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Board action roundup: policies, textbooks, facilities and dates approved
Summary
The Bristol School District board approved two search‑and‑seizure policies (including use of hand‑held metal detector wands), accepted a Southside HVAC project as complete for state reimbursement, set graduation and last‑day dates, approved parent conference/term dates and purchased a new precalculus textbook.
The Bristol School District Board of Education voted on a series of administrative items during its meeting, approving policy changes, textbook purchases, project closeouts and calendar items.
Policies: The board approved revised policy 5145.12 (student search and seizure) and policy 5145.123a (use of hand‑held metal detector wands) after committee review. Board policy lead Mary Hawk explained the policies were intended to "strengthen our ability to prevent potential threats and respond appropriately" while protecting students' rights and dignity. Board members clarified the policies are not intended for daily blanket screening; Hawk and other members said use would be targeted and governed by procedures.
Facilities and capital: The board accepted the Southside School Roof/HVAC replacement project as complete to enable the district to seek approximately $2.5 million in state reimbursement for the project. The board previously had a project committee accept the work in October 2023, and central office staff presented the formal acceptance as a state reimbursement prerequisite.
Curriculum and calendars: The board approved a request to purchase a precalculus textbook and digital resources for the high schools, authorizing $30,293.90 from the current fiscal year textbook allocation. District staff noted the purchase aligns the precalculus materials with a new vertically aligned curriculum and provides electronic access and translated materials for students. The board also approved parent‑conference and term dates for the next two school years and set the 2024‑25 school year last day and high‑school graduation date as Wednesday, June 18, 2025, subject to change if additional emergency closing days are required.
Other routine approvals included minutes from prior meetings and items on the consent agenda.
The board chair and central office staff said these administrative votes were intended to complete work that supports instruction, facilities reimbursements and calendar planning while the broader budget workshop is scheduled to address more consequential operational decisions.
