The people of the Ilion Central School District are committed work
Transcription
The people of the Ilion Central School District are committed work
CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION – REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY MAY 28, 2013 - 7:00 p.m. ILION HIGH SCHOOL - LGI AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER (7:00 p.m.) II. AGENDA CHANGES III. PRESENTATIONS IV. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes – 5-14-13 Annual Budget Hearing B. Approval of Minutes – 5/14/13 Regular Meeting V. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Superintendent’s Report: Review of Principles of Operation School Resource Officer Policy Review – 1st Reading Section 1000 – Community Relations #1100 Records Management #1100.1 Public Access Records Section 4000 – Fiscal Management #4302 #4404 #4500 #4501 #4502 #4502.1 Investments Medicaid Billing Compliance Program General Procurement Standards Competitive Bidding Non-Bid Purchasing Procurement of Goods and Services Quote Form Section 5000 – Support Operations #5200 #5300 #5304 #5304.1 #5500 School Wellness Policy Internet Safety Policy Information Security Breach Policy NYS Security Breach Reporting Form Flag Display Section 6000 – Personnel #6002 #6105 #6400 #6400.1 #6400.2 #6401 #6401.1 Complaints and Grievances by Employees Mentoring Programs for First Year Teachers Fingerprinting and Criminal History Record Checks for Prospective Employees Statement for Emergency Conditional or Conditional Appointment Payroll Deduction Authorization Drug and Alcohol Testing (Transportation) Pre-Duty Acknowledgement Authorization and Consent Form for Drug and Alcohol Testing 5/28/13 Regular Meeting st Policy Review – 1 Reading (cont’d) Section 7000 – Students #7005 #7005.1 #7006 #7400 #7400.1 #7401 #7401.1 #7401.2 #7401.3 #7401.4 #7500 #7500.1 #7500.2 #7500.3 #7500.4 #7500.5 #7600 Education of Homeless Children Procedures for Achieving Education of Homeless Children Student Attendance Reporting Possible Child Abuse or Maltreatment Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Maltreatment Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Notice of Parental Rights Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Notification of Teacher’s Duty to Report Child Abuse in an Educational Setting and Immunity from Liability Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Statement of Personal Delivery Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Confidential Report of Allegation Education Records Education Records – Regulation Application to Inspect FERPA Records Student Privacy – Record of FERPA Requests Request to Correct FERPA Records Student Privacy FERPA Notice Providing a Safe Public School Choice to Students Who Have Been Victims of a Violent Criminal Offense Section 8000 - Instruction #8300 #8302 #8500 #8501 #8502 #8503 #8503.1 #8504 #8505 #8505.1 #8600 #8600.1 #8600.2 #8601 #8601.1 Educational Support Materials Selection Courses Including Dissection of Animals Special Education Programs and Services Prereferral and Declassification Teams Programs for Students with Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Independent Educational Evaluations Independent Educational Evaluations – Regulation Preschool Special Education Selection, Appointment and Compensation of Impartial Hearing Officers Selection, Appointment and Compensation of Impartial Hearing Officers – Regulation Accommodation of Hearing-Impaired Parents Accommodation of Hearing-Impaired Parents Request Form Accommodation of Hearing-Impaired Parents Notice Parental Involvement in Title I Programs Annual Notification of Teacher Qualifications Policy Discussion: #7002 – Non-Resident Students #7003 – Admission of Non-Resident Students Busing Limits Fields and Facilities Academic Eligibility Grading and Homework BOE Meeting Schedule – Next Meeting June 11, 2013 – 7:00 p.m. at Jarvis Business Official’s Report 5/28/13 Regular Meeting VII. PUBLIC OPEN FORUM At this time we would like to give District residents an opportunity to comment about this agenda or about programs or operations within the school. Comments on personnel matters will not be addressed in public session. All comments will be recorded and responded to by the Board of Education President or Superintendent at a later date. We ask that you keep your comments to ten minutes or less. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Acceptance of Annual Budget Vote Results B. Adoption of Principles of Operation C. Approval of Personnel Appointments D. Approval of Fall 2013 Coaching Appointments E. Approval of 2013-2014 BOE Meeting Schedule IX. OLD BUSINESS A. Amendments to Previous Board Action of 3/28/13 X. BOARD FORUM XI. ADJOURNMENT Central Valley School District Board of Education – Annual Budget Hearing May 14, 2013 7:00 p.m. * DRAFT * The Board’s Annual Budget Hearing was called to order by President Stephen Coupe, at 7:00 p.m. in the Jarvis High School Auditorium. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all those present. Members Present Stephen Coupe Vicki Judd Daniel LaLonde William Lennox Walt Roginski Fred Schell Matthew Shedd Members Absent None Staff Present Mark Vivacqua, Dist. Supt. Cosimo Tangorra, Jr., Supt. Gene Beirne, Interim Supt. (M) Kenneth Long Lisa VanWinkler Lisa Hoffman Guests Present Anne Schell Dick Bridger Ed Eysaman Cathy Eysaman Orbano LaPorte John LiBritz Dawn Gleba Debbie English Cindy Stocker Rebecca Smith Shelly Pickett Jennifer Russ Kerry Tarolli Fred Schell Dick Keeler Carol Ann Eysaman Adrianna Rice Kimberly LiBritz Tammy Morgan John Casadonte Denise Mabbett Renee Rudd Donna Thompson, Telegram David Pellow Michael Croneiser Phil Squadrito PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED 2013-2014 BUDGET Mark Vivacqua, District Superintendent, reported that the Board of Education used the data and recommendations from the merger study as a “reorganization roadmap” to guide them in decisions concerning the new district. The Board’s focus in doing so was to facilitate a smooth transition to meet the students’ education needs and to honor the district’s fiscal obligations and limitations. Mr. Vivacqua reviewed the following budget assumptions: Enrollment and Capacity by Building – The recommendations include closing Remington School. Students in the current Remington attendance zone would attend either Barringer Elementary or Fisher Elementary Schools. The Board will consider renting excess space in Remington and its four academic buildings to BOCES. Staffing – The recommendations include reducing staff by attrition. According to Mr. Vivacqua, if a reorganized district achieves economy of scale in any area, the goal will be to keep the qualified professionals. Historically, staff members routinely retire, accept positions with other employers, or move from the area. Therefore, it may be possible to reduce staff size without layoffs. The plan for instructional support for teachers includes three Instructional Specialists/Trainers to work as mentors and to help introduce the latest effective teaching practices. The current number of Teacher Assistants and Teacher Aides will be initially planned for the new district. The plan also targets a 1:25 ratio of supervisory to teaching staff in order to satisfy the requirements of the state’s APPR and to help all teachers achieve a rating of “highly effective”. Page 1 Central Valley School District Board of Education – Annual Budget Hearing May 14, 2013 7:00 p.m. * DRAFT * PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED 2013-2014 BUDGET (cont’d) In the area of transportation, the district will initially continue using district-owned and thirdparty contractor busing. Ilion contracts for pupil transportation services with Birnie Bus while Mohawk owns its bus fleet and the drivers are employees of the district. Finances – Mr. Vivacqua reported that the total 2012-2013 combined budgets of the two school districts is $42,062,610, along with anticipated growth of $1,261,878 (3%), and $683,810 in first-year additions and deletions, bringing the proposed 2013-2014 expenditure budget to $44,008,298. Estimated revenues (exclusive of property tax) were reported to be $35,810,975, along with $8,197,323 in property taxes, for a total proposed revenue budget of $44,008,298. Mr. Vivacqua reported that the budget estimate from the roadmap was $44,008,298, while the actual proposed budget estimate came in at $44,125,000. Expenditures were reported to be up 4.90%, while property taxes were reported to be down by 6.99%. Mr. Vivacqua explained that the increase over the prior year’s Ilion/Mohawk combined budgets was $2,062,239 or 4.90%. These increases are seen in the areas of employee benefits ($815,000), transportation ($354,000), and debt service ($648,000). Items considered to be one-time expenses would include moving classrooms, purchasing new sports uniforms, and teacher training. Mr. Vivacqua reviewed the line items of the estimated expenditure budget and noted that it is a three-part budget as follows: Program (64.40%), Capital (24.30%), and Administrative (11.30%). Items included in the estimated revenue budget include State Aid (77.4%), Property Taxes (18.5%), Other (3.0%), and Fund Balance (1.1%). The state has a two percent tax levy limit. While the Board could have presented a budget with more than a 9.5% increase, it followed the reorganization roadmap and lowered the overall tax levy from $8,751,544 to $8,140,180. Mohawk residents will see a reduction in their taxes while Ilion’s taxes will go up slightly. Total tax on true, as well as Basic and Enhanced STAR exemptions were also reviewed. Mr. Vivacqua reported that the challenge for the Board will be to save as much as they can and to spend less so they can build the fund balance back up. That will give the new district greater tax stability when the incentive aid runs out. The district’s Annual Budget Vote will take place on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, from 12:00 Noon – 8:00 p.m. at the Ilion Jr/Sr High School in the small gym. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no comments or questions from the public at this time. ADJOURNMENT On a motion made by Mr. Schell, seconded by Mr. LaLonde, the Board adjourned their Annual Budget Hearing at 7:18 p.m. Motion carried 7-0. Marsha Griffith District Clerk, Board of Education Page 2 Central Valley School District Board of Education – Regular Meeting May 14, 2013 7:19 p.m. * DRAFT * The Board’s Regular Meeting was called to order by President Stephen Coupe, at 7:19 p.m. in the Jarvis High School Auditorium, immediately following the Annual Budget Hearing. Members Present Stephen Coupe Vicki Judd Daniel LaLonde William Lennox Walt Roginski Fred Schell Matthew Shedd Members Absent None Staff Present Mark Vivacqua, Dist. Supt. Cosimo Tangorra, Jr., Supt. Gene Beirne, Interim Supt. (M) Kenneth Long Lisa VanWinkler Lisa Hoffman Guests Present Anne Schell Dick Bridger Ed Eysaman Cathy Eysaman Orbano LaPorte John LiBritz Dawn Gleba Debbie English Cindy Stocker Rebecca Smith Shelly Pickett Jennifer Russ Kerry Tarolli Fred Schell Dick Keeler Carol Ann Eysaman Adrianna Rice Kimberly LiBritz Tammy Morgan John Casadonte Denise Mabbett Renee Rudd Donna Thompson, Telegram David Pellow Michael Croneiser Phil Squadrito PRESENTATIONS Architect and Construction Manager Michael Croneiser, Construction Manager from C&S Companies, along with Kerry Tarolli and Phil Squadrito of King & King Architects, provided the Board with an update on the EXCEL Projects that are ongoing in both districts. Mr. Croneiser reported that the Mohawk project focused primarily on safety and energy management, including the removal and filling in of the swimming pool at Fisher Elementary School. The work in that area is approximately 60-70% complete as some outside work still remains around the area where the pool was. Mr. Croneiser explained that Ilion’s project was larger and included tiling in the hallways, work in the Media Center, resurfacing of the track, and replacing light poles in the baseball field and track area due to safety concerns. The work at Ilion is expected to be completed by the end of the summer. Cosimo Tangorra, Superintendent, reported that the districts initially thought that any remaining EXCEL money would have to be spent prior to July 1. Fortunately, the districts have since learned that this money will still be available when the new district takes over. The estimated one million dollars remaining between the two schools could be used for some of the building preparation work. Mr. Tangorra will be meeting with the school’s attorney and King & King to determine how to move forward with the existing contracts after June 30, 2013, once they are taken over on July 1, 2013, by the Central Valley School District. Mr. Squadrito suggested using unallocated funds to replace the Ilion and Mohawk names, colors, and logos in the buildings with those of Central Valley. That way the district could get some of the work done while the contractors and designers are still on site. Page 1 Central Valley School District Board of Education – Regular Meeting May 14, 2013 7:19 p.m. * DRAFT * Architect and Construction Manager (cont’d) Superintendent Tangorra stated that with the students starting school in September, he would like the Board to think about how to best neutralize the buildings while honoring the traditions of both districts. Both districts have many plaques, awards, and trophies that are proudly displayed in the current buildings. We need to find a way to honor the past accomplishments of both districts while keeping room for the future accomplishments of the new district. Mr. Lennox pointed out that, when the merger went through, everyone realized that things would have to be neutralized in order to come up with a new identity. The Gold & Brown and Black & Orange will have to be eliminated. He suggested that each district take the best of those past accomplishments and display them as a group together. The titles of “Mohicans” and “Bombers” will have to go as soon as possible in order to start our new identity. The students will be voting on the new colors and mascot this week. Mrs. Judd suggested a historical timeline of both districts in order to show what they looked like before the merger. She feels this could be done in terms of history, highlighting both districts until they came together into one. According to Mr. Squadrito, Camden Central School scanned information into a software program that allows visitors to go to a computer station and call up information about alumni, awards, and accomplishments. In this way, the Camden district was able to clear quite a bit of space and archive a lot of items and information. After the students vote to determine the colors and mascot, Mr. Tangorra will meet with King & King to bring a plan to the Board for their consideration. The possibility of using volunteers to help paint was raised. Mr. Tangorra reported that qualified, insured contractors would be needed for any work done as part of the EXCEL project. BOCES Policy Services/Updates David Pellow and Jennifer Russ of the BOCES Policy Service were in attendance to explain the process for setting, making, and reviewing policies. The Board was provided with copies of a PowerPoint presentation explaining the three functions of the policy service which include online policies, e-mail updates of new laws, and policy audits. Mr. Pellow recommended that the Board review and adopt all mandated policies as soon as possible in order to have them in place beginning in July. Once the mandated policies are in place, the Board can then work to develop additional policies one section at a time. The Board has already adopted General Commitments Policy #0010 – Code of Ethics, as well as School Board Operations Policy Series #2000. Mr. Tangorra suggested that once mandated policies have been adopted, that the Board start reviewing Instruction Policy Series #8000 as a demonstration that this is the Board’s focus for the new district. Mr. Roginski suggested that the Board review proposed policies on NonResident Students, and Mrs. Judd suggested the same for policies pertaining to community interest such as field usage. Mr. Tangorra will e-mail Ms. Russ with a list of policies that the Board would like to consider so that they can be prepared for the Board’s review at their next regular meeting. Mr. Coupe requested that the Board receive a schedule of how and when the Board will be reviewing these policies. Mr. Pellow reviewed a list of “notifications” that are required to be provided to students/parents on an annual basis. Although these notifications can be posted on the district’s website, those notifications containing specific DASA (Dignity for All Students Act) information must be mailed home. Mr. Pellow will check to verify the FERPA regulations pertaining to these notifications. (Copy of information on file in District Clerk’s files.) Page 2 Central Valley School District Board of Education – Regular Meeting May 14, 2013 7:19 p.m. * DRAFT * Transition Teams Mr. Beirne provided an update on the status of the transition teams. Team members were praised for their hard work and determination. Administration/Assignments – Mr. Beirne reported that the team has met to review the seniority lists. Each teacher, in both districts, has been given their seniority information for their review. It is hoped that the seniority information for non-instructional personnel will be received tomorrow. Athletics – The major points of focus from this team include new informs as their number one priority, earlier opening of the Fitness Center in the morning, facilities and field usage, equipment needs, and transportation for practices and events. Cafeteria – The team suggests that prices for 2013-2014 increase due to increased and additional costs, that all buildings use the swipe card system, and that Jarvis Middle School be a closed campus for all grade levels. Operations/Maintenance – The team recommends the purchase of three pick-up trucks, or two pick-up trucks and one van, and the creation of a master list of equipment to determine what is needed and what is not. The team’s concern at this time is the need for a schedule for moving classrooms from one location to another. Programs/Curriculum – The team suggests the creation of a pre-first classroom, as well as increased offerings at the high school. Weighting of grades is always being reviewed. The team’s priorities for the elementary, middle school, and high school were also submitted. Special Ed – The team suggests coordinating services for referrals and a referral process. Mr. Lennox asked about the money budgeted in this area and asked if that included testing. Mrs. Lisa Hoffman explained how and when the testing takes place and how this affects a student’s placement. It is the district’s goal to place special education students in the least restrictive environment. Discussion took place with regard to Response to Intervention and how this works. Support services are needed for students who are declassified so that they do not fall behind. Transportation – The team suggests the employment of a Transportation Supervisor who would be directly responsible for all aspects of student transportation regardless of district-owned or contracted fleet. The supervisor would oversee bus routes and deal with personnel matters. The team suggests the purchase and implementation of Versatrans as a bus routing software. They also suggested that transportation be provided as follows: to all kindergarten students from established bus stops, to all students outside of the Ilion or Mohawk village limits, to all students outside of one mile from their building for grades 1-6, to all students outside 1.5 miles from their building for students in grades 7-12, and to all students whose walking route may be unsafe (i.e. no sidewalks, etc.) Mr. Beirne reported that the School Identity, Media Centers/Libraries, and Technology teams are still meeting. The Scholarship team will not meet until the end of the 2012-2013 academic year. (Copy of information on file in District Clerk’ files.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting – April 18, 2013 On a motion made by Mrs. Judd, seconded by Mr. Roginski, the Board approved the minutes of their April 18, 2013, regular meeting. Motion carried 7-0. Page 3 Central Valley School District Board of Education – Regular Meeting May 14, 2013 7:19 p.m. * DRAFT * ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Revisions to 2013-2014 School Year Calendar Mr. Tangorra recommended that the Board consider a revised 2013-2014 calendar that would add a second Superintendent’s Conference Day prior to the start of school on September 5, 2013, to allow staff to complete preparations for the opening of school. As a result, school will now be in session for all students and staff on October 25, 2013. Mr. Roginski noted that the second Superintendent’s Conference Day in September will cause our BOCES students to miss their first day of classes there. He asked Mr. Tangorra to determine who those students are and offer them the chance to attend their first day at BOCES even though school will not be in session at Central Valley Academy. School Resource Officer Mr. Tangorra reported that there have been questions raised as to the position of a School Resource Officer (SRO) in the new district. He has had a conversation with the Ilion Police Chief about the value of having an SRO assigned to a school building and about how the community’s concerns might be accomplished without one. He noted that an SRO is not an armed guard and the appointment of an SRO does not mean that we have a safer school. If the concern is truly safety, Mr. Tangorra stated that appointing an SRO and assigning him/her to one school building and not the other three would not be the answer. They are not security guards. Mr. Tangorra reviewed the many advantages of having an SRO in a school district. The SRO can perform a number of duties and responsibilities that can be assigned to them by administration and help to establish a channel of trust between students, staff and community. Mr. Tangorra noted that both the Mohawk and Ilion districts currently have the same wonderful, symbiotic relationship with their Village Police Departments. The functions that they currently provide through that relationship are similar to those that would be provided by an SRO. According to Mr. Tangorra, there is a COPS Grant available to municipalities, not to school districts. The municipality receives 75% towards an entry level officer for the first three years with 25% to be paid by the district. Starting in the fourth year and thereafter, the district would be required to pay 100% of the position. In his conversations with the Safety Office and the Ilion Police Department, the representatives have indicated that they will most likely not apply for a grant as they are already understaffed in beat officers. After Chief Malone of the Mohawk/Herkimer Police Department was contacted about applying for the grant, it was learned that there could be jurisdictional issues. For example, if the Village of Ilion receives a grant for an SRO, that officer would be restricted from going into Jarvis or Fisher due to jurisdiction issues. The same would be true if the Village of Mohawk received a grant. That officer would then be restricted from going into Barringer Elementary or Central Valley Academy (CVA). Mr. Tangorra reported that for the same or less money, the district could employ security officers. Oneida County BOCES has a service for student management security. While he understands that there is some angst and unrest about the two groups starting school together at CVA, he does not feel that there will be any more issues than at any other high school. The presence of one SRO is not going to fix this. Many of these students have known each other for years, have played on sports teams together, and know each other through social media. Mr. Tangorra stated that although he is not opposed to moving forward with an SRO if the Board so chooses, it may not be the best use of the new district’s money. Another suggestion would be to hire more social workers or counselors to work with the students and still use the local police departments to get the effect of an SRO. The Board will need to make a decision on hiring an SRO, security guard, or remaining status quo based on reality, fact, and what the district can actually afford. Page 4 Central Valley School District Board of Education – Regular Meeting May 14, 2013 7:19 p.m. * DRAFT * School Resource Officer (cont’d) Mr. Schell asked what the difference would be between an SRO and a security guard. Mr. Tangorra reviewed the costs associated with the SRO as compared to security guards and what the district can sustain. We already purchase services through the Oneida County Safety Office. Mrs. Judd suggested additional disaster training as an option to staff, as well as awareness training to parents. Items such as bullet-proof windows were also suggested. Mr. Lennox stated that he feels the district needs to focus on how it can achieve the most safety possible for the money. This could even include more video cameras. Mr. Shedd suggested that the police departments should get involved in sharing the costs, along with possible additional funding from area businesses. He does not feel the district can put a price on this by saying it cannot be sustained after four years. Including the Crisis Management Team was also suggested. Mr. Tangorra clarified that his point was not that it is too expensive. However, the Board is not buying peace of mind by simply moving forward with an SRO position. Mr. Lennox suggested that the district invite the police departments and other facilities to come in and help. Mr. LaLonde suggested using the BOCES Safety Office more and noted that he feels we have already accomplished some of this. Most schools that have had SRO’s have had to cut them after several years. He feels the Board needs to look at other options to serve the entire district and not just one building. Mr. Lennox noted that there have been studies done since Sandy Hook and suggested that the Board tap into those resources. Mr. Tangorra suggested that the district pursue a COPS Grant through the municipalities or Sherriff’s department. If the grant is received, the Board can reassess the position after three years to see if it is needed and successful. If the grant is not awarded, the Board can find other ways to address the district’s needs and look at the resources we already have. Mr. Roginski stated that he agrees that the Board needs to determine what their actual goal is. The Board needs to look to experts to give us advice in handling crisis situations. The suggestion of fire protective doors that would close and secure students and staff from an intruder would provide more protection than one person securing the school. He further stated that he is against having a gun in school. Mr. Schell suggested reaching out to the police department to have a representative come to the Board’s next meeting. Mr. Tangorra will contact the police departments and safety office. Mr. Schell also suggested contacting the media to be sure community members know about the discussion as he has heard many concerns regarding safety. Mr. Tangorra stated that he is working with a company that could survey community members, students, and staff. This would help us get feedback about what the major concerns are on various topics. Mr. Coupe stated that he feels the Board needs an analysis of the situation. The SRO is a solution to a problem we don’t even know exists. A district-wide risk assessment could be done to determine what the top ten concerns are first. Mr. Vivacqua reported that the safety office will be able to provide a safety audit, a list of priorities, and ways to match the problem with a solution. This item will be brought back to the Board for their continued review and discussion at their next meeting. Policy Draft #8440 Grading and Homework – The Board received copies of Draft Policy #8440 - Grading and Homework. Mr. Tangorra stated that the Board needs to determine how to set the tone that the district is focused on student learning and success. Students and parents need to know the Page 5 Central Valley School District Board of Education – Regular Meeting May 14, 2013 7:19 p.m. * DRAFT * Policy Draft #8440 (cont’d) expectations and that we are creating an environment that cultivates success. Mr. Tangorra stated that he feels this draft policy is a step in the right direction. He encouraged the Board to review it carefully and give him their feedback as he would like to discuss how this Board will take their policy responsibilities to impact what is happening in the classroom. If approved, this policy would become the district-wide “law” that the Board has authorized. Mr. Coupe asked if this policy advocates for homework to be graded for only certain students. Mr. Tangorra reported that it would be used to help identify strengths and weaknesses. Mr. Schell stated that he is concerned about the policy being carried out and enforced. While he believes students should be put in classes that challenge them, he is struggling with how the teachers are going to have the ability to separate it. Mr. Tangorra stated that he would bring examples of how this could work. Mr. Coupe expressed concern that every time you raise the importance of an assessment tool, you pollute the accuracy of the assessment tool. Teachers end up having to teach to the test and human tendency is played out. Mr. Shedd noted that trying to develop various lessons by student must be quite challenging. Mr. Tangorra stated that this is what is required of each teacher in the state. Mr. Schell asked about accountability. Mr. Tangorra stated that the whole point of the reorganization is to push the envelope to increase the performance of students and employees of the district. It is going to be uncomfortable. Mr. Schell stated that although he likes the idea, he is worried about the implementation. Mr. Tangorra stated that the implementation and evaluation of the process will be brought to the Board. Whatever the final policy looks like, the Board will approve it. It will then be up to the administration to implement it and enforce it. It is the same as curriculum. The Board policy is the local law and it will be treated that way. Mr. Lennox asked if this would help students who learn at a slower pace. Mr. Tangorra stated that he feels it will help each child and noted that there are some schools that already have this in place. This item will be brought back to the Board for their continued review and discussion at their next meeting. (Copy of information on file in District Clerk’s files.) BOE Meeting Schedule The Board’s next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the LGI at Ilion High School. In addition, the Board received a draft meeting schedule for the 2013-2014 school year. The Board will review the draft schedule and consider formal adoption at their next regular meeting on May 28, 2013. (Copy of information on file in District Clerk’s files.) Personnel Appointments Mr. Tangorra reviewed the personnel appointments that he will be recommending this evening for formal Board action as follows: Cindy Stocker – Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning and Planning James Humphrey – Director of Athletics and Facilities Lisa Hoffman – Director of Student Services Frances LaPaglia – Director of Human Resources Renee Rudd – Building Principal Jeremy Rich – Building Principal Marsha Mays-Smith – Building Principal Richard Keeler – Assistant Building Principal Marsha Griffith – Secretary to the Superintendent Deb Egland – District Office Secretary Page 6 Central Valley School District Board of Education – Regular Meeting May 14, 2013 7:19 p.m. * DRAFT * Personnel Appointments (cont’d) Mr. Lennox asked about the administrative appointments for the Jarvis Middle School. Mr. Tangorra reported that he is talking with a potential candidate for the Assistant Principal position, and the district has advertised for a Middle School Principal. Mr. Lennox asked if there were any worries about the age range at Jarvis (5-8). Mr. Tangorra reported that although there will be challenges, they will be no more than the challenges faced in the other buildings. This will be determined by the personnel appointed to the positions. Mr. Roginski asked if the salaries and job descriptions for the appointments have been discussed. Mr. Tangorra reported that these employees will not receive any less than they did last year. Mr. Lennox asked for a clarification of duties for the Director of Athletics and Facilities. Mr. Tangorra reported that the director will oversee the facilities, safety plans, facilities and building usage, construction projects, maintenance schedule for HVAC, etc., provide supervision of coaches, and serve as the Athletic Director for which he is certified. SBI Meeting Calendar and Trainings The Board received copies of the School Boards Institute Calendar of meetings and workshops for the 2013-2014 school year. Those in need of the mandated training sessions will be registered as follows: Part 1&2 - New BOE Member Orientation/Required Training (Aug. 7 and 28, 2013) William Lennox Fred Schell Walt Roginski Matt Shedd Part 1&2 - Fiscal Oversight Fundamental Training [FOT] (Oct. 17 and Nov. 7, 2013) William Lennox Walt Roginski Mr. Tangorra stated that the annual New York State School Board’s Association (NYSSBA) Convention will be held on October 24-26, 2013. Registration will open in June. All Board members are encouraged to attend. More information will follow as it becomes available. (Copy of information on file in District Clerk’s files.) Unit Development and Negotiations Mr. Tangorra updated the Board on the bargaining units for the new district. The administrators’ unit is shaping up well. It is expected that the instructional and noninstructional groups will take longer to come together. PUBLIC OPEN FORUM There were no comments or questions from the public at this time. NEW BUSINESS Approval of Vote Worker Appointments for Annual Budget Vote Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Cosimo Tangorra, Jr., on a motion made by Mr. Schell, seconded by Mrs. Judd, the Board approved the appointments of the following vote workers for the Annual Budget Vote to be held on May 21, 2013, at a salary of $15.00 per hour for the Vote Chairman and Election Inspectors/Assistant Clerks. Motion carried 7-0. Page 7 Central Valley School District Board of Education – Regular Meeting May 14, 2013 7:19 p.m. * DRAFT * Approval of Vote Worker Appointments for Annual Budget Vote (cont’d) Clerk of the Vote: Marsha Griffith Vote Chairman: Charles Mower Election Inspectors/Assistant Clerks: Margaret Casey Carol Denison Marilyn Bridger Sharon Adams Judith Thomes Diana Geno Terry Mower Dawn Korba Mary Ann Vogel Mary Jane Guile Approval of 2013-2014 Non-Public School Transportation Requests Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Cosimo Tangorra, Jr., on a motion made by Mr. Lennox, seconded by Mr. LaLonde, the Board approved the following non-public school transportation requests for the 2013-2014 school year. Motion carried 7-0. Mohawk Valley Christian Academy: Fisher: Alexandria Lee: Bethany and Mariah Manno: Gavin St. Francis de Sales Regional Catholic School: Albrecht: Hudson Jacquays: Samuel, Thomas, and Calvin Branner: Aubrey Lewis: Kara Bray: Bailey and Maggie Reese: Jonathan Brouillette: Margaret Sanchez: Hannah and Madison Canipe: Megan and Molly Shaver: Kendra Fitzer: Paige Stone: Evan and Emily Geloso: Dominick and Vincenzo Stone: Nathaniel Waite: Abigail and Christopher (Copy of requests on file in District Clerk’s files.) Approval of Personnel Appointments Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Cosimo Tangorra, Jr., on a motion made by Mr. Roginski, seconded by Mr. LaLonde, the Board approved the following full-time, 12-month personnel appointments, effective July 1, 2013. Motion carried 7-0. Cynthia Stocker – Assistant Supt. for Teaching, Learning and Planning James Humphrey – Director of Athletics and Facilities Lisa Hoffman – Director of Student Services Frances LaPaglia – Director of Human Resources Renee Rudd – Building Principal Jeremy Rich – Building Principal Marsha Mays-Smith – Building Principal Richard Keeler – Assistant Building Principal Marsha Griffith – Secretary to the Superintendent Deb Egland – District Office Secretary Adoption of Resolution to Change the Legal Name of the School District Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Cosimo Tangorra, Jr., on a motion made by Mr. Schell, seconded by Mr. Roginski, the Board approved the following resolution to change the legal name of the school district. Motion carried 7-0. “WHEREAS, Section 315 of Education law and Section 240.3 of Commissioner’s Regulations provides that a reorganized central school district may request to change the name of their school district, and Page 8 Central Valley School District Board of Education – Regular Meeting May 14, 2013 7:19 p.m. * DRAFT * Adoption of Resolution to Change the Legal Name of the School District (cont’d) WHEREAS, the Commissioner’s Order centralizing the Ilion Central School District and the Mohawk Central School District was approved by the voters of each district, and WHEREAS, such centralization shall take effect on July 1, 2013, RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Ilion-Mohawk Central School District, Herkimer County, does hereby request the Commissioner of Education to change the legal name of said school district to Central Valley Central School District at Ilion and Mohawk (or at Mohawk and Ilion), effective July 1, 2013.” (Copy of resolution on file in District Clerk’s files.) OLD BUSINESS Approval of Revision to 2013-2014 School Year Calendar Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Cosimo Tangorra, Jr., on a motion made by Mrs. Judd, seconded by Mr. Lennox, the Board approved revisions to the 2013-2014 school year calendar as reviewed by Superintendent Tangorra. Motion carried 7-0. (Copy of information on file in District Clerk’s files.) BOARD FORUM Mr. Lennox expressed concern that there was a quarter million dollars budgeted for substitutes. Mr. Long reported that this number includes coverage for maternity leaves. Mr. Lennox also asked about the instructional salary listed for the Business Office. Mr. Long reported that the number represents his salary as that is the only category that is available to select. Mr. Schell noted that the district merged to combine and consolidate. He does not feel we are consolidating if all the instructional positions are being kept. Mr. Schell stated that he is curious what some of the teachers’ jobs will be and asked if it would be possible to use current staff members as district substitutes instead of hiring out. Mr. Tangorra stated that he anticipates having the instructional personnel appointments assigned for the Board’s consideration at their next regular meeting on May 28, 2013. He further stated that it might be possible to use current instructional staff as substitutes. Mr. Shedd asked if the seniority was straight forward. Mr. Tangorra confirmed this. Mr. Lennox asked what the deadline was for teachers announcing their retirement. Mr. Beirne reported that for teachers in Mohawk, it was in March. Mr. Tangorra reported that the deadline in Ilion was extended to June 1st. Mrs. Judd asked if Summer School was being offered this year to those who need it. Mr. Tangorra reported that although there will be Summer School, it will have to be determined who will participate and who will not. Mrs. Judd asked if the Ilion district currently offers the Twilight Program for those in need of tutoring as part of out of school suspensions. Ms. Rudd stated that the Ilion district has a similar tutoring program and that it is held at the public library. Mr. Roginski asked how tenure works for employees moving forward into the new district. Mr. Tangorra reported that tenure will follow all employees who have received it. Mr. Roginski also asked the Board to consider reviewing and adopting an Academic Eligibility policy prior to the start of the fall season. Page 9 Central Valley School District Board of Education – Regular Meeting May 14, 2013 7:19 p.m. * DRAFT * BOARD FORUM (cont’d) Mr. Schell asked if there will be a plan for students to be able to stay after school for extra help when they need it. Mr. Tangorra reported that currently, Ilion offers this help after school from 2:50-3:20 p.m. Mr. Beirne reported that this also takes place after school in Mohawk on a rotating schedule based on subject area. Extra help will be available in the new district as well. ADJOURNMENT On a motion made by Mr. Roginski, seconded by Mr. LaLonde, the Board adjourned their regular meeting at 9:29 p.m. Motion carried 7-0. Marsha Griffith District Clerk, Board of Education Page 10 CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION Student and Taxpayer Equity The Board of Education’s first priority will be to ensure that all children of the Central Valley School District receive a quality education. The Board’s second priority will be to balance that quality education with what the community can afford to provide. Governance verses Management The Board of Education will focus on planning, policy-making and communication. The management of the district and the schools will be the focus of the Superintendent of Schools and the administration. The Authority of the Board of Education The Board of Education realizes that the board as a whole has authority and that individual members do not. Constituency The Board of Education represents the entire community of the Central Valley School District and not any one group of people. The members of the Board of Education will encourage community members to present their questions, concerns or comments to the Superintendent of Schools, district employees, or the board as whole rather than individual members of the Board of Education. Agendas The Board of Education agrees to speak to issues on the agenda and to attend to the business of the board. Board members should ask either the Superintendent or Board President to place items on an agenda and endeavor not to allow comments or questions from the audience to impede with the agenda in hand. Respect The members of the Board of Education agree to interact with one another with respect and consideration. Negative words, gestures, inflections will be avoided when the board is engaged in debates of differing points of view. Efficient Meetings The Board of Education acknowledges that meetings are for conducting business, making decisions and action; not infinite discussion and debate. Once a decision has been made the members of the board agree to move on to other issues regardless of the vote of an individual member. Confidentiality The Board of Education recognizes that confidentiality is a key component of board membership and is essential to the development of a productive and cohesive board. Board members acknowledge the legal requirements regarding topics discussed in executive session and the sensitive nature of the duties of school district governance. Policy Draft 05/23/2013 1100 COMMUNITY RELATIONS RECORDS MANAGEMENT I. II. RECORDS RETENTION: A. The District retains records in accordance with Article 57-A of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Law. To ensure that these records are properly preserved, the Board of Education adopts the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule (ED-1) promulgated by the Commissioner of Education. B. The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent to establish procedures for the retention and disposition of records that are not governed by ED-1. PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECORDS: A. The District makes records available to the public in accordance with the New York State Freedom of Information Law. B. The District’s Records Access Officer is: Name, Title, business address, business telephone number, business e-mail address. _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ C. The Superintendent shall promulgate regulations that define the duties of the Records Access Officer and establish procedures to ensure that the District complies with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Law. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: Article 57-A of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Law; Article 6 of the Public Officers’ Law; Sections 2116 & 2116-a of the Education Law; 8 NYCRR 185.12, Appendix I. Adopted: _____ Page 1 of 1 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 COMMUNITY RELATIONS 1100.1 PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECORDS I. PURPOSE The Superintendent of Schools promulgates this regulation to ensure compliance with the Freedom of Information Law (Article 6 of the Public Officers’ Law) and the related Rules of the Committee on Open Government. II. DUTIES OF RECORDS ACCESS OFFICER A. Ensure that the District appropriately responds to public requests for access to records. B. Assist persons seeking records to identify the records sought, if necessary, and when appropriate, indicate the manner in which the records are filed, retrieved or generated to assist persons in reasonably describing records. C. Contact persons seeking records when a request is voluminous or when locating the records sought involves substantial effort, so that agency personnel may ascertain the nature of records of primary interest and attempt to reasonably reduce the volume of the records requested. D. Certify that a record is a true copy, if requested. E. Post in a conspicuous location: F. 1. the place where records will be made available for inspection and copying, 2. the Records Access Officer’s name, title, business address, business telephone number, and business e-mail address; 3. the right to appeal a denial of access to a record, including the name and business address of the District Clerk, to whom appeals are directed. Maintain a reasonably detailed subject matter list, by subject, of all records in possession of the District, whether or not records are available to the public under subdivision two of section eighty-seven of the Public Officers' Law. The subject matter list shall be sufficiently detailed to permit identification of the category of the record sought. The subject matter list will be updated annually, and the date of the most recent update shall be conspicuously indicated on the list. Page 1 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 COMMUNITY RELATIONS 1100.1 PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECORDS III. IV. REQUESTS FOR ACCESS TO RECORDS A. All requests to obtain or inspect copies of district records shall be submitted to the Records Access Officer. Requests will be accepted by mail, email or in person during all hours the District is regularly open for business. A form for requesting records by e-mail is available at the website of the Committee on Open Government, http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/emailrequest.html. B. A request shall reasonably describe the record(s) sought, including whenever possible, dates, file designations or other information that may help to describe the records sought. RESPONSE TO REQUESTS FOR ACCESS A. Within five business days of receipt of the request, the Records Access Officer shall respond to the request by taking one of the following actions: 1. Making the requested record(s) available for inspection and photocopying; in which case the Records Access Officer or another designated District employee shall be physically present while such records are being examined or copied, or 2. Providing a copy of the requested record(s) on the medium requested (if that technology is available), or 3. Denying access to the requested record(s), in whole or in part, in which case the requester will be notified in writing of the reason for denial and his/her rights as to appeal to the individual or body established to hear appeals. The denial will include the name of the name, title, business address and business telephone number of the individual designated to hear appeal, or 4. Acknowledging receipt of the request in writing, including the approximate date when the request will be granted or denied in whole or in part, which shall be reasonable under the circumstances (and in most cases, shall not exceed 20 business days), or 5. Certifying that the record(s) have not been located because the District is not the custodian of the record(s), or because the record(s) cannot be found after diligent search. Page 2 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 COMMUNITY RELATIONS 1100.1 PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECORDS V. B. If the District maintains requested records on the internet, the District’s response to the requester shall inform the requester that the records are accessible via the internet and in printed form either on paper or other information storage medium. C. When a request is made for the electronic production of electronic records, the District will respond in a manner substantially similar to the model response appearing on the website of the Committee on Open Government, http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/emailresponse.html. APPEAL OF DENIAL OF ACCESS A. An applicant denied access to a public record may file an appeal by delivering a written letter of appeal with a copy of the request and denial to the District Clerk, within thirty (30) days after the denial from which appeal is taken. B. An appeal for denial of access to records will be determined by [Select one – Superintendent, Individual designated by the Board of Education, or Board of Education]. C. The individual designated to hear appeals shall transmit to the Committee on Open Government copies of all appeals and ensuing determinations. Such copies shall be addressed to: Committee on Open Government Department of State 41 State Street Albany, New York 12231 D. VI. The person designated to hear appeals shall inform the person making the appeal and the Committee on Open Government of his/her determination in writing within ten (10) business days of receipt of an appeal, identifying 1) The date and location of the requests for records; 2) A description, to the extent possible, of the records that were denied; and 3) The name and return address of the appellant. FEES A. Except when a different fee is otherwise prescribed by statute: Page 3 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 COMMUNITY RELATIONS 1100.1 PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECORDS 1. There shall be no fee charged for a search for records, the inspection of records, or the certification of records. 2. The fee for photocopying records is 25 cents for each page not exceeding 9 by 14 inches. 3. The fee for copies of records not covered by above paragraph 2 shall not exceed the actual cost of reproducing a record. The actual cost may include only: The amount equal to the hourly salary attributed to the lowest paid employee who has the necessary skill to copy the record. However, the fee shall not include search time or administrative costs, and no fee shall be charged unless at least two hours of employee time is needed to prepare the copies. The actual cost of the storage devices or media provided to the person making the request in complying with the request; The actual cost of engaging an outside professional service to prepare a copy (if the District’s technology equipment is inadequate to prepare a copy); and The requester shall be informed of the estimated cost of preparing a copy if more than two hours of employee time is needed, or if an outside professional service would be retained to prepare a copy of the record. VII. B. Copying and billing will be handled by a secretary in the Main Office at the request of the Records Access Officer. No records shall be reproduced until payment is tendered in cash, check or money order, payable to District. C. Copies of agendas or minutes of previous School Board meetings will be available in limited quantities at the time of the meeting at no charge. RECORDS UNAVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION OR COPYING A. To prevent unwarranted invasions of personal privacy, the following are not available for public inspection and copying: Page 4 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 COMMUNITY RELATIONS 1100.1 PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECORDS B. 1. Matters of a personal nature as may have been reported in confidence to the Board of Education and which are not relevant or essential to the ordinary work of the Board of Education; 2. Employment, medical, credit histories or personal references of applicants for employment, except such records will be disclosed when the applicant provides a written release permitting such disclosure; 3. Items involving the medical or personal records of employees or students; 4. Lists of names and addresses in the possession of the Board of Education, if such lists are to be used for private, commercial or fund-raising purposes; 5. Items of a personal nature when disclosure would result in economic or a personal hardship to the subject party and such records are not relevant or essential to the ordinary work of the Board of Education. Also exempted from disclosure under this Policy are records that: 1. are specifically exempted by statute; 2. if disclosed would impair present or imminent contract awards or collective bargaining negotiations; 3. are trade secrets or are submitted to the District by a commercial enterprise or derived from information obtained from a commercial enterprise and which if disclosed would cause substantial injury to the competitive position of the subject enterprise; 4. are compiled for law enforcement purposes and which, if disclosed, would: a. interfere with law enforcement investigations or judicial proceedings; b. deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or impartial adjudication; c. identify a confidential source or disclose confidential information relating to a criminal investigation; or Page 5 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 COMMUNITY RELATIONS 1100.1 PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECORDS d. reveal criminal investigative techniques or procedures, except routine techniques and procedures; 5. if disclosed could endanger the life or safety of any person; 6. are inter-agency or intra-agency materials which are not: a. statistical or factual tabulations or data; b. instructions to staff that affect the public; c. final agency policy or determinations; or d. external audits, including but not limited to audits performed by the comptroller and the federal government; 7. are examination questions or answers which are requested prior to the final administration of such questions, or 8. if disclosed, would jeopardize the capacity of an agency or an entity that has shared information with the agency to guarantee the security of its information technology assets, such assets encompassing both electronic information systems and infrastructures. Approved by Superintendent: _______ Page 6 of 6 Policy New 03/28/2013 4302 FISCAL MANAGEMENT INVESTMENTS I. Investment Objectives Funds held by the District that are in excess of the amount required to meet short term cash flow needs, and are not otherwise encumbered, shall be invested to provide the District with the best rate of return available without exposing the principal to an unreasonable risk of loss. All investments made on behalf of the District shall comply with the requirements of all applicable federal and state laws, including the Education Law, General Municipal Law, and Local Finance Law. II. Authority to Invest District Funds As permitted by Section 11 of the General Municipal Law, the Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent or designee, as an officer having custody of the District’s funds, to invest the District’s funds in a manner consistent with this Policy. III. Standards for Selecting Investments A. Prudence All participants in the investment process shall act as custodians of the public trust and shall avoid any transaction that might impair public confidence in the District. They shall make investment decisions with the judgment and care exercised by a reasonably prudent person in the conduct of their own affairs. B. Conflict Avoidance All participants in the investment process shall refrain from personal business activity that could conflict with proper execution of the investment program or impair their ability to make impartial investment decisions. C. Diversification Investments of District funds, including bank deposits, are to be diversified in terms of the type of investments made, the maturity dates of investments, and the choice of financial institution or broker to place or hold the investment. D. Permitted Investments Consistent with the other provisions of this Policy, the Superintendent or designee may invest funds in the following ways: Page 1 of 4 POLICY New 03/28/2013 4302 FISCAL MANAGEMENT INVESTMENTS E. 1. Special time deposit accounts; 2. Certificates of deposit; 3. Obligations of the United States of America; 4. Obligations guaranteed by agencies of the United States of America where the payment of principal and interest are guaranteed by the United States of America; 5. Obligations of the State of New York; 6. Certificates of deposits purchased by a bank or trust company in the manner described in, and meeting all the conditions of, Section 11(2)(a)(2) of the General Municipal Law; and 7. Obligations of this local government, but only with any moneys in a reserve fund established pursuant to General Municipal Law Section 6-c, 6-d, 6-e, 6-g, 6-h, 6-j, 6-k, 6-l, 6-m, or 6-n. Assured Availability All investment obligations shall be payable or redeemable at the option of the District within such times as the proceeds will be needed to meet expenditures for purposes for which the moneys were provided and, in the case of obligations purchased with the proceeds of bonds or notes, shall be payable or redeemable at the option of the School District within two years of the date of purchase. IV. Collateralization of Certain Investments Investments in the form of special time deposits and certificates of deposit shall be collateralized as provided in policy governing District deposits. V. Purchase and Custody of Investments A. Purchase of Investment Assets The Superintendent or designee is authorized to contract for the purchase of investments: 1. Directly, including through a repurchase agreement, from an authorized trading partner; Page 2 of 4 POLICY New 03/28/2013 4302 FISCAL MANAGEMENT INVESTMENTS B. 2. By participation in a cooperative investment program with another authorized governmental entity pursuant to Article 5G of the General Municipal Law where such program meets all the requirements set forth in the Office of the State Comptroller Opinion No. 88-46, and the specific program has been authorized by the Board; or 3. By utilizing an ongoing investment program with an authorized trading partner pursuant to a contract authorized by the Board. Custody of Investment Assets All purchased obligations, unless registered or inscribed in the name of the District, shall be purchased through, delivered to and held in the custody of a bank or trust company. Such obligations shall be purchased, sold or presented for redemption or payment by such bank or trust company only in accordance with prior written authorization from the officer authorized to make the investment. All such transactions shall be confirmed in writing to the District by the bank or trust company. Any obligation held in the custody of a bank or trust company shall be held pursuant to a written custodial agreement as described in General Municipal Law, Section 10. C. Segregation of Investment Assets The custodial agreement shall provide that securities held by the bank or trust company, as agent of and custodian for, the District, will be kept separate and apart from the general assets of the custodial bank or trust company and will not, in any circumstances, be commingled with or become part of the backing for any other deposit or other liabilities. The agreement shall describe how the custodian shall confirm the receipt and release of the securities. Such agreement shall include all provisions necessary to provide the School District a perfected interest in the securities. VI. Repurchase Agreements Repurchase agreements are authorized subject to the following restrictions: 1. All repurchase agreements must be entered into subject to a Master Repurchase Agreement. 2. Trading partners are limited to banks or trust companies authorized to do business in New York State and primary reporting dealers. Page 3 of 4 POLICY New 03/28/2013 4302 FISCAL MANAGEMENT INVESTMENTS VII. 3. Obligations shall be limited to obligations of the United States of America and obligations guaranteed by agencies of the United States of America. 4. No substitution of securities will be allowed. 5. The custodian shall be a party other than the trading partner. Authorized Financial Institutions and Dealers A. Preparation and Review of List The Superintendent or designee is responsible for maintaining a list of depositories, trading partners and custodians whose financial position and record of operations warrants their use by the District. At least once each year, the Board shall review the list with the Superintendent, and adopt a list of approved financial institutions and firms, and designate a limit to the amount of investment to be made with each one. B. Requirements All financial institutions with which the District does business must be creditworthy. Banks must agree to provide their most recent Consolidated Report of Condition (Call Report) at the request of the District. Security dealers not affiliated with a bank must be classified as reporting dealers affiliated with the New York Federal Reserve Bank as primary dealers. VIII. Annual Board Review of Policy Each year, the Board shall review this Policy, and note that review in the minutes of the meeting at which it occurs. Ilion-Mohawk Central School District Legal Ref: Sections 1709, 1723-a and 3652 of the New York State Education Law; Sections 10, 11 and 39, General Municipal Law. Adopted: ______ Page 4 of 4 Policy New 05/23/2013 (Only required if District claims $500,000 or more annually from Medicaid) FISCAL MANAGEMENT 4404 MEDICAID BILLING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM I. II. INTRODUCTION A. This Program is an integral part of the Central Valley Central School District’s (District) ongoing efforts to achieve compliance with federal and state laws relating to Medicaid billing for School Supportive Health Services (“SSHS”) and other school programs. The Program creates a comprehensive system of oversight for Medicaid billing, reporting and practices. B. The goal of this Program is to ensure that Medicaid eligible services are properly documented and accurately billed and that services rendered, but not properly documented are not billed. Moreover, the program establishes systematic checks and balances to detect and prevent inaccurate billings and inappropriate practices in the Medicaid Program. C. The Program shall be overseen by the District’s Medicaid Compliance Officer who shall report directly to the District’s Superintendent of Schools. It remains, however, the responsibility of each individual involved in the provision of services and the billing process, to comply with the provisions of the law. MEDICAID COMPLIANCE OFFICER A. The District shall designate annually a Medicaid Compliance Officer. Compliance officer shall be responsible for: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. B. The Day to day operations of the Compliance Program. Providing guidance to District employees to ensure Medicaid billing compliance; Development and delivery of District in-service training on compliance issues, expectations, and maintenance of documentation for the same; The coordination of system-wide and/or department-specific audits of records on an ongoing basis; Communications to District employees and to service providers on any changes to the laws and regulations regarding Medicaid billing and this Program; The investigation of allegations of improper billing practices and the reporting of the same. The Compliance Officer shall report directly to the District’s Superintendent of Schools and shall periodically report to the Board of Education on the District’s Compliance Program. Page 1 of 5 POLICY New 05/23/2013 (Only required if District claims $500,000 or more annually from Medicaid) FISCAL MANAGEMENT 4404 MEDICAID BILLING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM III. COMPLIANCE A. Billing for Medicaid eligible school services will be done in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Specifically, no bill for reimbursement shall be submitted unless it was actually performed and documented by the service provider. B. The District is committed to maintaining the accuracy of every claim it processes and submits. Any false, inaccurate, or questionable claims should be reported immediately to the District Medicaid Compliance Officer. C. False billing is a serious offense. Federal and State rules prohibit knowingly and willfully making or causing to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact in an application for benefits or payment. It is also unlawful to conceal or fail to disclose the occurrence of an event affecting the right to payment with the intent to secure payment that is not due. D. In addition to criminal penalties, the Federal False Claims Act permits substantial civil monetary penalties against any person who submits false claims. The Act provides a penalty of triple damages as well as fines up to $10,000 for each false claim submitted. The persons involved in submitting false claims (as well as the District) may be excluded from participating in the Medicaid programs. E. Numerous other federal laws prohibit false statements or inadequate disclosure to the government and mandate exclusion from Medicaid programs. It is illegal to make any false statement to the federal government, including statements on Medicaid claim forms. It is illegal to use the U.S. mail to scheme to defraud the government. Any agreement between two or more people to submit false claims may be prosecuted as a conspiracy to defraud the government. F. The District promotes full compliance with each of the relevant laws by maintaining a strict policy of ethics, integrity, and accuracy in all its financial dealings. Each employee and professional, including outside consultants, who is involved in submitting charges, preparing claims, billing, and documenting services is expected to maintain the highest standards of personal, professional, and institutional responsibility. Individuals who fail to report suspected problems, participate in noncompliance behavior and/or encourage, direct or facilitate non-compliance behavior may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the provisions of New York law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement. Page 2 of 5 POLICY New 05/23/2013 (Only required if District claims $500,000 or more annually from Medicaid) FISCAL MANAGEMENT 4404 MEDICAID BILLING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM IV. V. EDUCATION AND TRAINING A. It is the Compliance Officer’s responsibility is to ensure that every employee involved with the Medicaid service and billing process is educated about the applicable laws and regulations governing provider billing and documentation. Moreover, the District Compliance Program shall be shared with all employees, be available for inspection and shall be published on the District website. B. The Compliance Officer shall also develop, oversee and/or provide in-service training on Medicaid billing and documentation requirements for all staff involved in providing and/or billing for Medicaid services periodically and at other times, including initial employment or assignment. Such training shall be mandatory and the District shall maintain records of all trainings. REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION A. B. Reporting 1. Every employee in the District has the responsibility not only to comply with the laws and regulations, but to ensure that others do as well. 2. Employees must report non-compliance to their immediate supervisors, or the District Compliance Officer. Supervisors are required to report these issues through established channels in Human Resources/Personnel and/or directly to the District Medicaid Compliance Officer. Calls may be made anonymously, although the District encourages employees to provide their name and telephone number so that reports may be more effectively investigated. 3. Every attempt will be made to preserve the confidentiality of reports of noncompliance. All employees must understand, however, that circumstances may arise in which it is necessary or appropriate to disclose information. In such cases, disclosures will be on a “need to know” basis only. Investigation 1. The Compliance Officer will, personally or through his/her designee, investigate every report of non-compliance as soon as practicable. Investigations may include interviewing employees and/or reviewing documentation. Each employee must cooperate with such investigations. 2. Once the Compliance Officer completes an investigation, he/she will make a report to the Superintendent. The report will be the basis for the Compliance Page 3 of 5 POLICY New 05/23/2013 (Only required if District claims $500,000 or more annually from Medicaid) FISCAL MANAGEMENT 4404 MEDICAID BILLING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM Officer’s Program or recommendation of corrective action and/or discipline. Reports will be retained for a period of six years. C. Non-Retaliation It is the policy of the District that no person shall retaliate, in any form, against a person who reports in good faith, an act or suspected act of non-compliance (although employees may be disciplined for making intentionally false reports of noncompliance). Any person who is found to have retaliated for such a report shall be subject to discipline. In addition, the Federal False Claims Act and New York State Law provide certain protections to individuals who are discharged, demoted, suspended or threatened, harassed or discriminated against by their employer in retaliation for assisting in the investigation, initiation or prosecution of a False Claims Act violation or which constitutes health care fraud under the New York State Penal Law. D. Corrective Action/Sanctions 1. In order to make this Compliance Program effective, the Compliance Officer will have authority to impose corrective action. 2. If a service provider or employee is found to be non-compliant in a single instance or relatively insignificant percentage of cases over a short period, the Compliance Officer may require that person to undergo a session of education or training. 3. If a provider or other employee fails to comply with billing or documentation requirements repeatedly, sanctions may be more severe. 4. Plans of correction and discipline may include, but are not limited to: a. b. c. d. e. 5. A requirement to undergo training; A period of required supervision or approval of documentation before bills can be issued; Expanded auditing, internal or external, for some period of time until compliance improves; Self-reporting of violations; and In sufficiently egregious cases, discipline. In addition, the Compliance Officer may recommend some other appropriate course of action to correct non-compliance. Page 4 of 5 POLICY New 05/23/2013 (Only required if District claims $500,000 or more annually from Medicaid) FISCAL MANAGEMENT 4404 MEDICAID BILLING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM VI. VII. AUDITING/REVIEW A. Monitoring of compliance with billing rules is essential. The Compliance Officer must be able to ensure compliance through an understanding of current regulations and overall levels of compliance throughout the District at any given time. B. Under this Plan, there will be both internal and external (i.e. by an independent consultant or other professional) auditing of Medicaid billing documentation. Internal auditing is done by the professional staff of the Compliance Officer, who will conduct periodic reviews. C. The Compliance Officer may engage an external auditing firm as deemed necessary to assess the District overall compliance. All employees must cooperate fully with this effort by making themselves and/or any pertinent documents available. D. The external auditor will report to the Compliance Officer concerning the results of its investigation. The Compliance Officer will report, in turn, to the Superintendent and the Board of Education. ONGOING ASSESSMENTS A. The Compliance Officer will make an annual assessment of the success of this Compliance Program. That assessment will be based on the examination of results of internal audits and investigations, reports of any outside audits that may have been conducted, and or his/her own personal experience with the functioning of the Program over the previous year. B. A summary of this assessment shall be provided to the Superintendent and the Board of Education. Central Valley Central School District Adopted: ______ Page 5 of 5 Policy New 03/28/2013 4500 FISCAL MANAGEMENT GENERAL PROCUREMENT STANDARDS I. Competitive Bidding The District must complete a competitive bidding process that complies with General Municipal Law Section 103 before it: enters into a contract for public work that involves spending more than $35,000; enters into a purchase contract for goods or services that involves spending more than $20,000; or, enters into a lease of personal property. The bidding process shall be conducted in accordance with Policy 4501. II. A. If the total purchases of a commodity, service, or technology during the twelve month period following the date of the first purchase is reasonably expected to total more than the threshold amounts described above, then the purchase shall be made through the competitive bidding process. B. If a commodity, service, or technology is potentially subject to the bidding requirements of Section 103 of the General Municipal Law, but it has been purchased without competitive bidding in an amount less than the threshold amounts described above, then additional purchases of that commodity, service, or technology from the same provider are not permitted if the additional purchase would cause the total value of the reasonably expected purchases of that commodity, service, or technology over a twelve month period to exceed the threshold amounts for competitive bidding. C. Pursuant to the Iran Divestment Act of 2012, each bidder or offeror must certify that they are not on the list created and maintained by the State Office of General Services (OGS). Purchasing Without Competitive Bidding Where a purchase is permitted by law to be made without competitive bidding, District personnel must make purchase decisions so as to assure the prudent and economical use of public moneys in the best interest of the taxpayers of the District; facilitate the acquisition of goods and services of maximum quality at the lowest possible cost under the circumstances; and guard against favoritism, improvidence, extravagance, fraud and corruption. The non-bid purchase process shall be conducted in accordance with Policy 4502. III. Standardization The Board may determine that reasons of efficiency or economy support standardization on a particular kind of equipment, material or supplies. The Board’s determination shall be adopted by a resolution that is approved by a three-fifths (3/5) vote of the full Board membership, and that explains the reasons for the standardization. IV. Instructional Materials Page 1 of 2 POLICY New 03/28/2013 4500 FISCAL MANAGEMENT GENERAL PROCUREMENT STANDARDS Pursuant to Section 200.2 of the Commissioner’s Regulations, the District shall give preference in the purchase of instructional materials to those vendors who agree to provide such instructional materials in alternative formats for students with disabilities. V. VI. Responsibilities A. The Superintendent and the School Business Official may develop more specific procurement procedures for the guidance of District employees that are consistent with these Policies. They shall insure that all District employees involved in purchasing and business functions are familiar with these Policies and that all District employees follow these Policies. B. The Purchasing Agent, designated by the Board of Education, is responsible for operating the purchasing program in compliance with these procedures. C. Each employee involved in the procurement process is responsible to become familiar with these procedures and to follow their requirements, to seek clarification and direction from the Purchasing Agent whenever they are unsure how to proceed in compliance with these Policies, and to inform the Purchasing Agent of any concerns regarding compliance. Personal Purchasing Prohibited No goods or services shall be purchased in the name of the District, or through the District’s procedures other than goods or services purchased for use in conducting the District’s business. No one may purchase goods or services for personal use, or on behalf of any organization other than the District, through the District’s purchasing procedures. VII. Annual Review The Board of Education shall review these Policies and any supplemental procurement procedures adopted by the Superintendent or School Business Official on an annual basis. Comments regarding these Policies and any supplemental procurement procedures shall be solicited from the District’s officers who are involved in the procurement process at least every third year. Ilion-Mohawk Central School District Legal Ref: Sections 102, 103, 103-g 104-b, 109-a; 800 et seq., General Municipal Law; Section 207, 305 (14), 1604, 1709, 1725, 1950, 2053, 2554, 3602, 4403; 1725 Education Law; Section 163 State Finance Law; 8 NYCRR 200.2 Adopted: _______ Page 2 of 2 Policy New 03/28/2013 4501 FISCAL MANAGEMENT COMPETITIVE BIDDING I. Competitive Bidding Required A. B. II. III. The Purchasing Agent shall insure that a competitive bidding process compliant with the General Municipal Law and these Policies is conducted prior to entering into: 1. a public works contract involving an expenditure of more than $35,000; contracts for the purchase of labor, construction, and some services fall into this category; 2. a purchase contract involving an expenditure of more than $20,000; contracts for the purchase of materials, equipment, and supplies fall into this category; or 3. a lease of personal property for a period of time not to exceed the current school year. In the event that a contract combines the provision of professional services not subject to the bidding requirement, and a purchase that is otherwise subject to the bidding requirement, the District will determine whether the professional service or the purchase is the predominant part of the transaction, and proceed with the bidding process if the purchase component is predominant and is in excess of the applicable monetary threshold. Competitive Bidding Not Required A. Contracts for public work or the purchase of supplies, material, or equipment may be entered into without competitive bidding in the case of a public emergency arising out of an accident or other unforeseen occurrence that creates circumstances that require immediate action to preserve public property or the life, health, safety, or property of District residents, employees, or students. B. Surplus and second-hand supplies, materials, and equipment may be purchased without competitive bidding from the federal government, the State of New York, or another political subdivision or district within the State. C. Competitive bidding is not required when there is, in fact, only one source for the product or service being purchased. This exception includes monopoly markets, such as public utilities. D. Competitive bidding is not required for the procurement of professional services which, because of the specialized or confidential nature of the services, do not lend themselves to procurement through competitive bidding. The Bidding Process Page 1 of 3 POLICY New 03/28/2013 4501 FISCAL MANAGEMENT COMPETITIVE BIDDING A. The Purchasing Agent has the authority to prepare, advertise and open bids for all purchase contracts and contracts for public work. B. A Notice to Bidders shall be published in the officially designated newspaper commencing not less than five (5) days prior to the bid opening date. Notices may also be mailed to potential bidders sufficiently in advance of the scheduled bid opening date to permit timely preparation and submission of bids. C. Bids shall be received until the opening time designated in the official notice. All bids shall be date stamped upon receipt and shall be kept in a safe, locked location until the time of opening. D. Bids may be received through electronic format where the Purchasing Agent has confirmed that the District’s hardware and software enable it to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. comply with Article Three of the State Technology Law, and related regulation; document the time and date of receipt; authenticate the identity of the sender; maintain the security of the information transmitted; and maintain the confidentiality of the information of the bid or offer until the date and time of bid opening. E. Bids shall be opened at the time and place set forth in the Notice to Bidders. There will be at least three (3) district employees present at each bid opening, including the Purchasing Agent or the Purchasing Agent’s designee. All interested parties may also attend the opening of bids. F. After being opened, all bids shall be recorded and analyzed. The Purchasing Agent shall make a recommendation to the Board of Education regarding an award on the basis of best value (as defined in Section 163 of the State Finance Law) to a responsible and responsive bidder. Alternatively, the Purchasing Agent may recommend that all bids be rejected. In the event there are two or more bona fide low responsible bidders, the Board may make an award to one of the low bidders or, in its discretion, it may reject all the bids and re-advertise the purchase. G. Bid bonds, deposits or performance bonds may be required, at the discretion of the Purchasing Agent. The need for such security can be determined on a case-by-case basis. Page 2 of 3 POLICY New 03/28/2013 4501 FISCAL MANAGEMENT COMPETITIVE BIDDING Every bid shall contain the certification, properly executed by the bidder, required by Section 103-d of the General Municipal Law. H. Minor deviations from specifications or compliance with bidding requirements may be waived by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent. The Purchasing Agent shall determine all questions of comparability or equivalency. I. State contracts and group bids through the BOCES Cooperative Purchasing may be used to fulfill bid requirements. Ilion-Mohawk Central School District Legal Ref: Sections 102, 103, 104-b, 109-a; 800 et seq., General Municipal Law; Section 207, 305 (14), 1604, 1709, 1725, 1950, 2053, 2554, 3602, 4403; 1725 Education Law; Section 163 State Finance Law; 8 NYCRR 200.2 Adopted: ______ Page 3 of 3 Policy New 03/28/2013 4502 FISCAL MANAGEMENT NON-BID PURCHASING I. Objective Goods and services which are not required by law to be procured by the district through competitive bidding will be procured in a manner so as to ensure the prudent and economical use of public monies in the best interests of the taxpayers. It is the policy of the District to “shop around,” and to maintain accurate records of the efforts made by District staff to buy wisely. Alternative proposals or quotations will be secured by requests for proposals, written quotations, or verbal quotations, as set forth below. II. Methods of Solicitation and Documentation A. B. C. Verbal Quotations 1. Verbal quotations may be solicited by telephone. 2. A log shall be maintained by each District employee or officer who solicits a verbal quotation. The Purchasing Agent is responsible for maintaining a master log by periodically consolidating all logs kept by District employees and officers. 3. Each log of verbal quotations shall record: name, date, and time vendor was solicited; whether contact was made with the vendor and, if so, who the contact person was; what the vendor was told about the good or service being solicited; and the vendor’s response. Written Quotations 1. A standard “request for quotation” shall be used to solicit written quotations (Regulation 4502.1). All vendors sent a “request for quotation” for a particular good or service shall be provided with an identical written description of the good or service being solicited. 2. Written quotations may be solicited and received electronically, provided all documentation is preserved either physically or electronically. 3. The Purchasing Agent shall maintain a master file of all written solicitations and all written responses. Requests for Proposals (RFP) 1. Written Requests for Proposals are generally used to obtain comparable Page 1 of 5 POLICY New 03/28/2013 4502 FISCAL MANAGEMENT NON-BID PURCHASING quotations for the provision of professional and other specialized services. A Request for Proposals will contain critical details of the engagement, including the methods which the District will use in selecting the service provider, and set a deadline for the submission of written Proposals. D. 2. A particular Request for Proposals shall be sent to a representative sample of individuals and firms known to offer the service being purchased (e.g., architects, engineers, accountants, lawyers, underwriters, fiscal consultants, etc.). To develop a pool of candidates, the District may advertise in professional journals, canvass directories of professionals in a particular field, and make inquiries of other school districts or users of the service being sought. 3. The evaluation of responses to a Request for Proposals will consider the price quoted, any special knowledge or expertise of the service provider, the quality of the service, the staffing of the service, and suitability for the District’s needs. List of Vendors The Purchasing Agent shall maintain a list of known and acceptable vendors, grouped by category of good or service provided. Any District officer or employee initiating a purchase shall consult this list. III. Comparable Proposals Required A. General Categories 1. Prior to entering into a purchase contract involving an expenditure of less than $1,000, the responsible officer or employee shall solicit and document three (3) verbal quotes. 2. Prior to entering into a purchase contract involving an expenditure of between $1,000 and $20,000, the responsible officer or employee shall solicit and document three (3) written quotes. 3. Prior to entering into a public works contract involving an expenditure of less than $20,000, the responsible officer or employee shall solicit and document three (3) verbal quotes. 4. Prior to entering into a purchase contract involving an expenditure between $20,000 and $35,000, the responsible officer or employee shall solicit and Page 2 of 5 POLICY New 03/28/2013 4502 FISCAL MANAGEMENT NON-BID PURCHASING document three (3) written quotes. B. IV. Specific Categories 1. Insurance: written quotes 2. Professional services: Requests for Proposals shall be issued periodically, as determined by the Board 3. Lease of personal property: written quotations; also, before a proposed lease of personal property is presented to the Board for consideration, an analysis of the relative costs and benefits of leasing rather than purchasing shall be prepared and presented to the Board, as well as an analysis of whether the proposed arrangement is a true lease rather than an installment purchase agreement 4. Surplus or second-hand government equipment: written quotes for comparable equipment in the market 5. Certain food and milk purchases: written quotes, and documentation sufficient to satisfy Sections 114.3 and 114.4 of the Commissioner’s Regulations Comparable Proposals Not Required A. Emergencies When the Board passes a resolution that an emergency situation exists, the District will make purchases at the lowest possible costs, seeking competition by informal solicitation of quotes or otherwise, to the extent practicable under the circumstances. B. Sole Source Situations Whenever the Purchasing Agent determines that a good or service is available only from a “sole source” supplier, the Purchasing Agent shall document, before making the purchase, the unique benefits of the patented items as compared to other items available in the marketplace; that no other item provides substantially equivalent or similar benefits; and that considering the benefits received, the cost of the item is reasonable, when compared to conventional methods. C. Professional Services Page 3 of 5 POLICY New 03/28/2013 4502 FISCAL MANAGEMENT NON-BID PURCHASING When feasible, professional services should be retained after considering information about the prices charged by alternative service providers. However, the specialized and confidential nature of some professional services makes them unsuitable for purchase through competitive proposals. For that reason, the Board shall monitor the District’s use of professional services and periodically issue Requests for Proposals to assess the cost effectiveness of the services being utilized by the District. D. Minor Purchases Quotations need not be obtained prior to a purchase that is so small that the use of District resources to solicit and document the quotations would not be cost effective. E. Purchases Through County The procedures set forth above need not be followed when a purchase is made through any county of New York State. However, a purchase shall not be made in that manner unless the Purchasing Agent has documented that the purchase may be made upon the same terms, conditions, and specifications at a lower cost by purchasing through the county. F. V. Other Special Source Purchases 1. The procedures set forth above need not be followed when a purchase is made from or through the state Office of General Services, from individuals with severe handicapping conditions as defined under the state Finance Law, or from correctional institutions pursuant to the Corrections Law. 2. The procedures set forth above need not be followed when a purchase is made of an apparatus, materials, equipment or supplies, or to contract for services related to the installation, maintenance or repair of apparatus, materials, equipment, and supplies through the use of a contract let by the United States of America or any agency, state or any other county, or political subdivision or district, if such contract was let in a manner that constitutes competitive bidding with state law and made available for use by other governmental entities. Purchasing A. Tie Quotations In the event of tie quotations, the Purchasing Agent may award the purchase to one of the low quotations or reject all quotations and resolicit quotations. Page 4 of 5 POLICY New 03/28/2013 4502 FISCAL MANAGEMENT NON-BID PURCHASING B. Purchase Order After three quotations have been gathered, they shall be compared to available State contracts. If the same product or service is not available at a lower price through a State contract, the Principal, Director or Program Supervisor will issue a purchase order for materials from the vendor with the lowest price. The Purchasing Agent shall certify that the quotations required by this Policy have been received. Quotations or information on telephone quotes received should be attached to the purchase order submitted to the Purchasing Agent. C. Purchase Other than for Lowest Quoted Price When a purchase is made from other than the lowest responsible dollar offeror, the documentation of the quotations shall be supplemented with a statement justifying such award. Such justification must demonstrate that the award provides for the prudent and economical use of public moneys in the best interests of the taxpayers of the District. D. No Quotes Received When no quotations are received despite solicitation by the means of either mail or telephone above, the Purchasing Agent should attempt to broaden the District's solicitation if at all feasible. However, where the District has taken steps to obtain quotations, the Purchasing Agent may make purchases in the open market until conditions change. ====================================================================== Ilion-Mohawk Central School District Legal Ref: Sections 102, 103, 104-b, 109-a; 800 et seq., General Municipal Law; Section 207, 305 (14), 1604, 1709, 1725, 1950, 2053, 2554, 3602, 4403; 1725 Education Law; Section 163 State Finance Law; 8 NYCRR 200.2 Adopted: ______ Page 5 of 5 Ilion-Mohawk Central School District Superintendent’s Regulation New 03/28/2013 4502.1 FISCAL MANAGEMENT PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES QUOTE FORM Quote Number (of 3 required) Vendor/Company Name: Phone #: Date Contacted: Person giving quote: Item description: Will item be used for instructional purposes? Yes No If yes, please detail alternative instructional formats available from your company for students with disabilities: Delivered price: (Include labor and mileage, if applicable.) Delivery Date: Period of time quoted price is in effect: Quote received by: Department: ========================================================================== = Approved by the Superintendent:______ Page 1 of 1 Policy New 05/23/2013 5200 SUPPORT OPERATIONS SCHOOL WELLNESS POLICY I. Policy The Central Valley Central School District promotes healthy schools by supporting wellness, good nutrition and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment. The District supports a healthy environment where children learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. By facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, school programs contribute to the basic health of children. Improved health optimizes student performance and ensures that no child is left behind. II. Goals for Nutrition Education, Physical Activity and other School Based Activities A. B. C. Nutrition Education 1. Students in grades pre-K through 12 receive nutrition education that is interactive and teaches the skills they need to adopt healthy eating behaviors. 2. Students receive consistent nutrition messages. 3. District health education curriculum standards and guidelines include both nutrition and physical education. 4. Nutrition is integrated into the health education curriculum. 5. Staff who provide nutrition education will have appropriate training. Physical Activity 1. Students will have opportunities for physical activity during the school day through physical education (PE) classes, and daily recess periods for elementary school students. 2. Students will have opportunities for physical activity through a range of before and/or after school programs including, but not limited to, intramurals, and interscholastic athletics. Other School-Based Activities 1. Dining Environment Page 1 of 3 POLICY New 05/23/2013 5200 SUPPORT OPERATIONS SCHOOL WELLNESS POLICY The District will: a. b. c. Provides a clean, safe meal environment for all students; Provide enough space and serving area to ensure that all students have access for school meals; Drinking fountains are available in schools, so that students may obtain water at mealtime and throughout the day. Encourage all students to participate in the school meals/cafeteria program and protect the identity of students who eat free and reduced price meals. d. 2. Limitations School personnel will not: a. b. 3. Limit the use of food as a reward or punishment in school; Deny student participation in recess or other physical activities as a form of discipline or for classroom make-up time. Consistent School Activities and Environment The District will: a. b. Provide opportunities for on-going professional training for foodservice staff and teachers in the areas of nutrition and physical education. Promote efforts to keep school physical activity facilities open for use by students outside regular school hours. Encourage school and community members to serve as role models in practicing and promoting a healthy life style. Support initiatives regarding self-help and other FNS programs such as Food Stamps, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), etc. c. d. D. Nutritional Guidelines Along with regulations that specify types of food a school district must offer to students, there are also Federal and State regulations restricting the sale of certain items. These items may not be sold as a component of a reimbursable meal or as an a la carte item. 1. Nutritional guidelines developed by NYSED will be followed during the regularly scheduled day. Page 2 of 3 POLICY New 05/23/2013 5200 SUPPORT OPERATIONS SCHOOL WELLNESS POLICY 2. E. Competitive (Restricted) Foods – Federal and State Guidelines will be followed. Guidelines for Reimbursable School Meals The District will ensure that reimbursable school meals meet the CFR part 210 program requirements and nutrition standards. F. Community Involvement Members of the public, parents, students, school food service workers, teachers, administrators, Board of Education members and support staff personnel, serving as members of the District Shared Decision Making Group, will review the policy and make recommendations to the Superintendent as needed. G. Implementation and Evaluation of Policy Under the direction of the Superintendent or designee, the District will: 1. 2. Periodically assess how well this policy is being followed. Reinforce policy goals with school staff as needed. ===================================================================== Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: Education Law Sections 915, 1709 and (23); National School Lunch Act 1946 as amended (42 USC 1751-1760); Child Nutrition Act 1966; Section 204 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (PL 108-265) Adopted: ______ Page 3 of 3 Policy New 05/23/2013 5300 SUPPORT OPERATIONS INTERNET SAFETY POLICY I. II. A. Although the Central Valley Central School District recognizes the value of the internet as an educational tool, it also understands that information with no redeeming social value is accessible through the internet. B. 1. The Central Valley Central School District has developed and will enforce this Internet Safety Policy in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (NCIPA). 2. In addition, the Central Valley Central School District maintains its “Access to Networked Information Resources Policy” which governs the acceptable use of the Internet by students and employees. Access to the Internet using the District’s computer equipment is subject to the following restrictions: A. Filtering. Filtering software will be used to block minors’ access to: 1. visual depictions that are (a) obscene, (b) child pornography, or (c) harmful to minors;1 and 2. Internet sites which, in the Board’s determination, contain material which is “inappropriate for minors.” (See item B. below.) Adult access to visual depictions that are obscene and/or child pornography will also be blocked. However, the Superintendent or his/her designee may disable the software to enable access to blocked sites for bona fide research or other lawful purposes. B. 1 Matter Inappropriate for Minors. The Board will (from time to time) determine by resolution what Internet material is “inappropriate for minors” in the District. This determination will be based on community standards. The terms “obscene”, “child pornography”, “harmful to minors,” and “matter inappropriate for minors,” used throughout the policy, are defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (Public Law 106-554). See Appendix A. Page 1 of 3 POLICY New 05/23/2013 5300 SUPPORT OPERATIONS INTERNET SAFETY POLICY C. D. E. III. Safety of Minors When Using Direct Electronic Communications. 1. In using the computer network and Internet, minors are not permitted to reveal personal information such as home addresses, telephone numbers, their real last names or any information which might allow someone they are communicating with online to locate them. No minor may arrange a face-toface meeting with someone he/she “meets” on the computer network or Internet without his/her parent’s permission. 2. Before utilizing any electronic communications (including but not limited to electronic mail and “chat rooms”) in any instructional setting, students will be taught that they must disclose to their teacher any message they receive that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable. They must also be taught that they must never agree to meet with someone they have met online without their parent’s approval. Unauthorized Access and Other Unlawful Activities. It is a violation of this Policy to: a. use the District’s computer network or the Internet to gain unauthorized access to other computers or computer systems, or to attempt to gain such unauthorized access; b. damage, disable or otherwise interfere with the operation of computers, computer systems, software or related equipment through physical action or by electronic means; and/or c. violate state or federal law relating to copyright, trade secrets, the distribution of obscene or pornographic materials, or any other applicable law or municipal ordinance. Unauthorized Disclosure and Dissemination of Personal Identification Information Regarding Minors. Personally identifiable information concerning minors may not be disclosed or used in any way on the Internet (e.g., on the District’s web page or otherwise) without the permission of a parent or guardian. If a student is 18 or over, the permission may also come from the student himself/herself. Regulations and Dissemination. The Superintendent is authorized to develop and implement regulations consistent with this policy. The Superintendent will also be responsible for disseminating the policy and associated regulations to school personnel and students. Page 2 of 3 POLICY New 05/23/2013 5300 SUPPORT OPERATIONS INTERNET SAFETY POLICY Appendix A Generally speaking, “obscenity” is defined as any work that an average person (applying contemporary community standards) would find, taken as a whole, appeals to a prurient interest. The work also must depict or describe, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct as specifically defined in state law. Moreover, the work, taken as a whole, has to lack serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value (See 18 U.S.C. §1460 and the cases interpreting that statute.) “Child pornography” is defined as: …any visual depiction, including a photograph, film, video, picture, or computer or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical or other means, of sexually explicit conduct, where (a) the production of visual depiction involves the use of a minor [someone under the age of 18] engaging in sexually explicit conduct; (b) such visual depiction is or appears to be, of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; (c) such visual depiction has been created, adapted, or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or (d) such visual depiction is advertised, promoted, presented, described or distributed in such manner that conveys the impression that the material is or contains a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. (18 U.S.C. §2256[8]). The phrase “harmful to minors” is defined as: … any picture, image, graphic image, file, or other visual depiction that (a) taken as whole and with respect to minors [defined here as anyone under the age of 17], appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex or excretion; (b) depicts, describes, or presents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and (c) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors. (Public Law 106-554, §1703{b}{2}.) The phrase “matter/material inappropriate for minors” must be defined by a determination by the Board applying local community standards. (Public Law 106-554, §1732[1][2].) Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA); The Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (NCIPA) (Public Law 106-554) Approved: _______ Page 3 of 3 Policy New 05/23/2013 5304 PERSONNEL INFORMATION SECURITY BREACH POLICY I. This policy is consistent with §208 of the New York State Technology Law. School districts are required to notify any New York State resident when there has been or is reasonably believed to have been a compromise of the individual’s private information, in compliance with the Information Security Breach and Notification Act and this policy. II. A. 1. The definition of “private information” shall mean personal information in combination with any one or more of the following data elements, when either (1) the personal information or the data element is not encrypted or (2) encrypted with a corresponding encryption key that has also been acquired: a. b. c. III. Social Security Number. Driver’s license number or non-driver identification card number; or Account number, credit or debit card number, in combination with any required security code, access code, or password which would permit access to an individual’s financial account. 2. Private Information does not include publicly available information that is lawfully made available to the general public from federal, state, or local governmental records. 3. This policy also applies to information maintained on behalf of a District by a third party. Notification: A. The District shall notify an individual when it has been determined that there has been, or is reasonably believed to have been a compromise of private information through unauthorized disclosure. B. The District will notify the affected individual. Such notice shall be directly provided to the affected persons by one of the following methods: 1. 2. 3. written notice; electronic notice, provided that the person to whom notice is required has expressly consented to receiving said notice in electronic form; a log of each such notification shall be kept by the District; telephone notification; a log of each such notification shall be kept by the District; POLICY New 05/23/2013 5304 PERSONNEL INFORMATION SECURITY BREACH POLICY 4. IV. substitute notice, if the cost of providing notice would exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or the affected class of persons to be notified exceeds five hundred thousand, or the District does not have sufficient contact information. Substitute notice shall consist of all of the following: e-mail notice when the District has an e-mail address for the subject persons; conspicuous posting of the notice on the District’s web site page, if the District maintains one; and notification to major statewide media. C. The notice must include the District’s contact information, a description of the categories of information that were, or are reasonably believed to have been, acquired by a person without valid authorization, including specification of which elements of private information were, or are reasonably believed to have been, so acquired. D. Notification may be delayed if a law enforcement agency determines that such notification impedes a criminal investigation. The notification required shall be made after such law enforcement agency determines that such notification does not comprise such investigation. When notification is necessary, the District must also notify the following agencies as to the timing, content and distribution of the notices and approximate number of affected persons: A. NYS Attorney General B. NYS Office of Cyber Security & Critical Infrastructure Coordination C. Consumer Protection Board D. Consumer Reporting Agencies (ONLY if more than 5,000 New York State residents are notified at one time.) Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: NYS General Business Law §889-aa; NYS Technology Law §208, Information Security Policy, NYS Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination, December 6, 2005. Adopted: ______ Page 2 of 2 CENTRAL VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPPORT OPERATIONS SUPERINTENDENT'S REGUALTION NEW 05/23/2013 5304.1 NEW YORK STATE SECURITY BREACH REPORTING FORM Pursuant to the Information Security Breach and Notification Act (General Business Law §899‐aa; State Technology Law §208) Name and address of Entity that owns or licenses the computerized data that was subject to the breach: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Street Address: _____________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: _____________________ Submitted by: _________________________ Title: __________________________ Dated: _______________ Firm Name (if other than entity): __________________________________________________________________ Telephone: __________________________________ Email: _____________________________________ Relationship to Entity whose information was compromised: _____________________________________ ___ Type of Organization (please select one): [ ] Governmental Entity in New York State; [ ] Other Governmental Entity; [ ] Educational; [ ]Health Care; [ ]Financial Services; [ ]Other Commercial; [ ] Not‐for‐profit Number of Persons Affected: Total (Including NYS residents):_____________ NYS Residents:_______________ If the number of NYS residents exceeds 5,000, have the consumer reporting agencies been notified? [ ] Yes; [ ] No. Dates: Breach Occurred:___________ Breach Discovered:___________ Consumer Notification:__________ ___ Description of Breach (please select all that apply): [ ]Loss or theft of device or media (e.g., computer, laptop, external hard drive, thumb drive, CD, tape); [ ]Internal system breach; [ ]Insider wrongdoing; [ ]External system breach (e.g., hacking); [ ]Inadvertent disclosure; [ ]Other (specify):_________________________________________________________________________________ Information Acquired: Name or other personal identifier in combination with (please select all that apply): [ ]Social Security Number [ ]Driverʹs license number or non‐driver identification card number [ ]Financial account number or credit or debit card number, in combination with the security code, access code, password, or PIN for the account Manner of Notification to Affected Persons ‐ ATTACH A COPY OF THE TEMPLATE OF THE NOTICE TO AFFECTED NYS RESIDENTS: [ ] Written; [ ] Electronic; [ ] Telephone; [ ] Substitute notice. List dates of any previous (within 12 months) breach notifications: _____________________________________ Identify Theft Protection Service Offered: [ ] Yes; [ ] No. Duration: ____ _____ Provider: ___________________________________________________________ Brief Description of Service: ____ _______________________________________________________ Rev 11/29/2011 CENTRAL VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPPORT OPERATIONS SUPERINTENDENT'S REGUALTION NEW 05/23/2013 5304.1 PLEASE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THIS FORM TO EACH OF THE THREE STATE AGENCIES LISTED BELOW: Fax or E‐mail this form to: New York State Attorney General’s Office SECURITY BREACH NOTIFICATION Consumer Frauds & Protection Bureau 120 Broadway ‐ 3rd Floor New York, NY 10271 Fax: 212‐416‐6003 E‐mail: [email protected] New York State Office of Cyber Security SECURITY BREACH NOTIFICATION 1220 Washington Avenue State Office Campus Building 7A, 4th Floor Albany, NY 12242 Fax: 518‐322‐4976 E‐mail: [email protected] New York State Department of State Division of Consumer Protection Attention: Director of the Division of Consumer Protection SECURITY BREACH NOTIFICATION 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 650 Albany, New York 12231 Fax: (518) 473‐9055 E‐mail: [email protected] ========================================================================================================== Approved by the Superintendent:_______ Rev 11/29/2011 Policy New 03/18/2013 5500 SUPPORT OPERATIONS FLAG DISPLAY I. In keeping with State Education Law and Executive Law, the Board of Education accepts its duty to display the United States flag upon or near each public school building during school hours, weather permitting, and such other times as the statues may require or the Board may direct. II. The flag shall be flown at half-mast on September 11th Remembrance Day and December 7th Pearl Harbor Day and when ordered by the President, Governor, or local official to commemorate a tragic event or the death of an outstanding individual. The Superintendent’s approval shall be required for the flag to be flown at half-staff upon any other occasion. Regulations for seeking such approval shall be established by the Administration. Ilion-Mohawk Central School District Legal Ref.: Education Law Sections 418, 419 and 802, Executive Law Section 403 Adopted: ______ Page 1 of 1 Policy New 5/23/2013 6002 PERSONNEL COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES BY EMPLOYEES I. In accordance with the provisions of General Municipal Law and the collective bargaining agreements, all District personnel shall have the opportunity to present their complaints or grievances free from interference, coercion, restraint, discrimination or reprisal. The District shall provide at least two (2) procedural and an appellate stage for the settlement of any grievance. II. Complaints or grievances not covered under employee contracts shall be handled and resolved whenever possible, as close to their origin as possible. The Superintendent is responsible for implementing regulations for redress of complaints or grievances through proper administrative channels. Central Valley Central School District Adopted: _____ Policy New 05/23/2013 6105 PERSONNEL MENTORING PROGRAMS FOR FIRST YEAR TEACHERS I. All new teachers in the Central Valley Central School District holding an initial certificate must complete a mentored teaching experience within their first year of employment as a teacher. The District must incorporate the design and planning of such mentored experiences for all first year teachers in its employer into the District Professional Development Plans. II. The purpose of the mentoring program is to provide support for new teachers in order to ease the transition from teacher preparation to practice, thereby increasing the retention of teachers, and to increase the skills of new teachers in order to improve student achievement in accordance with the New York State learning standards. The Professional Development Plan shall describe how the District will provide a mentoring program for teachers who must participate in a mentoring program to meet teaching experience requirement for the professional certificate as prescribed by Commissioner’s Regulations. III. The mentoring program shall be developed and implemented consistent with any collective bargaining obligation required by Article 14 of the Civil Service Law (i.e., the Taylor Law); however, Commissioner’s Regulation does not impose a collective bargaining obligation that is not required by Taylor Law. In accordance with Commissioner’s Regulations, the Professional Development Plan shall describe the following elements of the mentoring program: A. The procedure for selecting mentors, which shall be published and made available to staff of the District and, upon request, to members of the public; B. The role of mentors, which shall include but not limited to providing guidance and support to the new teacher; C. The preparation of mentors, which may include but shall not be limited to the study of the theory of adult learning, the theory of teacher development, the elements of the mentoring relationship, peer coaching techniques, and time management methodology; D. Types of mentoring activities, which may include but shall not be limited to modeling instruction for the new teacher, observing instructional planning with the new teacher, peer coaching, team teaching, and orienting the new teacher to the school culture; and E. Time allotted for mentoring, which may include but shall not be limited to scheduling common planning sessions; releasing the mentor and the new teacher from a portion of their instructional and/or non-instructional duties; and providing time for mentoring during Superintendent conference days, before and after the school day, and during summer orientation sessions. Page 1 of 2 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6105 PERSONNEL MENTORING PROGRAMS FOR FIRST YEAR TEACHERS IV. Confidentiality of Mentor – New Teacher Interaction The information obtained by a mentor through interaction with the new teacher while engaged in the mentoring activities of the program shall not be used for evaluating or disciplining the new teacher unless: V. A. Withholding such information poses a danger to the life, health, or safety of an individual including, but not limited to, students and staff of the school; or B. Such information indicates that the new teacher has been convicted of a crime, or has committed an act which raises a reasonable question as to the new teacher’s moral character or C. The District has entered into an agreement, negotiated pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law whose terms are in effect, that provides that the information obtained by the mentor through interaction with the new teacher while engaged in the mentoring activities of the program may be used for evaluating or disciplining the new teacher. Exemptions to above Mentoring Requirements Pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulations, teachers holding initial certificates who have two (2) or more prior years of teaching experience do not need to be provided a mentored experience as enumerated in this policy. VI. Recordkeeping Requirements The District shall maintain documentation of the implementation of the mentoring program described in the Professional Development Plan for at least seven (7) years from the date of completion of the mentoring activity; and it shall be available for review by the State Education Department. Such documentation will include the information enumerated in Commissioner’s Regulations. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: NYS Education Law 3004 and 3006, 8 NYCRR 52.21, 80-3.4, 80-5.13, 80-5.14 and 100.2 Adopted: ______ Page 2 of 2 Policy New 05/23/2013 6400 PERSONNEL FINGERPRINTING AND CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS FOR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES I. II. Policy A. The Central Valley Central School District shall require a prospective employee who is not in the State Education Department criminal history file to be fingerprinted for purposes of a criminal history record check. B. All fingerprint applications must be completed online using the TEACH system. Who Must Be Fingerprinted Applicants for employment in the District; Student employees not enrolled in grade level of same covered school; Clerical staff who have direct contact with students; Janitorial staff who have direct contact with students; Coaches; Substitute Teachers; Paid Student Teachers or Student Interns; Hall Monitors; Cafeteria employees; Adult Continuing Education Instructors who have direct contact with students; Home and Hospital Instructors; Sports Officials; Bus Aides (unless they have been cleared pursuant to Section 1229-d of the Vehicle and Traffic Law) Secretaries at bus garage who occasionally fill in as a bus aides; Bus Drivers who also serve another role in covered school and have direct contact with students; Individuals who have been fingerprinted for another purpose (i.e., teachers from another state, former police officers); Workers placed in the covered school under a public assistance employment program; Employees of contract service providers who are placed within the school; and Employees of Supplemental Education Services Providers. III. Required Fees A. (CHOICE ONE) A prospective school employee shall be required to pay the fee for the criminal history record search, unless: 1. The fee is associated with the employee’s participation in an authorized public assistance employment program; Page 1 of 4 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6400 PERSONNEL FINGERPRINTING AND CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS FOR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES 2. The employee is receiving certain employment services through the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needed Families Block Grant; or 3. The prospective employee submits a request to the Board of Education for financial hardship and it is approved. (OPTIONAL) B. A. IV. V. The District shall provide prospective employees with the choice of making the payment directly at the time of fingerprinting or repaying the District by payroll deduction. (Regulation 6400.2) (A signed authorization is required). 2. If an employee elects payroll deduction and leaves employment before fully repaying the fees, the remaining balance shall be deducted from the employee’s final paycheck. If the employee is a substitute and has not repaid the entire amount by April 1st of the first year of employment, the remaining balance will be deducted from the next paycheck of that year. (CHOICE TWO) The fee for the criminal history record search will be paid by the District. Request for Clearance when Fingerprints are on File A. In situations where a prospective employee or applicant for certification has been previously fingerprinted and entered into the State Education Department’s (SED) criminal history file, such employee must notify the District that he/she has been fingerprinted and a file exists at SED. B. A fee will not be charged by SED for the criminal background check in this situation. Notification of Employment/Separation from Employment A. VI. 1. When a prospective employee who was fingerprinted and cleared for employment is initially employed or leaves employment, the District is required to notify SED on the TEACH system. Emergency Conditional Employment and Conditional Clearances A. Section VI of this policy shall expire July 1, 2014 consistent with the repeal of the legislation enacting conditional employment. Page 2 of 4 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6400 PERSONNEL FINGERPRINTING AND CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS FOR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES B. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, and consistent with applicable law and Commissioner’s Regulations, the Board of Education may make “conditional appointments” or “emergency conditional appointments” of prospective employees. C. Prior to the commencement of the conditional or emergency conditional employment, the prospective employee must sign a statement indicating whether to the best of his/her knowledge he/she has a pending criminal charge or conviction in any jurisdiction outside of the State (for conditional appointments) or in any jurisdiction (for emergency conditional appointments). (Regulation 6400.1). D. Emergency Conditional Employment: An emergency conditional appointment may be made when an unforeseen emergency vacancy has occurred. An emergency conditional appointment may commence prior to notification from the commissioner of conditional clearance, but shall terminate twenty (20) business days from the date such appointment commences or when the prospective employer is notified by the commissioner regarding conditional clearance, whichever occurs earlier. If a conditional clearance is granted, the appointment shall continue as a conditional appointment. An unforeseen emergency vacancy shall be defined as: a vacancy that occurred less than ten (10) business days before the start of school or during any school session, including summer school, without sufficient notice to allow for clearance or conditional clearance; and no other qualified person is available to fill the vacancy temporarily; and to maintain services which the District is legally required to provide or services necessary to protect the health, education or safety of students or staff. E. Conditional Employment A request for conditional clearance shall be forwarded to the commissioner along with the prospective employee's fingerprints. Such appointment shall not commence until notification by the commissioner that the prospective employee has been conditionally cleared for employment. Conditional employment shall terminate fortyfive (45) days from the date such appointment commences or when the prospective employer is notified by the commissioner regarding conditional clearance, whichever occurs earlier. Upon good cause shown, SED may extend or renew a conditonal clearance. E. Safety of Students who have Contact with Conditionally Employed Employees Page 3 of 4 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6400 PERSONNEL FINGERPRINTING AND CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS FOR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES 1. The District affirms its commitment to the safety of students who have contact with an employee holding a conditional or emergency conditional appointment. 2. Supervisors of any employee holding a conditional or emergency conditional appointment shall be informed of the basis of such appointment and be directed to supervise such employee closely. If feasible, supervisors shall be asked to assign conditionally employed individuals in a manner where they do not work alone with children. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: Chapter 179 of the Laws of 2009, 8 NYCRR 80-1.1 and 87; Correction Law Sections 752 and 753; and Executive Law Section 296(16). Adopted: _____ Page 4 of 4 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION New 05/23/2013 6400.1 PERSONNEL STATEMENT FOR EMERGENCY CONDITIONAL OR CONDITIONAL APPOINTMENT I. I, _______________ (applicant’s name), have been advised and understand that New York State law requires, as part of the clearance process for this position, that I be fingerprinted for the purposes of a criminal history records search. Pending such clearance I make the following representations: A. If a conditional appointment. I, ____________ (applicant’s name), certify that, to the best of my knowledge, I ____ do ____ do not have a pending criminal charge or criminal conviction in any jurisdiction outside of the New York State. B. If an emergency conditional appointment. I, ____________ (applicant’s name), certify that, to the best of my knowledge, I ____ do ____ do not have a pending criminal charge or criminal conviction in New York State or any jurisdiction outside of New York State. If my answer above is affirmative, I provide the following information listing such charge or conviction, including the nature of the offense, the date of the charge/ conviction and the jurisdiction. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ I hereby certify that my statement is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true and correct and that any omission and/or misrepresentation of any material fact may be cause for the District to refuse to hire me or revoke an offer of conditional employment, or to terminate my employment if employed. Date: _____________________ Approved by the Superintendent: Name: ____________________________________ _____ Page 1 of 1 Central Valley Central School District PERSONNEL SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION New Optional 05/23/2013 6400.2 PAYROLL DEDUCTION AUTHORIZATION I have received information in the fingerprinting packet supplied by the NYS Education Department that explains the obligation of the District to fingerprint prospective employees. I understand that the fees for the required fingerprinting/criminal background check are the responsibility of the employee, unless exempted by law. ______________________________________________________________________________ I elect the following option for the payment of the required fee of ($91.50): pay the NYSED directly via the online system (TEACH). authorize the District to make such payment and authorize payroll deduction to repay the $91.50 fee by equal installments of $18.30 per payroll for five (5) payroll periods. Summer school payroll deductions will be made over four (4) pays from July through August. If electing salary reduction, I understand that if I leave paid employment with the District before full repayment is made that the remaining balance due will be deducted from my final paycheck. If a substitute employee, I understand that if the entire amount is not repaid by April 1st of the first year of employment, the remaining balance will be deducted from the next paycheck of that year. _________________________ Employee Signature _________________________ Date Central Business Office Use Only _________________________ Received By Approved by the Superintendent: ______ _________________________ Date Policy New 05/23/2013 6401 PERSONNEL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING (TRANSPORTATION) I. Purpose To establish a District-based alcohol and drug testing program to help prevent accidents and injuries resulting from the misuse of alcohol and drugs by covered drivers of commercial motor vehicles in compliance with the Department of Transportation regulations and pursuant to the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 (the Act) and 49 CFR Part 40. II Applicability This policy applies to all Central Valley Central School District employees or applicants who have been extended a conditional offer of employment who operate commercial motor vehicles and are subject to the commercial drivers license (CDL) requirements established by the DOT. III. Objectives To establish rules and procedures to deter all illegal drug use, and deter on-duty, pre-duty and post-accident alcohol use, as well as on-duty alcohol impairment stemming from pre-duty use, for all covered drivers who perform safety sensitive functions; To detect and eliminate the possibility that District covered drivers will perform safety-sensitive functions after testing positive for alcohol or drugs; To comply with applicable federal and state laws, including the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991; To provide reasonable measures for the early detection of personnel not fit to perform activities within the scope of this policy; To maintain a workplace free of drugs and alcohol; and To inform employees through education, in service training and other appropriate forums, about illegal drugs, and alcohol abuse, their use, possession, distribution, and the effects of such substances. IV. Testing There are several occasions when an individual will be subject to drug and alcohol tests pursuant to this policy. Prior to the administration of the following tests, the District or its testing agent will notify the covered driver that the test is required under the Code of Federal Regulations. Page 1 of 13 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6401 PERSONNEL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING (TRANSPORTATION) The testing occasions shall include: 1. 2. Pre-duty testing a. The District will administer a pre-duty screening for drugs after a conditional offer of employment has been extended and prior to any covered driver’s performance of a safety-sensitive function. The District will not allow any covered driver to commence the performance of any safety-sensitive function unless the drug testing reveals a verified negative test result. b. The District may, in its sole discretion, forego pre-duty testing where the exceptions promulgated by the regulations relating to drug and alcohol testing of covered drivers by their previous employers, are satisfied. Reasonable Suspicion testing a. Reasonable suspicion testing is alcohol and drug testing that the District will conduct when it has reasonable suspicion to believe that a covered driver has engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy. Reasonable suspicion must be based upon specific, contemporaneous, articulable observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech, or body odors of a covered driver by the Director of Special Education, Occupational Education, Assistant Directors of such programs or any other supervisor as determined by the District who is specially trained to recognize alcohol misuse or drug use. The observations may include indications of the chronic and withdrawal effects of controlled substances. b. A written record shall be made of observations leading to reasonable suspicion, signed by the supervisor or person who made the observations, within twentyfour (24) hours of the observed behavior or before the results of drugs test are released, whichever is earlier. c. The District shall not administer a reasonable suspicion alcohol test more than eight (8) hours following a determination that reasonable suspicion exists to believe that the alcohol prohibitions of this policy have been violated. Covered drivers are subject to reasonable suspicion alcohol testing as follows: Immediately prior to performing safety sensitive functions, while performing safety sensitive functions, or immediately following the performance of safety sensitive functions. Reasonable suspicion drug testing may be conducted at any time the covered driver is on duty for the district. Page 2 of 13 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6401 PERSONNEL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING (TRANSPORTATION) 3. 4. Random testing a. Random testing is unannounced testing for alcohol and drugs administered in a statistically random manner throughout the year to covered drivers employed by the District in ratios as required by the DOT regulations, so that all covered drivers have an equal probability of selection each time a random test is administered. b. Covered drivers are subject to random alcohol testing as follows: immediately prior to performing safety sensitive functions, or while performing safety sensitive functions, or immediately following the performance of safety sensitive functions. Random drug testing may be conducted at any time the covered driver is on duty for the district. Post Accident testing a. b. A post-accident test for alcohol and drugs is administered following an accident involving a commercial motor vehicle to each surviving covered driver: 1. Who was performing safety sensitive functions with respect to the vehicle, if the accident involved the loss of human life; OR 2. Who receives a citation under state or local law for a moving violation arising from the accident; AND i. if the accident resulted in one or more motor vehicles incurring substantial structural damages as a result of the accident; OR ii. if the accident resulted in bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident. The District will not administer a post-accident alcohol test more than eight hours following the accident and will not administer a post-accident drug test more than 32 hours following the accident. A covered driver who is subject to post-accident testing shall remain readily available for such testing or may be deemed by the District to have refused to submit to testing. This shall not be construed to require the delay of necessary medical attention for injured individuals following an accident or to prohibit a covered driver from leaving the scene of an accident for the period necessary to obtain assistance in responding to the accident or to obtain necessary emergency medical care. Page 3 of 13 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6401 PERSONNEL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING (TRANSPORTATION) c. 5. The results of a breath or blood test for the use of alcohol or a urine test for the use of drugs, conducted by federal, state, or local officials having independent authority for the test, shall be considered to meet the requirements of the policy concerning post-accident testing, provided such tests conform to applicable federal, state, or local requirements and that the results of the test are obtained by the District. If such a test results in an alcohol concentration below 0.02, a 24 hour out-of-service order may be issued by the law enforcement official. Return to duty testing Return to duty testing for alcohol and/or drugs is conducted after a covered driver has engaged in prohibited conduct under this policy prior to the employee’s return to the performance of a safety-sensitive function. The alcohol test result must indicate an alcohol concentration of less than .02 and/or a drug test must indicate a verified negative result for illegal drugs. 6. Follow-up testing Follow-up tests are given following a determination by the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) that a driver is in need of assistance in resolving problems associated with misuses of alcohol and/or drugs. This is an unannounced test, given at least six (6) times within twelve (12) months with the actual frequency and number of tests determined by the substance abuse professional (SAP), but in no event may the follow up testing continue for a period beyond 60 months from the covered driver’s return to duty. The substance abuse professional may terminate the requirement of follow-up testing at any time after the first six (6) tests have been administered if he or she determines that follow-up testing is no longer necessary. Covered drivers are subject to follow-up alcohol testing as follows: immediately prior to performing safety sensitive functions, or while performing safety sensitive functions, or immediately following the performance of safety sensitive functions. Follow-up drug testing may be conducted at any time the covered driver is on duty for the district. V. Testing Procedures The District shall retain an approved company to perform collection and testing, to ensure chain of custody requirements, and to ensure the correct employee is tested and matched with the correct test results. Such company will be required to follow the federal regulations to ensure compliance with the blind sample, calibration of the EBT, laboratory certification and proper training of the Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT). Testing for alcohol and/or controlled substances will be taken on-site or at the laboratory, in a secure location that affords visual and aural privacy and with the proper safeguards to ensure the integrity of the specimens collected. Page 4 of 13 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6401 PERSONNEL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING (TRANSPORTATION) The Drug and Alcohol Coordinator (see appendix) can be contacted to request the name of the company hired to perform the drug and alcohol testing services. If the test comes back positive dilute, that shall be considered a positive verified test and the covered driver shall not be allowed to take another test. If the test comes back negative dilute for pre-employment testing, return to duty testing and follow up testing, then the covered driver shall be required to take another test. If re-tested, there will be a fee for the second test. Employees to be re-tested must be given the minimum possible advance notice that he or she must go to the collection site. The result of the second test becomes the test of record. If an employee is directed to take another test, and the employee declines to do so, the employee has refused the test for the purpose of this policy and the federal drug and alcohol testing regulations. If the test comes back canceled, neither positive nor negative for drugs or alcohol, the employee shall not be allowed to perform safety sensitive functions if a negative result is required by the regulations. The District shall order a recollection in the case of a canceled test for the purpose of re-testing in the case of pre-employment, return to duty or follow up testing. 1. Alcohol Alcohol testing will be administered by a trained and qualified BAT. The evidential breath testing device (EBT) used for testing shall meet the standards promulgated by the DOT and have a quality assurance plan developed by the manufacturer to insure proper calibration. If the initial test reveals an alcohol concentration of .02 or greater, a confirmatory test must be performed. The confirmatory test result is the final test result for the purposes of this policy. 2. Drugs A Department of Health and Human Services certified laboratory will perform drug testing on urine samples provided by covered drivers. The drugs for which tests will be conducted are: Marijuana (THC), Cocaine, Phencyclidine (PCP), Opiates, and Amphetamines. The cutoff levels for these drugs will be those set forth in the DOT regulation. 3. Uncompleted testing If a screening or confirmation test cannot be completed, or if an event occurs that would invalidate the test, the BAT, shall, if practicable begin a new screening or confirmation test, as applicable, e.g., using a new breath alcohol testing form with a new sequential Page 5 of 13 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6401 PERSONNEL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING (TRANSPORTATION) test number. VI. Requirements Prior to Commencing Safety Sensitive Position 1. Pre-duty request for prior employment drug and alcohol testing In the case of all new safety sensitive employees, the District shall request the following written information, after obtaining the prospective employee’s written consent, from DOT regulated employers who have employed the employee at any time during the two years prior to the date of the employee’s application or transfer: a. b. c. d. e. Alcohol tests with a result of 0.04 or higher alcohol concentration Verified positive drug test Refusal to be tested Other violations of DOT agency drug and alcohol testing; and With respect to any employee who violated a DOT drug and alcohol regulation, documentation of the employee’s successful completion of DOT return to duty requirements. The above listed information should be obtained and reviewed before the prospective employee commences performing any safety sensitive functions. However, the District has a 30 day grace period from the day the employee starts to perform safety sensitive functions in which to obtain or make and document a good faith effort to obtain this information. The District must not allow any employee to continue performing safety sensitive functions after 30 days if District has not obtained or made and documented a good faith effort to obtain this information. The District must ask the prospective employee whether he/she has tested positive, or refused to test, on any pre-employment drug or alcohol test administered by an employer to which the employee applied for but did not obtain safety sensitive transportation work covered by DOT agency drug and alcohol testing rules during the past two years. If the prospective employee admits that he/she has tested positive or has refused to test, then the District may choose not to hire the prospective employee. However, if the District does choose to hire a prospective employee who has admitted that he/she has tested positive or refused to test, the District must not use the employee to perform safety sensitive functions, until and unless the employee documents successful completion of return to duty process. VII. Prohibited Conduct 1. No covered driver shall report for duty or remain on duty requiring the performance of Page 6 of 13 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6401 PERSONNEL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING (TRANSPORTATION) 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. VIII. safety sensitive functions while having an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater. A covered driver shall not be on duty or operate a commercial motor vehicle while the covered driver possesses alcohol. A covered driver shall not use alcohol while performing safety sensitive functions. No covered driver shall perform safety-sensitive functions within six (6) hours after using alcohol. A covered driver required to take a post accident alcohol test shall not use alcohol for eight (8) hours following the accident, or until he/she undergoes a post accident alcohol test, whichever is first. A covered driver shall not report for duty or remain on duty requiring the performance of safety sensitive functions when the driver is using drugs, except when the use is pursuant to the instructions of a physician who has advised the driver that the drug does not affect the driver’s ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. No driver shall report for duty, remain on duty or perform a safety-sensitive function, if the driver tests positive for controlled substances. Independent of the requirements of the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the covered driver must provide written notice from the physician to the Drug and Alcohol Coordinator that he or she is using controlled substances pursuant to the instructions of the physician and that he or she advised the driver that the substance does not adversely affect the driver’s ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. A covered driver shall not refuse to submit to an alcohol or drug test required under this policy. An applicant for employment, who has been given a conditional offer of employment may not refuse to sign a release authorizing the District to request from all former employer’s, where the employee was a covered driver, his or her drug and alcohol testing records. Consequences for covered drivers Pursuant to the Act and the regulations: 1. 2. 3. A covered driver who has an alcohol concentration of at least 0.02 shall be removed immediately from his/her performing safety sensitive position for at least 24 hours and shall not return until he/she is evaluated by a substance abuse professional, completes any other steps required by the SAP and takes a return to duty test. A covered driver who has an alcohol concentration of at least 0.04 shall be removed immediately from his/her safety sensitive position and may not return until he or she is evaluated by a substance abuse professional, completes any other steps required by the SAP and takes a return to duty test. A covered driver who has a verified positive result on a drug test shall be prohibited from performing safety sensitive functions until the employee is evaluated by a substance abuse professional, completes any other steps required by the SAP and takes a return to Page 7 of 13 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6401 PERSONNEL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING (TRANSPORTATION) 4. 5. 6. duty test. A covered driver who refuses to submit to a test shall be prohibited from performing safety sensitive functions until the employee is evaluated by substance abuse professional, completes any other steps required by the SAP and takes a return to duty test. A covered driver may not perform safety-sensitive functions, if there exists a reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence of, or impaired by, alcohol as shown by the behavioral, speech, and performance indicators of alcohol misuse, until an alcohol test is administered and the driver’s alcohol concentration measures less than .02 or 24 hours have elapsed following a determination that reasonable suspicion exists to believe that the alcohol prohibitions of this policy have been violated. A covered driver may not perform safety-sensitive functions even if his or her alcohol concentration is less than 0.02, or the alcohol concentration is unknown, if the employer detects the presence of alcohol in the driver by other means. Independent of the requirements of the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder, a covered driver may not perform safety-sensitive functions, if there exists a reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence of, or impaired by, drugs as shown by the behavioral, speech, and performance indicators of drug abuse, until a drug test is administered and there is a verified negative result. Independent of the requirements of the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder, covered drivers who have been found to have engaged in the prohibited conduct under this policy will be immediately suspended from their safety-sensitive function without pay pending a complete review of the test results and what led to the test results, if appropriate. After review, if the covered driver was found to have an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater, a positive drug test, or refused to submit to a test, the employee shall be terminated. If the covered driver was found to have an alcohol concentration between 0.02 and 0.04, he or she shall be required to be evaluated by a substance abuse professional, complete any other steps required by the SAP and take a return to duty test before returning to work. A covered driver who is an applicant for employment who has been extended a conditional offer of employment shall have such conditional offer revoked if: 1. 2. He/she undergoes a drug test which reveals a verified positive test result, or He/she admits, during the pre-duty request for prior employment drug and alcohol testing, they had a positive test or refused to test on any pre-employment drug or alcohol testing administered by the employer to which the employee applied for, but did not obtain safety sensitive transportation work covered by DOT agency drug and alcohol testing rules during the past two years and the Board chooses not to hire the prospective employee, or Page 8 of 13 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6401 PERSONNEL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING (TRANSPORTATION) 3. 4. 5. IX. He/she previously failed to successfully complete a rehabilitation program (return to duty process) established by a substance abuse professional resulting from a violation of that employer’s policy or the Act, or He/she fails to provide a release for the District to request from former employer’s where the individual was a covered driver. The above actions shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of the employee’s collective bargaining agreement, §75 of the Civil Service Law and/or §3020-a of Education Law, whichever is applicable. Referral, evaluation, and treatment The requirements of this section do not apply to applicants who refuse to submit to a pre-duty drug test or who have a pre-duty drug test with a verified positive test result. X. 1. The District shall make available to a covered driver who has violated this policy, information regarding the resources available for evaluating and resolving problems associated with the misuse of alcohol and use of drugs, including the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of substance abuse professionals and counseling and treatment programs. The District shall ensure that the listed substance abuse professionals do not refer the covered driver to the substance abuse professional’s private practice, or to a person or organization from which the substance abuse professional receives remuneration, or in which the substance abuse professional has a financial interest. 2. The District requires that each covered driver who engages in conduct prohibited by this policy shall be evaluated by a substance abuse professional who shall determine what assistance, if any, the employee needs in resolving problems associated with alcohol misuse and drug use. The substance abuse professional shall also determine if follow up testing is necessary and if so, the number and frequency of such tests. The costs associated with this evaluation shall be the responsibility of the covered driver. 3. Before a covered driver returns to duty requiring the performance of a safety-sensitive function after engaging in conduct prohibited by this policy, the covered driver shall undergo a return to duty test. 4. The substance abuse professional will determine if the covered driver has properly followed any rehabilitation program prescribed following the evaluation. Employee Notification The District shall provide a copy of this policy to each covered driver and to his/her collective bargaining agent. Each covered driver is required to sign a statement certifying that (s)he has received this information. The District shall maintain the original signed certification for the Page 9 of 13 POLICY New 05/23/2013 6401 PERSONNEL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING (TRANSPORTATION) duration of the employee’s employment or two (2) years, whichever is longer. The District will provide a copy of the certification to the covered driver upon request. XI. Savings Clause If any provision of this policy is, or shall at any time be contrary to the law, then such policy provision shall be considered modified or deleted so as to comply with the superseding legal requirements, without any effect on the remaining policy provisions. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: U.S. Constitution, 4th Amendment; Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, 49 USC §§31136; 31306 Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 USC §§12111-12117; 49 CFR Parts 40, 382 and §§395.20 and 521(b); New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, §§509-l; 1192; 1193; New York Labor Law, §201-d Adopted: ______ Page 10 of 13 Appendix A Drug and Alcohol Testing Definitions Alcohol: The intoxicating agent in beverage alcohol, ethyl alcohol, or other low molecular weight alcohol’s, including methyl and isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol use: The consumption of any beverage, mixture, or preparation, including any medication containing alcohol. Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT): An individual who operates an evidential breath testing device and instructs and assists individuals in the alcohol testing process. BAC or Alcohol Concentration: Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC), or alcohol concentration, is the amount of alcohol in a volume of breath expressed in terms of grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath as indicated by an evidential breath test. Commercial Motor Vehicle: A motor vehicle or a combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle: 1. has a gross combination weight of 26,001 or more pounds inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds; or 2. has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds; or 3. is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or 4. is of any size and is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and which require the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Material Regulations. Confirmation test : In drug testing, a second analytical procedure to identify the presence of a specific drug or metabolite that is independent of the screening test and that uses a different technique and chemical principle from that of a screening test in order to ensure reliability and accuracy. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is the only authorized confirmation method for cocaine, marijuana, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine. In alcohol testing, a second test, following a screening test with a result of .02 or greater, that provides quantitative data of alcohol concentration. Covered driver: District employees who operate commercial motor vehicles and applicants for employment with the district who are applying for positions as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (for the purposes of pre-duty testing only). Page 11 of 13 Drug and Alcohol Coordinator: The Drug and Alcohol Coordinator shall be the Jefferson - Lewis DISTRICT Health and Safety Coordinator who is located at 20104 NYS Rt. 3, Watertown, NEW YORK 13601, and may be reached at 779-7000. Evidential breath testing device (EBT): A device approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the evidential testing of breath and placed on NHTSA’s Conforming Product’s List of Evidential Breath Measurement Devices.”(CPL) Medical Review Officer (MRO): A licensed physician responsible for receiving laboratory results generated by the District’s drug test program, who has knowledge of substance abuse disorders and has appropriate medical training to interpret and evaluate an individual’s positive test result together with his or her medical history and any other relevant biomedical information. Refuse to submit (to an alcohol or drug test): Means that a covered driver refuses to take a drug test if they: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) fail to appear for any test (except a pre-employment test) within a reasonable time, as determined by the employer, consistent with applicable DOT agency regulations, after being directed to do so by the employer, fail to remain at the testing site until the testing process is complete, provided that an employee who leaves the testing site before the testing process commences for a pre-employment test is not deemed to have refused to test, fail to provide a urine specimen for any drug test required by this policy or DOT agency regulations, in the case of a directly observed or monitored collection in a drug test, fail to permit the observation or monitoring of his or her provision of a specimen, fail to provide a sufficient amount of urine when directed, and it has been determined, through a required medical evaluation, that there was no adequate medical explanation for the failure, fail or decline to take a second test the employer or collector has directed the individual to take, fail to undergo a medical examination or evaluation, as directed by the MRO as part of the verification process, fail to cooperate with any part of the testing process, or if the MRO reports that he/she has a verified adulterated or substituted test result or he/she refuses to take a drug test. Screening test: In alcohol testing, means an analytical procedure to determine whether a driver may have a prohibited concentration of alcohol in his or her system. In drug testing, an immunoassay procedure to eliminate “negative” urine specimens from further consideration. Page 12 of 13 Safety sensitive function: Any of those on-duty functions (promulgated at 49 CFR §395.2 On-Duty time) as listed below: 1. All time at a carrier or shipping plant, terminal, facility, or other property, waiting to be dispatched, unless the driver had been relieved from duty by the District. 2. All time inspecting equipment as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR’S), or otherwise inspecting, servicing, or conditioning any commercial motor vehicle at any time. 3. All time spent at the driving controls of a commercial motor vehicle in operation. 4. All time, other than driving time, spent on or in a commercial motor vehicle (except for time spent resting in the sleeper berth.) 5. All time spent loading or unloading a commercial motor vehicle, supervising, or assisting in the loading or unloading, attending a vehicle being loaded or unloaded, remaining in readiness to operate the vehicle, or in giving or receiving receipts for shipments loaded or unloaded. 6. All time spent performing the driver’s requirements associated with an accident promulgated at 49 CFR §§392.40 and 392.41. 7. All time repairing, obtaining assistance, or remaining in attendance upon a disabled vehicle. Substance Abuse Professional: A substance abuse professional means a licensed physician (Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy), or a licensed or certified psychologist, social worker, employee assistance professional, or addiction counselor (certified by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Certification Commission) with knowledge of and clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and drugs-related disorders. Page 13 of 13 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 PERSONNEL 6401.1 PRE-DUTY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AUTHORIZATION AND CONSENT FORM FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING I, , acknowledge receiving this day, a conditional offer of employment with the Central Valley Central School District, written notice regarding the existence of the Central Valley Central School District's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program and a copy of the District policy and regulations by which it will be administered. I further understand and agree to submit to urinalysis, (hereinafter referred to as "drug testing") for the detection of prohibited drugs, and evidential breath testing (hereinafter referred to as "alcohol testing"). I understand that I can be tested for both drugs and/or alcohol pursuant to the Central Valley Central School District's policy for pre-duty, and if successful and offered a position, for random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return to duty, and follow-up testing as the circumstances require. I further understand that the conditional offer of employment that has been extended to me is contingent on my testing negative for both alcohol and drugs. If the results of pre-duty alcohol tests indicate that my alcohol concentration registers at or above .02, it will result in the revocation of the conditional offer of employment. Furthermore, if the results of my pre-duty drug test indicate the presence of marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, phencyclidine or opiates, alone or in any combination, that have not been prescribed for me by my doctor with his written assurance that the identified drug(s) will not effect the safe performance of my job, will result in the revocation of the conditional offer of employment. I understand, further, that refusal to submit to pre-duty testing will result in the revocation of the conditional offer of employment. I also understand that my refusal to submit to testing at any later date as an employee of the Central Valley Central School District, when requested to do so as required by the Central Valley Central School District's policy, will result in discipline up to and including discharge. Also, by signing this document, I release to the Central Valley Central School District and the Central Valley Central School District Drug Alcohol Coordinator all results regarding drug and alcohol testing or refusal to submit to drug and alcohol testing from both past and present employers' drug and alcohol testing programs. Page 1 of 2 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 PERSONNEL 6401.1 PRE-DUTY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AUTHORIZATION AND CONSENT FORM FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING I, in consideration of the agreements accept full and complete responsibility and liability for my conduct, my compliance with Central Valley Central School procedures and results of any tests conducted upon the request of the Central Valley Central School District. My signature below indicates my understanding of this Policy and what is expected of me, my consent to be tested and my authorization to release to collection site personnel, medical review officer, and the designated employer representative the information necessary to comply with this policy. Date: Signature: Date: Signature: Approved by the Superintendent: Page 2 of 2 Policy New 05/23/2013 7005 STUDENTS EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN I. II. Statement of Policy A. A child who is homeless, within the meaning of this Policy, shall be enrolled in a District school or receive other educational services identified in this Policy, whether or not that child otherwise qualifies as a resident of the District. Children who are homeless shall not be segregated in a separate building, or a separate program within a building, based on their status as homeless. B. This Policy shall be interpreted and applied in a manner such that the District meets its clear obligations under New York State Education Law Section 3209 and related Regulations of the Commissioner, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act (42 USC 11431 et seq.), as amended and reauthorized. C. The term “child” is used in this Policy to refer to any person who is between the ages of five (5) and twenty-one (21) and who has not obtained a high school diploma, whether that person is in the physical custody of an adult or not. Status as Homeless A. B. A child is homeless, for purposes of this Policy, if the child: 1. lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence, or 2. has a primary night-time location that is either: a. a supervised shelter (publicly or privately operated) that is designed to provide temporary living accommodations, or b. a place (public or private) that is not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. Among other possible situations, a child shall be considered to lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence if that child is: 1. sharing the housing of other persons due to a loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; 2. living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; 3. abandoned in hospitals; or Page 1 of 6 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7005 STUDENTS EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN 4. C. III. awaiting foster care placement. A child who is in foster care, or who is receiving educational services under Sections 3202(4), (5), (6), or (6-a), or Articles 81, 85, 87, or 88 of the Educational Law, is not considered homeless for purposes of this Policy. Homeless Liaison The Superintendent shall designate a District administrator to serve as the District’s local Liaison for Homeless Children, and shall promulgate an administrative regulation that describes the Liaison’s responsibilities to insure that the District complies with applicable statutes and regulations. IV. Designation of School Choice and Enrollment A. B. The District shall use an enrollment form that requests information about the living arrangements of the child being enrolled, sufficient to make an assessment of whether the child should be initially enrolled or provided services as a homeless child, pending final determination. When the information provided on the enrollment form indicates that a child should initially be classified as homeless, the District shall obtain a designation of whether the child chooses to attend school: 1. in a school in the district where the child is now located, including, where a student enrolled in this District moves to a temporary housing location elsewhere in this District, the school being attended immediately before the student’s homeless status occurred; or 2. in a school in the district where the child was attending immediately prior to becoming homeless; or 3. in a school in the district where the student was last enrolled; or The designation described in Section A, above, shall be made on the form provided by the Commissioner of Education (STAC-202), which the District shall make available. The District shall also use this form to collect information whenever a currently enrolled student initiates a change of address or claims homeless status. The District will honor a designation that is made: 1. by the child’s parent, or person in parental relation; or 2. if the child is not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian, by the child with guidance and assistance from the Liaison for Homeless Children; or Page 2 of 6 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7005 STUDENTS EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN 3. if the child is living in a residence for runaway and homeless youth established pursuant to Article 19-H of the Executive Law, by the director of that residence in consultation with the child. C. Prior to the end of the first semester of attendance or within 60 days of commencing attendance at a school designated pursuant to this Policy, whichever occurs later, the designator may change the designation if the designator finds the original designation to be educationally unsound. D. If this District is designated as the district the child chooses to attend, the Superintendent shall insure that: E. 1. the designation form has been completed properly, and copies of the designation form are distributed as required; 2. the child is admitted to instruction pending a complete evaluation of the child’s status as homeless, even if the child is unable to produce the records normally required for enrollment; 3. the child is provided access to all District programs, activities, and services to the same extent as a resident student; 4. the school district where the child’s records are located is requested to provide a copy; 5. if this District is also the district of location, and the child’s temporary housing location is not operated by the local Department of Social Services or a residential program for runaway youth, SED is provided with a statement of the basis for the determination that the child is homeless and entitled to attend the District’s schools, along with the completed designation form. After the initial assessment of homeless status based on the enrollment form, the Homeless Liaison shall make a complete inquiry into the student’s status and make a recommendation to the Superintendent as to whether the child should continue to be classified as a homeless student, or be classified as a resident student or a non-resident student. If the Superintendent determines that the child should not be classified as a homeless child, then the Superintendent shall: 1. provide a written explanation to the person(s) making the designation, including an explanation of the appeal process; and 2. defer for at least thirty (30) days a decision to deny enrollment, transportation, or other services to the child, and continue that deferral until the conclusion of any appeal process that is commenced with the Commissioner of Education with a stay application. Page 3 of 6 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7005 STUDENTS EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN V. VI. Tuition Reimbursement A. If a child classified as homeless under this Policy validly chooses to attend school in this District, and the student’s temporary housing is located in this District, and the child’s school district of origin is within New York State, the Superintendent shall take the necessary steps to obtain reimbursement by the State Education Department for the direct cost of educational services, not otherwise reimbursed under special federal programs, calculated pursuant to regulations of the Commissioner for the period of time for which such services are provided. B. Where the school district a homeless child was attending on a tuition-free basis or was entitled to attend when circumstances arose which caused the child to become homeless is located outside the State, and the child’s temporary housing is located in this District, the child shall be deemed a resident of this District and shall be entitled to attend the schools of this District without payment of tuition. Students With A Disability If a child who has been receiving services as a child with a disability in another school district relocates to this district during the same school year the child has received those services, and that child is classified as homeless for purposes of this Policy, and that child makes a valid election to attend school in this district, then that child will be provided a free appropriate public education, including services comparable to those described in the individual education plan (IEP) prepared in the prior district of attendance. VII. Transportation A. When a child is classified as homeless for purposes of this Policy, the District will provide transportation between the child’s temporary housing location and the school the child has designated for attendance, consistent with the following: 1. If the child is living in a facility operated by the Department of Social Services or Office of Child and Family Services, transportation will first be sought from the applicable agency; 2. Transportation to and from the child’s temporary housing location and the school the child legally attends will be arranged in the most cost effective manner, including cooperative arrangements with neighboring districts when feasible; 3. If this district is also the district of current location, transportation will be provided to the child on the same basis it is provided to resident students; and Page 4 of 6 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7005 STUDENTS EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN B. C. 4. If the distance between the child’s temporary housing location and the school the child legally attends is more than 50 miles (one way trip), transportation will only be provided when the Commissioner of Education certifies that the transportation is in the best interest of the child. 5. If there is a dispute regarding the child’s entitlement to transportation as a homeless child, the District will provide transportation pending a final determination of the child’s status. Expenditures for the transportation of a parent accompanying a homeless child shall be paid by the District only when: 1. the child is being transported using public transportation, transportation of the child with an accompanying parent has been determined by the District to be the most cost-effective means of transportation, and the District has determined that public transportation unaccompanied by the parent is inappropriate because of the child's age, the distance to be traveled, the complexity of the transportation arrangement, the need to transport the child through a high crime area, or a combination of such factors; or 2. the child is a student with a disability whose individualized education program (IEP) includes the services of a transportation aide or attendant, and providing transportation with the parent serving as the transportation aide or attendant for the child is the most cost-effective means of transportation; or 3. transportation by the parent in the parent’s vehicle is the most costeffective means of transportation. Transportation will be provided to a child classified as homeless for purposes of this Policy during any disputes regarding school enrollment or selection. VIII. Meals A child identified as homeless for purposes of this Policy is eligible for free meals without completion of an application. IX. Dispute Resolution The Superintendent shall promulgate an administrative regulation that establishes a dispute resolution process that insures that the District complies with applicable statutes and regulations. X. Title I Coordination Page 5 of 6 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7005 STUDENTS EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN A. When a child who qualifies as homeless under this Policy is also eligible for services under Title I, Part A of ESEA, the District will provide those services whether or not that child lives in a Title I school attendance zone or meets the academic requirements for non-homeless children, and Title I, Part A funds will be set aside as necessary to provide homeless children who do not attend participating schools with services comparable to those provided to children in Title I, Part A funded schools B. The District will include in its local plan a description of services provided to homeless children. C. When the District reports that there are no homeless children or unaccompanied youth in non-Title I schools, the District will describe the efforts it made to identify homeless children and unaccompanied youth. As part of its efforts, the District will contact the local Department of Social Services and Office of Child and Family Services to determine if they have records of homeless youth living within the District. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: 8 N.Y.C.R.R., Section 100.2(x) and (y); Section 3202(1), New York State Education Law Adopted: ______ Page 6 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7005.1 PROCEDURES FOR ACHIEVING EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN I. Enrollment Form The District’s enrollment form shall collect information about the living arrangements of the child, including asking if he or she is living in a shelter; with relatives or others due to loss of housing or economic hardship; in an abandoned apartment/building; in a motel/hotel, camping ground, car, train/bus station or other similar situation due to the lack of alternative, adequate housing; or awaiting an OCFS permanent foster care placement. II. Dispute Resolution Procedure A. B. Whenever the District declines to classify a child as homeless, or declines to enroll a homeless child in the school designated by or on behalf of the child, or declines to transport a homeless child, the child and those acting on behalf of the child will be provided with a written explanation of the District’s decision and the date on which the District intends to exclude the student or withdraw transportation or other services. The written explanation shall be accompanied by: 1. a statement regarding the right to appeal the District’s decision, to the Commissioner of Education, 2. a statement that the District will provide enrollment, transportation, or other services pending the appeal process, 3. contact information for the District’s Liaison for Homeless Children and an explanation of the Liaison’s availability to assist with the appeal, and 4. the form petition for commencing an appeal to the Commissioner. Whenever the District declines to classify a child as homeless, or declines to enroll a homeless child in the school designated by or on behalf of the child, or declines to transport a homeless child, the District will defer for at least thirty (30) days a decision to deny enrollment, transportation, or other services to the child, and will continue that deferral when an appeal is commenced with the Commissioner of Education with a stay application. 1. If the Commissioner grants the request for a stay, implementation of the District’s decision will be deferred until the expiration of the stay. Page 1 of 4 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7005.1 PROCEDURES FOR ACHIEVING EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN 2. III. If the Commissioner denies the request for a stay, the District’s decision will be implemented. Responsibilities of Liaison for Homeless Children A. Determinations of Homeless Status 1. B. When the District receives an enrollment form, change of address information, or other information indicating that a child may qualify as homeless, the Liaison shall: a. contact the homeless child or adult working on behalf of the child and explain the Liaison’s role, and b. facilitate the timely enrollment and provision of services to the child, pending a final determination 2. When a homeless child is not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian, the Liaison shall actively assist that child in making a school designation, provide direct coordination with the committee on special education if the child is a student with a disability, and advise the child of the right to appeal District determinations. 3. After a child is initially classified as homeless and provided appropriate services, the Liaison shall promptly conduct a complete inquiry into the child’s housing situation, and make a written recommendation to the Superintendent whether the child should be determined to be a resident, a non-resident, or homeless. Assistance With Dispute Resolution and Appeals the Liaison shall: 1. Be available to the homeless child or adult working on behalf of the child to answer questions about any determination made by the District, and to receive written or oral objections to those determinations; 2. Explain the appeal process to the homeless child or adult working on behalf of the child, provide the form petition for appeal, and actively assist with the completion of the form; 3. Provide the homeless child or adult working on behalf of the child with a complete copy of appeal-related documentation, at no cost to them; Page 2 of 4 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7005.1 PROCEDURES FOR ACHIEVING EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN C. 4. Accept service of the form petition and supporting papers on behalf of the District and any school district employee or officer named as a party, or arranging for service by mailing the form petition and supporting documents to any school district employee or officer named as a party and, if the District is named as a party, to the office of the Superintendent; 5. Provide the homeless child or adult working on behalf of the child with a signed and dated acknowledgment verifying that the Liaison has received the form petition and supporting documents and will either accept service of the form petition and supporting papers on behalf of the District and any school district employee or officer named as a party, or arranging for service by mailing the form petition and supporting documents to any school district employee or officer named as a party and, if the District is named as a party, to the office of the Superintendent; 6. On behalf of the homeless child or adult working on behalf of the child, transmit the form petition or any pleading or paper to the Office of Counsel, Education Department, State Education Building, Albany, NY 12234, within five (5) days of their being served; 7. Provide the homeless child or adult working on behalf of the child with a signed and dated acknowledgement verifying that the Liaison has received the form petition and supporting documents and will transmit these documents to the Office of Counsel, Education Department, State Education Building, Albany, NY 12234; and 8. Accept service of any subsequent pleadings or papers, including any correspondence related to the appeal, on behalf of the homeless child or adult working on behalf of the child, if the homeless child or adult working on behalf of the child so elects. Administrative and Coordinating Duties the Liaison shall: 1. Coordinate the identification of homeless children and the provision of services to the homeless child with other districts and social service agencies. 2. Receive and respond to requests for student records, insuring that a complete copy of a child’s records is provided to a requesting school district within five (5) days. Page 3 of 4 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7005.1 PROCEDURES FOR ACHIEVING EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN 3. Insure timely and accurate preparation of reports required by the Commissioner of Education. 4. Inform each homeless child and parent or guardian of all educational opportunities, transportation services, and other services available to the child, and assist parents and guardians to have a meaningful opportunity to participate in the child’s education. 5. Assist each homeless child and parent or guardian in obtaining immunizations and medical records. 6. Assist with coordinating the child’s transportation services. 7. Maintain a record of all appeals of enrollment, school selection, and transportation determinations. 8. Maintain an accurate record of the number and identity of all students classified as homeless, their grade level, and their nighttime residence(s). 9. Inform school personnel, service providers, and advocates working with homeless families of the Liaison’s duties, according to a plan of communications approved by the Superintendent. 10. Collaborate and coordinate with the State Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth and community and school personnel responsible for providing education and related support services to homeless children and youth. Approved by the Superintendent: ______ Page 4 of 4 Policy New 05/23/2013 7006 STUDENTS STUDENT ATTENDANCE I. Philosophy The Board of Education, in accordance with Section 104.1 (c) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, establishes this comprehensive attendance policy. The objectives of this policy are to ensure the maintenance of an adequate record verifying the attendance of all children, to establish a mechanism to examine patterns of pupil absence and to develop effective intervention strategies to improve school attendance. II. Policy The Board, administration and staff of the district recognize that regular classroom attendance is an essential part of a successful educational program and that there is a critical relationship between academically engaged time and student performance. III. Expectations for Good Attendance A. 1. Students are expected to attend scheduled classes. The insistence on good attendance serves as a clear and constant reminder of the importance of attendance in instruction, enabling the student to: Learn subject matter and earn good grades Develop responsible work and study habits, and Prepare for the world of work 2. B. Under New York State Education Law Section 3205, parents are responsible for the regular attendance of their children for instruction. Absences 1. Excused Section 175.6 of the Commissioner’s regulations define the following as “excused absences:” personal illness, serious illness or death in the family, impassable roads due to weather conditions, religious observance, quarantine, court appearances, attendance at health clinics, approved cooperative work programs, approved college visits, military obligations, disciplinary detention of an incarcerated youth or any other reason approved by the Commissioner. All instances of excused absence require a written parent/guardian excuse. The excuse must identify the date/time of absence, reason for absence, tardiness or early departure and parent/guardian signature. Students failing to present an excuse prior to an early departure or upon reporting back to school POLICY New 05/23/2013 7006 STUDENTS STUDENT ATTENDANCE following an absence or tardiness will be subject to a warning. Subsequent offenses will resort in progressive discipline and/or Department of Social Services contact. 2 Unexcused Most absences not mentioned above are interpreted under the law as “unexcused absences” including but not limited to vacation, shopping, babysitting, oversleeping, needed at home, cold weather or missing the bus. Any reason not listed as excused shall be deemed unexcused unless the Building Principal determines otherwise. The two categories of unexcused absence are: IV. 1. Unlawful Detention: Unlawful detention occurs when the pupil is absent with the knowledge and consent of his/her parent/guardian for other than an excused absence. 2. Truancy: A student who is absent from school without the consent of a parent/guardian is considered to be truant. Responsibility for Good Attendance. Successful implementation of this policy requires cooperation among all members of the educational community, including parents, students, teachers, administrators and all staff members. A. B. Parent/Guardian Responsibilities 1. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to ensure that their children attend school regularly and on time. 2. When a student is absent from school, parents/guardians must contact the school to report the absence and/or provide appropriate excuses when required (doctor’s verification). 3. Parents/Guardians must provide a written explanation of the absence for their child to be turned into their homeroom/first period teacher upon the student’s return to school. 4. Parents are required to provide their current home address, telephone number, emergency number(s) and a list of adults to contact in their absence. Student Responsibilities Page 2 of 5 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7006 STUDENTS STUDENT ATTENDANCE C. D. V. 1. Students must attend school daily and be on time. 2. Students must attend all classes and are expected to participate fully. 3. Students are expected to make timely arrangements with their teachers to make up assignments and class work they have missed during their absence. Teacher/Staff Responsibilities 1. Teachers are responsible for maintaining accurate attendance reports and for referring chronic absentees for review by the Building Principal or Designee. 2. School office staff shall be responsible for preliminary contact with parents and students to assess a situation of absenteeism and devise a plan of improvement. 3. Teachers and school personnel will continually stress to students the importance of promptness and regular attendance in all of their classes. Teachers can make a difference in the attendance habits of most of their students. (Phone calls to parents or guardians are encouraged). Administrative Responsibilities 1. The District shall maintain a register of attendance for each pupil which includes the student’s name, date of birth, home address, names of parents/guardians, telephone numbers to contact parents/guardians, date of enrollment, record of pupil’s attendance on days of instruction, and the date of withdrawal or date dropped from enrollment. 2. The Principal or Designee is responsible for implementing the attendance policy. 3. The Principal or Designee is responsible for identifying students who require alternative services and/or programs for absences or tardiness. Activities to Support Good Attendance A. The implementation of an effective and efficient student attendance system that is accurately recorded, consistently maintained and fairly administered. B. The provision of prompt service to pupils in need of help as soon as a need is suspected. Page 3 of 5 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7006 STUDENTS STUDENT ATTENDANCE VI. C. The establishment of cooperative relationships between parents and other members of the staff in the interest of the child. D. The establishment of cooperative relationships with other community agencies which serve families of pupils with attendance problems. E. The maintenance of an effective policy that encourages student attendance and is in compliance with the commissioner’s regulations and rulings. Intervention A. The objective of intervention strategies is to identify the cause(s) of absenteeism, to reduce absenteeism and to circumvent the need for action in the courts (PINS petitions). B. Teachers and other appropriate staff members (e.g. the school nurse, social worker, guidance counselor or attendance officer) shall be responsible for preliminary contact with parents and students to assess a situation of absenteeism and devise a plan of improvement. For example, where the absence is due to prolonged illness, the District may arrange for immediate home or hospital instruction. C. The Building Principal or designee, based upon the referrals of teachers and the established attendance records, shall identify intervention strategies. Such strategies may include, but are not limited to: communication with the parent/guardian counseling and other support services mentoring progressive disciplinary action related community agencies services. VII. Incentives The Commissioner has recommended that all Districts implement an incentive program to improve attendance. An incentive program may include, but not be limited to, prizes or privileges for perfect attendance. VIII. Disciplinary Sanctions A. When other forms of intervention fail, nonacademic sanctions, including the loss of privileges (e.g. participation on interscholastic sports or in extracurricular activities, attendance at school sponsored events), may be imposed. Page 4 of 5 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7006 STUDENTS STUDENT ATTENDANCE B. IX. X. Excessive or unreasonable absences and tardiness may properly be the basis for disciplinary action. The use of detentions and in school suspensions related to unexcused absence from school is authorized. A student may be suspended for poor attendance that is willful insubordination. Such removal shall be pursuant to Section 3214 of the Education Law. Coding System for Absences A. The coding of student absences, tardiness and early departures allows the administration to decipher patterns of behavior/absenteeism and to develop specific intervention efforts as early as possible. B. The district will utilize a coding system that differentiates student attendance. Notification Written notification to parents concerning students’ absences, tardiness or early departures, will take place at prescribed intervals and will include information that resource/support personnel are available. XI. Implementation and Review A. The Board shall review building level pupil attendance records and if such records show a decline in pupil attendance the Board shall make any revisions deemed necessary to improve pupil attendance. B. The Superintendent shall establish a means to provide a plain language summary of this policy to parents/persons in parental relation at the beginning of each school year and take other steps to promote the understanding of such policy. C. The Superintendent shall provide each teacher with a copy of this policy after approval/amendment and provide new teachers with a copy upon employment. D. Copies of this policy shall be made available upon request to any member of the community. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: 8 NYCRR 104.1, 109.2, 175.6 Adopted: ________ Page 5 of 5 Policy New 05/23/2013 7400 STUDENTS REPORTING POSSIBLE CHILD ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT I. II. STATEMENT OF POLICY A. The Central Valley Central School District maintains an orientation program for all current and new school officials to inform them of their obligations regarding reporting suspected child abuse or maltreatment, and the District’s procedures for reporting possible child abuse or maltreatment. B. The District recognizes that every school official holding a license or certificate has a legal duty to make a report when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming before them in their professional or official capacity is an abused or maltreated child, and to then immediately notify the designated District administrator that a report has been made. References to “school officials” in this Policy refer to that group of District personnel. The District also recognizes that any person may make such a report. C. The District does not take adverse employment action against any District employee who makes a report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment in the belief that he or she has reasonable cause to make such a report. SCOPE OF POLICY A. This Policy, with its procedures, applies when the suspected child abuse or maltreatment has resulted from the action (or inaction) of the child’s parent, or of another person who is legally responsible for the child (e.g. guardian or custodian). When the issue arises from action (or inaction) by a District employee or volunteer, the obligation to report, and the procedures for reporting, are those described in Policy 7401, Child Abuse in an Educational Setting. B. For purposes of this Policy, and its procedures, a child is considered “abused” or “maltreated” according to the definition of those terms in Section 412 of the New York State Social Services Law. The Superintendent shall insure that the District’s orientation program for school officials regarding their duty to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment accurately informs them of the applicable definitions. III. PROCEDURES (STUDENT UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE) A. When a school official has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment, that person is required to take the following steps: Page 1 of 3 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7400 STUDENTS REPORTING POSSIBLE CHILD ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT B. 1. Make an oral report to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse or Maltreatment (“hotline”). The District’s orientation program shall provide all school officials with current information regarding how to contact the Central Register. 2. Immediately after making the report to the central child abuse registry, notify the Building Principal or the Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance that a report has been made, providing the Building Principal or Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance with the name of each District employee who is believed to have direct knowledge of the allegations in the initial oral report. Upon being notified that an initial report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment has been made to the Central Registry, the Building Principal or Superintendent for Business & Finance shall: 1. Notify the Superintendent, 2. If the situation involves possible physical injury, 3. (a) arrange for the child to be examined by the school nurse, and a record of the examination made, and (b) take, or cause to be taken, color photographs of the affected area, and, if medically indicated, make arrangements to have a radiological examination (x-ray) of the child performed, and File a written report with the County Department of Social Services, within 48 hours of the initial report, using Form LDSS 2221A or such other form as may be required by the Department of Social Services. A copy of Form LDSS 2221A is attached to this Policy as Regulation 7400.1. The Superintendent shall update the attachment as required, without further Board action. (a) The District’s copy of this form shall be maintained separately from the child’s other educational records. C. If the investigation by the Child Protective Service includes interviewing the child, or other students, at school, the interview shall be attended by the Building Principal or other designated administrator. D. The District’s investigation of the suspected child abuse or maltreatment shall be conducted so as to minimize the number of times the child is asked to provide information. Page 2 of 3 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7400 STUDENTS REPORTING POSSIBLE CHILD ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT IV. REPORTING PROCEDURES (STUDENT OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE) For reports of abuse and/or maltreatment of students over the age of eighteen, the respective Principal shall make an oral report to the appropriate Adult Protective Services Department. V. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO REPORT A. By law, a school official who fails to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment may be subject to criminal action, as well as civil liability for any further harm that comes to the child. B. A failure to report to the Central Register and follow the procedures described in this Policy, when a school official has reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming before him or her in his or her professional or official capacity is an abused or maltreated child, will be considered unsatisfactory performance of the school official’s duties, subject to possible discipline. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: Social Services Law Section 412, 413; Education Law Sections 3003; 8 NYCRR 801.4 Adopted: _______ Page 3 of 3 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7400.1 REPORT OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT This attached form is accessible on the web at: http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us Approved by the Superintendent:______ Policy New 05/23/2013 7401 STUDENTS CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING I. Article 23-B of the NYS Education Law requires certain school district employees and school board members to inform law enforcement authorities of incidents of child abuse committed by an employee or volunteer on school grounds, in a school vehicle, at a school function or any other location where direct contact between employee or volunteer and a child has allegedly occurred. II. A. Notice of Staff School districts must annually provide a written explanation of the reporting obligation, including the entitlement to immunity for reports made in good faith, to teachers and all other school officials. A copy of this notice is attached as Regulation 7401.2 B. Notice to the Parent The principal must promptly notify the parent of the student victim of the allegation of child abuse and provide the parent with a written statement setting forth their parental rights, responsibilities and the procedures under Article 23-B of the Education Law. The Commissioner has issued regulations relative to the required components of this written statement. A copy of the parental notice is attached as Regulation 7401.1 C. Training in Reporting of Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Each school district and each board of cooperative educational services shall establish, and implement on an ongoing basis, a training program regarding the procedures set forth in Article 23-B of the Education Law for all current and new teachers, school nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school administrators, other personnel required to hold a teaching or administrative certificate or license, and school board members. III. Any employee or volunteer who reasonably and in good faith makes a report of allegations of child abuse in an educational setting to a person and in a manner described in this section shall have immunity from civil liability which might otherwise result by reason of such actions. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: Article 23-B, NYS Education Law 8 NYCRR 100.2(hh) Cross Ref: Reporting Child Abuse or Maltreatment Policy #7400 Adopted: _______ Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7401.1 NOTICE OF PARENTAL RIGHTS CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING This notice is provided pursuant to Education Law §1128 and sets forth parental rights and the responsibilities and procedures of school districts, the District Attorney’s Office and the Commissioner of Education under Article 23-B of the Education Law relative to child abuse that occurs in an educational setting. I. Duties of Employees The law imposes reporting requirements on teachers, administrators, school nurses, school guidance counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school board members and all other school personnel required to hold a teaching or administrative license or certificate. When these employees receive an allegation of child abuse by an employee or volunteer in an educational setting, they must take the following steps: II. A. Upon receipt of an oral or written allegation of child abuse in an educational setting, the employee must promptly complete the “Child Abuse in an Educational Setting” report form (Regulation 7401.4). B. Upon completion of the report form, the employee must personally deliver it to the site administrator of the school in which the child abuse allegedly occurred. C. If the allegation(s) involves a child who was allegedly abused by an employee or a volunteer of a school in another school district, the employee must promptly forward the report form to the superintendent of schools of the school district of attendance and the school district where the abuse allegedly occurred. Site Administrators In all cases, upon receipt of a report form, the school building administrator must review the form and determine if there is reasonable suspicion to believe that an act of child abuse, as defined by law, has occurred. If he or she finds reasonable suspicion to believe that an act of child abuse has occurred, additional steps must be taken which differ depending upon the individual who has made the allegation. A. Child makes the Allegation 1. Promptly notify the parent of the child that an allegation of child abuse in an educational setting has been made. 2. Promptly provide the parent with the written statement setting forth parental rights, responsibilities and procedures prepared in accordance with the Commissioner’s regulations (8 NYCRR §100.2(hh)). Page 1 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7401.1 NOTICE OF PARENTAL RIGHTS CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING B. C. 3. Promptly provide a copy of the completed report form to the Superintendent. 4. Promptly forward a copy of the completed report form to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. The report to law enforcement may not be delayed by reason of inability to contact the superintendent. Parent Makes the Allegation 1. Promptly provide the parent with the written statement setting forth parental rights, responsibilities and procedures prepared in accordance with the Commissioner’s regulations (8 NYCRR §100.2(hh)). 2. Promptly provide a copy of the completed report form to the Superintendent. 3. Promptly forward a copy of the completed report form to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. The report to law enforcement may not be delayed by reason of inability to contact the superintendent. Person other than the Parent or the Child Makes the Allegation 1. Promptly notify the parent of the child that an allegation of child abuse in an educational setting has been made 2. Promptly provide the parent with the written statement setting forth parental rights, responsibilities and procedures prepared in accordance with the Commissioner’s regulations (8 NYCRR §100.2(hh)). 3. Ascertain from the reporting employee the source and basis for the allegation and complete that portion of the report form. 4. Promptly provide a copy of the completed report form to the Superintendent. 5. Promptly forward a copy of the completed report form to appropriate law enforcement authorities. The report to law enforcement may not be delayed by reason of inability to contact the superintendent. Page 2 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7401.1 NOTICE OF PARENTAL RIGHTS CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING III. Duties of the Superintendent In most cases, the site administrator will receive the completed report form from an employee and make the reasonable suspicion determination. However, there are situations in which the Superintendent will receive the report form directly and he or she will be responsible for making the reasonable suspicion determination such as: A. Where the site administrator receives the oral or written allegation and is required to complete the report form; B. Where it is alleged that a child was abused by an employee or volunteer of a school other than a school within the school district where the child attends. C. In addition, the Superintendent may receive an oral or written allegation of child abuse in an educational setting from local law enforcement officials or from child protective services. In these cases, the Superintendent would be responsible for completing the report form and, subsequently, making the reasonable suspicion determination. D. If the Superintendent finds reasonable suspicion to believe that an act of child abuse has occurred, as defined by law, additional steps must be taken which differ depending on the individual who has made the allegation. 1. 2. Child makes the Allegation a. Promptly notify the parent of the child that an allegation of child abuse in an educational setting has been made. b. Promptly provide the parent with the written statement setting forth parental rights, responsibilities and procedures prepared in accordance with the Commissioner’s regulations (8 NYCRR §100.2(hh)). c. Promptly forward a copy of the completed report form to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Parent Makes the Allegation Page 3 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7401.1 NOTICE OF PARENTAL RIGHTS CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING 3. E. IV. a. Promptly provide the parent with the written statement setting forth parental rights, responsibilities and procedures prepared in accordance with the Commissioner’s regulations (8 NYCRR §100.2(hh)). b. Promptly forward a copy of the completed report form to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Person other than the Parent or the Child Makes the Allegation a. Promptly notify the parent of the child that an allegation of child abuse in an educational setting has been made. b. Promptly provide the parent with the written statement setting forth parental rights, responsibilities and procedures prepared in accordance with the Commissioner’s regulations (8NYCRR §100.2(hh)). c. Ascertain from the reporting employee the source and basis for the allegation and complete that portion of the form. d. Promptly forward a copy of the completed report form to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. In all cases where a completed report is forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement authorities and the employee or volunteer alleged to have committed an act of child abuse holds a certification or license issued by the Department, the Superintendent must also refer such report to the Commissioner of Education. Expungement A report that does not, after investigation, result in a criminal conviction shall be expunged from any record which may be kept by a school or school district with respect to the subject of such a report after a period of five years from the date of the making of such report or at such earlier time as the Board of Education determines. V. Penalty Provisions The requirements set forth within the law are mandatory. Willful failure of an employee to prepare and submit a report form as required by the law is a Class A misdemeanor. The law also provides that a willful failure of a school building administrator or Page 4 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7401.1 NOTICE OF PARENTAL RIGHTS CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING superintendent to forward a copy of the report form to the appropriate law enforcement authority is a Class A misdemeanor. In addition, the Commissioner of Education can also fine a school building administrator or a superintendent up to $5,000 for failure to forward a copy of the completed report form to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. VI. Immunity Provisions The law provides immunity from civil liability for employees, volunteers, District site administrators and the Superintendent if they, reasonably and in good faith make a report of child abuse in an educational setting in the manner described in the law. The law also provides immunity from civil liability to District site administrators and the Superintendent, if they reasonably and in good faith forward a copy of the report form to a person or agency as required by law and in the manner described in the law. VII. Confidentiality of Records In general, the only persons authorized to receive the written report form and any related materials are the District site administrator and the Superintendent. The law requires that all reports, records, photographs and other material submitted remain confidential and may not be disclosed except to law enforcement authorities involved in the criminal investigation of child abuse in an educational setting or as expressly authorized by law or pursuant to a court–ordered subpoena. Willful disclosure of a written record required to be confidential, to a person not authorized to receive or review such record is a class A misdemeanor. The law requires that the District site administrator and Superintendent exercise reasonable care to prevent unauthorized disclosure. VIII. Duties of District Attorneys A. Where a criminal investigation is undertaken in response to a report forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, the district attorney must notify the District Superintendent where the acts of child abuse occurred and the superintendent of the school district where the child attends, if different, of the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. an indictment; the filing of an accusatory instrument; the disposition of the criminal case; or, the suspension or termination of the investigation. Page 5 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION NEW 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7401.1 NOTICE OF PARENTAL RIGHTS CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING B. IX. X. Where a criminal conviction is obtained for a crime involving child abuse in an educational setting by a licensed or certified school employee, the district attorney is required to notify the Commissioner of Education, as well as the Superintendent if the acts of child abuse occurred at a District site and the superintendent of the school district where the child attends, if different. Duties of the Commissioner of Education A. Upon receiving notification of conviction from a district attorney, the Commissioner of Education must begin proceedings against the convicted individual pursuant to Part 83 of the Commissioner’s regulations to determine whether the individual possesses good moral character. The determination may result in additional action taken against the individual related to his or her license or certification. B. The Commissioner has also issued the attached form that must be used for the recording and transmission of allegations of child abuse in educational settings. C. The Commissioner and the Board of Regents also promulgated §100.2(hh)(2), which sets forth the training requirements relating to child abuse in an educational setting. Unreported Resignations or Voluntary Suspensions The law prohibits the District site administrator or Superintendent from agreeing to withhold from the appropriate law enforcement authorities, the District Superintendent or the Commissioner of Education, where appropriate, an allegation of child abuse in an educational setting on the part of any employee or volunteer as required by law, in return for the resignation or voluntary suspension of the alleged perpetrator. Violation of this prohibition can result in a class E felony charge and a civil penalty of up to $20,000. Approved by the Superintendent: Page 6 of 6 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION New 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7401.2 NOTIFICATION OF TEACHER’S DUTY TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING AND IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY This notice is to be annually provided to teachers and other school officials pursuant to Educational Law §3028-b to provide a written explanation of their duty to report incidents of child abuse in an educational setting, and of their entitlement to immunity from civil liability for making such reports in good faith. Where an oral or written allegation is made to any teacher, administrator, school guidance counselor, school social worker, school nurse, school psychologist, board member, and all other school personnel required to hold a teaching or administrative license or certificate, that a school district employee or volunteer has subjected a student to child abuse, that person must complete a written report of such allegation (Regulation 7401.4). The author of the written report must then personally deliver a copy of it to the site administrator where the student currently attends school, whether or not the abuse occurred on school premises. If the abuse occurred at school outside the District site, the report must be promptly forwarded to both the Superintendent and to the Superintendent of the school district where the abuse occurred. School employees or volunteers who reasonably and in good faith make a report of child abuse in an educational setting as set forth above have immunity from civil liability. Approved by the Superintendent:_____ Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION New 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7401.3 CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING STATEMENT OF PERSONAL DELIVERY I, , hereby state that I have personally delivered a copy of the attached report of Allegation (Regulation 7401.4) of child abuse to building principal of at School, on , , 20 am/pm. ____________________________________ Signature of Employee Approved by the Superintendent: Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION New 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7401.4 CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING CONFIDENTIAL REPORT OF ALLEGATION SUBJECT CHILD PARENT OF SUBJECT CHILD Name Last Address First Name MI Address (if different) School Grade Sex (M, F, Unknown) Age or Birthday (Mo/Day/Yr) SOURCE OF ALLEGATION (Check as Appropriate) Child Parent Other - Name __ Relationship to Child (if any)_______________ ALLEGED PERPETRATOR (EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER) Name School District School Building ______ _______School Position SPECIFIC ALLEGATION Use this space to provide information to describe or explain the circumstances surrounding the allegation. (attach additional sheets if necessary) REPORTER INFORMATION Name School Address Relationship to Child (if any)_____________________________ School Guidance Counselor Teacher School Board Member School District School Telephone School Nurse Administrator School personnel required to hold teaching or administrator license or certification Date Submitted to Administrator School Social Worker ____/_____/____/ Signature____________________________________ FOR ADMINISTRATOR USE ONLY Reasonable Suspicion _______Yes School Psychologist FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOL USE ONLY _______No Reasonable Suspicion _______Yes _______No Date Submitted to Superintendent _____/_____/_____ Date Submitted to Law Enforcement _____/_____/_____ Name/Signature _______________________________ Name/Signature_________________________________ Date Submitted to Law Enforcement _____/_____/____ Date Submitted to Commissioner Name/Signature ________________________________ Name/Signature_________________________________ Page 1 of 2 / / Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION New 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7401.4 CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING CONFIDENTIAL REPORT OF ALLEGATION CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING DEFINITIONS Definitions contained in Section 1125 of Article 23-B, Title I of the Education Law 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. “Child abuse” shall mean any of the following acts committed in an educational setting by an employee or volunteer against a child: a. intentionally or recklessly inflicting physical injury, serious physical injury or death, or b. intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a substantial risk of such physical injury, serious physical injury or death, or c. any child sexual abuse as defined in this section, or d. the commission or attempted commission against a child of the crime of disseminating indecent materials to minors pursuant to Article 235 of the Penal Law. “Child” shall mean a person under the age of 21 years enrolled in a school district in this State, other than a school district within a city having a population of one million or more. “Employee” shall mean any person receiving compensation from a school district or employee of a contracted service provider or worker placed within the school under a public assistance employment program, pursuant to title nine-B of article five of the social services law, and consistent with the provisions of such title for the provision of services to such district, its students or employees, directly or through contract, whereby such services performed by such person involve direct student contact. “Volunteer” shall mean any person, other than an employee, who provides services to a school or school district, which involve direct student contact. “Educational setting” shall mean the building and grounds of a public school district, the vehicles provided by the school district for the transportation of students to and from school buildings, field trips, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, both on and off school district grounds, all cocurricular and extra-curricular activity sites, and any other location where direct contact between an employee or volunteer and a child has allegedly occurred. “Administrator” or “school administrator” shall mean a principal of a public school, charter school or board of cooperative educational services, or other chief school officer. “Law enforcement authorities” shall mean a municipal police department, sheriff’s department, the division of state police or any officer thereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, law enforcement authorities shall not include any child protective service or society for the prevention of cruelty to children as such terms are defined in section four hundred twenty-three of the social services law. “Parent” shall mean either or both of a child’s parents or other persons legally responsible for the child. “Child sexual abuse” shall mean conduct prohibited by article one hundred thirty or two hundred sixty-three of the penal law. Approved by the Superintendent: Page 2 of 2 Policy New 05/23/2013 7500 STUDENTS EDUCATION RECORDS I. The Board of Education recognizes its obligation to maintain the confidentiality of student education records and to grant parents and eligible student’s access to those records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. II. The Superintendent will develop regulations to implement this Policy. The regulations may be promulgated by the Superintendent or adopted by the Board of Education. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: 20 USC 1232(g) & (h). Adopted: ______ Regulation Draft 05/23/2013 7500.1 STUDENTS EDUCATION RECORDS I. Purpose: The District implements this regulation to maintain the confidentiality of student records and to provide parents and eligible students with the opportunity to inspect and review education records, to seek to amend education records, and to consent to the disclosure of education records. II. Definitions and Designations: A. Records Access Officer: The District’s Records Access Officer is: Name Address Telephone: B. Parent: The term “Parent” includes natural parent, a guardian or an individual acting as parent or guardian in the absence of the student's parent or guardian. C. Eligible Student: The term “Eligible Student” means a student who has reached age 18 or is attending post-secondary school. D. Education Records: The term “Education Records” includes records, files, documents and other materials which contain information directly related to a student and are maintained by the District or a person acting on behalf of the District. Education Records may exist in any form, including but not limited to print, computer media, video or audio tape, film, microfilm, microfiche and other materials which contain confidential information directly related to a student and which are maintained by the District or a party acting on behalf of the District. Education records do not include: 1. Certain Records in the Sole Possession of the Maker: Records made by instructional, supervisory, administrative personnel or ancillary educational personnel which are in the sole possession of the maker and which are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a substitute for the maker of the record; 2. Employee Records: Records maintained solely with respect to a person’s status as an employee rather than as a student; Page 1 of 9 REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 7500.1 STUDENTS EDUCATION RECORDS E. III. IV. 3. Certain Medical & Psychological Records: Medical and psychological treatment records of an eligible student are not education records if they are maintained and used only in connection with treatment of the eligible student and disclosed only to individuals providing the treatment, including treatment providers in the student’s school. 4. Post Enrollment Records: Records that only contain information about an individual after he/she is no longer a student at the District (for example, records of alumni activities); Directory Information: The District designates the following information as Directory Information: student’s name, parent’s name, address, date and place of birth, telephone number, email address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most recent previous educational agency attended by student, photograph, and video images of students engaged in routine activities when those images are not records of the district’s law enforcement unit. Directory information will not be provided online. Rights of Parents and Eligible Students: A. Each parent of a student has the rights described in this policy, unless the District has been provided with evidence that there is a court order, statute or legally binding document related to such matters as divorce, separation or custody that specifically revokes these rights. B. When a student becomes an eligible student (18 or attending a post-secondary school) all rights accorded to parents and consent required of parents, transfer from the parents to the eligible student. However, the District does not require the consent of the eligible student: 1. To disclose the education record to the parent if the eligible student is claimed by the parent as a dependent for tax purposes. 2. To disclose the education record to appropriate parties in connection with a health or safety emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. 3. A school official may generally share with a parent information that is based on that official’s personal knowledge or observation of the student. Confidentiality of Education Records: Page 2 of 9 REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 7500.1 STUDENTS EDUCATION RECORDS A. The District will not release education records, including personally identifiable information contained in Education Records, except: 1. Written Consent: The District may release the information if prior to the release of information, the District receives written consent from the parent. The written consent must specify the information to be released, the reason for the release and to whom the information may be released. The District will give the parent or student a copy of the information released, if requested by the parent. 2. Directory Information: The District may release Directory Information if the District has properly circulated its annual FERPA notification to parents of students in attendance and eligible students in attendance, unless the parent or eligible student has submitted Regulation 7500.5 restricting the District’s ability to release this information. 3. Military Recruiters: The District will disclose to requesting military recruiters the names, addresses and telephone numbers of juniors and seniors, unless the parent or eligible student has submitted Regulation 7500.5 prohibiting such release. 4. School Officials with a legitimate educational interest: The District may release the information to other school officials, including teachers within the District who have a legitimate educational interest in the information. The District will use reasonable methods to ensure that school officials have access only to the education records in which the school officials have a legitimate educational interest. A school official is: A person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member, including health or medical staff; a person elected to the School Board; a person or company employed by or under contract to the District to perform a special task, such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist; a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or who is assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official may be a contractor, consultant, volunteer or other party to whom the District has outsourced instructional services and functions if that individual or entity is performing services district employees otherwise perform (is not selling products or services), is under the direct control of the district with respect to the use and maintenance of the education records and is restricted from re-disclosing the education records except as permitted by FERPA. Page 3 of 9 REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 7500.1 STUDENTS EDUCATION RECORDS A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official is: Performing a task that is specified in his or her position description or by a contract agreement; performing a task related to a student's education; performing a task related to the discipline of a student; providing a service or benefit relating to the student or student's family, such as health care, counseling, job placement, or financial aid; or maintaining the safety and security of the campus. The District receives services from the Madison Oneida BOCES Regional Information Center and it’s vendors in accordance with FERPA. A request for a complete list of current vendors may be submitted to the Records Access Officer. 5. Student seeks to enroll in a different school: The District may release student records to officials of other schools in which the student seeks or intends to enroll, provided that the student’s parents are notified of the transfer, receive a copy of the record if desired, and have an opportunity for a hearing to challenge the content of the record. 6. Certain State and Federal Officials: The District may release information to authorized officials of the Comptroller General of the United States, the Attorney General of the United States, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education or certain State and Local Educational authorities. 7. Financial Aid: The District may release information to appropriate parties in connection with a student’s application for or receipt of financial aid. 8. Authorized organizations performing studies: The District may release information to organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of the District to develop, validate or administer predictive tests, administer student aid programs or improve instruction, provided that appropriate safeguards are implemented in accordance with federal regulations. 9. Accrediting Organizations: The District may release information to authorized accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. 10. Court Order or Subpoena: The District may release information pursuant to a valid court order or subpoena, provided that the District makes a reasonable effort to notify the affected parent or eligible student of the court order or subpoena in advance of the release of the information (except that in certain cases, such as in the case of certain subpoenas issued under the U.S. Patriot Act, the court order or Page 4 of 9 REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 7500.1 STUDENTS EDUCATION RECORDS subpoena may require release of information without advance notice to the parents). 11. Victim of Specified Crimes: In certain instances, the District may release to the victim of a specified crime, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding commenced against the alleged perpetrator, provided that the release conforms to the requirements of 34 CFR 99.39. The final results may only include the name of the student, the offense committed and the sanction imposed by the District. 12. Information Concerning Registered Sex Offenders: The District may release information provided to it under 42 USC 14071 and the applicable Federal Guidelines. 13. Release in connection with an emergency necessary to protect health or safety: The District may release information to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if the release is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons. The District will consider the following criteria when determining whether the information should be disclosed: The seriousness of the threat to the health of the student or other individuals; The need for the information to meet the emergency; Whether the parties to whom the information is disclosed are in a position to deal with the emergency; The extent to which time is of the essence in dealing with the emergency. The District will record the articulable and significant threat that formed the basis for the disclosure and the parties to whom the information was disclosed B. If the District discloses student records to a third party as permitted by this policy, the District will: 1. Advise the third party of its duty to refrain from redisclosing the information and of its obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. 2. If possible, attach to the disclosed record the following statement: “This document contains personal information from a student’s education records. It is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) and may not be re-released without consent of the parent or eligible student.” Page 5 of 9 REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 7500.1 STUDENTS EDUCATION RECORDS V. Requests to Inspect Education Records: A. Request: A parent who is interested in inspecting the student’s education record must submit his/her request to the Records Access Officer between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm on any school day. Requests should be submitted in writing, on a form provided by the District (Regulation 7500.2). Copies of the form are available in the office of the Records Access Officer. If a parent makes an oral request for access to the education record during a school conference, the District may provide the parent access to the education record even though it has not received the request in writing. B. Response: Within forty-five days of his/her receipt of a request for inspection, the Records Access Officer will determine and will advise the person making the request whether the records specified in the request are available for inspection. 1. Records Available: If the records are available for inspection, the Records Access Officer will advise the requestor when and where the record will be available for inspection. If the records contain information about more than one student, the Records Access Officer will remove from the copy of the records shown to the requester, any information which in his/her judgment would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy of any party (other than the student for whom the inspection has been requested). 2. Records Not Available: If the records are not available for inspection, the Records Access Officer will note the reason for the unavailability on the request form and will return a copy of the request form to the requesting party. 3. Explanation of Records: The Records Access Officer will respond to reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of the records. 4. Copying Fee: The fee for copies of records is twenty-five cents per page, which is required to be paid at the time the copy is requested. The District will waive the fee if the fee effectively denies the parent an opportunity to inspect and review the education record. 5. Maintaining a record of requests: The Records Access Officer shall keep with the education record of each student, a record of all individuals, agencies or organizations which have requested or obtained access to the student’s record (Regulation 7500.3) and a record of all re-disclosures it has authorized. The record will indicate the parties who requested or received the information and the legitimate interest the party had in the information. Page 6 of 9 REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 7500.1 STUDENTS EDUCATION RECORDS The District does not have to keep this record if the requester is the parent or eligible student, a school official with a legitimate educational interest in the information, a party with written consent from the parent or eligible student, a party seeking directory information, or a party seeking information through certain subpoenas or court orders where the issuing court or agency has ordered that the existence or the contents of the subpoena or information not be disclosed. VI. Request to Amend Education Records: A. B. C. VII. If a Parent believes the education records relating to the student contain information that is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student's rights of privacy, he or she may ask the educational agency or institution to amend the record. 1. The request shall be directed to the Records Access Officer during regular business hours on the prescribed form. Copies of the form are available in the Superintendent's office or the office of the Records Access Officer. (See Regulation No. 7500.4). 2. The request shall identify, in writing, the record or records which the parent believes to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s rights of privacy, with a statement of the reasons for the challenge to the record. The Records Access Officer will make a written response to the request to amend an education record within twenty days of his/her receipt of the request. The response will indicate whether the Records Access Officer: 1. Finds that the record in question is inaccurate, misleading or an invasion of the student’s rights of privacy and that the record will be amended as requested, or 2. Finds that there is an insufficient basis to amend the record in question. If the Records Access Officer finds that there is an insufficient basis to amend the record in question, he/she will notify in writing the requesting party of the opportunity for a hearing and will provide the requesting party with a form to request the hearing. Through informal meetings with the Parents, the settlement of a dispute regarding content of education records is encouraged. Request for Hearing: Page 7 of 9 REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 7500.1 STUDENTS EDUCATION RECORDS A. Request: If a parent disagrees with the Records Access Officer’s finding that there is an insufficient basis to amend the education record the parent may request a hearing. The request must be submitted to the Superintendent within ten days of the parent’s receipt of the Records Access Officer’s decision, on a form provided by the District. The hearing will be conducted within ten days of the Superintendent’s receipt of the request for a hearing. B. Notice: The District will mail a hearing notice to the requesting party reasonably in advance of the hearing. The hearing notice will include the date, time and place of the hearing. C. Hearing: The Hearing will be conducted by the Superintendent (or by another person designated by the Superintendent who does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing). During the hearing, the requesting party may be represented by an individual or individuals (including an attorney) at his/her own expense. The requesting party will have a full and fair opportunity to present relevant evidence. D. Decision: The Superintendent (or designee) will submit a written decision within ten days after completion of the hearing. The decision must be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing, and must include a summary of the evidence and the reasons for the decision. 1. If the Superintendent (or designee) finds that the record should be amended, he/she will amend the record and will inform the parent of the amendment in writing. 2. If the Superintendent (or designee) finds that the record should not be amended, he/she will inform the parent in writing of the right to place a statement in the record commenting on the contested information and/or stating why he/she disagrees with the decision of the District. The District will maintain the statement with the contested part of the record for as long as the record is maintained and will disclose the statement whenever it discloses the portion of the record to which the statement relates. VIII. Notification of Rights: A. The District shall annually disseminate a notice to parents and eligible students of their rights relative to education records. The notice will allow parents at least thirty days to ask the District not to disclose some or all of the directory information. (See Regulation No. 7500.5). Page 8 of 9 REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 7500.1 STUDENTS EDUCATION RECORDS B. Legal Ref: Parents and eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures to comply with FERPA. Written complaints may be filed with: The Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-5920. The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232(g); 34 CFR 99; October 9, 2002 Joint Memorandum from Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld; February 7, 2003 Memorandum to Superintendent’s from LeRoy S. Rooker, Director of the Family Policy Compliance Office, US Dept. of Education. Central Valley Central School District Adopted: _____ Page 9 of 9 Central Valley Central School District New 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7500.2 APPLICATION TO INSPECT FERPA RECORDS To: Student Records Access Officer __________________________ I hereby apply to inspect the following student’s records: _________________________ (Name of Student) I hereby apply to inspect the following records: _________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ I am the: ( ( ( ( ) ) ) ) Natural Parent Legal Guardian Individual acting as parent or guardian in the absence of student’s parent or guardian Student over 18 years of age _____________________________________ Signature _______________________________ Date _____________________________________ Representing _______________________________ Address FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT ONLY Approved: _____ Denied: _____ ( ) ( ) ( ) Requested record cannot be found Requested record has been destroyed Requested record not maintained by school _________________________ Signature NOTICE: ___________________________ Title ______________ Date You have a right to request correction of the content of the school records examined if you believe such records to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student by making a request on a prescribed form directed to the above referenced Records Access Officer. I hereby request a correction. _____________________________________ Signature Approved by the Superintendent: ______ Page 1 of 1 _____________________ Date Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION New 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7500.3 STUDENT PRIVACY – RECORD OF FERPA REQUESTS Name of Person, Agency or Organization Seeking Access Date Requested Approved by the Superintendent: Records Requested Reason for Request ______ Page 1 of 1 Access Granted/ Denied Disposition of Request Remarks Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 7500.4 STUDENTS REQUEST TO CORRECT FERPA RECORDS To: Student Records Access Officer ___________________________ I request a correction of the following school records related to: ____________________________ (Name of Student) My grounds for requesting such correction are as follows: _____________________________ Signature _____________________ Date _____________________________ Representing _____________________ _____________________ Mailing Address Approved by the Superintendent: ______ Page 1 of 1 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION New 05/23/2013 STUDENTS 7500.5 STUDENT PRIVACY FERPA NOTICE Date: Dear Parent or Eligible Student: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords parents or “eligible students” (students who are over 18 years of age or enter a postsecondary educational institution) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of some of those rights and to provide you with the following contact information for the District’s Records Access Officer: Name: Address: Telephone: Examples of FERPA rights include: 1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the School receives a request for access. Written requests for such access may be submitted to the Records Access Officer between ______________ on any school day. Such requests should be submitted on the District’s Application for Inspection of Student Records form that is located in the Office of the Records Access Officer. 2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate, misleading or an invasion of the student’s privacy rights. A request for an amendment may be submitted to the Records Access Officer during regular business hours. Such requests should be submitted on the District’s Request For Correction of Student Records form that is located in the Office of the Records Access Officer. If the Records Access Officer denies a properly submitted request for an amendment, the person seeking the amendment will be advised of his/her right to a hearing regarding the requested amendment. 3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. For example, the District may, without consent, disclose: a. Personally identifiable information to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member, including health or medical staff; a person elected to the School Board; a person or company employed by or under contract to the District to perform a special task, such as an Page 1 of 4 REGULATION Draft 04/23/2013 7500.5 Renumber/revise 7080.5 STUDENTS STUDENT PRIVACY FERPA NOTICE attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist; a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or who is assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official may be a contractor, consultant, volunteer or other party to whom the District has outsourced instructional services and functions if that individual or entity is performing services district employees otherwise perform (is not selling products or services), is under the direct control of the district with respect to the use and maintenance of the education records and is restricted from re-disclosing the education records except as permitted by FERPA. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official is performing a task that is specified in his or her position description or by a contract agreement; performing a task related to a student's education; performing a task related to the discipline of a student; providing a service or benefit relating to the student or student's family, such as health care, counseling, job placement, or financial aid; or maintaining the safety and security of the campus. The District receives services from the Madison Oneida BOCES Regional Information Center and it’s vendors in accordance with FERPA. A request for a complete list of current vendors may be submitted to the Records Access Officer. b. 4. Appropriately designated “directory information”, unless the parent or eligible student has advised the District to the contrary by filling out and returning the below attached Request to Limit Disclosure of Directory Information form. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the District to include this type of information from the student’s education records in certain school publications such as a playbill (showing the student’s role in a drama production), an annual yearbook, an honor roll or other recognition list, a graduation program, or a sports activity sheet (such as a wrestling program that discloses participants height or weight), etc. Directory information may also be disclosed to outside organizations such as companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks or other companies. Additionally, Federal Law requires Districts receiving certain federal assistance to provide requesting military recruiters with secondary school names, addresses, telephone listings and possibly other directory information, unless parents or eligible students have advised the District that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without prior written consent. The right to know that the District has designated the following information as directory information: Directory Information: student’s name, parent’s name, address, date and place of birth, telephone number, email address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most recent previous educational agency attended by student, photograph, and video images of students engaged in routine activities when those images are not records of the district’s Page 2 of 4 REGULATION Draft 04/23/2013 7500.5 Renumber/revise 7080.5 STUDENTS STUDENT PRIVACY FERPA NOTICE law enforcement unit. If you do not want the District to disclose directory information without your prior written consent, you must complete and return to the District the below attached form by ____________ (insert date thirty or more days from the date of this notice). 5. The right to file a complaint with the following office if you believe the District has violated your FERPA rights: Family Policy Compliance Office, US Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605. Additionally, please be aware that: It is the District’s policy to disclose education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, and; IF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE IS USED The District uses video surveillance cameras on school property and in school vehicles to maintain the physical security and safety of the campus. The District has designated its Security Office as its law enforcement unit and has assigned to them the responsibility of maintaining the video surveillance images. Sincerely, Page 3 of 4 REGULATION Draft 04/23/2013 7500.5 Renumber/revise 7080.5 STUDENTS STUDENT PRIVACY FERPA NOTICE Request To Limit Disclosure of Directory Information Records Access Officer ____________________ Dear Records Access Officer: ______ Please secure my written consent before releasing my child’s name, address, telephone number and directory information to military recruiters. Please secure my written consent before releasing the following directory information to anyone: ______________________________________________________________________________ Parent Signature Date of Request For District Use Only Request Received By Date Request Received Approved by the Superintendent: Page 4 of 4 Policy New 05/23/2013 7600 STUDENTS PROVIDING A SAFE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF A VIOLENT CRIMINAL OFFENSE I. Introduction The Unsafe School Choice Option (Section 9532 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001) requires that students attending a persistently dangerous public school, or students who become victims of a violent criminal offense while in or on the grounds of a public school that they attend, be allowed to attend a safe public school within the District (including public charter schools) if such choice is available in that public school. Pursuant to the Unsafe School Choice Option, New York State law and Commissioner’s Regulations, the option of a safe public school will not be available in districts where there are no other safe public schools within the district at the same grade level. II. Notification Of Parents That A Student Has Been Determined To Be The Victim Of A Violent Criminal Offense: A. The Superintendent has the responsibility to determine if a student has been the victim of a violent criminal offense. 1. 2. 1 Violent criminal offense means a crime that: a. Involves infliction of a serious physical injury1 upon another as defined in the State Penal Law; b. A sex offense that involves forcible compulsion; or c. Any other offense defined in the Penal Law that involves the use or threatened use of a deadly weapon2. Before the Superintendent determines that a student is the victim of a violent criminal offense, he or she must consult with any law enforcement agency investigating the alleged violent criminal incident and consider any reports or records provided by such agency. However, the Superintendent may determine that a student is the victim of a violent criminal offense Penal Law §10.00(10) defines “serious physical injury” as a “physical injury which creates a substantial risk of death, or which causes death or serious and protracted disfigurement, protracted impairment of health or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ.” 2 Penal Law §10.00(12) defines “deadly weapon” as “any loaded weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, gravity knife, pilum ballistic knife, metal knuckles knife, dagger, billy, blackjack, or metal knuckles.” POLICY New 05/23/2013 7600 STUDENTS PROVIDING A SAFE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF A VIOLENT CRIMINAL OFFENSE whether or not the perpetrator is charged, convicted or acquitted by a court of law. B. C. D. 3. The Superintendent may also consult with the school district’s attorney prior to making a determination that a student has been the victim of a violent criminal offense. 4. The District is also required to complete and maintain a Violent and Disruptive Incident Report (VADIR) for each violent or disruptive incident that occurs. 1. Where the Superintendent determines that the student is not the victim of a violent criminal offense, the parent of, or persons in parental relation to, such student shall be notified of such determination. 2. If the parent of, or persons in parental relation to, the student wish to challenge such determination, they may file a timely appeal with the Commissioner of Education (copy to the Superintendent). 1. Where the Superintendent determines that the student is a victim of a violent criminal offense, as defined above, the District shall notify the parents of, or persons in parental relation to, such student of his or her right to transfer to a public school within the District (including public charter schools) and the procedures for such transfer, if such transfer is not otherwise precluded by the NCLB Act. 2. Notification of the right to transfer shall not be required when: a. there are no other public schools within the District at the same grade level; or b. such transfer to a safe school is otherwise impossible. 3. Such notice shall occur within twenty-four hours of the Superintendent’s determination. 4. Such notice shall be, to the extent practicable, provided in the dominant language or mode of communication used by the parents or persons in parental relationship to such student. The District’s Code of Conduct has established procedures governing the notification of law enforcement officials of code violations that constitute crimes. Page 2 of 4 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7600 STUDENTS PROVIDING A SAFE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF A VIOLENT CRIMINAL OFFENSE E. III. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the determination of the Superintendent shall not have collateral estoppel effect in any student disciplinary proceeding brought against the alleged victim or perpetrator of the alleged offense. Designating a Safe Public School or Schools A. When a student has been determined to be a victim of a violent criminal offense that occurred on the grounds of a public elementary or secondary school that the student attends, it shall be the responsibility of the District to designate a safe public school or schools within the District (including public charter schools) to which such student may transfer. B. However, a District is not required to designate a safe public school where there are no other public schools within the District at the same grade level or such transfer to a safe public school within the District is otherwise impossible; or if the District has only one public school within the District or only one public school at each grade level. C. A safe public school is defined as a public school that has not been designated by the Commissioner of Education as a persistently dangerous public elementary or secondary school. D. 1. In designating a safe public school or schools the district shall utilize objective criteria. The District may also take into account the needs and preferences of the affected student and parents/persons in parental relation. 2. Such school or schools must be at the same grade level as the school from which the student is transferring. To the extent possible, students should be transferred to schools that are making adequate yearly progress and have not been identified as requiring school improvement, corrective action or restructuring. E. The District shall make every reasonable effort to offer the parents of, or persons in parental relation to, a student who has been determined to be a victim of a violent criminal offense an opportunity to transfer the child to a safe public school within the District within ten (10) calendar days of such determination. F. The parent of, or persons in parental relation to, the student who has been determined to be the victim of a violent criminal offense and who has been offered the choice to transfer to a safe public school within the District may Page 3 of 4 POLICY New 05/23/2013 7600 STUDENTS PROVIDING A SAFE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF A VIOLENT CRIMINAL OFFENSE accept such transfer or elect to have the student continue at his or her present school. IV. G. A student who transfers to a safe public school pursuant to this policy shall be enrolled in the classes and other activities of the public school in the same manner as all other children at such school. H. Any student who transfers to a safe public school pursuant to this policy shall be permitted to remain in such safe public school until the student has completed the highest grade level in such school, or for such other period prescribed by the United States Department of Education, whichever is less. I. The District shall provide transportation for any student permitted to transfer to the safe public school with the District it has designated, within the transportation limits established pursuant to Section 3635 of the Education Law. Documentation The Superintendent shall maintain appropriate documentation regarding consultations with law enforcement officials and procedures utilized for parental notification and student transfer. ===================================================================== Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: Chapter 425 of the Laws of 2002 relevant to Unsafe School Choice, Provisions of Part 120 of the Commissioner’s Regulations relevant to Unsafe School Choice Adopted: _______ Page 4 of 4 Policy New 05/23/2013 8300 INSTRUCTION EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT MATERIALS SELECTION I. II. Statement of Philosophy A. The Board of Education of the Central Valley Central School District is legally responsible for the selection of instructional materials. Since the board is a policy making body, it delegates to the professional personnel of the district the authority for the selection of materials in accordance with this policy. B. “Instructional Materials” shall mean any book, or book substitute, which includes hardcover or paperback books, workbooks or manuals which a pupil is required to use as a text for a semester or more. All such required books will be furnished free to all pupils attending the District’s schools. C. The following principles should guide the professional staff in the selection of instructional materials, library books, periodicals, maps, globes, charts, slides, prints, films, filmstrips, film loops, micro-films and recordings of the highest quality. Criteria for Selection of Learning Materials A. Needs of the school based on knowledge of the curriculum and the existing collection are given first consideration. B. Materials for purchases are considered on the basis of: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. III. Overall purpose Timeliness or permanence Importance of the subject matter Quality of the writing or production Readability and popular appeal Authoritativeness Reputation of the publisher/producer Reputation and significance of the author/artist/composer/producer, etc. Format and price Requests from faculty and students. Principles for Selection of Instructional Materials A. Materials will be selected that will enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities and maturity levels of the pupils. Page 1 of 3 POLICY New 05/23/2013 8300 INSTRUCTION EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT MATERIALS SELECTION IV. B. Materials will be selected that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards. C. Material will be selected that will provide a background of information which enables pupils to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives and foster attitudes which will carry into adult life. D. Materials will be selected that will present opposing sides of controversial issues so that young citizens may develop under guidance the practice of critical reading, thinking and judgment. E. Materials will be selected that will be representative of the many ethnic and cultural groups and their contributions to our society. F. Materials will be selected that present the many and varied aspects of our culture and society including some aspects that may be considered to be negative. G. The value and impact of any literary work will be judged as a whole, taking into account the author's intent rather than individual words, phrase or incidents out of which it is made. H. Educators, remembering the maturity level of a child, may recommend for individual reading, materials they feel will have educational significance for an individual student. I. Materials should be selected to provide a comprehensive collection appropriate for all patrons. J. Pursuant to Section 200.2 of the Commissioner’s Regulations, the District shall give preference in the purchase of instructional materials to those vendors who agree to provide such instructional materials in alternative formats for students with disabilities. Selection Tools A. Reputable, unbiased, professional prepared selection aids shall be consulted as guides. The judgment of the professional staff must be respected as a valid source in the selection of materials. B. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of School, the Board of Educational shall designate the textbooks to be used. Page 2 of 3 POLICY New 05/23/2013 8300 INSTRUCTION EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT MATERIALS SELECTION V. Procedure for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials A. Criticisms of books or other material deemed objectionable should be brought to the attention of the Superintendent and/or Building Principal of the building concerned in writing. The attached request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials form shall be used for this criticism. B. The following procedures will constitute a formal reconsideration: 1. A committee, including the librarian and Building principal, will be designated by the Superintendent of Schools to review the involved material. 2. The committee will review the involved material in light of the selection criteria noted above and make a written recommendation regarding use of the involved material to the Superintendent of Schools. 4. The Superintendent of Schools will review the committee's recommendation and inform the individual or group requesting review of the material of his/her decision. 5. The decision of the Superintendent of Schools may be appealed, in writing, to the Board of Education. The Board of Education will submit its decision in writing to the person or group asking for reconsideration. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: NYS Education Law Sections 701, 702 and 704; 8 NYCRR 21.1 and 21.4 Adopted: ______ Page 3 of 3 Policy New 05/23/2013 8302 INSTRUCTION COURSES INCLUDING DISSECTION OF ANIMALS I. Statement of Policy A. Students enrolled in a course that includes the dissection of an animal shall be given reasonable notice of that fact, and information about the student’s right under Section 809 of the Education Law and this Policy to be excused from witnessing or conducting animal dissection. This notice shall be distributed at the beginning of the school year, and shall be available upon request at the school office. B. Students will be excused from witnessing or conducting animal dissection if the student: C. II. 1. provides a written statement from the student’s parent or legal guardian substantiating the fact that the student has a moral or religious objection to witnessing or conducting animal dissection, and 2. agrees to undertake and complete an alternative project approved by the student’s teacher. Students who perform alternative projects who do not perform or witness the dissection of animals will not be penalized. Implementation of Policy The Superintendent of Schools shall prepare a notice that complies with the requirements of Section 809 of the Education Law and insure that teachers are aware of this Policy and that the notice is distributed as required. ===================================================================== Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: NYS Education Law Section 809(4) Adopted: ______ Policy INSTRUCTION New 05/23/2013 8500 SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES I. II. III. The Central Valley Central School District shall make available to all students who are eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Article 89 of the New York State Education Law, and implementing regulations, a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment appropriate to meet individual needs. A. The Central Valley Central School District accepts its responsibility to ensure that pupils with disabilities have the same opportunity to participate in district programs including extra-curricular programs and activities, which are available to all other pupils enrolled in the District. B. The Central Valley Central District, in accordance with Section 200.2(b)(4) of the Commissioner’s Regulations, shall ensure that a continuum of alternative placements will be available to meet the needs of students with disabilities for special education and related services. To enable students with disabilities to be educated with nondisabled students to the maximum extent appropriate, specially designed instruction and supplementary services may be provided in the regular class. Such services may include, but are not limited to, consultant teacher services and other group or individual supplemental or direct special education instruction. Consistent with the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations, the Board of Education will: A. Appoint a committee on special education and, as appropriate, CSE subcommittees to assure the identification and placement of eligible students with disabilities. The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent to recruit and recommend for hiring individuals who possess the certification, education and experience necessary. B. Based upon the recommendation of the CSE, arrange for special education programs within legally prescribed timeframes. Should it disagree with the recommendation of the CSE, the Board, upon notice to the parents involved, and in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, may, forward its concerns to the CSE, or reconvene a second CSE for review of and revisions to the original recommendations as appropriate. To ensure the appropriate delivery of services to students with disabilities who reside in the District, the Superintendent shall ensure that: POLICY New 05/23/2013 8500 INSTRUCTION SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IV. A. All children with disabilities residing in the New York Mills Union Free School District including those attending private school are identified, located and evaluated. A register of students eligible to attend the public schools or to attend a preschool program in accordance with Section 4410 of the Education Law shall be maintained and revised annually by the CSE or CPSE as appropriate. B. School wide approaches and pre-referral interventions including, but not limited to, academic intervention services in order to remediate a student’s performance prior to referral for special education are implemented. C. Personally identifiable data and information or records pertaining to students with disabilities remain confidential as required by law and regulations. D. The Board shall develop and implement a plan as part of the professional development plan pursuant to section 100.2(dd) of the Commissioner’s Regulations. Such plan shall include, but is not limited to, a description of the professional development activities provided to all professional staff and supplementary school personnel who work with students with disabilities to assure that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the needs of students with disabilities. E. The district plan governing the provision of special education programs and services will provide detailed information on how appropriate space for the provision of special education programs and services will be allocated. The Committee on Special Education (CSE) is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Education regarding the identification and placement of students with disabilities. A. The CSE will convene periodically in accordance with federal laws and regulations to identify and review each student’s IEP and, if necessary, to make further recommendations to the Board of Education. B. The CSE will develop strategies to ensure the successful application of a student’s IEP and to ensure that the student’s IEP remains confidential and is not disclosed to any person except in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and applicable regulations. 1. The CSE shall ensure that each regular education teacher, special education teacher, related service provider, and other service provider who is responsible for the implementation of a student’s Individualized Page 2 of 3 POLICY New 05/23/2013 8500 INSTRUCTION SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Education Program (IEP) is given a copy of such student’s IEP prior to the implementation of such program. 2. Other service providers (such as certain teachers, assistants, and support staff persons) who will not receive a copy of the IEP, but who have direct contact with a disabled student shall be given information of the specific accommodations relevant to their contact with such student. a. V. The Chairperson of the CSE shall designate a professional employee of the district with knowledge of the student’s disability and the education program to, prior to the implementation of the student’s IEP, inform each such teacher, assistant and support staff person of his or her responsibility relating to the implementation of the IEP and the specific accommodations, modifications and support that must be provided. Parents of students with disabilities and their children shall be provided with notice of the procedural safeguards available to them and their children. The district will use the procedural safeguard notice prescribed by the Commissioner of Education and make the notice available in the manner prescribed by the Commissioner’s Regulations. Students with disabilities and their parents will be afforded the procedural safeguard rights set forth in the notice. ===================================================================== Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: 8 NYCRR Part 200; 34 CFR 300, 20 U.S.C. Section 14 et seq. (IDEA); 4401 et seq., NYS Education Law; Chapter 408 of the Laws of 2002. Cross Ref: Programs for Students with Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Policy. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974(FERPA) Policy. Adopted: _______ Page 3 of 3 Policy New 05/23/2013 8501 INSTRUCTION PREREFERRAL AND DECLASSIFICATION TEAMS I. II. The Central Valley Central School District recognizes the need for a school-wide approach to prereferral intervention in order to remediate a student’s performance prior to referral to the Committee(s) on Special Education. In accordance with Section 200.2(b)(7) of the Commissioner’s Regulations, the District supports the establishment of building level, multidisciplinary Child Study Teams (CST). A. The composition of each CST may include, but is not limited, to guidance counselor(s), social worker(s), psychologist(s), nurse(s), speech/language therapists, special education teacher(s), remedial teacher(s) and classroom teacher(s). The Building Administrator or his/her designee shall serve as a member of the team. B. The team will document what intervention strategies that are recommended for implementation; and will review and consider any existing evaluation information and services currently being provided by the District such as AIS (Academic Intervention Services) and LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services. Written parental consent shall be required for any assessments recommended by the teams. C. The CST will develop a written plan on a form prescribed by the District. The CST will ensure that the plan is communicated to all necessary instructional and support staff members. Upon declassification of a student, a referral to the CST for the review of the provision of educational and support services shall be made. The team shall establish a timeframe for the periodic review of each student referred to the team. It is recommended that this review occur at least once during the year following declassification. Such review shall incorporate consideration of continuance or modification of the educational and support services the child is receiving. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: 8 NYCRR 200.2(b)(7) and (8) Adopted: _______ Page 1 of 1 Policy New 05/23/2013 8502 INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES UNDER SECTION 504 OF THE FEDERAL REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 I. Introduction A. It is the responsibility of the Central Valley Central School District to identify and evaluate students with disabilities who, within the intent of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, need special services or programs in order that such students may receive the required free appropriate education. A free appropriate education consists of regular or special education and related aids and services that are designed to meet the disabled student's needs as adequately as the needs of nondisabled students are met. Each qualified student within the District who is eligible to receive regular or special education or related aids or services, regardless of the nature or severity of the condition necessitating such programs or services, shall receive a free appropriate education in the District. B. For purposes of this policy, a student who may need special services or programs within the intent of Section 504 is one who: C. II. 1. Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (e.g., learning); or 2. Has a record of such impairment; or 3. Is regarded as having such impairment. Students may be eligible for services under the provisions of Section 504 even though they do not require services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq. (IDEA) and Article 89 of the New York Education Law and part 200 of the State Commissioner's regulations which implement the IDEA. Students who are identified as disabled individuals with exceptional needs, according to IDEA criteria, are not addressed under this policy. The needs of such students are met through the Committee on Special Education (CSE) and its policies and procedures and under the applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Identification and Referral Procedures A. Any student who needs or is believed to need special education or related services not available through existing programs in order to receive a free appropriate public education may be referred by the student's parent or guardian, a teacher, or other certified school employee the designated Section 504 Committee (504 POLICY New 05/23/2013 8502 INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES UNDER SECTION 504 OF THE FEDERAL REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 Committee) for identification and evaluation of the student's individual education needs. B. III. 1. All decisions involving placements of children protected under Section 504 must be made by a group of individuals, including persons knowledgeable about the child, the meaning of the evaluation data and the placement options. 2. Subject to the sole discretion of the Board of Education, the CSE may be designated as the 504 Committee. C. Members of the 504 Committee will be encouraged to participate in training sessions and to provide in-service workshops so that others can be made more knowledgeable of disabilities, needs and law and regulations in this area. D. The 504 Committee will consider the referral and, based upon a review of the student's existing records, including academic, medical, social, and behavioral records, make a decision as to whether an evaluation under this program is appropriate. If a request for evaluation is denied, the 504 Committee will inform the parent or guardian of this decision and of their procedural rights. Evaluation A. Evaluation of the student and formulation of a plan of services will be carried out by the 504 Committee according to the following procedures: 1. The 504 Committee will evaluate the nature of the student's disability and the impact of the disability upon the student's education. This evaluation will include consideration of any behaviors that interfere with regular participation of a student who otherwise meets the criteria (such as age) for participation in the educational program and/or activities. It shall also consider aptitude and achievement tests, teacher reports and recommendations, the student's physical condition, social or cultural background and adaptive behavior. 2. No final determination of whether the student will or will not be identified as disabled within the meaning of Section 504 will be made by the 504 Committee without first inviting the parent or guardian of the student to participate in a meeting concerning such determination. 3. A final decision will be made by the 504 Committee in writing, and the parents or guardian of the student shall be notified of the Section 504 Page 2 of 5 POLICY New 05/23/2013 8502 INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES UNDER SECTION 504 OF THE FEDERAL REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 procedural safeguards available to them, including the right to an impartial hearing and review. IV. Plan for Services A. For a student who has been identified as disabled within the meaning of Section 504 and in need of special education or related aids and services, the 504 Committee shall be responsible for determining what special services are needed. B. In making such determination, the 504 Committee will consider all available relevant information, drawing upon a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, comprehensive assessments conducted by the District's professional staff and/or the CSE. C. The parents or guardian will be invited to participate in 504 Committee meetings where services for the student will be determined, and will be given an opportunity to examine all relevant records. D. The 504 Committee will develop a written plan describing the disability and the special education or related services needed. The plan will specify how the regular or special education and related aids and services will be provided, and by whom. The plan may also specify accommodations that are to be made for the student within the regular education program. E. The 504 Committee may also determine that no special education, related services or accommodations are appropriate. If so, the record of the 504 Committee proceedings will reflect the identification of the student as a disabled person and will state the basis for the decision that no special services are presently needed. F. A disabled student will be placed in the regular educational environment of the District, with the use of supplementary aids and services, unless the 504 Committee demonstrates that such placement cannot be achieved satisfactorily. The disabled student will be educated with those who are not disabled to the maximum extent appropriate to the individual needs of the student. However, appropriate consideration must be given to the impact of a student with a disability on the education of other students in the general or special education class when making placement decisions. The 504 Committee will notify the parents or guardian in writing of its final decision concerning the services to be provided. G. H. If a plan for related services is developed, all school personnel who work with the student will be informed of the plan. Page 3 of 5 POLICY New 05/23/2013 8502 INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES UNDER SECTION 504 OF THE FEDERAL REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 V. Review of the Student's Progress The 504 Committee will monitor the progress of the disabled student and the effectiveness of the student's education plan annually to determine whether special education, related services or accommodations are appropriate and necessary, and that the disabled student's needs are being met as adequately as the needs of the nondisabled students. Prior to any subsequent significant change in placement, a comprehensive reevaluation of the student's needs will be conducted. VI. Procedural Safeguards A. The parents or guardian will be notified in writing of all District decisions concerning the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of students made under this policy. B. The parents or guardian will be notified that they may examine relevant records. C. As to such decisions by the District, the parents or guardians shall have the right to an impartial hearing (Section 504 due process hearing). In the notification of any District decision concerning identification, evaluation, or placement, the parents or guardian will be advised that: D. 1. A request for a Section 504 due process hearing must be made in writing and filed with the Superintendent of Schools within thirty (30) days of notice of the determination to be reviewed. 2. The hearing shall be held by a person to be designated by the Board of Education. 3. The parent or guardian shall be permitted to participate in the hearing and shall be allowed to summon witnesses and to present other evidence on behalf of the student. 4. The parent or guardian shall be permitted to be represented by counsel at the hearing. 5. Compliance with technical rules of evidence shall not be required at the hearing. If a state due process hearing has been or will be held under the IDEA concerning issues relevant to the Section 504 proceeding, a hearing officer qualified as to Page 4 of 5 POLICY New 05/23/2013 8502 INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES UNDER SECTION 504 OF THE FEDERAL REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 IDEA and Section 504 proceedings may preside in a joint hearing. The issues for either IDEA or Section 504 determination shall be clearly defined at the outset, and determinations by the hearing officer shall be separate and distinct. E. If both the parents or guardian and the District agree that the student is not eligible for special education under the IDEA, neither party is required to exhaust administrative proceedings under the IDEA prior to the holding of a Section 504 due process hearing. F. The hearing officer shall render a decision. The parents or guardian shall be notified in writing of the decision. Either party may seek review of the decision of the Section 504 hearing officer by a court of competent jurisdiction as authorized by law. G. The parties abide by the decision of the Section 504 hearing officer unless the decision is appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction and the decision is stayed by the court. ==================================================================== Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC Section 794 et seq. (Section 504); Memorandum NYS Education Department from Kathy Ahearn, Lawrence Gloeckler and Arthur Walton, November 1993; Memorandum U.S. Department of Education to Regional Civil Rights Directors from Jeanette Lim, April 29, 1993 Cross Ref: Equal Opportunity and NonDiscrimination Policy Adopted: ______ Page 5 of 5 Policy New 05/23/2013 8503 INSTRUCTION INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS I. The Central Valley Central School District has established the following policy on independent educational evaluations for district children with disabilities or for district children who are referred to the Committee on Special Education because they are suspected of having an educational disability and may, therefore, be in need of special education. II. Parents of children with disabilities or suspected disabilities have the right under Federal and State regulations to obtain an independent evaluation at public expense under certain conditions. Regulatory standards are outlined in New York State Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Part 200.5 (g)(1)(i). Additionally, the Federal Regulations (34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 300.503) specify requirements for an independent evaluation. III. The purpose of this policy and the ensuing regulation is to explain the rights of parents of children with disabilities, or for children who have been referred to the Committee on Special Education because they are suspected of having an educational disability and being in need of special education services, of their rights to an independent educational evaluation, and of the rights of parents and the responsibilities of the school district with regard to independent evaluations, and to avoid any misunderstandings. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref.: 8 NYCRR 200.1(z) & (ii); 8 NYCRR 200.5 (g): Commissioner’s Decision No. 12,822; January 2002 Filed Memorandum from Rita D. Levay, State Education Department. Cross Ref.: Selection, Appointment & Compensation of Impartial Hearing Officers Policy Adopted: _______ Page 1 of 1 Regulation New 05/23/2013 8503.1 INSTRUCTION INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS I. II. III. INTRODUCTION A. The Central Valley Central School District has developed a policy on Independent Educational Evaluations in order to avoid any misunderstanding and to ensure that the District is meeting its responsibility to the child and the parent in providing for an independent educational evaluation where appropriate. B. This policy ensures that appropriate evaluation information provided by parents is given meaningful consideration in the process of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) development. DEFINITIONS A. An “individual evaluation” means any procedures, tests, or assessments, including observations, given individually to a child to determine whether the child has a disability and/or to identify the child’s special education needs. B. An “Independent Educational Evaluation” means a procedure, test, or assessment conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the District that is responsible for the education of the student. C. The term “parent” means a parent, guardian or other person statutorily entitled to the privileges outlined by 8 NYCRR 200.5 (g). D. “Public expense” means that the District shall either pay for the cost of the independent educational evaluation or ensure that the independent educational evaluation is otherwise provided at no cost to the parent, provided that the cost of the independent educational evaluation does not exceed the monetary amount established by the District. INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS A. If requested by the parent, the District will provide to parents information about where an independent educational evaluation may be obtained, the District’s criteria under which the evaluation is to be obtained (including the location of the evaluation and the qualifications of the evaluator), and the District’s remaining criteria applicable for independent educational evaluations, including the District’s procedures for requesting reimbursement for the cost of an independent educational evaluation. Page 1 of 5 REGULATION New 05/23/2013 8503.1 INSTRUCTION INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION IV. V. B. A parent has the right to obtain their own independent educational evaluation for their child at their own expense. A parent does not have the right to an independent educational evaluation at the expense of the District if the District has not first conducted and completed its own evaluation of a child. C. An independent educational evaluation must be performed under the same criteria for evaluation procedures used by the District in its own individual evaluations. PUBLIC EXPENSE A. Public expense means that the School District either pays for the cost of the independent educational evaluation, provided that the cost does not exceed the monetary limits established in this regulation by the District. Where parents have insurance that will cover part or all of the cost of the evaluation, they are encouraged to submit a claim for payment of the evaluation to their insurer. The District will pay any deductible or co-pay for the evaluation upon receipt of proof of that amount and a completed copy of the evaluation report. B. The School District has established reasonable limits for the independent evaluators that do not exceed the costs which the School District would be required to pay its own employees. REQUEST FOR AN INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION A. If a parent disagrees with the results of an individual evaluation obtained by the District, the parent has the right to request an independent educational evaluation at public expense. B. If the parent wishes to obtain the District’s agreement to pay for an independent educational evaluation prior to the independent evaluation being conducted, the parent must submit a written request to the District requesting that the District fund the independent educational evaluation, within ninety (90) calendar days from the date of receipt of the District’s evaluation. C. Requests for reimbursement for the costs of an independent educational evaluation already obtained by the parent must be submitted within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of receipt of the results of the independent educational evaluation, in order to be considered. The District may not refuse to reimburse a parent for the reasonable costs not to exceed the monetary limits established in this regulation of an independent educational evaluation that the parent has already obtained, solely because the parent did not notify the District prior to obtaining the independent educational evaluation. Page 2 of 5 REGULATION New 05/23/2013 8503.1 INSTRUCTION INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION VI. D. The District will, without unnecessary delay, either ensure that an independent educational evaluation is provided at public expense, or initiate an impartial hearing to show that the District’s evaluation is appropriate and that it does not intend to pay for the evaluation requested by a parent. E. The District may ask for the parent’s reason why the parent objects to the individual evaluation. A parent need not provide an explanation for his/her objection to the individual evaluation. Additionally, the parent’s explanation or lack of explanation will not be a reason for the District to unreasonably delay either providing an independent educational evaluation at public expense or initiating an impartial hearing to defend the District’s evaluation. F. The District may initiate an impartial hearing if it believes its individual evaluation is appropriate and objects to the payment for an additional evaluation requested by the parent. If the District should choose to deny payment for an independent educational evaluation already performed on behalf of the child, or chooses to controvert a parent’s request for an independent educational evaluation to be performed at public expense, the District shall notify the parent in writing of its reasons for the denial, and of its intent to initiate an impartial hearing. G. If the Impartial Hearing Officer requests an independent educational evaluation as part of a hearing, the cost of the independent educational evaluation shall be at the District expense. H. The Impartial Hearing Officer shall determine if the District’s own evaluation is appropriate or not. If the Impartial Hearing Officer determines that the parent is entitled to an independent educational evaluation at the District expense, the District shall be responsible for the full costs of the independent educational evaluation evaluation. If the hearing officer determines that the District’s evaluation is appropriate, the parent has a right to an independent educational evaluation, but not at public expense. RESPONSIBILITIES A. When an independent educational evaluation is requested and approved by the District and an evaluator is selected by the parent, it becomes the responsibility of the evaluator chosen by the parent to contact and make arrangements with the District, to be confirmed in writing, the services to be performed, the cost involved, the method of payment, dates of classroom visitation and discussions with District staff, and a date when a written report will be submitted. Page 3 of 5 REGULATION New 05/23/2013 8503.1 INSTRUCTION INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION VII. VIII. INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS PROVIDED FOR AT PUBLIC EXPENSE A. When an independent educational evaluation is obtained at public expense, the criteria under which the independent educational evaluation is obtained must be the same as the criteria that the District uses when it initiates an independent evaluation (to the extent those criteria are consistent with the parent’s right to an independent educational evaluation). B. The District may not impose conditions other than those outlined by this Regulation or otherwise permitted by law. C. The District has established a comprehensive list of qualified individuals in private practice or employees of other public agencies who meet the District’s location and qualification criteria to whom parents may go to secure an independent evaluation. This list will be provided to parents upon request. A parent may, however, select an evaluator of their own choosing, as long as the evaluator meets the District’s geographic, qualification and reasonable cost criteria. D. The following criteria are applicable to District initiated evaluations and to parent initiated independent educational evaluations that are publicly funded: 1. The maximum fee allowable for a test is $_______. 2. Tests may take place within the following geographical specifications: Within a 50 mile radius of the boundaries of the school district. 3. New York State certification or licensure is required of all evaluators. E. The fee amounts set forth in this policy are consistent with those amounts which the District would pay when scheduling its own individual evaluations. F. The District shall periodically update its list of independent educational evaluators. USE OF THE INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS A. The results of an individual evaluation report must be shared with the child’s parent, along with copies of documentation of determination of eligibility. Parents of preschool children must also be provided a copy of the summary report of any evaluation performed. Page 4 of 5 REGULATION New 05/23/2013 8503.1 INSTRUCTION INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION IX. B. The results of an independent educational evaluation must be considered by the District as part of its review of a child’s entitlement to special educational needs, and the development of the child’s Individualized Educational Program (IEP), if appropriate. C. The results of an independent educational evaluation may be presented as evidence at an impartial hearing regarding a child. FURTHER INFORMATION The District has developed a policy and regulations governing independent educational evaluations in order to avoid any misunderstanding as to a parent’s entitlement to and the process for obtaining an independent educational evaluation. Parents can obtain further information on independent educational evaluations by contacting the Chairperson of the Committee on Special Education (CSE) or the Chairperson of the Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE) for the District at 315-768-3378. The parent may also wish to contact the Office for Special Education Services for the NYS Department of Education at NYS Education Department, Special Education Quality Assurance, State Tower Building, 109 Warren Street, Syracuse, New York 13202, at (315) 471-4796, and speak to a Regional Associate. Additional information may further be obtained from a booklet published by the NYS Department of Education entitled: A Parent’s Guide to Special Education: Your Child’s Right to an Education in New York State. This publication may be obtained either by calling the NYS Department of Education, or at: http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/parentguide.htm. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: 8 NYCRR 200.1(z) & (ii); 8 NYCRR 200.5(g); Commissioner’s Decision No. 12,822; January 2002 Field Memorandum From Rita D. Levay, State Education Department. Cross Ref: Selection, Appointment & Compensation of Impartial Hearing Officers Policy Adopted: _______ Page 5 of 5 Policy New 05/23/2013 8504 INSTRUCTION PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION I. The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility in ensuring that all resident preschool children with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in special programs and services from which they may benefit. II. The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to establish administrative practices and procedures to carry out the responsibility of providing preschool children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in special programs and services. Such administrative practices and procedures shall include: III. A. Locating and identifying all preschool children with disabilities pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Education Law. The register of children eligible to attend a preschool program is to be maintained and revised annually by the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE); B. Ensuring that the parent(s)/guardian(s) of preschool age children with disabilities have received and understand the request for consent for evaluation of their child; C. Developing an individualized education program (IEP) for each preschool age child with a disability; D. Appointing and training appropriately qualified personnel including the members of a CPSE; E. Maintaining lists of impartial hearing officers and of State Education Departmentapproved special education programs within the county and adjoining counties in which the district is located; and F. Reporting to the State Education Department the number of children with disabilities that are being served, as well as those not served. A. The Board of Education hereby establishes the CPSE as required under the Education Law. Its responsibilities will include the evaluation and recommendation for placement in appropriate approved programs and the provision of appropriate special education programs and services for each preschool child with a disability. The CPSE shall review, at least annually, the status of each preschool child with a disability. B. It is ultimately the responsibility of the Board to arrange for the appropriate approved preschool program and services for the district children. Should the Board disagree with the CPSE’s recommendations, it shall send the Page 1 of 2 POLICY New 05/23/2013 8504 INSTRUCTION PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION recommendation back to the CPSE so that they may schedule a timely meeting to review the Board’s concerns and to revise the IEP as deemed appropriate. C. Placement may be appealed by a parent/guardian to an impartial hearing officer, appointed by the Board. Mediation shall be offered to such parents/guardians to resolve complaints regarding the education of preschool children with disabilities at the same time notice of the availability of an impartial hearing is provided. D. The CPSE shall make an annual report on the status of each preschool child with a disability and report on the adequacy of preschool special education programs and services to the Board. IV. The Board directs the Superintendent to ensure that the district considers that adequate and appropriate space is made available for such programs and services. V. The Boards directs the Superintendent to develop and maintain a plan which incorporates information concerning the provision of services for preschool children with disabilities, pursuant to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: Section 4410, New York State Education Law; Commissioner’s Regulations 200.1(nn), 200.2 200.3, 20016(e)(3)(i) Adopted: ______ Page 2 of 2 Policy Draft 05/23/2013 8505 INSTRUCTION SELECTION, APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION OF IMPARTIAL HEARING OFFICERS I. II. III. The Central Valley Central School District is committed to providing a free and appropriate education to all of its students. The District therefore will appoint an impartial due process hearing officer (IHO) to review the identification, evaluation, or placement of any student who is disabled: A. If the District believes an impartial due process hearing is necessary to secure an appropriate identification, evaluation or placement and the District has fully exhausted its statutory and/or regulatory responsibilities with respect to securing parental consent. B. If the student's parent/guardian submits a written request for an impartial due process hearing. C. If the District fails to effectuate, within the mandated timelines, a recommendation issued by the Committee on Special Education and the student's parent/guardian submits a written request for an impartial due process hearing. An expedited impartial due process hearing related to the discipline of a student with a disability may be requested: A. By the District to obtain an order placing a student with a disability in an interim alternative educational setting when school personnel maintain that it is dangerous for the student to be in his or her current educational placement. (The District’s request for an expedited hearing may or may not be pending the outcome of a non-expedited hearing). B. By a parent/guardian who requests an impartial due process hearing from a determination that the student’s behavior was not a manifestation of the student’s disability. C. By a parent/guardian relating to any decision regarding a disciplinary change in placement, including but not limited to any decision to place the student in an interim alternative educational setting. The Superintendent will develop regulations to ensure the fair and efficient selection of IHOs. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: Section 4404 of the New York State Education Law; 8 NYCRR 200.1(x), 200.2(b)(9), 200.2(e)(1), 200.5(i)(3)(xiv), 200.5, 200.21; SRO 93-47; SED July 1998 Memorandum. Adopted: _____ Page 1 of 1 Regulation New 05/23/2013 8505.1 INSTRUCTION SELECTION, APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION OF IMPARTIAL HEARING OFFICERS I. II. The Central Valley Central School District will ensure the fair and efficient selection and appointment of impartial hearing officers (IHOs): A. By utilizing and maintaining the district-specific list for Impartial Hearing Officers as maintained by the NYS Education Department’s Impartial Hearing Reporting System (IHRS) pursuant to Part 200.1(x) and Part 200.2(e)(1) of the Commissioner's Regulations. B. By granting the Superintendent (or designee) the authority to conditionally appoint an IHO who has been selected according to the procedures set forth in this policy and arranging for Board approval of the conditional appointment at the first regular Board meeting following the conditional appointment. C. By reporting information related to the impartial hearing process, including but not limited to the request for initiation and completion of each impartial hearing to VESID in a format and at an interval prescribed by the Commissioner. D. By directing all employees to promptly forward to the Board of Education any parent’s request for an impartial hearing. E. By maintaining the confidentiality of the information contained in impartial hearing requests and impartial hearings. Initiating A Hearing: A. If the District initiates the impartial hearing, it will provide the parent with prior written notice that it intends to initiate the impartial hearing. Prior notice includes a statement of the action proposed and any explanation of why the district proposes to take the action. B. If a parent submits a written request for an impartial hearing, the request should include the name and address of the student, the name of the school the student is attending, a description of the nature of the problem of the student relating to the proposed or refused initiation or change (including facts related to the problem) and a proposed resolution of the problem to the extent known and available to the parents at the time. 1. The Superintendent (or designee) will make sure that the parent’s request is date-stamped on the first business day that the parent’s request is received by the District. Page 1 of 5 REGULATION New 05/23/2013 8505.1 INSTRUCTION SELECTION, APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION OF IMPARTIAL HEARING OFFICERS III. 2. The District may not deny or delay a parent’s right to an impartial hearing on the grounds that the parent’s written request for the hearing does not include required information. 3. The District will continue to process the request until the parent revokes the request in writing. After the District determines the need for an impartial hearing or receives a parental request for an impartial hearing: A. The Superintendent (or designee) will notify the affected student's parent of the availability of mediation and of free (or low cost) legal and other relevant services available in the area. The Superintendent (or designee) also will provide the parent with a copy of the District’s Procedural Safeguard Notice. B. The District should encourage the parents to consider mediation to resolve the disagreement. However, the District cannot delay initiating the impartial hearing once a written request for the hearing is received and the District will continue to process a parent’s hearing request until parent revokes the request in writing. C. The District will, within two business days of the day the District determines the need for an impartial hearing or receives a parental request for an impartial hearing, initiate the rotational selection process for appointing an IHO pursuant to Part 200.2(e)(1) and Part 200.5(i) of the Commissioner's regulations and the following procedure: 1. The Superintendent (or designee) will first contact the IHO whose name appears at the top of the alphabetical list, or if an IHO previously has been appointed to preside over any other matter, the Superintendent (or designee) will first contact the IHO whose name immediately follows the IHO last appointed. 2. The Superintendent (or designee) will ask any IHO who is contacted whether he/she can convene a hearing within 14 calendar days and can conclude the hearing (unless either party has requested and has been granted an extension) within 45 calendar days (or 30 calendar days for preschool students or 15 calendar days for expedited hearings). If the hearing officer is unable to convene a hearing within these timelines, he/she will be deemed unavailable to serve and the District will proceed Page 2 of 5 REGULATION New 05/23/2013 8505.1 INSTRUCTION SELECTION, APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION OF IMPARTIAL HEARING OFFICERS with the rotational selection process by contacting the IHO whose name next appears on the alphabetical list. D. E. IV. 3. An IHO who has not responded or remains unreachable after at least two reasonable and independently verifiable efforts to contact him/her within a twenty-four hour period will be deemed unavailable to serve and the District will proceed with the rotational selection process by contacting the IHO whose name next appears on the alphabetical list. (See SED's July 1998 Memorandum). Examples of reasonable and independently verifiable efforts include facsimile, electronic mail, certified overnight mail and telephone contacts that are recorded and confirmed in writing. 4. The District may seek to expedite the selection process by simultaneously contacting and checking the availability of multiple hearing officers, provided that the District’s ultimate selection accords with the rotational selection process detailed in this policy and in the Commissioner’s Regulations. The Superintendent (or designee) will contemporaneously document and maintain records of all efforts to contact each IHO. 1. This documentation will include phone log entries and/or overnight mail receipts, recording dates, times, substance of conversations and/or messages and responses from IHOs. 2. This documentation also will include the entry of all required data onto the State Education Department’s web based reporting system. The District will commence web based reporting as soon as the Board of Education receives a request for an impartial hearing. 3. The above-described documentation will be completed for every request for an impartial hearing. The Board of Education or its designee will appoint the IHO as soon as he/she has been selected. After the IHO has been appointed, the District will provide the IHO with a letter of appointment, a copy of the District’s notice to the parent that describes the need for a hearing (or a copy of the parent’s written request for a hearing), contact information for the parties and a copy of the District’s policy on compensation for the IHO. Page 3 of 5 REGULATION New 05/23/2013 8505.1 INSTRUCTION SELECTION, APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION OF IMPARTIAL HEARING OFFICERS V. If, by mutual agreement of the parties, the IHO is deemed incapacitated or otherwise unavailable or unwilling to continue the hearing or issue the decision, the Board of Education will rescind the appointment of the IHO and appoint a new IHO in accordance with the procedures established by law and summarized by this policy. VI. Compensation and Reimbursement of Costs: A. Reimbursement for services: 1. At the conclusion of the impartial hearing, the IHO shall submit to the District an itemized record describing each service performed and the time required to perform each service. An IHO will not receive reimbursement for services before the itemized record is submitted to the District. 2. The following activities associated with impartial hearings are reimbursable: a. Pre-hearing activities such as scheduling the hearing and determining the location, conducting pre-hearing conference calls, arranging for interpreters, witnesses, subpoenas and a stenographer a stenographer and writing letters to the parties involved in the hearing. b. Hearing activities such as conducting the hearing, handling settlement agreements placed on the record and arranging for subsequent hearing dates. Post-hearing activities such as researching information pertinent to the hearing issue(s) and writing the decision. c. 3. B. The rate of reimbursement for the above listed activities shall be $75.00 per hour. Reimbursement for out-of-pocket necessary expenses: 1. The IHO shall submit receipts for out-of-pocket necessary expenses to the District before receiving reimbursement for such expenses. 2. The following out-of-pocket necessary expenses are reimbursable: a. Mileage at the IRS rate. Page 4 of 5 REGULATION New 05/23/2013 8505.1 INSTRUCTION SELECTION, APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION OF IMPARTIAL HEARING OFFICERS C. D. b. The cost of highway tolls. c. The cost of reasonable overnight accommodations and reasonable meal expenses when the hearing dates are scheduled for two or more continuous dates and the IHO would otherwise be required to travel ninety or more miles between his/her residence and the hearing location. Cancellation or Re-scheduling fees: The District shall attempt to provide an IHO with two (2) or more business days' advance notice of the cancellation or rescheduling of an impartial hearing. 1. Should the District request the cancellation or re-scheduling of an impartial hearing and fail to provide an impartial hearing officer with two (2) business days of notice, the District agrees to pay the IHO a fee of $______. 2. The District shall not be responsible for costs associated with a parent/legal guardian's cancellation or adjournment of a hearing. Payment for Expedited Transcripts: The District shall not pay for an expedited transcript of a hearing unless the IHO determines that an expedited transcript is required for the IHO to fulfill his/her duties. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: Section 4404 of the New York State Education Law; 8 NYCRR 200.1(x), 200.2(b)(9), 200.2(e)(1), 200.5(i)(3)(xiv), 200.5, 200.21; SRO 93-47; SED July 1998 Memorandum. Adopted: ______ Page 5 of 5 Policy New 05/23/2013 8600 INSTRUCTIONAL ACCOMMODATION OF HEARING-IMPAIRED PARENTS I. The District provides parents of and persons in parental relation to, District-enrolled students many opportunities to participate in their child’s educational program. If the parent, or person in parental relation, is hearing impaired, the District provides interpreter services (American Sign Language) to facilitate that person’s participation in school initiated meetings or activities specific to the academic or disciplinary aspects of the student’s educational program. This service is provided at no cost to the parent, or person in parental relation. If an interpreter is not available, the District will make other reasonable accommodation of the hearing impairment, such as written communication, transcripts, decoder, or Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD), also at no cost to the parent or person in parental relation. II. Definitions III. A. School initiated meetings or activities include, but are not limited to, parentteacher conferences, instructional support team meetings, planning meetings with school counselors regarding educational progress and career planning, and suspension hearings or any conferences with school officials relating to disciplinary action. The term does not include voluntary extra-curricular activities. B. Hearing impaired means any hearing impairment, whether permanent or fluctuating hearing impairment which prevents meaningful participation in school district meetings or activities. Procedure A. Request: Parent(s) or person(s) in parental relation who are hearing impaired must request the services of an interpreter, or reasonable accommodation, in writing. The request must be submitted to the_______________________(example Chairperson, Committee on Special Education). The request must be received by the ________________at least _________ calendar days prior to the meeting or activity at which the services are desired. The request must specify the name of the student and the parent(s) or person(s) in parental relation, and the nature, date and time of the school function. B. District Response: The District will provide a written response to each request for interpreter services. C. Appeal of District Response: If the parent, or person in parental relation, is not satisfied with the District’s response to the request for services, the parent, or person in parental relation, may seek a different decision by taking these steps: Page 1 of 2 POLICY New 05/23/2013 8600 INSTRUCTIONAL ACCOMMODATION OF HEARING-IMPAIRED PARENTS IV. 1. an informal conference with the Superintendent and other appropriate personnel; 2. file of appeal form (Regulation 8600.2) with District office; 3. a formal conference with and action by the Superintendent; 4. an opportunity to present their complaint to the Board at a regularly scheduled meeting; 5. an explanation of the process by which parent(s) and person(s) in parental relation may appeal the Board’s decision to the Commissioner of Education. Superintendent Responsibilities In addition to the roles described above, the Superintendent shall: A. Annually arrange for the notification of parent(s) or person(s) in parental relation who are hearing impaired of the availability of interpreters or other effective reasonable accommodations and of the time limitation for requesting these services. B. Determine whether a list of qualified interpreters shall be maintained by the District or if service arrangements will be made through an interpreter referral service. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref.: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; Rothschild v. Grottenthaler, 907 F. 2d 286 C.A.2 (N.Y.), 1990; NYS Education Law Section 3230; 8 NYCRR 100.2 and 200.1. Adopted: ______ Page 2 of 2 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION New 05/23/2013 INSTRUCTION 8600.1 ACCOMMODATION OF HEARING-IMPAIRED PARENTS REQUEST FORM ACCOMMODATION REQUEST Parents in need of interpreter services are asked to complete this form. All requests must be submitted to and received by the District within ______(fill in # of days) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting or activity. To: __________________________(Example: Chairperson, Committee on Special Education) District From:_________________________________________________________________ Name of Parent or Person in Parental Relation _________________________________________________________________ Name of Student _________________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Please specify the nature, date, time of the meeting and/or activity: __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Please identify the type of interpreter needed: ____Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired: ( )American Sign; ( )English In the event an interpreter is not available, please identify the type of alternative service preferred: Page 1 of 3 REGULATION Draft 05/16/2013 8600.1 INSTRUCTION ACCOMMODATION OF HEARING-IMPAIRED PARENTS REQUEST FORM ___Written Communication ___Transcripts ___Decoder ___Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) ___Other (please specify) ________________________________________________ ________________________________ Signature ______________ Date Page 2 of 3 REGULATION Draft 05/16/2013 8600.1 INSTRUCTION ACCOMMODATION OF HEARING-IMPAIRED PARENTS REQUEST FORM FROM: TO: _______________(Example: Chairperson, Committee on Special Education) District _________________________________________________________________ Name _________________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________ The District hereby: ___ grants your request for provision of an interpreter for the hearing impaired ___ denies your request for provision of an interpreter for the hearing impaired for the following reason: _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ ___ provides the following alternative reasonable accommodation: _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Approved by the Superintendent: Page 3 of 3 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION New 05/23/2013 INSTRUCTION 8600.2 ACCOMMODATION OF HEARING-IMPAIRED PARENTS NOTICE NOTICE: You Have A Right To Appeal The Decision Regarding Special Services Described In This Communication To The Following School Officer: Superintendent of Schools District I hereby appeal __________________________________________________________ Signature Date NOTE: Upon denial by the Superintendent/Board of Education, parents have the right to file an appeal with the Commissioner of Education (as per Section 310 of the Education Law). Such appeal must be filed within thirty (30) days of the final action by the Board. Information regarding such appeal is available at district offices. Approved by the Superintendent: Page 1 of 1 Policy New 05/23/2013 8601 INSTRUCTION PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN TITLE I PROGRAMS I. II. III. Introduction A. The Central Valley Central School District recognizes that the purpose of Title I funding is to improve the educational opportunities of educationally deprived children. The District therefore shall use Title I resources to help educationally deprived children succeed in regular district programs, attain grade level proficiency, and improve achievement in basic and advanced skills. B. The District also recognizes the importance of a parent’s active participation in the education of his/her child. The District therefore shall involve parents of eligible children in the development and implementation of innovative programs and activities to ensure the delivery of appropriate educational services to eligible students. C. The purpose of this policy is to establish the District’s expectations for parental involvement in Title I programs. Definitions: For the purposes of this policy: A. The terms “student” and “child” shall mean a student eligible for Title I services in the District. B. Except where specifically noted in this policy, the term “parent” shall mean the parent/guardian of a student who is eligible for Title I services in the District. District Obligations: A. The District will: 1. Convene and invite parents to an annual Title I meeting. 2. At the beginning of each school year, notify the parents of each student attending a school which receives Title I money (even if their child is not in a Title I program) of their right to request and receive information regarding the following credentials of the professionals providing educational services to their children: a. Whether their child’s teacher is certified for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction (or whether the teacher is providing instruction under an exception to such qualifications). POLICY New 5/23/2013 8601 INSTRUCTION PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN TITLE I PROGRAMS 3. b. The relevant teacher’s academic credentials and baccalaureate degree major. c. The relevant classroom teacher’s graduate certification (or degree) and the field of discipline of such certification (or degree). d. Whether the child is receiving services from paraprofessionals and, if so, the qualifications of those paraprofessionals. Involve parents in the joint development of: a. The District’s Consolidated Plan for ESEA funds (20 USCA 6212; Section 1112 of the NCLBA). If the plan is not satisfactory to parents, the District will submit any parent comments to the State when the District submits its plan to the State. b. The process of using local academic assessment standards/indicators (20 USCA 6316; Section 1116 of the NCLBA). c. School-wide specifically designed program(s) to address academic needs of low-income students (20 USCA 6314; Section 1114(b)(2) of the NCLBA). If the program(s) are not satisfactory to parents, the school will submit any parent comments on the program(s) when the school makes the program(s) available to the District. 4. Provide the coordination, technical assistance and other support necessary to assist participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance. 5. Build the schools’ and parents’ capacity for strong parental involvement. 6. Coordinate and integrate parental involvement strategies in Title I programs with parental involvement strategies under other programs (such as Head Start, Reading First, Early Reading First, Even Start, Parents as Teachers, Home Instruction for Preschool Youngsters, and State-run preschool programs). 7. Conduct, with the involvement of parents, an annual survey and/or evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parental involvement Page 2 of 9 POLICY New 5/23/2013 8601 INSTRUCTION PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN TITLE I PROGRAMS policy in improving the academic quality of schools receiving Title I funding. B. a. The District will identify barriers to greater participation by parents in Title I activities. b. The District will design or revise strategies to overcome such barriers. c. When designing or revising strategies to overcome such barriers, the District will pay particular attention to barriers faced by parents who are economically disadvantaged, are disabled, have limited English proficiency, have limited literacy, or of any racial or ethnic minority background. 8. Involve parents in the activities of Title I schools and programs. 9. Jointly develop with parents the school-parent compact described by this policy. 10. Provide other reasonable support for parental involvement activities as parents may request. The District may: 1. Use Title I funds to provide transportation, childcare, or home visits as such services relate to parental involvement. 2. Involve parents in the development of training for teachers, principals and other educators to improve the effectiveness of such training. Provide necessary literacy training from Title I funds if the District has exhausted all other reasonably available sources of funding for such training. 3. 4. Pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with local parental involvement activities, including transportation and childcare costs, to enable parents to participate in school-related meetings and training sessions. 5. Train parents to enhance the involvement of other parents. 6. Arrange school meetings at a variety of times, or conduct in-home conferences between teachers or other educators, who work directly with Page 3 of 9 POLICY New 5/23/2013 8601 INSTRUCTION PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN TITLE I PROGRAMS children, with parents who are unable to attend such conferences at school, in order to maximize parental involvement and participation. IV. 7. Adopt and implement model approaches to improving parental involvement. 8. Establish a district-wide parent advisory council to provide advice on all matters related to parental involvement in Title I programs. 9. Develop appropriate roles for community-based organizations and businesses in parent involvement activities. Partnership With Parents: A. The District believes parents should be partners in their child’s education. A parent’s active and meaningful participation in his/her child’s education increases the child’s potential for educational success. B. To promote meaningful parental involvement, the District encourages parents: C. 1. To attend and actively participate in the District’s annual Title I meeting. 2. To act as consultants who assist the District in completing periodic Title I grant applications. 3. To assess and if necessary, help the District develop or revise its Title I programs. 4. To play an integral role in their child’s learning. 5. To periodically assess and, if necessary, help the District revise this policy. 6. To otherwise become active and full partners in their child’s education. The District will fulfill its Parental Involvement obligations by: 1. Offering a flexible number of meetings, such as meetings in the morning or evening. 2. Involving parents in an organized, ongoing and timely way, in the planning, review, and improvement of Title I programs, including the planning review and improvement of this policy. Page 4 of 9 POLICY New 5/23/2013 8601 INSTRUCTION PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN TITLE I PROGRAMS 3. Providing parents with timely information about Title I Programs. 4. Providing parents with a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet. 5. Providing requesting parents with opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and to respond to any such suggestions as soon as practicably possible. 6. Responding to suggestions made by parents as soon as practicably possible. 7. Building capacity for parental involvement by: a. Providing assistance to parents, as appropriate, in understanding such topics as the State’s academic content standards, State and local academic assessments, Title I requirements, and how to monitor a child’s progress and work with educators to improve the achievement of their children. b. Providing materials and training to help parents work with their children to improve their children’s achievement. c. Educating teachers, pupil services personnel, principals and other staff: d. i. About the value and utility of parental contributions to education. ii. So that they may develop skills to reach out to, communicate and work with parents as equal partners. iii. So that they may implement and coordinate parent programs and work to build ties between parents and the school. Coordinating and integrating, to the extent feasible and appropriate, parental involvement programs and activities with Head Start, Reading First, Early Reading First, Even Start, the Page 5 of 9 POLICY New 5/23/2013 8601 INSTRUCTION PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN TITLE I PROGRAMS Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters, the Parents as Teachers Program, and public preschool and other programs. V. e. Conducting other activities, such as parent resource centers, which encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children. f. Ensuring that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is sent to the parents of participating children in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand. 8. Developing jointly with parents innovative programs, activities and procedures that have the goals and objectives outlined by this policy. 9. Informing parents of the reasons their children are participating in the program and of the specific instructional objectives and methods of the program. 10. Supporting the efforts of parents, and train parents, to the maximum extent practicable to: a. Work with their children in the home to attain the instructional objectives of the program. b. Understand the program’s requirements. 11. Providing, to the extent practicable, opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children. 12. Providing information and school reports required under section 1111 of the No Child Left Behind Act in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language such parents understand. 13. Informing parents and parental organizations of the existence and purpose of any parental resource centers available to provide training, information or support to parents. 14. Scheduling student conference between parents and Title I teachers as necessary. Annual Title I Meeting: Page 6 of 9 POLICY New 5/23/2013 8601 INSTRUCTION PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN TITLE I PROGRAMS A. B. VI. Notification: 1. At the beginning of the school year, the District will formally invite parents to attend the District’s annual Title I meeting. 2. The annual notification will be provided to parents in an understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, will be provided in a language that parents can understand. Purpose: The purpose of the District’s annual Title I meeting is: 1. To inform parents of the general purpose of Title I funding and to further inform these parents of the reasons their children are participating in Title I programs. 2. To inform parents of the specific Title I programs, activities and services currently available to their children. 3. To inform parents of their right to be active participants in the education of their children. 4. To allow parents the opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions and have input into the District’s Title I program. 5. To encourage parents to become active participants in the education of their children. Parent – School Compact A. The District will jointly develop with parents a “Parent – School Compact” that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and teachers will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help the children achieve state standards. B. The compact will: 1. Describe the school’s responsibility to improve high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables children to meet state academic standards. 2. Describe the ways in which each parent will be responsible for supporting their child’s learning, such as: Page 7 of 9 POLICY New 5/23/2013 8601 INSTRUCTION PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN TITLE I PROGRAMS 3. VII. a. Monitoring attendance, homework completion, and television watching. b. Volunteering in their child’s classroom; and participating, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children and positive use of extracurricular time. Address the importance of communication between teachers and parents on an ongoing basis, by: a. Scheduling parent-teacher conferences in elementary schools on an annual (or more frequent) basis. Such conferences will include a discussion of how the parent – teacher compact relates to the individual child’s achievement. b. Providing frequent reports to parents on their children’s progress. c. Ensuring reasonable access to staff. d. Providing opportunities to observe classroom activities, and to volunteer and participate in their child’s class. Complaint and Appeal Process A. The District distributes to parents and appropriate private school officials, free of charge, information about the State Complaint and Appeal Procedures available for use when parents have complaints regarding the District’s fulfillment of its obligations under ESEA Title I, Parts A, C, and D, or under the General Education Provisions Act, or under Section 100.2(ee) of the Commissioner’s Regulations. B. A complaint regarding the District’s administration or implementation of its ESEA Title I Grant, or of Academic Intervention Services for students identified under Commissioner’s Regulations Part 100 must be submitted in writing to the Superintendent. 1. The District will attempt to resolve the complaint within thirty (30) business days. 2. If the parent making the complaint is not satisfied with the District’s response after thirty (30) business days, the parent may submit the complaint to the Title I School and Community Services Office, Room 365 EBA, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12234. Page 8 of 9 POLICY New 5/23/2013 8601 INSTRUCTION PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN TITLE I PROGRAMS VIII. Accessibility: A. IX. Incorporation: A. X. To the extent practicable, the District will provide full opportunities for participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities and parents of migratory children, including providing information and reports in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language parents understand. This policy shall be incorporated into the District’s Local Educational Agency Plan under Section 1112 of the No Child Left Behind Act. Policy Development, Distribution, Revision and Review: A. This policy was developed jointly with, and is agreed to by parents. This policy is subject to periodic review and/or revision with help from parents. B. This policy will be distributed to parents in a format understandable to them, and, to the extent practicable, in a language they can understand. C. This policy will be made available to the local community. Central Valley Central School District Legal Ref: The Elementary and Secondary Educational Act of 1965; Hawkins-Stafford Act of 1988, P.L. 100-297; Section 1118 of The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, P.L. 107-110. Adopted: _______ Page 9 of 9 Central Valley Central School District SUPERINTENDENT’S REGULATION Draft 05/23/2013 INSTRUCTION 8601.1 ANNUAL NOTIFICATION OF TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS Date: Dear Parent or Guardian: Your child attends a school that receives Title I funds from the federal government. The No Child Left Behind Act allows you to request: 1. Whether your child’s teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which your child’s teacher provides instruction. 2. Whether your child’s teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived. 3. The baccalaureate degree major of your child’s teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by your child’s teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree. 4. Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications. If you are interested in receiving any information you are entitled to under the No Child Left Behind Act, please direct your inquiry to: NAME TITLE BUSINESS ADDRESS BUSINESS PHONE Sincerely, INSERT NAME INSERT TITLE Approved by the Superintendent: _____ Page 1 of 1 Policy New 03/28/2013 7002 STUDENTS NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS I. The Board of Education affirms that its primary responsibility is to provide the best possible educational opportunities for the children who are legal district residents and who are of legal age to attend school. The Board of Education will consider acceptance of non-resident students where circumstances permit, as noted in this policy. II. A non-resident student shall be defined as a student whose parent or legal guardian(s) reside outside the boundaries of the Ilion-Mohawk Central School District. III. It shall be the policy of the Ilion-Mohawk School Central District to accept non-resident students for attendance in the school district subject to the following guidelines: IV. A. All non-resident student(s) must complete an application between January 1st and Applications must be filed with the May 1st for placement annually. Superintendent of Schools no later than May 1st. B. All non-resident student applications will be subject to approval by the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education. C. Children of taxpaying future residents who have signed a contract to buy or build a home in the district may enroll upon request. D. Resident children enrolled in the 12th grade whose loss of district residency is solely attributable to their parent or legal guardian’s recent move out of the district may complete their 12th grade year of school within the district. E. Full and part-time employees of the District who do not reside in the District may enroll their children in the schools of the District subject to the conditions of this policy. (For the purposes of this policy, seasonal employees (such as coaches) are not considered to be part time employees). Transportation will not be provided by the District. F. Children of parents or guardian(s) who have moved out of the school district during the school year may be permitted to complete the semester if they request a meeting with the Superintendent. The decision will be based on academic, behavior and attendance records of the student. Additional Requirements: A. The enrollment of nonresident students shall not cause space difficulties and shall not cause class sizes to exceed Board established guidelines. POLICY New 03/28/2013 7002 STUDENTS NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS B. The enrollment of nonresident students shall not necessitate the creation of additional sections of a grade level or course. C. The enrollment of nonresident students shall not require the creation of a new program or the hiring of additional staff. D. The transportation of nonresident students to and from school shall be the sole responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian. V. Once enrolled, a nonresident student’s continued enrollment in school shall be contingent upon the student’s conformity with the District’s Code of Conduct and Student Attendance policies. A student who is denied continued attendance in the District for disciplinary reasons is entitled to due process procedures in accordance with Section 3214 of the New York State Education Law. VI. Students from other nations who are living with district residents may be enrolled at the discretion of the Superintendent and the Board of Education. VII. Tuition VIII. A. Tuition for non-resident children of District employees and nonresident students shall be set annually by the Board of Education. For school attendance by a nonresident child for a period longer than ninety (90) calendar days, tuition is payable in advance for each succeeding semester or on a prorated basis. The Superintendent may reduce the tuition by up to one-half of the regular tuition in cases of hardship. B. In the case whereby a non-resident pays property taxes in the Ilion-Mohawk School District for the current school tax year, the amount of tax shall be deducted from the assessed tuition. Copy of Policy to Parent/Student A copy of this policy shall be initially provided by the Superintendent to any possible non-resident student and/or parent. Ilion-Mohawk Central School District Legal Ref: 8 NYCRR 174 Adopted: ______ Page 2 of 2 Policy New 03/28/2013 7003 STUDENTS ADMISSION OF NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS I. Statement of Policy A. B. II. The Superintendent is authorized to enroll a non-resident child as a District student, provided that the Superintendent determines that, if the child is enrolled: 1. all children resident in the District are or can be accommodated; and 2. the District will not incur substantial additional expense (i.e., expense beyond that justified by the tuition rate charged). The Superintendent’s decision whether to enroll a non-resident make take into account the student’s record of achievement and deportment, but shall not take into account any factor listed in the District’s Equal Opportunity and NonDiscrimination Policy. Conditions of Enrollment A. The District does not provide transportation to a non-resident student between school and any address outside the District. B. The District requires that tuition be paid on behalf of a non-resident student, in an amount set by the Board annually, upon recommendation from the Superintendent and calculated in compliance with Education Law and Commissioner’s regulations. 1 ===================================================================== Ilion-Mohawk Central School District Adopted: ______ 1 8 NYCRR Part 174 M 1 8 15 22 29 M 5 12 19 26 M 2 9 16 23 30 M T 2 9 16 23 30 July W 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 21 28 January W 1 8 15 22 29 Th 2 9 16 23 30 F 3 10 17 24 31 M 3 10 17 24 T 4 11 18 25 February W 5 12 19 26 Th 6 13 20 27 F 7 14 21 28 F 6 13 20 27 M 3 10 17 24 31 T 4 11 18 25 March W Th 5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27 F 7 14 21 28 F 4 11 18 25 M 7 14 21 28 T 1 8 15 22 29 April W 2 9 16 23 30 M T May W 5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 M 2 9 16 23 30 T 3 10 17 24 Th 4 11 18 25 F 5 12 19 26 August W Th 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 28 September T W Th 3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26 T 7 14 21 28 T 1 8 15 22 29 M T 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 M 2 9 16 23 30 T 3 10 17 24 31 October W 2 9 16 23 30 Th 3 10 17 24 31 November W Th M T 6 13 20 27 F 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28 F 1 8 15 22 29 December W Th 4 5 11 12 18 19 25 26 F 6 13 20 27 6 13 20 27 Subject to Change 2013-2014 Board of Education Meeting Calendar DRAFT 5/28/13 Th 3 10 17 24 F 4 11 18 25 7 14 21 28 Th 1 8 15 22 29 F 2 9 16 23 30 June W 4 11 18 25 Th 5 12 19 26 F 6 13 20 27 Items for CVCSD BOE meeting of 5/28/13 – Status updates from the business office We have obtained our official EIN (Employment Identification Number). We had to have that before we accomplish several other things. We have made contact with Adirondack Bank, NYSTRS, NYSERS, our IRS section 125 provider, our 403b TPA, our health insurance company and workman’s compensation plan regarding our new number so they may update/setup their systems. It should be noted that all of these agencies are common to both Ilion & Mohawk however each district has differing plan years for the IRS section 125 plans. We will work that out. We are scheduled for a teleconference to iron out our issues with the 403b TPA and draft a new plan for that. Until an agreement is made with all of the current bargaining units, we will continue to maintain separate health insurance plans for the current Ilion and Mohawk CSD’s, along with a new plan for any person hired by CVCSD after 7/1/13. We are gearing up to get approximately 75 employees paid on July 3, 2013. Given the compressed time between the last check of the old districts (June 27) and the first check of the new one, this is a challenge but it will happen. In that regard, we have been meeting with staff from the MORIC concerning merging the two financial systems. In addition to that, we are in the process of creating new account codes which will allow us to track some expenses by building. I have ordered the software (Versa Trans) needed to build bus routes. We will use the current Mohawk equipment and drivers to cover as many routes as possible while putting out the remainder for bid. The plan is to have the contractor do most of the heavy lifting of getting students from home to school and back. We would use current Mohawk employees and buses to handle athletic trips, field trips, late busing after practices for students from Ilion who will attend Jarvis and vice versa, certain special education runs to Utica etc., to the greatest extent possible given the small fleet. Transportation is a huge undertaking given the timeline but we are working hard to have all systems in place. We will be spending many hours with the Versa Trans Team to put everything together. These are but some of the items we are working on as we near July 1, 2013. I will try to keep you all updated on these and other items as we move through the process. Ken M 1 8 15 22 29 M 5 12 19 26 M 2 9 16 23 30 M T 2 9 16 23 30 July W 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 21 28 January W 1 8 15 22 29 Th 2 9 16 23 30 F 3 10 17 24 31 M 3 10 17 24 T 4 11 18 25 February W 5 12 19 26 Th 6 13 20 27 F 7 14 21 28 F 6 13 20 27 M 3 10 17 24 31 T 4 11 18 25 March W Th 5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27 F 7 14 21 28 F 4 11 18 25 M 7 14 21 28 T 1 8 15 22 29 April W 2 9 16 23 30 M T May W 5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 M 2 9 16 23 30 T 3 10 17 24 Th 4 11 18 25 F 5 12 19 26 August W Th 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 28 September T W Th 3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26 T 7 14 21 28 T 1 8 15 22 29 M T 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 M 2 9 16 23 30 T 3 10 17 24 31 October W 2 9 16 23 30 Th 3 10 17 24 31 November W Th M T 6 13 20 27 F 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28 F 1 8 15 22 29 December W Th 4 5 11 12 18 19 25 26 F 6 13 20 27 6 13 20 27 Subject to Change 2013-2014 Board of Education Meeting Calendar DRAFT 5/28/13 Th 3 10 17 24 F 4 11 18 25 7 14 21 28 Th 1 8 15 22 29 F 2 9 16 23 30 June W 4 11 18 25 Th 5 12 19 26 F 6 13 20 27