Elk River board approves updated student‑surveys policy after extended debate over pronouns, parental notice and staff clarity

Elk River — The Elk River School Board voted Dec. 8 to approve revised Policy 5‑20 governing student surveys after an extended debate over language concerning parent notification, consent and whether asking about preferred pronouns is covered by the policy’s protected‑information rules.

Director Weiss said he had asked the policy committee for clearer language and that the committee produced a single consolidated version for board review. "From the research I did ... pronouns themselves were not listed as protected information when used solely within the preferred acknowledgment state," Weiss said, but he added that if pronoun questions were coupled with other protected items the result could change.

Directors disagreed in part about grade‑level appropriateness and whether staff‑initiated questions should be permitted. Director Freyberg argued that "middle school, for sure, no way" on teacher‑initiated pronoun prompts, reflecting concern about age appropriateness; others said the policy’s distinction between parent notification, opt‑out and parent consent should guide practice.

Board discussion repeatedly returned to implementation details: several directors asked the policy committee and administration to produce clear administrative procedures to ensure staff understand when notification or consent is required (for example, when a question elicits protected information under statute) and when student‑initiated preferences may be recorded without parental consent. After debate the board closed discussion and approved Policy 5‑20 by voice vote; the meeting record shows the vote carried. The board also approved several other policies that evening under the three‑year review cycle, including policies 5‑28 (parental/family nondiscrimination), 5‑29 (notification to staff on violent students), 5‑32 (use of peace officers and crisis teams), and 5‑33 (wellness).