Ashland City School Board adopts ParentsBill of Rights policy (57-80.01)

The Ashland City School Board on Aug. 25 adopted policy 57-80.01, the Parents' Bill of Rights, after a presentation by Superintendent Ben Paramore.

The policy, as Paramore described it, directs the district to publish on its website the medical and health services provided at each school and to list online curriculum and assessment providers so parents can review instructional materials. Paramore said parents can request alternative assignments if they object to specific instructional content — he cited Romeo and Juliet as an example of material that could prompt an alternate assignment.

"All of that is has already been collected at the high school level," Paramore said, noting the high school created a Google Sheet that lists content by course so parents can view materials and request alternatives. "If they have any issues with any of the content that would be presented in any of those courses ... the teacher will come up with an alternate assignment for them." (Paramore: 00:20:13)

The policy also requires staff to contact parents immediately if school staff observe a change in a student's emotional, mental or physical state that warrants notification; Paramore said this reflects existing practice and parental permission protocols for counseling and other supports.

Board member Mrs. Deppert moved to approve the policy; Mr. Summers seconded. The board approved the policy by roll-call vote. The official roll call taken after the motion recorded all members voting in favor. (Roll-call sequence: Mrs. Deppert, Mr. Summers, Mrs. Maury, Mr. Hart, Mr. Teavann.)

The district will publish the specified curriculum and provider information and continue the opt-out/alternate-assignment process at applicable grade levels, as described by central office staff.

The board did not indicate further amendments at the meeting; the policy was adopted at this session and is now part of the district's policy manual.