Board reviews wide-ranging policy updates including child-abuse reporting, nondiscrimination and virtual enrollment

The board on Aug. 11 reviewed and moved to approve a package of updated board policies reflecting new state laws across personnel, student safety and operational areas. Pam, a staff member, presented roughly 15 policy updates compiled so the board would not have to vote item-by-item. She said the notice-of-nondiscrimination policy now adds language addressing antisemitism consistent with new law. "The first 1 on notice of nondiscrimination, basically, this 1 was adding the anti Semitism portion of new law," Pam said. Pam described one substantial safety-policy change that tightens requirements for reporting suspected child abuse and introduces the concept of "prior knowledge" defined during discussion as having knowledge for at least six months. "They added some requirements and, there, it included language about prolonged knowledge, and that that was identified as having knowledge for at least 6 months or more," Pam said, and noted criminal penalties exist for failure to report. She said principals are training staff with a state-approved slide deck and that staff created an attestation form for employees to sign acknowledging receipt of the policy and training. The package also included changes tied to background checks and employment timelines: a policy now requires termination if a background check is not returned within 60 days (staff noted past state backlogs that exceeded 60 days), and the certified-teacher policy expands the definition of "temporary teacher" beyond the prior four-semester limit to accommodate long-term emergency-certified teachers. Leave policy language was expanded to allow an additional six weeks of unpaid leave after an initial six weeks of paid leave if the employee has accumulated leave, consistent with FMLA allowances. Policies on virtual days and the annual hour count were revised (references to 1,080 changing to 1,086 hours and two virtual days for 2026–27 were discussed). Pam said legal counsel is still reviewing parts of the child-abuse language, including references to House Bill 1003 concerning age-of-consent changes and reporting responsibilities; she warned the board the district might return with additional language after legal review. Board members asked clarifying questions about whether updated policies would require changes to regulations or forms; Pam said some would and that staff will update related forms. The board moved and seconded approval of the policy package as presented. Pam noted training with principals was underway because school starts Aug. 13 and the child-abuse reporting requirements were time-sensitive.