ARTICLE 7 TEACHER FILES

Tiverton School District

A. All teacher files shall be maintained under the following conditions:

1.  Except for references, no material derogatory to a teacher's conduct, service, character or personality shall be placed in the files unless the teacher has had an opportunity to read the material. The teacher shall acknowledge that she/he has read such material by affixing her/his signature on the actual copy to be filed with the understanding that such signature merely signifies that she/he has read the material to be filed. Signature does not necessarily indicate agreement with its content.

2.  The teacher shall have the right to answer any material she/he has signed and her/his answer shall be reviewed by the Superintendent or her/his designee and attached to the file copy. A copy shall also be sent to the evaluator.

3.   Upon reasonable notice a teacher shall be given access to her/his file in the central office, in the presence of the Superintendent, or, in her/his absence, her/his designee.

4.   Upon receipt of a request in writing, the administration will furnish the teacher with a reproduction of any material in her/his file, at cost.

All official documents relating to teacher competency and performance will be kept on file in the central office.

B. Teacher files shall be kept confidential and only the administration, or teacher and/or authorized representative shall have access to that teacher's file. A form will be provided by the superintendent for each teacher to sign at the beginning of each school year.

C. Teachers will be notified regarding any complaints made against a teacher.