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Board reviews several first‑reading policies: social media limits, grading scale, Title IX updates and legislative priorities
Summary
Trustees held extended discussion of a social media practice statement (trustee-proposed ban on student‑facing district social media), a proposed conversion from a 7‑point to 10‑point grading/reporting scale, an attorney‑driven Title IX revision, and legislative priorities including teacher‑pipeline proposals; several items returned to committee for further work.
The Elmbrook School Board reviewed a package of policy and practice‑statement changes in a roughly two‑hour conversation that covered social‑media guidelines, grading/reporting scales, Title IX compliance updates, and the district’s draft legislative agenda.
Trustee Sam proposed tightening the social‑media practice statement to prohibit district encouragement of student use of third‑party social platforms and to require district email addresses to administer official district accounts. He cited studies and a recent lawsuit alleging platform harms to youth mental health. Other trustees and staff cautioned that a sweeping prohibition would affect athletic teams, clubs and instructional communications and recommended the topic return to committee for a fuller operational review and cross‑policy analysis; committee review was agreed.
Trustees also debated a Teaching & Learning Committee recommendation to move from a 7‑point integer reporting scale to a 10‑point scale to align more closely with many colleges and other districts and reduce cross‑district GPA distortion. Supporters said the change would help students compete fairly for admissions and scholarships; opponents warned of grade‑inflation risk, the need to recalibrate rubrics, teacher training demands and effects on student self‑image. Staff and trustees agreed any implementation would require significant teacher training and phased work.
The board reviewed an attorney‑drafted Title IX update required by federal guidance and discussed timing and required compliance steps; staff noted the district will amend policies again if court rulings alter the federal framework. Trustees also reviewed a WASB draft resolution to support flexible teacher pathways and possible open‑enrollment exemptions for district staff as a retention tool; staff will refine the language for a September WASB submission window.
Several of these policies will return to committee for revision and then to the board for second reading and/or action.
