Board rescinds student-complaint policy, holds due-process policy for further review

The Waukesha School District Board of Education voted 8-1 on Feb. 13 to rescind Policy 57-10, Student Complaints, a measure the Student Services Committee had moved to eliminate as duplicative of existing complaint procedures. Diane Voigt cast the lone “no” vote. The board did not take final action on Policy 56-11, Due Process Rights; that item was remanded to committee for additional review.

Student Services Committee Chair Anthony Zenobia presented the committee’s recommendation. Committee members had argued that Policy 57-10 created the impression of a separate complaint process and that Policy 91-30, Public Requests, Suggestions or Complaints, is a comprehensive policy better suited to govern complaints not covered by a specific policy. The committee voted 4-1 in favor of rescinding 57-10 before bringing the recommendation to the full board.

Board member Diane Voigt urged caution about removing student-facing material. Voigt said the now-rescinded policy had been written as a student-friendly reference that consolidated rights and procedures and cautioned against removing a tool that helps students identify where to start. Other board members noted that the student handbook already includes complaint procedures and that edits can be made there or to Policy 91-30 if anything important is omitted.

Board discussion also covered logistics: the student handbook is distributed primarily online, which the administration said can be updated quickly. Board members agreed that if rescinding 57-10 leaves any gap, the content should be inserted into policy 91-30 or the handbook and that the committee will revisit related wording at its next meeting.

The motion to rescind Policy 57-10 was moved by Anthony Zenobia; the motion passed on a roll call vote: 8 yes, 1 no. The board declined to advance Policy 56-11 and returned it to the Student Services Committee for further review and possible revision.