ACCOUNTABILITY–REPORTING TO THE PUBLIC

The Board is conscious of its responsibility for making informed decisions that will impact student learning and school system operations. As an elected body, the Board recognizes that it is accountable to the citizens of the school unit for its decisions and the educational achievement of its students. Basic to accountability is the reporting of data concerning student achievement and, in general, the operations of the schools.

The Board directs the Superintendent to prepare appropriate reports that will provide the Board with the information it needs to make appropriate policy and planning decisions and to keep the public informed regarding the academic progress of its students, the effectiveness of school programs, and the needs of the school system. As practicable, the Superintendent may combine such reports into a single document and/or presentation or use multiple reporting processes, depending upon the nature of the information. Such reports shall be made available to the public.

The Superintendent shall also be responsible for gathering and submitting data to the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and other agencies as required by law and/or regulations and for preparing and disseminating reports to the Board and the public in compliance with applicable laws and/or regulations. Data collated by the State shall be incorporated into reports to the Board and/or public as mandated by law and/or regulations.

A. District Annual Report

Each year the Superintendent shall prepare and present to the Board an annual report addressing the activities of the school unit and his/her recommendation(s) for improving student learning and school system operations. The report shall be made available to the public as a means of informing parents and citizens of the school system’s goals, plans, programs, and operations.

B. Comprehensive Plan Report

Each school unit must develop and implement a Comprehensive Education Plan that is aligned with Maine’s system of Learning Results, focused on the learning of all students, and oriented to continuous improvement and includes the elements listed in Chapter 125, Section 4.02, of the Department of Education Rules. The Superintendent shall make an annual report to the Board and public on the school system’s Comprehensive Education Plan and school improvement progress. The Board shall annually review and approve the Comprehensive Education Plan.

C. Local Assessment System

The Superintendent/designee, with the assistance of appropriate staff, will prepare for the Board’s review and for dissemination to the public on an annual basis the results of the Local Assessment System. The purpose is to enable the Board and public to monitor student progress in achieving the content standards of the system of Learning Results and to make informed decisions concerning the instructional program and allocation of resources.

D. District Report Cards

In compliance with federal law and regulations and to provide relevant information concerning the academic performance of the school system and of its individual schools, the Superintendent shall be responsible for annually collecting and submitting required data and for preparing and making available to schools, the parents of children in those schools, and the public a “district report card” containing the information required by law.

E. Financial Reports

The Superintendent/designee shall provide to the Board and public monthly reports concerning the financial condition of the school system.

F. Other Reports

The Board may request and the Superintendent/designee shall provide to the Board and/or public other reports related to school system goals and objectives, the instructional program, and operations of the schools.

Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 6311 (No Child Left Behind Act)

20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 4502(1), (6)

Ch. 125, 127 (Me. Dept. of Ed. Rules)

Cross Reference:

ADF – School District Commitment to Learning Results

ILA – Student Assessment/Local Assessment System

KD - Public Information and Communications

Adopted: 8-17-94

Revised: 6-10-19