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Board reviews IASB 'Press' policy updates; Title IX‑related language held pending federal guidance
Summary
Lyons Township trustees heard a first reading of recommended policy updates from IASB Press issues 116 and 117 but chose not to adopt Title IX–dependent language pending federal clarification; the board discussed mandatory training, AED locations and other policy items.
The Lyons Township High School District 204 Board of Education reviewed a first reading of policy updates from the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Press Service (issues 116 and 117) and discussed which changes to accept now and which to defer because of outstanding Title IX regulatory questions.
Dr. Waterman introduced the review and noted the packet included about 20 recommended updates in Press issue 117 and two recommendations from Press 116. "As this is a first reading, this serves as an introduction to these updates," Dr. Waterman said during the meeting. Legal counsel Jennifer Rosenberg and district leaders were present to answer questions.
Key points and board discussion: - Title IX regulations: Several Press recommendations implement or reference the 2024 Title IX regulations. Because Lyons Township remains subject to the 2020 Title IX rules, staff recommended excluding or delaying adoption of Title IX‑dependent language until federal guidance or litigation settles. Counsel noted the district will continue to monitor the evolving status of federal rules and return with recommended language when appropriate. - Board member training (policy 2120): The Press language adds recommended ongoing professional development about the adverse consequences of school exclusion. Board members discussed whether new topics should be mandatory for incumbents or recommended for ongoing education. Counsel explained state statute sets minimum training for new board members within their first year and that additional continuing education can be adopted as a board practice rather than made mandatory in policy. - Safety and emergency equipment (policy 4170): Staff reported the district already maintains more AEDs than the example policy lists — "We currently have 18 different locations for AEDs," a district safety presenter said — and are finalizing a cardiac emergency plan for publication on the website. - Curriculum and endorsements (policy 660): The board discussed the state’s college and career pathway endorsement and the district’s four approved pathways; staff explained endorsements appear on student transcripts and can influence Perkins and career‑tech funding. - Accelerated placement and waivers (policy 6135): Staff recommended removing a Press‑suggested waiver provision that could allow students to waive graduation requirements to access accelerated coursework; the district said it can accommodate accelerated placement without the proposed waiver language. - Student appearance (policy 7160): Board and staff recommended keeping language that protects historically associated hairstyles and hair textures in order to avoid excluding culturally or religiously significant styles. Counsel noted the phrase follows recent statutory language addressing hair and race. - Out‑of‑school suspension notice (policy 7200): The Press draft uses wording that makes an "attempted" phone call to a guardian part of required notice. Staff recommended retaining the Press wording to preserve flexibility when families lack reachable phone numbers; administrators said the expected procedure is to attempt immediate phone contact, document the attempt and follow with written notice. - Investments and the Public Funds Investment Act (policy 430): Board members asked about a Press line that would allow investments "authorized under other law." Staff recommended retaining the district’s current public‑funds approach tied to the Public Funds Investment Act and collateral safeguards, and returning with any clarifying language if the legislature or state treasurer provides new authorizations. - Counseling and ethics (policy 5120 / 6270): Press recommends updating language ("school counselor" in place of older terms such as "guidance counselor"); counsel and staff said the change aligns with state and professional terminology and does not create legal problems across policies.
No policy was adopted at this meeting; staff said materials and counsel recommendations will be returned to the board for a second reading and approval at a future meeting once Title IX dependencies and several clarifications are resolved.
Board members and staff pledged ongoing monitoring of federal Title IX changes, internal procedures for suspension notice, and alignment of district procedures with any adopted policies.
