Objective+45


 * Objective 45: Critique the local school board's policies on ethics and diversity.**

1. How to locate the policy manual on the Washington County website. 2. Ms. Melissa Caudell (Director of Finance & Human Resources) is responsible for updating the school board's policies. 3. The National School Board Association is used as a source to update the county policy manual. 4. Contacting the Central Office staff can save time when trying to access information on the Washington County website. 5. There are more policies pertaining to personnel than any other category.
 * Date || Time started || Time ended || Number of hours || Description of activities ||
 * 11/03/12 ||= 2:00 ||= 4:00 ||= 2 || Reviewed the policy manual for Washington County and discussed changes with Ms. Caudell. ||
 * 11/04/12 ||= 2:00 ||= 4:00 ||= 2 || Compiled information and typed up reflections and learning for the objective. ||
 * Reflections and learning |||||||| __**What I learned:**__

__**Critique of the school board's policies:**__ The Washington County School Board's policies on ethics and diversity in comprehensive in detailing numerous topics. The policy manual is organized into 12 major classifications with several subtopics under each of the classifications. During the initial process of reviewing the policies of Washington County it was difficult to locate them on the county website. The home page for Washington County does not include a link to the policy manual which would be beneficial for employees who would like to access to it.

The policy on non-discrimination is thorough and cites numerous legal references. The policies for administrators on reporting acts of violence and substance abuse are exhaustive. The personnel classifcation features the majority of policies on ethics and diversity. It covers sexual harassment, harassment based on Race, National Origin, Disability and Religion, EOE practices, Dress and attendance requirements, employee code of conduct, employee tobacco use, suspension and dismissal procedures.

There are two changes I would suggest for the handbook policy. 1) The dress code policy is in need of clarification. It states, "Each employee of the school system will dress appropriately for the position in which he/she is employed." The term appropriately creates a situation where teachers will be of differing opinions and could not meeting a professional dress code. 2) Social media is not mentioned under the policies for personnel. Teacher/student Facebook and Twitter accounts should be discussed in the employee code of conduct section. Does the county discourage teachers adding students as friends on Facebook or is that decision left up to the discretion of the teacher? It would be helpful if Washington County took a stance on this issue. || [|Washington County Policies]
 * Reading(s) |||||||| Washington County Policy Manual ||

[|Washington County Policy Manual]