operation of Schools:
a.
a standardized norm-referenced assessment instrument
given at specified grade levels.
b.
criterion referenced assessment(s) in reading, writing,
and mathematics
c.
follow-up of high school graduates (at least every three
years)
d.
a learning climate assessment (need not be completed
annually)
e.
financial information
f.
school system demographics
All test scores
shall be kept confidential and no identification of individual students will be
made.
PROCEDURE OF OPERATION
Policy to Prevent Dating Violence…………………………………………………..1130.1
Hayes Center Public School provides physically safe and
emotionally secure environments for all students and staff.
Positive behaviors are encouraged in the educational program and are
required of all students and staff.
Inappropriate behaviors, including but not limited to, dating violence, will not
be tolerated and must be avoided by all students and staff.
Pursuant to Section 79-2, 140, the Legislature has defined
(a) “dating violence” to mean a pattern of behavior where one person uses
threats of, or actually uses, physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse to
control his or her dating partner; and (b) “dating partner” to mean any person,
regardless of gender, involved in an intimate relationship with another person
primarily characterized by the expectation of affectionate involvement whether
casual, serious, or long term.
Strategies and practices are implemented to reinforce
positive behaviors and to discourage and protect others from inappropriate
behaviors. Dating violence training,
as defined by Section 79-2, 141 (4,) shall be provided to staff deemed
appropriate by the administration.
The administration will be responsible for reviewing the school district’s
Student Code of Conduct to insure that this policy is reflected therein.
PROCEDURE OF OPERATION
Drug Free School and
Community Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 1131
It shall be the policy of Hayes Center Public Schools to review
biannually its entire program pertaining to the prevention of the use of illicit
drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees to determine the
effectiveness of the program and to implement such changes to the program as are
deemed needed.
The Superintendent shall undertake such study as is deemed appropriate to
determine whether the program of the district as hereinabove referred to is
accomplishing its intended goals. If the Superintendent determines that changes
are necessary or desirable in the program, the Superintendent shall, on or
before the regular July meeting of the Board of Education, present to the Board
of Education such changes as are proposed by the administration in the program
of the district.
PROCEDURE OF OPERATION
Drug Free School and
Community Policy/Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1132
It shall be the policy of Hayes Center Public Schools to require the
Superintendent of schools to keep a statistical report of all violations
excluding all names, of the Hayes Center Public Schools policies and programs
prohibiting the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and
alcohol by students and employees on the Hayes Center Public Schools property or
as a part of any of the Hayes Center Public Schools activities. The
Superintendent shall at least annually provide a report to the
Board of Education consisting of
at least the following:
1.
The date and nature of any incidents of non-compliance
with the Hayes Center Public Schools policies pertaining to the unlawful
possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students or
employees.
2.
The nature of any sanction carried out against any such
person in violation of such policies.
3.
A brief description of any treatment, counseling, or
rehabilitation that any such individual in violation of any such policy shall
have undertaken and whether such undertaking was voluntary or involuntary.
PROCEDURE OF OPERATION
Parental/Guardian Involvement
in Educational Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1133
It shall be the policy of the Hayes Center Public Schools to recognize
that parental involvement is a key factor in the education of children, to
recognize that parents need to be informed of the educational practices
affecting their children, and that Hayes Center Public Schools foster and
facilitate parental information about and involvement in educational practices
affecting their children. It is the intent of the Hayes Center Public Schools
that through the enactment of a Parental Involvement Policy involvement and
participation will be strengthened.
1.
Parent-Teacher conferences shall be scheduled each year
by the administration. Parent/guardians shall be encouraged to attend these
conferences to learn of the child’s progress; to jointly discuss how the home
and school can team to provide common expectations and assistance; and to ask
questions of teachers, administrators, and other support personnel.
2.
All textbooks, workbooks, and related instructional
materials shall be available for parental inspection and preview. The Hayes
Center Public Schools shall make examination copies available to
parents/guardians upon request. If extra copies are not available for checkout,
materials may be inspected at school. Requests for inspection copies of
textbooks, workbooks, or instructional material shall be directed to the
building principal.
3.
The Board of Education encourages visits by
parents/guardians to all of our school buildings. The district will encourage
home/school cooperation by promoting clear, two-way communication with parents
about the instructional program, and the child’s participation and progress. We
urge parents/guardians to visit our facilities and programs in accordance with
reasonable procedures, and to evaluate the quality of education, determine its
needs, and to join with the Board of Education in improving our system.
Parents/guardians attending and monitoring courses, assemblies, counseling
sessions, and other instructional activities, who by their conduct or presence
interfere with the educational process or constituted an interference with
school purposes, shall be given the opportunity to provide their rationale for
continued attendance and monitoring.
4.
All students will be expected to fully participate in
all required classes, instructional assignments, testing, and instructional
activities. Students will be excused from certain activities or classes based
upon medical or religious reasons. In order for their child to be excused,
parents/guardians will be expected to petition in writing the building principal
for excuse from such objectionable classes, testing, or activities.
5.
Parents/guardians and other authorized personnel will be
provided access to records of students according to law (e.g., Family
Educational Rights & privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g or 79-4, 157. R.R.S., et
seq.).
6.
The District will inform parents/guardians and require
written permission from parents before using any experimental teaching
evaluation methodologies, experimental testing instruments or testing
instruments that inquire into the values, beliefs or privacy of any student.
Standardized tests will be administered occasionally as determined necessary by
the district staff. Any testing materials will be available at the school for
parent inspection upon request during normal school hours.
7.
Participation in surveys of students shall occur in the
Hayes Center Public Schools from time to time when determined appropriate by
Hayes Center Public Schools staff for educational purposes. Parents/guardians
are to be notified seven days in advance by mail if the survey contains moral
issues, examples are: sex, drugs, alcohol, religious beliefs, family values or
life styles. The advance notice must include the content, purpose and use of the
survey results. Student surveys may be answered on a voluntary basis.
Parents/guardians may remove students from such surveys. Parental requests must
be in writing and submitted to the proper teacher and administrator prior to the
survey.
8.
The school will communicate with parents/legal guardians
on a quarterly basis, the progress of their children, through report cards.
Additionally, in an effort to increase communication with the home, a mid-term
report will be sent home on a regular basis, midway through the quarter to all
students.
Hayes Center Board Operating Principles
………..……………………………………1134
1)
Advocacy: We believe our school
district stands out as a high performing system that
offers many educational and extra-curricular opportunities to children
and their families.
Team Members Pledge:
·
High levels of support for programs within the district that are aimed at
increasing quality learning opportunities for our students.
·
To sell the strengths of the district with good working relationships amongst
the leadership team.
·
To advocate for a world-class education that prepares our students for the
challenges/opportunities of the world.
·
To be positive and proactive in promoting the many benefits of an excellent
school system that has high expectations and numerous opportunities for
involvement.
·
To strive for an educational experience that fosters a great sense of pride in
each student that reflects the benefits of a caring community that is
family-centered.
·
To manage district resources effectively and efficiently to create an awareness
of the investments in our children that create value.
2)
Leadership Team Development: We
believe that our ability to effectively work together in
conjunction with our administration will yield the highest possible
student results.
Team Members Pledge:
·
To value all divergent opinions and inputs but maintain that the interests of
the school district take priority over individual interests.
·
To conduct ourselves professionally and be respectful of all members of the
Hayes Center educational team.
·
To be goal oriented based on appropriate planning brought about by annually
establishing district priorities.
·
To support the ultimate decision of the board without regard for one’s own
personal opinion.
·
To treat each member of the team with fairness and respect and work to build and
strengthen trust.
3)
Open Communication: We believe that
accurate and timely information that is provided
to all members of the team will foster maximum trust and promote our
leadership
effectiveness.
Team Members Pledge:
·
To stay informed of district issues via the mid-month report from the
superintendent detailing items of interest to the leadership team.
·
To inform patrons and staff of the chain of command that will be used to resolve
complaints.
o
Meet with the person involved.
o
Meet with the principal.
o
Meet with superintendent.
o
Request board hearing.
·
To expect that all team members will be informed of individual requests.
Decisions on next-step actions will be made by the entire board.
·
To inform the superintendent of issues concerning personnel as soon as it is
possible. Board members shall
provide all details of the incident including names of persons making the
complaint.
4)
Handling Concerns: As
representatives of the Hayes Center School District, we believe
that we must conduct ourselves appropriately at all times when dealing
with the public.
Team
Members pledge to the following procedure when dealing with staff or patron
complaints or concerns:
·
Listen to the individual’s concern.
·
Explain that the board team and administrative team have established a process
for handling concerns.
·
Ask the individual if they have discussed the issue with the person immediately
responsible.
·
Express appreciation to the individual for presenting the concern.
·
Affirm the desire to reach a satisfactory solution to the concern.
·
Encourage the individual to follow the established procedures meeting first with
the teacher, then with the principal and then with the superintendent if
satisfaction is not reached. The
board of education will be a final opportunity for the individual to have their
concern heard.
·
Assure the person that the superintendent will be informed of the concern but
reaffirm the importance of the chain of command being followed.
5) Meeting Format:
We conduct our meetings in an open and orderly fashion and pledge to
support the following:
·
The board president and superintendent will develop board-meeting agendas
cooperatively. Individual board
members may request items for the agenda but they will be subject to approval by
the president and superintendent
·
All meetings are open and will be publicized to encourage meaningful dialogue.
·
Potentially controversial issues will be thoroughly addressed with appropriate
supporting documentation before any decision-making occurs.
·
Executive sessions will only be used as necessary and consistent with state laws
that govern viable reasons for such sessions (i.e., litigation, negotiations,
personnel and land acquisition).
·
Public input will be welcomed during regular meeting.
Individuals may address the board for three minutes, with a total of 15 –
20 minutes allowed for public input. The board may respond with clarifying
questions but the president and superintendent will determine how best to
respond to the request (i.e., remand to an existing board committee for further
study).
·
All committee agendas will be sent to all team members.
Non-committee members can only attend committee meetings if there is an
anticipated absence. This is to
avoid violation of Nebraska open meetings Laws.
6) Planning, Goal Setting and
Accountability: We believe that we
are accountable to our
students and our patrons and will strive to ensure that our decisions are
derived from an
orderly planning process that accommodates district goals and is sensitive to
the
taxpaying public:
Team Member Pledge To:
·
Commit to at least one annual retreat to review the goals of the previous year
and to develop goals for the upcoming school year.
·
Review Operating Principles.
·
Develop, in conjunction with the superintendent, mutual performance goals for
the purpose of evaluation and assessment of progress.
·
Work to strengthen connections with staff, parents and patrons of the district
to ensure they remain current regarding district challenges and opportunities.
Date Revised:
March 4, 2013