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Instructional committee reviews FMLA edits, 2% non‑lapsing fund change and Title IX rule updates
Summary
Board heard recommended edits to the family‑and‑medical‑leave policy, an update to the non‑lapsing 2% education fund to reflect recent legislation, and a Title IX policy/regulation overhaul aligning with the federal final rule; Latour recommended adopting the changes pending technical edits.
District leadership presented three personnel and policy items to the Instructional Committee on Sept. 3: a revised family‑and‑medical‑leave (FMLA) policy with minor technical edits, an update to the non‑lapsing education fund policy (Policy 3171) reflecting legislative changes, and comprehensive revisions to Title IX policies and regulations to align with the federal final rule.
On FMLA, Latour said the policy required only minor edits — including changing the term 'paraprofessional' to 'paraeducator' to match new legislative terminology — plus two clarifications the policy committee added: clear definitions of 'spouse' under federal and state standards and retention of federal language requiring spouses who work for the same employer to share FMLA allotments in certain circumstances. She said the policy committee added a sentence encouraging eligible staff to consult the personnel office for individualized guidance.
Latour described revisions to Policy 3171 (non‑lapsing education fund) that reflect the legislative removal of the town‑finance approval step. Under the updated policy, the board may place unexpended prior‑year funds into a 2% account not to exceed 2% of the total budgeted appropriation for educational purposes under listed conditions.
Latour also reviewed extensive Title IX final‑rule changes the district incorporated: expanded definitions of discrimination and harassment (including sexual orientation and gender identity), broader privacy protections, modified grievance components that allow more informal resolution options in some cases, expanded duties and training requirements for Title IX coordinators and personnel, and requirements to consult IEP/504 team members when a student with disabilities is involved in a complaint. She noted litigation and that some states have paused implementation, but said Wallingford’s recommendation is to move forward with updated policy language and forms now to ensure compliance if the rules remain in force.
Board members asked clarifying questions about intermittent FMLA, social‑media/video use under harassment policies, and the interplay among bullying, discipline and harassment regulations. District counsel and staff noted the policies were drafted with attorney guidance (Shipman Goodwin) and that a clean, consolidated version of the Title IX documents would be emailed for clearer review prior to any formal board vote.
