Board adopts several policies and renews contracts, including counseling and interpreter services

During the meeting the Ralston Public Schools Board approved several policy and contract items that will shape district operations for the coming year. Trustees approved the elementary, middle and high-school handbooks (final redline removed) and adopted policy 5008 addressing pregnant and parenting students after correcting a motion’s policy number.

The board also renewed the Arbor family counseling contract for 2026–27, reporting that prices were identical or lower and that the vendor continues to provide on-site counseling at Ralston High School and employee assistance services available to staff and families.

Trustees approved a student Internet and computer-access policy and a student-use-of-AI policy (policy referenced in discussion as 6038) that administrators will cross-reference in handbooks. Board members discussed Title IX cross-references for the pregnant/parenting policy and asked staff to ensure consistent language.

Labor and service agreements were adopted: the board approved a sign-language interpreter contract for 2026–27 and ratified a two-year negotiated agreement with Local 226 (food service workers). The food-service agreement includes an explicit safe-serve certification requirement, changes to uniform-allowance accountability to ensure money is spent on slip-resistant shoes for safety, and increased longevity pay to encourage staff retention.

Administrators said the district will circulate policy documents and handbook language to trustees and will implement the labor-contract changes through human resources and operations.

Next steps: administration to integrate newly adopted policies into handbooks, confirm Title IX language consistency, and implement negotiated contract provisions (uniform allowance accounting, safe-serve certification and longevity pay) with payroll and department managers.