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Board reviews 2026–27 student handbook; staff to ensure translations and clearer amendment notice
Summary
Dr. Owens presented a first reading of the 2026–27 student handbook; changes are mainly formatting and policy updates, handbook goes live Aug. 1, and staff will provide translations and revise a footer that currently reads the handbook "may be amended during the year without notice."
Dr. Owens presented the first reading of the 2026–27 student handbook and code of conduct, telling the committee the district is moving toward an annually audited, consistently formatted handbook. The handbook is scheduled to go live August 1, 2026.
Dr. Owens said this year’s changes are largely non‑substantive: updated policy language from the recent legal review, formatting changes to improve readability, and inclusion of required notices. Testing windows and national test dates were updated after consultation with testing coordinator Christine Zean. Dr. Owens said the district will translate the handbook into Spanish and other languages and make all hyperlinks ADA-compliant.
Board members raised one phrasing concern: a footer in the handbook currently states the handbook "may be amended during the year without notice." Dr. Owens said staff’s intent is to retain flexibility to incorporate immediate legal requirements, but agreed to propose clearer wording that commits to notifying families when substantive changes occur. "We will always notify our families if a substantive change occurs," Dr. Owens said.
No final action was taken; the handbook will return for consideration on May 18 with revised wording for the amendment notice and final copy edits.
