Board approves Parental Bill of Rights; device policy to go to policy committee for public input

The East Kingston School Board approved a Parental Bill of Rights policy at its Sept. 8 meeting and directed administrators to publish it in the district policy manual and include it in handbooks. The board discussed the unauthorized communication devices policy (policy JICJ) and agreed to send it to the policy committee for parental input; administrators told the board the devices policy would return to the board for approval in October. Motion and vote: A board member moved to approve the Parental Bill of Rights, another board member seconded, and the board voiced unanimous approval on the record. The board chair noted the parental bill of rights is “a collection of rights” that must be published; she said the version before the board is new and drawn from the statutory requirements. The board also confirmed the policies listed for review this evening were “review only” items unless a board member requested additional discussion. Exceptions and enforcement: Administrators said exceptions to the devices policy (for medical reasons or IEP/504 accommodation) would require superintendent approval. Staff said school-issued devices and assigned headphones are allowed; personal devices may be confiscated if they become disruptive and parents would be called to retrieve them. Why it matters: The Parental Bill of Rights must be published under the law referenced in the meeting; the unauthorized communication devices policy affects classroom procedure and disability-related accommodations. Board members asked that the devices policy receive opportunity for parental input before final adoption. No litigation or appeals were reported. The board’s action was to approve the Parental Bill of Rights for publication; the devices policy was not adopted at the Sept. 8 meeting and will be discussed further at the policy committee and returned to the board in October.