The Westerville City Schools Board of Education conducted the required first reading of a new Parents’ Bill of Rights policy (policy 57‑80.01) at its May 19 meeting, reflecting provisions of House Bill 8, which became effective April 9.

Scott Reeves presented the policy’s required elements, saying the law requires parental notification by phone or email of substantial changes to a student’s health, mental or emotional services and the opportunity for parents to inspect instructional materials and to opt students out of instruction that includes certain types of sensitive content. Reeves said the district already provides many parent inspection and opt‑out options and that the policy largely codifies statutory requirements.

Board members asked staff to check whether particular language needs clarification with respect to students who receive special education services and to confirm how conflicts between safety‑related confidentiality and notification requirements would be handled. Administration said the district’s legal counsel and policy team will be engaged where statutory provisions intersect with child‑safety obligations and that implementation will require training and coordination; no additional state funding for implementation was identified during the discussion.

This was a first reading; no final vote was taken. Staff said they will review cross‑references with existing special education and safety policies and return a final draft for board consideration within the policy cycle.

Why it matters: The policy implements a state law requiring proactive parental access to curriculum and notification for specified student wellbeing issues. Administrators said the district already follows many of the law’s practices but that implementing the new policy will require staff time, legal review and communication planning.