The Ardmore Board of Education welcomes comments and suggestions for improvement from the patrons whom it serves.   Constructive criticism of the schools is welcome whenever it is motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of the educational program or to allow the schools to do their tasks more effectively.  However, the board has confidence in its professional staff and desires to support their actions in order that they be free from unnecessary, spiteful, or negative criticism and complaint.

Therefore, whenever a complaint is made directly to the board as a whole or to a board member as an individual, it will promptly be referred to the school administration for study and possible solution.  Complaints for which specific resolution procedures are provided shall be directed through those channels.  This includes complaints about personnel, complaints about instructional materials, etc.

Complaints should be resolved at the lowest possible level of authority.  If the complaint cannot be resolved at the building level, either party is encouraged to bring the matter to the attention of the superintendent of schools.

The Ardmore School District recognizes that parents and other school patrons have a fundamental right to discuss concerns that they might have with the district.  However, it is also recognized that there must be an orderly procedure for addressing these concerns as follows:

1. If a parent’s concern is directed toward a teacher, the parent should make an appointment with the teacher.

2. After the initial meeting, if the concern is not settled, the parent should discuss the problem with the principal.

3. If the issue is not resolved, an appointment should be made with the assistant superintendent for personnel, followed by the superintendent.

4. After exhausting all of these available channels, the parents may appeal to the Board of Education following Policy BB-D.1.  The Board’s action shall be a final determination of the grievance.

Please be reminded that the superintendent will require you to visit with your principal about a concern in their building prior to contacting the superintendent.  Your principal should always be given the opportunity to hear your concern and assist you.  If you are not satisfied at that level, your next call should be to the assistant superintendent.

It is the intent of the Board of Education to promote mutual respect, civility and orderly conduct among District employees, parents and the public.  It is not the intent of the Board to deprive any person of his/her right to freedom of expression.  The intent of this Policy is to maintain, to the greatest extent reasonably possible, a safe, harassment-free workplace for teachers, students, administrators, staff, parents and other members of the community.  In the interest of presenting teachers and other employees as positive role models, the Board encourages positive communication and discourages volatile, hostile or aggressive communications or actions.

The superintendent, principal or their designee of any school shall have the authority to order any person1 out of the school building and off the school property when it appears that the presence of such person is a threat to the peaceful conduct of school business, school activities, and/or school classes.  This authority shall extend to the removal of any individual attending an official school activity or field trip where students are present, including an activity or field trip not on school property, when the superintendent or principal determines that a threat to the peaceful conduct of student exists.  Any person who refuses to leave the school building or grounds after being ordered to do so by the superintendent, principal or their designee, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Any person who is requested to leave the premises shall be unable to return to the premises without the written permission of the administration for a period of six months.  A grievance or an appeal may be filed by the individual as per district policy GA-B.1 [School Visitors Grievance/Appeals Process].