Board accepts R3 monitoring report, approves Neola policy updates and adopts revised student code of conduct

The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District board on May 6 accepted its R3 monitoring report on personal development with noted exceptions, approved Neola policy revisions required by Wisconsin Act 57, and adopted an updated student code of classroom conduct (Policy 5500).

Miss McMasters presented the R3 results monitoring document and cautioned that four indicators (exercise frequency, recreational screen time, prolonged sadness, and student employment) currently use prior‑cycle data because the Department of Public Instruction had not yet returned this year’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey results. She highlighted several district measures including a drop in high‑school office discipline referrals for vaping, THC and alcohol from 50 to 16 over four years, a rise in self‑assessed emotional regulation among grades 6–12 from 44% to 63%, 96% of graduates passing a personal finance course, and an 89% college or career readiness rate — the highest the district has reported.

Board members asked whether the R3 indicators remain the most useful measures and whether the district should shift to more objective metrics within its sphere of influence. Several members suggested sending the policy back to the governance committee for a substantive review; others said the community conversation scheduled for July should inform any revisions. The board voted first to accept the monitoring report as its own and then voted that the district had made "reasonable progress" on R3 with noted exceptions for recreational screen time and digital citizenship measures.

Dennis Beer and policy committee members reviewed recommended Neola revisions required by Wisconsin Act 57, which strengthen how the district reports and responds to staff misconduct involving students and add requirements for prompt parent/guardian notification in certain cases. The board approved those required changes and also adopted optional companion language on appropriate staff‑student relationships and new whistleblower protections.

The board also approved an update to policy 8330 (student records) that expands the district’s definition of "directory data" to expressly include a student’s photograph, video or other visual likeness. District officials noted that directory data may be released unless a parent or eligible student opts out within 14 days of the district’s annual notice.

Superintendent Holmes and Miss McMasters then presented Policy 5500, the revised student code of classroom conduct, which was developed by an ad hoc committee of parents, students, administrators, teachers and community members, and reviewed by the district’s professional policy service. The board voted to adopt the policy, which is organized around five governing principles: safe and orderly learning environments; accountability paired with equity, restoration, growth and self‑regulation; meaningful staff support and empowerment; and community partnership and transparency.

Motions on the monitoring reports and policy adoptions were made and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote. Board members said follow‑up work would include governance committee review of R3 indicators, community conversations to inform policy revisions, and tracking systems to implement Act 57 training and reporting requirements.