1231.01 - RESEARCH AND PUBLISHING

1. Staff members are encouraged to contribute articles to professional publications and to engage in approved professional research.
2. Materials that are considered for publication and/or production, which identify the ESC in any manner, shall be cleared with the Superintendent prior to publication and/or production.
3. Publications and productions shall be subject to the following copyright provisions:
    
   1. Rights to copyrights or patents of books, materials, devices, etc. developed by staff members on their own time shall be relinquished by the Governing Board upon request of the staff member provided that:
       
      1. the books, materials, devices, etc. were prepared without the use of Governing Board data, facilities, and/or equipment;
      2. the Governing Board is granted the privilege of purchasing the materials or products free of any copyright or royalty charges;
      3. the staff member does not become involved in any way in the selling of the product to the Governing Board.

The final decision regarding whether materials were produced independent of any work assignment, and/or without using school equipment, facilities, data, or equipment rests with the Superintendent.

Staff members who desire to publish or produce materials on their own time should make such action known to the Superintendent prior to the time such work is started in order that proper procedures can be established to assure that Governing Board interests and the interests of the staff member are protected.

2. All books, materials, devices, or products that result from the paid work time and/or prescribed duties of staff members shall remain the property of the Governing Board. The Governing Board shall retain all rights and privileges pertaining to the ownership thereof.

In the event that any of these products have commercial possibilities, the Superintendent is authorized to secure copyrights, patents, etc. that protect the Governing Board’s ownership of the product.

The Superintendent is authorized to negotiate with appropriate agencies for the production and distribution of products with commercial appeal. Such negotiations shall seek fair and appropriate compensation, including sharing of royalties, for the staff member(s) who developed the products.

© Neola 2006