Board adopts two mandated policies on parental notification and family involvement tied to state law
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Summary
Middletown’s board approved two mandated policies — one implementing parents' rights provisions from House Bill 86 on required permissions and opt‑outs, and the other outlining the district’s parent and family involvement commitments.
The Middletown School Board approved two mandated policies that staff said implement recent state requirements. One policy implements parents' rights provisions from House Bill 86, detailing parental notification, permission requirements for certain services and opt‑out rights for curriculum described as sensitive; the second defines the district’s commitment to parent and family involvement.
Mrs. Houser, staff member, said the first policy "comes directly from house bill 86 where this was initiated, parents' right to know," and that it requires parental permission for certain services and sets procedures and timelines for parents who disagree with curriculum or health‑related classroom content. "It talks about developmentally appropriate content that's to be taught in 4 through high school. Parents, have the right to know when that content's going to be taught. They also have the right to opt out, pull their child," she said.
The second policy, described as coming from the Ohio School Boards Association, spells out practices the district will use to promote two‑way communication, support responsible parenting and involve families in the schools. Staff said both policies are mandated and that the district will provide professional development on the changes at the start of the school year.
Board action: the board moved and approved each policy separately during the business portion of the meeting; recorded roll calls on the two policies showed board members voting yes, including Mrs. Ramsey Hunter, Mr. Moore, Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. Shiver.
Implementation: staff said teachers and staff would receive training during professional development at the beginning of the school year; the policies also identify procedures for notifying parents about curriculum and health services and the process for opting out.
Ending: board members said the district worked with policy representatives to align language with state requirements and OSBA guidance.
