Community Relations
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8:10 Community Relations
Public Relations
The Board President is the official spokesperson for the School Board. The Superintendent is the District’s chief spokesperson. The Superintendent or designee shall plan, implement, and evaluate a District public relations program which will:
- Develop public understanding of school operation;
- Gather public attitudes and desires for the District;
- Secure adequate financial support for a sound educational program;
- Help the community feel a more direct responsibility for the quality of education provided by their schools;
- Earn the public’s good will, respect, and confidence;
- Promote a genuine spirit of cooperation between the school and the community; and
- Keep the news media accurately informed.
- Coordinate with the District Safety Coordinator to provide accurate and timely information to the appropriate individuals during an emergency.
The public relations program should include:
- Regular news releases concerning District programs, policies, activities, and special event management for distribution by, for example, posting on the District website or sending to the news media;
- News conference and interviews as requested or needed. The Board President and Superintendent will coordinate their respective media relations efforts. Individuals shall not speak for the District without prior approval from the Building Principal with regard to a building issue or from the Superintendent with regard to the District;
- Publications having a high quality of editorial content and effective format. All publications shall identify the District, school, department, or classroom and shall include the name of the Superintendent, the Building Principal, and/or the author and the publication date; and
- Other programs which highlight the District’s programs and activities.
Community Engagement
Community engagement is a process that the Board uses to actively involve diverse citizens in dialogue, deliberation, and collaborative thinking around common interests for the District’s schools. 5 The Board, in consultation with the Superintendent, determines the purpose(s) and objective(s) of any community engagement initiative. For each community engagement initiative, the Board will commit to the determined purpose(s) and objective(s), and provide information about the expected nature of the public’s involvement; 6 the Superintendent or designee will identify the effective tools and tactics that will advance the Board’s purpose(s) and objective(s).
The Superintendent will: (1) at least annually, prepare a report of each community engagement initiative, and/or (2) prepare a final report of each community engagement initiative.
The Board will periodically: (1) review whether its community engagement initiatives are achieving the identified purpose(s) and objective(s), (2) consider what, if any, modifications would improve effectiveness, and (3) determine whether to continue individual initiatives. CROSS REF.: 2:110 (Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Officers)
LEGAL REF.: 23 Ill.Admin. Code § 1.210.
CROSS REF: 2:110
ADOPTED: October 4, 1999
REVISED: October 29, 2015
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8:20 Community Use of School Facilities
School facilities are available to community organizations during non-school hours when such use does not: (1) interfere with any school function or the safety of students or employees, or (2) affect the property or liability of the School Districts. The use of school facilities for school purposes has precedence over all other uses. Persons on school premises must abide by the District’s conduct rules at all times.Student groups and school-related organizations and local governments are granted the use of school facilities at no cost. Other organizations granted use of facilities shall pay fees and costs.The Superintendent shall develop procedures to manage community use of school facilities which shall be reviewed and approved by the Board. Use of school facilities requires the Superintendent’s approval and is subject to the procedures.
LEGAL REF.: 20 U.S.C. §-7905.
10 ILCS 5/19-2.2.
105 ILCS 5/10-20.40, 5/10-22.10 and 5/29-3.5.
Good News Club v. Milford Central School, 121 S.Ct. 2093 (2001).
Lamb’s Chapel v. Center Moriches Union Free School District, 113 S.Ct. 2141.
Rosenberger v. Rector and Visitors of Univ. of VA, 515 U.S. 819 (1995).CROSS REF.: 7:330, 8:25, 8:30ADOPTED: October 4, 1999REVISED: January 27, 2003; June 26, 2008; October 2014 (no changes) -
8:25 Advertising and Distributing Materials in Schools Provided by Non-School Related Entities
No material or literature shall be posted or distributed that would: (1) disrupt the educational process, (2) violate the rights or invade the privacy of others, (3) infringe on a trademark or copyright, or (4) be defamatory, obscene, vulgar, or indecent.Community, Educational, Charitable, or Recreational OrganizationsCommunity, educational, charitable, recreational, or similar groups may, under procedures established by the Superintendent, advertise events pertinent to students’ interests or involvement. This may include displaying posters in areas reserved for community posters, having flyers distributed to students, or being included in the school’s or District’s website where appropriate. All material and literature must be student-oriented and have the sponsoring organization's name prominently displayed.Commercial CompaniesNo part of the School District, including facilities, the name, the staff, and the students, shall be used for advertising or promoting the interests of any commercial company except as authorized by and consistent with administrative procedures and approved by the Board.No Board approval is needed for commercial material related to graduation, class pictures, or class rings.Political Candidates or PartiesMaterial from non-student candidates and political parties will not be accepted for posting or distribution, except when used as part of the curriculum.LEGAL REF.: Berger v. Rensselaer Central School Corp., 982 F.2d 1160 (7th Cir. 1993), cert. denied, 113 S.Ct. 2344 (1993).
DiLoreto v. Downey Unified School Dist., 196 F.3d 958 (9th Cir. 1999).
Hedges v. Wauconda Community Unit School Dist. No. 18, 9 F.3d 5 (7th Cir. 1993).
Lamb's Chapel v. Center Moriches Union Free School Dist. 113 S.Ct. 2141 (1993).
Sherman v. Community Consolidated School Dist. 21, 8 F.3d 1160 (7th Cir. 1993), cert. denied, 114 S.Ct. 2109 (1994).CROSS REF.: 7:325, 7:330
ADOPTED: October 4, 1999
REVISED: July 31, 2003 -
8:30 Conduct On School Property
The following definitions apply to this policy:School property - District and school buildings, grounds, and parking areas; vehicles used for school purposes; and any location used for a School Board meeting, school athletic event, or other school-sponsored event.Visitor - Any person other than an enrolled student or District employee. All visitors to school property are required to report to the Building Principal’s office and receive permission to remain on school property. All visitors must sign a visitors’ log, show identification, and wear a visitor’s badge. When leaving the school, visitors must return their badge. On those occasions when large groups of parents and friends are invited onto school property, visitors are not required to sign in but must follow school officials’ instructions.Persons on school property without permission will be directed to leave and may be subject to criminal prosecution.Except as provided in the next paragraph, any person wishing to confer with a staff member should contact that staff member by telephone or email to make an appointment. Conferences with teachers are held, to the extent possible, outside school hours or during the teacher’s conference/preparation period.Requests to access a school building, facility, and/or educational program, or to interview personnel or a student for purposes of assessing the student’s special education needs, should be made at the appropriate building. Access shall be facilitated according to guidelines from the Superintendent or designee.The School District expects mutual respect, civility, and orderly conduct among all people on school property or at a school event. No person on school property or at a school event (including visitors, students, and employees) shall perform any of the following acts:1. Strike, injure, threaten, harass, or intimidate a staff member, a Board member, sports official or coach, or any other person.2. Behave in an unsportsmanlike manner, or use vulgar or obscene language.3. Unless specifically permitted by State law, possess a weapon, any object that can reasonably be considered a weapon or looks like a weapon, or any dangerous device.4. Damage or threaten to damage another’s property.5. Damage or deface school property.6. Violate any Illinois law, or town or county ordinance.7. Smoke or otherwise use tobacco products.8. Distribute, consume, use, , possess, , or be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or illegal drug, be present when the person’s alcohol or illegal drug consumption is detectible, regardless of when and/or where the use occurred.9. Use or possess medical cannabis.10. Impede, delay, disrupt, or otherwise interfere with any school activity or function (including using cellular phones in a disruptive manner).11. Enter upon any portion of school premises at any time for purposes other than those that are lawful and authorized by the Board.12. Operate a motor vehicle: (a) in a risky manner, (b) in excess of 20 miles per hour, or (c) in violation of an authorized District employee’s directive.13. Engage in any risky behavior, including roller-blading, roller-skating, or skateboarding.14. Violate other District policies or regulations, or a directive from an authorized security officer or District employee.15. Engage in any conduct that interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the District or a School function.Convicted Child Sex OffenderState law prohibits a child sex offender from being present on school property or loitering within 500 feet of school property when persons under the age of 18 are present, unless the offender is:1. A parent/guardian of a student attending the school and has notified the Building Principal of his or her presence at the school for the purpose of: (i) attending a conference at the school with school personnel to discuss the progress of his or her child academically or socially, (ii) participating in child review conferences in which evaluation and placement decisions may be made with respect to his or her child regarding special education services, or (iii) attending conferences to discuss other student issues concerning his or her child such as retention and promotion; or2. Has permission to be present from the Board, Superintendent, or Superintendent’s designee. If permission is granted, the Superintendent or Board President shall provide the details of the offender’s upcoming visit to the Building Principal. In all cases, the Superintendent, or designee who is a certified employee, shall supervise a child sex offender whenever the offender is in a child’s vicinity.Exclusive Bargaining Representative AgentAuthorized agents of an exclusive bargaining representative, upon notifying the Building Principal’s office, may meet with a school employee (or group of employees) in the school building during duty- free times of such employees.EnforcementAny staff member may request identification from any person on school property; refusal to provide such information is a criminal act. The Building Principal or designee shall seek the immediate removal of any person who refuses to provide requested identification.Any person who engages in conduct prohibited by this policy may be ejected from school property. The person is also subject to being denied admission to school events or meetings for up to one calendar year.Procedures to Deny Future Admission to School Events or MeetingsBefore any person may be denied admission to school events or meetings as provided in this policy, the person has a right to a hearing before the Board. The Superintendent may refuse the person admission pending such hearing. The Superintendent or designee must provide the person with a hearing notice, delivered or sent by certified mail with return receipt requested, at least 10 days before the Board hearing date. The hearing notice must contain:1. The date, time, and place of the Board hearing;2. A description of the prohibited conduct;3. The proposed time period that admission to school events will be denied; and4. Instructions on how to waive a hearing.LEGAL REF.: Nuding v. Cerro Gordo Community Unit School Dist., 730 N.E.2d 96 (Ill.App.4, 2000).Pro-Children Act of 1994, 20 U.S.C. §7181 et seq. 105 ILCS 5/10-20.5b, 5/24-24, and 5/24-25. 410 ILCS 130/, Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. 430 ILCS 66/, Firearm Concealed Carry Act. 720 ILCS 5/11-9.3.CROSS REF.: 4:170, 5:50, 6:120, 6:250, 7:190, 8:20ADOPTED: October 4, 1999REVISED: April 28, 2005; June 26, 2008; November 18, 2010; September 25, 2014;February 25, 2016REVIEWED: October 2016 -
8:40 Spectator Conduct and Sportsmanship For Athletic and Co-curricular
Any individual, including an adult, who behaves in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner during any school event or meeting, including Board meetings, may be ejected from the event or meeting. The individual is also subject to being denied admission to school events or meetings for up to one calendar year provided the procedures contained in the policy are followed. Examples of unsportsmanlike or disruptive conduct include, but are not limited to:• Using vulgar or obscene language;
• Possessing or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or illegal substance;
• Possessing a weapon, or any object that can reasonably be considered, or looks like, a weapon;
• Fighting or otherwise striking or threatening another person;
• Failing to obey the instructions of a security officer or school district employee; and
• Engaging in any activity that is illegal or disruptive.
Procedures to Deny Future Admission to School Events or MeetingsBefore any individual may be denied admission to school events or meetings as provided in this policy, the individual has a right to a hearing before the Board. The Superintendent or designee must provide the individual with a hearing notice, delivered or sent by certified mail with return receipt requested, at least 10 days before the School Board hearing date. The hearing notice must contain:- the date, time, and place of the Board hearing;
- a description of the unsportsmanlike or disruptive conduct;
- the proposed time period that admission to school events will be denied; and
- instructions on how to waiver a hearing.
LEGAL REF.: 105 ILCS 5/24-24.
Nuding v. Cerro Gordo C.U.School Dist., 730 N.E.2d 96 (Ill.App. 4, 2000).
CROSS REF: 8:30
ADOPTED: October 4, 1999
REVISED: February 22, 2007 -
8:50 DELETE
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8:60 DELETE
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8:70 Accommodating Individuals With Disabilities
Qualified individuals with disabilities shall be provided an opportunity to participate in all school-sponsored services, programs, or activities and will not be subject to illegal discrimination. Where appropriate, the District may provide to persons with disabilities separate or different aids, benefits, or services from, but as effective as, those provided to others.The District will provide auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford qualified individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to participate in or enjoy the benefits of a service, program, or activity.Each service, program, website or activity operated in existing facilities shall be readily accessible to, and useable by, individuals with disabilities. New construction and alterations to facilities existing before January 26, 1992, will be accessible when viewed in their entirety.The Superintendent or designee is designated the Title II Coordinator and shall:1. Oversee the District's compliance efforts, recommend necessary modifications to the Board, and maintain the District's final Title II self-evaluation document, update it to the extent necessary, and keep it available for public inspection, for at least 3 years after its completion date.2. Institute plans to make information regarding Title II's protection available to any interested party.Individuals with disabilities should notify the Superintendent or Building Principal if they have a disability which will require special assistance or services and, if so, what services are required. This notification should occur as far as possible before the school-sponsored function, program, or meeting.Individuals with disabilities may allege a violation of this policy or federal law by reporting it to the Superintendent or designated Title II Coordinator, or by filing a grievance under the Uniform Grievance Procedure.Complaint Managers:NameDr. Kim DryierAddress15100 South 94th AvenueOrland Park, Illinois 60462Telephone No.708-745-5215LEGAL REF.: Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq. and 12131 et seq.; 28 C.F.R. Part 35.Rehabilitation Act of 1973 §104, 29 U.S.C. §794 (2006).105 ILCS 5/10-20.51.410 ILCS 25/, Environmental Barriers Act.71 Ill.Admin.Code Part 400, Illinois Accessibility Code.CROSS REF.: 2:260, 4:150ADOPTED: October 4, 1999REVISED: August 2010; July 1, 2011; December 21, 2017REVIEWED: October 2016 -
8:80 Gifts to the District
The School Board appreciates gifts from any education foundation, other entities, or individuals. All gifts must adhere to each of the following:
1. Be accepted by the Board or, if less than $500.00 in value, the Superintendent or designee. Individuals should obtain a pre-acceptance commitment before identifying the District, any school, or school program or activity as a beneficiary in any fundraising attempt, including without limitation, any Internet fundraising attempt.
2. Be given without a stated purpose or with a purpose deemed by the party with authority to accept the gift to be compatible with the Board’s educational objectives and policies.
3. Be consistent with the District’s mandate to provide equal educational and extracurricular opportunities to all students in the District as provided in Board policy 7:10, Equal Educational Opportunities. State and federal laws require the District to provide equal treatment for members of both sexes to educational programing, extracurricular activities, and athletics. This includes the distribution of athletic benefits and opportunities.
4. Permit the District to maintain resource equity among it learning centers.
5. Be viewpoint neutral. The Superintendent or designee shall manage a process for the review and approval of donations involving the incorporation of messages into or placing messages upon school property. Comply with all laws applicable to the District including, without limitation, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Prevailing Wage Act, the Health/Life Safety Code for Public Schools, and all applicable procurement and bidding requirements.
The District will provide equal treatment to all individuals and entities seeking to donate money or a gift. Upon acceptance, all gifts become the District’s property. The acceptance of a gift is not an endorsement by the Board, District, or school of any product, service, activity, or program. The method of recognition is determined by the party accepting the gift.
LEGAL REF.: 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., Title IX of the Education Amendments implemented by
34 C.F.R. Part 106.
105 ILCS 5/16-1. 23
Ill. Admin. Code §200.40.
CROSS REF.: 4:60, 4:150, 6:10, 6:210, 7:10
ADOPTED: October 4, 1999
REVISED: October 29, 2015
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8:90 Parent Organizations
Parent organizations and booster clubs are invaluable are invaluable resources to the District’s schools. While parent organizations and booster clubs have no administrative authority and cannot determine District policy, the School Board welcomes their suggestions and assistance.Parent organizations and booster clubs are recognized by the School Board and permitted to use the District’s name, a District school’s name, or a District school’s team name, or any logo attributable to the District provided they first receive the Superintendent or designee’s express written consent. Consent to use one of the above-mentioned names or logos will generally be granted if the organization or club has bylaws containing the following:- The organization’s or club’s name and purpose, such as, to enhance students’ educational experiences, to help educational needs of students, to provide extra athletic benefits to students, to assist specific sports teams or academic clubs through financial support, or to enrich extracurricular activities.
- The rules and procedures under which it operates.
- An agreement to adhere to all Board policies and administrative procedures.
- A statement that membership is open and unrestricted, meaning that membership is open to parent/guardians of students enrolled in the school, District staff, and community members.
- A statement that the District is not, and will not be, responsible for the organization’s or club’s business or the conduct of its members.
- An agreement to maintain and protect its own finances.
- Recognition that money given to a school cannot be earmarked for any particular expense. Booster clubs may make recommendations, but cash or other valuables must be given to the District to use at its discretion. The School Board’s legal obligation to comply with Title IX by providing equal athletic opportunity for members of both genders will supersede an organization or club’s recommendation.
Permission to use one of the above-mentioned names or logos may be rescinded at any time and does not constitute permission to act as the District’s representative. At no time does the District accept responsibility for the actions of any parent organization or booster club regardless of whether it was recognized and/or permitted to use any of the above-mentioned names or logos.
The Superintendent shall designate an administrative staff member to serve as the liaison to parent organizations or booster clubs. The liaison will serve as a resource person and provide information about school programs, resources, policies, problems, concerns, and emerging issues. Building staff will be encouraged to participate in the organization.CROSS REF.: 8:80
ADOPTED: October 4, 1999
REVISED: May 22, 2006 -
8:95 Parental Involvement
In order to assure collaborative relationships among students’ families and the School Board and District personnel, and to enable parent(s)/guardian(s) to become active partners in education, the Superintendent shall develop administrative procedures to:
- keep parent(s)/guardian(s) thoroughly informed about their child’s school and education;
- encourage involvement I their child’s school and education;
- establish effective two-way communication between all families and the School Board and District personnel;
- seek input from parent(s)/guardian(s) on significant school-related issues; and
- inform parent(s)/guardian(s) on how they can assist their children’s learning.
The Superintendent may periodically report to the Board on the implementation of this policy.
CROSS REF.: 6:170, 6:250, 8:10; 8:90
ADOPTED: October 4, 1999
REVISED: February 27, 2014
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8:100 Relations With Other Organizations and Agencies
The District shall cooperate with other organizations and agencies, including but not limited to:
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County Health Department;
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Law enforcement agencies;
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Fire authorities;
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Planning authorities;
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Zoning authorities;
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Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), local organizations for civil defense, and other appropriate disaster relief organizations concerned with civil defense.
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Villages; and
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Other school districts.
CROSS REF.: 1:20; 4:170, 5:90, 7.150
ADOPTED: October 4, 1999
REVISED: February 25, 2010
5-YEAR REVIEW: August 2014 (no changes)
REVIEWED: October 2016
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8:110 Public Complaints
The School Education is interested in receiving valid complaints and suggestions. Public complaints or suggestions shall be referred to the appropriate level staff member or District administrator. Each complaint or suggestion shall be considered on its merits.An individual, not satisfied after following the channels of authority, may file a grievance under the Uniform Grievance Procedure. This policy shall not be construed to create an independent right to a hearing before the Board.CROSS REF.: 2:140, 2:260, 3:30, 6:260ADOPTED: October 4, 1999