By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
The Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 School Board met for a regular meeting on Oct. 6. Board member Dale Gordon ran the meeting in place of RSU 39 Board Chair Scott Willey who was not in attendance.
The panel voted to adopt the following policies which had been presented at a previous meeting; School Board Policy, Policy Adoption Procedure and the Development of Administrative Procedures Policy. Superintendent Frank McElwain informed the panel that the three policies held no significant changes regarding practices of the board whose “intent is to develop written policies that will serve as the foundation for the successful and efficient operation of TSU 39 and its schools.” McElwain stated the only differences within the proposed policies were minor words changes made solely for clarification.
The RSU 39 Board also considered and approved the Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy draft for a second reading. This policy in part states, “The Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 Board is committed to maintaining a workplace and learning environment that is free from illegal discrimination and harassment.”
“In accordance with applicable Federal and or State laws and regulations, RSU 39 prohibits discrimination against and harassment of employees, candidates for employment, students and others with right to admission or access to school programs, activities or premises on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ancestry or national origin, or disability. For the purpose of this policy, sexual orientation: means a person’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression.”
Two other policy drafts were also approved for a second reading by the RSU 39 board including Animals in Schools and the Service Animal in Schools policies.
Superintendent McElwain discussed the issue of drafting a letter to parents regarding the state-suggested Social Security/Longitudinal Studies. This topic pertains to the possibility of using student Social Security numbers as a tracking system once the student leaves or graduates. Initiated by the state, this idea has been met with continued controversy and outright denial by some schools. Problems have also already risen pertaining to a breach of the system.
McElwain asked the panel if they wanted him to draft a letter to parents who would either agree or not to release their child’s Social Security number to be used in this tracking system. McElwain reminded the board that this issue remains in limbo as everyone is waiting for the new legislative session. Although a letter will be drafted some of the panel members questioned as to whether or not there would be space available in which a statement announcing the board “as a whole” stand on this topic.
It was a general consensus from the board members that the Social Security tracking proposal be rescinded or at least another identifier be determined. “I think the goal itself is important but not this tracking system,” said RSU 39 School Board member David Strainge.
The next Eastern Aroostook RSU 39 meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 7 p .m. at the superintendent building in Caribou.
