Madison Board of Education policy committee forwards multiple policy updates; trustees to consider at full board

The Madison Board of Education policy committee reviewed a package of revised and new policies and agreed to forward most of them to the full board for consideration, with the committee waiving second readings on several items and reserving two‑read consideration for longer or substantially rewritten policies.

The committee considered changes to the district Visitors and Observations policy (policy 1361), a new Restorative Practices Response policy, edits to the Administration of Medictions policy, updates to Student Attendance/Truancy and Chronic Absenteeism, a rewritten Title I Parent and Family Engagement policy, a revised Instructional Materials policy, edits to Class Size guidelines, and consolidation of several Field Trip/Student Travel policies into a single student travel policy.

Why it matters: several of the updates incorporate recent Connecticut legislation and state guidance, add or clarify district responsibilities (including required timelines), and change how the district will present or enforce some procedures. The committee recommended moving those policies that reflect statutory changes or housekeeping edits to the full board, while recommending further review or maintaining two reads for policies that are substantially new or reorganized.

Board discussion and key details

Visitors and observations (policy 1361): Legal counsel Shipman and Goodwin provided a revised model policy that reflects changes following recent state action on immigration enforcement at schools (the packet cited a Public Act referenced by counsel). Committee members debated and then agreed to remove a sentence that explicitly listed "including but not limited to any health screening or personal protective equipment protocols," saying the shorter phrase "school health and safety protocols in place at the time" is sufficient. Committee members also noted that the district's security and safety plan—referenced in the policy and used to determine who is authorized to interact with federal immigration authorities—remains confidential and is not part of the public packet; the superintendent said building principals and the district lead would follow written protocols and contact counsel and Madison Police Department when appropriate.

Restorative practices response (new policy 5123): The committee reviewed a new policy required by state law that requires boards to adopt a restorative practices response by July 1, 2025. The draft directs administrators to develop a…