JLDBG - REINTEGRATION OF STUDENTS FROM JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

JLDBG - REINTEGRATION OF STUDENTS FROM JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

1. Basis for this Policy. Maine law requires the establishment of a reintegration team [and notification team] to assist a student entering a public school from a juvenile correctional facility.  The Board recognizes the need for advance planning and appropriate confidentiality in these circumstances. 
    
2. Compliance with State Reintegration Standards. The school unit will comply with reintegration standards established by the Maine Department of Education.  The Superintendent will be responsible for overseeing the transition of students from juvenile correctional facilities based on the following guidelines.

1. Establishment of a Reintegration Team. Within ten days of receiving information from the Department of Corrections concerning the release of the juvenile offender, the Superintendent shall establish and convene a meeting of a Reintegration Team to (1) review information received from the Department of Corrections, (2) evaluate the student’s individual educational needs, and (3) determine what additional information may be relevant.

a. The Reintegration Team shall include at a minimum (1) the principal/designee of the school to which the student will be admitted, (2) at least one classroom teacher to whom the student will be assigned, (3) the student’s parent/guardian/custodian, and (4) a guidance counselor.  The student’s juvenile correctional officer or other representative from the Department of Corrections may, whenever possible, be invited to attend.

b. The Reintegration Team will determine, on the basis of need, which school employees should be given information that would otherwise be considered confidential.  The nature and extent of information provided should be limited to that needed to implement the student’s reintegration plan and ensure the health and safety of the student, the safety of the school’s students and staff, and the integrity of school property. 

  c.  Before the student enters school, at least one additional meeting of the reintegration team should be held to develop an individualized plan for the student’s reintegration based on the student’s educational needs and the options available within the school system. This meeting should include the student as well as the members of the Reintegration Team.  The reintegration plan will address (1) the student’s educational program (including academics and non-academic supports), (2) participation in activities (including co-curricular and extracurricular activities), and (3) access to school facilities (including transportation). 

 d. Placement in grade, class, and/or school programs will be based on the student’s abilities and academic achievement demonstrated in prior educational settings, including the student’s stay at the juvenile correctional facility.  The principal will be responsible for evaluating the student’s transcript and portfolio from the juvenile correctional facility to assess progress toward meeting the content standards of the Learning Results.  The principal may require the student to participate in additional tests or other demonstrations of skill or knowledge, consistent with the local assessment.  system, for the purpose of determining appropriate placement.

e. The Superintendent/designee will be responsible for developing and implementing a process (i) for monitoring and reporting a student’s progress and compliance with the reintegration plan and (ii) for modifying the plan as needed.

2. Discipline. A reintegrating student who violates Board policy or school rules will be subject to the disciplinary consequences described in policy, administrative procedures, and/or the student handbook/student code of conduct.

3. Reporting. The Superintendent/designee shall make any reports that may be required by the Department of Education concerning numbers of students entering the local school unit from juvenile correctional.  facilities.

4. Establishment of a Notification Team. 

Within 10 days (i) after receiving notice from a District Attorney of either an alleged juvenile offense or juvenile offense or (ii) after receiving notice from a law enforcement officer of credible information that indicates an imminent danger to the safety of students or school personnel, the Superintendent shall convene a notification team. The notification team must consist of (1) the administrator of the school building or the administrator’s designee, (2) at least one classroom teacher to whom the student is assigned, (3) a parent or guardian of the student, and (4) a guidance counselor. The notification team shall determine the basis of need on which school employees are entitled to receive information provided in a notice from either a District Attorney or law enforcement officer.

5. Confidentiality Training. The Superintendent/designee shall ensure that confidentiality training is provided to all school employees who have access to juvenile criminal justice information, including procedures pertinent to records from the juvenile criminal justice system, including the juvenile correctional facility, and to all student educational records under the Family Education Records and Privacy Act (FERPA), is provided to all school employees who have access to this information. 

The confidentiality of this criminal justice information regarding juveniles must be ensured at all times, and the information may be released only under the conditions of this policy. This information is not to become part of the student’s educational record.

Legal Reference: 20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 254(12), 1055(11), 1055(12), 2902(10), 4502(5)(O),

6001-B(1), 6001-B(2), 6001-B(3-A)

15 M.R.S.A. § 3009, 3308-B

Cross References: JRA - Student Education Records

Adopted: 11/02/09

Amended: 10/21/2024