Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Open Campus topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board backs continuing senior open‑campus pilot, asks administration to add handbook language
Summary
After students and administrators described a multi‑year pilot, the Region 9 board signaled support for continuing an open‑campus senior privilege and asked administration to place rules and a parent permission process in the student handbook and to check liability with district counsel.
Students and administrators urged the Region 9 Board of Education on Monday to continue a pilot allowing qualified seniors to leave campus during study halls, and the board agreed to have administration add handbook language and procedures rather than immediately enacting a formal board policy.
Two students — Owen Fellows and a student council representative — addressed the board in favor of the open‑campus senior privilege, describing the program as a student‑led initiative that requires parental permission and an application process. Dr Ameda, presenting administrative findings, said the district’s pilot runs on clear criteria: eligibility is limited to seniors, students must be in good academic standing, maintain satisfactory attendance and have no administrative discipline incidents; parents must sign permission slips; and building staff vet applications.
"It is only for seniors; it is a privilege, not everyone gets it," Dr Ameda said, emphasizing the application, daily sign‑out procedures and the building‑level administration of the program.
Board members debated whether to convert the practice into a formal policy or to keep it as an administrative handbook procedure. Several members said neighboring districts generally treat open campus as an administrative matter and recommended placing rules in the student handbook with parent waivers and documented consent; others said the board could later adopt a policy if future boards attempted to change the practice.
Board members also asked administration to confirm liability and any legal requirements with the district’s policy advisors and counsel before broadening the program. Administrators said they would continue to run the pilot, begin handbook language updates, and report back with a short summary after the semester break or at a requested follow‑up meeting.
The board did not adopt a new policy in the meeting; rather, members authorized administration to implement handbook language, continue the pilot and consult with counsel about liability.
