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Board reviews substantial handbook updates and approves state-driven policy changes
Summary
At its June meeting the Deuel School District board gave first reading to extensive elementary handbook revisions and approved several policy updates tied to recent state laws, including changes to alternate-placement rules, sex‑education instruction language, and free‑meal eligibility.
Staff member Todd led a first reading of the elementary handbook, presenting multiple revisions the administration says respond to parent and staff feedback.
Staff member Todd said the changes include updated staff listings, added winter-playground expectations, clarified attendance/tardy rules tailored to elementary scheduling, and a clarified fever/24‑hour rule for student exclusion (100.4°F threshold). He also described a stricter classroom cellphone and smartwatch policy requiring devices to be turned in to classroom caddies “bell to bell,” with confiscation and parent pick‑up on repeat offenses.
The handbook revisions also reverse temporary dual‑credit weighting applied last year: the district will remove extra weighting for dual credit courses for 2026–27 and treat in‑house and dual‑credit courses equally, using ACT scores as a tiebreaker where necessary, Todd said. The revision aims to correct an unintended effect that disadvantaged students who took advanced or music classes when averages were computed.
Administrators additionally clarified distance‑learning language to say the district does not offer full‑time online enrollment through its dual program; distance options are intended to supplement in‑person course offerings. The handbook draft also tightens late‑work guidance, study‑hall pass procedures and academic/eligibility reporting cadence for extracurriculars.
Separately, the board approved several policy amendments that reflect state legislation. Board members approved policy IGBI (assignment to alternate settings) to align with House Bill 1017, which the administration said authorizes alternate‑placement and services for certain special‑education students. Members also approved policy IGA, language tied to House Bill 1313 specifying requirements for human growth and development instruction, and EFB, a change ensuring students who previously qualified for reduced‑price meals receive meals at no charge with state reimbursement handled through the ICAN system.
Board discussion emphasized that curriculum‑level details (for example, how health or human growth materials will be taught) will be worked out with staff and parents and that the handbook changes require a second reading before final adoption. The board completed the first reading; the administration said the second reading and final approvals will appear on the July agenda.
The meeting packet notes the handbook uses 100.4°F as the fever threshold and a 24‑hour fever‑free return policy, and it outlines the new cellphone caddy procedure. The board did not adopt the handbook at this meeting; this action was recorded as a first reading.
The board moved to a second item after the first reading and did not take a final vote on the handbook during the session.
