Board hears review of student/family handbooks; no 2025–26 changes recommended

St. Cloud Public School District staff told the board there are no recommended changes to the 2025–26 student and family handbooks and explained where the handbooks and the code of conduct are posted online.

Assistant Superintendent Nikki Hanson and Assistant Superintendent Jason Harris presented the review at the Aug. 6 meeting. Hanson showed board members how to find school‑level handbooks on the district website (click school → About → Resources) and noted that the committee recommended reviewing the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) model handbook for potential updates in 2026–27.

Hanson and Harris said sites maintain paper copies for families on request (typically at counselors’ or administrators’ offices) and that handbooks are covered in beginning‑of‑year advisories, conferences and video materials. The district does not currently require a signed acknowledgement from every family; staff said they did not have an official signature process tied to the handbook because many families access the material electronically and because past feedback limited the usefulness of routinely printed handbooks.

Board members debated whether the district should require a signed receipt to ensure families cannot claim ignorance of handbook rules. Board member Al Dahlgren argued the district should obtain a signature to document awareness; other members responded that teaching and repeated communications, multilingual materials and targeted outreach are the primary methods to ensure families and students understand expectations. Hanson said she would bring the suggestion of a signature requirement back to the committee for consideration as part of next year’s handbook review.

No policy change or vote occurred; the board listed approval of the 2025–26 student and family handbooks as a future agenda item for Aug. 20.

Speakers in this account are named and attributed to their remarks in the Aug. 6 transcript.