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PCSSD board adopts multiple student and administrative policy updates; cell‑phone policy passes 5‑1
Summary
The board accepted several policy revisions prompted by recent state legislative changes, including student transfers, school choice, discipline, tobacco, student medications, cell-phone possession rules (4.47), free breakfast policy (4.51) and an expense‑reimbursement clarification. All passed except the cell-phone item, which passed 5‑1.
On Aug. 12 the Pulaski County Special School District board approved a group of policy updates and associated administrative documents that the district said were required or recommended following changes in state law.
Policies adopted or updated included:
- 4.4P Student Transfers (revisions per Act 118) - 4.5 School Choice and accompanying resolution/rejection letter (revisions per Acts 563, 732, 913) - 4.17 Student Discipline (language changed from PBIS to multi-tiered behavioral system under Act 804) - 4.23 Tobacco, Nicotine and Related Products (legal references updated) - 4.35 Student Medications (forms and self‑administration clarifications under Acts 245/801) - 4.47 Possession and Use of Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Devices (grade‑banded consequences; title updated) — passed 5‑1 (Miss Potter cast the lone no) - 4.51 Food Service Prepayment (policy updated to reflect free breakfast for all students per Act 123) - 7.12 Expense Reimbursement (clarifies mileage/travel reimbursement rules)
Administrators summarized the statutory drivers and the practical effects of the changes. For example, staff said the cell‑phone policy now differentiates discipline and device handling by grade band (elementary, middle, high) and clarifies permitted devices and consequences. Staff also said the food-service update implements free breakfast for all students as required by state law; district staff indicated the change will be implemented consistent with state guidance.
Board votes on the bundle were taken item by item. All items were approved; the cell‑phone policy was approved by a 5‑1 vote (Miss Potter opposed). The board president and district staff noted the policy package reflects statutory requirements and will be published with the district policy manual.
Closing: Supervisory staff said the district will issue updated forms and guidance to schools and will return to the board with any required further administrative clarifications.
