The Robertson County School Board on Jan. 13 reviewed certified and classified personnel reports, heard that the district will hold a job fair in March, and considered two policy updates on first reading: policy 4.603 (promotion and retention) and policy 5.701 (substitute teachers).

Staff summarized certified personnel actions including leaves of absence, transfers, new hires and classified personnel items including resignations and dismissals. The board packet also announced a district job fair in March intended to recruit staff and outline benefits available to employees.

The proposed policy revisions were described as follows: policy 4.603 was updated to reflect a State Board of Education provision allowing parents or guardians who choose to retain a student in kindergarten through grade 2 to submit a written request within 30 days of the end of the school year; if a student is not eligible for voluntary retention under state law the district must respond in writing. Policy 5.701 was revised to add a requirement from Public Chapter 735 that substitute teachers receive annual school safety training.

Meeting minutes record that a motion was made to approve the two policies on first reading, but the transcript does not include a recorded vote on that motion. Staff said the policy language in the packet reflects the stated state requirements. Kathy Watkins in the student services department compiled the homeschool and private-school report referenced during the personnel discussion.

Board members also discussed using the upcoming retreat to explore outreach and enrollment questions for families who request to withdraw a child from the district, including whether the district should pursue outreach through open enrollment channels. No formal action was taken on outreach or recruitment strategies during the meeting.