Eastchester district proposes stricter staff–student contact rules in Title IX policy update

Eastchester Union Free School District Superintendent Dr. Valente outlined a proposed rewrite of district policies to align with recent federal Title IX revisions and to tighten rules on staff–student interactions, both in person and online.

Dr. Valente said the district is shifting some matters previously handled under DASA toward Title IX and described a set of behaviors the draft policy would prohibit. “Staff should avoid any appearance of impropriety in their interactions with students,” he said, and read examples including private non‑academic conversations in locations inaccessible to others, uninvited home visits and transporting students in personal vehicles “without the knowledge and express consent of parents and the appropriate district, school district administrator.”

The proposal would also restrict one‑to‑one electronic communications between employees and students to district‑provided and -managed platforms. “Sending messages, including direct messaging of a student on a private or personal messaging platform or social media account, such as Snapchat, ChatX, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or other such programs is prohibited,” Dr. Valente said.

Why it matters: the changes would create mandatory reporting duties, clarify which communications and platforms are permissible, and require district training and parent notice. Under the draft, district employees “shall” report suspected violations to the building principal, who then shall notify the superintendent; Dr. Valente emphasized that the word “shall” was chosen to make reporting obligatory rather than permissive.

Key details: the board held a first reading of the policy at this meeting. Dr. Valente said the district began staff briefings earlier in December, and additional sessions are scheduled in January: secondary staff on Monday, Jan. 6, and K–5 faculty by Jan. 13. The superintendent said attorneys will be available at committee and unit meetings to answer questions and that the board intends to vote on the policy in the January meeting cycle so the policy could be fully in place by Feb. 1.

Implementation elements Dr. Valente described include: - Prohibited behaviors (non‑academic private conversations in secluded locations, unsanctioned home or off‑site social visits, transporting students in personal vehicles without parental and administrative consent). - A closed list of allowable digital platforms (district Google Classroom and Gmail, ParentSquare, Sports University, and other district‑approved systems listed in the district’s official software inventory). - Mandatory reporting chain: employee → building principal → superintendent, with guidance to consult unit representatives or administrators if staff are unsure whether behavior is inappropriate. - Staff training in early January and age‑appropriate student curriculum updates (expanding on existing “good touches/bad touches” instruction for younger students).

Dr. Valente also described parallel work on advanced learning identification and assessments (NWEA testing three times a year and a 30‑minute cognitive abilities screener) as part of the administrative report, but those program details remain separate from the Title IX policy revision process.

The board did not take a final vote on the Title IX changes at this meeting; the item was presented as the first reading with a planned second reading and a subsequent vote in the coming meeting cycle.

The district encouraged staff and parents to submit questions during the January sessions and said legal counsel will attend committee meetings to clarify procedural and investigative steps under the new policy.