001Good evening. Welcome to the Akran Public Schools Policy Committee meeting. Today is February 2nd. Um I am Chair Reverend Gregory Harrison. We have with us um Vice Chair Carmea Kelly and member uh Dr. Renee Molnar. We also have with us uh board member Phil Montgomery, board member Phil Montgomery, um Superintendent Mary Outley, attorney David Sapusk, the district uh legal council, and assistant superintendent Dr. Wanda Lash. Um want to um begin this meeting um by the approval of the minutes from the January 13th meeting. So moved. >> We have a motion by Dr. Renee Molnar. >> Second by uh member Kelly. All in favor? >> I >> um the previous minutes have been approved. We will go right into Well, we will ask if do we have any public participation? We have no one here for
002public participation. We will go into the discussion topics of um three items um 3.1 3.2 and 3.3 um these are transportation policy updates by Niola and I will um ask attorney Sepusk to present that. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Um the policies on the agenda for tonight are policy 86000 uh transportation policy 3.02 is policy number 8640 transportation for non-rine trips and item 3.03 is policy number 8650 transportation by alternative vehicles. As you mentioned Mr. Chair these are Neiola updates to existing policies. Uh these policies were originally in committee in December and then were presented to the board at the December 8th board meeting. There was some discussion and comments uh regarding these three particular policies uh and they have been sent uh referred back to this committee uh for some additional discussion on some
003uh term language uh regarding acquisition and operation of uh passenger vehicles with either nine or 12 individuals. that was the focus of the discussion. Uh so there have been some uh modifications made. Deborah Folk is here as well if there's any questions from the committee on these minor changes to the policies. >> Thank you, Attorney Sepusk. Um does the committee have any questions? Any committee member have any questions? Dr. Molnar, >> thank you. Um, I know these policies were recently updated. Um, with the updates being made now to these three policies, what changes in implementation does the administration anticipate would change with the change in policy? Good evening, uh, chairman, vice chairman, members, and superintendent. Um, at this time, this would allow us to determine if we could purchase a 12 vehicle passenger unit for
004alternate transport as long as it's legally allowed to be purchased under the federal and state guidelines. And it also would allow us, if necessary, to allow a invoice to be provided to an organization that would considered being paying for the cost of a field trip. Those are the only two changes to these three policies. So, we do not currently have a 12 passenger vehicle. So, this would allow us to consider this. This would be step one in effect of buying a 12 passenger vehicle >> if if that would be so chosen and legally allowed to proceed. >> Member Kelly. >> Thank you. Member Harrison. Um for the policy transportation for non uh routine trips, it's mentioned here that the board shall assume transportation costs for a certain number of field trips as specify in the
005superintendence administration guidelines. Can you provide more context to that? Um, field trips are uh put into the process of being approved first by the educational leaders. They come forward in the departments. After they are approved, then they are put into our trip tracker software to determine if transportation is needed and what type of transportation is appropriate. As an example, it is more appropriate at times to use a school bus. At times it could be a smaller unit such as a 9 or 12 passenger van. Uh we currently own some current vans under our CCAA program and we could then also determine to use a charter service if it is appropriate and we are not able to provide the service because the service needs to start during the school time in which our vehicles are already
006under use. >> Thank you. Any other questions? Having no questions, um I would ask for the committee um to uh take a vote to move these three policies um 3.01, 3.02, 3.03 to the rules committee for approval at the next board meeting. Can I have some discussion? Um I I will motion to uh move these policies to the rules committee. I will ask though that at the rules committee to include some of that implementation information. Um so for instance, as um Director Folk just mentioned, we're going to need to make a determination. What type of vehicle do we use when? provide that as an example so we can see that and then also an expected review window of when we would um check back on this policy to see how it's working. So do you
007think um 6 months a year when would be a good time to uh review the implementation? Thank you. >> Second. It has been moved and properly seconded to move these three policies to the rules committee. And so I would say that we would move these um to the rules committee upon vote. Uh all in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? These three policies will be moved to the rules committee. Um I would like to now I will go out of order because I we have an order of business that I want to um cover for the remainder of section three. Um but I would like to um deal with the number four uh policy 7540.02 the digital content and accessibility nola update. Attorney >> thank you Mr. Chair. This policy comes to us as an
008existing policy that is part of a Neola update as well. Uh this policy 7540.02 the administration is moving to introduce under new business for consideration moving forward with a target date of April 24 uh 2026. And this is pursuant to federal guidelines. Uh the US Department of Justice uh had updated its final rules under title two of the American with Disabilities Act and the goal is to make web content and mobile applications more accessible to individuals with disabilities. There is an admin group that is scheduled to meet uh the 5th of February to begin review and and and any potential um edits, suggestions, comments regarding this proposed policy. Thank you, Attorney Sapusk. Um, in this particular policy, we uh the current policy um there are quite a few changes that um are recommended by the
009district. Um I certainly uh appreciate the fact that you have sent this to us early for our review. Um and each committee member has the policy. Um, and I would just ask that as you guys continue to discuss it that we would you would come back and give us an update next month as to um the proposed changes, ask the committee members to also take a look um and uh give some in some feedback into this particular policy. Um but once again it helps a lot when we are um communicating um the recommended changes and have an opportunity to see the policies um that they are on the agenda. Um and certainly want to um make note that the public is also um invited to take a look at these policies. As we begin to
010change policies, as we begin to review policies, we want to make sure that if a policy is affecting you, your child or uh the district in general, that you get a copy of the policies and look at the proposed changes of the policies. And you are certainly welcome to come to the committee and voice um your support, opposition, concerns or implementation of the policy. So, I want to thank you for giving everyone the opportunity to review this um prior to any action being requested. Uh is there any questions by the committee members? Having no questions, we will move on um to the next agenda item. And um I would like to take a moment now um to address the agenda, the policies that are currently on the agenda. Um, we currently have seven policies that
011are on the I'm sorry, we currently have nine policies that are on the agenda that we just have not been able to address because some of these policies are extensive policies that need to be addressed. And it is u necessary to come up with a strategy u to move these policies off the agenda because we have so many policies that are waiting to be addressed. Um I want to offer that um the way to move these policies is to assign each committee member um policies. And um I would say to the superintendent that um myself and and and attorney cannot be the point on all of these policies. Um there's just no way. So I would ask that the directors of these particular subject matters, these particular policies be involved with the committee members as
012far as going through these policies. Um we shall communicate openly about recommended or suggested changes or additions to the policies and as we would work through these policies together um then we can come back and take action on the policies. um with the ideal and with the understanding that we are a public district and everything we do is transparently done. Um so I would ask that the members would um communicate with each other as they would communicate with the um directors and administrators um with these policies. And so I would like to now assign the policies to the different members of the committees and ask the superintendent if you will give me the directors that they will deal with. Um the first policy I have assigned is the public records policy and that will go
013to member Carmea Kelly. Superintendent, >> would you like me to tell you the administrator at this time or just take the list and then let you know who would be working supporting them? I >> I think I know, but if you could give it to us at this time because they're very specific to the departments. >> Okay. So, the public records policy will be member Carmea Kelly. >> Okay. And Wayne, uh, Mr. Bowers has gone to board as our public records officer. So I would align him to member Kelly. >> Um and we just discussed the digital content and accessibility policy that will also be member Carmea Kelly >> and you will be working with um Nate Renan >> and member Carmea Kelly will also be assigned to public comments. I mean the public complaint
014policy. >> Public complaint policy. Is it am I permitted to ask her to work with me? >> Oh, absolutely. You're the superintendent. Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. Oh, absolutely. Um and I'm sorry, I should have given the numbers. Um the digital content was 7540.02. The public records policy does not have a number as as of yet. The public complaint policy will be 9130. The next policy we will deal with is procurement federal grants and funds. That policy is 6325. >> That will be Dr. Renee Molnar. >> Okay. Yeah. Yes. We're um for that one, Todd Atkins, our assistant treasurer, and our business uh affairs executive director would be uh Deborah Folk. >> Uh policy 6460, vendor relations, that will be Dr. Renee Molnar >> and executive director Deborah Folk. uh policy 6460 independent contractor operators policy
015that will be director I mean Dr. Renee Molnar >> and uh Deborah Faulk please. >> The two policies that um I will have Gregory Harrison will be uh temporary reemployment of retired administrators. That would be um our executive director of HR, Chase Campfield. >> And the last policy will be the administrative leave policy. >> That will also be uh Chase Campfield, our executive director of HR. >> And the last policy I don't see on the committee on the agenda, but it does not have a number. Um that would be the equipment tracking um policy. Um and so um I think that that is a joint policy that we will work on together as a committee and as the administration. >> Okay, >> superintendent. >> Thank you, Chair Harrison. May I also ask that for the
016parent concerns if um Dr. Carla Chapman could also be on your contact. U there is an unbudsman in the district and that person serves under Dr. Chapman's uh leadership. So I would like her to join us as well. >> Thank you. Um Superintendent Outley. Um this is a short meeting today, but I do want to acknowledge the um federal um the Trump President Donald Trump's uh res, you know, uh rescending his appeal with the dear colleague letter that the district received. Um and as that has been rescended um I would ask that we would put on the agenda for the next meeting um our commitment to DEI um and the discussions of the prior policies that were rescended under that dear colleague letter. Um, I think it's very important for us as a district, being
017a public school district, to address that issue and not only address it, but um, it should be immediately addressed. Um, and so I have a statement that I would like to read before I I go any further. Um, and the statement simply covers why a strong DEI policy matters in a public school system. A well-designed diversity, equity, and inclusion policy helps a publicly funded school system serve all students effectively. The use of taxpayers dollars responsibly. It strengthens the trust with the families and the community. DEI is not an ideology. It is a sound education and operational practice. There are some key focus areas that we had um in our previous policy that was rescended um those key areas focus on culturally responsive practices. It improves student engagement, attendance and achievement. Stre strengthens relationships between students
018and educators. Reduces disciplinary disparities by meeting students where they are. Students learn better when in instructions connect to their experiences. It also provided for a diverse staff of excellent educators. It expanded recruitment pipelines and it was meant to attract top talent. The policy also tried to address support u retention and um professional growth reflects community diversity with while maintaining the high standards. Equitable student access. A sound policy ensures fair access to advanced courses, career pathways, arts, and extracurricular activities. A fair policy identifies and remove barriers across schools and programs. A fair policy promotes consistent opportunities districtwide. Opportunities should not depend on what buildings a student is enrolled in, but it should depend on the ability of the student and the desire to get better in this district. Family and community engagement. A fair DEI policy
019improves communication and outreach to all families. It builds trust and collaboration in decision-making and it leads to better attendance, behavior, and academic outcomes. A fair DEI policy promotes a healthy school climate. We have our cornerstones. Safety and belonging and mutual respect shall always be in every policy that we have. It supports fair discipline, bully prevention and resto restorative practices. Supplier diversity. A fair policy expands access to district contracts for local, small, minor, minorityowned, and veteranowned businesses. It encourages competition and keeps dollars within the community. A fair policy strengthens the local economy without excluding existing vendors. It's simply smart business in a public school system. We are stewards of public funding. Akran is a district of over 18,000 students north of 19,000 right now and we're happy to have that. Um we are a very diverse
020school district and our policies not just our diversity policy but every policy should reflect the diversity that was with that is within this district. So I would ask us um not only from this policy committee but I would ask us as an administration and every committee, every policy committee that we have, every standing board committee that we have a strong equity policy should be red thread through everything this district does. And that is why um President Sykes has charged this committee. We will lead up the charge to create, develop, and implement a strong diversity, equity, and inclusion policy. Thank you for listening to me at this particular time. I am passionate about this um because we have a diverse district and we need a strong um diverse, equity, and inclusive policy. Any comments from the
021members of the committee? Dr. Molner. >> Thank you, uh, Chair Harrison. Um, I I want to say that I am relieved that this district is able to take this work back up again. We spent a number of hours and meetings last year trying to save the policies that we had and I look forward to creating new uh policies and um incorporating these practices into many areas in the instructional policy committee previous to this meeting. We discussed how we can also support this effort um and include this in our instructional policy committee uh as well. >> Thank you Dr. Molner. >> No further questions. Um, I will close um this portion and ask that if uh attorney have any updates on any policies other than our transportation policy. >> I can always find time for updates
022on a number of things. Um so uh briefly uh on the agenda and one of the policies that you had mentioned is in currently in old business. It's been carried along some time. It's 5.01. 01. It's policy number 6325. That's the procurement federal grants. Uh and has just been identified uh that Dr. Molinar will be engaged with um Todd Atkins and others here with the administration on that policy. Um would like to add a target date for that policy. And again, it's just a target date uh April 1st. Uh and again that's just [clears throat] a a recommended target date. At this point I don't have any additional comments on policies. Uh will we engage in meaningful discussion and conversation and look forward to it. >> Thank you. Attorney we have a lot of work
023to to be done. We don't have um a time to well we have not looked at the policies moving forward. So moving forward I would expect um a an update um next meeting um for some of the policies. I understand that we can't work on all of them at one time, but I would ask that we would um work that we would prioritize these policies um the public information, public records policy. Um I would ask that that would be a priority. Um and the um inventory um policy inventory. I would ask that that would be a priority. And if no one else has anything, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. So moved. >> Second. >> It has been moved and second um for adjournment. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? We stand
024adjourned at 608.