100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
100 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION - GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Major goals of administration will be:
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101 CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Administrative and supervisory personnel shall have no financial interest, directly or indirectly, in supplying books, maps, school furniture, or apparatus for the schools or to act as agent for any author, publisher, bookseller, or dealer in school furniture or apparatus.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
102 LINE AND STAFF RELATIONS
The superintendent will establish lines of authority, which will be approved by the Sevier County Board of Education.
All personnel are expected to keep the person to whom they are immediately responsible informed of their activities and will refer matters requiring administrative action to the administrator to whom they are responsible. That administrator will refer such matters to the next higher administrative authority when necessary.
All personnel will have the right to appeal any decision made by an administrative officer through grievance procedures established through board policy.
Lines of authority do not restrict the cooperative, sensible working together of all staff members at all levels. The established lines of authority represent direction, authority, responsibility, and avenues for a two-way flow of ideas to improve the program and operations of the school system.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
103 SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
The superintendent of schools will be the chief executive officer of the school system and will have, under direction of the Sevier County Board of Education, general supervision of all the public schools, personnel and departments of the Sevier County School System. The superintendent is responsible for the management of the schools under the Board's policies and is accountable to the Board for such management.
The superintendent, at his/her discretion, may delegate any of his/her duties to other school personnel.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
104 SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT - QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION
Last Updated Date: 11/08/2021
The superintendent [i] shall be a person of literary attainment and experience in the art of teaching and school administration, and must possess a certificate of qualifications issued by the State Board of Education. Further, pursuant to Tennessee law, the superintendent must possess, at minimum, a baccalaureate degree.[ii]
This policy is also meant to confirm that the Board possesses a clear “method of accepting and reviewing applications and interviewing candidates for the position of” superintendent.[iii] This policy does not limit the Board, however, from appointing an interim superintendent in situations in which the current superintendent resigns, retires, passes, becomes disabled and cannot perform his/her essential functions, or is terminated.
When searching for a permanent superintendent, final selection shall rest with the Board. No member of the Board may apply for or in any other way be considered for the position of superintendent.[iv]
To initiate a search for a permanent superintendent, the Board must:
If the Board is satisfied with the performance of an interim superintendent, then the Board may forego the process at Section 1 and seek to hire such an interim for the permanent position under Sections 2-3.
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i A “director of schools may be referred to as superintendent, but all references to or duties or powers of… county superintendents of public instruction shall be deemed to be references to or powers or duties of the director of schools.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-301(a).
ii Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-301(d).
iii Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(13)(B).
iv Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(1)(D).
v If a contract cannot be reasonably negotiated or approved, the Board may meet again to select an alternate candidate for superintendent.
vi Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(13)(A) & (C). Such a notice period is not required if the Board moves to terminate or suspend a superintendent’s written contract in cases concerning allegations of criminal or professional misconduct.
100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
105 SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS - DUTIES
The superintendent of schools' duties are as follows:
The superintendent's duties and responsibilities regarding individual schools are as follows:
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
106 SUPERINTENDENT - COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, AND EXPENSES
The superintendent will be compensated at a rate set by the Board on an annual basis. Such compensation will be commensurate with his/her educational experience, academic preparation, and state requirements.
The superintendent will be entitled to the same employee benefits as professional employees of the school system.
The superintendent will receive reimbursement for expenses incurred in travel on behalf of the school system at the rate prescribed by the Board for all employees.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
107 SUPERINTENDENT - PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
The superintendent of schools will stay abreast of educational trends by exploring new ideas and programs that may be used to the advantage of the school system. Funds will be budgeted annually for this purpose.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
108 BOARD - SUPERINTENDENT RELATIONS
The Sevier County Board of Education will be responsible for specifying its requirements and expectations of the superintendent of schools. In turn, the superintendent will be responsible for specifying requirements and expectations for all administrators who report to him/her and then holding each accountable by evaluating how well requirements and expectations have been met.
The Board will authorize all expenditures, employ all personnel, approve the annual budget, and determine policy. The decisions of the Board concerning these matters will guide the actions of the superintendent and his/her staff.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
109 ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
The Sevier County Board of Education will elect personnel to serve on the administrative staff after considering the recommendations of the superintendent of schools. The superintendent may delegate authority to each staff member according to the staff member's competence and assignment.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
110 ADMINISTRATIVE COMPENSATION GUIDES AND CONTRACTS
Contracts for administrators and system-wide certificated personnel will be based on the upon the assigned work schedule by the Sevier County Board of Education. Personnel working twelve (12) months will have twenty-five (25) days of vacation in addition to five (5) paid holidays - Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and July 4. Personnel working eleven and one-half months (11 1/2) months will have thirty-five (35) days of vacation in addition to the holidays above. Personnel working eleven (11) months will have forty-five (45) days of vacation in addition to the holidays above. Personnel working ten (10) months will work these same two hundred day schedule as the teachers. Compensation for these personnel will be, as the professional contract requires except for those personnel on the negotiating team that are, by law, not covered by contract and are "management" personnel.
All certificated personnel will have:
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
111 ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPERVISORY POSITIONS & QUALIFICATIONS
All administrative and supervisory positions in the Sevier County School System are established initially by the Board, by state law, or State Board Rules, Regulations, and Minimum Standards.
In each case, the Board will approve the broad purpose and function of the position in accordance with state laws and state regulations, approve a statement of duties as recommended by the superintendent, and delegate to the superintendent the task of writing, or causing to be written, a job description for the position.
A copy of each job description will be provided to the employee and the immediate supervisor. A copy of all job descriptions will be maintained in the superintendent's office.
The superintendent will maintain a comprehensive, coordinated set of job descriptions for all such positions to promote efficiency and economy in the staff's operations.
To be considered for certificated administrative or supervisory positions, the applicant must have qualifications to include administrative or supervisory certification and experience in accordance with state law and State Board Rules and Regulations in the appropriate area based on the minimum of a master's degree.
Non-certified administrative and supervisory personnel will possess sufficient training and experience to perform the services required and such additional qualifications as the Board and the superintendent may determine.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
112 DUTIES OF PRINCIPALS
The principal's duties at the school to which he/she is assigned are as follows:
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
113 DUTIES OF SUPERVISOR OF INSTRUCTION
The duties of supervisors of instruction are as follows:
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
114 CONSULTANTS
Administrative and supervisory personnel may be authorized by the superintendent to make consulting or speaking engagements of a professional nature outside the school system, provided that such commitments do not adversely affect the performance of system assignments. Personnel may accept honoraria in connection with these authorized out-of-system activities.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
115 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Administrative and supervisory personnel will attend in-service programs and institutes, will study professional literature, will meet with other professionals for discussion, and keep abreast of research in methodology, curriculum, and student growth and development.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
116 ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND OPERATING PROCEDURES
The superintendent is responsible for implementing board policies and for interpreting them to staff, students, and the public.
The superintendent, in consultation with principals, staff members, and other persons, will develop administrative rules and operating procedures as necessary to implement board policies.
With the policies and regulation of the Board and the superintendent, principals are authorized to establish rules and procedures for the staff and students of their schools.
The superintendent will establish and maintain an orderly plan for making accessible to all employees the administrative rules and operating procedures.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
117 CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Last Updated Date: 10/13/2014
School system personnel shall follow the confidential Crisis Management Plan as developed by the School System and shall keep the details of such Plan strictly confidential in accordance with Tennessee law. However, nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to prevent school administrators from discussing or distributing to parents or legal guardians regarding procedures for contacting or obtaining a child following a natural disaster.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
118 SCHOOL BUS IDLING
Last Updated Date: 04/11/2005
This policy becomes effective on August 1, 2005, and applies to the operation of every system- owned school bus. Diesel exhaust from idling school buses can accumulate in and around the bus and pose a health risk to children, drivers, and the community at large. Exposure to diesel exhaust can cause lung damage and respiratory problems. Diesel exhaust also exacerbates asthma and existing allergies, and long-term exposure is thought to increase the risk of lung cancer. Idling buses also waste fuel and financial resources. Therefore, the system will eliminate all unnecessary idling by Sevier County school buses and will minimize idling time in all aspects of school bus operation.
When school bus drivers arrive at loading or unloading areas to drop off or pick up passengers, they will turn off the engine as soon as possible to eliminate unnecessary idling and reduce harmful emissions. The school bus will not be restarted until it is ready to depart and there is a clear path to exit the pick-up area. Exceptions include conditions that would compromise passenger safety such as extreme weather conditions and/or idling in traffic.
At school bus depots, limit the idling time during early morning warm-up to what is recommended by the manufacturer (generally 3-5 minutes), in all but the coldest weather.
Buses will not idle while waiting for students during field trips, extracurricular activities, or other events where students are transported off school grounds.
In colder weather, schools will provide space inside the school buildings where bus drivers can wait. In colder weather, if the warmth of the bus is an issue, idling will be at a very minimum and occur outside the school zone. The “warmed” bus is to enter the school zone as close to pick-up time as possible to maintain warmth and then shut down.
All service delivery vehicles will turn off engines while making deliveries to school buildings.
The transportation supervisor will revise bus schedules to avoid school bus caravanning and to insure the cleanest operating buses are assigned the longest routes. The supervisor will insure that a copy of this policy is given to each driver at the beginning of each school year and training is included in the annual in-service activities completed at the start of each school year.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
119 SUPERVISION OF IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Last Updated Date: 08/10/2009
The Sevier County Board of Education is aware of the sensitive nature and the possible appearance of a conflict of interest when an employee is responsible for the supervision of an immediate family member. Therefore, the Board declares that an employee can not directly supervise an immediate family member. Immediate family is defined as parents, spouse, child (children), and/or sibling(s). Supervisors are defined to be directors, principals, assistant principals, cafeteria managers, and similar supervision situations that exist now or may exist in the future.
The Board further instructs the Director of Schools to make the necessary transfers during the summer of 2009 so that employees are not supervising immediate family members. After the beginning of school in August, 2009, there will no future examples of this practice in this school system.
Nothing in this policy is meant to express concern about immediate family members working at any location in this system as along as there is not a direct supervision situation that develops.
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
120 COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOL BUSES
Last Updated Date: 10/12/2009
The Sevier County Board of Education maintains the power to purchase and utilize school buses. The Board primarily uses its buses to provide transportation to/from schools or to/from extracurricular events for students.
The Board may also permit the non-school usage of its property by members of the community. Under certain situations deemed “emergencies” by the Director of schools, the Board grants the Director and/or his/her designee discretion to approve/disapprove the non-school usage of buses by members of the community.
Those applying to the Director for emergency usage shall hereby agree to:
While the Director possesses sole discretion to approve/deny applications, those decisions shall remain both content neutral and non-discriminatory.
Downloads
Community Use of School Buses Form
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
121 VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
Last Updated Date: 08/12/2019
The Sevier County Board of Education authorizes the use of video surveillance equipment on Board property (including but not limited to buildings, facilities, and school buses) as part of a multifaceted approach to protecting the safety and security of students, staff and property. Video surveillance shall be used only to promote the order, safety and security of students, staff and property.
The Board shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws related to video recordings when such recordings are considered and relied upon as part of the student’s behavioral record as determined by the Board’s administrators.
System Operation
Storage/Security
Viewing Requests
All requests for review of video recordings or photographs obtained from those video recordings that are considered an educational record will take place as follows:
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
122 STUDENT RECORDS POLICY
Last Updated Date: 03/16/2015
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to effectuate the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) at 20 U.S.C. §1232g and 34 C.F.R. §99.1, et seq., T.C.A. §§10-7-504 and 49-1-701, et seq., to afford parents, guardians, and students who are eighteen (18) years of age or older certain rights with respect to the student's education records maintained by the Sevier County Board of Education hereinafter referred to as (LEA) and the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE).
DEFINITIONS
Education Records
The term education records means records, files, documents and other materials which:
Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
Directory Information
The term directory information relating to a student includes, but is not limited to:
LEA RESPONSIBILITIES
LEA shall:
LEA shall not collect individual student data on a student's:
LEA shall not collect individual student data on a student's biometrics, analysis of facial expression, EEG brain wave patterns, skin conductance, galvanic skin response, heart rate variability, pulse, blook volume, posturre, and eye-tracking, without written consent of the parent or student.
NOTICE FOR DIRECTORY INFORMATION
LEA must, with certain exceptions, obtain a parent’s written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a student’s education records. However, an LEA may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless a parent has advised the LEA to the contrary in writing. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the LEA to include this type of information in certain school publications. Examples include, but are not limited to:
Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require LEA, because it receives assistance receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), to provide military recruiters, upon request, with the following information – names, addresses and telephone listings – unless parents have advised LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.
Annually, LEA must notify parents and students of information it will release as directory information, and of the parents’ right to exercise his/her right to advise LEA in writing that consent for release of such information is denied.
NOTICE OF PARENTAL RIGHTS CONCERNING EDUCATION RECORDS
The following notice of parental rights concerning education records shall be sent to all parents annually.
Parents' rights include:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
RESTRICTIONS ON DISCLOSURE OF EDUCATION RECORDS
FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the parent or student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in §99.31 of the FERPA regulations and T.C.A. §49-1-701, et seq. Except for disclosures to LEA officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the parent or student, 34 C.F.R. §99.32 of the FERPA regulations requires LEA to record the disclosure. Parents and students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures.
Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. §99.31, LEA may disclose PII from the education records of a student without obtaining prior written consent of the parents or the student under the following circumstances:
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100 - SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
123 PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS
Last Updated Date: 09/19/2016
The director of schools shall maintain all school system records required by law, regulation and board policy. Any citizen of Tennessee, state official or other authorized person shall be permitted, upon written request, at a reasonable time, to inspect all records maintained by the school district unless otherwise prohibited by law, regulation or board policy.
Requests for school board records shall be made and responded to in accordance with the following process:
a. Make records available;
b. Provide a written denial, including grounds for denial; or
c. Provide a written explanation of the length of time necessary to produce the records;
No records pertaining to individual students will be released for inspection by the public or any unauthorized persons pursuant to Board Policy No. 122.
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