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Trustees debate proposed restriction on board members'unaccompanied campus visits; committee asked to reword language
Summary
Trustees debated a proposed revision to Board Bylaw 9200 that would require board members to be accompanied by a principal or designee when visiting school sites. Supporters said the rule protects staff and prevents undue influence; opponents said the language would discourage volunteers and parents who then seek board office.
The board conducted a first reading of proposed revisions to Board Bylaw 9200, which would clarify limits on trustee authority and add language that, as drafted, requires individual board members to be accompanied by the principal or a designated staff member when visiting school sites.
Supporters of the change said it is intended to prevent situations where a trustee's presence could be perceived as exerting undue influence on staff or disrupting school operations. "When anyone walks into a school site they will be treated differently if they're known to be a trustee," a board member said, arguing the policy protects both staff and trustees from confusion or perceived coercion.
Opponents, including trustees who currently volunteer at campuses, said the language as written risks discouraging parent volunteers and community members who might otherwise run for future board service. One trustee said the requirement that trustees be accompanied "at all times" could prevent board members from doing routine volunteer tasks like running a book fair. Several trustees proposed striking or rewording the paragraph to preserve volunteer engagement while addressing power and perception concerns.
The matter was returned to the policy committee for revision. The board did not vote to adopt the new language at this meeting; staff said the proposed edits will be brought back for further consideration.
