TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION (100)

Gender-Neutral Language………………………………………………………….. 101

Overall Control and Supervision…………………………………………………... 105

Nondiscrimination………………………………………………………………….. 110

BOARD ORGANIZATION (200)

Code of Ethics for School Board Members…………………………………………… 200

Board of Public Education Meetings and Procedures……………………………… 205

SCHOOL/COMMUNITY RELATIONS (300)

Trespassing/Unauthorized use of School Property………………………………… 305

News Releases……………………………………………………………………... 310

School Visitors……………………………………………………………………... 315

Public Use of School Records……………………………………………………… 320

Public Complaints………………………………………………………………….. 325

Parent/Booster and/or Support Organizations……………………………………... 330

Title I Parent Involvement………………………………………………………… 335

STUDENTS (400)

Attendance…………………………………………………………………………. 405

Entrance Age……………………………………………………………………….. 406

Early Admission to Kindergarten………………………………………………….. 407

Immunization..…………………………………………………………………….. 408

Admission, Assignment, Reassignment and Transfer of Students………………… 410

Pupil Assignment from Non-Public Schools or Charter Schools………………….. 411

Foreign Exchange Students………………………………………………………… 415

Communicable Diseases or Related Conditions…………………………………… 420

Administering Medication…………………………………………………………. 422

Emergency Epinephrine Auto-Injector Devices…………………………………… 423

Student Wellness…………………………………………………………………… 424

Student Fees………………………………………………………………………... 425

Student Publications/Performances………………………………………………... 430

Student Organizations……………………………………………………………… 435

Student Records……………………………………………………………………. 440

Selling Items in Schools…………………………………………………………… 445

Discipline…………………………………………………………………………... 450

Student Restraint/Seclusion/Isolation………………………………………………. 451

Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying……………………. 452

Use of Tobacco Products…………………………………………………………... 455

Use of Cell Phones/Electronic Devices…………………………………………….. 456

Student Suspensions and Expulsions………………………………………………. 465

Illicit Drug and Alcohol Use, Possession of Other Drugs…………………………. 470

Bomb Threats………………………………………………………………………. 478

Student Dress and Appearance…………………………………………………….. 480

Student Grievances………………………………………………………………… 482

Child Abuse and Neglect…………………………………………………………... 485

Student Insurance Program………………………………………………………… 488

Table of Contents

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BUSINESS OPERATIONS (500)

Financial Planning & Budget Process……………………………………………… 501

Revenues, Handling Money and Internal Accounts……………………………….. 502

Cash Management…………………………………………………………………. 503

Payment of Board Members……………………………………………………….. 504

Selection and Retention of Auditor………………………………………………… 505

Fixed Asset Inventory/Capital Outlay……………………………………………. 510

Federal Funds………………………………………………………………………. 515

Contributions/Purchases by Outside Agencies (Gifts)…………………………….. 520

Control of Data Processing Materials……………………………………………… 525

Payroll……………………………………………………………………………… 530

Overtime or Compensatory Time………………………………………………….. 532

Limitation of Voluntary Payroll Deductions………………………………………. 535

Staff Insurance Program…………………………………………………………… 537

Reimbursement for Business Travel……………………………………………….. 540

Purchasing………………………………………………………………………….. 545

Damage Claims, Theft and Vandalism…………………………………………….. 550

Disposal, Rental or Lease of Property……………………………………………... 555

Use of Board Furnished Vehicles………………………………………………….. 560

Property & Fleet Insurance………………………………………………………… 564

Errors and Omissions Insurance…………………………………………………… 565

Fidelity Bond………………………………………………………………………. 566

Workers Compensation……………………………………………………………. 567

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION (600)

Graduation Requirements………………………………………………………….. 605

Promotion and Retention………………………………………………………….. 606

Student Assessment……………………………………………………………….. 610

Patriotic Exercises…………………………………………………………………. 615

Special Programs…………………………………………………………………... 620

Curriculum Development & Media Materials Appeal…………………………….. 625

Teaching Sensitive Issues………………………………………………………….. 626

Comprehensive Health Education Program……………………………………….. 627

Acceptable Use for Internet and Computer Resources……………………………. 630

Extra-Curricular Activities…………………………………………………………. 635

Research……………………………………………………………………………. 640

Sale of Items Produced in the Course of Instruction………………………………. 645

Table of Contents

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PERSONNEL (Disclaimer) (700)

Hiring………………………………………………………………………………. 701

Assignment of Personnel……………………………………………………….….. 702

Contracts for Certified Personnel…………………………………………………... 703

Support Staff Contracts and Compensation Plans…………………………….…… 704

Non Renewal of Non-Tenured Teachers…………………………………………... 705

Voluntary Transfer or Assignment Change………………………………………... 706

Involuntary Transfer or Assignment Change………………………………………. 707

Establishing Administrative Personnel Positions………………………………….. 708

Qualifications and Duties…………………………………………………………... 709

Secondary Employment……………………………………………………………. 710

Legal Counsel for Employees……………………………………………………… 715

Reduction in Force…………………………………………………………………. 720

Staff Complaints and Grievances………………………………………………….. 725

Annual Vacation Leave…………………………………………………………….. 730

Extended Leave of Absence………………………………………………………... 731

Child Involvement Leave…………………………………………………………... 732

Voluntary Shared Leave…………………………………………………………… 733

Drug-Free Workplace……………………………………………………………… 735

Use of Tobacco Products…………………………………………………………... 736

Alcohol & Drug Testing…………………………………………………………… 740

Sexual Harassment………………………………………………………………… 745

Staff Conflict of Interest…………………………………………………………… 750

Political Education, Activities, and Materials…………………………………….. 751

Bloodborne Pathogens……………………………………………………………... 755

Gifts……………………………………………………………………………….. 760

Personnel Records…………………………………………………………………. 765

Confidential Information…………………………………………………………... 766

Evaluation of Licensed Employees………………………………………………… 770

Evaluation of Administrative Personnel…………………………………………… 771

Action Plans for Certified Employees……………………………………………... 772

Resignation………………………………………………………………………… 775

Absences Due to Inclement Weather………………………………………….…… 780

Time Schedules…………………………………………………………………….. 785

Arrangements for Substitutes………………………………………………….…… 790

School Volunteers………………………………………………………………….. 792

Staff-Student Relations…………………………………………………………….. 795

Appropriate Dress for Staff………………………………………………………… 796

Participation in Community Activities…………………………………………….. 798

Professional Publishing…………………………………………………………….. 799

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FACILITIES (800)

Facility Design……………………………………………………………………... 800

Bids and Quotations……………………………………………………………….. 805

Approval of Change Orders by Superintendent………………………….………… 806

Naming New Facilities…………………………………………………………….. 810

Buildings & Grounds Management/Repairs……………………………………….. 815

Use of School Facilities……………….…………………………………………… 820
Use of Civic Center………………………………………………………………… 825
Hazard Materials Information……………………………………………………… 830

AUXILIARY (900)

Use of Private Vehicles to Transport……………………………………………… 905

School Bus Transportation………………………………………………………… 910

Reducing Idling of System-Operated Vehicles……………………………………. 911

Use of School Buses to Transport Students to Other Events……………………… 915

Activity Buses……………………………………………………………………… 920

Bus Accidents/Driver Violations………………………………………………….. 925

Child Nutrition Program…………………………………………………………… 950

Offer Versus Serve Provisions of the National Lunch Program…………………… 955

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION (100)

Gender-Neutral Language……………………………………………………..101

Overall Control and Supervision………………………………………………105

Nondiscrimination…………………………………………………………… 110

GENDER-NEUTRAL LANGUAGE 101

Approved 06/21/04

The Caswell County Board of Public Education, in the interest of creating a more readable product, has elected to utilize the terms “he” or “his” in a gender-neutral manner throughout this policy manual. No discriminatory intent exists.

OVERALL CONTROL AND SUPERVISION 105

Approved 06/21/04

The Caswell County Board of Public Education shall have general control and supervision of all matters pertaining to the public schools within the administrative unit and the Board shall enforce North Carolina school law and Federal law, state regulations, and Caswell County Board of Public Education policy. All decision-making authority not specifically reserved for the Board of Public Education or specifically delegated by theses policies or by state law or regulation is delegated to the chief administrative officer, the Superintendent of Schools, for administrative decision-making.

This collection of policies explains the official position of the Caswell County Board of Public Education and is public information. These policies apply to all individuals, groups, and organizations under the jurisdiction of the Caswell County Board of Public Education. These adopted policies supersede and make null and void any previously adopted policies. They are not meant to be all-inclusive, and they will be periodically reevaluated and altered where and when necessary. New policies will be added when needed.

Any policy addition or revision will be entered on a separate sheet to replace the old policy and will bear the date of adoption. When a new or revised policy supersedes another, the old policy shall be deleted from the manual. An updated Table of Contents will accompany any deleted or added policies. An updated policy manual shall be kept in each media center and each principal’s office in the school system. Each Board of Public Education member, as well as those assigned a policy manual by the Superintendent, shall also keep the policy manual updated as needed. The administration is authorized to implement the policies of the Caswell County Board of Public Education with specific procedures or regulations.

The application of policies adopted by the Board is the responsibility of the Superintendent or designee. All directions for action shall be given to the Superintendent by the Board acting in official meetings. No member of the Board shall individually give orders or directives to the Superintendent or any other school personnel, except as expressly authorized by the Board in official action. Requests for information and materials and suggestions by individual Board members should be channeled through the Superintendent or designee.

NONDISCRIMINATION 110

Approved 06/21/04

The Caswell County Board of Public Education is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, disability, and national origin. This policy shall prevail in all of its policies concerning staff, students, educational programs and services, and individuals with whom the Board does business.

The staff shall establish and maintain an atmosphere in which students can develop attitudes and skills for effective, cooperative living, including:

·  Respect for the individual regardless of economic status, intellectual ability, race, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or age.

·  Respect for cultural differences.

·  Respect for economic, political, and social rights of others.

·  Respect for the rights of others to seek and maintain their own identities.

The Board and staff shall promote good human relations by removing any vestige of prejudice and discrimination in employment, assignment, and promotion of personnel; in lawful location and use of facilities; and in educational offerings and instructional materials.

The Superintendent or his designee shall investigate human relations complaints and protect the rights of all students and staff of the Caswell County Public Schools.

The policy is enacted in compliance with federal law, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The administration is authorized to establish regulations and procedures in accordance with this legislation.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

BOARD ORGANIZATION

Code of Ethics for School Board Members……………………………………200

Board of Public Education Meetings and Procedures……………..…………...205

CODE OF ETHICS FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS Policy # 200

Adopted 10/26/09/Revised 05/25/15

The board recognizes that, collectively and individually, all members of the board must adhere to a code of ethics as required by G.S. 160A-83 and G.S. 115C-47(57).

A. Board Member Ethical Requirements

The following considerations will guide each board member in the performance of his or her official duties:

1. the need to obey all applicable state and federal laws regarding official actions taken as a board member;

2. the need to uphold the integrity and independence of the board member’s office;

3. the need to avoid impropriety in the exercise of the board’s and board member’s official duties;

4. the need to perform faithfully the duties of the office; and

5. the need to conduct the affairs of the board in an open and public manner, complying with all applicable laws governing open meetings and public records.

B. Additional Board Member Commitments

Each member of the board commits to the following:

1. attend all regularly scheduled board meetings insofar as possible and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings;

2. endeavor to make policy decisions only after full discussion at publicly held board meetings;

3. render all decisions based on the available facts and independent judgment and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups;

4. encourage the free expression of opinion by all board members and seek systematic communications between the board and students, staff and all elements of the community;

5. work with other board members to establish effective board policies and to delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the superintendent;

6. communicate to other board members and the superintendent expressions of public reaction to board policies and school programs;

7. learn about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information, such as those sponsored by the state and national school boards associations;

8. comply with North Carolina General Statute 115C-50 by earning annually the required 12 hours of training;

CODE OF ETHICS FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS Policy # 200

Adopted 10/26/09/Revised 05/25/15

9. comply with G.S. 160A-84 by earning two hours of ethics education within 12 months of election or appointment to the board;

10. support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as school employees and insist upon a regular and impartial evaluation of all employees;

11. avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest and refrain from using the board member’s position on the board for personal or partisan gain;

12. take no private action that will compromise the board of administration and respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under applicable law; and

13. remember always that a board member’s first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the public schools.

14. respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under applicable law and refrain from unauthorized disclosure of matters discussed in closed session;

15. refrain from investigating or attempting to resolve complaints received personally, but instead direct complainant to follow the board’s complaint or grievance process to resolve concerns.

All newly elected board members are expected to sign a code of ethics statement that includes these provisions at the organizational meeting of the board.

Signature of Board Member

Date


The board recognizes that, collectively and individually, all members of the board must adhere to a code of ethics as required by G.S. 160A-83 and G.S. 115C-47(57).

A. Board Member Ethical Requirements

The following considerations will guide each board member in the performance of his or her official duties:

1. the need to obey all applicable state and federal laws regarding official actions taken as a board member;

2. the need to uphold the integrity and independence of the board member’s office;

3. the need to avoid impropriety in the exercise of the board’s and board member’s official duties;

4. the need to perform faithfully the duties of the office; and

5. the need to conduct the affairs of the board in an open and public manner, complying with all applicable laws governing open meetings and public records.

B. Additional Board Member Commitments

Each member of the board commits to the following:

1. attend all regularly scheduled board meetings insofar as possible and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings;

2. endeavor to make policy decisions only after full discussion at publicly held board meetings;

3. render all decisions based on the available facts and independent judgment and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups;

4. encourage the free expression of opinion by all board members and seek systematic communications between the board and students, staff and all elements of the community;

5. work with other board members to establish effective board policies and to delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the superintendent;

6. communicate to other board members and the superintendent expressions of public reaction to board policies and school programs;

7. learn about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information, such as those sponsored by the state and national school boards associations;

1.

CODE OF ETHICS FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS Policy # 200

Adopted 10/26/09

8. comply with North Carolina General Statute 115C-50 by earning annually the required 12 hours of training;

9. comply with G.S. 160A-84 by earning two hours of ethics education within 12 months of election or appointment to the board;

10. support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as school employees and insist upon a regular and impartial evaluation of all employees;