Board adopts revised instructional materials and search policies; JECA admission policy gets first read

The Centennial School District board approved two policy updates on Feb. 25 and heard a first read on a third.

Director Olsen presented revisions to Policy IIA on instructional materials and associated administrative regulations. Olsen said the proposed changes clarify definitions (core vs. supplemental materials), add language to ensure materials under reconsideration remain available during the review process, and explicitly state that materials should be "inclusive of populations represented in a global society." After brief discussion, Director Jess Harden moved to adopt Policy IIA as presented; the board adopted the policy by voice vote.

Director Sotherton then presented an update to policy section 4F (searches). He said the board had directed more inclusive language so that students could "choose the gender of the district staff member who conducts the search," subject to availability of a trained staff member of the requested gender; if a trained staff member of the requested gender is not available, a trained staff member of another gender may conduct the search. The board moved to adopt the revised policy and approved it by voice vote.

On new business, Olsen provided a first read of JECA (admission of resident students), aligning the policy’s terminology with recent changes in graduation policies — replacing the phrase "alternative certificate" with "certificate of attendance" as introduced under recent state legislation. The item is expected to be listed among confirmation items at the board’s March meeting to allow public comment.

The board did not take further action on JECA at this meeting and will allow public comment during the next regular meeting if no substantive changes are made before then.