INB - CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES POLICY
A controversial issue is defined as an issue of community concern which may have opposing
viewpoints.
The consideration of controversial issues has a legitimate place in the public school curriculum
and thus the following principles are to be recognized:
Principles:
a. Discussion of a controversial issue is to be conducted in an atmosphere of respect.
Teachers must be aware of their responsibility to allow multiple viewpoints to be presented.
b. Ideas should emerge from discussion and not from authoritative instruction. The purpose is
to have students see as fully as possible all sides of the question and begin to develop their
own techniques for the consideration of controversial issues.
Page 34
Untitled
c. A controversial issue is to be handled responsibly in an appropriate setting. Discussion of a
controversial issue shall take into consideration the maturity level and needs of the students,
and the applicability to the area of study.
d. A controversial issue, may arise unexpectedly. In such case the teacher shall handle it in
accordance with a,b, and c above.
e. The building principal shall be available to staff for consultation, advice and assistance in
implementing controversial lessons.
f. Parents have options to restrict their child's participation in part or in whole in any planned
discussion or course of a controversial nature. However, the wishes of one child's parents to
restrict his/her child's participation in a class discussion will not infringe on other student's
rights to participate in such discussion. It will be the responsibility of the parent to provide
written consent for the student to absent himself/herself and be provided with an alternate
placement and/or assignment.
g. In light of the teacher's considerable influence, restraint and careful judgment must be
exercised in stating personal opinions to which students might ascribe more weight than is
intended, that might distort or destroy the objectivity of viewpoint, or that might be interpreted
as prejudiced, slanderous or self-serving.
M.S.A.D. No. 22 Adopted 4/20/77, amended 7/1/88
Cross Reference IMBB - Exemption from Required Instruction
Adopted: 4/20/77, Amended 7/1/88 and 4/02/03
INDB - FLAG DISPLAYS
The national flag and the State of Maine flag shall be flown on school grounds on all school
days, weather permitting, and on holidays when appropriate.
The superintendent shall direct the principals to properly display the flags at their school
buildings, and shall be responsible for seeing that each school is provided with suitable flags
and flag staffs as required by law. The Board shall annually appropriate a sufficient amount of
money to defray the cost of flag displays.
SOURCE: Maine School Administrative District No. 22, Hampden, Maine
DATE: 3/3/76
LEGAL REF.: M.R.S.A. 20:802; Title I: 252-A
INI - SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT POLICY
It is the intent of the Board of Directors to adhere to the provisions of copyright laws in the
area of microcomputer programs. Though there continues to be controversy regarding
Page 35
Untitled
interpretation of the copyright laws, the following procedures represent a sincere effort to
operate legally. We recognize that software piracy is a major problem for the industry and that
violations of computer copyright laws contribute to higher costs and greater efforts to prevent
copies and/or lessen incentives for the development of good educational software. All of these
results are detrimental to the development of effective educational uses of microcomputers.
Therefore, in an effort to discourage violations of copyright laws and to prevent such illegal
activities:
1. M.S.A.D. #22 and its employees will adhere to the provisions of Public Law 96-517, Section
7(b) which amends Section 117 of Title 17 of the United States Code to allow for the making
of a back-up copy of computer programs. This states that it is not an infringement for the
owner of a computer program to make or authorize the making of a copy of that computer
program provided:
a. that such a new copy or adaptation is allowed by the manufacturer of the program;
b. that such a new copy is for archival purposes only and that all
copies are destroyed in the event that continued possession of the
computer program should cease to be rightful.
2. When software is to be used on a disk sharing system or network, efforts will be made to
obtain appropriate license or agreement to secure this software from copying.
3. Illegal copies of copyrighted programs may not be made, used, or sold.
4. The Superintendent of Schools is the only individual who may sign license agreements for
software for the District.