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Board tweaks drafts of attendance‑zone and law‑enforcement policies, asks legal to craft 'shall/unless' language
Summary
The board discussed revisions to draft Policy AD (school attendance zones) and LD AJ (law enforcement access). Members pushed to make community engagement steps mandatory but asked legal to add a limited exception clause allowing the board to provide alternate direction.
Board members spent considerable time during the pre‑work and work sessions discussing two draft policies: AD (school attendance zones) and LD AJ (law enforcement and access to non‑public areas).
Amanda (chief of staff) outlined revisions to Policy AD that clarify the policy applies to K‑12 attendance zones (preK remains optional), moves safety and traffic patterns into primary criteria, adds SLTs and the city to the community engagement list, and narrows the superintendent’s authority for making attendance‑zone changes in newly annexed areas (less than five households). Several trustees urged reinstating mandatory language — changing 'should' back to 'shall' — so that the superintendent is required at a minimum to conduct the outlined engagement steps. Legal counsel explained that 'shall' creates a ministerial duty and potential legal exposure if not followed; the board directed legal to draft compromise wording (e.g., "A superintendent shall develop a process... unless the board directs otherwise") so the superintendent is bound but the board retains flexibility.
On Policy LD AJ (law enforcement and immigration enforcement access), the board supported language protecting student enrollment regardless of immigration status, restating FERPA compliance for student records, and requiring a judicial warrant for access to non‑public areas. Members asked for clearer definitions of 'non‑public areas' (for example, how parking lots would be treated when ICE or other federal actors are present) and requested that procedures be referenced so that school staff are directed to central office when presented with judicial warrants in order to protect employees.
Both policies will be revised per the board’s requests and returned for first‑read consideration in August.
Ending: Staff and legal will produce specific 'shall/unless' language for attendance‑zone community engagement and clarify definitions and procedures for law‑enforcement access before first read.
