Board probes data-sharing language in a housing-authority MOU; nurses' contract set for consent

Board members pressed staff Monday to clarify data-sharing protections in a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the housing authority, seeking explicit prohibitions on third-party disclosure of student education records without prior parental consent.

What was said: A board member raised concerns that families living in housing authority properties might feel pressured to sign releases and that the draft MOU's language left room for broader sharing. Staff and counsel said the intent was that records covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) would not be disclosed to third parties without parental permission and pledged to re-check the MOU language and make corrections before final approval.

Nurses' contract: Kim told the board that the contract with Bunkham County school nurses requires board approval and several members requested corrections to earlier drafting errors (references to other districts or charter-school language). Staff recommended placing the nurses' contract on the consent agenda tomorrow with a clause approving it "subject to legal review" so remaining technical corrections can be finalized before execution.

Why it matters: The MOU touches on student privacy and vulnerable families; the nurses' contract governs critical health services in schools. Board members flagged both as significant but suggested procedural paths to move forward while ensuring legal sufficiency and protections for families.

Next steps: Staff will re-examine the MOU language in consultation with counsel and present updated wording. The nurses' contract will be placed on tomorrow's consent agenda contingent on legal review and technical corrections.

Ending: The board did not vote to approve the MOU at the work session; it directed staff to revise the language and bring a corrected proposal for approval at a future meeting.