LEWISTON — The School Committee approved the second reading of several policy changes, some of which include matters regarding the public, and added three new policies during Monday’s meeting.
Two policies that received the most substantial changes include the Public Information Program and Public Distribution/Posting of Non-Curricular School Materials.
Changes in the Public Information Program bring the policy in line with current methods school officials used to provide information to the public and gather opinion from community members, Assistant Superintendent Karen Paquette said in an email to the Sun Journal before the meeting.
The updates highlight the need for student and staff confidentiality in public communications. It stipulates that school principals or program directors will be responsible for routine school announcements to parents and students. The superintendent will establish guidelines for communicating with the media and public.
It also outlines the ways in which to solicit opinions from community members, including “through parent organizations, parent-teacher conferences, open houses and other events or activities that bring staff, parents and community members together,” the updated policy states.
The superintendent can create and release surveys and questionnaires to solicit opinions from parents and citizens.
Changes to the Distribution/Posting of Non-Curricular School Materials does not change materials currently sent home with students, according to Paquette. It clarifies the type of information that can be sent home with students.
Wording in the previous version of the policy outlined the type of non-school-affiliated materials that could not be sent home with students, while new wording in the policy focuses on what is allowed to be sent home with students.
“The School Committee wishes to minimize intrusions on the teaching and learning time of students and staff,” the new policy states. “While there are many worthy activities in the community served by Lewiston Public Schools that are sponsored by various nonprofit organizations, the School Committee believes that students should not be used to distribute or carry home flyers, brochures, or other materials that are not directly related to school programs, school curriculum, or school-related activities.”
Information from the School Committee, superintendent, school administrators and school staff may be sent home in the form of newsletters, letters to parents, meeting or event announcements, school forms and classroom information.
Information and notices regarding school-sponsored activities and programs can also be sent home, along with information and notices regarding activities and programs offered by school-affiliated groups, such as parent-teacher organizations and booster groups.
Municipal, state and federal information and notices regarding programs available to students can also be distributed.
School administrators can post information about nonprofit community activities or events that are submitted to them on a bulletin board at schools, along with a statement that the activity or program is not affiliated with or endorsed by Lewiston Public Schools.
Among the three new policies adopted at the meeting are two regarding school resource officers and school relationships with local law enforcement agencies. The previous policies regarding school resource officers did not fit all schools, Paquette said at the meeting. These new policies better govern activities currently happening in schools in relation to law enforcement agencies and officers.
School Committee members voted unanimously to pass all policy changes and new policies with almost no discussion.
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