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Board reviews IASB policy updates and considers dates for reorganized board retreat
Summary
Trustees reviewed quarterly policy updates from the Illinois Association of School Boards, discussed changes including Title IX language, suspension guidance, diabetes supplies and an AI policy, and considered dates and formats for a reorganized‑board retreat with an IASB facilitator.
The Flossmoor SD 161 Board of Education on May 19 reviewed policy reference updates provided by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) and discussed scheduling a retreat for the newly reorganized board.
A district staff member who presented the updates said the IASB releases updates about four times a year and the board typically reviews them for language changes and new policies before a later approval vote. ‘‘We follow the Illinois Association of School Boards' policy reference updates,’’ the presenter said.
The presenter highlighted several changes in the quarterly update: restoration of Title IX coordinator language (with no large changes to Title IX policy), additional guidance on suspensions, a new policy providing guidance for victims of domestic violence and expecting mothers, an update allowing students to carry diabetes supplies, and a new AI policy that requires a district plan and training if teachers are required to use AI in the classroom. The presenter also noted instances where the IASB update only annotated footnote changes and did not require a policy amendment.
Board members asked questions about attendance and chronic absenteeism. Dr. Smith said excused absences are still counted as absences for chronic absence calculations: ‘‘excused absences are still counted as an absence.’’
Board members also discussed retreat planning. The board asked staff to propose available dates from IASB representative Dr. Natalie Williams; the presenter read three candidate dates in August and said the sessions could be one day or longer depending on needs. Board members expressed a preference for an evening session if possible; others suggested an expanded multi‑day retreat to build long‑term planning and committee alignment.
No policy votes occurred at the meeting; staff will place the IASB updates on a future agenda for approval after board review. The presenter encouraged trustees to submit questions before the next meeting so staff can prepare for the formal vote.
