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Henderson County BOE approves emergency reading to comply with Senate Bill 181 and OKs first reading of updated student code of conduct
Summary
The board approved an emergency reading of a policy update to require traceable staff‑to‑student communications under Senate Bill 181 and approved the first reading of the 2025 student code of conduct, which adds a requirement that preschool and kindergarten students be met by an adult at bus drop‑off.
The Henderson County Board of Education on June 23 approved an emergency first reading of a policy change to comply with Kentucky Senate Bill 181 and approved the first reading of an updated 2025 student code of conduct handbook that includes several legislative changes and a new requirement for preschool and kindergarten bus drop‑offs.
Superintendent Dr. Lawson told the board the state law (Senate Bill 181) takes effect June 27 and "mandates that all communication between school employees, including volunteers and students be conducted through a traceable communication system designated by the district." To meet the law's timeline, the superintendent asked the board to approve an emergency reading of Policy Update 48 and Procedure 8.2324; the board approved the emergency reading unanimously.
Why it matters: The emergency approval allows the district to begin rolling out a district‑designated, traceable communications platform and to train staff before the law's June 27 effective date. District staff said the technology and rollout were already in progress.
District plan and code of conduct changes - Traceable communications: district staff said an added message/communications service (described in the meeting as part of the district's existing ParentLink system and a product they called "Rooms") will be used to centralize messages and make staff‑to‑student contact auditable. The district planned a rollout at a coaches' symposium the following day, with technology staff and athletic staff scheduled to demonstrate and begin training. - Student code of conduct (first reading): the board approved the first reading of the 2025 student code of conduct handbook, which incorporates KSBA (Kentucky School Boards Association) recommendations and legislative changes. The district's code committee added one item to match board policy: when a bus drops off a preschool or kindergarten child, an adult must be present to meet the child.
Board action - Emergency reading for policy update 48 and procedure 8.2324 (to comply with Senate Bill 181): motion by Mr. Alvis, second by Ms. Williams; vote unanimous. - First reading of 2025 student code of conduct handbook (including addition requiring adult presence for preschool and kindergarten bus drop‑offs): motion by Mr. Alvis, second by Mr. Smith; vote unanimous.
Other policy items mentioned - The board also discussed a new paid maternity leave benefit (up to 30 paid days) that the superintendent said "has already been approved" and will begin next year; staff described this as a district adoption to aid recruitment and retention.
Sources: Superintendent remarks, code‑of‑conduct committee discussion, and staff technology remarks at the Henderson County Board of Education special meeting on June 23, 2025. Presentations were delivered by district staff; the board voted on policy items during the meeting.
