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Policy committee moves first readings on device use, Regents weighting and fiscal policies
Summary
Riverhead’s policy committee presented first readings on a new student personal electronic device policy, updated Regents exam weighting and multiple fiscal-management policies; the committee said stakeholder input and funding details will guide final language.
The Riverhead Central School District policy committee on June 10 presented first readings for a new policy on student use of personal electronic devices, revisions to Regents exam weighting and several fiscal and purchasing policies.
The items matter because the device policy and grading-weighting changes affect classroom discipline, assessment practices and how the district will implement rules across schools.
The committee said it has not finalized device-policy language and stressed stakeholder input is essential. Alan and Cheryl (staff members) will coordinate gathering input from bargaining units, students and families, with a goal of presenting a first reading later in the month and adopting the policy at the July 8 board meeting. Trustee Erica Murphy urged board members to attend stakeholder sessions.
On discipline, the committee discussed options for secure storage of devices at the secondary level — lockers or pouches — and said the state indicated funds for districts but the district has not yet received specifics on amounts. The committee emphasized that disciplinary responses based solely on possession or use of cell phones should avoid suspension and focus on consistent enforcement across schools.
The committee also presented revisions to grading-system policy that tighten oversight of grade changes with required documentation and defined timelines, and it presented a new fund balance maintenance policy recommended by a state controller review. A set of purchasing, accounting and contracting policies was reorganized and updated for clarity and alignment with guidance.
Several policy items listed at the meeting were taken as a first reading and the board approved the first-and-final reading for the Regents-weighting policy at the meeting; other policy updates will return for a second reading and adoption at a future meeting.
