School committee approves revisions to locker, background-check and teen‑dating‑violence policies

The Mansfield School Committee on May 6 approved a package of policy revisions covering lockers, background checks, teen‑dating violence and searches.

Committee members said policy JIHA (locker usage and search) was removed as a separate document because its language was incorporated into the consolidated JIH policy, which addresses student lockers and searches more broadly. The committee noted legal counsel reviewed the change and that the district retains the right to inspect lockers under the consolidated policy.

The committee also approved updates to ADDA, the district’s background‑checks policy. The revisions reflect a return to pre‑COVID procedures the state now requires: volunteers and visitors who must complete CORI checks are directed to bring identification to a school welcome window, office, or the human‑resources office for verification. The policy clarifies that fingerprint‑based checks are required for employees on hire and that frequency of periodic checks follows state guidance (discussion in the meeting indicated rechecks occur on a multi‑year schedule).

The committee approved JICFC and its protocol addendum to address teen‑dating‑violence reporting and to identify staff who should receive additional training (school counselors, nurses, administrators, health/wellness teachers and mental‑health staff). Members discussed developing on‑demand training for targeted staff.

Finally, JIH was amended to consolidate locker language and to clarify the use of judicial warrants and procedures for questioning students with parental/guardian consent or a valid judicial warrant. The committee moved and seconded the combined policy package and approved it by voice vote.