[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6186542,"mediaKeyId","5074605-376767cb24585b0e01903cd923864441","parentId",5074605,"title","Board reviews policy updates on attendance, parental leave, legal counsel and educator supplements","audioSeconds",2229,"startMs",2233000,"endMs",3207,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074605-376767cb24585b0e01903cd923864441&start=2233&end=3","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074605-376767cb24585b0e01903cd923864441/thumbnail_2233000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6186542/Utah/Board-reviews-policy-updates-on-attendance-parental-leave-legal-counsel-and-educator-supplements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186542-bd11747d62a2fc9ce1417b7c835a8505/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582096&Signature=ja9FYqAEPAz9l6pdV2KC-H544IiBx8dxT31ozRrJxOMB01a9BPvKJHAwWIeudcVI3-KrLZzeNbWk1LiQKuoej8C3kg~1ynqL3KlDMQVtl0jlQPsN-ATsQFWrb8mSVfyh5aMwajj54tvtz3RmTKRN1VSHOS8JUAFoKvTfWyDriStz5gLYNA6yXIZapAPZEhdqikrfYata5IWEtFPhBuxxzLybnSQt0RIJR~VGMw-20dMqJBplNqttzIyRAqCIIVeJqMutH2g2dFyR39jL8FmKcNj0Gjy6j21PoK3mqNmynPgVSYv7R4e1ldp2NZnDlW1wb-LDQOVO58LhxC7ACtLmRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-25T20:05:05Z","article","Heidi Oliver, speaking on behalf of the policy committee, briefly reviewed multiple policy updates on the agenda and explained why several items were placed on the consent calendar.

Oliver said the committee consolidated short policies, made technical edits to align with recent legislation and added a new legal counsel policy to outline responsibilities and ethical standards when the district retains outside counsel. “We still do obviously routine legal counsel and the litigator or need to work with someone with greater expertise in an area. But it was important to have a policy that outlined the responsibilities and both ethical and professional responsibilities of legal counsel,” she said.

On attendance, Oliver said the revised policy adds additional valid excuses and removes an immediate requirement to reinstate classroom‑linked citizenship grades districtwide because technical tracking limitations remain. The new attendance policy explicitly lists participating in a rodeo competition as a valid excuse. Board discussion emphasized the need for clearer parent guidance on valid excuses and for secondary teachers to create stronger in‑class incentives to reduce avoidable absences.

Oliver also described an amended policy combining Family and Medical Leave Act procedures with a new paid parental leave requirement created by recent legislation, saying the district will be obligated to provide paid parental leave beginning July 1 and HR is preparing codes and tracking for implementation.

The board also reviewed a new district policy (policy 7200) establishing a salary supplement for educators in high‑need assignments, replacing an earlier GSSP program and adding an appeals process to be administered by a committee that will include board members and administrators. The appeals committee will be convened on an as‑needed basis.

No final votes on substantive policy changes were taken in this portion of the meeting; Oliver said the items will move through the formal board approval process as scheduled.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Study Session June 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Policy director Heidi Oliver briefed the board on consolidated policy edits, a new legal counsel policy, attendance policy revisions (including rodeo as a valid excuse), a combined medical and parental leave policy, and a revised salary supplement for educators in high‑need assignments.","taxTitle","Weber School District, Utah School Boards, Utah","taxId",66001,"location","Utah","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6186547,"Weber to pilot weapons screening, panic system and add security staff at 2 Rivers campus",502,1141000,1643000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074605-376767cb24585b0e01903cd923864441&start=1141&end=1643","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074605-376767cb24585b0e01903cd923864441/thumbnail_1141000.jpg","/articles/6186547/Utah/Weber-to-pilot-weapons-screening-panic-system-and-add-security-staff-at-2-Rivers-campus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186547-81de5205bc93e114d024faa11ba975ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582096&Signature=UIfR1WeOM9O77XnQJx20TeB4Wl0mpxcfQKfuZXKeos0wzHYe5xg5WlOHgKfN01SttLvjBtoIMgDrRGFYQtwBg6KG1Kfjv6d2HL2lqB0f0DJ3n6En5wNWyUZnSe-0rJ-0qgVMms7x1ix8mZ0QPqR-seBR3yXm5mjaLqkSQTeQGNLbfYw2d86VIgzoDOTk~TBgo9aF-4jbv1Lx7Qhln2yyOu4H8LeUGtxF7FxmUuGxs3lWNfFbmPoigudN~wWrnJKi4uqVdANyecXfQ9XN44GKEh6LQAk5fY0rSOAocE-t1eMUdJLDPrxCaSFN8CddsR8mFkEZaW7r4PfF1ZdLbumQbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lane Finsley, a district staff member addressing the board, described security challenges at the 2 Rivers campus and summarized planned safety steps: deploy audio‑enhancement panic alert units, pilot a weapons detection system (walk‑through metal detector), and contract a security officer to staff screening.

“I will tell you from a security viewpoint standpoint, it is our most challenging campus,” Finsley said, describing nearby community factors, student populations served there and instances of weapons and violence that have affected staff safety.

Finsley said the district has installed audio‑enhancement units in roughly half the district and will extend those units to the 2 Rivers portables so teachers can activate a “panic alert” from classroom wall units. Cost and installation of that system are currently a one‑time expense; staff called it a priority at 2 Rivers.

The district has purchased a Garrett metal detector and will pilot weapons screening at the 2 Rivers main entrance. To staff screening and avoid assigning school employees to search visitors, district staff proposed contracting an armed private security officer; Finsley estimated the cost at “about 50 to $60,000 per year for an officer.” He said the district is collecting bids through an RFP process.

On funding, staff said school safety grants would likely cover initial purchases and installation, but ongoing staffing costs would need a longer‑term funding plan. A district speaker estimated total first‑year costs for the pilot and audio enhancements “just over $300,000” and said the audio equipment is the major one‑time expense.

Board members asked about timelines, entry flow and ADA compliance; staff said the pilot will be site‑specific to 2 Rivers and will require operational planning, including search procedures and communications with parents. Finsley said parents and students will be notified before installation and that the district expects less community backlash for a screening pilot at an alternative high school than it might at a traditional high school.

The board also discussed the state Guardian program created by recent law. Finsley said the state expects many districts to be noncompliant in the near term as they work toward implementation, and cited conversations with regional law enforcement and a state representative indicating about “80% noncompliance this year for guardians.” He said guardian identities are kept confidential and that recruiting volunteer guardians will likely require incentives or stipends.

No formal motions were taken at the meeting; staff presented plans and requested guidance and funding analysis.","District staff said they will pilot a metal detector and expand audio‑enhancement panic alerts at the 2 Rivers campus, consider contracting an armed private security officer at an estimated $50,000–$60,000 per year, and coordinate funding from school safety grants while guardians program compliance remains incomplete.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6186551,"Board will continue DLI study after survey finds polarized parent views; recommendations expected by November",438,678000,1116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074605-376767cb24585b0e01903cd923864441&start=678&end=1116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074605-376767cb24585b0e01903cd923864441/thumbnail_678000.jpg","/articles/6186551/Utah/Board-will-continue-DLI-study-after-survey-finds-polarized-parent-views-recommendations-expected-by-November","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186551-b0e897e3d2fdb85dc94f10eeb719a5d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582096&Signature=IFSIRNN29AWY~8vgZ9AB4mscFBI02IdgBaKXhsDZiqFkZmglGUqaD-KdgHWUqYkdd1QpmGLuAm9pzf6j9~efS7IMBNq4763-4mq~Ms1OeHVuDIwUgI9jrn9AgcFjieuFrj50MX75qUz68Q5MKOwMd91-nvnk3fgTRTdkbZxNWLtwiEMMAQaaB9-KwcH21t3dNrAq-Qw9IWJhz9aHRDFWCokIo8anQ~5ZlO5geAVcyFyUjsZZTu5JK7i3zy9M-IZN4Y-BgfQx5dESaHjZYgozoTWMVefGNiFpSD0kzEYa8mHfxUuJF8soIjLtHXY1HIHfLS2XgRSPtW4Dz9fFDl0Y-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Beckerini, presenting the district’s DLI survey results, told the Weber School District Board that staff recommend creating formal protocols for adding or removing special programs and expanding program options beyond current DLI offerings.

“First [recommendation] is in regard to adding and removing special programs...we should give consideration to both pedagogical and educational access, the location of programs, fiscal costs including staffing, student community engagement and enrollment, and lastly, academic success,” Dr. Beckerini said, summarizing the study team’s proposed criteria.

The district plans a series of follow-up items: compile additional academic and physical data, survey teachers in DLI schools, and present multiple study pieces during upcoming meetings. Dr. Beckerini said the district aims to bring recommendations to the board “right around November of this fall.”

Board member Kelly and other board members raised concerns that parent responses were strongly polarized. Kelly said many parents either strongly support DLI or strongly oppose it, and emphasized school culture issues at the elementary level: “you either love it or you hate it,” she said, describing parent feedback that some DLI programs create a “haves and have‑nots” feeling in neighborhood schools. Kelly encouraged polling DLI teachers to gather their perspectives and said elementary implementation needs particular attention.

The DLI work will focus on both the Chinese and Spanish programs. Staff noted that some parents reported declining engagement at the secondary level and that some secondary offerings (for example, a single geography course in Spanish) did not match parent expectations established when students entered the program. The study will aim to reconcile program continuity from elementary through secondary grades.

No board action was taken; the presentation was informational and staff requested further feedback and data to inform later recommendations.","District staff presented findings from a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) survey and recommended developing protocols for adding/removing special programs, expanding program options beyond DLI, and producing board recommendations by November.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6186555,"Weber board hears JLC legislative priorities including funding, attendance and reporting changes",477,47000,524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074605-376767cb24585b0e01903cd923864441&start=47&end=524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074605-376767cb24585b0e01903cd923864441/thumbnail_47000.jpg","/articles/6186555/Utah/Weber-board-hears-JLC-legislative-priorities-including-funding-attendance-and-reporting-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186555-4e6b18c31133502cd899d5e42610059b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582096&Signature=LmHv928Y~kuBD7PMTsBHBwCXWKXLUK8f3F1byKBUD53QP1KOYWiRLsPETlovSWxt01HQ32Tv3E3v5Ibd3byRr6D6joN4EIwXVwL5vSppEKpf7iuDrain3OoYrYA4Q7cicAIG35Pr-A0T-x6DY1C0qYi~XHlsubugLc8MERomhMSJx7ZcfU1jpYU0DncfRB2z0qEMDLAWYQborKHnl0O1UHvO1SYrdBHx4U4s5pMp18k023ZSRLAy5gCD-3q3Rt2HT-d4uI-cbaUgUUhhvzmvbP7ubCh0qbdEdhrTIotJQtjSv9bRy7k~VrAicbkRacxB8F06rgRtcI6zRyvTMtPnyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Janice Christiansen, a representative to the Joint Legislative Committee (JLC), told the Weber School District Board that the JLC plans to press several education priorities with the Utah Legislature, including a new education working group and funding proposals to support special education and at-risk students.

“We are dedicated to working collaboratively with the Utah State Legislature to ensure that each student is prepared for college, career, and life,” Christiansen said, listing the JLC’s top priorities.

The JLC priorities Christiansen outlined were: create an education working group including legislators and JLC members; request 2% above guaranteed inflation and growth in the WPU (Weighted Pupil Unit) to support students — with emphasis on special education; increase funding for at‑risk students; support incentives to improve student attendance; allow up to 85% of the Economic Stabilization Account (ESA) available funds to go directly to local education agencies (LEAs) for school safety, capital needs, small-school building funds and educator directed hours; and collaborate on a long-term educational funding framework in response to prior legislative effort to change the constitutional income tax guarantee.

Christiansen said the ESA proposal attempts to shift one-time state funds into more flexible support for districts. She also reported that legislators present during a recent panel — Representative Perucci and Senator Baldry — cited chronic absenteeism as a legislative focus, aligning with the JLC’s plan to incentivize attendance. Christiansen added that legislators asked districts to present solutions backed by data and to simplify communications, suggesting text messages for brief, high‑priority outreach.

Board members did not take a formal vote on these priorities during the meeting; the presentation was informational. Christiansen said the JLC would continue to work with the district as the legislative session approaches.

The report included district-level context such as superintendent and board engagement with legislators and the JLC’s intent to reduce compliance reporting and simplify education code if possible. No formal motions or board directions were recorded on the JLC priorities during this session.","Janice Christiansen briefed the Weber School District board on Joint Legislative Committee priorities: creating an education working group, requesting 2% above WPU for inflation, expanding funding for at-risk students, incentivizing attendance, and routing more Economic Stabilization Account funds to local education agencies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews policy updates on attendance, parental leave, legal counsel and educator supplements

Weber to pilot weapons screening, panic system and add security staff at 2 Rivers campus

Board will continue DLI study after survey finds polarized parent views; recommendations expected by November

Weber board hears JLC legislative priorities including funding, attendance and reporting changes