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Board votes 3-2 to revert to earlier sexual-harassment policy after court decision; members ask for legal briefing before second reading
Summary
The Longview School District Board voted 3-2 to adopt, on first reading, a replacement of Policy 3205 addressing student sexual harassment, reverting to a pre-fall model policy after legal guidance tied to a federal court decision.
The Longview School District Board voted 3-2 to adopt, on first reading, a replacement of Policy 3205 addressing sexual harassment of students that returns the district to a prior model policy in response to recent legal developments.
Dr. Flanagan told the board that OSPI, WSSDA and the district’s attorney advised returning to the WSSDA model policy that was on the books in 2020 after a federal court decision in another state affected Title IX–related provisions adopted in the fall. Dr. Flanagan said the replacement is a complete rollback, not a strike-and-add revision, to align the district with pre-fall legal requirements.
Board member Barb said she supports following legal advice but asked whether the replacement could retain language added last year that explicitly listed offenses such as sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. Dr. Flanagan said she would investigate the specific court decision and consult the district’s legal counsel about whether such language could be incorporated before the second reading.
After discussion, a board member moved to pass the policy on first reading; a second was recorded. The board chair called the vote and announced the motion passed on a 3–2 vote.
Several board members asked staff to provide the court decision and any legal analysis to the board before the next meeting so members can review the basis for reverting to the 2020 model. The item will return for a second reading with any recommended adjustments from counsel.
Ending: The board’s first-reading approval restores the earlier policy language pending review; members asked for legal background and for staff to explore whether specific offense language could be added back before final adoption.
