District refines school visitation policy; board debates limited parent lunches and vendor screening

Deputy Chief Snow and Chief Mooney presented proposed updates to Policy 2.06 (school visitation), describing the rewrite as a cleanup of a 2009 policy that defines a 'visitor', requires single‑point entry, and uses the district’s visitor management system (Raptor) while honoring statutory exemptions for some agencies and screened vendors.

The presentation removes redundant language now covered elsewhere (for example, Policy 2.59 and 7.18) and gives principals authority to revoke visitor access and outlines steps a visitor can take if they want to appeal such a decision. The administration said it plans to bring the policy to the board for policy development on May 27 and adoption July 15.

Board members asked whether elementary parents could be allowed scheduled lunch visits on designated days. Superintendent Mike Burke and staff cautioned that capacity, security and front‑office screening would need careful planning but agreed to check with school leaders about possible pilot programs. Trustees also asked how frequently vendor background checks are refreshed for vendors who are exempt from Raptor screening; staff explained that vendor prescreening occurs at hiring/contract level and HR is notified if arrests occur that could rescind access.

Deputy Chief Snow said the policy will be coordinated with general counsel to address any third‑party access (for example, requests from federal agencies such as ICE) and reiterated that visitors from certain agencies would still be vetted through law‑enforcement channels and would not be allowed student contact without proper legal process.

Next steps include revising language per Trustee feedback, coordinating with principals on potential limited parent visit pilots and returning for formal policy development.