FARMINGTON – SAD 9 directors rejected two policies pertaining to extracurricular activity participation and release of information from law enforcement because several directors were concerned about student privacy rights.

“It’s not right to sign away (students) right to keep things to themselves,” said director Robert Flick at Tuesday’s board meeting. “Let’s not go down that road.”

The policy committee had recommended a change in wording to the document that would force students participating in extracurricular activities to sign a form to agree to have law enforcement release to school officials any information about their conduct within those activities. The information would not become part of the student’s education record and would be used solely for investigations of incidents taking place during extracurricular activities.

Students would have to have their parent or guardian agree to release of the information. If it was not provided, a student would be suspended from participation in any extracurricular activity for up to one year under the proposed policy.

While several directors concurred with Flick’s viewpoint, Yvette Robinson cast a dissenting opinion.

“I don’t think what was being asked is an unreasonable thing,” she said. “The policy of privacy is a Maine statute, not a civil liberty that people could use. It’s likely the state is going to open up some of these issues down the road.”

Superintendent Michael Cormier confirmed that the school board is trying to sort out various scenarios that arise regarding student privacy rights.

“There are laws that impede our ability to share information with each other,” he said. “It’s very limited who I can share that information with.”

Chairman Ray Glass said the board’s policy committee should be given leeway to provide guidance in this situation instead of necessarily reverting to old policies.

The board voted 9-4 to send the policies back to the policy committee for further review.

An executive session was held prior to the meeting to discuss disciplinary action against a Mt. Blue Middle School student who had generated an image on a computer that indicated a bomb threat. The board came out of executive session and voted 10-3 to suspend the boy until Dec. 1.

“We wish you the very best,” said Glass, providing encouraging words to the student. “We want to see you back in school as soon as possible.”

Adult Basic Education Director Ray Therrien was recognized for receiving the Gerald N. LeVasseur Award, which the Maine Adult Education Association recently presented to him. The award recognized his achievements as adult education director, and Therrien received a standing ovation from those at the meeting when Assistant Superintendent Susan Pratt announced his accomplishment.

“What it represents is the partnering that goes on in the community,” said Therrien, clearly moved by the show of support. He said that he was touched by all of the letters from those pushing for him to get the award.

The board approved a field trip to Boston for the Mt. Blue High School senior class, which will take place in June. They also voted in favor of a health club at Mt. Blue Middle School.

Their next meeting will be Nov. 25.