Safety committee reports clear-bag policy, scheduled school safety visits and surplus vehicle recommendations

The Safety and Operations Committee reported routine safety work and facility recommendations. Chair Walter Sperling told the board that the committee heard from Daniel House and staff that schools are following established safety plans and that school-safety visits for middle and high schools are scheduled for January. Dr. Steven Fisher reminded the committee that a clear-bag policy for athletic events will begin with the basketball season and that signage and public notifications are being posted.

The committee also shared a capital projects update and a transportation recommendation to surplus a list of DWI vehicles; staff said the committee supported the recommendation and it will be forwarded to the full board for approval. The committee’s minutes noted no additional agency reports and the next Safety & Operations Committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2026 at 11:45 a.m. in Room 308.

Board discussion included limited public detail about operational security practices (board members said detailed procedures should not be broadly publicized for safety reasons) and an invitation for board members to attend the committee meeting for fuller briefing. The clear-bag policy and the surplus-vehicle recommendation will proceed through normal committee-to-board processes.