1312 1312Community Relations
Public Complaints
The Board of Education welcomes comments and suggestions for improvement from the citizens whom it serves. Constructive criticism of the schools is welcome whenever it is motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of the educational program or to allow 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 complaint. Therefore, whenever a complaint is made directly to the Board as a whole or to a Board member as an individual, it will promptly be referred to the school administration for study and possible solution.
Since individual Board members have no authority to resolve 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 complaints courteously and that it will take steps to make a proper reply to the complainant. Follow-up shall be in the form of a written memorandum to the Board members when deemed appropriate by the Superintendent.
Anonymous complaints provide little avenue for investigation, response or redress of the complaint. Therefore, it is the policy of the Board that such complaints will be pursued only when required by federal or state statutes or regulations. An unsigned complaint or anonymous telephone call will not be the sole basis for action by the Board.
The Administration should make Parents, students, staff, and members of the public aware of the proper channels of communication and appeal. Complaints for which specific resolution procedures are provided by other Board policy, state or federal statute or regulation, or applicable Board administrators shall be directed through those channels. The appropriate method for the public to address a situation is for that individual to first contact the School (the Teacher if the issue is within the classroom) and or the School Administration if the issue is centered on a more general concern. If after speaking/meeting at the School level, the individual may contact Central Office in order to have their concern investigated at that level. The decision of applicable Board Administrators regarding a student must include notice of the next step of appeal. Any appeal from the decision of the Superintendent to the Board shall be in writing and signed.
Complaints should be resolved at the lowest possible level of authority. If the complaint cannot be resolved at the building level, either party is encouraged 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, the complaint may be appealed to the Board. No appeal will be heard by the Board unless the accusations are presented to the Board through the Superintendent, or other appropriate administrative staff in the matter of a direct complaint against the Superintendent.
The Board will not consider or act upon complaints that have not been explored at the appropriate administrative 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 unless alternative relief is prescribed by statute.
Upon receipt of a written petition signed by one percent of the voters or fifty voters, whichever is greater, and which have been verified by the Seymour Town Clerk, the Board shall hold a public hearing within three weeks of receipt of the petition, at a time and place designated by the Board, on any question specified in the 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: Keyishian v. Board of Regents 385 U.S. 589, 603 (1967)
President's Council, District 25 v. Community School Board No. 25 457 F.2d 289 (1972), cert. denied 409 U.S. 998 (1976)
Minarcini v. Strongsville City School District, 541 F. 2d 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 Connecticut State Board of Education, 9/9/81).
Connecticut General Statutes
10-238 Petition for hearing by board of education.
Policy revised: January 14, 2019
Revision Adopted: April 1, 2019
Community Relations
Public Complaints
The Superintendent, the person who made the complaint, or the employee involved may a meeting with the Board to discuss and seek action by the board on the complaint. Generally, all parties involved, including the school administration, shall be asked to attend such a meeting for the purpose of presenting additional facts, making further explanations, and clarifying the issues.
The Board may request counsel, or a disinterested third party to act as a moderator to help it reach a mutually satisfactory solution. After the Board's decision, the usual appeal route pertains.
Any parent, guardian, or other person who abuses any teacher or other Board employee regarding school related issues may be prosecuted by the district under the provisions of law.
Request for Re-Evaluation of Instructional Materials
The following procedure shall be followed whenever there is a request for the re-evaluation of approved instructional material other than textbooks:
1. The Superintendent shall establish an ad hoc review committee broadly representative of:
A. Teachers competent in the area of the content covered by the material.
B. Administrators, directors, and supervisors appropriate to the level and/or subject for which material is used; and
C. A media specialist
2. Objections to materials and requests for re-evaluation must be presented in writing on the proper form. Request for Re-Evaluation of Materials forms are available in the office of the Superintendent.
3. Initial action on a written request on the proper form shall be taken no later than fifteen school days after receipt of the request.
4. A written report from the review committee shall initially be submitted to the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall then communicate his or her decision to the person requesting the re-evaluation.
5. Should the decision of the Superintendent not satisfy the person requesting the re-evaluation, the Board may hold a special hearing to review the Superintendent's decision.
6. Once approved instructional material has been adopted and re-evaluated, the material cannot be subject to further review without special approval by the Board. Challenged instructional materials shall remain in use in the schools pending a final decision by the Board.
(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: Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853 (1982).
Keyishian v. Board of Regents, 385 U.S. 589, 603 (1967).
President's Council, District 25 v. Community School Board No. 25, 457 F. 2d 289 (1972), cert. denied 409 U.S. 998 (1976).
Minarcini v. Strongsville City School District, 541 F. 2d 577 (6th Cir. 1976).
Academic Freedom Policy (adopted by Connecticut State Board of Education, 9/9/81).
Regulation accepted: July 6, 1999
Regulation adopted: September 8, 1999