Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Policy Revision topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board pauses action on Policy 17-25 after members raise concerns about consent language
Summary
Board members asked for clarified language and legal review of Policy 17-25 (definitions of consent) and agreed to hold the policy for further consideration; counsel and the superintendent advised caution to avoid conflicts with Title IX and disciplinary policy.
Board members debated the proposed wording for Policy 17-25, which updates definitions related to consent. One board member asked to add a clarifying sentence making clear that the policy’s definition language should not be read as implying that certain conduct between minors is acceptable in Burke County schools.
Board counsel and the superintendent cautioned that the policy is disciplinary in nature and that any added language should not conflict with statutory requirements such as Title IX or interfere with administrators’ disciplinary authority. Counsel said, "I don't think it interferes with the enforcement of Title IX," but recommended further review before making final wording changes.
During debate, a member said that reading the definition clause in isolation "would be absolutely freaked" (expression of concern about how a community reader might interpret the language). After discussion the board agreed to remove Policy 17-25 (and several other related policies) from the consent agenda to allow additional review and a second reading.
The board's action to hold the policy was procedural: members asked staff and counsel to draft phrasing that preserves administrators’ disciplinary authority while clarifying intent for community readers. The policy will return for further consideration after legal review and redrafting.
