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School board previews updates to 500-series policies and plans to integrate district maternity leave with Minnesota Paid Family Leave
Summary
The board received first-reading updates to several 500-series policies (student dress, extended school year, school activities, student fundraising) and a proposed revision to district-paid maternity leave to braid benefits with the Minnesota Paid Family Leave program beginning January 2026; the items were informational and not up for final vote.
At the Oct. 14 meeting the school board reviewed proposed revisions to district policies in the 500 series, including student dress and appearance, extended school year, school activities and student fundraising. The changes are part of the district’s regular policy review cycle and mainly update formatting, legal references and purpose statements to align with the district vision.
Superintendent Dr. Hillman drew particular attention to a recommended update to Policy 4.48 (district-paid maternity leave). The revision would coordinate ("braid") the district benefit with the new Minnesota Paid Family Leave program starting Jan. 1, 2026. Under the proposal, employees who qualify would first apply for state paid leave; the district would cover the portion of leave pay the state program does not provide, preserving the district practice of allowing employees to take maternity leave without drawing from accrued sick leave.
Hillman described the change as preserving employees’ paid leave while taking advantage of the state program; the board received the policies for first reading and did not take action to adopt them at the meeting.
Ending: The policy revisions will return for subsequent board consideration; the maternity-leave change is intended to take effect in January 2026 if approved.
