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Board adopts second readings of device and transportation policies; commissioners press on drug testing and leave verification
Summary
On second reading the board approved policies on personal electronic devices and student transportation, and also advanced staff conduct/drug-and-alcohol and staff-leave policies; commissioners raised practical concerns about authorized classroom device use, random drug-testing procedures and whether sick-leave verification triggers after one or three days.
Richland One commissioners approved on second reading a set of operational policies covering student personal electronic devices, transportation, school-bus safety and student conduct on buses, and they also advanced staff-conduct, drug-and-alcohol and staff-leave policies.
During the operations policy discussion, Commissioner Hersey asked why the device policy preserves an "authorized classroom use" exception when state guidance might otherwise restrict cell-phone use. Facilities/policy staff said the language follows a model policy provided by the State Board of Education and is intended to allow approved curriculum-based use under school-level and district-level approval. "This was also part of the model policy provided by the State Board of Education to have the ability for schools to make some decisions within classrooms as it may be needed," the presenter said.
On transportation and bus conduct, commissioners asked whether school administrators may spontaneously board a bus; administration said administrators may board and will identify themselves. The district also confirmed bus cameras assist investigations and that serious incidents at stops may be referred to SROs and local police.
Separately, during second reading of staff conduct, drug-and-alcohol and leave policies, Commissioners questioned the logistics of random drug testing (one commissioner described having to drive an employee to testing) and the threshold for requiring medical verification of sick leave. Administration said the practice has not changed and principals may request verification; the administrative rule indicates the district may require verification and that principals have discretion.
What comes next
The second readings passed and the administrative rules remain posted online; administration said it will provide clarifications where needed, and commissioners requested additional review of random-testing logistics and the sick-leave verification triggers.
