07. Policy: Fall 2020 Custom Updates

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship	X	Action	X
Excellent Educators	X	Information
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students	X	Discussion
Operations and Support	X

On January 19, the board received 43 policy updates from NCSBA and one local policy update as first-read information. There have been no additional changes to the policies since that time. A number of the policy updates are temporary additions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several other changes are the result of recent revisions to policies on discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying. Other changes are described below.

Policy revisions related to the COVID-19 response include:

1510/4200/7270, School Safety
3300, School Calendar and Time for Learning
4400, Attendance
5020, Visitors to the Schools
5030, Community Use of Facilities
6305, Safety and Student Transportation Services

Changes resulting from recent revisions to policies on discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying include:

1740/4010, Student and Parent Grievance Procedure
1742/5060, Responding to Complaints
1750/7220 Grievance Procedure for Employees
1760/7280, Prohibition Against Retaliation
4001, Equal Educational Opportunities

Other revisions include:

1710/4020/7230, Discrimination and Harassment Prohibited by Federal Law, and 7232, Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace: These policies were recently released as part of a special update related to the new federal Title IX regulations. This update slightly modifies the language pertaining to retaliation, based on feedback from OCR provided to a member LEA.

2121, Board Member Conflict of Interest: Adds a provision prohibiting board members from participating in any matter before the board pertaining to the employment of the board members’ spouse. A conforming change was made to policy 2120, Code of Ethics for School Board Members.

3102, Online Instruction: Adds a new provision to authorize remote instruction for all or part of a school year when necessary due to exigent circumstances and consistent with law, and to reserve the right of the board to deviate from board policies during periods of remote instruction when necessary and consistent with law.

4040/7310, Staff-Student Relations: Modified to allow one-on-one communications with students on video conferencing platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet under certain circumstances. A conforming change was made to policy 7335, Employee Use of Social Media.

4600, Student Fees: Reflects a change to state law that requires the schedule of student fees, charges, and solicitations to be posted annually on the board’s website by October 15 and to be updated thereafter within 30 days of any change.

6330, Insurance for Student Transportation Services: Addresses use of passenger vans for student transport.

The 44 policies are presented for approval. Dr. Brian Weaver will answer any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to approve the 44 policies as listed below.

Fall 2020 Custom Updates (second read; approval)
1300	Governing Principle – Parental Involvement
1310/4002	Parental Involvement
1500	Governing Principle – Safe, Orderly, and Inviting Environment
1510/4200/7270	School Safety
1600	Governing Principle – Professional Development
1700	Governing Principle – Removal of Barriers
1710/4020/7230	Discrimination and Harassment Prohibited by Federal Law
1725/4035/7236	Title IX Sexual Harassment – Prohibited Conduct and Reporting Process
1726/4036/7237	Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Process
1740/4010	Student and Parent Grievance Procedure
1742/5060	Responding to Complaints
1750/7220	Grievance Procedure for Employees
1760/7280	Prohibition Against Retaliation
2120	Code of Ethics for School Board Members
2121	Board Member Conflict of Interest
2500	Hearings Before the Board
3000	Goals and Objectives of the Educational Program
3102	Online Instruction
3300	School Calendar and Time for Learning
3410	Testing and Assessment Program
3460	Graduation Requirements
3620	Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations
4001	Equal Educational Opportunities
4023	Education for Pregnant and Parenting Students
4040/7310	Staff-Student Relations
4202/5029/7272	Service Animals in Schools
4328	Gang-Related Activity
4333	Weapons, Bomb Threats, Terrorist Threats, and Clear Threats to Safety
4335	Criminal Behavior
4345	Student Discipline Records
4353	Long-Term Suspension, 365-Day Suspension, Expulsion
4400	Attendance
4600	Student Fees
5020	Visitors to the Schools
5030	Community Use of Facilities
5070/7350	Public Records – Retention, Release, and Disposition
6305	Safety and Student Transportation Services
6330	Insurance for Student Transportation Services
7130	Licensure
7232	Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace
7335	Employee Use of Social Media
7503	Teleworking
7820	Personnel Files
8510	School Finance Officer