NORWICH – A new administrative guideline which would require Norwich’s school board members to have the superintendent’s permission before visiting classrooms still has board members butting heads.

Norwich City School Board President Bob Patterson had brought the policy suggestion forward in February. According to Patterson, the intent was to “streamline” the current policy, which requires board members to have the permission of the full board in order to enter school buildings for purposes other than attending regular school activities like concerts or sporting events, or visiting the office.

As per district protocol, new policies must be read at two board meetings in order to go into effect. This particular policy was read for the first time on March 3. At Tuesday’s meeting, however, board members Tim Brown, Sally Chirlin and Priscilla Johnson voted against reading the policy a second time. Patterson as well as board members Joe Stagliano and Kathy Coates supported the reading of the policy.