The policy committee of a school board is a very important committee. The New London Board of Education has hundreds of policies in place. Some are followed, some are not. I have made attempts to put policies on the agendas as the policy committee chairperson. I have put policies that need to be adjusted as our world is changing each day.

Recently I wanted to see if we could change a policy I feel strongly about: fingerprinting and doing background checks of students of the New London Schools who are 18 years old and will be working with our children.

I also wanted to review the policies that deal with substitute teachers and who evaluates them. I continue to be shut down. I only put these items on the agenda to keep every child who enters our schools safe.

At our last policy committee meeting the community member representative resigned. It's time to appoint Mike McGlouglin to the committee. Mike is a man of integrity. He cares for students and would be an amazing member of the policy committee.

The committee needs people like Mike who want to see New London excel. The time is now for the New London schools to make this shift towards holding folks accountable on all committees.

Jason Catala

New London