Rhinebeck Central School District
Board of Education
Policy Committee Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: January 7, 2010
BOE Members Present:
RCSD Personnel Present:
Elissa Cascio, Karen Hatter, Dean Vallas
Ed Davenport, Joseph Phelan
Items Discussed:
1. Policy #4810, Teaching About Controversial Issues
 Joe informed Committee Members that RHS and BMS Principals have looked
extensively into the current matter raised regarding this policy and its
implementation. Their reports will be provided in our 1/12/10 Board packets.
 Discussion today included aspects of the policy including:
o use of the word “controversial” in the name of the policy (all who were
present agreed that “controversial” is a subjective term and perhaps, it is
more appropriate for a policy to address non-biased education, and the
fostering of critical thinking on the part of our students when issues come
up in discussion of topics that generate differing and /or opposing views
o purpose for the policy
o the fact that we are not required to have said policy
o consider refining policy, should the Board feel it appropriate, to capture
the essence of elements such as supporting our teachers in creating and
encouraging engaging open dialog about topics that challenge students to
learn and grow through respectful exchange of ideas, and not to shy away
from discussions that bring forth differing opinions because we believe
our District’s classrooms should be places that can support and foster such
exchange of ideas
 Extensive discussion occurred regarding the difficulty of implementing specific
elements of the policy as it currently reads (i.e., prior review/administrator
approval of classroom materials) when an issue is determined to be
“controversial” AFTER the fact, rather than the subject matter having been
determined to have been “controversial” prior to its discussion in the classroom.
 Committee members believe the Board is supportive of creating and encouraging
opportunities for students to explore, learn, and understand various viewpoints as
they come up in the classrooms in all of our schools, and that our policies and
classroom practices should reflect the Board’s intent. We’d appreciate feedback
from the Board as to what it believes this policy should be accomplishing. Only
then can we ask our various stakeholder groups whether, or not, it is meeting the
agreed upon need.
 Dr. Davenport, present at our meeting for discussion of our second item of
business, shared his perspective as RHS Principal. In summary: teachers are not to
be teaching about their personal viewpoints; students must be taught information
per the NY State Learning Standards in order for them to be successful when
1

demonstrating their knowledge on various Regents exams; Students must
understand the knowledge that is taught in accordance with Board adopted
Curriculum that are in support of the NY State Learning Standards, however, they
do not necessarily have to believe in a theory that is taught. Discussion of
different theories should be encouraged, no matter the curriculum area being
taught in any of our classrooms.
Next steps:
o After review of report from Mr. Phelan to the full Board, ask the Board to
provide any specific feedback relative to the existence of policy #4810, as
well as its structure and aspects of the subject it covers
o In light of today’s Committee discussion, members agreed to come to our
next meeting (February) prepared to suggest appropriate changes to this
policy that might make it better serve the needs for which it was
developed, in the best interest of student learning, respect for differing
points of views, and critical thinking, while maintaining our focus on
student achievement of the knowledge base required by the NY State
Learning Standards
2. Board of Education Goal – School Climate
 Dr. Davenport reviewed highlights of the results of the School Climate Survey
(through the Center for Social / Emotional Learning) completed at RHS two years
ago, and the resulting plans taking shape designed to lay a foundation for
improvement in school climate at the HS.
 RHS recommends we administer the survey again in order to obtain regular
feedback on progress and/or changes in how students, faculty, and parents
perceive our school climate and culture to be. Committee members encouraged
this approach. This is a long term aspect of our overall student experience that
requires constant monitoring in order to provide support, classroom experiences
that provide opportunities for students to feel connected with their peers and
teachers, outreach to parents, extra curricular programs that improve connections
to school.
 Three focal areas have been established in the area of Social / Emotional Learning
for RHS as a result of the Administration and the staff utilizing the data obtained.
1. Verbal bullying / harassment / teasing
2. Teaching (infused into lesson plans) about social – emotional – ethics
behavior
3. Respect for diversity
Next Meeting:
February 4, 2010
Respectfully Submitted:
Elissa Cascio
2