FRANKLIN LOCAL SCHOOLS

8.00 COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM

The Board of Education believes that the success of the schools in this District, as in all other districts, is directly related to the understanding, active interest, participation, and support of the citizens of the District.

The Board recognizes its obligation to inform the citizens of the District of the policies, problems, and progress of the educational system. It is the intent of the Board to disseminate pertinent information to all interested persons as best as it can and with whatever techniques that prove to be most effective. The Superintendent shall direct an information program designed to inform the community of the achievements and needs of the schools. The information program shall include at a minimum annual reports of school progress for each school.

To these ends, the community relations program shall encourage citizen participation in and support of the educational program and shall endeavor to achieve the following goals:

A. To develop intelligent citizen understanding of the school system in all aspects of its operation.

B. To determine how the citizenry feels about the school system and what it wishes the school system to accomplish.

C. To develop citizen understanding of the need for adequate financial support for a sound educational program.

D. To help citizens assume a more direct responsibility for the quality of education the school system provides.

E. To earn the good will, respect, and confidence of the citizenry in the personnel and services of the school system.

F. To bring about citizen understanding of the need for improvement and what must be done to facilitate essential change in the school system.

G. To involve citizens in the work of the Board and the solving of its educational problems.

H. To invite the assistance, cooperation, and understanding of elected and appointed township officials and committees in the development of educational programs and facilities.

I. To promote a genuine spirit of cooperation between the Board and the community in sharing leadership for the improvement of the community.

The Board believes the best method of accomplishing the stated school-community relations goals is through the creation of a two-way communication system. This system is a crucial ingredient in the school-community relations program, because it develops a wholesome mutual understanding, respect and confidence between the school system and the community.

The Board assigns the responsibility to every school employee, certified or non-certified, to improve and promote better school-community relations and the improvement of the quality of education of our children.

8.01 PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM

The Board of Education believes that all reasonable means should be employed to keep the public informed on matters of importance regarding its actions, policies, finances, programs, personnel, and the details of its educational and business operations. The Board encourages study, discussion, and active participation by all concerned in the promotion of the best possible program of education in the community. It is the practice of the Board to utilize the advice and assistance of interested individuals and groups in the solution of its educational and financial problems. Therefore, the Superintendent shall direct an information program designed to inform the community of the achievements and needs of the schools that includes, at a minimum, annual reports of progress for each school and the District.

The School District’s information program will:

A. Encourage a better understanding of the role, objectives, accomplishments, and needs of the School District.

B. Be a planned, systematic, two-way process between the Board and the Superintendent and their internal and external constituencies.

C. Use a variety of media including meetings, letters, circulars, seminars, publications, and personal contacts.

D. Provide the channels necessary for resolving grievances and eliminating misunderstandings.

E. Inform concerned persons as to their rights, privileges, and responsibilities.

A school’s information program will:

A. Encourage informal, as well as formal, methods of communication.

B. Include the use of a variety of media including meetings, seminars, bulletin boards, publications, and personal contacts.

C. Provide channels for resolving grievances and/or misunderstandings for students, staff, and community members.

D. Inform concerned persons as to their rights, privileges, and responsibilities.

E. Supplement and support the general communications program of the School District.

It is important that information be disseminated on activities about and in the schools. In order that this publicity be given wide coverage and be coordinated into a common effort and purpose, these guidelines will be followed in giving official information to the news media:

A. The Board President will be the official spokesperson for the Board, except as this duty is delegated to the Superintendent.

B. News releases that are of a District-wide nature or pertain to established District policy are the responsibility of the Superintendent or a member of the staff whom he/she has designated.

C. News releases that are of concern to only one school, or to an organization of one school, are the responsibility of the principal of that particular school. Statements made to the press by others representing themselves as staff members of the particular school must be cleared with the principal.

The Board expects the administration to maintain a vital and effective link with the media sources in the community.

While it is impossible to know how news releases will be treated by the press, every possible effort should be made to obtain coverage of school activities which will create and maintain a dignified and professionally responsible image for the School District.

The Board of Education is vitally interested in maintaining effective communication with parents, members of the community, vendors, and others who have dealings with the District. The Board realizes that, although advances in technology provide the possibility of enhancing communications, some innovations can also inhibit effective contact between the public and District personnel.

The Board directs that incoming calls during regular school hours to the central office and to each school and operations office be answered by a District staff member or volunteer and not by a computer-generated voice. This will ensure each caller’s concern is dealt with in an expeditious manner.

If, under certain rare circumstances, it is not possible for a staff member or volunteer to be available to answer a telephone call to a main office number, a computer message may be substituted, provided the message instructs the caller how to access a District employee who can take some type of action in response to the caller’s need.

Telephone calls to extension numbers within the District may be answered by voice mail provided the caller is provided the alternative of dialing 0 and talking to a staff member or volunteer.

The telephone system should operate in such a way that a caller is able to talk directly to someone who can be of assistance to the caller. Lack of effective telephone contact could be critical.

The Board believes that parent/guardian involvement is an important part of the educational program. Therefore, all parents/guardians of students enrolled in the District are encouraged to take an active role in the education of their children. In order to ensure that this policy is followed, the Board directs the Superintendent to:

A. Build consistent and effective communication between parents and teachers and administrators;

B. Provide opportunities for parents to be actively involved in their children’s education;

C. Inform parents of the importance of involvement in directly affecting the success of their children’s educational efforts;

D. Inform parents of techniques, strategies and skills to use at home to improve their children’s academic success and to support their children’s academic efforts at school and their children’s development as future responsible adult members of society.

E. Inform parents of how and when to assist their children in and support their children’s classroom learning activities; and

8.03 PARENT PARTICIPATION IN TITLE I PROGRAMS

In accordance with the requirements of federal law, programs supported by Title I funds must be planned and implemented in meaningful consultation with parents of the students being served.

The Board encourages the involvement of all parents in their child’s education. However, this policy is a broad directive to the Superintendent, other administrators, and parents of the goals to be obtained in establishing a parental involvement policy for parents whose students are covered by Title I programs. The Board also encourages the participation of parents in the creation of the policy necessary to make the goals established herein a reality. Parental involvement policies already exist for parents of students not covered by Title I programs.

Each year, the Superintendent shall work with parents of children served in Title I programs in order to jointly develop and agree upon a proposed written parent involvement policy to establish expectations for the involvement of such parents in the education of their children. The proposed policy shall be reviewed and approved annually by the Board of Education and distributed to parents of children receiving Title I services. The proposed policy must describe how the District will:

A. Involve parents in the development of the District’s Title I plans and in the process of school review and improvement, if necessary;

B. Provide coordination, technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist schools in planning and implementing effective parent involvement activities to improve student achievement and school performance;

C. Build the schools’ and parents’ capacity for strong parental involvement;

D. Coordinate and integrate parent involvement strategies with parent involvement strategies under other programs such as Head Start, Reading First, Early Reading First, Even Start, Parents and Teachers, and Home Instruction for Preschool Youngsters;

E. In consultation with parents, annually evaluate the content and effectiveness of the parent involvement policy in improving the academic quality of schools, including:

1. Identifying barriers to greater parent participation;

2. Designing strategies for more effective parental involvement; and,

3. Revising the parental involvement policy if necessary.

F. Involve parents of children receiving Title I services in deciding how Title I funds reserved for parent involvement activities will be allocated;

G. Provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities and parents of migratory children, including providing information and school reports in a format, and to the extent practicable in a language, such parents can understand;

H. Conduct meetings with parents including provisions for flexible scheduling and assistance to parents to better assure their attendance at meetings;

I. Develop agendas for parent meetings to include review and explanation of the curriculum, means of assessments, and the proficiency levels students are expected to achieve and maintain;

J. Provide opportunities for parents to formulate suggestions, interact and share experiences with other parents, and participate appropriately in the decision-making about the program and revisions in the plan;

K. Involve parents in the planning, review, and improvement of the Title I program;

L. Communicate information concerning school performance profiles and their child’s individual performance to parents;

M. Assist parents in helping their children in achieving the objectives of the program by such means as ensuring regular attendance, monitoring television-watching, providing adequate time and the proper environment for homework; guiding nutritional and health practices, and the like;

N. Provide timely responses to parental questions, concerns, and recommendations;

O. Coordinate and provide technical assistance and other support necessary to assist Title I schools to develop effective parent participation activities to improve academic achievement;

P. Conduct other activities as appropriate to the Title I plan and state and federal requirements.

The Superintendent must also assure that each Title I participating school develops a specific written plan, with parental involvement and agreement, in accordance with federal law.

The Superintendent and building principals must include provisions in the District and school parent involvement policies that involve parents in the education of their children and that support a partnership among the school, parents and the community for improving students’ achievement in accordance with federal law.

8.04 PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES

Any person or group having a legitimate interest in the schools of this District shall have the right to present a request, suggestion, complaint, or grievance concerning personnel, the program, or the operations of the District. At the same time, the Board of Education has a duty to protect its staff from unnecessary harassment. It is the intent of this policy to provide the means for judging each public complaint and grievance in a fair and impartial manner and to seek a remedy where appropriate.

It is the desire of the Board to rectify any misunderstandings between the public and the School District by direct discussion of an informal type among the interested parties. It is only when such informal meetings fail to resolve the differences, shall more formal procedures be employed.

Any requests, suggestions, complaints, or grievances reaching the Board, Board members, and the administration shall be referred to the Superintendent for consideration according to the following procedure.

A. Matters Regarding a Teaching Staff Member

First Level: If it is a matter specifically directed toward a teaching staff member, the matter should be addressed, initially, to the concerned staff member who shall discuss it promptly with the complainant and make every effort to provide a reasoned explanation or take appropriate action within his/her authority and District rules and regulations. This communication should be stated in writing or by appointment with the teaching staff member. As appropriate, the staff member shall report the matter, and whatever action may have been taken, to the building principal.

This level does not apply if the matter involves alleged child abuse, substance abuse, sexual harassment, or any other serious allegation that may require investigation or inquiry by the administration prior to approaching the teaching staff member.

Second Level: If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved at the first level, it shall be discussed by the complainant with the building principal.

Third Level: If a satisfactory solution is not achieved by discussion with the building principal, a written request for a conference shall be submitted to the Superintendent. This request should include:

1. The specific nature of the complaint and a brief statement of the facts giving rise to it;

2. The respect in which it is alleged that the complainant (or child of the complainant) has been affected adversely;

3. The action which the complainant wishes taken and the reasons why it is felt that such action be taken.

Should the matter be resolved in conference with the Superintendent, the Board shall be advised of the resolution.

Fourth Level: Should the matter still not be resolved, or if it is one beyond the Superintendent's authority and requires a Board decision or action, the complainant shall request in writing, a meeting with the Board.

The Board, after reviewing all material relating to the matter, may grant a meeting with the Board.

The complainant shall be advised, in writing, of the Board's decision, no more that ten (10) business days following the meeting.

In the case of a complaint directed toward an administrative staff member, the general procedure specified in Part A shall be followed. The complaint shall be discussed, initially, with the person toward whom it is directed and if a satisfactory resolution is not achieved at this level the matter shall be brought, as required, to higher levels terminating with the Board.

In the case of a complaint directed toward a classified staff member, the complaint is to be directed, initially, toward the person's supervisor, and the matter then brought, as required, to higher levels in the manner prescribed in Part A.

If the request, suggestion, complaint, or grievance relates to a matter of District or school policy, procedure, program, or operation, it should be addressed, initially, to the building principal or the head of the classified department who is most directly concerned, and then brought, in turn, to higher levels of authority in the manner prescribed in Part A.

Occasional objections to a selection of reading or instructional materials may be received by media personnel or teachers which may be handled immediately to the satisfaction of the individual. If not, the following procedure should be initiated:

1. The criticism is to be addressed to the building principal, in writing, and shall include:

2. Upon receipt of the information, the building principal may appoint a review committee, which may consist of one (1) or more professional staff members including the librarian.

3. The committee, in evaluating the questioned material, shall be guided by the following criteria:

a. The appropriateness of the material for the age and maturity level of the students with whom it is being used;

4. The material in question may be withdrawn from use pending the committee's recommendation to the Superintendent.

5. The committee's recommendation shall be reported to the Superintendent in writing within ten (10) school days following the formation of the committee. The Superintendent will advise the complainant, in writing, of the committee's recommendation and advise the Board of action taken or recommended.

6. The complainant may appeal this decision, within fifteen (15) school days, to the Board through a written request to the Superintendent, who shall forward the request and all written material relating to the matter to the Board.

7. The Board shall review the case in public session and advise the complainant, in writing, of its decision within ten (10) school days.

No challenged material may be removed from the curriculum or from a collection of resource materials except by action of the Board, and no challenged material may be removed solely because it presents ideas that may be unpopular or offensive to some. Any Board action to remove material will be accompanied by the Board's statement of its reasons for the removal.

Criticism of instructional materials or materials that are in the media center should be submitted in writing to the Superintendent. The Board of Education will be informed. Allegations thus submitted will be considered by a committee consisting of the District librarians, building principal, one counselor, and one faculty member of the school involved. The challenged book or material will be judged by the committee as to its conformity to the aforementioned principles. The books or materials involved may be suspended pending a decision in writing from the committee. Appeals may be made through the Superintendent to the Board of Education for final decision.

Author _____________________________ Hardcover ____________ Paperback __________

9. In its place, what book of equal literary quality would you recommend that would convey as valuable a picture and perspective of our civilization?

8.05 SCHOOL VISITORS

The Board welcomes and encourages visits to schools by parents, other adult residents of the community, and interested educators. But, in order for the educational program to continue undisturbed when visitors are present and to prevent the intrusion of disruptive persons into the schools, it is necessary to invoke the following visitor controls.

A. No person shall trespass or loiter in any school building of this District or on the grounds thereof or on other grounds owned or used by the School District.

B. All persons entering a school building shall immediately report their presence to the building office. The principal shall require all visitors to properly identify themselves.

C. Any parent wishing to visit a school/classroom which his or her child attends may do so only by making prior arrangements with the building principal. A class may occasionally be involved in an activity, such as the administration of standardized examinations, when the nature of that activity is such that the presence of any adult in the classroom, other than the teacher, will be inherently disruptive. On such occasions the principal shall advise the parent of the special problem and shall, at that time, arrange a definite day of visitation as soon as practicable.

D. In the event a person who is not a parent of a child attending the particular school desires to visit a particular classroom or classrooms, this wish should be communicated to the principal prior to the visitor's arrival at the school. If for any reason the visit would interfere with the program planned for the classroom in question on the day of the proposed visit, the principal shall advise the proposed visitor of the scheduling problem, and shall at that time, arrange a definite day of visitation. In the event a person who is not a parent arrives at a particular school, not having made advance arrangements as set forth herein, whether he or she shall be permitted to visit the school or classroom shall be at the discretion of the principal.

E. A teacher shall not admit a visitor to his or her classroom unless the visitor is either accompanied by the principal or some person designated by the principal, or presents to the teacher approved identification.

F. While visiting in a classroom under the aforementioned conditions, a visitor shall not interrupt the class in any way, nor speak to or disturb the children. If the visitor desires to ask questions of or to confer with the teacher, he or she must make arrangements for a conference with the teacher upon leaving the classroom, or contact the teacher at a later time for an appointment.

G. In order not to unreasonably interfere with the education of the children or the school program, and in order not to overcrowd a particular classroom, the principal shall have the right to restrict the number of visitors to a particular classroom at a given time and shall have the further right to determine a reasonable period of time for a visitor to remain in a classroom.

H. When a visitor leaves the classroom, unless otherwise arranged with the principal’s office, he or she will return directly to the principal’s office, and promptly leave the building.

I. A parent having more than one child in the same school may visit each child’s classroom, proceeding from one class to the other. In the event a visitor who is not a parent desires to visit more than one classroom in a building the principal may require that he or she return to the principal’s office after visiting each classroom in order that he or she may be directed to the next classroom he or she desires to visit, and to enable the principal’s office to have full knowledge at all times of the number and whereabouts of visitors in the building.

J. The Superintendent or principal shall have complete authority to exclude from the school premises any persons whom he or she has reason to believe are disruptive to the educational programs in the classroom or in the school, are disturbing the teachers or children on the premises, or whom the principal believes are on the premises for the purpose of committing an illegal act. If the person refuses to leave, the Superintendent or principal may summon assistance from the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Rules regarding the entry of persons upon school grounds or premises shall be posted conspicuously at or near the entrance to such grounds or premises if there are no formal entrances, and at the main entrance to each school building. In addition, a sign shall be posted in a conspicuous location in each building and on each parcel of real property owned or controlled by the Board of Education stating the following:

“Unless otherwise authorized by law, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 2923.122, no person shall knowingly possess, have under the person’s control, convey, or attempt to convey a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance onto these premises or into a school safety zone.”

The Board of Education welcomes the attendance of members of the community at athletic and other public events held by the schools in the District, but the Board also acknowledges its duty to maintain order and preserve the facilities of the District during the conduct of such events.

The Board holds the legal authority to bar the attendance of or remove any person at a school event whose conduct may constitute a disruption. School administrators have the authority to call law enforcement officials if a person violates posted regulations or does not leave school property when requested. They are also authorized to use detectors and other devices to better ensure the safety and well-being of participants and visitors.

The Board directs that no alcoholic beverage be consumed at any function sponsored by the District or occurring on school premises.

If a student or adult is asked to leave or is removed from a school event, no admission fees shall be refunded.

Guide dogs used by persons requiring this type of assistance shall be permitted in all District facilities and at all school events. The person must provide evidence of the dog’s certification for that purpose. If the dog is still in training, proof of liability insurance is to be provided.

Any person or organization seeking to film students or a school activity shall obtain prior permission from the Superintendent.

8.07 PARENT ORGANIZATIONS

A school can only be as successful as the chief administrative officer is skillful in utilizing the talents of parents and other members of the community in a decision making capacity. For this reason, it is vital that parent groups and associations play a strong role in the Franklin Local School District.

A. The Parent Teachers Association (PTA) has long been among the strongest supporters of public education. In fact, the PTA playing an involved and active role is vital to the success of any school organization. Principals, teachers, and all other staff members should seek to strengthen and support the PTA by cooperating in any way possible to provide assistance, materials, facilities or other aid to assist the PTA in helping the schools.

B. Each school should make a systematic effort to identify parent groups and organizations which are interested in schools and have resources that would enhance the learning program. Plans should be made to cooperate with and to involve such groups in the school program.

C. Parent organizations desiring to use the name or offices of the District in organizing pupils must obtain the approval of the Superintendent as a prerequisite to organizing.

The Board relies upon approved organizations to cooperate in a manner consistent with public expectations from the schools and reserves the right to withdraw sponsorship from organizations which violate the bounds of community taste.

PTA Gifts to the Schools

Gifts made to the schools become the property of the Board of Education. Their use shall be regulated by the individual school under the direction of the Superintendent or building principal.

A. Cooperative planning of teachers, administrators, and PTA representatives shall be the accepted method in determining what gifts shall be made. It shall be understood that final determination of the acceptability of the gift shall be made by the Superintendent of Schools or the Board of Education. This favorable action should be requested before the money is raised for the gift.

B. It should be understood that it is the responsibility of the Board to spend money raised through school taxes to purchase necessary and needed equipment for the schools, but if money is not available, the PTA should be free to choose items to be acquired and donated to the schools with the approval of the Superintendent of Schools or the Board of Education.

C. The fact that a PTA unit has given a certain gift to one school does not preclude the purchase of such equipment, supplies, or services for other schools by the Board.

The above policy does not preclude the local PTA from donating gifts to particular school buildings.

No parent organization shall be permitted to build, construct, renovate, place, or install any building, playground equipment, or any other structure or equipment on School District property without the approval of the Board of Education. Any such building, equipment, or structure shall become the property of the Board of Education upon completion of the construction, renovation, or installation.

The Board of Education appreciates the efforts of all organizations whose objectives are to enhance the educational experiences of District students, to help meet educational needs of students and/or provide extra educational benefits not provided for, at the time, by the Board.

These needs may be educational to parents and/or children. In addition to parents, membership should be made available to District staff and members of the community.

Each volunteer organization shall work within the appropriate school setting and in cooperation with the principal and other staff members and shall abide by the policies of the Board.

The Board shall offer the opportunity for any authorized school support entity to receive coverage under the District's liability insurance program to protect the entity against claims resulting from damage or injury resulting from any act or omission of any school-support entity. The entity shall pay for such coverage upon written notification from the Treasurer.

District support organizations are encouraged to obtain not-for-profit tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and to comply with the fund-raising and financial disclosure requirements of the IRS and the Ohio Attorney General.

No district support organization shall be permitted to build, construct, renovate, place, or install any building, playground equipment, or any other structure or equipment on School District property without the approval of the Board of Education. Any such building, equipment, or structure shall become the property of the Board of Education upon completion of the construction, renovation, or installation.

The Board accepts its responsibility to provide from public funds sufficient supplies and equipment for an effective instructional program. It recognizes, however, that from time to time individuals or organizations in the community may wish to contribute additional supplies or equipment to enhance or extend the instructional program. It shall be the general policy of the District to direct those who desire to make contributions to consider equipment or services that are not likely to be acquired from public fund expenditures. The Board may, by resolution duly passed at a public meeting, accept any gift or grant of land with or without improvement, and of money or other personal property, and acknowledge the purpose, if any, for which the gift was made.

The Board reserves the right to refuse to accept any gift when the conditions and stipulations connected with it deprive the Board of control of the gift or when ownership would tend to deplete the resources of the District.

Any gift accepted by the Board shall become the property of the Board, may not be returned without the approval of the Board and is subject to the same controls and regulations as are other properties of the Board.

Contributions of equipment or services that may involve major costs for installation or maintenance, or initial or continuing financial commitments from school funds shall be presented by the Superintendent for Board consideration and approval.

Because of differences in economic resources available to the various schools, and for other reasons, the purchase of equipment on a matching fund basis, (part of cost provided by an individual or organization and part by the Board of Education from public funds) must receive the prior approval of the Superintendent and the Board of Education.

Individuals or organizations desiring to contribute supplies or equipment will counsel with school officials regarding the acceptability of such contributions in advance of the solicitation of funds or the making of budgetary appropriations.

A list of supplies and equipment contributed primarily for school use should be reported to the Board by the Superintendent or designee.

The Board will make every effort to honor the intent of the donor in its use of the gift, but reserves the right to utilize any gift it accepts in the best interest of the educational program of the District. In no case shall acceptance of a gift be considered to be an endorsement by the Board of a commercial product or business enterprise or institution of learning.

The Board of Education recognizes the advantage to both parents and law enforcement agencies of a means of identifying children who have become lost or been abducted. Accordingly, the Board will cooperate with the Sheriff’s Department in voluntary fingerprinting of students enrolled in the schools of this District.

The Board will make school facilities available for the fingerprinting of children by law enforcement officers and will notify the parent or guardian of each eligible child that the service is available. The notice will clearly state that fingerprinting is voluntary and that no adverse consequences will result from a parent or guardian’s refusal or neglect to consent to the fingerprinting of his/her child.

The Board will permit the fingerprinting of only those children who present the written consent of their parent or guardian. An adult student may submit his/her own written consent.

Fingerprint records shall be given to the parent or guardian of the child fingerprinted or to the adult student. No record of fingerprints shall be retained by this Board and no record shall be made or retained to identify those children who were fingerprinted or of those who declined to be fingerprinted.

The Board will annually make the fingerprinting service available for newly eligible children.

8.11 COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

The Board of Education subscribes to the philosophy that the public schools are owned and operated by and for its patrons and that the schools are an integral part of the community – in terms of intellectual and social expression and development. To this end, the Board of Education encourages the public use of school facilities. Authorization for the use of school facilities shall not be considered an endorsement of, or approval of, the activity, group or organization nor the purposes they represent.

The Board will permit the use of school facilities when such permission has been requested in writing by a responsible organization or a group of at least seven (7) citizens and has been approved by the Superintendent or designee.

All Franklin Local facilities are closed for all activities on Sundays, unless it is approved by the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.

In weighing competing interests for the use of facilities, the Board will give priority in the following order:

A. Uses and groups directly related to the schools and the operations of the schools;

B. Uses and organizations indirectly related to the schools including P.T.O.;

C. Community organizations formed for charitable, civic, social, or educational purposes;

D. Meetings of employee associations;

E. Uses for the registration of voters and conduct of elections;

F. Community church groups;

G. Departments or agencies of the municipal government;

H. Other governmental agencies.

Facilities shall also be made available to any certified candidate for public office and any recognized political party or organization for the purpose of conducting public discussions of public questions and issues. The facilities shall be free of charge and available only after regular school hours. Users shall abide by all District guidelines and rules regarding the use of District grounds and facilities and be liable for any damage incurred. Under no circumstances shall the grounds or facilities be used to raise funds for political purpose.

General Policy, Procedures, and Regulations

All applicants for the use of District facilities shall agree that the property shall not be used for any unlawful purpose and shall hold the Board of Education free and without harm, from any loss, damage, liability or expense that may arise during, or caused in any way by, such use or occupancy of District facilities. In the event that property loss or damage is incurred during such use or occupancy of the District’s facilities, the amount of damage shall be determined and a bill for damages presented to the group using or occupying the facilities during the time of the loss or damage.

It is agreed that, as a condition for using the property, the renter shall provide the Board of Education with evidence that there is general liability insurance, including contractual liability, in force that will apply to the renter’s use of the property and will hold the Board of Education harmless. Minimum acceptable limits of liability shall be $1,000,000.00 per occurrence. This requirement may be waived by the Superintendent.

All use of the District’s facilities shall be free of obscene and controversial purposes. Should an objection be lodged against a specific use of District facilities by any group, such objection is only valid if it is made in writing to the Superintendent and bears the signature of the individual and/or group of individuals making the complaint. When such a complaint is lodged according to the procedures established above, the following will apply if considered to be an appropriate complaint by the Superintendent:

Use of the facilities by the applicant may be suspended temporarily to afford the Superintendent sufficient time to meet with the Board and all concerned parties. The applicant shall be duly notified in time to contact the members of the group regarding the temporary suspension of use and the pending meeting.

Within ten (10) days of temporary suspension, the Superintendent, the complainant, and the applicant shall meet at a specified time and location to determine the validity or nonvalidity of the complaint. The Superintendent shall be the deciding authority, and the Superintendent’s decision shall be final. A written copy of the decision may be obtained by any and all members of either the complainant group or the applicant group by request.

Should all or any part of the District’s community be struck by a disaster, the Board shall make District grounds and/or facilities available, for the housing, feeding, and care of victims or potential victims when requested by local, state, or federal authorities. The Superintendent should meet with the American Red Cross to establish a disaster preparedness plan in order to ensure that proper procedures are established to minimize confusion, inefficiency, and disruption of the educational program.

The use of school equipment in conjunction with the use of school facilities must be specifically requested in writing, and may be granted by the procedure by which permission to use facilities is granted. The users of school equipment must accept liability for any damage or loss to such equipment that occurs while it is in their use. Where rules so specify, no item of equipment may be used except by a qualified operator.

Rental Charges

Rental charges will be reviewed and approved annually by the Board of Education.

Revised 3/09	(FUF-2)	White Copy – Admin. Office
	Facility Use Form	Yellow Copy – Principal
	FRANKLIN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	Pink Copy - Applicant

Facility use on Sunday requires the approval of the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.

(District facilities will not be made available to persons/organizations from outside the district except by approval of the Superintendent or his designee.)

I have read the provisions and agreement on the reverse side of this form and agree to all provisions for the use of school facilities.

The statutes of Ohio provide that school facilities shall serve certain secondary purposes, namely the educational, recreational, and entertainment needs of the communities located within the school district. The main purpose is to serve the needs of school programs and priority will be given this type of use.

Board sponsored groups (activity clubs, PTO’s etc.) will not be charged for use of facilities, but may be charged for custodian or cook services outside of the regularly scheduled shifts. When any other group or organization uses the facilities, they shall pay a rental fee plus the current wage for the required custodian services. Custodian time accumulates when the group requires his services during his regular schedule, or if he is required to be in the building additional time. A custodian (or other school employee) is required when the building is in use except with permission of the Superintendent. If a kitchen is to be used for food preparation, a cook must be scheduled and paid the current rate for all time needed. School facilities are not available for non school sponsored commercial, profit making purposes. Due to high costs of school owned equipment, the district may require an equipment rental fee or deny its use altogether to outside groups.

1. Application for facility use must be made to the building administrator at least one week prior to its scheduled use.

5. School equipment shall not be used unless authorized by the building administrator.

7. At the discretion of the administrator, police protection may be required for certain events.

9. The applicant signing the FACILITY USE FORM assumes responsibility for paying all fees charged including any damages which may be caused by negligence or intent of persons using the facility for this activity.

10. Provide proof of liability insurance; minimum coverage of $1,000,000 required.

By signing, the applicant and using organization agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Franklin Local School District, the Franklin Local Board of Education, and its agents and employees from all liability claims, demands, damages or costs for, or arising out of school facility use, whether it be caused by negligence of the applicant or the Franklin Local Board of Education, or either party’s agents or employees, or otherwise. (please sign on front)

The Superintendent is empowered to close the Franklin Local Schools or to dismiss them early in the event of hazardous weather or other emergencies which threaten the health and safety of students and personnel. While it may be prudent, under certain circumstances to excuse all students from attending school, to delay the opening, or to dismiss students early, the Superintendent has the responsibility to see that as much of the administrative, supervisory, and operational activity is continued as may be possible. Therefore, if conditions affect only a single school, only that school will be closed.

In making the decision to close schools, the Superintendent will consider many factors, including the following principle ones relating to the fundamental concern for the safety and health of children:

B. Driving, traffic and parking conditions affecting public and private transportation facilities.

C. Actual occurrence or imminent possibility of any emergency condition which would make the operation of schools difficult or dangerous.

D. Inability of teaching personnel to report for duty, which might result in inadequate supervision of students.

Students, parents, and staff will be informed early in each school year of the procedures which will be used to notify them in case of emergency closing. When the schools are closed for emergency reasons, staff members will comply with administrative regulations for reporting for work.

NOTE: In support of strengthening student academic achievement, each local educational agency (LEA or school district) that receives Title I, Part A funds must develop jointly with, agree on with, and distribute to, parents of participating children a written parental involvement policy that contains information required by section 1118(a)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) (district wide parental involvement policy). The policy establishes the LEA’s expectations for parental involvement and describes how the LEA will implement a number of specific parental involvement activities, and is incorporated into the LEA’s plan submitted to the State educational agency (SEA).

The Franklin Local School District will build the schools’ and parent’s capacity for strong parental involvement, in order to ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the school involved, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement, through the following activities specifically described below:

A. The school district will, with the assistance of its Title I, Part A schools, provide assistance to parents of children served by the school district or school, as appropriate, in understanding topics such as the following, by undertaking the actions described in this paragraph --

B. The Franklin Local School District will, with the assistance of its schools, provide materials and training to help parents work with their children to improve their children’s academic achievement, such as literacy training, and using technology, as appropriate, to foster parental involvement.

C. The Franklin Local School District will, with the assistance of its schools and parents, educate its teachers, pupil services personnel, principals and other staff, in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to implement and coordinate parent programs and build ties between parents and schools.

D. The Franklin Local School District will, to the extent feasible and appropriate, coordinate and integrate parental involvement programs and activities with Head Start, public preschool and other programs, and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children.

The Franklin Local School District will ensure that information related to the school and parent- programs, meetings, and other activities, is sent to the parents of participating children in an understandable and uniform format, including alternative formats upon request, and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand.

The Franklin Local School District will provide reasonable support for parental involvement activities that parents may request.

The Franklin Local School District agrees to implement the following statutory requirements:

· The school district will put into operation programs, activities and procedures for the involvement of parents in all of its schools with Title I, Part A programs, consistent with section 1118 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Those programs, activities and procedures will be planned and operated with meaningful consultation with parents of participating children.

· Consistent with section 1118, the school district will work with its schools to ensure that the required school-level parental involvement policies meet the requirements of section 1118(b) of the ESEA, and each include, as a component, a school-parent compact consistent with section 1118(d) of the ESEA.

· The school district will incorporate this district wide parental involvement policy into its LEA plan developed under section 1112 of the ESEA.

· In carrying out the Title I, Part A parental involvement requirements, to the extent practicable, the school district and its schools will provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing information and school reports required under section 1111 of the ESEA in an understandable and uniform format and, including alternative formats upon request, and, to the extent practicable, in a language parents understand.

· If the LEA plan for Title I, Part A, developed under section 1112 of the ESEA, is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, the school district will submit any parent comments with the plan when the school district submits the plan to the State Department of Education.

· The school district will involve the parents of children served in Title I, Part A schools in decisions about how the 1 percent of Title I, Part A funds reserved for parental involvement is spent, and will ensure that not less than 95 percent of the one percent reserved goes directly to the schools.

· The school district will be governed by the following statutory definition of parental involvement, and expects that its Title I schools will carry out programs, activities and procedures in accordance with this definition:

Parental involvement means the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring—

(B) that parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school;

(C) that parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child;

(D) the carrying out of other activities, such as those described in section 1118 of the ESEA.

· The school district will inform parents and parental organizations of the purpose and existence of the Parental Information and Resource Center in the State.

PART II. DESCRIPTION OF HOW DISTRICT WILL IMPLEMENT REQUIRED DISTRICT WIDE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY COMPONENTS

1. The Franklin Local School District will take the following actions to involve parents in the process of school review and improvement under section 1116 of the ESEA:

The plan would include provisions for public school choice/supplemental services if the district/school was placed in district or school improvement status.

Elicit comments about the plan from parents of students at Title I schools during Parent-Teacher Conferences.

2. The Franklin Local School District will provide the following necessary coordination, technical assistance, and other support to assist Title I, Part A schools in planning and implementing effective parental involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance:

Share parental involvement activities that are presented at Ohio’s Title I Conferences.

Share Ohio Parent Information and Resource Center (Ohio PIRC) information with schools.

3. The Franklin Local School District will coordinate and integrate parental involvement strategies in Part A with parental involvement strategies under the following other programs: Head Start and State-operated preschool programs], by:

Encouraging kindergarten teachers to involve preschool programs whenever appropriate.

4. The Franklin Local School District will take the following actions to conduct, with the involvement of parents, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of this parental involvement policy in improving the quality of its Title I, Part A schools. The evaluation will include identifying barriers to greater participation by parents in parental involvement activities (with particular attention to parents who are economically disadvantaged, are disabled, have limited English proficiency, have limited literacy, or are of any racial or ethnic minority background). The school district will use the findings of the evaluation about its parental involvement policy and activities to design strategies for more effective parental involvement, and to revise, if necessary (and with the involvement of parents) its parental involvement policies.

The Title I Coordinator will distribute the survey to schools to share with parents during Parent-Teacher Conferences in the fall.

Parent Advisory Committees will be developed at Title I schools to address comments made on the surveys.

PLEASE CHECK THE AREAS REQUESTED	HOURLY RENTAL	OFFICE USE
( ) CLASSROOM	$20.00
( ) GYMNASIUM PJHS (upon approval) ( ) GYMNASIUM PHS	$100.00 $50.00
( ) GYMNASIUM (upon approval) DFE, RES, RMS	$30.00
( ) CAFETERIA FOR MEETINGS DFE,RES, RMS, PJH	$20.00
( ) CAFETERIA WITH KITCHEN FOR SERVING PURPOSES	$20.00
( ) CAFETERIA WITH KITCHEN AND COOKING	$50.00
( ) HIGH SCHOOL AUDITERIA	$50.00
( ) FOOTBALL FIELD LIGHTS ( ) FOOTBALL FIELD ( no lights) ( ) SOCCER FIELD LIGHTS ( ) SOCCER FIELD (no lights) ( ) SOFTBALL FIELDS DFE, PJH (no charge for local teams)	$100 (no hourly) $50.00 (per game) $100 (no hourly) $50.00 (per game) $50 per diamond per day
( ) OTHER AREA ___________________________________	_____
( ) EQUIPMENT REQUESTED AND/OR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT	_____