Trustees table changes to visitor policy

At the suggestion of a member of the audience, the Oconee School Board tabled amendments to the district wide policy covering visits to the public schools.  Going into last night’s meeting, here’s what would be inserted into the existing policy “Persons wishing to visit a school during the school day, should request the principal’s authorization in advance, except in cases of emergency.  All visitors are required at all times to report to the school office, present a photo ID and sign in for the visit.  Each visitor shall wear a visitor’s pass while in the building.  Upon leaving the building, a visitor is required to sign out and leave the visitor’s pass with the office staff.  Principals may also limit the frequency of visitors if that frequency becomes a disruption to the learning environment.  Visitors may not record students (audio/video) and/or teachers during their visit without explicit permission from the principal.”  However, Seneca resident Kevin Larkin told trustees last night the new policy would be flawed, for it leaves out the requirement of the visitor to state the purpose of the visit.  And Larkin raised questions such as once visitors receive hall passes are they then free to approach and mingle with students.  District administrators say the changes would be an improvement over existing rules covering visitors and a school principal has great leeway in denying a visit by someone about whom the principal doesn’t feel good.  Trustees Jerry Lee and Rosemary Bailes said they felt Larkin made good points, and the two trustees were instrumental in eliciting a unanimous vote to table amendments to the policy until the board’s next voting meeting.