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District presents draft building-level student handbooks and advances multiple policy updates
Summary
Administration proposed replacing the districtwide handbook with building-level handbooks based on the MSBA model to consolidate statutorily required notices; the policy committee reviewed FMLA (policy 410), internships (539), assessment (618), fundraising (629) and facilities (902) changes.
At the June 8 meeting the administration introduced draft building-level student handbooks for 2026–27 that would replace the districtwide student rights and responsibilities document. Assistant Superintendent Nate Swenson said the drafts are based on the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) model to ensure required statutory notices (FERPA, environmental health and safety notices, suspension/expulsion procedures) are consolidated in an accessible, building‑specific format. The board was told the handbooks will be returned annually for review and approval.
The policy committee reviewed several policies. Executive Director of Human Resources Sonia Sailor recommended adopting the MSBA model FMLA policy (Policy 410) to consolidate eligibility and leave‑reason detail and to limit Policy 410’s scope to FMLA because new Minnesota leave types create overlap. Director Leland recommended rescinding Policy 539 (internships and job shadowing) on the grounds it is primarily administrative rather than governance policy and suggested operational details be handled administratively. Other reviews: Policy 618 (assessment, grading and reporting) was reorganized to separate dropping classes and pass/no‑credit language; Policy 629 (student fundraising) added the finance director to approvals to ensure fiscal oversight; and Policy 902 (use of district facilities) removed the static fee schedule from policy and added a requirement that large or district‑deemed events have an emergency event plan coordinated with the district emergency‑management supervisor.
Board members praised the handbook approach as family‑facing and recommended promoting the building‑level materials at school outreach events. The policy changes will return to the policy committee and be posted or implemented per the committee’s recommendations.
