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School board approves Act 89 policy revisions requiring volunteer training and limiting personal-device communications
Summary
The Kickapoo Area School District board adopted updates to its Act 89 volunteer-communications policies, requiring volunteers who will communicate with students to complete training and allowing access to district communication platforms only after that training.
The board on Aug. 12 approved revisions to its Act 89 policies that define permissible digital communications and add steps to identify and prevent grooming behaviors. Staff described the changes as a package of template policies for administrators, principals and teachers that clarify how district-issued communication tools should be used and how communications will be archived for oversight. "So Act 89, the emphasis is really about, changing the policy and upholding that with staff and then bringing in the training," staff member Kimberly Johnson said during the discussion.
Board members focused on whether volunteers should have district-provided communication devices or platform access and how to ensure consistent oversight. Several members recommended offering an online/video training to make the requirement practicable for volunteers in small schools. The board voted to approve the policy edits as discussed, with language allowing volunteers to access district communication platforms after completing the required training. The board asked staff to confirm whether the training requirement is statutory or a district policy choice and to circulate the final policy text after corrections.
