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Board implements multiple TSBA/state‑mandated policy updates, including cell‑phone restriction during instruction
Summary
Johnson County staff presented a broad package of policy updates required by state law and TSBA guidance, touching on student board membership, records, threat assessment reporting, virtual education, library materials and searches and training requirements.
District staff presented a large package of policy changes the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) and state law now require. The changes were introduced as the first reading of multiple policies and, where applicable, advanced to final reading and approval during the meeting.
Key items described by staff and referenced in the transcript included: - Student board member policy (policy 1.1021): state law requires boards to authorize at least one high‑school student to serve as a board member; the district already maintains a practice and is formalizing policy language. - Records and public‑records adjustments (policy 1.407): state law removes fax as an option for record requests. - Surplus property valuation threshold (policy 2.403): federal regulations now require particular actions when disposing of property valued at $10,000 or below (previous threshold $5,000). - Threat assessment teams (policy 3.204): state law requires reports to parents/guardians within 48 hours after the district reports threats to law enforcement and a quarterly incident report to the board. - Instructional policy changes (policy 4.100 and 5.500 series): state law requires inclusion of definitions of antisemitism and anti‑discrimination in district policies; library materials policy changes clarify that materials cannot be excluded solely on religious grounds. - Virtual education and athletics (policies 4.212 and 4.301): state law allows hybrid learning during dangerous weather or emergencies and permits virtual school students who reside in the district to participate in interscholastic athletics per TSSAA guidance. - Internet and social media access (policy 4.406): districts must block student access to social media on district‑provided internet unless authorized by a teacher for instruction. - Reporting student progress (policy 4.601): report cards for grades K–8 must include the most recent universal reading screener score and dyslexia screener results where applicable. - Employment and retirees (policies 5.10110, 5.119, 5.305): changes include a required bonafide 60‑day separation before reemployment of retirees (with a new hard‑to‑fill provision in the policy) and updates to leave and paid parental leave rules. - Substitute teachers (policy 5.701): the number of days a substitute may be the teacher of record without a license increased from 20 to 30 days. - Searches and training (policy 6.303): searches of students must be carried out by a school resource officer, security officer or administrator who has completed state‑required training; staff said the Department of Education is still developing that training.
Staff told the board these changes come from state law and TSBA guidance; some policies were presented together (bullying and FRC report) and others were highlighted as first readings with additional discussion planned. The board voted to adopt a subset of policies on final reading during the meeting (see votes roundup). Staff said administrators and relevant teams will receive training and coordination ahead of the school year.
Ending Staff said they will share implementation details with principals and noted further training and coordination (including meeting with school resource officers) are scheduled before the new school year.
