The Board of Education took a series of formal actions during its Jan. 13 meeting. Key outcomes included changes to the student handbook’s cell‑phone handling, three security/infrastructure purchases for the new athletic complex funded from the 2022 bond issue, a five‑year transportation contract renewal, and two district policy revisions. Several items were approved unanimously.

Cell‑phone policy revision (student handbook)
The board approved a revision to the student handbook that tightens classroom phone procedures and clarifies enforcement steps. Administration told the board there were more than 800 violations reported in semester one and proposed procedural changes: teachers will record a student’s first violation in Skyward; administrators (and administrative assistants) will handle follow‑up entries and parent contacts for subsequent violations. Phone holders had already been purchased and a rollout to students and staff was underway. Motion to approve the revision passed 7‑0.

Athletic complex security and infrastructure purchases (bond phase 1 funding)
The board approved three separate purchases to complete security and network infrastructure at the new athletic complex; each motion specified vendor, amount and that payment will come from the 2022 bond issue:
- Purchase a 40‑gig fiber switch from K12 ITC not to exceed $12,600 (approved 7‑0);
- Purchase fiber installation services from Martin Underground not to exceed $99,000 (approved 7‑0);
- Purchase security cameras from Kent Brothers not to exceed $76,500 (approved 7‑0).
Administrators said the design includes a 40‑gig backbone, distribution panels, press‑box switches for live‑streaming and parking‑lot cameras added after review with safety staff.

Transportation contract renewal
The board approved a five‑year renewal with DS Bus Lines for student transportation services. Administration described DS Bus Lines as communicative and technology‑forward (GPS tracking for families) and said the vendor remains competitively priced. Motion passed 7‑0.

District policy revisions (DFAA and DAC)
The board approved two district‑initiated policy revisions. DFAA (grants and other financial resources) was rewritten to allow administration to submit grant applications when timelines require it while ensuring the board receives monthly reports on grants submitted and that the board must approve any grant funding before funds are expended. DAC (inventories) was revised to centralize district inventory responsibilities and store records in the district office with the board clerk retaining a copy. Motion passed 7‑0.

Consent agenda and officer elections
The consent agenda was approved (recorded vote 6‑0). The board held internal nominations and ballots for president and vice president earlier in the meeting; the recorded results named Julian Wells as board president and Ashley Biondi as vice president (ballot counts not specified in the transcript).

Other notes
- Several motions specified funding sources (the three athletic complex purchases were explicitly charged to the 2022 bond issue).
- Administration clarified that teachers’ Skyward entry is required only on the first violation; administrators will handle subsequent recordkeeping and parent contact.
- The board voted unanimously on the majority of formal actions.

Votes at a glance (selected)
- Student handbook cell‑phone revision — approved 7‑0; notes: first violation recorded in Skyward by teacher; administrators handle follow up.
- Fiber switch (K12 ITC) — approved 7‑0; not to exceed $12,600; funding: 2022 bond issue.
- Fiber installation (Martin Underground) — approved 7‑0; not to exceed $99,000; funding: 2022 bond issue.
- Security cameras (Kent Brothers) — approved 7‑0; not to exceed $76,500; funding: 2022 bond issue.
- 5‑year bus contract renewal (DS Bus Lines) — approved 7‑0.
- Policy revisions DFAA and DAC — approved 7‑0.
- Consent agenda — approved 6‑0.
- Officer elections — Julian Wells, board president; Ashley Biondi, vice president (ballot counts not specified).