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Board advances multiple policy changes, including limits on immunization exemptions and adding nicotine to weapons policy
Summary
The Winthrop School Board approved several policies for second reading and advanced a package of first-reading policy updates that include removing most religious/philosophical immunization exemptions (with grandfathered IEP exceptions) and explicitly adding nicotine to the weapons and violence policy.
The Winthrop School Board approved several policies for second reading and advanced a broader package of policy changes to first reading, with unanimous support recorded for the motions.
For second reading the board approved: AC-AAR (student discrimination and harassment complaint procedures), ACAB (harassment policies), and ACAB-R (employee discrimination and harassment complaint procedures) as presented.
On first reading the board moved forward a group of policies covering pest management, student immunizations, weapons/violence and school safety, dropout-prevention, student withdrawal, transportation rules (including explicit coverage for van drivers), and drug- and alcohol-testing procedures for school bus drivers. Superintendent Dr. Foley highlighted that the immunization policy now removes the availability of religious or philosophical exemptions by statute, with an exception for students with Individualized Education Programs who are grandfathered.
Dr. Foley described the immunization changes as "better spelled out per grade" and said the firearms/violence policy revision also expands the definition to include nicotine. The board discussed the transportation policies to ensure van drivers are included in requirements and noted the revisions on dropout prevention emphasize individualized plans rather than a single generic annual action plan.
All motions were recorded as unanimous in the meeting transcript; the board did not provide detailed text of the final policy language in the public portion of the meeting beyond the summary changes presented.
