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Board presses for clearer student‑supervision standard; asks staff to return with minimum hours
Summary
Board members criticized a proposed change to the student welfare policy that would weaken supervisory language and asked staff to return with firmer minimums (suggested: 30 minutes before and after school) and clearer handbook standards.
Board members pressed district staff to restore stronger language in the student welfare policy after a draft revision shifted phrasing from an active assurance of supervision to a weaker ‘‘district provides supervision’’ formulation.
At the policy work session several board members said the revised first paragraph reduced the district's stated responsibility to ensure student safety and asked staff to revert to the previous, stronger wording that pledged close supervision of students in school buildings and grounds during hours when school is present. One board member proposed a concrete minimum standard — at least 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the official school day — and requested that hours when supervision is available be clearly stated rather than left to individual building handbooks.
Board members raised real‑world concerns: parents dropping children early, inconsistent building practices where principals set differing opening times, and uneven accountability across school sites. Staff acknowledged the issue and agreed to bring back revised language for the March 19 policy session that would define supervision hours and consider exemptions for non‑district, non‑school‑sponsored activities that use facilities.
No formal vote was taken on the student welfare policy at this meeting; the board directed staff to redraft the paragraph to restore a clear minimum and to return the policy for further review.
