The School Committee believes that any educational program is influenced greatly by the environment in which it functions. The development of a quality educational program and school facilities that help to implement the program must go hand in hand.

Therefore, it is the Committee's goal to provide the facilities needed for the number of students in the school system, and to provide the kind of facilities that will best support and accommodate the educational program.

In planning facilities, the Committee recognizes that capital outlay funds are limited, and that priorities must be established to make the best use of the school building dollar. The Committee's first objective will be to develop a plan that eliminates overcrowding and minimizes the need for extended day programs and double sessions. Whenever possible, the cultural as well as educational needs of the community will be considered in planning facility expansions.

Architects retained by the Committee are expected to plan for simplicity of design; sound economics, including low long-range maintenance costs and efficiency in energy needs; low insurance rates; high educational use; and flexibility.

Legal references:

963 CMR 2.00

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

When a school building becomes inadequate by virtue of age, condition, size of site, lack of need, or other overriding limitations, and cannot reasonably and economically be brought up to the current educational standards, the building should be considered for a comprehensive closing study. The Superintendent will recommend to the School Committee, which facilities appear to justify further analysis. 

The School Committee may seek both professional advice and the advice of the community in making its recommendations as to the retirement of any school facility. This will permit the public, which originally acquired the property, to benefit from its recycling or retirement.

A closing study will include direct involvement by those neighborhoods considered in the study and will be concerned with all or some of the following factors: 

1. Age and current physical condition of the facilities, its operating systems, and program facilities
2. Adequacy of site, location, access, surrounding development, traffic patterns, and other environmental conditions 
3. Reassignment of children, including alternative plans according to Committee policy
4. Transportation factors, including numbers of children bused, time, distance, and safety
5. Alternative uses of the building
6. Cost/Savings
   1. Personnel
   2. Plant Operation
   3. Transportation
   4. Capital Investment
   5. Alternative Use
7. Continuity of instructional and community programs

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

Naming a school is an important matter that deserves thoughtful attention. Personal prejudice or favoritism, political pressure, or temporary popularity should not be an influence in choosing a school name. A name with educational significance or inspiration should be chosen. The Committee also feels that it is appropriate to name schools for physical locations; geographical areas; distinguished local, state, and national leaders whose names will lend dignity and stature to the school; or significant or pertinent events.

The Superintendent will prepare for the approval of the Committee a procedure to follow in recommending names for school buildings. Whenever possible, the wishes of the community, including parents and students, should be considered in naming new facilities.

It is expected that an orderly, announced procedure will lessen the community or factional pressures that so quickly build up when the selection is delayed or seems uncertain. A prompt decision will reduce disappointments and advance community solidarity. Much confusion in accounts, files, and records can be avoided if a new school can be identified by name before the planning starts.

Adopted: March 27, 2013

Revised:

The Monomoy Regional School District welcomes the opportunity to recognize and honor a life lost.

The District is obligated, however, to exercise caution in the method used to recognize the deceased member of our community and his or her family. As places designed primarily to support learning, school sites should not serve as the primary location for permanent memorials.

Research indicates two potential problems.

First, physical memorials have the potential to glamorize death in the minds of some students. Young people who suffer from depression or other psychological problems and are at risk for suicidal behavior could be motivated to take their own lives when they are exposed to a memorial immortalizing a death. 

Second, memorials at school will be a constant physical reminder of the victim and may continue to trigger trauma responses in students and staff long after the event took place.[1] Memorials can be an ongoing visual reminder of what happened, leading to students worrying if it will happen again or wondering if they could be next. From this perspective, memorials in the school or on school property pose a risk because it could be difficult for students to avoid the physical reminders of a death. Viewing memorials needs to be an opportunity of choice, as we all grieve differently, and for some, it is healthier to not be reminded. [2] 

Memorials/activities that families and friends may want to consider include:

• Perpetual scholarships established in the name of lost community member.
• Donation to a charity or program that is dedicated to helping students.
• Collection of money to be donated to the deceased’s family or charity of their choice.
• A sympathy card from the school (possibly signed by students and staff) and flowers at the funeral.

Any permanent memorials in existence before the adoption of this policy can only be removed by a vote of the School Committee.

Sources:

MASC August 2016

https://www.washk12.org/policywiki/index.php?page=october-november-2013-policy-2410-studentmemorial-policy

[1] http://www.rems.ed.gov/docs/ERCMNewsletter_Memorials.pdf

[2] Author, Steel W, “School Memorials: Should We? How Should We?” Trauma and Loss: Research and Intervention, The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children, Retrieved from https://www.starr.org/research/school-memorials-0

Adopted  April 13, 2017

Revised: