Following the release last month of a preliminary redistricting map showing locations of student homes, Superintendent Kathleen Bodie was urged on Thursday, Dec. 8, to review the district’s protocols on student confidentiality.

"I am not looking to prosecute an individual," said member William Hayner, in proposing the motion. "I need to know the procedures."

Following lengthy discussion in which member Kirsi Allison-Ampe said she did not clearly understand Hayner's goal, the School Committee voted, 6-0, to have Bodie report back no later than the second January meeting about the steps to follow when a breach of confidentiality occurs at Arlington public schools.

Dec. 9: Redistricting timeline, committee members

Member Jeff Thielman noted that the issue raises a larger question about staffing and the need to provide the superintendent with more help.

Before the vote, Bodie said to Hayner that his comments might give the public the impression that "we don’t care about confidentiality." Hayner apologized and made clear he wants to know what steps the administration should take in these matters.

"We need to reinforce [our protocols] in such a way that this is not going to happen again," he said.

Bodie said the release of the map -- which occurred at the first Redistricting Committee meeting, Nov. 15, and then by YourArlington three days later for three-plus hours -- was "human error." The mistakenly disclosed map showed small dots, indicating home locations for regular- and special-education students.

The disclosure led to outrage from parents and from SEPAC, a group represented special-education interests. The superintendent and publisher have apologized, and Bodie did so again at the Dec. 8 meeting.

SEPAC "pleased" with response

Trish Orlovsky, SEPAC chair, who was at the Dec. 8 meeting and had sought further clarification after Bodie explained how the map came to be, wrote in an email the next day:

"Earlier this week at our monthly SEPAC Meeting, several School Committee members (Jud Pierce, Joe Curro, Bill Hayner), Dr. Bodie, and Kathleen Lockyer and Lori Villani, from the Special Education Department, all attended this meeting. The redistricting map showing residences of students with special needs ('sped students,' separate from residences of 'regular' education students was discussed. Dr. Bodie elaborated on the history of the creation of the map, and has written a few letters that repeat this history.

"We're pleased that the School Committee passed the motion, at the SC meeting of 12/8/11, to direct a report from the Superintendent on the protocols that will be in place in the event of another breach of confidentiality. Additional requests that the professional development, mentoring, and staff handbooks and training include specific direction regarding all staff obligations to maintain confidentiality was another key element asked for in the Superintendent's response.

"While we appreciate the regret expressed by the Superintendent, and her reassurance that her office will employ more vigilance, we did not get any specifics about what actual protocols are now in place, are being reviewed, or will be developed by her office and across the district to ensure this and other breaches of confidentiality will cease. Until Dr. Bodie provides detailed and explicit reports on these, parents will remain wary about placing confidence in the district.

"We appreciate the School Committees motion requesting protocols and procedures, as well as staff training, for response to reported breaches of confidentiality. The SEPAC is eager to provide input or feedback to any proposals developed."

Committee suggestions

During discussion of the issue Dec. 8, member Joseph Curro Jr. suggested asking whether technology might allow a revised map to show clusters of students by neighborhood rather than the location of individual homes.

Allison-Ampe expressed frustration about the series of maps involved, not just the one showing home locations. Maps handed out Nov. 15 included those showing walking distances from the seven elementary schools, whose boundaries would change in a proposal expected by June.

"It's important that the Redistricting Committee feels empowered," Thielman said, "and not interfered with by the School Committee."

Bodie called redistricting "a very upsetting process." Speaking as one who has experienced it in Winchester, she concluded: "Once [parents] go through it, they will find that they love [their new] schools, too."

Jud Pierce was absent from the Dec. 8 meeting.

The Redistricting Committee is scheduled to have its second meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, in the School Committee Room, sixth floor, Arlington High School. A large of parents is expected.

This story was first published Friday, Dec. 9, 2011.