October 12, 2020 at 5:15 PM - Policy Committee Meeting
Minutes |
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1. Call to Order
Speaker(s):
Andy Woodard
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2. 1.403 Agendas
Attachments:
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Rationale:
Adding the word "business" to align with policy 1.404 Appeals to and Appearances Before the Board and Administrative Procedure 1.3 Addendum A.
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3. 1.803 Tobacco-Free Schools
Attachments:
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Rationale:
The minimum age limit to possess tobacco products is 21; therefore, we changed the policy to read twenty (20).
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4. 4.205 Enrollment in College Level Courses
Attachments:
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Rationale:
This is a new policy. "The State Board of Education modified its regulation on students taking college level courses. We (TSBA) have revised our model policy to more clearly align with the updated regulation."
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5. 4.302 Field Trips and Excursions
Attachments:
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Rationale:
This update is to clarify that independently-planned trips (such as a teacher organizing a summer trip to Spain) are not board-affiliated, and therefore, the board will not be held liable for accidents, etc., during the trip.
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6. 4.605 Graduation Requirements/Activities
Attachments:
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Rationale:
The U.S. Department of Education recently released guidance on school prayer. While students can certainly choose to pray at various times throughout the school day, federal court cases continue to prevent school districts from being directly involved in religious activities. In particular, this new guidance stresses that Boards cannot maintain policies that prevent students from praying in school. As a result, TSBA has updated their model policy to more clearly differentiate between student led prayer and aspects of graduation that are planned or led by district employees.
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7. 5.110 Compensation Guides
Attachments:
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Rationale:
In the past, employees could carry 10 vacation days into the next year after June 30. This change allows employees earning vacation days to use them up until July 31, and carry over 10 from that date.
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8. 6.304 Student Discrimination/Harassment and Bullying/Intimidation and Cyberbullying
Attachments:
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Rationale:
TSBA updated this policy for clarity.
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9. 6.3041 Title IX & Sexual Harassment
Attachments:
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Rationale:
This is a new policy. Many of you are likely familiar with the broad categories that Title IX covers, such as: (1) requiring equity in athletics; (2) prohibiting discrimination in the educational program; and (3) establishing a framework for addressing grievances related to sexual harassment. The new model policy is designed to address the third aspect.
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10. 6.305 Student Concerns
Attachments:
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Rationale:
This policy has undergone a major revision. TSBA suggests adopting this one instead of staying with our current 6.305 because of the new Title IX policy.
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11. 6.316 Suspension/Expulsion/Remand
Attachments:
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Rationale:
This policy correlates with policy 6.319 Alternative School Programs; therefore, TSBA updated this policy to better relate to it.
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12. 6.319 Alternative Education
Attachments:
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Rationale:
The General Assembly recently passed Public Chapter 603, which clarifies that students who commit zero tolerance offenses are not required to be placed in alternative schools or programs. Additionally, the State Board recently approved a regulation clarifying the differences between alternative schools and programs as well as the reasons that may justify removing a student from an alternative school or program. As a result, TSBA has updated and retitled their model policy to align with these changes.
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13. 6.409 Reporting Child Abuse
Attachments:
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Rationale:
This month, the General Assembly made significant changes to several statutes that govern child abuse reporting requirements. Two of the most notable changes are: (1) the requirement to have one employee designated as the Child Abuse Coordinator at each school; and (2) the prohibition against notifying parents/guardians of suspected child abuse that occurs on school property. TSBA has revised their model policy to align with the new law.
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14. Adjourn
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