LB - Relations with Other Schools and School Districts

File: LB

Relations with Other Schools and School Districts

The School Committee will cooperate with other schools and with local, state, and regional agencies and organizations to:

1. Seek solutions to educational problems of common concern.
2. Offer support services of high quality to our children.
3. Equalize educational opportunities for all children.
4. Acquire federal and state grants.
5. Promote local school system involvement in state and federal decision making.

This cooperation may extend to research, arranging for transportation for children to special schools or programs, coordination of curriculum, exchange of information and data, construction of facilities that may be efficiently used on a cooperative basis, and the coordination of school calendars and activities.

Before joining any cooperative programs, education collaborative, or participating in any joint educational services with other school systems, the School Committee shall fully comply with all applicable laws, and shall take any and all actions as appropriate and as required by law.   With respect to educational collaborative programs, the School Committees responsibilities shall include the execution of a collaborative agreement compliant with M.G.L. c. 40, §4E as amended, the appointment of either a member of the school committee or its superintendent of schools to serve as its appointed representative on the collaborative board of directors, and to the extent possible, support for the provision of appropriate space to support collaborative programs in the least restrictive environment to ensure compliance with civil rights and special education laws and regulations. 

The School Committee strives to ensure that in all instances the best interests of our school children will be served.  In carrying out this policy the Superintendent will include in reports to the Committee an evaluation of the desirability and feasibility of cooperation with other schools and agencies on matters of mutual interest.

Private Schools

The Committee recognizes that many worthwhile contributions are made to the community by private schools.  Therefore, the Franklin Public Schools are encouraged to cooperate with these schools in matters of mutual benefit when this cooperation is not expressly prohibited by law.

Any person seeking to establish a private school within the Franklin community must submit an application, along with any supporting documentation, to the Superintendent.  Upon submission of an application the School Committee will endeavor to review any application materials and/or take a vote on whether to approve the application at its next regularly scheduled meeting or in a timely manner thereafter.

In accordance with state law, the School Committee will approve a private school within the Franklin community when it is satisfied that the instructional program of the school equals that of the towns public schools in thoroughness, efficiency, and progress made.  A review of any application to establish a private school may include, at the School Committee’s sole discretion, a review of the following criteria:

1. Population to be Served
   1. Admissions criteria; documentation of school’s enrollment
2. Physical Plant/Safety
   1. The school shows evidence of current:
      1. Certificate of Occupancy
      2. Fire inspection
      3. Safety inspection
      4. Elevator inspection, if applicable
      5. Compliance with lead paint poisoning prevention (for children under 6 years old)
      6. Compliance with other applicable federal and state health and safety standards (e.g., PCB, asbestos inspections, handicap accessibility)
      7. Copies of valid safety and health inspection certificates
   2. The site, plant, and equipment adequately support the program and are operated to ensure the safety and health of the students.
3. Curriculum
   1. The curriculum offered is “equivalent” to that offered in the local school system generally and, specifically, in terms of the following instructional areas:
      1. Mathematics
      2. Science and technology
      3. History and social science
      4. English
      5. Foreign languages
      6. The arts
      7. Physical education
4. Educational Materials
   1. Textbooks and individual instructional materials, including computers and other technology, are adequate.
5. School Staff
   1. The instruction provided is “thorough and efficient” based on
      1. Teacher qualifications
      2. Adequate student/teacher ratio
      3. Regular evaluation of staff
      4. The school principal reviews criminal offender record information (CORI) of current and prospective employees and volunteers, as required by law
6. Administration
   1. The school has a clearly defined organization that facilitates its objectives
7. Records
   1. The school maintains an adequate system of student records (e.g., attendance, health, discipline, progress reports).
   2. The student records are kept in a secure and organized manner that is consistent with federal and state student record laws to the extent applicable.
   3. The school maintains and timely provides transcripts in response to students and former students in accordance with G.L. c. 71,§ 34A.
   4. The school is prepared efficiently to transfer transcripts of all students and former students to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and/or other schools should it cease operation in accordance with G.L. c. 71 § 34G.
8. Student Services
   1. The school provides adequate pupil personnel services for all students (e.g., health care procedures, guidance and counseling programs, discipline policy).
9. Financial Support
   1. The school provides evidence of financial solvency and resources to sustain the educational program.
   2. The school presents documentation of its legal status.  These may include copies of the articles of incorporation and the certification of tax exempt status.
10. Student Learning Time
    1. The school provides adequate student learning time (length of school year and school day) and hours of instruction in each subject
11. Student Performance Assessment
    1. The school periodically evaluates students’ skills, competencies, and knowledge and documents their progress.

Approval of any private school is subject to the sole discretion of the School Committee, and is conditional upon the private school’s approval by and maintenance of good standing with any other public agency with jurisdiction over of the private school, including but not limited to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  The School Committee or its designated representative may conduct one or more site visits as part of its review of any application for the approval or re-approval or to ensure compliance with this policy.

In the event that the private school is a private special education school, the School Committee may designate a school representative, preferably a special educator, to participate in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education site visit review of the private school program and grant or deny local approval to the school based on the information obtained from the joint site visit.

The School Committee’s approval of any private school within the Franklin community shall remain valid until substantial changes are made in the private school’s program, at which point the private school must seek re-approval from the School Committee.  If the School Committee determines that any private school previously approved by the School Committee has deviated from the criteria upon which its approval was based or has otherwise failed to comply with the requirements of this policy or applicable law, the School Committee, at its sole discretion, may decide not to reapprove or may revoke the approval of such private school.

Upon approval of any private school within the Franklin community, the School Committee will provide timely notice of such approval to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the manner specified by the Department.  The School Committee will further provide timely notice to the Department if it has decided not to re-approve, or has revoked approval of a private school, or if the school has closed.

LEGAL REFS.:    M.G.L. 40:4E; 71:48; 71:71D; 7IB:4; 74:4 through 74:7A, 76:1; 603                                C.M.R. 50,00 et seq.