ParentStudentHandbook2017-18 AUG.17

Membership & Election The Board of Education shall be composed of nine members elected by the voters of the Berlin Borough at the school election in November of each year.

Powers & Duties of the Board of Education It shall be the fundamental purpose of the Board of Education to act chiefly as a legislative body in formulating policies for the conduct of the school system at Berlin Community School.

Some responsibilities are as follows: ● To adopt abudget. ● To approve the placing of purchase orders.

● To authorize payment of bills. ● To approve courses of study. ● To approve textbooks. ● To pass upon requests to use school property. ● To hire teachers and other personnel after the consideration and recommendation of the Superintendent and to set salaries. ● To adopt school calendar. Role of Parents/Guardians The Board believes that the education of children is a joint responsibility, one it shares with the parents/guardians and the school community. To ensure that the best interests of the child are served in this process, a strong program of communication between home and school must be maintained and parental involvement in district concerns encouraged. The board recognizes the vital role of parents/guardians in the welfare and education of their children and the pivotal part they play in shaping character and values. Because parents/guardians are familiar with the needs, problems, gifts and abilities of their children, staff should seek to involve parents/guardians as much as possible in the planning of the individual program. Parents/guardians must, by law, be included in the development of certain educational programs for their children. Parents/guardians are responsible for their child’s punctuality, attendance, cleanliness, and propriety of dress.

The Superintendent shall develop procedures and regulations to implement this policy. These regulations shall include use of the parent/guardian’s native language when necessary.

Community Complaints & Inquiries The Board of Education accepts comments, inquiries about, and constructive criticism of the district’s programs, equipment, operations, and personnel. The Board will consider but not publicly respond to general comments. The Board will not permit unnecessary or undesirable identification of district pupils at public or board of education meetings, particularly when the pupil is subject to disciplinary action, or is educationally disabled.

The Superintendent shall develop procedures to investigate and solve problems in a reasonable timeframe, and to provide accurate factual information in answer to inquiries. Such procedures shall conform to state law, board policies, and applicable negotiated agreements.

Questions submitted to the Board of Education in writing shall be examined and investigated as appropriate. The response will be developed by the Board. The individual who submitted the question may receive the Board’s written response in no more than 60 days. The written response will also be made available to the public at the next board meeting; any information that specifically identifies an individual student will not be included.

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