District staff reviewed a multi-part policy update at the Nov. 17 Farmington Board of Education meeting and the board approved the updates for first reading.

Staff said several changes stem from Connecticut Public Act 25-139, which added protected classes and requires updates across nondiscrimination and harassment policies; other updates reflect recent Title IX guidance, changes to the Office for Civil Rights, and state law updates affecting school climate and discipline (Connecticut General Statutes citations were referenced).

Staff pointed to Public Act 25-93, which creates a non-lapsing account (a carryforward fund) and requires an annual report to the Connecticut State Department of Education and the district’s exclusive bargaining representative within 30 days of adopting the board budget. Public Act 25-174 (effective Oct. 1, 2025) changes family-and-medical-leave coverage for some public-school employees. Staff also noted updates to mandated-reporter guidance and adjustments related to FERPA (privacy rights for students at age 18) and curricular-exemption and parental access rules that will take effect in coming school years.

Shipman & Goodwin (district counsel) recommended repealing several outdated policies that are duplicative of state or federal law; the board approved those repeals for first reading. Staff also presented a consolidated library policy (collection development, displays and programs, and materials review) required by Public Act 25-168; the board approved adoption of that policy for first reading.

Board members asked for the redlined materials to be circulated and noted they would reserve fuller comment for the second reading; the board recorded 'Aye' votes to advance the policy updates and repeals and to adopt the library policy for first reading.