Policy 1110

Community Relations

Media of Communication

Distribution of Printed Material

The Board of Education believes it is important to inform the public about school curriculum, programs, and activities so citizens can participate in these programs. Concurrently, the school staff administration, and Board of Education should be aware of the community’s goals and concerns for its children so they may be given consideration in curriculum, program, and activity revisions.

The Board encourages public input into the decision making process. To this end, the Board supports and encourages various means such as publications, press releases, open houses, websites and public events to disseminate school district information and to hear from the community.
Community members are encouraged to visit the District’s website for information about the district including Board of Education and staff e-mail addresses. This will also provide an opportunity for citizens to offer input into District activities or plans.

The community relations program shall be a concurrent responsibility of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent of Schools shall work with members of the Board of Education to conduct an active and comprehensive informational program throughout the school district.
Staff members shall be kept informed of community relations efforts, and their support and participation in such efforts shall be sought.
The Board of Education believes in the widest possible dissemination of news concerning the schools and shall cooperate fully with the press, radio, and television to assure that news coverage is complete, balanced, and accurate.

Board minutes shall be available in unapproved form, within 7 days of a Board meeting excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays; a written record of Board votes shall be available for public inspection in the Superintendent office within 48 hours of a Board meeting excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. (In determining the time herein, any day on which the Board office is closed shall also be excluded.)

It should be made clear to anyone wishing to review minutes that they are unofficial until approved by the Board of Education.

Legal Reference:         Connecticut General Statutes
                                    1-200 – 1-241 Public records and meeting
                                    10-220 Duties of boards of education


Policy adopted: May 5, 2015                                          
NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Newtown, Connecticut
EFFECTIVE: July 1, 2015