Board Debates Policy on Private Instruction

Discussion took much of the Jan. 10 board of education meeting, as members debated revisions to a policy concerning whether teachers and other school personnel should be allowed to make recommendations for private instruction and medical services—but a conclusion was not easy to come by.

The policy in question concerned the responsibilities of school personnel with regard to private instruction, and adds in the sentence, “School personnel may give parents information to help them make an independent, informed decision.”

The policy also maintains that school personnel are not allowed to make private instruction mandatory for any students.

But the board was also concerned about the deletion of a piece of the policy that states school nurses are not allowed to recommend physicians or other outside healthcare providers.

Discussion among board members centered on whether they should provide lists on the website of outside instructors and medical professionals, but many said it would be difficult to maintain and could open the district to other problems about inclusion.

“We would simply end up compiling information that is available through the phone book and Google searches,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder. “The master list could create significant problems, and perhaps some legal issues.”

“My gut tells me this is not something that is needed, and there’s so many ways out there that one can get information,” he added.

As for teacher recommendations, board of education member Cindy Cullen questioned whether there has ever been any evidence of kickbacks from teachers or other staff recommending outside professionals for additional tutoring.

Schilder said there has never been any evidence of that happening.

But some board members said they are fine with the wording of the policy because it does not require staff to make outside recommendations, nor does it require parents to take them.

“If my child is in class and is struggling, I think it is acceptable that, if my child needs extra help, a teacher will tell me,” said board of education member Ann Marie Mead.

Board of education president Evan Lerner said he thinks there is some balance in the policy by not requiring recommendations to be made, and not prohibiting it either.

“To prohibit staff from helping the kids is micromanaging the process,” he said. “This language provides a nice balance, but I don’t want to stop a teacher from saying that if you got a little extra help for the student it would be good.”

“I think teachers are careful about the recommendations they make,” Schilder added.

What do you think, Bridgewater? Should teachers and other staff be allowed to make recommendations for outside tutors, medical practitioners and other services?

Take our poll and let us know what you think in the comments.