September 6, 2018 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Policy Committee Meeting

Rationale: 

This is the second reading of the policy.   Therapy dog programs have been extremely beneficial to our students, causing in an increased demand for programs.   Developing a policy and regulation would help to formulate guidelines for use of Therapy Dogs within the schools.  Two of our employees, Lois Brockmann (Physical Therapist) and Danielle Egan (Media Specialist) are certified handlers for Therapy Dogs and have participated in the development of this policy. Building administrators also had an opportunity to review the policy.  

The board asked Mrs. Yonsky to confirm with our insurance provider that development of such programs would not effect coverage.  She has confirmed that it would not.    

Rationale:  While developing the policy for Therapy Dogs, we recognized that we also need a policy for Service Dogs.  Service Dogs fall under a different category than Therapy Dogs as they are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA.  The model policy attached was provided to us by Shipman and and Goodwin.  This is the second reading of the policy.  

Rationale:  This is the second reading of the Civility Policy requested by the Board of Education.  Passage of this policy fits nicely with the 2nd Board of Education Goal around developing a respectful culture.   The policy addresses standards of communications, examples of disruptive communications and actions and broad consequences for those actions.  This policy is a model from Shipman and Goodwin.  The Board requested that I check with our attorney on some of the language in the 2nd paragraph.  I will have the feedback from Rebecca Santiago for the meeting.  

Rationale:  The Board of Education currently does not have a policy regarding New Media Relationships.  I reviewed all of the samples with our attorney yesterday.  After a lengthy discussion, she is recommending that we use the CABE model policy as a basis of a new policy.   I can explain in detail her concerns about the sample policy from Waterbury Public Schools, which was one of the policies provided by CABE.  My comments and suggestions in the attachment reflect my discussion with the attorney.  This policy has not been to the full Board of Education yet.  

Rationale: 

Attached is a suggested Bylaw on the Board's Use of Social Media.  The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education is recommending BOE adoption of policy on this topic.