The Board presumes that the person who enrolls a student in school is the student=s custodial parent. Unless a Colorado court specifies otherwise, the custodial parent shall be the one whom the agency holds responsible for the education and welfare of that child.
Parents or guardians shall have the right to receive information contained in school records concerning their minor child and to forbid or permit the disclosure of such information to others unless authorized by the custodial parent. The Board, unless informed otherwise, assumes that there are no restrictions regarding the noncustodial parent=s right to be kept informed of the student=s school progress and activities. If restrictions are made relative to the rights of the noncustodial parent, the custodial parent shall be requested to submit a certified copy of the court order which curtails these specific rights.
Unless there are specific court-imposed restrictions, the noncustodial parent, upon request, shall be given access to all of the student=s educational records including, but not limited to the student=s cumulative file and the student=s special education file, if applicable. Teacher conferences with the noncustodial parent shall be permitted only upon the written consent of the custodial parent.
The student shall not be permitted to visit with or be released to anyone, including the noncustodial parent, without the approval of the custodial parent.
Adopted: October 20, 1999
LEGAL REFS.: 20 U.S.C. '1232g (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974)
34 C.F.R. '99.1 et seq. (regulations)
CROSS REF.: JLIB, Student Dismissal Precautions
JRA/JRC, Student Records/Release of Information on Students
The residents of the agency=s member districts are interested in their schools as an extension of their homesBan extension which exists to perform a special function in the development of their children. Therefore the Board shall make every attempt to:
1. Keep the public informed about the policies, administrative operations, objectives and educational programs of the agency.
2. Provide the means for furnishing full and accurate information, favorable and unfavorable, together with interpretation and explanation of agency plans and programs.
In meeting these goals, the Board shall place great importance upon the role of the teacher as communicator and interpreter of agency programs to parents/guardians and the general public. Further, it recognizes that there are times when direct communication between agency officials and the community is necessary. At such times, the Board shall encourage and provide these opportunities.
The executive director shall develop procedures and techniques for ensuring a continuous and free-flowing line of communication between the staff and the agency=s residents.
Adopted: October 20, 1999
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-2-117
C.R.S. 22-7-104 (2)
C.R.S. 22-35-109\
C.R.S. 22-53-207 (5)
CROSS REF.: AEC, Accomplishment Reporting to Public
BEC, Executive Sessions/Open Meetings
The Board is a public servant, and its meetings and records shall be matters of public information, subject to such restrictions as are set by federal law or regulation, by state statute or by pertinent court rulings.
The official minutes of the Board, its written policies and its financial records shall be open for inspection at the office of the executive director by any citizen desiring to examine them during hours when the office of the executive director is open. However, no records shall be released for inspection by the public or any unauthorized personsBeither by the executive director or any other person designated as custodian for agency district recordsBif such disclosure would be contrary to the public interest as described in state law.
The Board wishes to support the right of the people to know about the programs and services of their agency and shall make every effort to disseminate information. Each principal is authorized to use all means available to keep parents/guardians and others of that particular agency=s community informed about the agency's program and activities.
The agency may charge reasonable fees for furnishing copies of such public records in accordance with the accompanying regulations.
Adopted: October 20, 1999
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-9-109
C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(c)
C.R.S. 24-72-201 et seq.
CROSS REFS.: BEDA, Notification of Agency Board Meetings
BEDG, Minutes
GBJ, Personnel Records and Files
JRA/JRC, Student Records/Release of Information on Students
It is important that information about the activities and problems of the agency be provided to the community in a way which will create and maintain a dignified and professionally responsible image for the agency.
Therefore, the procedures listed below shall be followed in giving official information to the news media:
1. The Board president shall be the official spokesperson for the Board, except as this duty is delegated to the executive director.
2. News releases which are of a agency-wide nature or pertain to established district policy shall be the responsibility of the executive director.
3. The executive director shall establish regulations for the dissemination of news releases pertaining to the agency.
Adopted: October 20, 1999
Constructive criticism motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of the educational program or to equip the schools to do their tasks more effectively is welcomed by the Board of Education.
The Board believes that complaints and grievances are best handled and resolved as close to their origin as possible. Therefore, the proper channeling of complaints involving instruction, discipline or learning materials will be as follows:
Teacher
Building Principal/Program Director
Superintendent/Executive Director
BOCES Board of Directors
Any complaint about school personnel shall always be referred back through proper administrative channels before it is presented to the Board for consideration and action.
When a complaint is made directly to an individual Board member, the procedure outlined below shall be followed:
1. The Board member shall refer the person making the complaint to the building principal/program director or superintendent/executive director.
2. If the person will not personally present the complaint to the principal/program director or superintendent/executive director, the Board member shall then ask that the complaint be written and signed. The Board member may then refer the complaint to the principal/program director or superintendent/executive director for investigation.
3. If at any time the person making a complaint feels that a satisfactory reply has not been received from a principal/program director, that person should be advised follow to the chain of command listed above.
Adopted: October 20, 1999
Community groups shall be permitted and encouraged to use agency facilities for worthwhile purposes when such uses will not interfere with the agency program. All arrangements shall be subject to the following provisions:
Eligible Organizations
Organizations connected with and promoting recognized school functions may use the buildings without charge.
Other organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, Big Sisters of America, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Future Farmers of America, Girl Scouts of America, Little League Baseball Inc. and any other group intended to serve youth under the age of 21 listed in the Title 36 of U.S. Code may use agency property upon payment of suitable fees and costs, according to the fee schedule recommended by the executive director and approved by the Board of Directors. Rental or fees may be waived for charitable or other nonprofit organizations or groups by the Board.
No agency building or facility shall be used for any purpose which could result in picketing, rioting, disturbing the peace or damage to property or for any purpose prohibited by law.
When using agency facilities, organizations may be required to furnish satisfactory liability insurance protection.
Approval of Use
Any individual, group or organization using agency property as provided under this policy shall hold the Board of Directors, individual Board members and all agency officers, agents and employees free and harmless from any loss, damage, liability, cost or expense that may arise during or be in any way caused by such use or occupancy. When using agency facilities, organizations may be required to furnish satisfactory liability insurance protection.
Adopted: October 20, 1999
Revised: September 17, 2003
LEGAL REF.: C.R.S. 22-32-110 (1)(f)
20 U.S.C. 7905 (Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act contained in NCLB Act of 2001)
CROSS REF.: EDC, Authorized Use of School-Owned Materials or Equipment
Persons using or upon agency property for any purpose shall not engage in:
Any conduct intended to obstruct, disrupt or interfere with teaching, research, service, administrative or disciplinary functions, or any activity sponsored or approved by the Board.
Physical abuse or threat of harm to any person or agency owned or controlled property at agency sponsored or supervised functions.
Threat of damage or damage to property of the agency regardless of the location, or property of a member of the community or a visitor to the agency when such property is located on school district controlled premises.
Forceful or unauthorized entry to or occupation of agency facilities, including both buildings and grounds.
Unlawful use, possession, distribution or sale of drugs and other controlled substances, alcohol and other illegal contraband on agency property, at agency sponsored functions, on any school bus transporting students or within 1,000 feet of the perimeter of the school grounds. Persons known to be under the influence of liquor shall not be permitted to enter the agency or school buildings or grounds.
Unlawful use of tobacco.
Unlawful possession of a deadly weapon, as defined in state law, on school property or in school buildings unless the person falls within one of the exceptions in state law for possession of a deadly weapon including that the person:
a. has legal authority to carry or possess a deadly weapon
b. is presenting an authorized public demonstration for the agency or an organized class
c. is carrying out duties for the agency which require the use of a deadly weapon
d. is participating in an authorized extracurricular activity or team involving the use of firearms
e. has possession of the weapon for use in an approved educational program which includes but is not limited to any course designed for the repair and maintenance of weapons
f. is a peace officer on duty
Profanity or verbally abusive language.
Any conduct constituting a breach of any federal, state or city law or duly adopted policy and/or regulation of the Board.
Any member of the general public considered by the executive director or designee to be in violation of this policy shall be instructed to leave the property of the agency or district.
Adopted: October 20, 1999
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 18-1-901 (3)(e)
C.R.S. 18-9-106
C.R.S. 18-9-108 through 110
C.R.S. 18-9-117
C.R.S. 18-12-105.5
C.R.S. 18-12-214 (3)(a) (person with valid concealed handgun permit may have a handgun on school property as long as hand gun remains in his or her vehicle and if, while the person is not in vehicle, the gun is kept in a compartment and the vehicle is locked)
C.R.S. 18-18-105
C.R.S. 18-18-407 (2)
C.R.S. 24-14-103.5
CROSS REFS.: ADC, Tobacco-Free Schools
GBEB, Staff Conduct
GBEC, Drug-Free Workplace
JICH, Drug and Alcohol Use by Students
JICI, Weapons in School
KI, Visitors to Schools
Requests from the general public to distribute printed noncurricular materials at the San Luis Valley Board of Cooperative Services shall be allowed subject to the following policy and accompanying regulations unless the material is Aunacceptable@ as described below.
The following shall be considered Aunacceptable@ material:
1. So-called Ahate@ literature that scurrilously attacks ethnic, religious or any racial groups.
2. Material that promotes hostility, disorder or violence.
3. Material designed for commercial purposesBadvertising a product or service for sale or rentBunless the material itself has educational value that makes the commercial message a secondary consideration.
4. Material that is libelous, invades the rights of others or inhibits the functioning of the school, or advocates interference with the rights of any individual or with the normal operation of the school.
5. Material which in any way promotes, favors or opposes the candidacy of any candidate for election, or the adoption of any bond issues proposal, or any public question submitted at any general, municipal or school election. The prohibition shall not apply on any election day or special election when the school is being used as a polling place.
6. Material that is obscene or pornographic as defined by prevailing community standards throughout the district.
This policy governs noncurricular material and is not intended and shall not be interpreted to interfere with the prerogative of teachers to supplement and enrich text and reference book materials used in their courses with materials which are timely and up to date. However, no teacher shall distribute noncurricular materials in his or her class without complying with the procedures which follow.
The executive director or designee shall present to any person or persons wishing to distribute printed noncurricular materials a copy of this policy and the accompanying procedures.
The Board of Directors shall proceed through the courts of law to obtain injunctive relief and damages, where applicable, for any unauthorized distribution of printed noncurricular materials.
Adopted: October 20, 1999
LEGAL REF.: C.R.S. 22-32-110 (1)(r)
CROSS REFS.: JICEA, School-Related Student Publications
JICEC*, Student Distribution of Noncurricular Materials