Accountability/Commitment to Accomplishment
Acceptance, Application, and Publication
Acceptance
The policies contained within this manual, and any revisions, additions, and/or deletions thereto, shall be accepted at their inception by no less than a 2/3 vote of the full school committee.
After each annual town election but prior to the second regular meeting of the school committee following the annual town election, a public hearing shall be held on these SOP’s. Citizens of the town may address any and all parts of the SOP at said hearing.
At the second regular school committee meeting following the annual town election these SOP’s shall be reviewed for acceptance. A 2/3 vote of the full school committee is required to reauthorize these SOP’s, annually.
Application
The policies contained herein govern the operation of the Sutton School System under the direction of the Sutton School Committee. The superintendent, director of special education, and all other school administrators and officials shall conduct their business in conformance with these procedures and policies.
The superintendent of schools and the director of special education shall be held directly responsible for implementation, execution, and application of the policies and procedures contained herein.
Publication
The superintendent of schools shall cause these policies to be published in their entirety. A current copy of the policy manual shall be maintained at the superintendent’s office, the office of the director of special education, each building principal’s office, with the chair of the students advisory committee, each school library, each town library, and the office of the town clerk.
Upon written request, one copy of this manual shall be provided to any citizen of the Town of Sutton, resources permitting. Any other person may obtain a copy of this manual, but shall provide compensation to the school for time and material costs associated with the provision of said copy.
Public Relations
Public Contact
The Sutton School System recognizes that students, parents, and the community at large are the stakeholders in our business of delivering quality educational services to the town. In support of this, all communications with our stakeholders shall be conducted accordingly.
Perceptions are reality for the person who holds them. Concerns voiced from those perceptions shall be respected and valued as an opportunity to improve communications and understanding.
Differences of opinion shall be expressed in a professional, courteous manner and shall be valued as an opportunity for all parties to learn through examination of the diversity. Listening skills shall be focused on understanding, not agreement or disagreement.
The goals of any and all communications with our stakeholders shall be:
Access to the School Committee
As elected representatives of the community of Sutton, all members of the public shall have every opportunity to have access to members of the school committee and the conduct of its business, as allowed by law. School committee meetings are the normal point of contact between the Committee and the public. As such, high visibility of the date, time, and location of all school committee meetings, with the exception of those meetings to be conducted in executive session, shall be maintained. The following actions shall be accomplished for each school committee meeting open for public access:
Meetings shall be advertised in local newspapers, including the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, the Millbury‑Sutton Chronicle, the Blackstone Valley Tribune, and the Douglas‑Manchaug Chronicle.
All meetings shall be advertised on the Sutton Community Access cable channel.
In addition to the above actions, notices sent home with students should also advertise school committee public forums.
Accountability
The superintendent of schools shall be held directly responsible for the successful implementation, enforcement, and active demonstration of this policy. Concerns relating to possible violations of this policy shall be directed to the superintendent for resolution. Additionally, the superintendent shall take the following actions: