Falmouth School Committee
- Falmouth School Committee
- Agendas and Minutes
- Watch School Committee Meetings
- Meeting Schedule
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Policy Manual
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SECTION A - Foundations and Basic Commitments
- AA School District Legal Status
- AB The People and Their School District
- AC Nondiscrimination
- ACA Harassment and Discrimination Prevention
- ACAA Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex
- ACAB Sexual Harassment
- ACE Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability
- AD Mission and Vision Statements
- ADA Core Values
- ADC Tobacco Products on School Premises
- ADDA Background Checks
- ADDA-R-1 DCJIS Model CORI Form
- ADDA-R-2 CORI Requirements - Administrative Guidelines for Volunteers
- ADF School District Wellness Policy
- AE Accountability/Commitment to Accomplishment
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SECTION B - Board Governance and Operations
- BA: School Committee Operational Goals
- BAA: Evaluation of School Committee Operational Procedures
- BB: School Committee Legal Status
- BBA: School Committee Powers and Duties
- BBAA: School Committee Member Authority and Duties
- BBBA/BBBB: School Committee Member Qualifications/Oath of Office
- BBBC: School Committee Member Resignation
- BBBE: Unexpired Term Fulfillment
- BCA: School Committee Member Ethics
- BCB: Conflict of Interest
- BCBA: Nepotism
- BDA: School Committee Organizational Meeting
- BDB: School Committee Officers
- BDD: School Committee – Superintendent Relationship
- BDE: Subcommittees of the School Committee
- BDE-R: Permanent Committees and Other Assignments
- BDF: Advisory Committees to the School Committee
- BDFA: School Councils
- BDFA-E-1: School Success Plans
- BDFA-E-2: Submission and Approval of the School Success Plan
- BDFA-E-3: Conduct of School Council Business
- BDFB: Student Advisory Board Participation at School Committee Meetings
- BDG: School Attorney
- BE: School Committee Meetings
- BEC: Executive Sessions
- BEDA: Notification of School Committee Meetings
- BEDB: Agenda Format
- BEDD: Rules of Order
- BEDF: Voting Method for School Committee Meetings
- BEDG: Minutes
- BEDH: Public Participation at School Committee Meetings
- BEE: Special Procedures for Conducting Hearings
- BG: School Committee Policy Development
- BGB: Policy Adoption
- BGC: Policy Revision and Review
- BGD: School Committee Review of Regulations
- BGE: Policy Dissemination
- BGF: Suspension of Policies
- BHC: School Committee-Staff Communications
- BHD: School Committee Public Relations
- BHE: Use of Electronic Messaging by School Committee Members
- BIA: New School Committee Member Orientation
- BIBA: School Committee Conference, Conventions, and Workshops
- BID: School Committee Member Compensation and Expenses
- BJ: School Committee Legislative Program
- BK: School Committee Memberships
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SECTION C - General School Administration
- CA: Administration Goals
- CB: School Superintendent
- CBE: Salary Increments for the Superintendent of Schools
- CBI: Evaluation of the Superintendent
- CBD: Superintendent’s Contract
- CCB: Line and Staff Relations
- CE: Administrative Councils, Cabinets, and Committees
- CH: Policy Implementation
- CHA: Development of Procedures
- CHC: Procedures Dissemination
- CHCA: Approval of Handbooks and Directives
- CHD: Administration in Policy Absence
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SECTION D - Fiscal Management
- DA: Fiscal Management Goals
- DB: Annual Budget
- DBC: Budget Deadlines and Schedules
- DBD: Budget Planning
- DBG: Budget Adoption Procedures
- DBJ: Budget Transfer Authority
- DD: Funding Proposals and Applications
- DEC: Appropriate use of Federal Grant Funds
- DGA: Authorized Signatures
- DH: Bonded Employees and Officers
- DI: Fiscal Accounting and Reporting
- DIE: Audits
- DJ: Purchasing
- DJA: Purchasing Authority
- DJE: Procurement Requirements (formerly Bidding Requirements)
- DK: Payment Procedures
- DKC: Expense Reimbursements
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SECTION E - Support Services
- EB: Safety Program
- EBAB: Integrated Pest Management
- EBB: First Aid
- EBC: Emergency Plans
- EBC Supplemental: General (Interim) Policy on COVID-19 Related Issues
- EBCA: Distribution of Potassium
- EBCD: Emergency Closings
- EBCFA: Face Coverings
- EC: Buildings and Grounds Management
- ECA: Buildings and Grounds Security
- ECABA: Identification Badges
- ECAC: Vandalism
- ECAF: School Cameras on School Property and Buses
- ECF: Energy Conservation and Management Policy
- EDC: Authorized Use of School Equipment
- EEA: Student Transportation Services
- EEAA: Walkers and Riders
- EEAE: School Bus Safety Program
- EEAEA: Bus Driver Examination and Training
- EEAEA-1: Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus and Commercial Vehicle Drivers
- EEAFA: Late Bus Service
- EEAG: Student Transportation in Private Vehicles
- EEAJ: Motor Vehicle Idling on School Grounds
- EFC: Free and Reduced Price Food Services
- EFD: Meal Charge Policy
- EGAD: Printing and Duplication Procedures (Copyrighted Materials)
- SECTION F - Facilities Development
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SECTION G - Personnel
- GBA: Affirmative Action Policy
- GBAA: Equal Employment Opportunity
- GBEA: Staff Ethics/Conflict of Interest
- GBEB: Staff Conduct
- GBEBC: Gifts to and Solicitations by Staff
- GBEBD: Online Fundraising and Solicitations – Crowdfunding
- GBEC: Drug-Free Workplace
- GBED: Tobacco Use on School Property by Staff Members Prohibited
- GBGB: Staff Personal Security and Safety
- GBGE: Domestic Violence Leave (Formerly coded as GCCD)
- GBGF: Family and Medical Leave
- GBI: Staff Participation in Political Activities
- GBJ: Personnel Records
- GBK: Staff Complaints and Grievances
- GCA: Professional Staff Positions
- GCBA: Professional Staff Salary Schedules
- GCBB: Employment of Principals
- GCBC: Professional Staff Supplementary Pay Plans
- GCCC: Professional Staff Family Medical Leave
- GCE: Professional Staff Recruiting/Posting of Vacancies
- GCF: Professional Staff Hiring
- GCG: Substitute Professional Staff Employment
- GCQF: Suspension and Dismissal of Professional Staff Members
- GCRD: Tutoring for Pay
- GDA: Support Staff Positions
- GDI: Support Staff Probation
- GDO: Evaluation of Support Staff
- GDQD: Suspension and Dismissal of Support Staff Members
- SECTION H - Negotiations
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SECTION I - Instruction
- IB: Academic Freedom
- IC/ICA: School Year/School Calendar
- ID: School Day
- IE: Organization of Instruction
- IGA: Curriculum Development
- IGB: Student Services Programs
- IGD: Curriculum Adoption
- IHAI: Occupational Education
- IHAMA: Parent/Guardian Notification Relative to Human Sexuality Curriculum
- IHAM: Health Education
- IHAM-R(2): Health Education (Exemption Procedure)
- IHAMB: Teaching about Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs
- IHB: Special Instructional Programs and Accommodations
- IHBAA: Observations of Special Education Programs
- IHBD: Compensatory Education
- IHBEA: English Learners
- IHBF: Homebound Education
- IHBG: Home Education Programs
- IHCA: Summer Schools
- IJ: Instructional Materials
- IJ-R: Reconsideration of Instruction Resources
- IJL: Library Materials Selection and Adoption
- IJNDB: Responsible Use Policy
- IJNDC: School and District Web Pages
- IJNDD: Policy on Social Media
- IJOA: Field Trip Policy
- IJOB: Community Resource Persons/Speakers
- IJOC: Volunteer Program
- IK: Academic Achievement
- IKE: Promotion and Retention of Students
- IKF: Conditions to Receive a Falmouth Diploma
- IKF-A: Graduation in Less than Four Years
- ILD: Student Submission to Educational Surveys and Research
- IMA: Teaching Activities/Presentations
- IMB: Teaching about Controversial Issues/Controversial Speakers
- IMD: School Ceremonies and Observances
- IMG: Animals in Schools
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SECTION J - Students
- JB: Equal Educational Opportunities
- JFABF: Educational Opportunities for Children in Foster Care
- JBB: Educational Equity
- JC: School Attendance Areas
- JCA: Assignments to Schools
- JEB: Entrance Age
- JF: School Admissions
- JFABC: Admission of Transfer Students
- JFABD: Homeless Students: Enrollment Rights and Services
- JFABE: Educational Opportunities for Military Children
- JFBB: School Choice
- JH: Student Absences and Excuses
- JHD: Exclusions and Exemptions from School Attendance
- JI: Student Rights and Responsibilities
- JIB: Student Involvement in Decision-Making
- JIC: Student Discipline
- JICA: Student Dress Code
- JICC: Student Conduct on School Buses and Bus Stops
- JICE: Student Publications
- JICFA: Prohibition of Hazing
- JICFA-E: Hazing
- JICH: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use by Students Prohibited
- JICI: Explosive Devices/Weapons
- JICFB: Bullying Prevention
- JIE: Pregnant Students
- JIH: Searches and Interrogations
- JII: Student Complaints and Grievances
- JIK: Free Speech, Petition, and Assembly
- JJ: Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities
- JJA: Student Organizations
- JJE: Student Fundraising Activities
- JJF: Student Activity Accounts
- JJG: Contests for Students
- JJH: Student Late Night or Overnight Travel
- JJH-R: Student Travel Procedures
- JJIB: Interscholastic Athletics
- JJIF: Athletic Concussion Management Policy
- JK: Student Conduct
- JKA: Corporal Punishment
- JKAA: Physical Restraint of Students
- JL: Student Welfare
- JLC: Student Health Services and Requirements
- JLCA: Physical Examinations of Students
- JLCB: Immunization of Student
- JLCC: Communicable Diseases
- JLCD: Administering Medicines to Students
- JLD: Guidance Program
- JP: Solicitation of Funds
- JQ: Student Fees, Fines, and Charges
- JRA: Student Records
- JRD: Student Photographs
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SECTION K - School-Community Relations
- KBA: School/Parent Relations Goals
- KBBA: Non-Custodial Parents’ Rights
- KBE: Relations with Parent/Booster Organizations
- KCD: Public Gifts to the Schools
- KDB: Public’s Right to Know
- KDD: News Media Relations/News Releases
- KE: Public Complaints
- KF: Community Use of School Facilities
- KF-R: Community Use of School Facilities
- KHA: Public Solicitations to the Schools
- KHB: Advertising in the Schools
- KLJ: Relations with Planning Authorities
- KLK: Relations with Local Government Authorities
- KI: Visitors to Schools
- KLG: Relations with Public Safety Authorities
- SECTION L - Education Agency Relations
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SECTION A - Foundations and Basic Commitments
- School Committee Goals 2020-2021
- Committee Roster
- Subcommittee Assignments
- Operating Protocols
- Communication and Involvement with the School Committee
- School Committee Meeting Information
- What is the function of the School Committee?
- How do I become a member of the School Committee?
- Other Frequently Asked Questions
- Falmouth Public Schools
- Policy Manual
- SECTION A - Foundations and Basic Commitments
- ACA Harassment and Discrimination Prevention
ACA Harassment and Discrimination Prevention
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Overview
The Falmouth Public Schools shall maintain a learning and working environment free from harassment. In both the education and employment environments of the Falmouth Public Schools, various laws prohibit harassment. In an education context, law prohibits harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sex, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, homelessness, or any other class protected by federal, state or local law. In an employment context, law also prohibits harassment on the basis of age. All such harassment is unlawful and will not be tolerated in the Falmouth Public Schools.
Defining Harassment
Forms of Harassment Including Hate Crimes
Harassment includes any unwanted physical or verbal action toward another that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning or working environment. Harassment of this form includes advances, requests by a student to a student, an adult to a student, an adult to an adult, student to adult, male to female, female to male, male to male, and female to female.
Harassment can occur by face-to-face interaction or via transmission by telephone, computer, or other electronic means.
Examples of actions that may constitute harassment include but are not limited to the following:
- using racial slurs;
- displaying intimidating symbols or words such as swastikas;
- making generalizations;
- using stereotypes;
- telling racial or ethnic jokes;
- leaving pictures of a sexual nature;
- making derogatory comments of a homosexual nature; or
- transmitting harassing remarks or pictures on the Internet, through a cell phone, or by other electronic means.
Harassment in the Form of Bullying or Victimizing
Bullying or victimizing (hate crimes) by any member of the Falmouth school community will be considered harassment under this policy. A student or employee is being bullied or victimized when the student is exposed to negative actions from students, Falmouth Public Schools' employees, or other third parties that have the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with the student's school performance or the employee's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning or employment environment for the person.
Examples may include but are not limited to:
- physical threatening (bullying);
- making derogatory comments of a homosexual nature;
- making derogatory comments about peoples' size, weight, height, disability; or
- making derogatory comments about peoples' perceived intelligence or ability.
Harassment can come from:
- students;
- administrators, teachers, coaches or other employees of the Falmouth Public Schools;
- third parties such as vendors or contractors doing business with the Falmouth Public Schools; or
- visitors or volunteers present within the schools with the permission of the Falmouth Public Schools.
Statements Made Within the Context of the Academic Curriculum
This policy is not meant to stifle or chill the free exchange of ideas in the teaching and learning environment. It should be understood that in the teaching and learning environment, in order to encourage the learning process, statements, writings or visuals may occasionally take on overtones that could be offensive to some individuals. Teachers should use professional discretion when considering whether to include potentially offensive material in the curriculum and then inform students when this is the case and assure them that it is part of the learning environment and not meant to be discriminatory or harassing.
What to Do if You Feel You Have Been Discriminated Against or Harassed
Students
Any student who believes they have been subjected to harassment should notify any teacher, guidance counselor, nurse, school or District administrator, or any central office administrator. To effectively resolve complaints of harassment, people are encouraged to file complaints soon after an incident occurs. A student may elicit the help of a parent, guardian, or other adult to accompany and assist him/her throughout the complaint procedure. Parents or guardians will be notified within 48 hours.
Employees/Third Parties
Any employee or other person who believes they have been subjected to harassment should promptly notify their supervisor, any administrator in their building, or any central office administrator.
What to do If You Are Aware that Someone Has Been Harassed
Students
Any student who has knowledge or belief of conduct that occurred that might be harassment should contact any teacher, guidance counselor, nurse, any District administrator, or any central office administrator. A student may elicit the help of a parent, guardian, or other adult to accompany and assist them throughout the complaint procedure.
Employees
Any employee who becomes aware of an incident of harassment must promptly report that incident to a school administrator. Furthermore, any incident involving alleged or suspected child abuse must be reported to school administrators or to state authorities. Failure of any employee of the Falmouth Public Schools to report incidents of harassment may result in disciplinary action.
Note: All employees are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to their supervisors or principals. Employees must participate in training regarding the reporting requirements of MGL 119 §51A. Failure to follow District protocol will be investigated and could result in disciplinary action.
Third Party
Any third party such as volunteers, substitutes, visitors, vendors, or contractors who becomes aware of an incident of harassment should promptly report that incident to a teacher, school administrator, or District administrator.
Consequences for Harassment
Students
Any student found to have engaged in harassment will be subject to school imposed discipline and/or legal action. Consequences imposed on any student found to have engaged in harassment may include, but are not limited to, parent/guardian conference, written or verbal statement of apology, suspension, expulsion and mandatory counseling sessions with a counselor or mandatory in-house counseling sessions with a District administrator. Parents or guardians will be notified within 48 hours.
Employees
Any employee found to have engaged in harassment may be subject to legal action or discipline including discharge.
Third Parties
Any third party such as vendors or contractors doing business with the Falmouth Public Schools found to have engaged in harassment may be subject to legal action and contract termination consistent with federal and state law.
Filing a Complaint of Harassment or Discrimination
All reports of harassment must ultimately be reported to the Director of Student Services who serves as the Title IX coordinator and the 504 coordinator. When regarding disability harassment such complaint must also be reported to the Equity/Affirmative Action Officer who serves as the coordinator for the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Although most complaints of harassment will be resolved at the building level with timely notification to the principal or supervisor, the complaint procedure in this policy indicates when and under what circumstances a matter covered herein shall be brought to the immediate attention of the Superintendent or designee.
Confidentiality of the Complaint Process
Individuals reporting harassment should know that complaints will be promptly addressed in a confidential manner to protect the privacy of all individuals involved. Information provided under these discrimination/harassment procedures will be treated as confidential. This means that such information will be shared with others on a need-to-know basis only, i.e., public school professionals, staff, or other people who are investigating or involved in the alleged incident.
Retaliation for Filing a Complaint or Providing Information Regarding a Complaint
Any attempt by an employee or a student to retaliate against a person who makes, or provides information regarding a claim of harassment is unlawful, strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action. The Falmouth Public Schools will take reasonable action to protect all parties and witnesses involved in this process from retaliation.
Your Rights and Expectations as the Person Harassed
When reporting the incident you have the right to:
- have an adult of your choice present with you throughout the complaint process;
- be listened to and taken seriously;
- stop the interview and take your complaint to another authority if you believe your complaint is being handled inappropriately.
You can expect the following:
- your complaint will be taken seriously and will be appropriately investigated;
- every effort will be made to handle the complaint discreetly and with as much confidentiality as is possible.
You should be aware of the following:
- the investigation will begin promptly and proceed in a timely manner;
- you will be informed as to the progress and results of the investigation;
- steps will be taken to stop the harassment;
- in order for the school to take certain actions to stop the harassment, your name may have to be provided to the accused and you may have to testify in front of the accused in the presence of the appropriate authorities;
- retaliation in any form with respect to the complaint will result in severe disciplinary action.
Your Rights and Expectations as the Accused Student
When receiving a complaint against you with respect to harassment, you have a right to:
- be treated with respect;
- have a parent/guardian, guidance counselor or teacher of your choice present with you when you talk to the individual managing the complaint;
- be given the specifics of the allegation(s);
- be given the opportunity to respond to the allegation(s);
- identify persons you want the investigator to interview;
- reasonable protection from retaliation while the investigation is ongoing.
You can expect the following:
- the investigation will begin promptly and proceed in a timely manner;
- you will be informed as to the progress of the investigation;
- retaliation in any form with respect to the complaint will result in severe disciplinary action;
- if warranted, remedial steps will be taken which could include parent conferences, verbal or written apology to the victim, suspension, expulsion or required counseling;
- the complaint and the remedial steps may become part of your school record;
- you will be afforded due process protections appropriate to the severity of the disciplinary action contemplated against you.
Your Rights and Expectations as the Accused Employee
When receiving a complaint against you with respect to harassment, you have a right to:
- be treated with respect;
- have union/association, legal or personal representation when you talk to the individual managing the complaint;
- be given the specifics of the allegation(s);
- be given the opportunity to respond to the allegation(s);
- identify persons you want the investigator to interview;
- reasonable protection from retaliation while the investigation is ongoing.
You can expect the following:
- the Administration will refer to and honor your rights as stated in your current contract and by applicable law;
- the investigation will begin promptly and proceed in a timely manner
- you and your representatives will be informed as to the progress of the investigation;
- retaliation in any form, with respect to your conduct, relative to the complaint, will result in severe disciplinary action;
- if warranted, remedial steps will be taken which could include suspension or termination;
- if warranted, the complaint and the remedial steps will become part of your employment record;
- the time-frame and procedures will be in accordance with your contract and/or applicable law;
- the investigation will remain confidential until completed; if the complaint is unsubstantiated, all documentation related to it shall be destroyed;
- the administration has the right to suspend, with or without pay, the accused employee(s) while the investigation is in progress subject to applicable federal and state law and collective bargaining agreements or contract covering that employee.
CROSS REFS.: JICFB, Bullying Prevention
LEGAL REFS.: Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972
Executive Order 11246, as amended by E.O. 11375
Equal Pay Act, as amended by the Education Amendments of 1972
Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
M.G.L. 71B:1 et seq. (Chapter 766 of the Acts of 1972)
M.G.L. 76:5; Amended 2011
M.G.L.76:16
BESE regulations 603CMR 26.00 Amended 2012
BESE regulations 603CMR 28.00