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Revere Local board gives first reading to amended Parents' Bill of Rights, schedules community review
Summary
The Revere Local Board of Education held a first reading of an amendment to the district's Parents' Bill of Rights on June 24, approving language to allow verbal notification of "substantial changes" and directing the superintendent to hold community listening sessions this summer and early fall.
The Revere Local Board of Education on June 24 gave a first reading to an amendment to its Parents' Bill of Rights that would allow schools to notify parents "or in writing and/or verbally of any substantial change." The motion to amend was made and seconded during the board's meeting and advanced as a first read.
The amendment was presented as a narrow change to paragraph 2 of the policy. Board members and the superintendent framed the vote as an interim step: the board approved the change for first reading and directed the superintendent to gather broader input before a final vote.
Why it matters: board members said the policy has implications for student safety, parent access to information and compliance with state requirements. One board member said the district must have the policy in place by July because of state-imposed timelines; Superintendent White told the board he will run a “listening and learning” series to solicit feedback from parents, staff and students and aims to return recommended amendments in the fall.
Details: the board discussed several trade-offs during the hearing. Some trustees argued limiting notice to written only could impede timely contact for families who are separated, have custody issues or live outside the district. Others urged stronger, in-person communications involving counselors for situations where in-person contact could enhance student safety. The superintendent described plans to host multiple sessions, including Zoom times in August and meetings when school resumes, and said he expects to bring proposed amendments back for consideration by the September meeting.
Procedure and next steps: the board advanced the amendment as a first reading (no final adoption at the June 24 meeting). The superintendent said he is scheduling sessions in August and early September for staff, families and community members to provide input; the board indicated it expects further amendments and another formal vote later this year.
Public input and context: the board heard several public comments and vocal concerns during the meeting that fed into the discussion about how the district notifies families and how staff should handle sensitive student matters. Board members emphasized the intent to protect students while balancing practicality for families and staff.
The board did not adopt a final policy at the June 24 meeting; the item remains subject to revision after the scheduled community engagement and legal review.
