Board advances student policies: seven approved on second reading, nine given first reading

The Orono Public School District board approved seven student-related policies on their second reading and accepted nine additional student-focused policies for first reading as part of the district’s three-year policy review.

Administration presented the seven policies on second reading (including Policy 5.16 student medication and telehealth; 5.16.5 overdose medication; 5.17 student recruiting; 5.18 DNR/DNI orders; 5.19 interviews of students by outside agencies; 5.20 student surveys; and 5.21 student non-disability discrimination) and said there were no additional recommended changes. The board moved, seconded and approved the policies by voice vote.

Separately, the board received a first reading of nine policies in the 500 series for further review: Policy 5.22 (nondiscrimination replacement), 5.24 (internet technology and cell phone acceptable use with added references to pupil-records protection), 5.25 (violence prevention legal-reference updates), 5.26 (hazing prohibition), 5.27 (student use and parking of motor vehicles), 5.28 (parental/family/marital nondiscrimination), 5.29 (notification to staff of violent behavior by students), 5.30 (immunization requirements), and 5.31 (pledge of allegiance with an added legal reference). Dr. Alger (introduced by Dr. Flusher) summarized the minimal nature of the proposed edits and said the policies will return for a second reading at a subsequent meeting.

Board members were invited to contact members of the policy committee with any questions or suggestions before the next review.