Board reviews 3,000-series policy updates on first reading, including online-instruction and parental-inspection changes

The Martin County Board of Education reviewed a package of updates to the district's 3,000-series policies at the August 5 meeting in a first reading.

Andrea Lilly presented the 10 policies and explained changes to policy 3000 (educational program goals and objectives), a new policy around dual enrollment (3101) that replaces the prior correspondence/independent-study policy, and a new online-instruction policy (3102) requiring eligible course providers to be accredited and to employ licensed teachers.

Lilly said the online-instruction policy also assigns an e-learning adviser (a staff counselor designated by the principal) to coordinate enrollment and monitor progress; remote instruction may be used "when warranted and approved by the superintendent," and the district has applied for five remote-instruction days for the coming school year that were approved.

The packet also included updates to lesson-planning and homework policies, changes to selection and definition of textbooks to reflect increased use of digital resources and a process for removing outdated supplementary materials, and revisions to the school media and technology advisory committee membership.

Policy 3210 was updated to add a parental inspection and objection process for instructional materials in response to parents-rights legislation; Lilly said the policy provides a process for parents to inspect materials and for committee or principal-level decisions to be appealed to the superintendent and then the board.

A member of the public asked whether the policy would cap the number of online courses a student may take. Lilly and Dr. White said the draft policy does not set a numerical maximum but procedures allow staff to remove students from online instruction if they are not successful.

All 10 policies will remain on the table for second and third readings; board members did not take final action at the meeting.