022505 Understanding the hows and whys of school policies

BY BOB COOPER

Intrigued by the word "policy," I went home after the board meeting last night and looked it up in my trusty Merriam-Webster's Dictionary. From the Middle English and the French "policie," the word carries many meanings and connotations. The first entry in the dictionary is "prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs." Strangely, as I kept looking, and most of you know how dictionaries provide more information than you usually need, the Greek derivation suggests that policy is a "daily lottery in which participants bet that certain numbers will be drawn from a lottery wheel." The love of words is not for everyone!

A few weeks ago and again at last Wednesday's meeting of the Bedford Central Board of Education, the board discussed and agreed on three district policies that are worth noting. The first is Policy #9320 Drug Free Workplace. This policy "prohibits the illegal, improper or unauthorized manufacture, distribution, possession or use of any controlled substances in the workplace ... the school grounds, at school sponsored activities, or- any place in which an employee is working within the scope of his/her employment duties."

Board member Mark Chernis explained that this is an important policy to have on the books because it allows the superintendent "to certify to any federal agency making a direct grant that the district is a drug-free workplace."

The second one, Policy #8414.5 Alcohol and Drug Testing of Transportation Personnel, states, "To ensure the safety of its students and to comply with federal regulations, the board requires alcohol and controlled substance testing of school bus drivers who use a commercial driver's license (CDL) as well as monitors/attendants in safety-sensitive positions (all transportation workers)." Essentially, the board has adopted a "zero-tolerance" policy for any transportation worker who tests positive for the identified substances listed in the policy.

The third one, Policy #1900 Title 1 Parental Involvement, states that the board, in compliance with federal Title I regulations "involve parents in the activities of schools served under Title I." Moreover, it states that the administration must "coordinate with parents the development, implementation, review and evaluation of a plan that provides for meaningful parental involvement."

One key component to this involvement is an annual parent meeting designed to explain the requirements and the rights of parents whose children are in Title I schools.

By midnight, the echoes of the board meeting had,, faded, and Merriam-Webster's slipped weakly to the floor. I realized, as have most of you, that yes, district policies are crucial to the smooth running of a school system. They guide and determine present and future conditions in a school district. My own obsession with words is the burden I carry as a former English teacher.