Rockford Public Schools presented a fall policy update Monday that the board took under first reading; no action was requested.

Administrators told the board the packet contains 11 revised policies and one policy proposed for rescission. Many of the edits are editorial — wording changes such as replacing gendered pronouns with neutral language — and administrative updates to point contact information for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Staff said OCR jurisdiction for Michigan matters has shifted from a Cleveland office to the Washington, D.C., office, so the packet updates address that administrative change.

Nut graf: The most substantive change administrators highlighted was a revision to policy 2266 (non‑discrimination). Staff said case law has altered terminology for certain conduct previously referenced in older policy language. The packet also proposes rescinding a short‑lived policy that applied only to complaints tied to a narrow date window; administrators said they will add a clarifying sentence to 2266 indicating which limited date range would be governed by the rescinded policy for complaints reported within that window.

Administrators noted an additional, narrower substantive revision affecting employee assistance plans for staff governed by Department of Transportation (DOT) physical requirements; the change is intended to maintain compliance with updated federal requirements and was described as having little operational effect in Rockford.

Board procedure: The packet was presented as a first reading; staff said the policy committee reviewed the items and the board will see the policies again in November for second reading and potential approval once finalized language from external guidance (EOLA) is received.

Ending: The board did not vote on the policy packet. Administrators encouraged members and the public to submit questions before the second reading next month.