Faribault policy committee forwards multiple policy changes to school board; keeps testing retaliation protection

FARIBAULT, Minn. — The Faribault Public Schools Policy Committee on Feb. 4 voted to forward seven policy items to the school board, including a recommendation to rescind Policy 5.37 and a recommendation that the school board keep an employee protection against retaliation in the Student District Testing Plan (Policy 6.14).

The committee reviewed and approved sending updates and revisions to a range of district policies so the full school board can act on them. Most motions passed by voice vote; the committee also debated whether to remove a specific anti-retaliation provision from the district—s testing policy and recommended that the board retain it.

The actions affect several student- and grant-related rules. The committee recommended rescinding Policy 5.37, saying the document was drafted locally years ago, contains outdated expectation grids and duplicates handbooks and MSBA guidance. The committee voted to forward Policy 4.18 (Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School) with a newly added paragraph reflecting a 2024 Minnesota law change protecting…