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Board reviews CSBA-recommended policy updates and adopts governance handbook amendment
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Summary
The board reviewed several CSBA-recommended policy updates (superintendent recruitment, offender-notification, governance standards and conflict-of-interest bylaws), heard a first read on student-conduct and weapons policies, and approved its governance handbook with a pronoun wording amendment.
District staff presented a set of board policy updates recommended by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) and explained changes required by recent state law. The board also discussed and approved a revised governance handbook with a wording change to use gender-neutral pronouns.
Staff explained updates to BP 21 20 (superintendent recruitment and selection) to reference CSBA search services and to clarify duties for professional advisers; the policy was updated to reflect new law cited in the packet (as presented by staff). The presenter also walked through BP 35 15 on offender-notification disclosure procedures and multiple bylaw updates including governance standards and conflict-of-interest (BYLAW 9270) changes, which included a requirement that governing boards adopt a conflict-of-interest code and referenced new statutory thresholds and required ethics training for board members by Jan. 1, 2026.
On student services items, staff (Miss Bassilino) gave a first read of Policy 5131 (student conduct) which adds required language directing boards to adopt smartphone-limiting policies by July 1, 2026, and Policy 5131.7 (weapons and dangerous instruments), which clarifies staff reporting responsibilities for threats and aligns training requirements with state law.
Board members asked clarifying questions about how changes would be communicated, requested plain-language versions of the equity work's graphics for parent engagement and suggested posting meeting guidelines in the boardroom. The board moved to approve the governance handbook with an amendment substituting "they/them" in place of gendered pronouns, the motion was seconded and the handbook was adopted by voice vote.
The policy updates were presented for review; some items were treated as a first reading and will return for subsequent action as required by normal policy-adoption procedures.
