Board of Ed Approves Policy Changes

The Board of Education approved changes to Ledyard's school policies. The changes were previously discussed at the Board’s July meeting. At its regular meeting Wednesday, members voted unanimously to accept all five revisions.  

The first policy change affects the Parent-Teacher Organization and similar groups. “This is to provide guidance for any organization that operates within the school environment,” Gordon Strickland said. This would also include groups like the Booster clubs. They would be required to create by-laws and adhere to the Board of Education’s policies. “This provides good guides to protect the organizations as well as the school.”

The second revision would bring Ledyard’s bullying policies into line with new state regulations. However, there was some debate. The new policy, Strickland pointed out, applied only to students. The old version addressed both students and faculty.

The problem was solved by dividing the two policies. The new policy applies to students. The older version will still apply to staff, but may be revised.

The third change is to the “Admission, Placement, Age of Attendance.” It raises the age where a child can legally drop out of school from 16 to 17. It also clarifies what documents can be used as proof of residence in Ledyard. This is mostly a help to administrators.

The fourth revision changes the policies about students taking medication. “What we’re adding is a paragraph that says high school students on an overnight trip may be able to self-administer appropriate medicines,” Strickland said. Before this change, a nurse was required to give the students their medicine.

The final proposal dealt with the requirements for graduation. “It increases the number of opportunities for kids to earn credit towards graduation,” Strickland said. In addition to regular classes at Ledyard High School, students will be able to earn credit from classes at other schools, online courses, and even community service. This would include language classes taken at Ledyard Middle School.

The main challenge the Board faced was when and how this change would take effect. “We need to say in particular when this credit change takes place,” Strickland said. “It would be challenging to say the least to apply it to this year’s graduating class.” He suggested approving the change with the stipulation that it begins with the class of 2015.

However, the board later agreed that the timing and other details are best left to Dr. Michael Graner, the superintendent. The changes were approved without the addition of a date.

Overall, Sharon Hightower, the board’s chair, was pleased with its efforts. “The bar got raised on this in a big way,” she said. “It was done in excellency, and I think the outcome is evidence of that.”