Policy 1250 - Visitors/Outsiders
Series: 1000 - Community Relations
Policy: 1250 - Visitors/Outsiders
Adopted: 02/03/1998
Last Revised: 09/03/2024
Last Reviewed: 09/03/2024
Visitors/Outsiders
The Board of Education believes that it is important for parents/guardians and community members to take an active interest in the issues affecting district schools and students. Therefore, the Board encourages interested parents/guardians and community members to visit the schools and participate in the educational program.
To ensure the safety of students and staff and minimize interruption of the instructional program, the Superintendent or designee shall establish procedures which facilitate visits during regular school days. Visits during school hours should be first arranged with the teacher and principal or designee. When a visit involves a conference with a teacher or the principal, an appointment should be scheduled during non-instructional time.
All outsiders as defined in law and administrative regulations shall register immediately at the school office upon entering any school building or grounds when school is in session.
For purpose of school safety and security, the principal or designee may design a visible means of identification for visitors while on school premises.
No electronic listening or recording device may be used by any person in a classroom without the teacher’s and principal’s permission.
The Board encourages all individuals to assist in maintaining a safe and secure school environment by behaving in an orderly manner while on school grounds and by utilizing the district’s complaint processes if they have concerns with any district program or employee. In accordance with Penal Code 626.7, the principal or designee may request that any individual who is causing a disruption, including exhibiting volatile, hostile, aggressive, or offensive behavior, immediately leave school grounds.
Presence of Sex Offender on Campus
Any person who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Penal Code 290, including a parent/guardian of a district student, shall request written permission from the principal before entering the school campus or grounds. As necessary, the principal shall consult with local law enforcement authorities before allowing the presence of any such person at school or other school activity. The principal also shall report to the Superintendent or designee anytime they give such written permission.
The principal shall indicate on the written permission the date(s) and times for which permission has been granted.
Legal References
Policy Reference Disclaimer:
These references are not intended to be part of the policy itself, nor do they indicate the basis or authority for the Board to enact this policy. Instead, they are provided as additional resources for those interested in the subject matter of the policy.
STATE
EDUCATION CODE
32210 Willful disturbance of public school or meeting
32211 Threatened disruption or interference with classes
32212 Classroom interruptions
35160 Authority of governing boards
35292 Visits to schools (Board members)
49091.10 Parental right to inspect instructional materials and observe school activities
51101 Parents Rights Act of 2002
51512 Prohibited use of electronic listening or recording device
EVIDENCE CODE
1070 Refusal to disclose news source
LABOR CODE
230.8 Discharge or discrimination for taking time off to participate in child's educational activities
PENAL CODE
290 Sex offenders
626-626.11 Weapons on school grounds and other school crimes
626.81 Misdemeanor for registered sex offender to come onto school grounds
627-627.10 Access to school premises
627.1 Definitions
627.2 Necessity of registration by outsider
627.7 Misdemeanors; punishment
MANAGEMENT RESOURCES
ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION
95 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 509 (1996)
COURT DECISION
Reeves v. Rocklin Unified School District (2003) 109 Cal.App.4th 652
WEBSITES
CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services https://legalservices.csba.org/#
Rule 1250
Pursuant to this policy, constituent visits to the schools are subject to the following procedures:
- All visitors will first contact the office to state their business on campus and to request permission to visit a program. Since the principal may need to consult with the teacher to insure that normal classroom activities will be underway at the time of visitation, such contact is preferable in advance.
- All visitors should register at the school’s office before they proceed to the particular classroom or program.
- Visitors wishing to eat on the school premises may need to make arrangements in advance.
If the principal has reason to believe that a school visit by a constituent is inimical or threatening to the instructional purpose of the school or intimidating to pupils and/or employees, procedural restraints will be imposed. Such restraints will be based upon the circumstances of the particular cases.
Restraints on visitation based upon any of the following reasons would be considered valid:
- The person is known to be violent.
- The person is known to be intrusive.
- The visit would negatively affect the teacher/pupil relationship.
- The classroom has been visited too heavily in the past, and the request must be delayed.