1312

Community Relations

Public Relations

The Board of Education welcomes comments and suggestions for improvement from the citizens whom it serves. Constructive criticism of the schools is welcome to improve the quality of the educational program or to assist the schools to do their tasks more effectively. However, the Board has confidence in its professional staff and desires to support their actions in order that they be free from unnecessary, spiteful or negative criticism and complaints. Therefore, whenever a personnel complaint is made directly to the Board as a whole, it will promptly be referred to the school administration for study and possible solution.

Since individual Board members have no authority to resolve personnel complaints, other than by formal Board action, Board members shall refer persons making complaints about the schools to the most immediate level at which the problems can be resolved and, as may be necessary, through lines of organization to the Superintendent of Schools. The Board expects that the administration will develop a procedure for receiving personnel complaints courteously and that it will take steps to make a proper reply to the complainant.

Parents should be made aware of the proper channels of communication and appeal. Complaints for which specific resolution procedures are provided shall be directed through those channels..Complaints should be resolved at the lowest possible level of authority. If the complaint cannot be resolved at the building or department level, either party is able to bring the matter to the attention of the Superintendent of Schools.

If all other remedies have been exhausted and a complaint cannot be satisfactorily resolved, if appropriate and within their scope of authority, the complaint may be appealed to the Board of Education. No appeal will be heard by the Board and no charges or accusations against an employee will be investigated unless the accusations are reduced to writing, signed by the party making the complaint, and presented to the Board through the Superintendent.

Public Complaints

The Board will not consider or act upon complaints that have not been dealt with at the appropriate level or complaints for which specific resolution procedures have been established that do not include Board review. If the Board decides to hear the complaint, the Board shall make a decision which shall be sent to all interested parties. The Board's decision is final.

The following are examples (not an all-inclusive list) of issues that are most appropriately raised at the levels indicated.

Teachers

1.  Student homework assignments, quizzes, and tests
2.  Course content, instructional materials
3.  Issues related to student discipline.

School Counselors

1.  College placement and career information
2.  Course elections and students' schedules
3.  Personal matters relating to students
4.  Problems between school and home and between teacher and pupil.

Principals

1.  Any issues arising out of a school building when no other staff member can be specifically identified
2.  Student placement issues
3.  Instructional and co-curricular program issues
4.  Matters relating to the physical plant
5.  Complaints, dissatisfaction or concerns regarding school personnel
6.  Student records.

Superintendent

1.  Any questions regarding School Board policies and administrative procedures
2.  School Board meeting and agenda items
3.  Any school system record or document, not related to students
4.  Budgetary matters
5.  Hiring and supervision of staff
6.  Instructional program
7.  Complaints, dissatisfaction, or concerns regarding school personnel or services.

School Board

1.  Any matters pertaining to policy
2.  Requests for specific courses and programs
3.  School Board minutes and agenda items (Chairman of School Board)
4.  Budgetary matters.

The Board of Education, upon written petition signed by one percent of the electors of such municipality or fifty such electors, whichever is greater, the signatures thereon to be verified by the clerk of the municipality, shall hold a public hearing on any question relating to the provision of education offered by such board specified in such petition. Such hearing shall be held at a time and place to be designated by such board, not later than three weeks after receipt by the board of such petition.

(cf.  1220 - Citizens' Advisory Committees)
(cf.  5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression)
(cf.  6144 - Controversial Issues)
(cf. 6161 - Equipment, Books, Materials: Provision/Selection)

Legal Reference:  Kevishian v Board of Regents 385 U.S. 589, 603 (1967)

President's Council, District 25 v Community School Board No. 25 (457 F.) 2nd 289 (1972), cert. Denied 409 U.S. 998 (1972)

Minarcini v. Strongsville City School District, 541 F. 2nd 577 (6th Cir. 1976)

Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No. 26 v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853 (1982)

Academic Freedom Policy (adopted by CT State Board of Education 9/9/81)

Connecticut General Statutes 10-238 Petition for Hearing by Board of Education

Policy Adopted:   July 22, 1991
Policy Revised:  11/16/98, 9/9/04
Policy Revised:  1/27/2005, 9/9/10, 10/21/21

BETHEL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bethel, CT