Libertyville SD 70 policy committee recommends adopting multiple updated policies, rejects a resident-suggested wording

The Board Policy Committee of Libertyville SD 70 met on April 13, 2026, at the Educational Resources Center (Workroom 1) and recommended adopting updates to a broad set of district policies, citing changes to legal references and model ("Press") language. The meeting began at 12:03 p.m. and adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Committee members reviewed first-reading updates to meeting and procedure policies, including 2:200 (Types of School Board Meetings) and 2:220 (School Board Meeting Procedure), noting footnote updates related to the Open Meetings Act (OMA). The committee discussed an added phrase described in the transcript as "suggested by District residents" and recommended that the board not add that line; it did agree to adopt the provision regarding performance of active military duty as a service member for 2:220.

The committee recommended adopting Press-referenced updates across numerous policies. Among the items noted for adoption at first reading were: 2:250 (Access to District Public Records), 2:260 (Uniform Grievance Procedure), 4:165 (Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors), 5:30 (Hiring Process and Criteria), 5:250 (Leaves of Absence), 5:330 (Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves), 6.50 (School Wellness), 6:65 (Student Social and Emotional Development), 6:100 (Using Animals in the Educational Program), 6:145 (Migrant Students), 6:170 (Title I Programs), 6:180 (Extended Instructional Programs), 7:20 (Harassment of Students Prohibited), 7:50 (School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools), 7:100 (Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students), 7:185 (Teen Dating Violence Prohibited), 7:220 (Bus Conduct), 7:230 (Misconduct by Students with Disabilities), 7:240 (Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities), 7:260 (Exemption from Physical Education), 7:280 (Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease), 7:300 (Extracurricular Athletics), and 8:90 (Parent Organizations and Booster Clubs). The transcript indicates the committee accepted Press edits or updates for these policies and recommended adoption; where the transcript specifically requested legal clarification (see below), the committee asked for district legal guidance before finalizing interpretation.

On policy 4:165 (child sexual abuse awareness), the committee discussed removing a section that would have required five days' written notice to parents/guardians before commencing certain instruction for students in grades K–8 and an opportunity to object in writing; following legal recommendations the committee agreed to the Press-recommended language (the transcript records the removal and adoption decision).

Regarding workplace substance and tobacco/cannabis policy 5:50, the committee agreed to adopt the Press updates but requested legal guidance from a District 70 attorney to clarify what the new language means in practice for the district.

The transcript records that policy updates to leave-related sections (5:250 and 5:330) were made "in response to the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act" (as named in the transcript), and corresponding legal references and footnotes were updated; the committee recommended adoption. The transcript does not include text of motions, the names of makers/seconders, or vote tallies for the approvals recorded.

The committee approved the minutes from the March 2, 2026 meeting; the transcript does not specify a mover/second or vote count. No visitors were recorded in attendance. The committee tentatively scheduled its next meeting for Monday, May 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.