The school district shall provide an educational program for each child to develop to the fullest extent possible his/her intellectual, emotional, social, moral, artistic and physical potential.

It is the mission of the Andover School System to provide a creative and challenging curriculum for ALL in an innovative and nurturing facility in partnership with parents and the community in order to develop life long learners.

The Andover School System will:

1. Strive for continual improvements in children’s performance, encouraging and assisting them to develop to their fullest potential.

2. Ensure the physical safety and security of all its children, and provide a healthy, caring environment conducive to learning.

3. Maintain a close relationship with the community by promoting fiscal responsibility and consistent financial support for our children’s education, by communicating regularly and effectively with town residents, and by including parents and the wider community as partners in the educational process.

The goal of the Andover School System is to provide students with sufficient basic content information and skills from the various curriculum areas so that they will be knowledgeable and informed citizens who can utilize their public school education in the global economy of the twenty-first century. To that end:

1. Students will develop a love of learning, a motivation to learn during and beyond formal education, and a persistence in accomplishing tasks.
2. Students will develop competency in reading, writing, and mathematics.
3. Students will develop their speaking, listening, and viewing skills.
4. Students will develop reasoning and problem solving (critical thinking), and learning skills.
5. Students will develop the skills required to use technology as a tool to support learning, problem-solving, and communication.
6. Students will acquire an understanding of the physical, biological, and social sciences, the creative and performing arts, physical fitness and health, and careers and vocations.
7. Students will develop a positive sense of self-worth and a confidence in their personal abilities and relationships.
8. Students will develop productive and satisfying relationships with others based on mutual respect.
9. Students will develop the sensitivity to and understanding of the need opinions, concerns, and customs of others necessary to become successful members of the global community.
10. Students will develop self-discipline and creativity on an individual and group level, and the ability to work well as a team member.
11. Students will develop a concept of community, local and global, in which the importance of each individual’s responsibility and commitment to the improvement of the quality of life for all members of the community is stressed.
12. Students will develop and expand their personal criteria to make informed moral judgments and ethical decisions.

The Board of Education shall maintain a manual of policies as the base for the governance of the school system.  The policies must at all times be in harmony with applicable laws.

The Board of Education views its policies as aids to decision making and will to the best of its abilities make all its actions consistent with those policies.

The Board of Education, in compliance with federal and state law, affirms its policy of equal educational opportunity for all students and equal employment opportunity for all persons.

Nondiscrimination in School and Classroom Practices

It is the policy of the District to provide equal opportunity for all students to achieve their maximum potential through the programs offered in all District schools regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, or disability.

The District shall provide to all students without discrimination, course offerings, counseling, assistance, employment, athletics, and extracurricular activities. The District shall make reasonable accommodations for identified physical and mental impairments that constitute disabilities, consistent with federal and state statutes and regulations.

Students and third parties who have been subject to discrimination are encouraged to promptly report such incidents to the District’s Compliance Officer.

All complaints of discrimination shall be investigated promptly. Corrective action must be taken when allegations are substantiated. Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with the District’s legal and investigative obligations.

Neither reprisals nor retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith charges of discrimination.

Nondiscrimination in Employment/Contract Practices

It is the Board’s policy to provide all persons equal access to all categories of employment in this District regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, or disability. The District shall make reasonable accommodations for identified physical and mental impairments that constitute disabilities, consistent with federal and state statutes and regulations.

Employees and third parties who have been subject to discrimination are encouraged to promptly report such incidents to the District’s Compliance Officer.

All complaints of discrimination shall be investigated promptly. Corrective action must be taken when allegations are unsubstantiated. Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with the District’s legal and investigative obligations. Neither reprisals nor retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith charges of discrimination.

0521(b)

Mission – Goals – Objectives

Nondiscrimination  (continued)

In order to maintain a program of nondiscrimination practices that is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Board directs the Superintendent to designate the District’s Compliance Officer.

The Compliance Officer shall publish and disseminate this policy and complaint procedure annually to students, parents, employees, and the public. Nondiscrimination statements shall include the position, office address, and telephone number of the Compliance Officer.

The Compliance Officer is responsible to monitor the implementation of nondiscrimination

(cf. 4111 – Recruitment and Selection)

(cf. 4111.1/4211.1 – Affirmative Action)

(cf. 4118.11 – Nondiscrimination)

(cf. 4118.111 – Grievance Procedure-Title IX)

(cf. 4118.113/4218.113 – Harassment)

(cf. 5145.4 – Nondiscrimination)

(cf. 5145.5 – Sexual Harassment)

(cf. 5145.51 – Peer Sexual Harassment)

(cf. 5145.52 – Harassment)

(cf. 5145.6 – Student Grievance Procedure)

(cf. 6121 – Nondiscrimination)

(cf. 6121.1 - Equal Educational Opportunity)

Legal Reference:         Title VII, Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000e, et seq.

                                    29 CFR 1604.11, EEOC Guidelines on Sex Discrimination.

                                    Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.

                                    34 CFR Section 106.8(b), OCR Guidelines for Title IX.

                                    Definitions, OCR Guidelines on Sexual Harassment, Fed. Reg. Vol 62, #49, 29 CFR Sec. 1606.8 (a0 62 Fed Reg. 12033 (March 13, 1997) and 66 Fed. Reg. 5512 (January 19, 2001)

                                    Meritor Savings Bank. FSB v. Vinson, 477 U.S. 57 (1986)

                                    Faragher v. City of Boca Raton, No. 97-282 (U.S. Supreme Court, June 26,1998)

0521(c)

Mission – Goals – Objectives

Nondiscrimination 

Legal Reference:        (continued)

                                    Gebbser v. Lago Vista Indiana School District, No. 99-1866, (U.S. Supreme Court, June 26,1998)

                                    Davis v. Monro County Board of Education, No. 97-843, (U.S. Supreme Court, May 24, 1999.)

                                    Connecticut General Statutes

                                    46a‑60 Discriminatory employment practices prohibited.

                                    10-15c Discrimination in public schools prohibited. School attendance by five-year olds. (Amended by P.A. 97-247 to include “sexual orientation”)

                                    10‑153 Discrimination on account of marital status.

                                    17a-101 Protection of children from abuse.