Section 1000 Community / School Relations

#1140 Distribution of Materials

In order to ensure no exploitation of students or staff and to minimize disruption to the educational process, the Board of Education distributes materials electronically to the parents / guardians of students.  Materials which are distributed must relate to school, 
community, educational or civic activities.

The Superintendent or designee approves distribution of materials meeting the aforementioned criteria for parent / teacher organizations, district committees / councils, and / or Madison-based community organizations. The Superintendent or designee also approves distribution of all other materials meeting the aforementioned criteria from groups or individuals not connected with the Madison Public Schools. 
 

Legal Reference:

Connecticut General Statutes
9-369 Explanatory test relating to local questions
9-369b Explanatory text related to lead question. Expenditures of state and municipal funds to influence vote prohibited. Exception. Civil penalty. (as amended by PA 00-92, PA 04-117 and PA 13-247 )

Date of Adoption: September 19, 1991
Date of Revision: April 28, 2020

#1150 Prohibition Against Smoking, Possession And Use of Tobacco, Cannabis and Alcohol

The Madison Board of Education (“Board”) prohibits smoking, including smoking using an electronic nicotine delivery system (e.g., e-cigarettes), electronic cannabis delivery system, or vapor product, within any of its schools, including in any area of a school building, including but not limited to any indoor facility owned or leased or contracted for, and utilized by the Board for the provision of routine or regular preschool, kindergarten, elementary, or secondary education or library services to children, or on the grounds of such school, or at any school-sponsored activity.  

The Board further prohibits the use or possession of cannabis, tobacco, cannabis or tobacco products, and cannabis or tobacco paraphernalia (together, “cannabis and tobacco products”) in any school building, on school property, and at school-sponsored activities at any time. Cannabis and tobacco products include, but are not limited to cigarettes, cigars, snuff, bidis, smoking tobacco, smokeless tobacco, vapor products, electronic nicotine and cannabis delivery devices, chemicals, or devices that, when used, produce the same flavor or physical effect of nicotine substances; and any other tobacco, nicotine, or cannabis innovations. 

The Board further prohibits the possession, sale or use of alcohol in any area of a school building, on school property, and at school-sponsored activities by any individual at any time.

Members of the community who fail to comply with this policy may be required to leave school property and may be referred to the police. Students or employees who fail to comply with this policy, or other relevant policies, may face discipline up to and including expulsion or termination and may be referred to the police, as appropriate.

The following definitions shall apply to this policy

“Any area” shall mean the interior of a school building and the outside area within twenty-five feet of any doorway, operable window or air intake vent of a school building.

“Cannabis” shall mean marijuana, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-240. 

“Controlled substance” shall mean a controlled substance in schedules I through V of section 202 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 812), including marijuana. 

“Electronic cannabis delivery system” shall mean an electronic device that may be used to simulate smoking in the delivery of cannabis to a person inhaling the device and includes, but is not limited to, a vaporizer, electronic pipe, electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other component of such device.  

“Electronic nicotine delivery system” shall mean an electronic device used in the delivery of nicotine or other substances to a person inhaling from the device and includes, but is not limited to, an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other component of such device, including, but not limited to, electronic cigarette liquid or synthetic nicotine.  

“School property” shall mean any land and all temporary and permanent structures comprising the district’s school and administrative office buildings and includes, but is not limited to, classrooms, hallways, storage facilities, theatres, gymnasiums, fields, school buses and parking lots.

“School-sponsored activity” shall mean any activity sponsored, recognized or authorized by the Board and includes activities conducted on or off school property.

“Smoke” or “smoking” shall mean the burning of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other similar device, whether containing, wholly or in part, tobacco, cannabis or hemp. 

“Vapor product” shall mean any product that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit or other electronic, chemical or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, to produce a vapor that may or may not include nicotine or cannabis and is inhaled by the user of such product.  

Legal References:

• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233a(h)
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-342
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-342a
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-344b
• June Special Session, Public Act No. 21-1
• Pro-Children Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-110, 115 Stat. 1174, 20 U.S.C. § 7183

Date of Adoption: December 15, 2020
Date Revised: October 11, 2022

 

 

#1160 Possession of Deadly Weapons or Firearms

1. Definitions:
   1. Deadly Weapon means "any weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, from which a shot may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, gravity knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, or metal knuckles." Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3 (6).
   2. Firearm means "any sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, or other weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, from which a shot may be discharged." Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3 (19).
   3. Peace Officer means “a member of the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or an organized local police department, a chief inspector or inspector in the Division of Criminal Justice, a state marshal while exercising authority granted under any provision of the general statutes, a judicial marshal in the performance of the duties of a judicial marshal, a conservation officer or special conservation officer, as defined in section 26-5, a constable who performs criminal law enforcement duties, a special policeman appointed under section 29-18, 29-18a or 29-19, an adult probation officer, an official of the Department of Correction authorized by the Commissioner of Correction to make arrests in a correctional institution or facility, any investigator in the investigations unit of the office of the State Treasurer, an inspector of motor vehicles in the Department of Motor Vehicles, who is certified under the provisions of sections 7-294a to 7-294e, inclusive, a United States marshal or deputy marshal, any special agent of the federal government authorized to enforce the provisions of Title 21 of the United States Code, or a member of a law enforcement unit of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe or the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut created and governed by a memorandum of agreement under section 47-65c who is certified as a police officer by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council pursuant to sections 7-294a to 7-294e, inclusive.” Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-3 (9).
   4. Real Property means the land and all temporary and permanent structures comprising the district's elementary and secondary schools, and administrative office buildings. Real property includes, but is not limited to, the following: classrooms, hallways, storage facilities, theatres, gymnasiums, fields and parking lots.
   5. School-Sponsored Activity "means any activity sponsored, recognized or authorized by a board of education and includes activities conducted on or off school property." Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-233a(h).
       
2. Prohibition of Deadly Weapons and Firearms

   In accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-28(e) and § 53a-217b, the possession and/or use of a deadly weapon or firearm on the real property of any school or administrative office building in this district, on school transportation, or at a school-sponsored activity, is prohibited, even if the person possessing the deadly weapon or firearm has a permit for such item.

3. Peace Officer Exception

   A peace officer engaged in the performance of his or her official duties who is in lawful possession of a deadly weapon or firearm may bring such item on the real property of any school or administrative office building in this district, on school transportation, or to a school-sponsored activity. 

4. Other Exceptions

   Persons in lawful possession of a deadly weapon or firearm may possess such item on the real property of any school or administrative office building in this district, on school transportation, or to a school-sponsored activity, if:

   1. The person brings the deadly weapon or firearm on the real property of any school or administrative office building, on school transportation, or to a school-sponsored activity for use in a program approved by school officials.  In such case, the person must give school officials notice of his/her intention to bring such item, and the person must receive prior written permission from school officials.
   2. The person possesses the deadly weapon or firearm on the real property of any school or administrative office building, on school transportation, or at a school-sponsored activity pursuant to a written agreement with school officials or a written agreement between such person's employer and school officials.  
   3. The person possesses the deadly weapon or firearm while crossing school property in order to gain access to public or private lands open to hunting or for other lawful purposes and entry on such school property is permitted by the Board of Education.  (In the case of a firearm, the person's firearm shall not be loaded.)
   4. An armed security officer employed by the Board of Education to provide security services pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-244a engaged in the performance of his or her official duties who is in lawful possession of a deadly weapon or firearm may bring such item on the real property of any school or administrative office building in this district, or to a school-sponsored activity.
       
5. Consequences
   1. Unless subject to one of the exceptions listed above, any person who possesses a deadly weapon or firearm on the real property of an elementary or secondary school in this district, or administrative office building, on school transportation, or at a school-sponsored activity, whether or not the person is lawfully permitted to carry such deadly weapon or firearm, will be reported to the local police authorities once school officials become aware of its possession.
   2. A student who possesses and/or uses any deadly weapon or firearm on the real property of an elementary or secondary school in this district, or administrative office building, on school transportation, or at a school sponsored activity in violation of this policy shall be disciplined in accordance with Board of Education Student Discipline Policy. 
   3. The Board of Education reserves the right to forbid anyone caught possessing a deadly weapon or firearm on the real property of its school buildings or administrative office buildings, on school transportation, or at a school-sponsored activity, from using any and all school facilities. 

Legal References:

  Connecticut General Statutes

§ 10-233a 
§10-244a 
§29-28(e) 
§53a-3 
§53a-217b 

Date of Adoption:  December 15, 2020
Date of Revision:  October 12, 2021

#1170 Automatic External Defibrillators

In order to assist individuals who may experience sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency during the school’s normal operational hours, during school-sponsored athletic practices and athletic events taking place on school grounds, and during school sponsored events not occurring during the normal operational hours of the school, the Madison Board of Education maintains at each school under the Board’s jurisdiction, automatic external defibrillators and school personnel trained in the operation of such automatic external defibrillators and the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.  It is the policy of the Madison Board of Education to support the use of these automatic external defibrillators and trained school personnel during medically appropriate circumstances.

Requirements concerning the use and maintenance of AEDs are set forth in the accompanying Administrative Regulations as may be supplemented by or amended by the Administration from time to time.

For purposes of this policy and the accompanying regulations, an AED is a device that:

1. is used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart;
2. contains internal decision-making electronics, microcomputers or special software that allows it to interpret physiologic signals, make medical diagnosis and, if necessary, apply therapy;
3. guides the user through the process of using the device by audible or visual prompts; and
4. does not require the user to employ any discretion or judgment in its use. 

Legal References:

            Connecticut General Statutes

                        § 19a-175         Definitions
                        § 52-557b         Good Samaritan Law
                        § 10-212d        Availability of Automatic External Defibrillators in Schools

            Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies

                        Department of Public Health § 19a-179-1 et seq.

 

Date of Adoption:       December 15, 2020

REGULATION 1170 Automatic External Defibrillators (R)

#1200 School District Logo and Mascot

The Madison Board of Education (“the Board”) recognizes the importance of a logo and mascot as identifiers of the Madison Public Schools (“the District”). The Board shall adopt an official logo and/or mascot for the District. 

All uses of the District logo or school-specific logos and mascots shall comply with the parameters set forth by the administration.

The Superintendent is authorized to develop regulations as required to support this policy.

It is the intent of the Board that the changing of a logo and/or mascot occur infrequently and only if the current logo and/or mascot is determined to be no longer appropriate, as indicated by a 2/3 affirmative vote of the membership of the Board. 

The Board shall seek the advice of the Superintendent when determining whether to change the logo and/or mascot.

If the Board determines the need/desire to change the District logo or mascot, the Board shall establish a committee consistent with Policy #9450 to expedite and facilitate the Board’s decision.

The Board shall seek the advice of the Superintendent before establishing or dissolving a committee. Such committee shall be established and dissolved by Board vote, and the members of the committee shall be appointed by the Board. 

The committee shall be comprised of the Chair of the Board of Education (ex officio, non-voting), Superintendent (ex officio, non-voting), one or more Board members and representatives of stakeholders as the Board deems appropriate. With respect to changing the mascot, the Athletic Director shall be the chairperson (non-voting) of the committee. 

The Board will establish the scope of and schedule for the committee’s work. The Board retains the right to make the final determination of any logo and/or mascot change and the change will be approved by a 2/3 affirmative vote of the membership of the Board. 

Minor changes or variations to the mascot (e.g. temporarily changing color to honor an awareness month, adding sport specific icons, etc.) will be at the discretion of the Athletic Director with approval from the Superintendent. 

Date of Adoption:     March 5, 2024
 

#1330 Use of School Facilities

Application Procedures

In accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-239, the Board of Education may permit the use of any school facility for nonprofit educational or community purposes whether or not school is in session.  The Board of Education may also grant the temporary use of any school facility for public, educational or other purposes, including the holding of political discussion, at such time the facility is not in use for school purposes.  In addition, the Board shall grant such use for any purpose of voting under the provisions of Title 9 of the Connecticut General Statutes whether or not school is in session.  In accordance with 20 U.S.C. § 7905, the Board of Education shall not deny equal access to or a fair opportunity to meet, or otherwise discriminate, against any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America (or any other youth group listed as a patriotic society in Title 36 of the United States Code) that wishes to conduct a meeting using school facilities pursuant to this policy.  Such uses shall be governed by the following rules and procedures, and shall be subject to such restrictions as the Superintendent or his/her designee considers expedient.  

Consistent with this policy, the Superintendent shall develop and promulgate Administrative Regulations and associated forms governing use of school buildings and facilities by community and other groups.  Since the primary purpose of school facilities is for educational activities, such activities will have priority over all other requested uses. 

Applications for use of facilities shall be submitted to the following individuals, in accordance with the Administrative Regulations:

Facility	Application Submitted To
For use of school buildings	Building Principal
For use of athletic fields and facilities	Athletic Director
For use of other school facilities	Superintendent of Schools

Groups requesting use of school buildings and facilities must identify the specific facilities desired, and approval will be for those specific facilities only.  All school equipment on the premises shall remain in the charge and control of the building principal or responsible administrator, and shall not be used without the express written permission of the administrator.

Principals and other responsible administrators shall submit copies of each building use form with a notation of whether such uses have been approved. Approval of school facilities by the principal or other responsible party may be revoked at any time by the Superintendent or his/her designee. 

Eligible Organizations and Priority of Use

Administrators responsible for approving/disapproving requests for use of school district facilities will use the following guidelines regarding priority of usage of such facilities:

Order of priority:

1. School-sponsored programs and activities.
2. Activities of school-related organizations (e.g. PTO, Booster Clubs, After Graduation Committees and similar organizations).
3. Town department or agency activities.
4. Activities of non-profit organizations operating within the Town, other than school-related organizations covered by category #2 above.  
5. Activities of for-profit organizations operating within the Town.
6. Out-of-town organizations.
    

Restrictions on Use of School Facilities

The following restrictions shall apply to the use of school facilities:

1. Illegal activities will not be tolerated.
2. Use or possession of tobacco, alcoholic beverages or unauthorized controlled substances shall not be permitted on school property.
3. Refreshments may not be prepared, served or consumed without the prior approval of the responsible administrator.  Notwithstanding, only those beverages permitted by state law may be sold during the school day.  The responsible administrator may permit other beverages to be sold at the location of events occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend as long as they are not sold from a vending machine or at a school store.   Upon approval by the administrator, refreshments may be prepared, served and consumed only in areas designated by the responsible administrator.
4. Obscene advertising, decorations or materials shall not be permitted on school property.
5. Advertising, decorations or other materials that promote the use of illegal drugs, tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages shall not be permitted.
6. Activities that are disruptive of the school environment are not permitted.

Any violation of this Policy or any applicable Administrative Regulations may result in permanent revocation of the privilege to use school facilities against the organization and/or individuals involved. 
 

Fees and Other Costs

Users of school facilities shall be responsible for the fees and costs set out in a fee schedule established by the Superintendent with the approval of the Board of Education.  The following guidelines shall be incorporated into such fee schedule:

Number	Category	Fee
1.	School-sponsored programs and activities.	No rental fee or associated costs.
2.	Activities of school-related organizations (e.g. PTO, Booster Clubs, After Graduation Committees and similar organizations).	No rental fee or associated costs.
3.	Town department or agency activities.	Associated costs.
4.	Activities of non-profit organizations operating within the Town, other than school-related organizations covered by category #2 above.	Associated costs.
5.	Activities of for-profit organizations operating within the Town.	Rental fee and associated costs.
6.	Out-of-town organizations.	Rental fee and associated costs.

“Associated costs” shall include, but shall not be limited to, fees for the services of any custodial personnel, food service personnel, security personnel or other personnel deemed by the responsible administrator to be necessary in connection with the use of a school district facility.  Such costs shall be at the rates set forth in the fee schedule.  Rental fees and/or associated costs otherwise applicable may be waived by the Superintendent or his/her designee if such waiver is deemed by the Superintendent or his/her designee to be in the best interest of the school system and/or the Town.
 

Responsibility for Damage to Property or Loss of Property

In order to use school district facilities, any organization or individual requesting such use must agree to assume responsibility for any damage to and/or theft or loss of any school district property arising out of the use of the facilities. 

Legal References:  

    Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-239          
    Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-215f          
    Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-221q        
    Conn. Gen. Stat. Title 9       
    
Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act, 20 U.S.C. § 7905 
Patriotic and National Organizations, 36 U.S.C § 10101 et seq. 

Date of Adoption: April 14, 2020
Date of Revision: October 12, 2021 

Regulation #1330 Use of School Facilities         Facilities Request Form 

#1360 School Volunteers, Student Interns and Other Non-Employees

The Board of Education recognizes the importance of school volunteers at all levels of schooling.  Volunteers can enhance collaboration between the school and community, broaden the school’s educational environment and ultimately enrich students’ school experience.  The Board further acknowledges that it may, from time to time, be asked to provide learning experiences for student interns within the school environments, which experiences are not part of the teacher preparation program, as defined in section 10-10a of the Connecticut General Statutes.  In recognition of the benefit of having volunteers, interns and other such non-employees providing services within the schools, the Board supports the involvement of these individuals in accordance with suitable regulations and safeguards to be developed by the Administration.    

Volunteers, interns and other such non-employees working within the schools (“volunteers”) must work under the supervision of Madison Public Schools staff.  Volunteers are held to the same standards of conduct as school staff and must observe all Board of Education policies, including applicable policies on the confidentiality of student information.  

Volunteers may be required to submit to state and federal criminal record checks and a record check of the Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) Child Abuse and Neglect Registry.  No person who is required to register as a sex offender under state or federal law, or whose name is currently listed on the DCF registry, may volunteer in the Madison Public Schools.

No employee of the Madison Public Schools shall serve as a volunteer in any capacity, except as may be approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee based on the specific situation.

All volunteers must comply with all school health and safety protocols in place at the time, including but not limited to any health screening protocols.

Persons interested in volunteering their services should contact the school principal.
 

Legal References:
    Connecticut General Statutes § 10-4g    
    Connecticut General Statutes § 10-220
    Connecticut General Statutes § 10-235
    Connecticut General Statutes § 54-250 et seq. 

Date of Adoption:  April 14, 2020
Date of Revision:  October 12, 2021

#1361 Visitors to the Schools

The Madison Board of Education recognizes that procedures for visitors to schools are important for student and staff safety.

Upon arrival, all visitors must comply with any and all applicable building security procedures, including but not limited to, utilizing security buzzers for access, complying with requests for photo identification, reporting directly to and signing in and out at the visitor’s reception area of the school office, prominently displaying visitor’s badges or other identification required for visitors to the school buildings, limiting access to those areas of the building and grounds for which the visitors have authorized access, and complying with directives of the school officials at all times.  All visitors and observers permitted into school buildings or on school ground must comply with all school health and safety protocols in place at the time.

Visitors who will be entering the building beyond the main office area will be required to register at the security desk/main office upon arrival at the school, at which time a background check on the sex offender registry will be conducted.  If a result is received, a school administrator will be contacted.  Access to the building may be denied by the administrator.  

Legal References:

• “Guidelines Regarding Independent Educational Evaluations at Public Expense and In-    School Observations,” Connecticut State Department of Education (Mar. 28, 2018).

Date of Adoption:    January 4, 2022
 

#1361R Visitors to the Schools

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS REGARDING VISITORS AND OBSERVATIONS IN SCHOOLS

 

1. Any person wishing to visit a school building, and/or observe any student program, must obtain prior approval from the building Principal or responsible administrator of the respective school building or program.
2. A visitor to any school building or program must be able to articulate a legitimate reason for the proposed visit and/or observation.  Where the visitation involves direct contact with district students, or observation of an identified student or student program, the visitor must have a sufficient educational nexus with the district, its educational programs or the student to support such request.  
3. All visits must be reasonable in length and conducted in a manner designed to minimize disruption to the district’s educational programs.  
4. When a parent/guardian makes a request to observe an identified student or student program, the request will be reviewed with the student’s parent/guardian to determine the purpose of the observation, specific questions being addressed, the location(s) of the observation, and the date, time and length of the observation.  
5. When determining whether to approve a request to visit and/or observe individual students or student programs, the building Principal or responsible administrator shall consider the following factors:
   1. the frequency of visits;
   2. the duration of the visit;
   3. the number of visitors involved;
   4. the effect of the visit on a particular class or activity;
   5. the age of the students;
   6. the nature of the class or program;
   7. the potential for disclosure of confidential personally identifiable student information;
   8. whether the visitor/observer has a legitimate educational interest in visiting the school; 
   9. whether the visitor/observer has professional ethical obligations not to disclose any personally identifiable student information; 
   10. any safety risk to students and school staff; and
   11. compliance with the Board’s Guidelines for Independent Educational Evaluations, if applicable.
6. The building Principal or responsible administrator has the discretion to limit, or refuse, requests for visits and/or observations of student programs in light of the above criteria.  When a requested observation is refused, the building Principal or responsible administrator will provide the parent/guardian with the reason for the decision and will work to develop alternative ways for the parent/guardian to obtain the information the parent/guardian seeks.
7. If a building Principal or responsible administrator approves a request to visit a school building and/or observe a student program, arrangements must be made in advance to ensure that the visit will not disrupt educational programs.  The length and scope of any visit shall be determined by the building Principal or responsible administrator in accordance with these regulations and accompanying Board policy. The building Principal or responsible administrator shall determine a reasonable amount of time for observations of individual students or student programs.
8. Upon arrival, all visitors must comply with any and all applicable building security procedures, including but not limited to utilizing security buzzers for access, complying with requests for photo identification, reporting directly to and signing in and out at the visitors’ reception area of the school office, prominently displaying visitors’ badges or other identification required for visitors to the school buildings, limiting access to those areas of the buildings and grounds for which the visitors have authorized access, and complying with directives of school officials at all times.
9. The district has an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of personally identifiable student information.  All visitors and observers must restrict their visits and observations to the purpose identified in the request to visit or observe and are strictly prohibited from observing or collecting information on other students within the school.  If the visitor/observer views, accesses or otherwise obtains personally identifiable student information concerning another student, the visitor/observer must notify the building Principal or responsible administrator as soon as possible.
10. All visitors and observers permitted inside school buildings or on school grounds must comply with all school health and safety protocols in place at the time, including but not limited to any health screening protocols.
11. A refusal to comply with any of the Board’s policy provisions and/or regulations concerning visitors shall constitute grounds for denial of the visitor’s privileges, as determined appropriate by the building Principal or designee.  Such refusal may also result in a referral to law enforcement personnel, as determined appropriate by the building Principal or designee.

Legal References:

    “Guidelines Regarding Independent Educational Evaluations at Public Expense and In-    School Observations,” Connecticut State Department of Education (Mar. 28, 2018).

#1370 Non-Discrimination

It is the policy of the Board of Education (the “Board”) that any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, alienage, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law (“Protected Class”) is prohibited in the Madison Public Schools (the “District”), whether by students, Board employees, Board members or third parties subject to the control of the Board, subject to the conditions and limitations established by law.  The Board’s prohibition of discrimination or harassment in its educational programs or activities expressly extends to academic, nonacademic and extracurricular activities, including athletics, school-sponsored activities as well as the District website.  The Board further prohibits reprisal or retaliation against any individual who reports incidents in good faith that may be a violation of this policy, or who participates in the investigation of such reports.

Discrimination and/or harassment against any individual on the basis of that individual’s association with someone in a Protected Class may also be considered a form of Protected Class discrimination and/or harassment, and is therefore prohibited by this policy.

Students, Board employees, Board members and community members (e.g., other individuals affiliated with the District, accessing or seeking access to District facilities) are expected to adhere to a standard of conduct that is respectful of the rights of all members of the school community.   

1. Definitions:

   The following definitions apply for purposes of this policy: 

   1. Discrimination: Discrimination in violation of this policy occurs when an individual is denied participation in, or the benefits of, a program or activity of the Board because of such individual’s actual or perceived membership in a Protected Class.

   2. Harassment: Harassment is a form of Protected Class discrimination that is prohibited by law and by this policy. Harassment constitutes unlawful discrimination when it creates a hostile environment, which occurs when the harassment is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to interfere with or limit an individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by the District.

      Although not an exhaustive list, the following are examples of the types of prohibited conduct that may be considered Protected Class harassment and can lead to a hostile environment:

      • objectively offensive racial, ethnic, or religious epithets (or epithets commonly associated with any Protected Class membership, including but not limited to epithets relating to sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity or expression);
      • other words or phrases considered demeaning or degrading on the basis of Protected Class membership;
      • display of images or symbols commonly associated with discrimination against individuals on the basis of their membership in a Protected Class;
      • graphic, written or electronic communications that are harmful or humiliating based on Protected Class membership; or
      • physical, written, electronic or verbal threats based on Protected Class membership.

      
      Harassment does not have to involve intent to harm, be directed toward a specific person, or involve repeated incidents.

      Sexual harassment is a form of harassment that is prohibited by law and Board policy. For more information regarding harassment based on sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity or expression, contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator.

   3. Gender identity or expression refers to a person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth, which gender-related identity can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person's core identity or not being asserted for an improper purpose.

   4. Sexual orientation: Sexual orientation refers to a person’s identity in relation to the gender or genders to which they are romantically, emotionally or sexually attracted, inclusive of any identity that a person (i) may have previously expressed, or (ii) is perceived by another person to hold.

   5. Veteran: A veteran is any person honorably discharged from, released under honorable conditions from or released with an other than honorable discharge based on a qualifying condition from active service in, the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force, and Space Force and any reserve component thereof, including the Connecticut National Guard. “Qualifying condition” means (A) a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury made by an individual licensed to provide health care services at a United States Department of Veterans Affairs facility, (B) an experience of military sexual trauma disclosed to an individual licensed to provide health care services at a United States Department of Veterans Affairs facility, or (C) a determination that sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression was more likely than not the primary reason for an other than honorable discharge, as determined in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 27-103(c), (d).

   6. Race: The term “race” is inclusive of historically-associated ethnic traits, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. “Protective hairstyles” includes, but is not limited to, wigs, headwraps and hairstyles such as individual braids, cornrows, locs, twists, Bantu knots, afros and afro puffs.
   7. Domestic violence: Domestic violence means (1) a continuous threat of present physical pain or physical injury against a family or household member, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-38a; (2) stalking, including but not limited to, stalking as described in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-181d, of such family or household member; (3) a pattern of threatening, including but not limited to, a pattern of threatening as described in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-62, of such family or household member or a third party that intimidates such family or household member; or (4) coercive control of such family or household member, which is a pattern of behavior that in purpose or effect unreasonably interferes with a person's free will and personal liberty. “Coercive control” includes, but is not limited to, unreasonably engaging in any of the following: (a) isolating the family or household member from friends, relatives or other sources of support; (b) depriving the family or household member of basic necessities; (c) controlling, regulating or monitoring the family or household member's movements, communications, daily behavior, finances, economic resources or access to services; (d) compelling the family or household member by force, threat or intimidation, including, but not limited to, threats based on actual or suspected immigration status, to (i) engage in conduct from which such family or household member has a right to abstain, or (ii) abstain from conduct that such family or household member has a right to pursue; (e) committing or threatening to commit cruelty to animals that intimidates the family or household member; or (f) forced sex acts, or threats of a sexual nature, including, but not limited to, threatened acts of sexual conduct, threats based on a person's sexuality or threats to release sexual images. 
2. Alleged Discrimination/Harassment of Students or Employees: 
    
   Complaints of alleged discrimination and/or harassment of students and/or employees will be investigated in accordance with the non-discrimination policies applicable to students and/or personnel respectively.  Complaints pertaining to specific forms of discrimination and/or harassment, such as sexual harassment or disability- based harassment, have specific policies and procedures applicable to these forms of harassment and will be investigated in accordance with the specific procedures for such issues.  If a complaint involves allegations of discrimination or harassment of an employee or of a student based on sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity or expression, such complaints will be handled in accordance with the procedures set forth in Board Policy #4116.1 Prohibition of Sex Discrimination, Including Sex-Based Harassment (Personnel), or Policy #5120.5 Prohibition of Sex Discrimination, Including Sex-Based Harassment (Students).  Complaints involving allegations of discrimination or harassment of an employee or of a student based on disability will be addressed in accordance with the procedures set forth in Board Policy #4118.14 Section 504/ADA (Personnel), or Board Policy #5200 Section 504/ADA (Students).  
       
       Alleged Discrimination/Harassment of Community Members on the Basis of Sex: 
       
   In the event the District receives a complaint alleging discrimination or harassment of a community member (e.g., an individual affiliated with the District, accessing or seeking access to District facilities who is not a student or an employee) on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity or expression, the complaint shall be referred to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, who shall take steps designed to ensure that applicable state and federal law are followed.
       
       Alleged Discrimination/Harassment of Community Members on the Basis of Disability: 
       
   In the event the District receives a complaint alleging discrimination or harassment of a community member (e.g., an individual affiliated with the District, accessing or seeking access to District facilities who is not a student or an employee) based on disability, the complaint shall be referred to the District’s Section 504/ADA Coordinator, who shall take steps designed to ensure that applicable state and federal law are followed.   
    
3. Reporting:

   It is the policy of the Board to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging Protected Class discrimination or harassment.

   Any individual who believes an individual has experienced Protected Class discrimination or harassment or an act of retaliation or reprisal in violation of this policy should report such concern in writing in accordance with the Board’s complaint procedures included in the Board’s Administrative Regulations Regarding Non-Discrimination. These regulations accompany Board Policy #1370 Community/Non-Discrimination and are available online at https://www.madison.k12.ct.us/board-of-education/policies or upon request from the main office of any district school.

In addition to reporting to District officials in accordance with this policy, individuals also may file a complaint with the following agencies: 

Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education (“OCR”):

Office for Civil Rights, Boston Office
U.S. Department of Education
8th Floor
5 Post Office Square
Boston, MA  02109- 3921
(617-289-0111)
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html 

Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities:

Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities
450 Columbus Blvd.
Hartford, CT  06103-1835
(860-541-3400 or Connecticut Toll Free Number 1-800-477-5737) 

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (employees only):

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Boston Area Office
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
475 Government Center
Boston, MA  02203
(800-669-4000)

Anyone who has questions or concerns about this policy, and/or who may wish to request or discuss accommodations based on religion, and/or would like a copy of the Board’s complaint procedures or complaint forms related to claims of discrimination or harassment, may contact: 

Office of the Superintendent
10 Campus Drive
Madison, CT  06443
(203) 245-6322

Anyone who has questions or concerns about the Board’s policies regarding discrimination or harassment on the basis of gender/sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or pregnancy may contact the Board’s Title IX Coordinator:

Director of Special Education
10 Campus Drive
Madison, CT  06443
(203) 245-6341

Anyone who has questions or concerns about the Board’s policies regarding discrimination or harassment on the basis of disability, and/or who may wish to request or discuss accommodations for a disability, may contact the Board’s Section 504/ADA Coordinator:

Director of Special Education
10 Campus Drive
Madison, CT  06443
(203) 245-6341

Legal References:  

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. 
Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.
Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794
Connecticut General Statutes § 1-1n, “Gender Identity or Expression” defined Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-58, Deprivation of rights 
Connecticut General Statutes § 27-103
Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-51, Definitions 
Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-60
Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-81a, Sexual orientation discrimination: Definitions
Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-81c, Sexual orientation discrimination: Employment 
Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-1, Family relations matters and domestic violence defined
Public Act No. 23-145, “An Act Revising the State’s Antidiscrimination Statutes”

Date Adopted:  March 16, 2021
Date of Revision:  October 12, 2021 
Date of Revision:  October 17, 2023

Date of Revision: November 26, 2024

REGULATION 1370 NON-DISCRIMINATION

#1380 Regulation Sexual Offenders on School Property

Pursuant to state law, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is obligated to notify school superintendents whenever a sexual offender is released into the community or whenever a registered sexual offender changes his or her address.  

School district personnel shall cross-reference the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s sexual offender registry prior to hiring any new employee and prior to permitting a volunteer to work with students in any capacity.   Registration as a sexual offender constitutes grounds for denial of employment and/or volunteer opportunities in the Madison Public Schools.  

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall provide training to appropriate staff members regarding the methods for accessing the sexual offender registry information posted on the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the provisions of these regulations.      

Legal references:

    Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-258 Availability of registration information. Immunity.

    
Date of Adoption:  April 6, 2021