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Board reviews first reads of multiple policy updates, including literacy and online instruction
Summary
The district presented a set of policy updates for first read — including student records, special education changes tied to birth–age‑6 developmental supports, a new literacy policy to reflect state law, and a rewritten online instruction policy.
The Monticello Public School District policy committee presented first reads of multiple policy updates at the May 5 meeting, reflecting recent statutory changes and new statutory responsibilities.
Rob Daneker, director of human resources, reviewed the policies and said the district’s policy committee (Chair Seaman, members Root and Barthel, administration and staff) had vetted the changes. The first‑read items included updates to: student records/privacy (policy 515), curriculum development (603), instructional curriculum (604), special education instructional services (608), assessment of student achievement (618), staff development (619), credit for learning and post‑secondary enrollment options (620), a new literacy policy implementing statutory READ Act responsibilities (621), and online instruction (624).
Daneker described specifics when provided by statute and committee review. For 515, the district added a clause to prohibit sharing parents’ phone numbers with third parties for marketing and to reflect vendor notification/consent options for text messaging. In 608 (special education) staff added an article covering developmental services for children birth through age 6 per 2024 statutory change and clarified that an assessment for developmental adapted physical education (DAPE) may be conducted outside a full IEP process. Several curriculum and assessment policies were updated to align nomenclature with the state’s shift from older program titles (e.g., “World’s Best Workforce”) to current references to comprehensive achievement and civic readiness and Minnesota ELA standards.
Daneker said policy 624 (online instruction) was substantially revised to reflect changes since 2015 and to address full‑time and supplemental online learning enrollment and attendance considerations. Policy 621 is a newly proposed policy that embeds district responsibilities under recent literacy legislation to provide guidance and instruction required by statute for certified education staff.
All items were placed on first read for the board; Daneker said the committee will continue review and return for subsequent board action. No vote to adopt any of the revised policies was taken at the May 5 meeting.
