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 J - Students
- JFABF: Educational Opportunities for Children in Foster Care
JFABF: Educational Opportunities for Children in Foster Care
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The purpose of this policy is to ensure the educational stability of students in foster care and their equal access to the same free and appropriate public education through high school graduation as provided to other students as required by law. Educational stability has a lasting impact on students' academic achievement and wellbeing, and the School Committee is committed to supporting district and community efforts to ensure that students in foster care have access to high-quality, stable educational experiences.
The law requires that foster care students continue to attend their school of origin, unless after a collaborative decision-making process it is determined to be in the student's best interest to enroll in and attend school in the district in which a foster care provider or facility is located (if different). The law also requires that when it is not in the student's best interest to remain in the school of origin, the student is immediately enrolled and attending in a new school district, even if records normally required for enrollment cannot be quickly produced. Additionally, the law requires the Department of Children and Families (DCF), The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the school district to designate points of contact; and also that the district collaborate with DCF to ensure that students will receive transportation to the school of origin if needed.
Best Interest Determination
Decisions about whether a student in foster care should continue to attend the school of origin should be made collaboratively by DCF, the student (as appropriate), the student's family and/or foster family (and if different, the person authorized to make educational decisions on behalf of the student), the school and district of origin, and (when different) the local district where the student is placed. Best interest determinations should focus on the needs of each individual student and take into account a variety of factors. Every effort should be made to reach agreement regarding the appropriate school placement of a student in foster care. However, if there is disagreement regarding school placement for a student in foster care, DCF will finalize the best interest determination.
The district can seek review of DCF's decision by utilizing a Foster Care School Selection Dispute Resolution Process established by DESE and DCF. Decisions made through this process are not subject to review. Under the law, to promote educational stability, students should continue to attend their schools of origin while best interest determinations are being made.
Transportation
The district of origin must collaborate with DCF on how transportation will be provided and arranged to ensure that students in foster care who need transportation to remain in their school of origin will receive such transportation while they are in foster care.
Transportation options may include using Title I funds, establishing regional collaborations among districts, coordinating with existing routes for transportation, seeking help from foster parent(s), etc. Absent other agreements between the district and DCF, the district of origin is responsible for providing transportation to and from the school of origin.
Immediate Enrollment
If it is in the best interest of a student in foster care to leave the school of origin, the student must be enrolled in school in the local school district immediately. To minimize disruption of the student's education, the law requires the district to enroll the student in a new school right away, without waiting to receive the typical student enrollment documentation (other than emergency contact information). The enrolling school must immediately contact the child's school and district of origin to obtain the relevant records and documentation, and the school and district of origin should immediately transfer those records.
To facilitate enrollment, DCF representatives will present the district with a form that indicates that the student is in foster care, along with their state-agency identification badge, when enrolling students.
LEGAL REFS:
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA);
Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Fostering Connections Act)