Boone County Schools board adopts emergency policy updates required by KDE

The Boone County Schools Board approved emergency policy updates at its July meeting after Superintendent Dr. Haswell said the changes are required by the Kentucky Department of Education and will take effect July 1.

"You'll see that the policies that are brought forth ... are considered emergency readings, because of the law taking effect with most of them dated to July 1," Dr. Haswell told the board before asking for approval. He thanked staff, including Dr. Detwiler, for preparing the materials and noted the emergency items take effect upon passage; the items designated for first reading will return for a second reading in August.

A board member raised concerns about the fiscal impact of new state mandates, urging lawmakers to provide funding. "Please, for the love, stop with the unfunded mandates," the speaker said, adding that requirements such as posting the Bill of Rights in classrooms impose new costs on local districts.

The board voted 4-0 to adopt the emergency policy updates. Legal counsel Olivia Amlong was identified by the superintendent as a resource for members who have follow-up questions. The policies designated for first reading were read aloud and posted on the board website for public review.

The board will consider the remaining policy updates again at the August meeting; emergency items take effect immediately per the superintendent's explanation.