School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 2-15

ADMINISTRATION

Communication with Staff

1. Generally

   In compliance with The Standards of Quality for Public Schools in Virginia, and in response to the literature on effective organizations, the School Board and the Superintendent endorse a two-way system of open communication among employees, the School Board, and the administration. This system is based on the belief that all of us, working together as a team, need to focus on the continuous improvement of the school system.

2. Purposes

   The purposes of the two-way system of communication are as follows:

1. To provide employees an opportunity to identify concerns, to offer solutions to issues, and to receive responses;
2. To give division leadership the benefit of employees’ expertise and insight on educational issues;
3. To focus on continuous improvement of the division;
4. To advance student learning;
5. To improve working conditions; and
6. To generate conditions for cooperation in resolving issues.

3. Methods

   A variety of communication strategies will be implemented by the Superintendent to facilitate orderly and constructive communication among employees. Information gleaned from these strategies will be reported to the School Board on a regular basis and, as applicable, to employees. Further, the Superintendent will design a means for assessing and refining communication within the school division.

4. Publications/Directives

   The Superintendent may issue such administrative bulletins, memoranda, directives, manuals or booklets as may be deemed necessary for the effective administration of the school division. All regulations or instructions shall be consistent with policies adopted by the School Board and shall be binding on all employees.

5. Reserved Rights

   Nothing in this policy shall be construed as a violation of an employee's right to address the School Board in session or to communicate with the administration on issues of concern.

Legal Reference:

Code of Va., § 22.1-253.13:7. Standard 7. School Board Policies. Each school board shall maintain and follow up-to-date policies. All school board policies shall be reviewed at least every five years and revised as needed.

Adopted by School Board: March 18, 1975
Amended by School Board: August 21, 1990
Amended by School Board: July 16, 1991
Amended by School Board: October 20, 1992
Amended by School Board: October 21, 1997
Amended by School Board: May 9, 2006