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District readopts civil-rights and nondiscrimination policies to align with state models and Title IX changes
Summary
Legal counsel presented three policy updates for a first reading — student nondiscrimination and harassment policies and a staff discrimination/harassment policy — revised to align with recent state model language and federal Title IX regulatory changes and to prepare for an OSPI civil-rights review.
Sarah Thornton, appearing by Zoom, told the board the district is proposing revisions to three policies for a first reading: (1) student nondiscrimination and harassment (policy numbers presented on Jan. 14 as 3,205 and 3210 in the draft), and (2) staff discrimination and harassment (policy 5011, as presented). Thornton said the updates bring district language into alignment with the WASDA model policies and reflect federal Title IX regulatory changes and recent state law.
Thornton said the changes do not alter the district’s core responsibilities but refresh definitions, complaint and investigation procedures, and compliance coordinator designations in order to be ready for a statewide civil-rights review OSPI will begin this month.
Board members asked clarifying questions about Title IX, gender-identity inclusivity and investigative procedures. Thornton said gender-identity protections were already present in the district’s policy language; the proposed edits mainly update definitions and complaint procedures to match case law and recent regulatory guidance. Thornton indicated these items will appear on the board consent agenda for adoption at the Jan. 28 meeting.
What was not decided: The Jan. 14 meeting included a first reading and board discussion; the board did not adopt the policies at that session.
