Board Of Education Reviews Modifications To Several District Policies

By Tanjua Damon

The Newtown Board of Education is considering modifying several policies, which were reviewed at a workshop meeting on October 2.

Board members will consider the policies three more times before voting on them November 13. Some of the following policies address state mandates established by the legislature.

The policies address technical changes in immunization requirements for school enrollment, student health assessments and medical records, procedures for the administration of medications by school personnel, and a policy mandated by state law that prohibits school personnel from recommending the use of psychotropic drugs, like Ritalin. Another policy requires notification before the application of pesticides in an around schools.

One of the policies under review addresses assigning responsibility for damage done on school property. It states that in addition to any disciplinary action or other action instituted by the Newtown Board of Education, including but not limited to any action instituted in court to recover damages caused by students, the Newtown Board of Education will hold students responsible for the loss of, or damage to, instructional materials/ equipment or physical property or facilities. If after the student has been given an opportunity to give his/her side of the case, “the student is found to have been responsible for the loss or damage, there shall be a diligent effort to seek the return of materials/equipment or secure reimbursement for the loss or damage.”

Failure to return textbooks, library materials or other educational materials, or provide monetary reimbursement for the loss or damage of such materials shall become a basis to withhold grades, transcripts and/or report cards until the matter is resolved. Failure to repair or reimburse for damage to physical property or facilities shall serve as sufficient cause for a student to be banned from all extra-curricular activities until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the Board of Education.

The Newtown Board of Education will review these policies three more times before voting on them at the November 13 business meeting. Anyone seeking more information about these policies should contact the District Office at 426-7600.