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Rialto board pulls draft adult–student interaction policy and ratifies Frisbee Middle’s cell‑phone pouch pilot
Summary
Trustees voted to pull a proposed first reading of policy on adult–student interactions for redrafting after questions over wording for home visits; the board ratified purchase of cellphone pouches for a trial at Frisbee Middle School and discussed implementation and funding.
The Rialto Unified School Board on Feb. 5 opened a discussion on a new policy intended to define appropriate adult‑student interactions and clarify staff conduct during home visits, off‑campus contacts and other situations.
Board members agreed to pull the first‑reading policy item for revision after trustees asked staff to clarify language such as whether home visits can occur "without another adult present" and whether a chaperone requirement should be explicit.
"I would suggest putting into that sentence, without another adult present," Board member Williams said during the discussion, prompting a motion to remove the policy from the consent calendar so staff could redraft the language.
Why it matters: Trustees said clear rules on home visits and one‑on‑one adult contact are necessary to protect minors and staff and reduce ambiguity in investigations. The board’s vote to pull the policy did not change the district’s authority to act on individual personnel matters, but it delayed board-level adoption while staff craft clearer language and incorporate legal requirements.
Separately, trustees ratified a site‑level purchase after Frisbee Middle School implemented a pilot program that stores student phones in pouches during instruction. The board ratified payment for the items, reported by staff as the combined total of two invoices for the pilot, at a cost below $13,000 to be paid from general funds and ASB where appropriate. Several parents opposed using general funds; others and school staff said the trial reduced classroom distraction and improved student interaction.
Board clerk Montes said Frisbee staff and parents reported positive early results: "I've gotten as a parent, from Frisbee, I've gotten positive feedback about, students talking to each other now, having to interact with each other rather than being glued on the phone." The board discussed the need to collect and publish the pilot data and to consider districtwide guidance once state guidance and law evolve.
What was decided: The policy item (E1.3) was pulled for revision and re‑presentation; the pouch purchase (item 3.3) was ratified and the board asked staff to bring trial data and proposed district policy options back to trustees at a later meeting.
What remains open: Trustees asked staff to verify the signature language for parent/guardian notifications (another consent item was pulled for clarification) and to return with redrafted policy language and data from Frisbee’s pilot before any districtwide rollout.
