Board Of Education PoliciesBoard Meetings | Use of Facilities | Admission | Attendance Areas | Non-Residents | Pupil Records | Conduct/Discipline | Cyber-Bullying │ Administering Medication | Family Life Education | Network Computing/Technology | Evaluation of Student Performance | Child Study Team | Class Size | Home Instruction | Long-Range Facilities Planning | Role of The Board Board of Education Meetings (1120)
Board of education meetings shall be a primary means of sharing information with community members and inviting their comments and suggestions. Regular and special meetings of the board of education are open to the public and representatives of the media, except when, by resolution at the public meeting, the board excludes the public from those parts of a meeting which deal with matters held confidential in accordance with law. The board welcomes participation of interested organizations and individuals and will schedule time as appropriate for the public to speak. The length of time scheduled for public discussion may be stated in the agenda, together with any time limit proposed for individual speakers. The board will not permit unnecessary or undesirable identification of district pupils at public or board of education meetings, particularly when the pupil is subject to disciplinary action, or is educationally handicapped. A special confidential file shall be kept of the names of educationally handicapped pupils on whose behalf the board must take public action. An unidentifiable coding shall be used when referring to the pupil. Comments and questions at the beginning and end of regular meetings may deal with any topic related to the board's conduct of the schools. Comments at special meetings must be related to the call of the meeting. Advance announcement of all regular, scheduled special, and specially called meetings of the board is made through newspapers. Items to be presented at such meetings must include, but are not limited to:
When required by the administrative code as part of the monitoring process, the business administrator/board secretary shall publish a special notice 10 days in advance of meetings. The notice shall describe the purpose of the meeting, list the items to be discussed, and indicate the availability of material relative to such items. USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES (1130)
The district facilities belong to the community, which paid for them for the primary purpose of offering a full educational program for its children. Prudent use and management of school facilities outside of regular operating schedules - - providing that such use does not interfere with the orderly conduct of a thorough and efficient system of education - - allows the community to benefit more broadly from the use of its own property. The Board will permit the use of school facilities when such permission has been requested in writing and approved by the School Business Administrator. Order of Priority:
The use of school facilities shall not be granted for the advantage of any commercial or profit making organization, partisan political activity, private social functions, or any purpose which is prohibited by law. The Board of Education may refuse to grant the use of the school building whenever in their judgment there is good reason why permission should be refused. They shall not be required to give a reason for such refusal. Tobacco products and related paraphernalia are prohibited at all times in any district building and grounds. No one may bring alcoholic beverages onto any school property. All facility use shall comply with state and local fire, health, safety and police regulations. The buildings shall not be available for community use during holidays, vacation periods, or during the time school is not in session over the summer when the programs interfere with cleaning and maintenance schedules. Use of school equipment in conjunction with the use of school facilities must be specifically requested in writing and may be granted by the procedure by which permission to use facilities is granted. The user of school equipment must accept liability for any damage to or loss of such equipment that occurs while it is in use. Where rules so specify, no item of equipment may be used except by a qualified operator. Use of district equipment on the premises by non-school personnel is limited to the equipment that is an integral part of the facility being used, i.e., the stage lights and piano in the all purpose room/auditorium, the basketball baskets in the gym. No district equipment shall be removed from the premises for use by non-district personnel. The Board shall require that all users of school facilities comply with policies of this Board and the rules and regulations of this district. Each user shall present evidence of the purchase of organizational liability insurance to the limit prescribed by such rules. Authorization for use of school facilities shall not be considered as endorsement of or approval of the activity, person, group or organization nor the purpose they represent. ADMISSION
(5111)
Entrance Age The board of education shall establish entrance age requirements for pupils that are consistent with statute and sound educational practice and that ensure the equitable treatment-of all eligible children. Kindergarten Entrance Age Children who reach their fifth birthday on or before October 1 are admitted into kindergarten. Children shall not be eligible for admission to kindergarten by transfer from any school if they do not meet this age requirement. No exceptions shall be made. First Grade Entrance Age A child will be accepted to first grade if:
Placement in first grade under-provisions (2) and (3) above is conditional and final placement shall be determined by the Principal. Prohibitions Children who have attended nursery school but do not meet the entrance age requirement will not be registered in either kindergarten or first grade. Upon initial enrollment in the district, each new pupil will present:
Transfer Into Grades Two Through Eight Pupils transferring into the district are expected to present copies of records from the previously attended school (or district) to aid in placement. Also required are proof of immunization and proof of identity such as birth certificate, social security card, etc. Within the time prescribed by law, the superintendent shall request in writing from the school or district of previous attendance the pupil's records. Initial placement shall be made on the basis of the records, but adjustment may be made at the discretion of the administration when the state-mandated assessment indicates that such adjustments would be beneficial to the child. Parents/guardians shall be informed of this policy on registration. Affidavit Pupils When there is any doubt as to whether a child is entitled to free public education in the district schools, all procedures of the law shall be followed. Nonresidents The district is obliged to educate children of appropriate age residing in the district. The mere owning of any property whatsoever does not qualify a parent/guardian to send children to school in this school district. Homeless Pupils The
district will determine the educational placement of homeless students and
respond to appeals concerning them made by parents/guardians
or other parties in accordance with SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AREAS (5117)
The
Board of Education has established that Those
children residing south of and including Those
children residing north of [Parents are reminded that this ‘dividing line’ is subject to change by the Board of Education at any time, dependent upon enrollment trends. However, once a student begins attending a particular elementary school, a child will not be required to change schools if this line is moved. Note that if a family moves to another address within River Vale, the child will attend the school located on that side of the line of demarcation.] Students Moving within River Vale Students
who move to a different part of town must enroll in the school served by the
attendance area as defined in this policy. Students moving within the Parents/guardians must inform the Superintendent of Schools in writing, if they wish to attend the school which is outside of the school attendance area as defined by this policy. Student Decisions Regarding Attendance Areas The Superintendent will review, on an individual basis, requests based on circumstances beyond the parents/guardians control. Parents may appeal the superintendent's decision to the Board of Education. The Board of Education reserves the right to review, on an individual basis, requests based on circumstances beyond the parents/guardians control. NON-RESIDENTS
(5118)
The Board shall operate the schools of this district for the benefit of all children resident in the district and such others as may be admitted, pursuant to statute and policy of the Board. The Board reserves the right to verify the residency of any pupil and the validity of any affidavit of guardianship. Future Residents A child otherwise eligible for attendance whose parent/guardian has signed a contract to buy, build or rent a residence in this district shall be enrolled for a period not to exceed 90 calendar days previous to the anticipated date of residency without tuition charges. If the child has not become a resident of the district by the end of the period of free attendance, tuition shall be required for the remainder of the time until residency is established but in no event shall enrollment based on anticipatory residency exceed a total of six (6) months. Parents/guardians of children who are future residents shall be required to demonstrate proof of the anticipated residency. The Board reserves the right to verify such claims, and to remove from school a nonresident pupil whose claim cannot be verified. Former Residents Regularly enrolled children whose parents/guardians have moved out of the school district during the final marking period shall be permitted to finish the school year without payment of tuition. Children of Nonresident Staff Members Children of nonresident employees of the Board may be enrolled in the schools of this district on payment of tuition and in accordance with policy for other nonresident pupils. Other Nonresident Pupils Other nonresident pupils may be admitted to this district on payment of tuition and availability of space. The Superintendent shall develop procedures for the enrollment of nonresident children which admit such children only on the proper application of parent/guardian; verify claims of residency and submission of affidavits of guardianship; deny admission where the educational program maintained for the children of this district is inadequate to meet the needs of the applicant; do not exclude any child, otherwise eligible, on the basis of such child's race, color creed, national origin, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait of any individual or ancestry; and make continued enrollment of any nonresident pupil contingent upon maintaining good standards of citizenship and discipline. When a child must either relocate to or from this district because his/her parent/guardian is a member of the New Jersey National Guard of a member of the reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been ordered into active service, the child shall be eligible to attend the schools of this district without paying tuition. The district shall not be responsible for transporting the child. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall recommend to the Board for its approval the admission of qualified applicants. The Board shall not be responsible for the transportation to or from school of any nonresident pupils. The Board shall annually determine tuition rates for nonresident pupils. Pupil
Records (5125)
The Board of Education shall conform in all respects to the requirements of state and federal law regarding gathering, maintaining, securing, disclosing, allowing access to and destruction of pupil records. The Superintendent shall be responsible for the security of pupil records maintained in the school district. He/she shall formulate and the Board shall review administrative procedures to guarantee the 'safety and security of all pupil records, and to provide authorized persons and organizations access to these records at a convenient place and time within the limits stipulated by law, i.e., with 10 days of the request but prior to any review or hearing conducted in accordance with sate board of education regulations. Pupil
records shall include all those mandated by the The Board of Education shall report annually at a public meeting a description of the types of pupil records it has authorized certified school personnel to collect and maintain. Pupil records shall contain only such information as is relevant to the education of the pupil, and is objectively based on the personal observations or knowledge of the originator of the record. All anecdotal information and assessment reports collected on a pupil shall be dated and signed by the individual who originated the data. Parents/guardians and adult pupils shall be notified annually in writing of their rights in regard to pupil records. Such rights include:
The Superintendent shall devise procedures to review such requests. These
procedures shall include an appeal process as required by Student Information Directories The district shall compile, publicize and make available a "student information directory" as defined in the administrative code. Such directory information and school facilities shall be available to educational, occupational and military recruiters as required by law. The district must notify parents/guardians and adult pupils annually in writing of their rights in regard to pupil participation in educational, occupational and military recruitment programs. Such rights include:
District
Review of Pupil Records The Superintendent shall require all permitted pupil record of pupils currently enrolled in the regular educational program to be reviewed annually by certified school personnel to determine the educational relevance of the material contained therein. The reviewer shall cause to be deleted from the records data no longer descriptive of the pupil or educational situation. Such information shall be destroyed and shall not be recorded elsewhere nor shall a record of such deletion be made. Such data may not be removed from the record of a handicapped pupil without prior parent/guardian notice. Records of Classified Pupils All records of handicapped pupils shall be maintained in accordance with administrative code and established procedures which will ensure proper accessibility and confidentiality. A special confidential file shall be maintained listing the code numbers assigned to handicapped pupils on whose behalf the Board of Education must take public action. Motions concerning handicapped pupils shall be anonymous and refer to this confidential file. This shall be maintained in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6:3-6.1 Parents/guardians/adult pupils or designees shall be permitted to inspect and review the contents of the pupil's record maintained by the district without unnecessary delay and before any meeting regarding the pupil's IEP. Any consent required for educationally handicapped pupils under N.J.A.C. 6:3-6 shall be obtained according the N. J. A. C. 6:28-1.3 "Consent" and N.J.A.C. 6:28-2.3(c). Transfer of Pupil Records
Permitted Access to Pupil Records. A non-adult pupil may assert rights of access only through his/her parent/guardian. However, certified school personnel may, in their discretion, disclose pupil records to nonadult pupils or to appropriate persons in connection with an emergency, if such knowledge is necessary to protect the health or safety of the pupil or other persons. A parent/guardian or adult pupil shall either have access to or be specifically informed about only that portion of another pupil's record that contains information about his/her own child or himself/herself. A pupil record may be withheld from a parent/guardian of a pupil under 18 or from an adult pupil only when the district obtains a court order or is provided with evidence that there is a court order revoking the right of access. Only that portion of the record designated by the court may be withheld. Only authorized organization, agencies or persons as defined in code shall have access to pupil records. The district will require payment for copies of school records for reasons other than for transfer. The charge may not prevent parents/guardians from exercising their rights. Conditions of Access No pupil record shall be altered or destroyed during the time period between a request to review the record and the actual review of the record. Those from outside the school whose access requires consent of parents/guardians/adult pupils must submit the request in writing, together with any required authorization, to the Superintendent/designee. District regulation shall be developed in accordance with code to ensure that records are not altered, damaged or lost during inspection, and that records of access granted are complete. Retention and Destruction of Records The Superintendent shall develop regulations in accordance with the administrative code concerning retention and destruction of pupil records. No additions may be made to the record after the graduation or permanent departure of a pupil without the prior written consent of the parent/guardian/adult pupil. The New Jersey district of last enrollment must keep in perpetuity: name, date of birth, sex, address, phone number, grades, attendance records, classes attended, grade level completed, year completed, name of parent(s)/guardian(s) and citizenship status. Liability Liability shall not be attached to any member, officer or employee of the Board of Education permitting access or furnishing pupil records in accordance with these rules and regulations. It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent to keep abreast of all changes in state and federal law and regulation concerning pupil records. Conduct/Discipline (5131)
CONDUCT/DISCIPLINE The board believes that an effective
instructional program requires an orderly school environment and that the
effectiveness of the educational program is, in part, reflected in the
behavior of pupils. The board of education expects pupils to conduct themselves in keeping with their level of maturity, with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other pupils, for school personnel, for the educational purpose underlying all school activities, and for the care of school facilities and equipment. The board of education
believes that standards of pupil behavior must be set cooperatively by
interaction among the pupils, parents/guardians, staff and community,
producing an atmosphere that encourages pupils to grow in self‑discipline. Such an atmosphere must include respect for
self and others, as well as for district and community property. The best discipline is self‑imposed,
and pupils must learn to assume and accept responsibility for their own
behavior, and for the consequences of their misbehavior. Staff members who interact with pupils
shall use preventive disciplinary action and place emphasis on the pupils'
ability to grow in self‑discipline. The superintendent shall develop general guidelines for pupil conduct on school property and shall direct development of detailed regulations suited to the age level of the pupils and the physical facilities of the individual schools. Board policy requires each pupil of this district to adhere to the rules and regulations established by the administration and to submit to such disciplinary measures as are appropriately assigned for infraction of those rules. The superintendent shall provide to pupils and their parents/guardians the rules of this district regarding pupil conduct and the sanctions that may be imposed for breach of those rules. Provisions shall be made for informing parents/guardians whose primary language is other than English. In developing regulations to
implement this policy, the superintendent shall provide appropriate
recognition for pupils who consistently maintain high standards of self‑discipline
and good citizenship. The regulations shall: A. Require
that pupils conform to reasonable standards of socially acceptable behavior;
respect the person, property and rights of others; obey constituted authority
and respond to those who hold that authority; B. Establish the degree of
order necessary to the educational program in which pupils are engaged. Pupils who display
chronic behavioral or academic problems may be referred to the child study team
by the superintendent for possible identification as disruptive or
disaffected. Such referrals shall be
in strict accordance with the due process regulations prescribed by the
administrative code. Pupils so
identified shall be provided with appropriate programs and services as
prescribed by the child study team. A pupil, whose presence poses a continuing
danger to persons or property, or an ongoing threat of disrupting the
academic process, may be suspended or expelled, following due process. Any pupil who commits an assault (as defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:12‑1) upon a board member, teacher, administrator or other employee of the board of education shall be suspended from school immediately according to procedural due process, and suspension or expulsion proceedings shall begin no later than 30 calendar days from the date of the pupil's suspension. Substance Abuse In accordance with
statute and code, penalties shall be assigned for use, possession and
distribution of proscribed substances and drug paraphernalia. The penalties shall be graded according to
the severity of the offense.
Infractions shall be reported to the local law enforcement agency in
accordance with the district's memorandum of agreement. Confidentiality shall be protected in
accordance with federal and state law. Weapons Offenses Any pupil who is convicted or adjudicated
delinquent for possession of a firearm or a crime while armed with a firearm
or found knowingly in possession of a firearm on any school property or on a
school bus or at a school-sponsored function shall be immediately removed
from the school's regular education program for a period of not less than one
calendar year. The superintendent may
modify this suspension on a case-by-case basis. Each pupil so removed shall be placed in an
alternative educational program or on home instruction and shall be entitled
to a hearing before the board. The
hearing shall take place no later than 30 days following the day the pupil is
removed from the regular education program and shall be closed to the public. The principal shall be responsible for the
removal of such students and shall immediately report them to the
superintendent. The principal shall
also notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of a possible violation of
the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice. The superintendent shall determine at the end
of the year whether the student is prepared to return to the regular
education program, in accordance with procedures established by the Commissioner
of Education. Teaching staff members and other employees of
this board having authority over pupils shall take such lawful means as may
be necessary to control the disorderly conduct of pupils in all situations
and in all places where such pupils are within the jurisdiction of this
board. Harassment,
Intimidation or Bullying (see
also Cyber-Bullying, File Code: 5512.02)
The board of education expects pupils to treat each other with civility and respect, and will not tolerate acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying. Like other disruptive or violent behaviors, this conduct interferes with a pupil’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its pupils in a safe environment N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1(b)6. The board prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying against any pupil. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” is defined as any gesture or written, verbal or physical act that is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory handicap, or by any other distinguishing characteristic, that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function or on a school bus and that: A. A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of harming a pupil or damaging the pupil’s property, or placing a pupil in reasonable fear of harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property; or B. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any pupil or group of pupils in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school. N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15(3)(b)(2) and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.9(a)2ii. Any school employee, pupil or volunteer who has witnessed,
or has reliable information that a pupil has been subject to harassment,
intimidation or bullying must report the incident to the appropriate school
official designated by the administration.
The board shall not tolerate an act of reprisal or retaliation against
any person who reports an act of harassment, intimidation or bullying N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15(3)(b)(8) and N.J.A.C.
6A:16-7.9(a)2x The superintendent shall develop appropriate procedures addressing: A. A mechanism for reporting acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying, including a means of anonymous reporting; B. The prompt investigation of reports of such acts, identifying either the principal or the principal’s designee as the person responsible for the investigation N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15 (3)(b)and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.9(a)2viii; C. The range of ways in which a school will respond
once an incident of harassment, intimidation or bullying is identified N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15(3)(b)(7) and N.J.A.C.
6A:116-7.9(a)2ix; and
D. Consequences, discipline and remedial action for a person who commits an act of harassment or intimidation or bullying, who engages in an act of reprisal or retaliation against a person who reports
such action, or who falsely accuses another of bullying as a means of
harassment, intimidation or bullying N.J.S.A.
18A:37-1, N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7, N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.2-7.3-7.5. The superintendent shall take all necessary steps to publicize this policy N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15(3)(b) (10) and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.9(a)2xii, and shall inform pupils and staff that harassment, intimidation or bullying is prohibited on school property or any school-sponsored function. This information shall also be incorporated into the student handbook and employee training programs N.J.S.A.37-17(5)(c)m N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7(d)li. An annual review of the district’s training needs and update of the code of student conduct pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1(a)3 as determined appropriate by the board of education. Disabled Classified pupils are subject to the same
disciplinary procedures as nondisabled pupils and
may be disciplined in accordance with their IEP. However, before disciplining a classified
pupil, it must be determined that: A. The
pupil's behavior is not primarily caused by his/her educational disability; B. The program that is being provided meets the pupil's needs. Staff shall comply with state and federal law
and the regulations of the Implementation The superintendent shall ensure that the rules
for this policy are applied consistently and uniformly, and that all disciplinary
sanctions are carried out with necessary due process. The board shall review all related policies on a regular basis. Date: October 26,1992 Revised: 9/24/96, 4/29/03, 6/15/04,6/5/07 Legal References: Indicated
through out Policy in addition to: N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60 et al. Disclosure of juvenile information; penalties for disclosure N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1 Definition of assault N.J.S.A. 2C:33‑19 Paging devices, possession by students N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5 Unlawful
possession of weapons N.J.S.A. 18A:6‑1 Corporal punishment of pupils N.J.S.A. 18A:11‑1 General mandatory powers and duties N.J.S.A. 18A:25‑2 Authority over pupils N.J.S.A. 18A:36-19a Newly enrolled students; records and identification N.J.S.A. 18A:37-1 et seq. Discipline of Pupils See particularly: N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15 N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-1 et seq. Substance Abuse N.J.S.A. 18A:54‑20 Powers of board (county vocational schools) N.J.A.C. 6:8‑2.1 Quality assurance annual report N.J.A.C. 6:8-2.2 School-level planning N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.8 Discipline/suspension/expulsions N.J.A.C. 6A:16-1.1et seq. Programs to Support Student Development See particularly: N.J.A.C. 6A:16-1.4, -1.5, -4.1, -5.1, -6.1, -6.2 N.J.A.C. 6A:24-4.1(i)7 Implementation of whole
school reform model 20 U.S.C.A. 1415(k) Individual with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 Hazelwood v.
Kuhlmeier 484 Honig
v. Doe, 484 See also Commissioners’ Decisions
indexed under “Pupils – Punishment of” in Index to No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-110, 20 U.S.C.A. 6301 et seq.
Manual for the Evaluation of Local School Districts (September 2002) A Enforcement Officials (1999 Revisions) Possible Cross References: 1220 Ad hoc advisory committees 1410 Local units 3517 Security 3541.33 Transportation safety 4131.1 Staff development; inservice education/visitation conferences Employee protection 4231/ 4231.1 Staff development; inservice education/visitation conferences Employee protection |