Worthington board approves updates to student‑records, mandated‑reporting, credit and transportation policies

The Worthington School Board approved a set of policy updates at second or final reading covering student records, mandated reporting, credits for new‑to‑country students and student transportation safety. Policy highlights: board members approved the final reading of policy 5.15 on protection and privacy of pupil records after committee review and no further changes; the update clarified definitions around directory information consistent with state guidance. Policy 4.14 (mandated reporting of child neglect or physical abuse) returned from committee with added language clarifying the definition of ‘‘at‑risk juvenile’’ and a reference to a Minnesota state statute in the definitions; trustees approved the second reading. Policy 6.20 was updated to address students new to the country by specifying that when core credits cannot be matched, students would receive elective credit; that policy received its final reading. Policy 7.09 (student transportation safety) was approved at second reading after committee discussion; changes removed rigid consequence language in favor of general progressive discipline, added a minimum result of a written warning (with parent notification) if misconduct is found, and named the assistant principal as the person who manages bus behavior referrals submitted by the bus company via the district behavior tab. Why it matters: the policies guide daily operations related to student privacy, safety, mandated reporting responsibilities and crediting practices for newly arrived students and will affect staff procedures and parent notifications. Procedure: motions to approve each policy passed by voice vote after routine committee review; references to a Minnesota statute were limited to the language that came from committee for policy 4.14.