Parent-Teacher Conciliation Procedure

On occasion, problems may arise between parents and teachers. In the event of a significant concern we request that the following steps be followed:

1. Contact the teacher about the concern. If after speaking with the teacher the parent does not believe the issue has been resolved, the parent is asked to write his/her concern out.

2. After the parent writes his/her statement of concern, it is given to the principal. At this point a conference involving the teacher, principal and parent is arranged to discuss the concern. If resolution is made, the teacher writes out the statement of resolution and the teacher, principal and parent sign the statement with one copy to be given to the parent and another copy to be kept at school. If there is no resolution, the written statement of concern is given to the principal.

3. If there is no resolution to the concern at step two, the principal will present the concern to the Potomac Conference Office of Education (PCOE) and the board chairman and together determine if the issue should be taken further. If it is determined that additional steps are needed and the concern is one that does not involve personnel issues (if personnel issues are involved, see Step #5), a meeting with the board chairman, parent and principal will be arranged. This meeting may also include representation from the PCOE and/or the teacher, if the situation warrants. If resolution is made, no further steps will be taken.

4. If there is no resolution at Step #3 the concern will be presented to the full school board with a PCOE representative present.

5. If after the meeting with the teacher, principal and the parent there is reason to believe that the issue is one of personnel, (see Step #3) the principal will consult with the PCOE and the board chairman. They will determine if it is a personnel issue. If it is a personnel issue a meeting of the personnel committee will be arranged with a PCOE representative present. The teacher or principal involved will be notified prior to the personnel committee meeting.

6. If the personnel committee is not successful in reaching a resolution, the concern is taken to the school board. The school board, with a PCOE representative present, then makes a recommendation to the Potomac Conference Vice President for Education. The Vice President for Education presents the concern and the board recommendation to the Potomac Conference K-12 Board of Education for their decision.