Board of Ed. To Own Students/Teachers Creations

School Board Looks to Own Students and Teachers Intellectual Creation

The policy reads as thus, “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.”   So Verjeana Jacobs and the School Boardettes are saying that if your bright babies or their gifted teachers create anything of value while in the process of teaching, thinking, or exploring at these illustrious institutions of learning, the Board of Education OWNS IT.  ARE YOU KIDDING KIDDING KIDDING ME?!!!!  Doesn’t that create incentive to not collaborate or create while in the very setting where it’s supposed to happen? 

The Washington Post reported that Verjeana Jacobs and School Board member Carolyn M. Boston came up with this proposal after attending an Apple presentation and quite possibly realizing how much money is being made off of teacher lesson plans, “Board Chair Verjeana M. Jacobs (District 5) said she and Vice Chair Carolyn M. Boston (District 6) attended an Apple presentation and learned how teachers can use apps to create new curricula. The proposal was designed to make it clear who owns teacher-developed curricula created while using apps on iPads that are school property, Jacobs said.”  “Counsel needs to restructure the language,” Jacobs said. “We want the district to get the recognition . . . not take their work.”  Jacobs said last week that it was possible amendments could be made to the policy at the board’s next meeting. The board approved the policy for consideration by a vote of 8 to 1 last month but has removed the item from its agenda Thursday.