Resources: Model Policies


PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES: RESOURCES: MODEL POLICIES (Updated 2/11/09)

Model policies provide guidance, direction and recommended standards to help school administrators develop general school policy statements. Policies may be developed based on requirements of state or federal laws or at the request of the Vermont State Board of Education or the Vermont Legislature. Both the Department of Education and the Vermont School Boards Association (VSBA) develop model policies for Vermont local school officials and school administrators to use. The VSBA maintains an online catalogue of model policies it has developed. Some VSBA policies are developed in conjunction with the department, while others are not. In rare instances, the department and VSBA develop policies for the same topic; such policies address different interpretations of an issue and these model policies will appear as a resource on the department's Web site as well as in the VSBA catalogue.

VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (Updated 2/11/09)

	At times, the department is specifically tasked by the Vermont State Board of Education or the Vermont Legislature to create model policies that address specific issues related to students and schools. Many of these policies have been incorporated into the Vermont School Boards Association model policies. Those that have not, appear below.

	HIV/AIDS Sample Model Policy This sample comprehensive HIV policy for schools, updated in 2006, addresses rights of faculty/staff and students; issues related to confidentiality and discrimination; education and instruction; legal references and resources for assistance and information. Appendices include recommended best practices for HIV prevention education and confidentiality; HIV Universal Precautions procedures; sample confidentiality procedures; and consent forms.

	Idling of Vehicles Other Than School Buses When Present on School Premises Section 1 of Act 48 of 2007 established 23 V.S.A. §1282(f) which prohibits school buses from idling on school grounds. The State Board of Education adopted rules to implement this legislation and to allow for limited idling in certain circumstances. Additionally, pursuant to Section 2 of Act 48, the department has developed a model policy to assist school boards wishing to reduce the idling of motor vehicles other than school buses while on school grounds. This model policy is also available in the following formats: Idling of Vehicles Other Than School Buses When Present on School Premises Idling of Vehicles Other Than School Buses When Present on School Premises

	Restrictive Behavioral Intervention This model policy recommends the parameters that schools should adhere to regarding the use of time-out rooms, physical restraint, and mechanical or chemical restraints. It also provides guidance for documenting the use of restrictive behavioral interventions and requirements for notification of parents and the school’s administration.

	Student Harassment This Department of Education model policy may be used by supervisory unions/school districts to formalize policies and procedures for identifying and reporting the unlawful harassment of students based on race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation or disability. Pursuant to Act 41 of 2007, this model policy now references the term, gender identity, as well. Vermont law requires schools to adopt a policy "at least as stringent as [this] model policy." Another student harassment model policy may be found on the Vermont School Boards Association Model Policy Manual Web page (see below). Student Harassment Form Download this form to your computer and use your word-processing program to fill in the name of your school and other required information regarding "designated employees." Harassment Complaint Designees School districts are required to designate two or more employees to receive harassment complaints pursuant to Act 91 of 2004, An Act Relating to Harassment in Schools. Contact school district administration for the names of individuals designated for your district.

	Student Hazing This Department of Education model policy may be used by supervisory unions/school districts to formalize policies and procedures for identifying and reporting the unlawful hazing of students. Vermont law requires schools to adopt a policy "at least as stringent as [this] model policy." Another student hazing model policy may be found on the Vermont School Boards Association Model Policy Manual Web page. Student Hazing Form Download this form to your computer and use your word-processing program to fill in the name of your school and other required information.

	Vermont School Crisis Guide for 2008 (Revised) (Updated 2/11/09) The Vermont School Crisis Guide is designed to help schools develop their comprehensive emergency plan as required by State Board of Education regulations. The guide has also been designed to record vital information during and after a crisis. The document is intended for use by school leaders and emergency service providers. It may be freely copied and distributed to anyone involved with planning and implementing school safety drills. NOTE: Various additions were made to this document in 2008. New pages are dated in the "bookmarks" section of the PDF document. Use the link above to access the revised PDF document.

VERMONT SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION (VSBA)

	Vermont School Boards Association (VSBA) Model Policy Manual Because local school boards are responsible for the development and maintenance of school district policies, the majority of Vermont's model school policies are developed by and made available through the VSBA, a nonprofit membership organization that serves local education officials. Available online, the VSBA's model policy manual includes a complete listing of available model policies as well as links to related information about local policy development.




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