Board adopts staff handbook updates, several policy second readings and accepts community donations

The River Valley Board of Education approved an updated all-staff employee handbook for the 2026-27 school year, advanced multiple policy items, and accepted a number of community donations.

Presenter outlined handbook revisions, including changes from legal counsel converting certain paid leave language to unpaid leave, a clarified excessive-absenteeism provision (which may freeze pay step for affected employees), and a modification to the credit-advancement payout schedule. The presenter described the credit-advancement change as splitting a previously single $2,500 step into two payments: $1,250 at year 3 and $1,250 at year 5, while other longevity steps remain unchanged. "We divided the year 5 up... so teachers will get $1,250 at year 3, and $1,250 in year 5," the presenter said. The board approved the handbook by voice vote.

Policy committee chair Pam Gauthier presented several policies for second reading — including library media center review cycles, reporting of child abuse and misconduct, personnel legal matters, access to public records, food service rules and a new special dietary policy — and the board approved those second readings. A new student mental health services policy was presented for first reading and accepted for consideration.

Staff member also presented a package of community donations tied to outreach and extracurricular programs: multiple gifts (amounts ranging from $30 to $4,000) were listed for mock trial support, the weekend backpack program, a school supply drive and Project Lunchbox. The board approved accepting the donations and separately approved Project Lunchbox and the weekend backpack donations.

The board approved the policies and adopted the handbook updates during the meeting; staff said final implementation steps and communications to employees will follow.