The Newton County Board of Education (BOE) is reviewing proposed revisions to two Newton County School System (NCSS) policies and wants the public’s input on the changes.

The school board will vote on the proposed revisions at its July 22 combined meeting.

Student assignment policy
NCSS Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey will recommend Policy JBCC be adopted as revised. Currently, NCSS Board Policy does not provide guidance for siblings of students enrolled in special instructional programs, and the revision addresses hardships families may face in regards to getting multiple students to different schools.

If this revision is adopted, “siblings of students who are enrolled in a special instructional program may be allowed to attend the same school if the parents agree to provide transportation.”

This out-of-zone assignment “will apply for the duration of the time a student is enrolled.” If the student attending the special instructional program graduates or completes the highest grade level, the sibling can stay at the school until graduation or completion of the highest grade.

Student hearing procedure policy
Fuhrey will also recommend Policy JCEB be revised. The BOE approved changes in the student disciplinary hearing procedure in fall 2010, moving from a “tribunal” process to a “hearing officer” model. However, the policy was not modified in accordance with the change, so an approval of this revision would make the policy match the practice that has been in place since 2010. If this revision is adopted, two members of the administrative staff will serve as hearing officers, as opposed to three members who make up the hearing tribunal.

The policies, including the proposed revisions, can be found at newtoncountyschools.org. To provide feedback to the school board on either or both of these policies, email info@newton.k12.ga.us.