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Board to submit updated student internet policy; employee leave changes tabled pending clarifications
Summary
Board was told to approve an updated student internet acceptable-use policy to meet a new state law and submit it to the Department of Education by Oct. 15; a proposal to cut maximum paid/credited employee leave from 150 to 60 days (GARH) was discussed at length and tabled for further refinement.
Administration told the Coffee County School District board that state law changes effective July 1 require updates to the student internet acceptable-use policy and that the district must approve the revised policy by Oct. 1 and submit it to the Georgia Department of Education by Oct. 15.
"We have to submit this new policy to the Department of Education by October 15, so this is our chance to approve this one," said an unidentified administration speaker during the work session.
Separately, administration proposed narrowing the district’s extended-leave practice under policy GARH to align with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guidance and surrounding counties — moving from the current district practice of up to 150 days toward a 60-day alignment. A district staff member said the change is largely fiscal and administrative: high use of extended paid leave requires additional substitute pay and continued employer-paid benefits when employees move to unpaid leave.
Staff flagged two specific edits that must be added to remain compliant with model GSBA language: living organ-donor leave and updated military leave language. The staff member said living organ donors would be entitled to about 30 days under the model language.
Board members voiced concern about immediate implementation and recommended broader communication with employees; at least one member suggested delaying implementation to the next contract year and sending a clear notice and PDF to employees. Several members emphasized that the district should avoid reducing employees’ State Health Benefit Plan entitlements and should consider optional short- or long-term disability options available during open enrollment.
Given outstanding drafting issues, the board agreed to table the GARH revisions and asked staff to return with clarified text that includes the required living organ-donor and military-leave language.
Near the end of the work session, the board approved a motion to exit the public meeting and enter executive session to discuss personnel, hiring, evaluation and school-safety matters.
