The Board of Education recognizes that any current or former employee’s request to an administrator for a letter of reference is an opportunity to share information about the staff member’s performance with a prospective employer. The Board, however, does not require that such references be provided and a current or former employee should have no expectation that a letter of reference will be written upon request. The decision to comply with such a request shall be solely at the discretion of the administrator and the personnel director.

If an administrator opts, however, to prepare such a letter, the Board expects that administrator to provide specific and truthful comments concerning the employee’s actual performance that can be substantiated by the individual’s personnel file. The letter must be reviewed by the personnel director before it may be released.

In accordance with State law, an administrator who, in the scope of his/her employment, provides a letter of reference is entitled to at least a qualified privilege for his/her statements provided such statements were made in good faith without malice.

The Superintendent shall develop the administrative guidelines necessary to implement this policy.

This policy does not excuse the District from providing responses to request for information as to Unprofessional Conduct, as required by State law.

M.C.L.A. 423.452, 380.1230(b)