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Bay County School Board approves change to enrollment policy to ensure both parents may be on student contact lists
Summary
The board voted to adopt revisions to policy 7.102 clarifying that both parents may be listed on a student's contact/pickup list unless a court order says otherwise, after staff described past problems when the registering parent could exclude the other parent.
The Bay County School Board on April 8 approved revisions to policy 7.102, clarifying how schools handle parent access to student contact and pickup lists. The board voted to advertise and adopt the policy change after a public hearing and staff explanation.
School board attorney Heather (first name provided in the meeting) told the board the major change "is just in how you deal with enrolling parents and who can or is entitled to be on a contact list for students." She said the revision is intended to make sure "each parent is treated equally in that regard" and to prevent the enrolling parent from being able to exclude the other parent except when a court order specifies otherwise.
Board members and staff said the policy updates respond to repeated questions and friction when the registering parent previously controlled access. Superintendent (identified in the meeting as Mr. McQueen) and staff explained that under the prior practice the parent who registered the student effectively controlled who could be added to the school's contact list, and that created conflict for some families.
Under the revised language the default is that both parents are entitled to be on a child's contact and pickup lists unless a court order, restraining order or comparable legal restriction bars access. Heather also explained the change reflects recent legislative and case developments the district has tracked; board materials noted the policy is being aligned ahead of a broader Neola policy update.
The board opened the item for public comment as part of the advertised public hearing; no public commenter opposed the change during the hearing. A motion to accept the revised policy 7.102 carried on a roll call vote with all five board members voting yes.
Board members said they expect the revision to reduce disputes at schools over access to events such as award ceremonies and performances, and staff said the updated policy will be published and become effective on the timetable used for other policy changes going before the board.
The board will publish the revised policy for a 30-day public comment period and return it for formal adoption as part of the district's policy update schedule.
