Policy 7.01, Curriculum Policy, adopted by the Board on August 27, 2024

The Superintendent will coordinate the design and development of a comprehensive curriculum plan in accordance with state law and any requirements of the State Department of Education for approval by the Board.

Policy 7.11, Graduation and Commencement Policy, adopted by the Board on August 27, 2024

To obtain an Alabama high school diploma, a student must earn the credits mandated by the applicable Alabama Administrative Code requirements and meet any other requirements mandated by state law, the Alabama State Department of Education, and the Muscle Shoals Board of Education.

A student with a disability (as defined by the IDEA) who has met the applicable Alabama Administrative Code requirements and/or any other requirements provided by local, state, or federal law or policy will receive either a diploma or a graduation certificate as appropriate.

A student who has satisfactorily completed one of the above requirements, met minimum attendance criteria, and passed any required examinations is eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies as a member of the graduating class. Student participation in graduation-related ceremonies will be subject to the principal’s approval and may be prohibited by the principal if the student violates disciplinary standards, or if, in the judgment of the principal, the student’s participation could lead or contribute to disorder or disruption of the ceremony or activity, and is subject to payment of outstanding financial obligations.

Policy 5.07, Employee Gifts Policy, adopted by the Board on August 27, 2024

Employees may accept gifts from students or other members of the public if the gifts are in accordance with the Alabama Ethics law and any other applicable law, provided that a single gift from a person should not exceed $32.00 and that the total monetary value of the gifts from a person for that year should not exceed $64.00.

The Board allows employees to accept gifts or gift cards purchased from pooled donations within a class, team, or other school group or organization for the employee’s personal use provided that the amount that each person gives should not exceed the above amounts.

Nothing in this policy should be construed to create restrictions on gifts beyond those that are specifically provided for by law or to allow conduct specifically prohibited by law. Any person with a question about the application of the Ethics law to a particular gift should contact the Ethics Commission for clarification.

Policy 5.19, Teachers' Bill of Rights Policy, adopted by the Board on August 27, 2024

5.19 Teachers' Bill of Rights

The Teachers’ Bill of Rights requires every teacher to have an approved classroom management plan and affords teachers the right to exclude disruptive students from their classrooms in limited circumstances if they follow that plan.  The purpose of this policy is to outline the standards applicable to the development and approval of required classroom management plans; the standards applicable to the removal of a student from classroom by a teacher; and the appeal process available to a teacher if a student is returned to the classroom by the principal.

For purposes of this policy, the term principal also includes assistant principal, vice principal, or his/her designee.

1. Classroom Management Plans

Development of Classroom Management Plan:  To be eligible to use the exclusion procedures in “2”, a teacher must develop a classroom management plan for his or her classroom that is age and developmentally appropriate for the grade(s) served.  The classroom management plan must align with the Student Code of Conduct; local school or school system behavior management policies, plans and procedures; and any Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports or other behavior management systems adopted by the local school or school system. To comply with these limitations, implementation of an approved classroom management plan may preclude student exclusion for instances of behavior listed in “2” below. The Superintendent or his/her designee is authorized to develop model classroom management plans that a teacher may adopt or use for the development of his or her plan.

2. Exclusion of Student from Classroom By Teacher

3. Principal Review and Decision

  The Superintendent shall develop guidance and procedures for principals to handle instances of student exclusion pursuant to this policy and consistent with Alabama law.

4. Appeal

An appeal may be filed by a teacher if (1) a principal refuses to allow a student to be excluded from the classroom under this policy, or (2) a teacher believes the school principal has prematurely ended the exclusion of a student from the classroom under this policy.

• The decision to not exclude a student from the classroom or to return a student to the classroom results from a decision reached at the end of a school disciplinary hearing required by the Code of Conduct or state or federal law;
• A 504 or IEP team or another legally authorized person or entity determines that a student with a disability has the right to remain in or return to the classroom under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or
•  The student is otherwise legally entitled to remain in or return to the classroom.
  
  Filing of Appeal:  The teacher must complete and submit the approved appeal form to the Superintendent within one (1) school day of the principal’s refusal to exclude the student from the classroom or the return of the student to the teacher’s classroom.  The appeal form must be completed in full and signed by the complainant.
  
  Status of Student During Appeal:  During the pendency of any appeal, the decision of the principal regarding the placement of the student, if any, will remain in effect.
  
  Administrative Review:  Upon receipt of a timely appeal, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall start an investigation of the appeal. The investigation may include interviews of the teacher, the principal, and/or witnesses; obtaining or reviewing written statements, classroom management plans, or other pertinent documents; holding administrative conferences, and any other lawful action deemed necessary to reach a just disposition of the appeal at the discretion of the investigator.  Upon completion of the investigation, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall prepare a written recommendation regarding the issues raised in the appeal. If the recommendation is made by the Superintendent’s designee, the Superintendent may adopt, reject, or modify the recommendation based on his or her review of the evidence.  If the recommendation includes disciplinary action that entitles a student to a disciplinary hearing and/or manifestation determination and it has not been held, the disciplinary action will be treated as a recommendation subject to the outcome of the hearing or manifestation determination process.  The written recommendation of the Superintendent should be made and mailed or transmitted to the teacher within five (5) school days of the date on which the appeal is filed, unless reasonable more time is needed based on the particular circumstances of the appeal, as determined by the Superintendent. Should the Superintendent need such additional time to issue a written decision, the teacher shall be notified of same in writing and advised of when the decision will be issued.
  
  Appeal to Board of Education:  A teacher dissatisfied with the decision of the Superintendent or his/her designee may appeal the decision to the Board of Education by filing a written notice of appeal with the Superintendent within three (3) work days of receipt of the Superintendent’s written decision.  The Superintendent shall transmit to Board Members for their review a copy of the written appeal, the decision, and all statements, recommendations, documents, recordings, transcripts, or other written or tangible evidence filed, submitted, or considered at any stage of the administrative review process.  Not later than ten (10) school days following receipt of the notice of appeal by the Superintendent or the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board, the Board shall meet to consider the appeal. After consideration of the appeal and administrative record, the Board may, by majority vote:

Policy 7.15, Extended Learning Opportunities, adopted by the Board on October 24, 2023

7.15 Extended Learning Opportunities

7.15.1  Application Process for Accepting and Approving ELOs Offered for Credit by Outside Entities –Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs) shall involve partnerships between local education agencies, parents or guardians, students, and outside entities who will be providing or assisting with high-quality instruction. Such partnerships shall clearly delineate the responsibilities of each partner and provide structures to guide the ELO.

7.15.2 Entities That Are Eligible to Submit Applications to Offer ELOs – According to Alabama Code section 16-46C-5, eligible entities shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

 1. Nonprofit organizations.

2. Businesses with established locations in the state.

3. Trade associations.

4. Any of the Armed Forces of the United States, subject to applicable age requirements.

Partnership agreements with eligible entities shall comply with all federal and state labor laws and must include provisions for ensuring that students are supervised by approved individuals who meet and agree to guidelines set forth by the school system.

 7.15.3 Process for students to follow for requesting credit

a. The ELO application is to be completed by the student, a certified educator, parent/guardian, ELO partner (supervising member of the eligible entity), superintendent or designee and submitted during the annual class registration period.  At the time of application, the responsible entities will select the amount of elective credit to be awarded and will set the guidelines for awarding such credit.

  b. No student shall receive more than one (1) elective credit for any given ELO.  The credit may count toward promotion or graduation.
 

c. Grading, calculation of GPA, and inclusion of ELO credit on the student transcript will be completed in accordance with the school board policies and procedures governing courses provided by the school system.

d. The student and the certified educator will research the competencies/skills that can be met through the ELO to establish general expectations and goals for the project. The student and the certified educator will work together to develop an overview of the project.

e. The student, a certified school personnel, family member/ adult advocate, and community member/non-school based mentor, will work as a team to provide a detailed plan that includes standards and assessment strategies and clearly defined grading criteria.

f. The student, a certified school personnel, family member/ adult advocate, and/or community member/non-school based mentor must present, by April 30, the detailed plan for approval to the school’s ELO approval committee, which shall consist of the principal or his/her designee, a school counselor, the superintendent or his/her designee, and two certified educators from the school, one of which may be selected by the student.  Individuals involved in designing the ELO may not serve on the approval committee.

g. Matriculation through the ELO requires benchmarks that may include, but are not limited to, small projects, rehearsals, practices, drafts, artifacts, or other work that allows the student to move towards competency mastery.

h. Students with IEPs and 504 Plans shall be allowed accommodations that are consistent with the district’s legal obligations.

 7.15.4 Criteria to determine whether a proposed ELO shall be approved to count toward credit – ELOs shall, at a minimum, meet the following criteria:

 a. Program and Activities

1. Includes a written learning plan.

2. Activities are aligned to national, state and/or local standards.

3. Offers engaging activities and promotes leadership skills.

           4.  Provides student opportunity to demonstrate evidence of learning/mastery of skills through research, reflection and product/application of skills.

            5.  Includes a space that provides clear evidence of student input into the decision-making 

                 process. (Essential Question, Specific Learning Objectives, Personal Learning Goals, 

                 choice in activities, product)

           6.  Includes a space that provides clear evidence of the partnership between the school, family representative, community, and student.

7. Includes a space for activity assessment information.

8.  Must not be a program, course, or activity offered by the Muscle Shoals City

                 Schools unless otherwise approved by the ELO committee.

b. Equitable Access

1. Accessible to all students, including students who have diverse learning needs, are non-responsive to traditional teaching methods, and/or receiving additional services (e.g. IEP, Gifted, 504, EL).  Students who are chronically absent, failing classes, or who have repeated disciplinary infractions may not be approved for an ELO.

2. Employs culturally competent and responsive practices.

3. Students with IEPs and 504 plans shall be afforded reasonable accommodations that are consistent with the district’s legal obligations.

 c. Stakeholder Involvement

1. Promotes working partnerships with students, families, schools and communities.

2. Utilizes trained/skilled staff.

3.  All financial costs associated with the ELO shall be the responsibility of the student and his/her family.

 d. Safety and Wellness

1. Promotes a safe learning environment and sets guidelines for supervision of student(s).

2. Nurtures positive relationships among staff and participants.

3. Program activities address physical, cognitive, social, creative, and emotional development.

 e. Program Supervision

1. Clearly identifies the certified faculty member who will oversee and assess student’s progress in the ELO and to ensure that the student receives appropriate elective credit which is recorded on the student transcript.

2. The ELO plan/template is assessed, revisited and updated on a regular basis.

3. Timeline of student progress checks is included in the plan.

 7.15.5 Criteria to award a student a certificate of completion and credit for completing an approved ELO.

1. Assessments of ELOs shall be based upon the process and work product described in the application and learning plan.

2.  The final grade for an approved ELO shall be awarded on a scale of pass/fail. 

3.  Approved ELOs may only receive elective credit and may not substitute for federal, state, or local coursework required for promotion or graduation.  

4.  Once the student satisfactorily completes the ELO, a signed copy of the ELO application shall be placed in the student cumulative record to document the standards by which the credit was awarded and transcripted.

          5.  The student shall present a final report on the ELO program or activity to the principal 

or his/her designee, a school counselor, the superintendent or his/her designee, and two   

certified educators from the school, one of which may be selected by the student.  Individuals 

involved in designing the ELO may not serve on the committee seated to make the determination 

of awarding credit. 

Policy 6.1.2, Non-Resident Students, adopted by the Board on August 29, 2023

1. Admission to Schools – 
   1. Resident Students – School-age children who reside within the municipal limits of the City of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, may be admitted to Muscle Shoals City Schools.  For purposes of this policy, the residence of the student will be the residence of the parent(s) or legal custodian/guardian.  If custody of the child is shared, the residence of the student shall be that of the parent who has primary physical custody of the student, as established by an appropriate order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. 

• The legal residence of the student means the fixed, permanent and primary domicile of the parent(s), parent with primary physical custody or the court appointed legal custodian/guardian. The legal residence means that true, fixed and permanent home and principal establishment to which, whenever absent, the parent(s), parent with primary physical custody, or court appointed legal custodian/guardian of the student has the intention of returning daily. The legal residence, as used herein, is distinguished from a temporary or secondary place of residence established for some specific purpose, but not the fixed permanent residence of the parent(s), parent with physical custody, or the court appointed legal custodian/guardian. 
• To be considered a resident student, a student must physically reside full-time with his or her parent(s), parent with primary physical custody, or court appointed legal custodian/guardian within the municipal limits of the City of Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
• Custody/guardianship must be ordered through a Court of competent jurisdiction. 

2. Non-resident Students – Students who do not reside within the corporate limits of the City of Muscle Shoals may apply for enrollment in the Muscle Shoals City Schools. The Board may establish criteria for admission of non-resident students, and may require the payment of tuition as a prerequisite to enrollment.  The Board will not provide transportation to non-resident students.

All out-of-district applicants who are permitted to attend the Muscle Shoals City Schools shall complete non-resident applications. Applications for new non-resident students for each grade will be reviewed in the order they are received until the allotment of successful applicants has been accepted. 

Children of full-time employees who work in Muscle Shoals City Schools but reside outside the City of Muscle Shoals may attend Muscle Shoals City Schools without payment of tuition.  However, such student(s) must meet all standards established for non-resident students.

A non-resident enrollment application may be denied because a school, grade, or program(s) lacks space, staff, support services, facilities, or equipment, taking in-district enrollment projections into consideration, or because the student:

• does not meet the established eligibility criteria for participation in a particular program, including age requirements, course prerequisites, and required levels of academic performance;
• has been suspended or expelled from school, is in the process of being suspended or expelled, has withdrawn from a school to avoid possible suspension or expulsion;
• has a history of documented, disciplinary infractions within the past three (3) years, or has been adjudicated or convicted of a crime that involved personal injury, loss of or damage to property, or disturbing the peace or public order;
• has a record of excessive absences or truancy from school; or
• presents incorrect or incomplete information on the enrollment application.

The out-of-district approval process is as follows:

1. The parent or guardian must submit a completed application and provide any and all supplemental information requested by the District.

2. The principal/designee may interview/assess the applicants.

3. The school principal makes a recommendation to approve or not approve the enrollment application.

4. The recommendation is sent to the Superintendent.

5. The Superintendent approves or denies the request.

An approved application shall be valid for one school year only. All nonresidents must complete an Intent to Return Form each year.

The Muscle Shoals City School System reserves the right to revoke the enrollment status of an out-of-district student at any time for any misconduct that would warrant suspension or expulsion under the Code of Student Conduct, or because of false, misleading or incomplete information on the enrollment application. In the event of a revocation, the Superintendent or designee shall inform the parent/guardian of the circumstances which resulted in the revocation decision. There is no appeal process; the decision of the Superintendent is final.

Policy 6.6, Off-Campus Events, adopted by the Board on August 29, 2023

1. Off-Campus Events

Student participation in and travel to off-campus events, concerts, functions, and activities, and the use of school buses or other transportation for such purposes may be authorized under and subject to the following terms and conditions:

1. The destination is an activity, event, or function that services a bona fide educational or related extracurricular purpose, or is an athletic event or function sponsored or sanctioned by the school or the school system and the state athletic association;
2. Adequate information regarding the trip (e.g., destination, duration, purpose, educational purpose, mode of transportation, nature and extent of student participation) has been provided to the principal, program director, and Superintendent.
3. Adequate arrangements are made for supervision and other risk management considerations (e.g., parental permission, medical treatment authorization, special insurance requirements);
4. Properly certified and qualified drivers have been selected and arrangements for the costs of the trip (e.g., salary, fuels, maintenance, lodging) have been made; and
5. The field trip has been properly authorized.  The school principal, the Assistant Superintendent, and the Superintendent are authorized by the board of education to approve field trips.  The Superintendent's approval of the trip is required if the trip is overnight.

Students may be allowed to ride home with a parent at the conclusion of an off-campus event if the parent is present and elects to transport the student.

The Board does not assume responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of vehicles that are not owned or operated by the Board.

The Superintendent is authorized to develop additional specific requirements for participation in and travel to and from official events and activities that are consistent with the terms of this policy.

Policy 5.10.3, Sick Leave, adopted by the Board on August 29, 2023

1. Paid Sick Leave

   1. Persons Eligible for Paid Sick Leave – All regular full time employees are eligible for paid sick leave.  Other employees may be granted paid sick leave, provided that said employee is identified as eligible for sick leave or their personnel action approved by the Board.

   2. Earning and Accumulation of Paid Sick Leave – All eligible employees earn sick leave days at the rate provided for in state law.  Eligible employees may accumulate sick leave as provided by state law.

   3. Use of Sick Leave – Eligible employees may only use paid sick leave for absences caused by:

1. Personal illness or doctor’s quarantine;

2. Incapacitating personal injury;

3. Attendance upon an ill member of the employee’s immediate family, defined as a spouse, parent, child, foster child currently in the care and custody of the employee, child currently in the care and custody of the employee for whom a petition for adoption has been filed, sibling or any person with a close personal tie;

4. Death of a family member, defined as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, mother or father-in-law, son or daughter-in-law, brother or sister-in-law, nephew or niece, grandparent, grandchild, aunt or uncle;

5. Death, injury, or sickness of another person who has unusually strong personal ties to the employee because of a relationship other than those listed above.

6. Attendance upon an adopted child, who is three years of age or younger.

Sick leave taken for the purpose of attending to an adopted child may be taken for a maximum of eight weeks, or 320 consecutive work hours.

Policy 5.10.5, Personal Leave, adopted by the Board on June 27, 2023

1. Personal Leave – Personal leave must be requested in accordance with such procedures as may be established by the Superintendent.  

   1. Classified employees – All regular full time classified employees are eligible for three non-cumulative personal leave days each scholastic year without loss of pay, one additional personal leave day for which the employee will be charged an amount equal to the average daily rate of pay for a substitute teacher, and one additional personal leave day for which the employee will be charged the full cost to the district for a substitute teacher.

Unused personal leave days convert to sick leave days at the end of the school year.

2. Certified employees – All regular full time certified employees are eligible for three non-cumulative personal leave days (2 state-funded and 1 locally funded) without loss of pay each scholastic year, one additional personal leave day for which the employee will be charged an amount equal to the average daily rate of pay for a substitute teacher, and one additional personal leave day for which the employee will be charged the full cost to the district for a substitute teacher.

Teachers may be compensated for unused state-funded personal leave at the end of the school year at the average daily rate of pay used for substitute teachers if such payment is requested in writing.  All other unused personal leave days convert to sick leave days at the end of the school year.

[Reference:  Ala. Code §16-8-26 (1975)]

Policy 7.3.1, Academic Standards, adopted by the Board on June 27, 2023

1. Academic Standards

Teachers will assign grades and confer academic credit for work and activities performed by students in accordance with objective and generally accepted instructional and grading standards, applicable laws and regulations, and criteria hereinafter specified.

1. General Grade Scale – For grades 3 through 12, grades for academic course work will be awarded according to the following scale:

Report cards for first and second grades will utilize the following grade scale:

Letter Grade Numerical Equivalent

S (Satisfactory) 80-100

NI (Needs Improvement) 70-79

U (Unsatisfactory) 69 and below

Kindergarten students will receive a skills-based report card.

Policy 6.1.6 adopted by the Board of Education on December 17, 2022

6.1.6 –  Students Charged with Serious Crime

a. Placement – If a student is arrested for non-school-related crimes, he or she may be placed in an alternative setting or on an alternative education plan during the pendency of the criminal process against the student. When the Superintendent or a designee learns of pending non-school-related criminal activity of a student, the Superintendent or designee shall work with the student’s school’s administration to determine an appropriate school placement. Identified students will not be allowed back on any school property until the appropriate placement is determined.

b. Length of Placement – The student’s placement will run concurrently with the pendency of the criminal charges against the student. If the student is placed at an alternative school for a period longer than the end of the current school year, the student’s placement at the alternative school will be reevaluated prior to the commencement of the next school year.

c. Notice of Serious Criminal Activity –

1. By Court or Law Enforcement – The court or law enforcement may notify the Superintendent or designee of any student’s arrest. The Superintendent or designee will notify the principal of the student’s arrest.

2. By Parent – If a student is charged as an adult or is alleged to have committed a serious crime, as identified below, regardless of age, his/or her parent/guardian should contact the School Principal to determine appropriate school placement during this time.

d. Examples of Serious Criminal Activity – For purposes of this policy, a serious crime includes, but is not limited to, any crime for which a student is charged as an adult; any crime committed using Deadly Physical Force or with a Deadly Weapon as those terms are defined in Ala. Code § 13A-1-2; and any crime resulting in Physical Injury or Serious Physical Injury as those terms are defined by Ala. Code § 13A-1-2. The ultimate decision about the seriousness of the crime rests with the Superintendent or designee.

e. Protection of Special Education Students – Any decision to assign a student to an alternative setting shall include a review and consideration of the student’s exceptional status and any applicable federal and state law requirements or procedures.

f. Privacy of Student Information –

1. Any information received by a teacher, counselor, administrator, or other Board employee pertaining to a student’s pending criminal activity shall be received in confidence for the limited purpose of rehabilitating the student and protecting students and staff at all schools. Such information shall not be further disseminated by the teacher, counselor, or administrator, except insofar as communication with the child, his or her parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, law enforcement personnel, and the juvenile probation officer of the student is necessary to effectuate the rehabilitation of the student or to protect students and staff at all schools.

2. All information received relating to a student’s pending criminal activity shall be kept separate and apart from the student’s educational record and shall be accessible only by the Superintendent or designee or the student’s principal. Such information shall be destroyed when the student is no longer enrolled in the school district. 

Code Sections: Ala. Code § 13A-1-2; Ala. Code § 12-15-217

Underlined language added to Policy 4.11 by the Board of Education on Oct. 13, 2022

4.11          Political Activity

Board employees may participate in political activities to the full extent permitted by the United States Constitution and federal and state laws securing the right to engage in such activities, subject to the following restrictions:

a.                   Employees may not appropriate Board property or resources for use in political campaigns, and may not engage in partisan political activities (including but not limited to the distribution of campaign material or literature) during regular school or duty hours or at Board sponsored or sanctioned events, functions, or at activities at which the employee is on duty or assigned official responsibilities;

b.                  Employees may not represent their political beliefs or positions on political matters to be those of the Board or other Board officials, or to falsely assert or imply that their political activities or positions are endorsed by or undertaken in the name of the Board or other Board officials;

c.                   In order to avoid disruption to the classroom and the school, employees may not wear or display political buttons, clothing, or banners during regular school or duty hours or at Board sponsored or sanctioned events, functions, or at activities at which the employee is on duty or assigned official responsibilities;

d.                  In order to avoid obstructing the parking lot or otherwise disrupting school activities, employees may not place large signs or billboards in or on personal vehicles in the school parking lot;

e.                   Candidates and representatives of candidates for political office may not be invited or allowed to address student groups except when 1) such candidates are participating in a forum or like format that is designed to provide all candidates the opportunity to participate; or 2) the candidate is a current public official invited to address student groups for non-campaign related purposes.  Such forums may be conducted only for appropriate age groups, and with the advance approval of the school principal and the Superintendent;

f.                    Political signs may not be placed on schools or school board property; and

g.                  Campaign literature and other material may not be distributed on Board property during the regular school or work day and may not be distributed at school or Board sponsored events or activities in a manner that impedes the normal and safe movement of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, that creates any other safety hazard or risk, or that disturbs or disrupts the function, activity, or event.

Approved Sept. 12, 2022

Policy 6.26 Parental Opt-In for Mental Health Services

6.26.1 Definition of School-Based Counseling.  For purposes of this policy, “school-based counseling services” include those school counseling services which are split into domains NOT requiring a mental health therapist or other mental health therapeutic license.

6.26.2 Definition of Mental Health Services and Ongoing School Counseling Services.  For purposes of this policy, “mental health services” includes services treatments, surveys, or assessments related to mental health, and “ongoing school counseling services” includes those school counseling services requiring a mental health therapist or other mental health therapeutic license. 

6.26.3 Annual Written Notice of Mental Health Services. Annually, the Superintendent, or his or her designee, will notify all parents and guardians of all District and school-based counseling, mental health services, and ongoing school counseling services.  This annual notification will contain the following components:

a. A general description of each mental health service, including an explanation of the purpose for each mental health service;

b. An explanation of how a parent or guardian may review materials to be used as part of any guidance or counseling program for students; and

c. Information about the mechanism for parents or guardians to allow, limit, or prevent their students’ participation in these mental health programs.

6.26.4 Annual Opt-In Process.

a. As part of the notice described in 6.26.3, above, or as part of a separate document – depending on the discretion of the Superintendent, or his or her designee, the Superintendent shall require that each parent or guardian complete a written permission form prior to allowing a student who is younger than 14 years of age to participate in the District’s mental health services and/or ongoing school counseling services unless there is an imminent threat to the health of the student or others.

b. To be valid, the permission must be in writing – which may include electronic communication – and it must be obtained annually. Any parent or guardian may rescind his or her permission at any time by providing written notice to their child’s school administration.

6.26.5 Counselor Communications. For parents or guardians who permit their children to participate in mental health services and/or ongoing school counseling services as described in 6.26.2, above, the counselor providing these services must keep the parent fully informed regarding diagnosis, recommended counseling, or treatments.

6.26.6 Parental Authority. The parent or guardian of all students who have not attained 14 years of age shall have the authority to make final decisions regarding mental health counseling and/or ongoing school counseling services described in 6.26.2 and treatments even if the parent or guardian has previously opted-in for mental health services.

6.26.7 Record Keeping. The Superintendent, or his or her designee, will ensure that all records pertaining to school-based counseling, mental health services, and ongoing school counseling services are treated as health care records and kept separately from academic records.

Approved Aug. 22, 2022

Board Policy 2.5.3 
Rules of Order – Board meetings will be conducted in accordance with the most recently revised edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, provided that strict adherence to the formalities of the Rules of Order may be reasonably relaxed in order to facilitate conduct of Board business.  A majority of the whole Board will constitute a quorum for purposes of transacting Board business except as may otherwise be provided by law.  Deviations from or errors in executing parliamentary procedure do not invalidate Board actions or decisions that are otherwise consistent with the intent of the Board. 

[Reference:  Ala. Code §16-11-5 (1975)]

Approved Aug. 22, 2022  

Board Policy 2.5.4  
Public Participation – Anyone wishing to speak before the Board, either as an individual or as a member of a group, shall inform the office of the Superintendent in writing and of the topic to be discussed no later than noon four (4) business days prior to the meeting date. Each delegation which appears before the Board shall select one of its members as a spokesman and provide his/her name to the Board. The speaker will be provided three (3) minutes to address the Board from the designated podium or table. The matter must have been previously discussed with appropriate staff and administration.  Upon approval of the request to appear before the Board, the spokesman shall adhere to time allotments as specified by the Board President.  Speakers may make statements about their particular concern with school operations and programs and shall observe appropriate decorum in doing so.  The Board will not hear (1) comments regarding individual students or (2) comments regarding school personnel or person(s) connected with the school system that are unrelated to the performance of their duties, not tied to official business of the board, or are merely an attack on someone’s good name and character rather than their conduct or a position they have taken.  The President of the Board shall not be obligated to recognize any person who desires to take up any business with the Board unless the time has been properly placed on the agenda for that meeting.  The Board shall vest in the President or presiding officer of the Board full authority to terminate comments that do not conform to the criteria specified above, or for other good cause.

Approved Aug. 22, 2022  

Board Policy 4.6.1
General Complaints (Grievances) – Subject to the limitations set forth below  and elsewhere in this policy manual, any employee or member of the public may present to the Board a concern, complaint, grievance, or request for corrective action regarding any aspect of school system operations.  A member of the public who files a grievance must demonstrate that he or she is impacted by the alleged violation to a greater extent than the impact on the public at large. 

Before requesting corrective action or relief from the Superintendent or the Board, persons with such complaints, grievances, or requests should present them for resolution to the employee, supervisor, or administrator at the lowest administrative level who has the authority and ability to address the problem or to implement the requested action.  The Superintendent is authorized to develop specific procedures that will provide for fair consideration and orderly review of complaints and grievances.  Such procedures may not unreasonably burden or delay the presentation or processing of such matters, and will be subject to Board review, modification, and approval.