Policy: BHC
School Board Communications With Staff
The Board and the staff recognize their mutual benefit in
maintaining open channels of official and informal communication.
The basic line of official communication will be through the
district Superintendent or designee.
Staff Communications to the Board
All official communications or reports to the Board or any
Board committee from the Principal, teachers, or other staff
members shall be submitted through the Superintendent or designee.
This necessary procedure shall not be construed as denying
the right of any employee to appeal under a negotiated contract
or in accordance with any Board policy on complaints and grievances.
Staff are welcome to facilitate a Board-staff discussion at
anytime, provided that administrators are so advised.
Board Communications to Staff
All official School Board communications, policies, and directives
will be communicated to staff members through the Superintendent
or designee who will strive to keep staff informed of the
Board's problems, concerns, and actions.
Board Meetings With Staff
The Board and/or individual members of the Board may meet
from time to time with the staff or portions of the staff
for the exchange of ideas. The Superintendent or designee
and other appropriate administrators shall be notified and
may attend. No action may be taken at such a meeting.
Visits to Schools
Individual Board members interested in visiting schools or
classrooms will make arrangements for visitations through
the Principal. Such visits shall be regarded as informal expressions
of interest in school affairs and not for supervisory or administrative
purposes.
Official visits by Board members will be carried on only under
Board authorization and with the full knowledge of staff,
including the Superintendent or designee and the Principal.
Social Interaction
When staff and Board members meet informally, it is appropriate
to discuss such matters as educational trends, issues and
innovations, and general school district concerns. Discussions
of such matters as personalities, grievances, or sharing of
any privileged information is inappropriate.
Individual Board members are reminded that they have no special
authority excepting when they are convened at a legal meeting
of the Board or vested with special authority by Board action.
Facilitating Communication
All effective means of facilitating communication between
the Board and staff will be explored in order to promote cooperative
action for continuing improvement of the educational program
and the mutual benefit of the school system and the community.
ADOPTED: 8 September 1977
REVISED: 10 March 1994
REVIEWED: October 1998
