Date: Fri 23-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: MICHEL

Quick Words:

school-board-reports

Full Text:

School Board May Solicit Regular Reports From The Schools

The Newtown Board of Education will be voting on a proposed policy to invite

increased participation in school board meetings by each of the schools.

This policy stems from a request made last spring by Todd Burns, who was then

a senior at NHS. He requested that the board take on two non-voting student

representatives from the high school.

The policy proposed by the Board of Education in response to Mr Burn's request

is to offer all public schools an informal opportunity to communicate any

events or issues occurring within their school (up to five minute long

reports).

Representatives from the elementary and middle schools would be either members

of the school's quality council or other adults appointed by the principal.

The policy reads "Because of the impending maturity and citizenship of our

high school students, we specifically request student representation from the

high school."

As well as the appointment of a high school student to present reports to the

Board of Education, the policy recommends that high school students serve on

specific district committees such as space needs committees or redistricting

committees.

High school and middle school representatives would be given an opportunity

each month to participate in this forum, while the schedule for the elementary

schools would be on a rotating basis, with two reporting every other month.

This policy is not intended to obligate schools to make reports, but rather

welcome them if they wish to.

This policy will be up for discussion Wednesday November 4, and voting Tuesday

November 10.