Policy committee presents first reading of privacy, accessibility and student-device policy updates

Sarah, chair of the policy committee, told the board the committee met and that the materials presented this evening are a first reading; a second reading is expected at the next meeting. Major items summarized included the 2025 update to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) rule, a new U.S. Department of Justice rule on web and mobile-app accessibility requirements, and a recent Supreme Court decision the committee said expands parental opt-out rights in public schools.

The committee also called attention to several district policy drafts: a revised cell-phone policy (policy 5136) that would restrict cell-phone use during instruction time; a March update to the student supervision and welfare policy (5200) that incorporates language from a Parents' Bill of Rights Act and includes a definition of grooming; restrictions on when driver's-education instruction can be scheduled (limited to lunch and study hall rather than curriculum time); and cyber-security updates. Sarah said the committee will mark up drafts and pass them to the board for second reading.

Board members asked where to find the drafts in board docs; Sarah advised drafts are available through the drafts section and offered to help board members locate updated language after the meeting. No votes were taken; the items remain at first reading.

Why it matters: these policy changes, if adopted, would change district rules on student-device use, parental rights and digital privacy and require further board consideration and a subsequent formal vote.

Speakers (selected): Sarah (Policy Committee chair); other board members asked procedural questions about locating draft documents.