Board approves policy deletions and revisions; first readings tighten tech access and facility rentals

At the April 27 meeting, Great Falls Public Schools staff presented the second reading of multiple policy changes and recommended deleting two older policies to consolidate complaint procedures; trustees approved the recommended deletions and revisions without objection.

Policy staff said the proposal would reduce multiple uniform-complaint procedures into a single, clear process and update cross references. "Our guidance is that we simplify that we don't have 3 uniform complaints," the presenter said, explaining the intent to rely on a single uniform-complaint procedure and to adjust cross references in a future policy committee review. Trustee Paige Henning moved to approve the revised and deleted policies; the board approved the motion unanimously.

Staff also presented first readings of additional policy drafts, including: - Policy 36-12 (student access to district-provided technology and opt-in/opt-out language adjusted to align with state law), - Policy 54-50F (staff technology acceptable use, with typographical corrections flagged and moved sections reordered), and - Policy 43-30P (community use of school facilities procedures, including proposed rental fees, limitations on types of events the district will rent for, and clarified expectations that custodial staff will not be assigned event supervision responsibilities).

Why it matters: the changes aim to clarify complaint and technology procedures, ensure compliance with state law for student technology permissions, and tighten oversight of community facility rentals to prevent uncompensated custodial or wear-and-tear costs. Staff said proposed rental fees and a revised fee schedule will return for annual review.

Next steps: the newly approved deletions and revisions take effect as presented and staff will return with fee schedules and any requested policy edits at upcoming committee meetings.