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USDB committee approves policy allowing supervised student use of power tools; consent form adopted
Summary
The USDB standing committee approved a policy and associated parental consent form to allow supervised students to use power tools as part of CTE and transition programming, with requirements for supervisor oversight, collaboration with facilities staff, and documentation of accidents and near misses.
The Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind standing committee voted Nov. 10 to approve on first reading a new policy allowing supervised student use of power tools and maintenance equipment and to approve the associated parental consent form.
Dr. Michelle Tanner told the committee the policy arose from a senior student's request to receive hands-on maintenance training in a transition or work-placement class and the need to provide direct signed instruction rather than relying solely on an interpreter. "We have students who want to participate in CTE and transition classes and would benefit from supervised experience," Tanner said.
The policy requires parental consent and supervisor oversight; it also requires that accidents and near misses be reported, investigated and documented with corrective action plans. Member Longacre asked whether near misses required paperwork, noting teachers already face significant paperwork burdens. Tanner and staff said investigations and documentation are necessary for safety and that facilities and maintenance staff will collaborate on oversight.
A question about the consent form's parent signature was resolved during the meeting when staff confirmed the signature line appears on the second page of the form. The committee approved both the policy and the consent form on first reading and forwarded them to the full board for final approval.
What's next: The policy and consent form will come before the full State Board for final approval; staff said the policy will begin with a pilot offering for one student with potential wider application if successful.
