Good evening. Welcome to the ISD 191's uh school board committee of policy review. Um I'd like to call tonight's meeting to order. Uh the date is April 15th, 2025 and it is now 5:00 p.m. Um
first we will begin with new policies. Uh starting with uh Dr. Chris Belmont, policy 524, personal electronic communications devices and cell phone. Good evening, directors al Hume um a little atypical that we have a new
policy to prevent present here at review committee. So this is um as chair alt mentioned personal electronic communications devices and cell phones. Um moving through it uh listed at number
524. Uh you know we started with the MSBA model policy. Um and then worked with school administrators who had been working with their school community since I think last June around how to
operationalize some of the new legislation. Um so just to share um some of the components just the different definitions around electronic communication devices some of the rationale and reason for having this
policy um some of the expectations depending on the age level K8 versus um high school 912 with the kind of the primary differentiating factor between age levels is K8 essentially away for the
day. Um with no exceptions, 912 has um that line more around instructional time. um some limitations and different exceptions around the personal electronic devices in the cell phones as
well as um kind of a broad overview of some of the progressive action administrators could look at if things aren't going well and administrators are teaching staff. So, so again,
um just checking in with a lot of um staff members that are working with students, especially 612. This seems to match towards what um if not current processes um procedural goals at the sites.
Great feedback. Um all right. So we will I think since this is a new policy um and there are changes throughout I think I might stray from the traditional review and go section by section so you know if there are questions we can kind
of be organized about it. Sounds good. Um so starting with uh let's go to sections 1 through three definitions and general statement of policy and purpose. Were there any
comments there or questions? Not those sections now. Okay. Um, I had a question in section 3 F, more of a clarifying question. Um it mentions
uh storage options may include but are not limited to in a student's backpack in a student's locker, locked pouch or designated place in the classroom. Um do we think that that is all the backpack and that terminology is
all-encompassing? I just think about you know a closed purse or handbag. is do all students actually carry backpacks these days? You referring to E F. Um I
think I think I would need to go through and see where that term is used throughout the rest of the policy. So this is a good question. It's sorry. Do you know what I mean? I'm curious where it's showing the context. Yeah. There we go. Are you asking us to add
more than the backpack? Cuz it says may include. Yeah. And I guess I'm not asking that you change it per se, just had we considered um because I can see with with purses and handbags, some of them are open,
some of them are closed. And I could see there being issues around a closed backpack versus something that's not listed like an open purse that might create issues.
We'll look into that. Yes. Good. Thank you for asking. Yeah. All right. So, next we'll go to section four. I think we'll just do section 4 all as its own section. Were
there any questions with that? Yeah. So, in this section, um, this reflects the current expectations that we've had in our schools this year for the most part,
right? Seems like Okay. Yes. So, my my other question related is just thinking ahead, these sorts of things tend to evolve over time. Um, so given that this is so explicitly laid out in this
policy, are we talking about it's going to have to come back to the policy committee every time a school has a an adjustment to their administration of this? Yeah. [Music] Yes. That's always the dance with policy
and practice and our student handbook trying to mediate between the two. as best as possible. So you have, excuse me, policies that come up for annual review. Maybe this is one you want to add to that list. So if there are changes, yeah, I think that's a good
idea. Hopefully it won't need to be more than once a year, but barring legislative changes, of course. Right. which a bill is pending that that's what I hear must be banned statewide and for all K8 and then away
for the non-instructional time I think is the current language we're 912 be interesting to watch yes um and I have a couple of questions that I had written down in advance but I'm just noticing um turned off versus silenced
is that a new change can you explain the Mhm. Yeah, absolutely. Good question. So, our administrative team really felt like um the the essence of that that U model
policy language around turned off. Um the intent was for it to be non-disruptive and, you know, away from um instruction and all that was meant to be. They they had real concerns about
how to um enforce that policy language that they don't have the resources nor the wherewithal to uh differentiate if something's turned off or silenced and shuttered. So, so that
was just from that practical lens came up. And I guess you know the devil's advocate to that would be it works both ways. It's like how are they going to enforce silenced if we step away from turned off? Well, if it buzzes, it's not silent. If it rings, it's not silenced.
True. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, that was the feedback from our administrative team. Okay. Um and then oh the removal of uh in uh a 1A
uh strike through for designated school day. I'm just wondering why that's being removed cuz it would seem to me that like for the clarity of the students, it's okay for them to have their phones out before the school the school day
begins. They might be at school, right? Is that the Well, I think it was sometimes we modify the schedule if it's a early release, if it's a if they don't think it's just a school day. Okay, that makes sense. We'll see if they
implementation if causes. Yeah, I don't recall why that was stried out if it was in the model policy, but it didn't match what our language was. I guess I need to reflect too on what does that really what's the differentiation between designated school day and school
day from how we operationalize? Yeah, it says earlier. I didn't change it, but it's from the bell. So, the bell definition is earlier in the policy. So, yeah, it might just be like an unnecessary word, honestly. That's how I interpreted it. No, ble to bell is in
the definition. Yeah. Right. The instructional time until the dismissal bell rings. So, whether it's early release, that's the academic school day, right? Which is why I think designated is probably just not needed. Mhm.
Um and then the model policy language in staying in A to C. However, such use is discouraged. What was the thinking behind striking that unnecessary trying to enact this with
students? They need such concrete language. And then um I would argue the staff does too. So we really trying to figure out how to strike that balance with practicality and just being as concrete and clear as possible. So well and I think there's also a certain
amount of modeling and encouragement around that, right? Like come on guys, there's there are other things that you could be doing with your time other than your cell phones, right? Yes. Correct. Yeah. The teaching of it is so important. Mhm.
All right. Uh we'll go to section five limitations. Any questions, comments? Oh,
this was another use case of um backpack just just for for tracking purposes. Oh um actually the um.3 under limitations about students may not use a device to record,
transmit, post audio videos on school grounds or on a school. I'm just thinking of like sporting events like those are on school grounds. Kids are going to be there with their cell phones recording their friend, you know, making the gamewinning
shot or something. And interpreting this would seem like that would potentially not be allowed. I don't think it would be the intent unless there was a regulation that said, you know, sporting events, events
outside of the school day, right? Um, well, that's why I'm asking you because the way it's worded, it doesn't say that. It doesn't have those activities. So, that would be permitted. What's that? the activities in athletics based on this they it would be permitted that
they would be allowed to record. Yeah. Or post videos. I think that's another one where the it doesn't say school days. That's why I Yeah, I have to double check with MSBA why they put that provision in there. I
my assumption is during the school day. Yeah. Well, I think from a a legal standpoint, it doesn't matter if your friend if it's your friend or not, you're capturing their data and sending it out. So, um, from a practicality lens, it happens. And it's something I
mean, I'm assuming the intent is you don't want we don't want students pulling out a phone if there's a fight by somebody's locker. Those kinds of things that we've seen from every school. So, from that sense, it makes sense. But I question for outside of
school. Okay. Outside of then extra extracurriculars basically. Check in on that. Yeah. Although legality. Mhm. Over the outside of the school day is kind of the same as far as private data. No. Yes. We need to check
legal too. That's a good question. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Uh, I think this is section six, exceptions. Draw, where was the backpack referenced in? Sure. That was
uh where F, wasn't it? Something F. Well, there was F, but then there was section 4 A 1 A two. No, hold on. 3F. Oh, it was 5245-3 section 5B.
storage. Got it. Thank you. Okay, here it is. Check on that. Um, okay. So, as director Hume mentioned, this one might be a work in progress quite some time, especially like Dr.
Battle said, this uh legislative feedback too. Uh section six, exceptions. Any comments or questions? No, I don't think so. Okay. Yeah, I
didn't either. Uh moving along to section seven. I don't I mean I think the way it's laid out looks fine. I guess the question would be does our staff have the time and the ability
to enforce enforce this in the way that we would want them to consistently. Well, I think we learned a lot this year. I met with a ninth grade team and they saw a remarkable difference between last year's ninth graders and this
year's ninth graders because they had the cell phones away and they didn't mention there were any issues with following through with them if they didn't. So I don't know if you when you talk to the administrators did
they have any anecdotal stories anecdotes about Oh I think that um I think the first sentence of each of those levels gives the administrator and teacher an opportunity to work together um paired with the student handbook
it'll be okay but we will see well again work in progress right yes and I guess my question is the the vague Like I'm when I read the model policy language, it was very clear. The steps
were very clear. The responses were clear. With this language, who actually brings the cell phone to the office, the teacher, the student, the administrator. Mhm. Um, so that's where that what director Hume
mentioned there giving the enough discretion for that to play out given the whatever the available resources are at that moment. Whatever the specific needs are in the
school trying to strike that cord right now in the policy that was Yeah. So like a level two they may call the dean they'll use anytime they make a discipline referral they'll use that process and I guess you know in terms of
the foodboard discussion the clarity of the model policy language was um kind of the focus of that conversation. So I I feel like we can tighten this up a little bit.
Um understanding that you want to give flexibility. I think we also need to have greater clarity around certain points along the way. And the other part about the model policy um looking at the cost to have
those locked bins um and then also legally taking possession of it having different teachers with cell phones. So I think that's something we need to look at too. So right now the dean they come
and they will take it. So then you have this one kind of location, not several. So I also worried about access many students and then people aren't looking. Mhm. Well, and there are places in the classroom that are locked. No. Right. A
teacher will lock their things, but then they have So we actually looked at the middle schools looked at what's the name of the yonder. Yonder pouches. gone to those similar to events where you um have a device on the wall. Students each
have their own p pouch and then um they they lock their phone in their pouch and then uh the teacher would put that kind of apparatus on the wall and students would unlock it at the end of the day or whenever there's no program. They did
bet that a little bit. looking at, you know, for our 612, we're looking at about $150,000 of launch money is and then about $20,000 of annual upkeep and maintenance for a a system like that. So, um, no,
cost wasn't the only factor. We did a deep dive into that. Um, yeah, I think we can get greater clarity along the way like it in terms of where the phones will be. it it this is just a
little too loose and I think given that families and students will be going to this policy um if it's too vague we might get ourselves into into trouble.
Mhm. Um, so section 8, school district responsibility. Yeah, I believe this is all model policy language. Let's just see. Did you have any comments? C was just shifted from above. Yeah.
Um I think questions. I had section 8. The uh oh, the school board directs the superintendent and school district administration to establish additional rules, etc.
Um, and I think in keeping with um prior conversations, we should remove school buildings because we're really talking about K8 and and 9 through 12 as opposed
to building by building. We build uh Yeah, it's at the bottom. These rules and procedures, sorry. So, may be designed for specific school buildings, grade levels or pursuant to a similar criteria. So, move school. I would say remove school buildings because we've
really been talking about grade levels cuz we want consistency across I mean, I think we should I I don't know how we wrestle with this, but our alternative high school has just different school climates, culture, bell
schedule. Um that's those are some of the things we've been working through. Yeah. So always trying to find that balance between uh being like you said
consistent and really like clear and then understanding that there's varying needs at different times buildings. But this is model policy language and the last time you presented this language you indicated that your conversations
reflected levels not buildings. So why wouldn't we? The last time we presented it was very broad and vague. We did not have the level of specificity and detail as this. So, it's kind of shifted a little bit
about our approach, which I think we can probably make it work either way, but with in there or not. I mean, I hear what you're saying about um th also we have what, eight elementary
schools. So I think we brought up at the at the when we had the full board meeting conversation about this and wanting to make sure that if you go to Gideon Pond or Sky Oaks or Harry Bishop your point you've got the same policy in place. So having
consistency across the grade levels regardless of which elementary school you're going to or which middle school you're going to. Yeah. In my mind, you maybe we need to have something in working with principal Ron. I think we could remove specific build school
buildings and still make it work. So that's good. I understand. Anything else? No. All right. So, I think this is coming back. Thank you. Thank you though. Thank you for this productive conversation. Yeah. You're
welcome. Is that a work in by then? Yeah. There may be new legislation. Yes. Yeah. Exactly. All right. Moving on to electronic policy 634, electronic technology acceptable
use. Uh staying with Dr. Belmont. Yes. And this is actually staying with a similar um conversation about cell phones and personal electronic devices. We originally um enter we originally had um our approach was to embed that cell phone
policy from statute uh or that requirement from statute into this policy. But um taking a new approach means we could probably for the sake of redundancy or avoiding redundancy pull out uh that
language from this specific one. So then it's just some reorganization, removing that piece. Um I do think we probably can't we or I I'm um almost certain we can't do it until it's been formally adopted, but we probably
want to make a note of adding 524 to future cross references for I was just thinking that. Yeah, that's a good idea. All right, any questions or comments? Uh I only had one.
Um 63413 section 8. Okay. Uh limit on screen time. Uh this and it starts with this section does not apply to a child for whom the school has individualized
etc etc. Um and this was new language in the prior draft. So I guess my question was if we're not looking at the policy language in the previous policy, what answer did you get regarding this in statute?
Could you um direct me through one more time? Sure. 634. Okay, got it. Um page 13. It's on page 13, I think. Important book. Okay, got it. 14. I follow the section
the headings on the previous screen time for children in preschool. Y yeah. Okay. So that um that comes from so is the suggestion to shift that with uh into our new policy as well.
Well, I was going to say we have model language in 524 under section 6 exceptions that we could just lift out of that policy and put it in here. And it's basically nothing in this policy prohibits a student from using a personal electronic
communications device for a purpose documented in the students uh IEP, a plan developed under section 504. It's this language is a little has a little more clarity in terms of what is and isn't allowed and it's it's in the other
policy. Yeah, I think I have to check with Director Gordon. I think that this is referring to a different statute around screen time for certain age students. Um okay, which that get every
day push in 2023. there's a different statute. So that's what I'm trying to think about is would it's almost naming a different thing which is um individual screen usage by prek and kindergarteners is not
allowed in the classroom. So that in but it and it's but it is in statute allowed for the students with IEPs 504 plans etc. Got it. I'm asking. I don't know. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, this paragraph is
literally from statute. It is my understanding. So, I think that's why she wanted to include it. I think you're bringing up a good question I would ask her. Is is it more appropriate to cross ref I think we should just cross reference it with 524. So, I'll
ask Rachel to do that. Yeah. Statute 124D 166. Okay. the middle of school chop time. Cool. Um, so I think this can come back on first reading since we know we're going to be cross referencing
the other policy. I think we're fine. Okay. And next, let me just a procedural question. So, if you wanted to add the 524 as a cross reference, does it like further down the line, would that need to come back
through review committee or um I just wonder? Probably. Yeah, just it would be on cons just of you know, one of those reference updates. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Yep. Thank you. All right. Next, uh policy 413,
harassment and violence with Stacy Silverine. Welcome. Good evening. I'm bringing to you a policy on harassment and violence. Really, it's just a MSBA update um to include the
definition of disability to reflect the amended law. Uh the addition is the definition to include episodic or uh different types of illness that may be in remission that could impact a
person. And outside of that, that is pretty much it for this this policy. Okay. Any questions, comments? Nope. All right. So, this will go on uh first reading. Uh, next we'll go to policy 423,
employee student relationships. Yeah, this this one here, the only changes to the policy are actually updating the legal and the um well the legal references. So that's the only updates to
this question. Okay. Uh this will be on consent. Uh next, uh 601R, school district curriculum and instruction goals. Um and let me
uh All right. At board request, um these regulations are coming forward to review and be formally attached as regulations to policy 601, school district curriculum and instruction goals. uh MSBA conducted a review prior to today's
presentation as well. Um looking at the policy itself under section two general statement of policy as well as in section 4 A2 we see alignment between policy language and the content of these regulations and I'm recommending that we
add these regulations under the policy. I think it's fine. Um, the way it's outlined, that's consistent with the way it's should be happening. It is developed by the
Burnsville High School staff. Okay. Mhm. Administration. Yes. Yes, it is. All right. Sounds good. All right. Um I don't know if this is redundant but under paragraph
2 under grade changes um under the regulation under the regulation. Yep. Administration will have oversight of this process and may overturn in writing any grade change that does not follow the correct process. I don't know if we want to add
in writing. or if it's spelled out clearly. [Music] So, are you thinking overturn in writing like some sort of a written justification or I wouldn't even I what that that the approval would be in writing.
that it's that's not in the right. They may overturn in writing any grade change, but the approval needs to be in writing. Yeah. So it's clear who who it is that approved it. Exactly. Yeah. Uh so
then this would be on Did I even put it in? Well, this would be first reading for sure. Yeah. Uh, all right. Policy 407, employee right to know.
Did you skip 699? Did I skip one? I did. Sorry. Policy 699, teaching about controversial issues. Amy, now 699. We thought we skipped you. The policy language itself has no
changes. It's just the non-s substantive uh changes to update with the uh pronouns. Ah, gotcha. Yeah. Any questions? Nope. Nope. Okay. So, this will be on consent. Uh, next we have policy
605. Um, 407. Keep jumping ahead. I must have skipped one. I seriously must have skipped one. Policy 407 employee right to know. Stacy just one
said there are no changes for this policy. Okay. Questions? Oh, all right. So, this will be on consent. Uh policy 546, early admission to kindergarten. A
substanti 605. Sorry to keep doing this. Alternative programs. Alternative programs. Oh my goodness. Alternative programs. I'm sorry. See more cost. There were no updates to that particular question. No. Okay. I'm
asking all my questions before you start on consent. Uh next we have 546 early admission to kindergarten. There are no changes to that particular policy. It did go through a significant review uh about uh
questions. All right. On consent and our last policy is policy 611 homeschooling. Upon that review, there haven't been any changes to the legislation and so the policy stays the same.
questions. All right. Uh that will go on consent as well. Thank you. Uh Sarah, do you have what you need? Oh yeah, the consent ones. Well, we haven't posted first reading. For first reading they could. Yeah, April 24th.
April 24th. Yeah. And then the others will come back. Awesome. Thank you. We're adjourned. Okay.