6161.31

Instruction
Title I Program

In order to improve the educational opportunities of educationally disadvantaged or deprived children, the Board of Education directs the Superintendent or his/her designee to pursue funding under Title I of the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act for compensatory instructional services and activities.

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall also ensure that the District appropriately uses any funds received. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall consult with the administration of private schools within the district to determine what Title I services are appropriate and the manner in which they are to be provided for private school students in accordance with all applicable regulations and guidelines.

Title I services, if provided on the premises of religious private schools must occur under the following safeguards:

1. Only public employees could serve as Title I instructors and counselors;
2. Assignment of public school personnel to the private school shall be made without regard to the. employee's religious affiliation;
3. Religious symbols must be absent in classrooms used for Title I services;
4. Publicly funded personnel shall be instructed to limit their consultations with the regular private school classroom teacher to discussions of students' education; and a publicly employed "field supervisor" shall make one unannounced visit to each teacher's classroom each month.

Title I personnel, employed by the Board of Education are public employees, accountable to district supervisors. Such personnel, assigned to teach at a private religious shall teach only students determined eligible by appropriate district personnel. Further, such Title I staff shall not engage in team teaching with private school employees nor shall the public school teachers introduce any religious matter into their teaching or become involved in the religious activities of the private school. Title I material and equipment can only be used in the Title I program.

Legal Reference: Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C. § 6301 -6514, as implemented by 34 C.F.R. parts 200, 201, 203, 205 and 212.

 Agostini v. Felton, (96-552)