Board approves several policy actions: bus-route waiver, athletics and safety first readings; naloxone policy sent back to committee for clearer wording

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education voted on multiple policy matters, approving several first readings and a transportation waiver while directing additional committee work on the naloxone policy.

Naloxone policy debate and committee referral: Dr. Stewart presented a proposed naloxone policy (policy reference provided) that would place naloxone alongside AEDs in schools, use a train-the-trainer model for nurses and SROs, and seek first-reading approval. Board members responded with questions about whether administration should be limited to trained personnel, how availability would be guaranteed, and whether the policy should apply anytime people are on school grounds. One board member noted statutory immunity for trained public school employees for first aid, but other members said the policy's current language ("only trained personnel are authorized to administer it") could discourage life-saving use if a trained person is unavailable. After discussion, the board voted to send the naloxone policy back to the policy committee to reword the policy to allow broader administration in practice while adding clarifying language on training and liability.

Transportation: temporary bus-route waiver approved: Transportation staff explained that the district reduced contracted routes and consolidated routing since 2021'22, sometimes creating longer ride times; they requested a temporary waiver of policy 6321 to allow one-way ride times up to 60 minutes for the school year. The board moved, seconded and approved the temporary waiver by voice vote. District staff said routing will be adjusted during the first month as parent sign-ups change and that some buffer times may no longer be needed.

Athletics and Title IX first readings: An athletics representative outlined a State Board of Education requirement that students attend at least 85% of the previous semester to participate in athletics (allowing about 13 missed full school days per semester) and described an appeal process. The board approved the first reading of the athletics policy by voice vote. Separately, a presenter introduced minor Title IX nondiscrimination updates that align language to a previously adopted policy and add updated training standards; the board approved that first reading as well.

School safety first reading: Dr. Stewart also presented revisions to the school safety policy to implement recent legislation on threat assessments and to clarify training cycles and reporting. The board suggested small technical edits (redundant phrasing and adding a phrase that training be required "at a minimum annually"). The board approved the policy for first reading.

Settlement and committee reports: The board announced a confidential settlement in MS v. Board of Education with reimbursements up to $45,000. Committee chairs reported upcoming meetings for finance/facilities, policy and student success; board members shared brief observations about school openings before adjourning.

Votes at a glance: - Naloxone policy (policy committee first read): outcome ' referred to policy committee for rewriting/clarification (motion passed). - Temporary waiver of policy 6321 (one-way bus ride times to 60 minutes): outcome ' approved by voice vote. - Athletics policy (first reading): outcome ' passed first reading by voice vote. - School safety policy (first reading): outcome ' passed first reading by voice vote; staff to add minor wording edits. - Title IX nondiscrimination policy (first reading): outcome ' passed first reading by voice vote.

What happens next: The naloxone policy will return with revised language from the policy committee before a subsequent board vote; other first-reading policies will continue through the district's policy process and any required public notice or further edits.