Salina USD 305 board takes first reading of multiple policy updates tied to new state laws

The Salina Public Schools Board of Education on Aug. 12 reviewed a set of policy revisions recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards and required by recent state legislation, taking them up as a first reading with plans to return them for final action in September.

Erin Wright, staff member, told the board the packet was a “first round of policy updates for the new fiscal year” and that the recommendations came from the KASB policy service after district review. Wright said the changes respond to new state laws and to KASB’s updated model language.

The board packet and Wright’s presentation highlighted several specific statutory drivers and resulting changes. Wright described House Bill 2134 as clarifying that subcommittees are subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act, and she said the district’s proposed policy language was being adjusted to match that requirement. On public records (policy CN), Wright said the revisions clarify fee rules and require charging for staff time at the rate of the least expensive qualified staff member who can process a records request. Changes to the investment policy (DFE) were tied to a substitute for House Bill 2152 and limit the response time for financial institutions responding to requests for proposals. Wright also presented a new employee whistleblower policy (GAACB) that she said is required by state law to be a stand-alone policy and must be publicly posted for employees.

Wright reviewed school operations policies that staff recommended be retained with no changes, and she described a number of targeted updates: a new policy (JBCD) on enrollment of military students required by House Bill 2102, which allows enrollment without proof of residency when a parent will be stationed in-state; changes prompted by Senate Bill 63 to align district rules with restrictions on distributing certain medications; and updates to student-activity eligibility prompted by Senate Bill 114. Wright also noted changes related to livestreaming open meetings and visitor/ off-duty officer access tied to recent bills.

Board members asked clarifying questions during the presentation. One member asked whether the fundraising changes would prohibit community signs at athletic events; Wright replied the prohibition targets employees’ or students’ use of school activities to promote private, personal business, not typical school or booster fundraising. Another member asked how the new off-duty officer provision would interact with existing procedures for law enforcement contact with students; Wright said the law appears intended to protect officer anonymity and that the district lacks legal testing of the provision, so some operational questions remain.

Wright told the board that, per board policy, the materials require two readings and that the district will bring the revised policies back for a second reading and action at the September meeting. Board members were asked to submit any questions to Superintendent Hogan or to Wright between meetings so the second meeting can move those items onto the consent agenda when appropriate.

Why it matters: The changes implement or align district policy with recent state laws on open meetings, public records fees, enrollment of military students, whistleblower protections, and restrictions tied to specific healthcare and activity eligibility matters. They affect how the district handles public records requests, committee meetings, some aspects of student enrollment and activities, and internal employee protections, and they direct the district to post a new whistleblower policy for employees.

The board did not vote to adopt the policies on Aug. 12; the packet was presented as a first reading and will return for final action in September.