001call this policy meeting to order, please. Um, thanks everybody for being here tonight so we can go over the next in the 5000 series. Um, and Kelly, thank you for pulling together the agenda as always. Um, so I will turn the meeting over to you. Um, I know you have the, uh, CA recommended policy changes report. I don't know if there was anything particularly wanted to discuss or if you just wanted to jump into the policies directly. Thank you. Sorry, I was having a little technical difficulty. Um, so we uh are going to review four policies this evening. The first two uh were on last policy meeting agenda. Uh the first one that we're going to go over is the child abuse and neglect. Um we did table that policy at the last meeting and
002so we want to review it. Um there was some discussion and I know two different committee members did submit language changes. Um and so the purpose of reviewing this policy this evening uh is to discuss whether or not we want to move forward with those language changes or if we should keep the policy as is from CABE. Um I was also asked to follow up with CABE which I did. Um it is their recommendation while it is um always uh the board's decision whether or not to make revisions, it is their strong recommendation and suggestion that as much as possible we stick to the language of the policy. Just give one a second here. She's connecting via Zoom. Sure. Hello. >> Hi, Wanita. >> Hi there. >> We just we just started the meeting. Thanks
003for jumping on. Um and Kelly was just giving us a little bit of an update in the conversation that she had with Kee. Um Kelly, do you mind repeating that so that um >> uh Wanita can be caught up? >> Sure. Um >> thank you. >> Of course. Um so Anita, we are reviewing um the reporting of child abuse, neglect and sexual assault policy. That was the policy at the last meeting that we decided to table. Um we did have two committee members submit potential language changes and I was also asked to follow up with uh Cab um regarding uh you know question about should we be changing language within the policy. Um their response was although we have the liberty to change language uh as much as possible it would be their strong recommendation
004to try to stick with the language in the policy. Um but we are here to discuss whether or not we want to make um any tweaks to the cave policy. So, um, if you don't mind my interjecting, Kelly, um, I'm just going to sort of bring the the suggestions that were made, uh, to the table for discussion now. >> Perfect. Thank you, Kate. >> Okay, let me just pull those documents up. And, uh, I just want to say thank you to Oneanita and to Terry for uh, the recommendations that they've made. So, let me pull that up. All right. So, Wanita, you submitted your your suggestions first. We'll go over those. Um you wanted to take um there were two sentences that were uh appeared in a different part of the policy that you'd suggested
005moving down to the area which um discusses um if an employee is involved >> in the investigation. Right. Okay. >> Correct. >> Um >> okay. And so those two sentences just so that everybody is on the same page. I just want to pull up full policy and make sure I read it properly. Apologize clicking a bunch a bunch of screens here. All right. So uh the second sentence in any person applying for employment with the board shall submit do a record check at the department of children and families child abuse and neglect registry before the person may be hired. That was one sentence. And then the second sentence was uh such individuals who have reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child has been abused, neglected, placed in an imminent risk of serious harm
006or sexually assaulted by a school employee is required to report such abuse andor uh neglect or or risk and or sexual assault. Um, so I just wanted to open that up for conversation amongst uh the members here and uh see what we can do to get this this rolling. Um, this is not a language change. This is just a position change for you at the sentence. >> Thank you for clarification. Um, Kelly, I did hear when you said that they recommend that you um do not change the language. This is not a language change. It's just a movement um of uh moving it from the area that was particularly talking about um students clearly talking about the abuse reporting um of students and then it goes on later on um to talk about staff. So,
007it just seemed to me that moving the section that says any person applying for employment, move that down to staff and um individuals who have reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child has been abused, neglected, imminent danger, sexually assaulted by a school employee. That just seemed to fit in more um further down when we're talking about staff and the district. So, that was my recommendation. [cough and clears throat] >> Um, Glattus or Michelle, did either of you want to uh express any any thoughts about those changes? I I I listened to uh Kelly's um recommendation from K and I know it's not uh um we're really changing language changes but they did they have objection to moving it from one area to the other and like I'm not no lawyer uh I don't
008know why it came through K but is it best to leave it as ill or change you know, uh, we change it and then a couple of years later, we know it might not benefit the board or the the the uh district. So, you know, I I really don't know the proper thing to do is to move it, change it. If it had been a a big language change, I could see that. But just moving it from one position to the other, I need to understand that a little bit more. >> I think if I can just weigh in, I think um we just want to make sure that we're not substantially changing the content of the policy. Um you know, I can't speak to exactly why it was put in one paragraph versus the
009other. Um, but what we do know is that CAB goes through extensive reviews of these policies. So, I'm sure they had a rationale for that. Um, but I don't think by moving a sentence from one paragraph to the next, you're substantially changing the content of it. Um, but I do think we need to be cautious moving forward anytime we're engaging in language changes that we're not accidentally um, you know, changing the meaning of the policy. Thank you, Kelly, for that uh answer. >> Michelle, you uh looks like you were unmuting for a second there. >> Okay. I don't see any any motion there. So, um I just um Go ahead, Michelle. >> Did you Did I Did I finish or did you hear me? I'm not sure. Did I go? >> We didn't hear you.
010I'm sorry. >> Okay. So, you hear me now? I'm sorry. Um I said I'm fine if we relocate the sentence. I don't think it changes the the messaging and the content. So, I'm I'm fine with moving it. You want my way in? >> Thank you. Yes. Um I just want to throw out there um my thought my thinking in reviewing this more closely and I appreciate the opportunity to do that because again last time I just was having some trouble hearing. So um the second sentence uh from moving that second sentence I think makes a lot of sense. Um, the only thought I have about the first sentence and moving that is that I think part of what that sentence does where it's positioned is to set an expectation right out of the gate with
011this policy and with what we're doing that anybody who's getting hired by our district is going to be undergoing a background check. Um, and I don't have a problem moving it moving it, but I think there's a benefit to keeping it where it is in that it sets that expectation very clearly to anybody who's looking at the policy that every single person who's uh part of our district is going to be um subject to this uh to the background check. And and we're doing that to make sure that we're keeping students and faculty safe. Okay. I don't see any other any feedback um on this. Um can we talk also about the the recommendations that came forward from um Terry? Um I'm just going to pull those up real quick as well. I believe it
012was for the same policy. So, um the suggested wording which everybody got with the distribution of the invitation here, um Terry was looking to specify in that first sentence, uh the board of education recognizes it legal and ethical obligations in reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect either in school or out of school and specifying um in school or out of school. Uh, Kelly, if I remember correctly, you said last time that the policy does apply in this manner whether we explicitly state it or not. >> That is correct. >> Okay. Um, and so from a legal standpoint, I'm not sure that's going to have any consequence for us um because it's the law whether we state it or not. Um, but I'm looking for feedback from other committee members if they have any concerns
013about or thoughts about that suggestion. [clears throat] >> The only thing that uh comment that I would have is um this is truly a language change. Okay. uh given that the legal implication is there already, I don't I don't think it will it will create any legal additional legal consequences for us because we're already legally obligated to um honor that. Um, there may be a a a benefit for some people reading the policy to understand if a situation does come forward. If it's stated explicitly in the policy, it may help their understanding as to why something was reported. Um, I'm not sure what the drawback might be, but I'm uh certainly open to the conversation about that. >> Kate, go ahead, Michelle. I was thinking along the same lines. Um, if you're not somebody who's
014aware of the law, then I don't see why it wouldn't hurt to, you know, put it in. Um, and just if you're kind of reading it and you may, you know, be learning about what the policies are or aren't, I don't see how it could hurt. I know we don't want to add extra stuff in, but I I kind of agree with what you just said. Thanks. >> Thanks, Michelle. Anyone else? >> I I I agree. It doesn't change the content. >> Okay. Um the other recommendation that came forward from Terry was um sort of outlining and making a list of all of the different positions that appear in the policy as uh a subset so that it's clearer and we explicitly, you know, list these out in a way that appears clearer to the
015folks who might be reading this policy. I don't see any any language change and I just want to confirm that that's the case. Kelly, you didn't see any as well. Did any other members see any >> any other language change in there? >> I believe it's the same list. It's just separated out so that it's explicit. >> Yes, that's good. >> Okay. >> Indenting the language, changing it. >> Okay. Um so um given that those were the con the suggestions that were made and we've we've had the conversation about them um I am amendable and and I hope that the rest of the group is based on what I'm hearing to uh make a recommendation to the full board uh for a first read of this policy with the suggested changes including uh the two
016sentence relocations uh the addition of either are in school or out of school and the listing out of the specific positions. >> What do you need? Do you need a motion? >> I need a motion, please. >> Okay. Um, so I make a motion that we submit for first reading to the board of ed the um adjustments made to policy 5141.4. Um, moving the two, do I have to say exactly? Moving the two uh, paragraph and including the words either in school or out of school as a language change. >> Perfect. I'll second. >> Thank you, Michelle. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. I. >> All right. Motion so carries. Thank you all. Uh, Kelly Filry. Okay. Um, so moving on to the next policy. The next policy is our directory
017information policy. Um, and so just give me a moment to pull it up on the screen. This was one that was on the last agenda. So it is the second time you've seen this policy, but we did not engage in formal discussion. um regarding this policy at the last meeting uh due to time constraints. >> Kelly, I'm sorry. We're having a little bit of trouble. I don't know if anybody else >> one additional moment to pull it up. It's acting a little slow for me on my end. >> Um she's kind of going in and out. Okay. um directory information allowing us to release limited information on a student. Can you pull it up for us, please? Thank you. Do you want the current one or the revised one? Revise please. The directory information policy
018allows us to release limited information um about students um such as their name, first and last name, address, sometimes telephone numbers, things of that nature. Uh oftent times it will be done um for example at the elementary school level in distributing a class roster maybe for um you know so parents can reach out to each other uh to make are you having trouble hearing me still >> we are it's kind of putting out a note a little bit >> can let me back off and back on I think there's Or do you want to call in on your phone? >> I'll be right back. >> I can do that. I have switched devices. I think that might help. >> Thank you. This isn't letting me scroll. >> [clears throat] >> Hold on. Can't >> [snorts]
019>> Do you want me to try to [clears throat] to share? It's not letting me scroll for some reason. Hold on. [laughter] Yeah. Can you scroll it? Wait, that's the We need the recommend. Yeah, that one. >> That's loading. Very slow. >> Yeah, that I keep getting dropped at work today, too. There's something going on. It's >> a lot of wind. Also, >> I'm hoping we don't lose the power, please. >> Yeah. >> Can't cope with that tonight. Oh, yeah. There you go. Yeah, I can scroll. >> Okay. >> Can you make it a little bit bigger? >> I sure can. >> Can you hear me better now? >> Yep. >> I apologize for that. >> All right, Kell, I got the uh zoomed in here. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> So, the directory
020information policy, as I said uh before, I'll restart. allows us to provide some limited information such as first and last name, address, telephone number um without expressed consent from a parent. What our current policy allows us, every parent has the right to opt out of this. Meaning if they do not want their child's information to be released um that they have the right at the beginning of every school year, we notify them that if you would like to opt out or not not be privy to this information going out to others that you need to let know in writing. You will see that under the alternative language in this section and I would recommend that we adopt that. The reason for this is there are oftentimes situations in which we want to share um student
021contact information. Um so for example at the elementary level it's not uncommon for principles or uh boss to put together a directory of everyone in the classroom so that we can um help to facilitate maybe outside of school connections such as playdates and so forth. Um, also it allows us to uh do a roster of students that are in the class maybe for a celebration, holiday activity, things like that. Um, so here it's really important to note um that it's very limited information on a child that we would release and it is only so we don't have to ask for assigned permission every single time we enter we we release some basic information to help facilitate educational activities. Um, but a parent always reserves the right to tell us we do not want you to
022release that information. And so, as I said before, the additional language, um, uh, I would definitely recommend that we consider that as continuing our opt out as we, um, I think it's, uh, a a easier way to facilitate, um, the limited number of parents that currently, uh, opt to do this. Kelly, when you say limited number, um are we talking um 100? Are we talking >> under that currently? >> Okay. >> Across the district. Okay. >> Are there questions um or feedback from committee members? >> I would just like to ask a question. Uh Kate, who how many people have the access to that information, Kelly, >> if someone >> is you need to contact someone or something about the child and if one main person is not there, is there a second person or
023you know, >> um is this meaning like a parent like if we call let's say mom and we're not able to get contacted then we'd have an alternate number. Is that the question you're asking me? >> Right. Or is who in the school system has that con has that information on child? >> So um all of our certified staff members, our building administrators, our building secretaries have access to powers school which is our student information system. And this has very detailed information on each student. So for example, the parents or guardians of that child, any emergency family contacts are listed in there. This policy is simply referring to very basic information. We cannot reveal detailed information. So for example, the things that this policy does not allow is it does not allow us to share
024academic information, report cards, reading scores, ESPback scores, all of those types of information are protected by FURPA, um which are confidentiality rules similar to HIPPA that protect student academic records. And so if we're releasing anything um of content regarding the student's academic program, we first need express consent. So written consent from the parent or the guardian to do that. So sometimes we'll see parents um students that are participating um with some of our uh community partners, right? They might be going to an afterchool program with Jericho or they might be um they might see a school social I'm sorry a social worker at family and children's aid. Any of those people have the right to request information but we will only give it to them if the parent or legal guardian of that child signs
025permission for us to do so. >> Thank you for answering the question. Thank you. Kate, >> go right ahead. >> Oh, thanks. Um, so if you don't opt out at the beginning of the year, let's say when everything kind of gets released, but for some reason you choose halfway through the year that you want to, you know, opt out, is that an option or is it just a one time a year um open? >> Great question. >> Thank you. >> You you reserve the right at any time to opt your child out of this information. Um, we notify parents or guardians annually at the beginning of every year. Just a reminder, if you don't tell us, um, otherwise, your student is part of this directory information and we have the right to release this information.
026But at any point in time, the parent or guardian could choose to opt out or opt in. Um, and we would make that change accordingly. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions about this policy? Um, can I just say something? >> I still here. >> Go ahead. Yeah. >> Okay. So, I know that um parents are for informed at the beginning of the year in the packet guide to school um with everything else that they're given at the beginning of the year. And so just for discussion sake, in light of um you know some of the climate that we're in, do you think it might are is there any other time during the school year that this information might go out again? >> Um so at currently um Miss Harris, we there is not another
027time that we release this information in current practice. um the annual law, the law requires annual notification. Um we certainly understand the question and the discussion around um you know, is it something we should be doing more often? >> Kelly, as a followup to to that question, if we have uh students that join the district uh midyear, is it standard practice to distribute that as part of the information that's given to them? Yes. >> Okay. >> Question. >> And I'm sorry, Kelly. I just want to ask one more question. Um, you talked about the optional information. Are you talking about that box that's listed in the alternative language? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. On the first page, it's like the second paragraph where it says alternative language. I would suggest we do the opt
028out. Otherwise, every year we would have to get permission from every single one of the 12,000 students. And um most districts handle this as an opt out >> and that would replace the first paragraph. >> That is correct. >> Thank you for clarifying. >> The other two boxes that are listed on here, I apologize. I'm just jumping right back in. Uh the other two boxes that are listed on here would be standard in the policy. Is that right? >> That is correct. >> Thank you. >> Minus I apologize. Let me clarify. Uh the second box, yes. The third box, the note section is there is one there that says C version two that was not recommended. Um so we would strike through >> that C version two. It does not belong there. >> Okay. Thank
029you. >> Uh any other questions? All right. Seeing none, I am looking for a motion to recommend policy 5145.15 uh directory information to the board for a first read. >> So moved. >> Thank you, Anita. Is there a second, please? >> Second. >> All right. Thank you, Michelle. All those in favor, >> please signify by saying I. >> I. All right. Thank you so much, Kelly. We can move on to 5145.4 non-discrimination. >> And Cara, I think you are. If you scrolled, you can go back out or just scroll down. It's the next policy down. [clears throat] Um, so this policy, um, is a non-discrimination policy, uh, that is particularly focused around racial harassment and discrimination of students. Um and so I will uh this is a re the updated recommended policy from CABE and
030certainly um any one of us on the committee can answer questions uh that you may have pursuant to this policy. So hopefully everyone's had a chance uh to read through this policy. Um you'll see that it breaks down the policy now u by those two different components. So that is uh a new new uh aspect to this policy. Um are there any questions about it? >> Did somebody I'm sorry Kate or someone just give me a the highlight of how it's been changed or is this a new policy? Is that what we're saying? It's an updated policy, Michelle. Um, yeah. Point out the update or have somebody point out the what the update is exactly. I know it's these two, but >> sure. So, I I'm not sure it's And Kelly, if you'd rather uh
031step in, I'm I'm more than happy to step back. >> Um, you can go ahead and then I can certainly supplement. >> Okay. Sure. Uh so the previous policy um really kind of goes into um so I just want to make sure I have it right in front of me here. Uh it starts with um sexual harassment and then it defines that harassment. Um and then it it talks about how harassment uh could be based on race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, pregnancy, marital status, disability, andor sexual orientation. And then it's it lays out the specific types of um uh forms of harassment. Uh the second the second version of this updated policy from CABE is a little bit more explicit and it goes speaks directly to racial harassment. Um you know in
032very specific ways. Um and then um sorry goes into are these two different policies here? They are >> the the numbers >> I apologize >> the numbers have changed in the series but there one >> okay I apologize because I think I I was getting confused here um because 5145.5 uh sort of encompasses all of those things whereas the new policies now split it into two different policies is that am I reading that right >> yes >> that's correct >> looks like >> okay >> so um the the racial uh harassment is split into its own policy 5145 5.42 and the uh sexual harassment is split into policy 5145.5. Um the the content is pretty pretty similar. The language is very similar from one policy to the other. It's just organized a little differently. >>
033Okay, that's what I was saying. So, as far as like attorney or verbiage, it's the same it's the same policy just broken out two different ways. Is that basically what we're saying, Kelly? one highlights um one is focused primarily the one we're speaking about right now on non-discrimination regarding race um and really talks about um not just discriminatory behaviors but retaliatory behaviors and then requires um us to have a investigatory process um which is further explained in this policy compared to the previous one. We'll go into the harassment one next, which again, each one of these policies, the essence of the content of them is just a little bit more explicit and specific. Um, not so much changing the rules or regulations in which we're following. >> So, can you give me an example of
034of what this ex can you give me an example of how is it different now? If I am, you know, a student in the school, how is it different? In other words, how is that more clearly defined in the everyday ver versus just, you know, if I'm reading this policy? Can you give me an example of >> so the the >> Yeah, go ahead. >> Go ahead. I'm sorry. >> No, no, no. That's what I'm trying to say. Like, if you could give me an example, what I'm looking at is is this the same policy broken out in two ways so we can, you know, read it like we've just done previously or, you know, sometimes just changing slight words can, you know, change the impact. So I'm just if I'm in school, how is
035this on a daily, you know, being applied different? Is it different in my day-to-day? Can you give me an example of of what we're talking about? >> As a student, I do not believe that changing from the former policy to this policy changes the practice that we do um at at all. we um you know discrimination regarding race or any other um area has always been prohibited and we have had requirement to investigate it and then act upon it. Um this policy when you ask how it's different in the written form it is more explicit. It adds in a component about retaliation and a component about investigation that were not explicit in the original policy. So the retaliation, can you that's what can you give me an example of that and the investigation? How does
036that process look? What does that look like >> that we're adding in? Should you know to kind of enforce it further? >> It doesn't change the legal requirements, Michelle, that we were following. It just is more expressed and explicit in this policy. >> Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. Any other questions from committee members? Okay. So, uh we'll start with the first policy here, the uh nondescription non-discrimination racial harassment of students. That's policy 5145.42. I'm looking for a motion to make a recommendation to the board for first reading. >> So moved. >> Thank you, Anita. And is [snorts] there a second on that, please? I do need a second on this motion in order to bring it to the full board. >> I'll second a motion. >> Thank you, Glattus. All those in favor, please
037signify by saying I >> I. >> Any. >> Thank you. Motion so carries. >> All right. And then um given that we've had the conversation now about the second component of this, I will look for a motion to uh make a recommend sorry make a recommendation to the board for first read on policy 5145.5 on exploitation and sexual harassment. Is there a motion for policy 5145.5? >> So moved. >> Thank you very much, Juanita. May I have a second, please? >> I'll second. I second. >> Thank you very much, Glattus. Uh, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. Hi. >> Hi. Thank you. All right. Uh that is that brings us to the end of our agenda for this evening. I appreciate everybody being here. Um I know it was a a lot
038to get through and I appreciate your support. All right. Well, with that in mind, I'm looking for a motion to adjurnn, please. >> Motion. >> Okay. [clears throat] Jo, I hope you feel better. >> Thank you. Is there a second, please? >> Second. >> Thank you, Ananita. All those in favor, please signify one more time, please, by saying I. >> I. I