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Trustees hold first read of OSBA policy revisions; pledge and volunteer background checks draw attention
Summary
The board completed a first reading of updated OSBA model policies; major trustee questions centered on pledge-of-allegiance wording, permissive extracurricular language, and mandatory criminal-background checks for unsupervised volunteers.
The Groveport Madison Schools Board of Education conducted the required first read of updated policies provided through the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA). District staff identified roughly 10 policies that require local customization before a second reading and adoption.
Key points discussed: trustees asked about the policy language that references student participation in out-of-district activities (specifically the state'referenced example of ice hockey and the statutory 20-mile rule); they debated whether reciting the pledge of allegiance should be required or left to the teacher; and they pushed to change volunteer language so criminal-background checks are mandatory for any volunteer with unsupervised access to students (the board requested changing permissive "may" language to "shall" or "will"). The district recommended keeping policy choices that reflect current practice but added staff will prepare alternative language for those items requiring customization.
Staff committed to collecting board feedback and returning policy options at the second read, expected in December. Trustees also asked staff to consult OSBA legal resources for clarifications on bid guarantee options and other technical policy language.
No final votes were taken; this was a first read with direction to supply customized options and legal interpretation before the next meeting.
