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Board approves second readings of policies, updates to student handbooks including survey-notification changes
Summary
The board approved second readings of several policies and adopted updated student handbooks. Notable updates to policy 6,400 add 'guardian or educational decision maker' language and new notification requirements for non‑anonymous surveys; no personally identifiable data from certain surveys is allowed for K–6.
The Norris School District 160 Board of Education approved second readings of multiple policies and adopted updated student handbooks that incorporate recent policy changes.
Key policy change: policy 6,400 was amended to add the terms “guardian or educational decision maker” in addition to “parent,” and to require district notification to parents and guardians at least 15 days prior to administering any non-anonymous survey that covers sensitive topics. The district must describe the survey’s purpose, age appropriateness, how collected information will be used, who will have access to it, and how student confidentiality will be protected. The board also approved a prohibition on administering surveys that request certain sensitive information to students in kindergarten through sixth grade, and limited disclosure of personally identifiable student information except as permitted by state or federal law.
Handbooks and regulations: board members said administrative staff carried policy changes into the updated student handbooks; staff confirmed the handbooks were updated and posted. The meeting materials list regulations numbered 5906, 5905 and 5904 as the supporting regulations that will be posted with handbook fees and procedures.
Why it matters: the amendments formalize parental/guardian notification for surveys and aim to clarify when and how student data may be collected or shared. Board members discussed wanting a short “summary of changes” in handbooks to help families identify policy updates.
Votes and procedure: the board approved the second readings and adopted the handbooks by motion. Board members discussed that some policy language previously approved at first reading had been updated to reflect new statutory requirements; staff confirmed the updated language appears on the district website.
Ending: staff said they will provide additional printed copies and circulate a concise summary of handbook changes ahead of the new school year.
