Keystone Central SD policy committee advances wide-ranging policy updates to first read

The Keystone Central School District policy committee opened its first meeting after reorganization at 10:00 a.m., agreed that Chris Scaff would serve as interim policy chair for the session, and moved a broad set of policy updates to a first read for the full board.

Committee members agreed to advance a package of policies and administrative regulations (ARs), including policy 105.2 (exemption from instruction and related ARs), policy 204 (attendance and habitual truancy), policy 218 (weapons), policies 805/805.2 (school security personnel and training), policy 122 (extracurricular activities reporting), policy 816 (district social media), and updates to procurement policies (610/611 and attachment to 626). Chair Chris Scaff said, "So we'll take B1 through 5 right now to go to first read." The committee proceeded with those recommendations.

Why it matters: the updates respond to recent changes in state law and to district operational needs. The 105.2 package incorporates state language on "sincerely held religious and moral beliefs" and includes ARs for parental/ student exemption forms and required notice processes; attendance policy changes reflect new limits on cyber charter placement for habitually truant students; procurement changes align with increased bid thresholds and refine documentation practices.

What the committee did: most items were moved to first read for consideration by the full board rather than adopted at the committee level. Members discussed whether ARs should be separately approved by the board or presented together with their parent policies so new board members can review both simultaneously; the committee favored placing ARs alongside policies for transparency.

Key quotes: Dr. Redmond said of the exemption language, "That is a change in the state law, and that would that's the language that comes from." Board member Elizabeth urged stronger transparency on purchases: written backup for phone quotes and board visibility for larger purchases.

Next steps: the items advanced to first read will appear on the board agenda for subsequent meetings. The committee also agreed to have the school solicitor brief the board on the district social media policy and recent case law before final action.