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Board adopts SB 11-related policy language on student and employee expression after contested debate
Summary
Trustees approved revisions to local policies DGA (employees) and FNA (students) to incorporate language related to SB 11, including opt-out clauses for employees and a provision clarifying prayer and student expression while on campus; board voted 4–3 after detailed questioning about implementation and staff protections.
Administration presented revisions to local policies DGA (employee freedom of association) and FNA (student expression) to operationalize earlier board direction intended to satisfy Senate Bill 11. The drafting inserted a phrase to clarify that activities will occur "while on campus" and added a clause confirming employees cannot be compelled to participate.
Trustees pressed for administrative regulations explaining how implementation will protect staff who opt out, how supervision will be ensured if staff decline to monitor voluntary student prayer periods, and what happens at campuses with no willing supervisory staff. Administration said regulations are still to be drafted and that principals will be consulted to write campus-specific procedures. The board discussed possible unintended consequences for staff workload and the need for protections in administrative regulations.
After debate and an amendment to clarify that students can pray at any time during the school day (the board added wording "in any period of the school day"), trustees approved the policy revisions by a 4—'3 vote. Trustees asked legal counsel to vet final regulatory language and for administration to return with implementation guidance in a follow-up meeting.
