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
- JKAA: Physical Restraint of Students
JKAA: Physical Restraint of Students
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All Falmouth Public Schools staff members are obligated to maintain an orderly, safe environment conducive to learning. Further, all students of the District are protected by law from the unreasonable use of physical restraint. The Falmouth Public Schools complies with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (hereinafter “DESE”) regulations governing the use of restraint, which can be found at 603 CMR 46.00 et seq. (hereinafter “Regulations”). According to their terms, the Regulations apply not only at school but also at school-sponsored events and activities, whether or not on school property. A brief overview of the Regulations is provided below.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that every student attending the Falmouth Public Schools is free from the unlawful use of physical restraint. Physical restraint shall be considered an emergency procedure of last resort and shall be prohibited in public education programs except when a student’s behavior poses a threat of assault, or imminent, serious, physical harm to self or others, and the student is not responsive to verbal directives or other lawful and less intrusive behavior interventions and/or alternatives, or such interventions and/or alternatives are deemed to be inappropriate under the circumstances. When an emergency situation arises and physical restraint is the only option deemed appropriate to prevent a student from injuring themself, another student, or school community member, a teacher or employee or agent of the district may use such reasonable force needed to protect students, other persons, or themselves from assault or imminent, serious, physical harm. School personnel shall use physical restraint with two goals in mind:
- To administer a physical restraint only when needed to protect a student and/or a member of the school community from assault or imminent, serious, physical harm; and
- To prevent or minimize any harm to the student as a result of the use of physical restraint.
The definitions of forms of restraint shall be as set forth in 603 CMR 46.02. The use of mechanical restraint, medication restraint, and seclusion is prohibited. Seclusion does not include a time-out, as defined within the Regulations. The use of “time-out” procedures during which a staff member remains accessible to the student shall not be considered “seclusion.” Prone restraint is prohibited except in limited circumstances set forth in the 603 CMR 46.03. In the Falmouth Public Schools, prone restraint is prohibited. All physical restraints shall be administered in compliance with 603 CMR 46.05.
Physical restraint shall not be used:
- as a means of discipline or punishment;
- when the student cannot be safely restrained because it is medically contraindicated for reasons including, but not limited to, asthma, seizures, a cardiac condition, obesity, bronchitis, communication-related disabilities, or risk of vomiting;
- as a response to property destruction, disruption of school order, a student's refusal to comply with a policy or directive, or verbal threats when those actions do not constitute a threat of assault, or imminent, serious, physical harm;
- as a standard response for any individual student. No written individual behavior plan or individualized education program (IEP) may include use of physical restraint as a standard response to any behavior. Physical restraint is an emergency procedure of last resort.
The Regulations do not limit the protection afforded publicly funded students under other state or federal laws, including those laws that provide for the rights of students who have been found eligible to receive special education services.
The Superintendent or designee will develop procedures identifying:
- Appropriate responses to student behavior that may require immediate intervention;
- Methods of preventing student violence, self-injurious behavior, and suicide including crisis Planning and de-escalation of potentially dangerous encounters among groups of students or individuals;
- Descriptions and explanations of alternatives to physical restraint as well as the school’s method of restraint for use in emergency situations;
- Descriptions of the school’s training and procedures to comply with reporting requirements including, but not limited to making reasonable efforts to orally notify a parent of the use of restraint within 24 hours of its imposition;
- Procedures for receiving and investigating complaints;
- Methods for engaging parents in discussions about restraint prevention and use of restraint solely as an emergency procedure;
- A statement prohibiting medication restraint, mechanical restraint, prone restraint unless permitted by 603 CMR 46.03 (1)(b), seclusion, and the use of physical restraint in a manner inconsistent with 603 CMR 46.00;
- A process for obtaining Principal approval for the time out exceeding thirty (30) minutes.
All school staff must receive training with respect to the district’s restraint prevention and behavior support policy and requirements when restraint is used. Each Principal will identify staff who are authorized to serve as a school-wide resource to assist in ensuring proper administration of restraint. These individuals must participate in in-depth training in the use of physical restraint and implementation of the Regulations. In addition, each identified staff member will be trained regarding the district’s physical restraint policy and accompanying procedures. The Principal will arrange training to occur in the first month of each school year, or for designated staff hired after the beginning of the school year, within one (1) month of their employment.
Program staff shall report the use of any physical restraint, as required by the Regulations. The report shall be maintained by the school and made available for review by the parent/guardian or the DESE upon request. The Principal or designee shall make reasonable efforts to inform the parent/guardian of the restraint within twenty-four (24) hours of the event, and shall notify the parent/guardian by written report within three (3) school working days of the restraint. The information in the report shall be in conformance with 603 CMR 46.06(4). The written restraint report must be provided to the parent/guardian in the language in which report cards and other necessary school- related information are customarily provided. The Principal or designee shall review restraint data weekly and shall also conduct a monthly review of school-wide restraint data and take steps to reduce or eliminate the use of restraint within the school where appropriate. All physical restraints that result in injury must be must be reported to DESE. In addition, the District will collect and annually report data relating to the district’s use of restraints to DESE.
As set forth in the Regulations, the Falmouth Public Schools shall develop methods for preventing student violence, self-injurious behavior, and suicide, including individual crisis planning, behavior intervention plans, and de-escalation of potentially dangerous behavior occurring among groups of students or with an individual student.
In accordance with the regulations, the Falmouth Public Schools shall engage parents/guardians in discussions about restraint prevention and the use of restraint solely as an emergency procedure.
Complaints and investigations regarding restraint practices are covered by District Policy.
Additional information, including a copy of the regulations, can be obtained from the Office of Student Services, Administration Building, 340 Teaticket Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536, telephone 508-548-0151, extension 143. A copy of the regulations may also be obtained at www.doe.edu/lawsregs/603cmr46.html.
LEGAL REF: 603 CMR 46.00
M.G.L. 71.37G
CROSS REF: KE, Public Complaints
KE-R, Public Complaints