Board hears first readings of revised violence-prevention and service-animal policies; middle-level course update presented

The St. Cloud Public School District board on Feb. 5 listened to first readings of two revised policies and received an update on middle-level course offerings for grades 6–8.

Assistant Superintendent Shannon Avinson summarized proposed revisions to policy 05/25 (violence prevention) and policy 05/35 (service animals in schools), saying the updates follow Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) guidance. Revisions to the violence-prevention policy emphasize moving from developing to implementing curricula and training, expand recommended training to include school-board members and staff on recognizing abuse and violence, and propose creating a curriculum committee to ensure consistent instruction districtwide. Avinson said MSBA guidance recommends teaching critical viewing and listening skills and analyzing mass media as part of prevention instruction.

On the service-animals…