Richfield board approves athletics/activity guidelines and three other policies, accepts donations

At its Feb. 2 meeting the Richfield School Board voted to approve several policies and to accept donations from community partners.

Policy 6.51 (athletics and activity program) and accompanying administrative guidelines (6.51.1 and 6.51.2) were presented on a fourth read. The board approved a requested wording change to the appendix—replacing a reference to "athletic program philosophy" with "activity program philosophy"—and clarified that the "third season free" provision applies specifically to athletics (fall, winter and spring) rather than to summer or scholastic-only activities. After discussion, the board moved and approved the policy and guidelines by voice vote.

The board also approved policy 709 (development and maintenance of an inventory of fixed assets) on a third read and policy 5.81 (protection and privacy of pupil records) with its administrative guidelines. Board members noted that the latter contains statutory language intended to clarify when student data can be released and to whom.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved the consent agenda by voice vote. The board also accepted several donations across district schools, including grocery-bag and blanket donations for the Spartan food shelf and other schools: Edina Kowalski's (1,000 grocery bags), Lake Winds Co-op (600 grocery bags), Edina Whole Foods (200 bags), Penzi's Spices (300 blankets), a $375 donation to the Spartan Food Shelf from Emily DeVita, and a $700 donation from the Optimus Club of Richfield for job-Olympics support at Richfield High School. The board accepted the gifts by motion and voice vote and thanked donors publicly.

Board members also discussed where fee-setting and competitive athletic fees are reviewed (competitive athletics/activities committee and athletics office) and noted that guidelines can be updated administratively if needed; the board kept the policy on its five-year review cycle.