Board approves weighted-grades change, postpones search and hazing policy votes for legal review
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Summary
The board approved a revision to Policy 6-20 (ending weighted GPA for incoming ninth-graders) 6–1, and postponed votes on Policy 5-02 (searches) and Policy 5-26 (hazing) to allow legal and administrative revisions—directing staff to return with revised language on parental notification and contraband definitions.
The board acted on a set of recommended-policy items and pulled several for further discussion.
Weighted grades (Policy 6-20): Director Matt Swanson moved to approve changes that phase out weighted grades for incoming ninth-graders; Director Carly Anderson seconded. Several directors debated downstream effects—particularly the risk that students may choose PSEO or concurrent-enrollment pathways if weighted GPA advantages disappear. Director Thompson proposed adding a 90-day timeline to produce a concurrent-enrollment plan; that amendment failed for lack of a second. The main motion passed 6–1.
Search policy (Policy 5-02): Director Thompson asked that the policy add parental-notification requirements after searches and clarified the contraband list (removing overdue books and adding drug paraphernalia and vaping devices). Administrators and legal counsel noted student-handbook procedures and umbrella language for controlled substances; the board voted to postpone approval and send the policy back for legal and administrative revision.
Hazing policy (Policy 5-26): Directors debated whether the definition should explicitly include electronic/digital hazing and whether parents should be notified when an investigation is initiated (not only after confirmation). Some directors cautioned that pre-confirmation notification and parent presence during interviews could complicate investigations and privacy; the board voted to postpone the policy for further legal review and redrafting (motion to postpone passed 5–2).