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Washington Unified adopts mobile‑device and equity policies, approves safety plans and several contract renewals
Summary
Trustees adopted a new mobile communication devices policy and a district equity policy, approved comprehensive school safety plans and multiple contract amendments and renewals (Terracon, Network Management, NorCal School of the Arts, NPS renewals), and asked staff to research options for an athletic trainer after comments about student injuries.
At its regular meeting the Washington Unified School District board adopted a second read of a revised mobile communication devices policy (BP 5131.8) and approved a new district equity policy after presentations and trustee feedback on rollout and administrative regulations.
The mobile‑device policy sets different expectations for TK–8 and 9–12 students, prohibits use in bathrooms and locker rooms and requires devices to be silenced and out of sight during instructional time; trustees asked staff to draft an administrative regulation and a communication plan to implement the new rules by January. "We're not gonna have perfection. We're gonna grow our kids, educate them and our community," a district presenter said while discussing the rollout timeline.
The board also approved the 2024–25 Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSPs), which staff described as "real‑time documents, constantly evolving" and developed with law enforcement and fire partners. Dr. Burns said the CSSPs are living documents and the board approved them by voice vote.
On contracts, the board approved several action items: Amendment #2 to Terracon Consulting to add chlorine baseline testing ($16,200; ESSER 3 funds), an amendment to add $2,763.48 for moving services at the Westfield Village modernization (Measure Z), a contract with Network Management Corporation for technology equipment and security cameras (Measure Z funding), and a $30,000 change order for the Westmore Oaks field irrigation (Measure V and State Facilities Program matching funds). The board also renewed multiple nonpublic school contracts to meet IDEA obligations and renewed a contract with NorCal School of the Arts (Proposition 28 funds) to provide SEL‑informed theater instruction.
Trustees used the public comment period and board remarks to highlight safety concerns and student health: one public speaker urged hiring an athletic trainer after a player‑injury incident, and Vice President Pezzatti asked staff to return with cost and implementation options for an athletic trainer at high schools. "In my 9 years on the board, we've never had an athletic trainer, and that kind of I feel bad about that," Pezzatti said, calling for a staff summary on options.
The board approved the policy and contract items by voice vote where recorded; some items were informational only. The data‑sharing amendment with the City of West Sacramento was tabled for redlines and clarification after trustees raised privacy and opt‑out concerns.
