District presents multiple policy revisions tied to 2025 state laws; board to act Aug. 20

Chandler Unified School District staff presented a package of policy and procedure revisions Aug. 6 that respond to recent 2025 Arizona legislation and federal regulatory guidance. The revisions were provided as information and are scheduled for formal board action at the Aug. 20 meeting, staff said.

Key points presented by Dr. Dela Torre and other staff:

- Title IX: District policy 1-203 and its grievance procedure were updated to align with the 2020 Title IX regulations referenced by staff; approval will be requested Aug. 20.

- Student records/directory information (FERPA): Under 2025 Arizona Session Laws (House Bill 2514 as cited in the packet), districts must provide annual notice to parents/legal guardians about rights and changes to directory information. Staff noted the law will generally prohibit disclosure of a student's address, telephone number or email unless: state or federal law requires disclosure; the parent/legal guardian has provided affirmative written consent; or the parent/legal guardian has not opted out and the disclosure is for a permitted purpose. Staff emphasized that federal exceptions (for example, certain disclosures to military recruiters) remain in effect.

- Technology and social media access: In response to a cited House Bill (2484 in the packet), the district proposed revisions to policy 3-403 and related forms to restrict access to social media networks except for instructional purposes. Procedures must permit social media use for parent/student communication, emergencies, medical needs and instructional uses.

- Mandatory reporting and police interviews: The district proposed updates to policy 4-204 and related procedures to reflect 2025 Senate Bill 1437 as discussed in the packet. Notable changes: district employees (including substitute teachers) and governing board members are named as mandatory reporters; reporting to a school resource officer no longer satisfies the legal duty to report; an SRO who receives a report must notify law enforcement immediately; and a separate procedure addresses police interviews of students, including guidance about parental presence and a staff request that the board consider whether a 20‑minute waiting guideline provides adequate time for parents to respond.

- Student code of conduct and device rules: State law now requires districts to set rules restricting student use of wireless communication devices and social media at school except for specified exceptions (emergencies, parent contact, medical needs, instructional purposes). The district is proposing a consistent set of sample restrictions and implementation guidance for consideration.

Staff said these changes are technical and largely driven by new state statutes or clarified federal requirements. Many board members asked clarifying questions in the meeting about how the changes affect substitutes, how the district will notify parents about opt‑out rights, and what operational supports (for example, training and substitute onboarding) the district will provide. Staff said substitutes that return to the district this year were onboarded with the updated mandatory‑reporting training and that site admins will include guidance for substitutes in campus substitute packets.

All policy revisions were presented as information; staff said approval of specific policies will be requested at the Aug. 20 meeting.