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Board reviews wide-ranging policy updates, including Earned Sick Time and field-trip revisions
Summary
The policy and discipline committee reviewed proposed revisions to bylaws and policies (bylaw 0131.1; policies 1430, 3430, 4430 on leaves to incorporate the Earned Sick Time Act; field-trip policy 2340; immunization 5320; medication 5330/5330.01) and trustees asked for a re-review of a staff social-media policy and an AI use policy.
Trustees at the Benton Harbor Area Schools work session reviewed a substantial set of recommended bylaw and policy updates staff will present for formal consideration at the regular board meeting.
The packet included a revised bylaw 0131.1 outlining a streamlined process for technical corrections to bylaws and policies, and multiple policy revisions that staff recommended for adoption or further review. Notable items called out in the packet:
- Leaves: Policies 1430, 3430 and 4430 were updated to reflect accrual provisions in the Earned Sick Time Act; the packet notes accrual is one hour of earned sick time for every 30 hours worked and cites an effective date in staff text (February 25, 2025) or the expiration of applicable collective bargaining agreements.
- Field trips: Policy 2340 was revised to clarify categories of trips (field trips, extracurricular/co-curricular, overnight, and district-sponsored) and to add transportation provisions referenced in policy 8640.
- Health and medication: Policy 5320 (immunizations) was updated to align with Michigan Department of Education immunization guidance; policy 5330 (use of medications) and 5330.01 (epinephrine auto-injectors) include more detailed definitions and procedural clarifications.
Staff emphasized additions are shown in green and deletions in red in the draft packet. The committee recommended trustees read the materials and prepare questions for the regular meeting, which will include staff report B1 as the formal second reading and potential adoption.
Trustees also asked staff to re-open a prior social-media policy for staff to ensure enforcement is clear but not punitive and expressed interest in drafting or confirming a district artificial-intelligence policy after conference seminars presented sample district AI rules.
What happens next: Staff will present the packet as a second reading at the regular board meeting. Trustees asked for clearer language on which bylaws (if any) require public hearings and for any legal clarifications before adoption.
