1316

Community Relations

Relations Between Public and School Personnel

Conduct on School Property

The Board of Education (Board) expects mutual respect, civility and orderly conduct among all individuals on school property or at school events. District staff will treat parents and other members of the public with respect and expect the same in return. The Board is committed to maintaining orderly educational and administrative processes in keeping schools and administrative offices free from disruptions and preventing unauthorized persons from entering school/district grounds.

This policy promotes mutual respect, civility and orderly conduct among Board members, district employees, parents and the public. It is not intended to deprive any individual of his/her right to freedom of expression, but only to maintain to the extent possible and reasonable, a safe, harassment-free environment for students and staff. Volatile, hostile or aggressive actions and words cannot be tolerated, and individuals who engage in these activities may face legal penalties.

In the interest of presenting Board members and District employees as positive role models to the students as well as to the community, the Board encourages positive communication and discourages volatile, hostile or aggressive actions. The Board seeks public cooperation with this endeavor.

Based upon the above, the Board expects that no person on school property or at a school event shall:

1.  Injure, threaten, harass or intimidate a staff member, Board member or any other person;

2.  Curse and use obscenities;

3.   Disrupt or threaten to disrupt school or office operations;

4.   Damage or threaten to damage another’s property;

5.   Damage or deface District property;

6.   Violate any Connecticut law or town/city ordinance;

7.   Smoke or otherwise use tobacco products;

8.  Consume, possess, distribute, or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs, or possess dangerous instruments or weapons;

9.  Impede, delay, or otherwise interfere with the orderly conduct of the District’s educational program or any other activity occurring on school property;

10.  Enter upon any portion of the school premises at any time for purposes other than those which are lawful and authorized by the Board;

11.  Operate a motor vehicle in a risky manner or in violation of an authorized District employee’s directive; or

12.  Violate other District policies or regulations or an authorized District employee’s directive.

Alternate language to consider:

Standards

A.  Expected behaviors include but are not limited to:

1.  Respect and courtesy in language, demeanor, and actions

2.  Moderate tone and volume of voice

3.  Active and respectful listening

4.  Respectful acknowledgement of cultural differences

5.  Respect for the personal, civil, and property rights of others

6.  Appropriate and courteous use of telephone, public address systems, electronic devices and any other verbal communication device

7.  Appropriate and courteous written communication, including notes, letters, email and text messages

B.  Unacceptable behaviors include but are not limited to:

1.  Rude, insulting or demeaning language and/or actions

2.  Persistently unreasonable demands

3.  Intrusive and/or interruptive behavior

4.  Displays of temper

5.  Harassment and intimidation

6.  Threatening and/or abusive gestures and behavior

C.  Incidents of uncivil behavior should be resolved cooperatively with the individual(s) most directly involved.

Optional Language:

Any individual who disrupts or threatens to disrupt normal school or office operations; threatens the health and safety of students or staff; willfully causes property damage; uses loud or offensive language which could provoke a violent reaction; or who has otherwise established a continued pattern of unauthorized entry on District property, will be directed to leave the premises by a member of the administrative staff or his/her designee.

If any member of the public uses obscenities or speaks in a demanding, loud, insulting and/or demeaning manner, the staff member to whom the remarks are directed will calmly and politely admonish the speaker to communicate civilly. If the abusing party does not take corrective action, the District employee will terminate the meeting or conversation.

(cf. 1110.1 - Parent Involvement)

(cf. 1120 - Public Participation at Board of Education Meetings)

(cf. 1250 - Visits to Schools)

(cf. 1251 - Loitering or Causing Disturbances)

(cf. 1310 - Relations Between the Public and School Personnel)

(cf. 1312 - Public Complaints)

(cf. 1330 - Use of School Facilities)

(cf. 1700 - Otherwise Lawful Possession of Firearms on School Property)

(cf. 6145.71 - Use of Alcohol by Adults)

Legal Reference:   Connecticut General Statutes

1-225 Meetings of the government agents to be public.

1-232 Conduct of the meeting

10-221 Boards of education to prescribe rule(s), policies, and procedures.

10-238 Petition for hearing by board of education.

10-239 Use of school facilities for other purposes.

53a-185 Loitering in or about school grounds: Class C misdemeanor.

Policy adopted: