April 7, 2016 at 6:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Policy Committee Meeting

Rationale: 

Over the past several years, there have been multiple legislative changes to Policy 5141.21, Administration of Medication.   The most recent change is Public Act 15-215.  The Act went into effect July 1st and the district has complied with the requirements since that date.  Essentially, the law allows for qualified school employees to administer anti epileptic medication to students with medically diagnosed epileptic conditions that require prompt treatment, with written authorization of the students parent, and written order by a physician.  

When reviewing our old district policy and compared it to the Shipman and Goodwin model policy, the team concurred that the model was much more streamlined.  Therefore, the administration is recommending using this new version.  The policy was reviewed by our Health Coordinator and Director of Pupil Personnel before going to the Committee for a first reading.  

 

Rationale:  Policy 3542.22, Food Service Personnel, Code of Conduct is a new policy.  The US Department of Agriculture, which regulates food service programs requires  policy to develop and implement a Code of Conduct for Food Service Employees.  

The code of conduct is to prohibit employees from soliciting from prospective contractors any kinds of gifts, travel packages, and/or other incentives of value. However, the code of conduct must provide for gifts that are unsolicited and of nominal value which may be accepted by the employees.

Rationale:  The administration would like to make the Board of Education aware of a change in regulation for travel reimbursement. The regulation provides enhanced specificity on reimbursement to provide consistency in practice.   

Rationale: 

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­As part of our policy review the Bethel Board of Education directed me to do a review of all dues and fees charged to families.   The attached spreadsheet provides and overview of the results.  In the analysis of the information it is important to note that not all dues and fees are collected by the school system and most are a result of optional participation in after school clubs, athletics or activities.  If a student is not able to pay the fees, due to being eligible for free or reduced lunch, then the fee is waived. 

In review of the dues and fees information, the following categories emerged: 

• Supplies (Pre-K-8) – The supplies are determined by grade level.  The building principals have scaled back the supply list.  
• Music – Fees are primarily associated with equipment rental.   All fees are only charged to students who participate.  The Marching Band has the largest fee (paid to Band Boosters) mainly for lighting for practice.  If a turf field were installed in the stadium, it could help to greatly reduce the fees. 
• Athletics – In the area, most DRG D school districts have eliminated the Pay to Play fee.  In the region, communities are eliminating or phasing out the fee.  If the fee were to be phased out or eliminated, the Board would need to provide the amount to keep the current level of programming. 
• Intramural Programs (4-8) - Are based on student interest.   Fee structures are based on type of program. 
• After School Care – Child Care program provided at Berry School, Rockwell School and Johnson School for parental convenience.
• 1:1 Insurance – The cost is minimal and necessary for sustaining the program.
• Dues – The dues for the high school are the most significant.  The structure was established as a result of parental complaints for senior activities coming all at once.  Most students participate in the trips, PSAT and want to purchase a yearbook.   If a student/family determined that they do not want to participate in any aspect of the programs or receive a yearbook, the fee could be reduced. 
• Field Trips – Fees vary significantly based on the type of trip. 
• AP Testing and Early College Credit Courses – These fees are made directly to the College Board or the college and University.   The fees are nominal and much more inexpensive than paying for tuition costs.  
• Activities - Students, based on participation, are charged fees for other activities such as dances, events, etc.