Recommended Guidelines and Procedures for Requests to Observe Classrooms

Book Policy Manual

Section 9000 Community Relations

Title SCHOOL VISITORS

Code po9150

Status Active

Adopted June 21, 2022

9150 - SCHOOL VISITORS

The School Board welcomes and encourages visits to school by parents, other adult residents of the community, and interested educators. But in order for the educational program to continue undisturbed when visitors are present and to prevent the intrusion of disruptive persons into the schools, it is necessary to invoke visitor controls.

The control of the school is vested in the Principal who has the ultimate responsibility for the administrative and supervision of all decisions and activities on the school campus. The Principal has the authority to prohibit the entry of any person to a school of this District or to expel any person when there is reason to believe the presence of such person would be detrimental to the good order of the school. If such an individual refuses to leave the school grounds or creates a disturbance, the Principal is authorized to request from the local law enforcement agency whatever assistance is required to remove the individual. The Principal also has the right to control the time of day, length of the visit, and to determine if the parent is to be accompanied.

Unauthorized presence on school premises is strictly prohibited. All visitors desiring access to school premises must first receive permission from the Principal, sign in and out at the school office, and wear a visitor’s nametag while present on school premises. Persons desiring to meet with a teacher or student on school premises must arrange for an appointment through the Principal.

Except for animals in the classroom as regulated by Policy 8400, canines brought on the premises by law enforcement personnel for law enforcement purposes, or service animals required for use by a person with a disability, no other animals may be on school premises at any time.

Parents and guardians desiring to visit their child during the school day on school premises must follow the procedures set forth above. Non-custodial parents may not remove the child from the school without the lawful consent of the custodial parent or guardian or legal authorization in the form of an order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Observation of a teacher’s class by persons other than administrative/supervisory personnel shall be allowed only after consent has been granted by the principal and the visit scheduled with the teacher. Such observations shall in no way disrupt the classroom instruction/program. This will in no way limit Professional Practices and Accrediting Agencies from observing teachers, program and facilities.

The Superintendent shall promulgate such administrative procedures as are necessary for the protection of students and employees of the District from disruption to the educational program or the efficient conduct of their assigned tasks. The Guidelines and Procedures for Requests to Observe Classrooms will be followed.

Rules regarding entry of persons other than students, staff, and faculty upon school grounds or premises shall be posted conspicuously at or near the entrance to such grounds or premises if there are no formal entrances, and at the main entrance to each school building. In addition, the rules shall be posted in a central location in each school and made available to students, upon request.

Visitation by Board Members

Individual Board members may visit a District school at any time. Board members may not be required to give prior notice of the visit. Another Board member or District employee may not limit the duration or scope of the visit or direct a visiting Board member to leave the premises. In keeping with Board bylaws, such Board member visits shall not be considered to be official unless designated as such by the Chairman.

The Board member must sign in and sign out at the school's main office and wear his/her Board identification badge at all times while present on school premises. The Board member shall be visiting as an interested individual in a similar capacity to any parent or citizen of the community. These visits should not be considered to be inspections nor as supervisory in nature.

Pursuant to Bylaw 0172, if, during a visit to a school or program, a Board member observes a situation or condition which causes concern, s/he should discuss the situation first with the Superintendent as soon as convenient or appropriate.