Orono board approves consent agenda, moves forward on annual policy reviews

The Orono Public School District School Board approved its consent agenda and advanced routine policy reviews at its meeting Monday.

The consent agenda, described by the board chair as containing “routine matters that typically do not require board discussion,” passed on a voice vote. Items listed in the consent agenda included approval of minutes from the Sept. 22 regular meeting; personnel recommendations; wage adjustments for substitute teachers for the 2025-26 year; acceptance of donations totaling $6,091.11; an assurance of compliance with state and federal nondiscrimination law; approval of vouchers and payments (including EFT vouchers and capital items); and other routine business. The motion to approve the consent agenda was made and seconded; the board chair called the vote and members responded “Aye.”

In old business, the board approved annual policy reviews for policies numbered 05/2006, 07/22 and 08/2006. A motion was made and seconded and the board voted in favor.

Separately, administration presented six policies in the 500 series for a first reading; no final action was taken and the policies will return for a second reading. The six are:

- Policy 501 (Weapons): recommended language and formatting changes to align with MSBA model policy and to add required statutory reporting for weapons possession or active-shooter incidents;
- Policy 502 (Student searches): minor language updates to align with state statute and case law;
- Policy 503 (Student attendance): clarifying language, including that habitual truancy applies to students under age 17;
- Policy 504 (Student dress and appearance): minor language changes; administration concluded the policy aligns with community standards;
- Policy 505 (Distribution of non-school-sponsored materials): reordering of definitions to align with MSBA model policy; no substantive content change;
- Policy 507 (Corporal punishment and prone restraint): revised name and language to reflect statutory and Minnesota Department of Education regulatory guidance on prone restraint; administration said practices already align with statutory requirements.

Dr. Aaron Ruhland, Executive Director of Learning and Accountability, summarized the proposed language changes and told the board the edits were largely formatting and alignment with MSBA guidance; the policy committee will continue refining numeration and formatting. Board members had the opportunity to ask clarifying questions; the policies were scheduled for a second reading and final approval at the next meeting.

The board also received October enrollment numbers in the meeting packet and was reminded the next regular meeting is Monday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in the District Office Assembly Room.