Board reviews multiple policy revisions prompted by recent state statute changes

District staff presented a package of roughly a dozen policy revisions to the Levy County School Board that staff said stem from recent changes in state statute. The board voted to advertise the policies for public review.

"These come from NEFACT" or similar regional guidance, said Staff member (policy presenter), explaining that the district receives model policies and adapts them after review by subject experts inside the district.

Staff said revisions include safe‑and‑secure schools updates clarifying language on gates and access points; a change to automated external defibrillator (AED) training and a new PULSE requirement; the annual wellness policy review; and updates to student attendance and truancy procedures. Other changes address the district's zero‑tolerance policy, medication administration language, foreign exchange student rules, employment screening when applicants face arrest for certain offenses, certification rules for vocational nondegree personnel, construction change orders, and transportation eligibility.

Why it matters: Several changes alter district processes that affect student safety, discipline and personnel eligibility. One notable change in statute, staff said, removes the adjective "serious" before the word "threat," broadening the language to acts that "pose a threat to school safety." Staff said the revision also permits the superintendent to extend expulsions beyond the typical two‑year period if recommended by a threat assessment team.

Details presented - Safe & secure schools (policy 3.06): revisions follow statutory change cited as "01/2007" to clarify gates and access points. - AED/PULSE (policy 3.3): statutory change 1003.457; staff said PULSE is a new urgent lifesaving emergency plan referenced in statute. - Wellness (policy 4.141): brought for annual public input as required by statute; no content change this review cycle. - Student attendance and truancy (policy 5.03): amended due to statute changes referenced as "985.03" and "1003.27"; changes add new truancy requirements and procedures. - Zero tolerance for school‑related crime (policy 5.13): statute changes 1006.07 and 1006.08; removal of "serious" before "threat" and allowance for superintendent to extend expulsions with threat assessment team recommendation. - Administration of medication (policy 5.15): statutory language changed "Narcan" to the broader term "emergency opioid antagonist (EOA)" per statute 1002.2. - Foreign exchange (policy 5.011): updated federal language; current policy had not been updated since 02/2002. - Employment appointment requirements (policy 6.032): statutes 1012.22 and 1012.799 add guidance on arrests and convictions and list offenses that are employment red flags. - Certification (policy 6.04): statutes 1012.39, 1012.56 and 1012.315 change certificate rules, including reducing experience requirement for nondegree vocational personnel from six to three years. - Construction change orders (policy 8.12): statute 218.755 revisions introduce new requirements. - Transportation (policy 9.08): Florida statute 810.097 updated; staff recommended replacing the district's 2003 policy with a new model policy.

Board questions and clarification: A board member asked whether an extended expulsion by the superintendent would need board approval. Staff said they would "double check the statutory language" but believed the extension is an administrative action taken by the superintendent after recommendation of the district threat assessment team; staff later said the statute did not expressly require board action.

Next steps: The board approved a motion to advertise the proposed policy changes for public review; the policies will return for further review at subsequent meetings and could be approved after the public comment period and any state board rule changes.