Updated MASC Policy Reference Manual – March 2023
MASC Field Staff is currently undergoing a comprehensive review of the MASC Policy Reference Manual. Changes as a result of this review are detailed below and copies of these updated policies are available in the Online Policy Reference Manual. We have also posted links to the individual updated policies below, as well as a track change version of the reviewed sections for your reference. Many of these changes, especially those that say updated language, are cleaning up grammar, adding or changing legal references and cross references or other minor edits.
MASC has also added a Reviewed/Updated date to each individual policy within the section.
Policies added to the Reference Manual
- AA-1 – REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT LEGAL STATUS: added to serve as policy AA for Regional School Districts
- BDFA-E – SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: BDFA, BDFA-E-1, BDFA-E-2 and BDFA-E-3 were rewritten and consolidated into BDFA and BDFA-E
- CHA/CHC – DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION OF PROCEDURES: merged policies CHA and CHC
- JICK – HARASSMENT OF STUDENTS: added as part of review of Harassment Policy
Policies we have removed from the Reference Manual
- BDFA-E-1 – SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: BDFA/BDFA-E-1, BDFA-E-2 and BDFA-E-3 were rewritten and consolidated into BDFA and BDFA-E
- BDFA-E-2 – SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL OF THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: BDFA, BDFA-E-1, BDFA-E-2 and BDFA-E-3 were rewritten and consolidated into BDFA and BDFA-E
- BDFA-E-3 – CONDUCT OF SCHOOL COUNCIL BUSINESS: BDFA, BDFA-E-1, BDFA-E-2 and BDFA-E-3 were rewritten and consolidated into BDFA and BDFA-E
- BEDB-E – AGENDA FORMAT: removed as unnecessary
- BEDH-E – GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: removed as unnecessary
- BK – SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS: removed as unnecessary
- CHA – DEVELOPMENT OF PROCEDURES language included in CHA/CHC
- CHC – PROCEDURES DISSEMINATION: language included in CHA/CHC
- CHCA-E – APPROVAL OF HANDBOOKS AND DIRECTIVES – removed as unnecessary
- CL – ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: removed as unnecessary
- GA – PERSONNEL POLICIES GOALS: removed – goals are more specific to districts
- GCQD – RESIGNATION OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS: removed, resignation covered in contracts
- GCQE – RETIREMENT OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS: removed, retirement covered in contracts
- GDQC – RETIREMENT OF SUPPORT STAFF MEMBERS: removed, resignation covered in contracts
- GDQD – SUSPENSION AND DISMISSAL OF SUPPORT STAFF MEMBERS: removed, suspension and dismissal covered in contracts
- JKA – CORPORAL PUNISHMENT: language incorporated into JKAA
- KCB – COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION MAKING: intent covered in other places.
Policies you should review
MASC has made changes to the following policies. Some of these changes are a result of legal changes, changes in practice, or simply an updating of language to reflect more modern needs. Some of these changes are very minor and will not require a change at the local level.
- AA – SCHOOL DISTRICT LEGAL STATUS: updated language
- AB – THE PEOPLE AND THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT: updated removed note
- AC – NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY INCLUDING: updated as part of review of harassment policies, updated protected class
- AC-R – NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY INCLUDING HARASSMENT AND RETALIATION: added as part of review of harassment policies, updated protected class
- ACA – NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX: updated language and addition of a reference
- ACAB – SEXUAL HARASSMENT: updated as part of review of harassment policies
- AD – MISSION STATEMENT: updated language note added
- ADC – TOBACCO PRODUCTS ON SCHOOL PREMISES PROHIBITED: updated format commas added no language change
- BA – SCHOOL COMMITTEE OPERATIONAL GOALS – updated language
- BB – SCHOOL COMMITTEE LEGAL STATUS: updated language (municipality)
- BBAA – SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER AUTHORITY: updated language
- BBBA – SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS/
BBBB – OATH OF OFFICE: removed last sentence - BBBC – SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER RESIGNATION – updated language
- BBBE – UNEXPIRED TERM FULFILLMENT: updated language
- BDFA – SCHOOL COUNCILS: BDFA, BDFA-E-1, BDFA-E-2 and BDFA-E-3 were rewritten and consolidated into BDFA and BDFA-E
- BG – SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICY DEVELOPMENT: updated language, remove NSBA reference
- BGC – POLICY REVISION AND REVIEW: updated language
- BHE – USE OF ELECTRONIC MESSAGING BY SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS: updated language
- BIBA – SCHOOL COMMITTEE CONFERENCES, CONVENTIONS, AND WORKSHOPS: updated language shall to will
- BID – SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES: updated language
- BJ – SCHOOL COMMITTEE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM: updated punctuation in bullet 3
- CA – ADMINISTRATION GOALS –: updated language
- CB – SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: updated language
- CBD – SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT: grammatical update
- CBI – EVALUATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT: updated language
- CCB – STAFF RELATIONS: updated title and grammatical update commas added
- CE – ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILS, CABINETS, AND COMMITTEES: grammatical update commas added
- CH – POLICY IMPLEMENTATION: grammatical update – commas added
- CHCA – APPROVAL OF HANDBOOKS AND DIRECTIVES: updated language
- CM – SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT: removed final sentence and grammatical update – added comma
- EB – SAFETY PROGRAM: updated language
- EBB – FIRST AID: updated language
- EBC – EMERGENCY PLANS: updated language
- EBCD – EMERGENCY CLOSINGS: updated language (child student)
- EBCFA – FACE COVERINGS: updated guidelines
- EC – BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS MANAGEMENT: updated language (child student)
- EC-1 – REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS MANAGEMENT: updated language (child student)
- ECA – BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS SECURITY updated language
- ECAF – SECURITY CAMERAS IN SCHOOLS: updated language
- EEAA – WALKERS AND RIDERS: updated language
- EEAE – SCHOOL BUS SAFETY PROGRAM: updated language (child student)
- EEAEB – DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING FOR SCHOOL BUS AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVERS coding change EEAEA-1 to EEAEB
- EEAEC – STUDENT CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES: updated language (child student)
- EEAJ – MOTOR VEHICLE IDLING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS no policy changes updated formatting
- EFC – FREE AND REDUCED PRICE FOOD SERVICES updated language (child student)
- GBA – EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: updated language, protected class
- GBEA – STAFF ETHICS/CONFLICT OF INTEREST: updated language
- GBEB – STAFF CONDUCT: updated language and legal references
- GBEBC – GIFTS TO AND SOLICITATIONS BY STAFF: updated cross references
- GBEBD – Online Fundraising And Solicitations Crowdfunding: removed cross reference in text
- GBEC – DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: updated legal reference
- GBGB – STAFF PERSONAL SECURITY AND SAFETY: updated language
- GBGE – DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEAVE: updated legal reference
- GBGF – FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE: updated legal reference, removed note
- GBI – STAFF PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES: updated language and legal references
- GBJ – PERSONNEL RECORDS: minor language update
- GCA – PROFESSIONAL STAFF POSITIONS: updated language
- GCBA – PROFESSIONAL STAFF SALARY SCHEDULES: updated language and added cross reference
- GCBB – EMPLOYMENT OF PRINCIPALS: updated language and added cross reference
- GCBC – PROFESSIONAL STAFF SUPPLEMENTARY PAY PLANS: updated language will to may
- GCE – PROFESSIONAL STAFF RECRUITING/ POSTING OF VACANCIES: updated language
- GCF – PROFESSIONAL STAFF HIRING: updated language, protected class
- GCG – SUBSTITUTE PROFESSIONAL STAFF EMPLOYMENT: minor language update
- GCIA – PHILOSOPHY OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT: updated language, removed note
- GCJ – PROFESSIONAL TEACHER STATUS: minor language update, updated legal reference
- GCK – PROFESSIONAL STAFF ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS: updated language
- GDB – SUPPORT STAFF CONTRACTS AND COMPENSATION PLANS: updated language
- HA – NEGOTIATIONS GOALS: updated language
- HB – NEGOTIATIONS LEGAL STATUS: updated to reflect school committee responsibilities
- HF – SCHOOL COMMITTEE NEGOTIATING AGENTS: updated language
- JB – EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: updated legal references, protected class
- JBB – EDUCATIONAL EQUITY: updated language
- JFABE – EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MILITARY CHILDREN: updated language and legal reference
- JFABF – EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: updated defined DCF
- JFBB – SCHOOL CHOICE: removed bullet 3 priority placement, updated legal reference, protected class
- JFBB-1 – SCHOOL CHOICE: removed bullet 3 priority placement, updated legal reference, protected class
- JH – STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES: updated language, added note
- JHD – EXCLUSION AND EXEMPTIONS FROM SCHOOL ATTENDANCE: updated language, added cross reference
- JIC – STUDENT DISCIPLINE: added guidance references on special education student discipline and continuing education
- JICA – STUDENT DRESS CODE: added legal reference for The Crown Act
- JICE – STUDENT PUBLICATIONS – updated language
- JICFA – PROHIBITION OF HAZING: updated language
- JICFB – BULLYING PREVENTION: updated language
- JIH – SEARCHES AND INTERROGATIONS: updated language
- JII – STUDENT COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES: updated cross references
- JJ – CO-CURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: updated language
- JJE – STUDENT FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES: updated language
- JJF – STUDENT ACTIVITY ACCOUNTS: updated cross references
- JJIB – INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS: updated language
- JKAA – PHYSICAL RESTRAINT OF STUDENTS: language updated to incorporate Corporal Punishment
- JL – STUDENT WELFARE: updated language, added cross references
- JLC – STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES AND REQUIREMENTS: updated language
- JLCA – PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS OF STUDENTS: updated language
- JLCB – IMMUNIZATION OF STUDENTS: updated language
- JLCC – COMMUNICABLE DISEASES: updated language
- JQ – STUDENT FEES, FINES, AND CHARGES: updated format added bullets no language changes
- JRD – STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHS: updated format – added bullets no language changes
- KA – SCHOOL/COMMUNITY RELATIONS GOALS: format changes added bullets
- KBA – SCHOOL-PARENT/GUARDIAN RELATIONS GOALS: updated language
- KBE – RELATIONS WITH PARENT ORGANIZATIONS – removed first paragraph
- KCD – PUBLIC GIFTS TO THE SCHOOLS: updated language as part of fiscal review
- KDB – PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO KNOW: updated language
- KDD – NEWS MEDIA RELATIONS/NEWS RELEASES: updated language
- KE – PUBLIC COMPLAINTS: update of pronoun
- LBC – RELATIONS WITH NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS: updated to better spell out the required steps