Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts several policy updates but tables wireless-device policy; attorney guidance noted on crowdfunding and Title IX
Summary
The Swain County Board of Education approved multiple second-reading policy updates but deferred adoption of the wireless communication-device policy (policy 4318) for further review. The board also reviewed attorney guidance on crowdfunding and Title IX and discussed a school-trip sleeping-quarters provision tied to a state statute.
The Swain County Board of Education approved a package of policy revisions on second reading but tabled one item for additional work: the districtwide wireless communication-device policy (policy 4318).
The board voted to approve the second-reading policies presented at the meeting, with a single exception: the policy governing wireless communication devices was removed from the package to allow principals and staff to review implementation specifics and to refine language. The board discussed alignment between board policy and school handbooks, noting handbooks may be more restrictive than district policy but cannot be less restrictive.
Attorney guidance: Board members discussed a legal question they had sent to the district attorney (Ashley Leonard) about outside donations targeted to a single gendered sports team and Title IX implications. The chair read language from the attorney: "If a large donation is made for a specific sports team of 1 sex, the district should educate the donor on Title IX and the district's obligation to use funds in an equitable manner. A best practice is to deposit all outside donations into a single athletic fund."
Field-trip sleeping-quarters: The board reviewed new draft language (drafted by board counsel and school leadership) intended to implement recent legislative language described as "general statute 12-3.3." The proposed policy would generally prohibit students from sharing sleeping quarters with someone of a different biological sex on school trips unless a parent of all impacted students provided written permission for extreme circumstances. Board counsel reviewed the wording and recommended the district adopt a clear statement consistent with state law; board members agreed to adopt the counsel'drafted language.
Wireless-devices policy: Board members asked for additional time to refine the wireless-device policy (which covers confiscation and return, progressive responses for repeat violations and permitted uses outside of instructional time). The board asked staff and principals to return recommended handbook/implementation language that aligns with the district policy.
The meeting record shows motions and a unanimous vote to approve the policies presented except for the wireless-device policy, which was removed from the approval motion and deferred for further work and alignment with school-level handbooks.
