Londonderry School Board advances a slate of policy updates, rescinds outdated items

The Londonderry School Board on Oct. 7 approved a second reading to amend its unauthorized electronic communication devices policy and advanced multiple first readings or rescinded older policies as the district modernizes its policy book.

Board members approved the second reading amendment to policy JICJ (unauthorized electronic communication devices, including cell phones) and then took up a series of first readings and rescinds for policies that administrators said had not been updated for decades. Board and administration described the policy package as largely drawn from model language provided by the New Hampshire School Boards Association and as intended to bring district rules into alignment with current law and practice.

Notable items the board approved as first readings (all passed on first reading Oct. 7) included: KE (public complaints; the policy text reflects an update from 1978 language), KEB (public complaints about school personnel), BEDH (public comment/participation at board meetings; replacing a 1989 version), JHC (student early‑release precautions), JLCK (special physical health needs of students) and JLDBA (behavior management and intervention). The board also approved rescinds for related older policies, including KL, BDDH, JFABBR and related regulations the administration said are better handled as procedures than standing policy.

Board members noted the process for second and third readings: several items are on their first reading and will return for subsequent readings and final adoption after review. For JICJ (cell phones), which received a second reading Oct. 7, a principal had asked to implement the policy timeline prior to the third reading; board members said they would let the principal proceed with implementation while the board completes the formal third reading.

Votes at a glance (Oct. 7 meeting)

- Consent agenda (approve): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - JICJ amendment (second reading to amend unauthorized electronic communication devices): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - KE (first reading adopt public complaints): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - KL (first reading rescind public complaints): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - KEB (first reading adopt public complaints about personnel): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - BEDH (first reading adopt public comment/participation): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - BDDH (first reading rescind public participation): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - JFABBR (first reading rescind foreign exchange students policy): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - JFABBRR (first reading rescind related regulation): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - JHC (first reading adopt student early release precautions): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - JLCK (first reading adopt special physical health needs of students): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - JLDBA (first reading adopt behavior management and intervention): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - JLCEA (first reading adopt use and location of AEDs): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - EBBA (first reading rescind use of AEDs): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0. - EBBAEAD (first reading rescind incident report related to AEDs): motion by Sarah Laughlin; outcome Aye 5–0.

Administrators told the board some policies had not been updated in decades and that the New Hampshire School Boards Association model language formed the basis for many of the revisions. Board members encouraged thorough review between first and second readings and expected some final edits on third reading before formal adoption.

Provenance: The policy package discussion began with the second reading of JICJ and continued through a sequence of first readings and rescinds; the roll call at the end confirmed the consent items and some procedural motions.