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Board reviews policy changes to comply with Wisconsin Act 89 on staff-student communications
Summary
Board members and staff discussed bylaw and policy updates to comply with Wisconsin Act 89, including archived communications, limits on staff friending students on social media, and requirements to use district email and an archived app for staff–student messaging.
A district presenter (S7) told the board the packet includes changes to board bylaw 144.5 and district policies to align with Wisconsin Act 89, which "mandates essentially protecting kids from grooming behaviors from adults," the presenter said.
The updates call for primary use of district email for board communications so records are archived, specify that staff should not friend students on personal social media accounts, and standardize use of an archived messaging platform (Rooms) so communications are retrievable for records requests. "We are in compliance with the act 89 because everything is archived, and secure within the Rooms platform," the presenter said.
Board members raised practical concerns about day-to-day interactions. One member asked how the policy treats routine, comforting gestures: "Where does holding fit in here?" (S2). Staff and other board members discussed requiring witnesses for intimate care and distinguishing conduct that "serves the emotional and physical needs of the adult rather than the student." Staff said the district is coordinating with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on training and will roll out mandatory training once DPI materials are available.
The board did not adopt the policies at the meeting; staff described the changes as ready for inclusion in the appropriate action items and for follow-up with principals and onboarding training.
