School board approves second readings of multiple policies; committee to review volunteer-driving language for extracurricular trips

The Monticello Public School District board on Monday approved second readings of multiple policies — including pupil records protection, curriculum and assessment updates, special education, online instruction and a new Literacy/Read Act policy — by unanimous voice vote.

Director of Human Resources Rob Daneker walked the board through the second-read policies, which were updated primarily to reflect recent state statute changes and recommended language from the Minnesota School Boards Association. Policies on the evening agenda for second reading included Policy 5.15 (Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records), 6.03 (Curriculum Development), 6.04 (Instructional Curriculum), 6.08 (Special Education), 6.18 (Assessment of Student Achievement), 6.19 (Staff Development for Standards), 6.20 (Credit for Learning/PSEO deadlines), 6.21 (Literacy and the Read Act — a new stand-alone policy), and 6.24 (Online Instruction). The board approved those policies 6-0.

Volunteer driving language: Separately, Daneker presented a first-read proposal to amend Policy 7.10 (student extracurricular transportation) by adding a definition clarifying that "employees shall include volunteers who prior to beginning service to the school district have satisfied the appropriate background screening and vetting requirements." The proposal would allow volunteers who meet enhanced background and driver-vetting requirements to transport students for extracurricular trips; the board did not act on the amendment Monday and sent the item back to the policy committee for further review on June 2.

Business Services Director Tina Burkholder and others reviewed insurance and license-verification concerns; the board and administration agreed that volunteers who transport students would be subject to additional checks and insurance verification. Daneker said the proposed wording and vetting process would be discussed again at the June 2 policy committee meeting. "I think the biggest concern would be the insurance, but it sounds like you've addressed that factor," a board member said during discussion.

The second-read policies will be adopted as presented; the volunteer-transport amendment will return to the policy committee for additional review before final board action.