Revere Board reviews 14 policies; clarifies drug‑testing scope, Narcan storage and homeschool extracurricular access
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Summary
At a Feb. 3 special meeting the Revere Board discussed wording changes across 14 policies, including narrowing drug‑testing language to employees with safety‑sensitive duties, requiring clearer Narcan storage/training and debating whether home‑educated students may access extracurriculars under recent state law changes.
The Revere Board of Education spent its Feb. 3 special meeting reviewing 14 policies and a treasurer job description, with board members focused on clarifying who the policies apply to and how district practice should be codified.
Board member S3 proposed tightening the language in policy 3.1 so that drug and alcohol testing applies to employees performing safety‑sensitive duties rather than to anyone who happens to drive a vehicle for the district. S3 recommended: "this policy applies to employees performing safety sensitive duties who are required to have a commercial driver's license or who operate motor vans on behalf of the district." Board members agreed to ask district administration for suggested redraft language.
The board also addressed post‑accident testing. S4 reported that Transportation staff (AJ) has long tested drivers after any accident, whether the driver is at fault or not, and S1 recommended adding that practice to the policy so the written rules match day‑to‑day practice. Members debated operational consequences of a blanket 'all accidents' rule and suggested wording that would allow the Transportation Director discretion in marginal cases.
On overdose reversal drugs (policy 6.5), S1 urged clearer storage and training provisions and proposed increasing on‑site doses. "At a minimum, we have 2 doses available at both RHS and RMS," S1 said, noting paired or contaminated overdoses are possible. Board members suggested placing doses in AED cabinets (which trigger 911 when opened), checking expiration management, and coordinating with county public health for replacement supplies.
The board examined home‑education and extracurricular access (policies 7.11 and 7.16) after recent state changes. S8 flagged that House Bill 96 narrows exceptions so only home‑educated students — not students enrolled in other nonpublic or community schools — remain eligible, and asked whether the district still can grant discretionary participation. Members discussed liability, transportation, part‑time enrollment limits and whether certain arts programs (band, choir) should permit in‑district home‑educated students to participate with guardrails.
Members also discussed menstrual product availability (policy 6.31), including whether single‑stall and non‑gendered restrooms should be named in the policy and whether dispensers or clinic‑kept supplies are preferable; S7 confirmed individually wrapped products are available in the clinic. Budget policy discussion included a proposal to raise daily meal reimbursement from $40 and the option of tying allowances to federal GSA locality rates or adopting an 'up to $80' cap for non‑collectively bargained employees.
No formal board votes on policy adoptions occurred; the session was explicitly informational and the board asked administration to return with redraft language and clarifications on implementation, auditing thresholds and training schedules.