[RP TownTalk] Fwd: PGCPS Copyright policy - from the School Board

[Sarah Wayland]

I heard back from Peggy Higgins, our school board member. She gave me
permission to share her letter, below.

Summary: The established Board process for new proposed policies is
that of a "first reader".  The first reader is where a proposed policy
is presented to the public to elicit comment before possible Board
action at a future meeting when the proposed policy comes back as a
"second reader". The first reader process to encourage input was
followed, the unintended consequences of the proposed policy were made
clear.  In response, the proposed policy was pulled to be reworked.

Yay, democracy!

-Sarah


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peggy Higgins <peggy.higgins at pgcps.org>
Date: Mon, Feb 4, 2013 at 12:08 AM
Subject: Re: PGCPS Copyright policy
To: Sarah Wayland <sarah.wayland at gmail.com>


Hi Sarah -

Thanks Sarah for contacting me regarding today's Post article.  Once
again the Post reporter got it wrong,

Although you may already be aware, I'd like to take a minute to
explain the process.  The established Board process for new proposed
policies is that of a "first reader".  The first reader is where a
proposed policy is presented to the public to elicit comment before
possible Board action at a future meeting when the proposed policy
comes back as a "second reader".

It is through this process that the problems regarding this policy's
proposed language became clear and the proposed policy was pulled in
order to be reworked.  The Board has absolutely no intent to establish
a policy that could negatively impact the creativity of our students.
Conversely, we really are dedicated to our students and consistently
applauds and celebrates the creative talents of our students.

The intent of the policy is to put in place a process by which to
address technology  products that are produced under the direction of
the school district, while valuing and affirming both student and
teacher work and creativity.  Because of Prince George's County Public
Schools' reform work, we are on the forefront of this issue. As we
continue to shift to the common core curriculum, technology use will
become a necessary component in testing and teaching. Very soon, every
district in the State and others will also need to address this issue.

Be assured that because the first reader process to encourage input
was followed, the unintended consequences of the proposed policy was
made clear.  In response, the proposed policy was pulled to be
reworked.

That said, I would ask you within the context of understanding the
process, to go back and re-read the Post article.

The reporter had an extensive conversation with our Chair Jeana Jacobs
regarding this matter.  Discussed at length was the process that was
followed and the fact that the policy has been pulled in response to
the unintended consequence of the policy and miscommunication of
intent.  Yet the great majority of the article spoke of "what if" the
policy was implemented as written.  The reporter already knew that the
policy had been pulled and there would be no "what if".  In the
article, the reporter only briefly mentioned Ms. Jacobs and that the
policy had already been pulled to be reworked.

Sarah, I appreciate your contacting me and sharing your concern.
Although it may be awhile before the revised policy comes again before
the Board, I will keep your interest on this issue in mind and will
forward to you the revised proposed policy when this issue comes back
before the Board for public comment.

Be well.
Peggy

On Sun, Feb 3, 2013 at 1:28 PM, Sarah Wayland <sarah.wayland at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Peggy,
>
> I was saddened to read in the Washington Post about the copyright
> policy the School Board is considering.
>
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/prince-georges-considers-copyright-policy-that-takes-ownership-of-students-work/2013/02/02/dc592dea-6b08-11e2-ada3-d86a4806d5ee_story.html?hpid=z1
>
> I was unable find an actual copy of the policy on the PGCPS website,
> but did find the following excerpt from a blog post at:
> http://theartguy.tumblr.com/post/42193801173/prince-georges-considers-copyright-policy-that-takes
>
> “Works created by employees and/or students specifically for use by
> the Prince George’s County Public Schools or a specific school or
> department within PGCPS, are properties of the Board of Education even
> if created on the employee’s or student’s time and with the use of
> their materials... Further, works created during school/work hours,
> with the use of school system materials, and within the scope of an
> employee’s position or student’s classroom work assignment(s) are the
> properties of the Board of Education.”
>
> (If this is not the policy that the school board is considering, I
> apologize. It would be helpful if the full text of the policy were
> easily available to the interested public.)
>
> This is much more restrictive than the policy that my employer, the
> University of Maryland, imposes on its employees.  UMD rightfully
> recognizes that to impose such restrictions would have a serious
> impact on staff retention and creativity. Their policy is to ask that
> employees share the copyright with the University. I think this is
> fair, as employees get credit for doing innovative work, while still
> allowing the University to benefit from the environment they provide
> that allowed the creative work in the first place. Work that I do away
> from my regular employment that is not related to the work I do at the
> University is my own, to do with as I please.
>
> Could PGCPS consider something like that for its employees? I'm
> worried that the current policy will drive innovative educators away
> from our system.
>
> I'm, frankly, appalled by the inclusion of student work in this
> policy. Students are required by law to attend school. Unlike
> teachers, who can take jobs with a different employer if they don't
> agree with school system policy, students in the public schools have
> no such choice. Again, a policy like this will (a) drive the creative
> and innovative students away from our school system (to be in private
> schools which would never have such a policy), or (b) stifle their
> creativity in the classroom.
>
> I sincerely hope the School Board will not implement this policy.
>
> -Sarah Wayland
>  4711 Sheridan St
>  Riverdale Park, MD 20737
>  (h) 301-927-7407
>  (w) 301-226-8938




--
Peggy Higgins, LCSW-C
Board of Education, District 2
Prince George's County, MD


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Sarah Wayland  | sarah.wayland at gmail.com |  www.GuidingExceptionalParents.com
Supporting students with learning differences and their families