Amherst Administration

Comments or questions pertaining to these mandates may be directed to Mr. Steve Sayers, Superintendent, the Amherst Board of Education, 185 Forest Street, Amherst, Ohio 44001.

The Amherst Schools do not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Information concerning the provisions of the American Disabilities Act, and the rights provided thereunder, are available from the ADA coordinator.
ADA/Section 504 Compliance Officer
Mr. Todd Stuart, Executive Director of Education Services, 185 Forest Street, Amherst, Ohio 44001-1605, (440) 988-4406.

The Amherst Schools participate in the federally funded Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Children are eligible to receive free or reduced lunches if: (1) total family income is within federal guidelines; (2) receiving free food stamps; or (3) the child receives Aid to Dependent Children. Information regarding eligibility for free and reduced priced meals is sent to students' homes by late August or early September. Applications must be completed and returned to the child's school for approval. A new application can be filed at any time in the event of unemployment or if family income increases or decreases.

Each year the district will provide public notice to students and their parents of its intent to make available, upon request, certain information known as "directory information." The Board designates as student "directory information" a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, height and weight (if a member of an athletic team), dates of attendance, date of graduation, and awards received.
Parents and adult students may refuse to allow the district to disclose any or all of such "directory information" upon written notification to the District within ten days after receipt of the District's public notice.

Student records are available to the parent, adult student, and certain other persons in accordance with the procedures of this district. In situations in which a student has both a custodial and non-custodial parent, both shall have access to the student's health and educational records unless agreed to otherwise in writing by both parents or specifically stated by court order as received by the district. For more information, please refer to Board Policy 8330.

The Board of Education requires that the school be notified in advance of compelling circumstances requiring a student to be late to school or dismissed before the end of the school day. Notification must be by the student's parent or guardian, and the reason must be given.
If one parent has been awarded legal custody of the student in a divorce or other settlement, the parent with legal custody as defined in statute (R.C. 3313.64) shall inform the school of any limitations in the rights of the non-custodial parent. Absent such notice, the school will presume that the student may be released into the care of either parent.

In accordance with Public Law 93-380 all school districts must conduct an annual search for children who have limited physical, emotional, visual, speech, or learning disabilities that would make it difficult for them to learn in the regular classroom. Anyone knowing of such a child not currently attending school should contact Mr. Todd Stuart, Executive Director of Education Services, at 988-4406. By law, all inquiries are treated confidentially.

The Board of Education declares it to be the policy of this district to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their maximum potential through the classroom and extracurricular programs offered in the district regardless of race, color, creed, disability, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, place of residence, or social or economic background.

The Board of Education guarantees fair treatment of applicants, professional staff, and classified employees regardless of race, color, sex, creed or ancestry, national origin, age or physical disability, marital status, or religion.

The Board of Education shall not permit the manufacture, possession, use, distribution, being under the influence of, or dispensing of any controlled substance and alcohol by any member of the district's professional or classified staff during work hours while on district property or at district approved activities.

The Board of Education prohibits the use, possession, concealment or distribution by students of any drug during school hours, on school property, in school vehicles, or at any school-sponsored event.
Public Views on Funds for the Handicapped
Public comment is solicited on the proposed budget for the expenditure of Title VI-B funds granted to the Amherst Schools under the provisions of Public Law 94-142. These monies, commonly known as Flow-Thru Funds, are to be used for the education of identified handicapped students. Each school district in Ohio is entitled to funds for every identified handicapped child served by the district. The money is used to provide services and buy equipment and materials.

The Amherst E.V. School District Board of Education is in compliance with the requirements of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) which are contained in the US. Environmental Protection Agency Regulations 40CFR763 effective October 30, 1987.
These regulations require the reinspection of all school facilities for the presence of any material that may contain asbestos and, if found, to sample for identification.
Following the inspection, The Amherst Board of Education is required to develop an effective Òmanagement planÓ to control the asbestos containing material in schools. The regulations require submission of the Management Plan to the State Department of Health for their approval prior to implementation. The Management Plan for the Amherst Schools was submitted within the prescribed deadline of May 9, 1989.
The Management Plan is available for inspection in all occupied school buildings and the Administrative Service Center, 185 Forest Street, Amherst, OH 44001-1605. Questions relative to school district compliance with AHERA regulations may be directed to the office of Hal Kendrick, Director of Operations, on weekdays between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.

PPRA affords parents certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes and certain physical exams. For more information, please refer to Board Policy 2416.

The Board of Education shall schedule two opportunities a year for screening and administering assessment instruments for identifying gifted students. Parents shall be notified of the results within thirty days. Students new to the Amherst School District will be assessed within ninety days of the transfer at the request of a parent.