Recognizing that the loss of a member of the school community is deeply felt, it shall be the policy of the Phoenix Central School District Board of Education to support staff, students and families who feel the loss and to assist them in making connections to appropriate community resources.  However, as places designed primarily to promote learning, the school district facilities and grounds should not serve as the main venue to memorialize students or staff members who have died.

Memorials are recognized as a special type of gift given in memory of a deceased individual.

Permanent memorials on school property shall be limited to awards, scholarships, plantings, collections of books or other items of historical or educational significance. Donors of physical memorials such as plantings, collections of books/other items will be advised in advance that such memorials become the property of the District, that the District cannot guarantee that such memorials will not be damaged or worn and that the District will not be responsible for the repair or replacement of such items.  Further, the donors of such physical memorials will be advised that such items may need to be relocated or removed in the future.

As an option to permanent memorials on school property to memorialize an individual or incident, the following options may be considered:

1.       Memorial scholarships, in accordance with award guidelines established by the School District.

2.      Monetary funds designed to a particular school activity or department, as approved by the School District.

3.      A monetary contribution to the School District’s educational foundation.

Temporary memorials permitted on school property include plaques or other displays that are removed within one (1) calendar year.  Such plaques shall contain only the following words without symbols: “In Memory of (name). No display shall have dimensions larger than 10” by 14”.

All memorials, whether physical or financial, must be approved in advance by the Superintendent and Board of Education before they are accepted and/or placed within a building or on school grounds.

Adopted: 1/28/13