MD - Garrett BOE may draft sex offender policy

Original Article

09/25/2012

By Elaine Blaisdell

OAKLAND — The Board of Education is considering instituting a new sex offender policy for those who wish to attend their children’s events or activities.

In the past, sex offenders required permission to attend events but there wasn’t an official policy in place, according to Keith Harvey, director of human resources.

“By law we don’t have to allow sex offenders on school grounds,” said Harvey.

The policy would require that sex offenders fill out an application with the principal two weeks prior to the event, according to Harvey. The principal will make the determination within two weeks.

During the board meeting on Sept. 11, Harvey provided the board with information regarding the proposed sex offender policy. The board will review the proposed policy for at least a month, said Harvey.

“The policy goes into effect immediately if approved by the board,” said Harvey.

During the board meeting, Harvey also presented information on policy regarding appeals and hearings to the board. The appeals policy hasn’t been updated since it was adopted in 1988, according to the board’s public information office. The appeals policy will be operating in the same manner as the sex offender policy as far as implementation goes, said Harvey.

“It’s just a revision of the current policy, which is very outdated,” said Harvey.

The purpose of the policy is to set forth procedures for appeals and hearings to the board and to provide employees, parents and students an avenue to dispute a ruling or decision in specific situations to a higher authority, according to the board’s public information office.

Harvey also discussed appeals and hearings policies for student suspension and expulsion and for employee suspension or dismissal.

The policies can be viewed on the board’s website at www. ga.k12.md.us by clicking on BOE related information then by clicking on Boardroom Review.

The board held a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the Fiscal Year 2012 audit and to make personnel announcements.