4200P Procedure - Visitors

Visiting a School or Classroom
The following guidelines are established to permit visitors to observe the educational program with minimal disruption:
A. All visitors must register at the office upon their arrival at school.
B. Visitors whose purpose is to influence or solicit students will not be permitted on the school grounds unless the visit furthers the educational program of the district. Military recruiters will be provided the same opportunities to meet with students as higher education and employer representatives.
C. If the visitor wishes to observe a classroom, the time will be arranged after the principal has conferred with the teacher.
D. If the purpose of the classroom visitation is to observe learning and teaching activities, the visitor may be asked to confer with the teacher before or after the observation to enhance understanding of the activities.
E. The principal may withhold approval if particular events such as testing would be adversely affected by a visit. Similarly, if a visitor's presence becomes disruptive, the principal may withdraw approval. In either case, the principal will give reasons for the action.
F. If a dispute arises regarding limitations upon or withholding of approval for visits:
1. The visitor will first discuss the matter with the principal;
2. If it is not satisfactorily resolved, the visitor may request a meeting with the assistant superintendent.
 
The latter will promptly meet with the visitor, investigate the dispute, and render a written decision, which will be final, subject only to the citizen's right to raise an issue at a regular session of the Board.
 
Required Background Checks for Visitors
The following are considered to be “unsupervised” activities, allowing parents/guardians access to students besides their own children, and require a background check for all visitors wishing to participate:
A. Eating breakfast or lunch in the cafeteria or other designated eating location where other students are present;
B. Observing or participating in recess activities; or
C. Observing or participating in activities in common areas of the school where children are present and the parent/guardian has unsupervised access to children besides their own, such as field days.
 
The following are considered to be “supervised” activities by school or district staff and do not require a background check for visitors wishing to participate:
A. Observing a classroom (complying with the guidelines listed above);
B. Eating breakfast or lunch with the parent/guardian’s own student in a separate location away from other students;
C. School sponsored events such as back-to-school nights or barbeques.
 
Disruptions at School Activities
The following guidelines are suggested as basic security measures to prevent/reduce disruptive activities in the school:
A. All visitors are required to check into the office upon entering a school building. All entrances must be posted.
B. Staff members are responsible for monitoring hallways and playgrounds. Unfamiliar persons are to be directed to the office.
C. A visitor's badge with the current date should be worn conspicuously.
D. Written guidelines pertaining to rights of noncustodial parents should be readily accessible to direct staff about what to do if a noncustodial parent shows up demanding to:
1. Meet with the teacher of his/her child;
2. Visit with his/her child; or
3. Remove his/her child from the school premises.
E. If a visitor is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is committing a disruptive act, or invites another person to do so, the staff member will exercise the right to order the visitor off school premises. If the visitor fails to comply, the staff member will contact the school office which may, in turn, report the disturbance to a law enforcement officer.
 
Date: 9/9/08
Revised: 10/13/09; 12/8/15