The Community School District School Committee reviewed several administrative policies Nov. 12. The board also reviewed a revised snow day plan.  

High school principal Tricia Campbell said the snow day plan is almost the same as the one introduced last year, with updates to scheduling. She said it follows the school day as if students were in school, including class changes and attendance. In addition, teachers will provide live instruction, and cameras must be kept on. According to Campbell, the plan also includes two traditional snow days, determined by the superintendent. “I still believe in the magic of snow days and I still, personally, love them, myself,” Campbell said.  

The board adopted several policies after a second read, including ones on ethical behavior, board meeting transparency, purchasing and procurement, pest management, and bomb threats. The board also had a first read of policies on finances, instruction and curriculum, and school board powers and responsibilities. However, several items around harassment, nondiscrimination and equal opportunity were tabled. 

Also, committee member Stephanie Hawke requested the group further review the board's public comment policy. It states public comment during meetings should be related to agenda items and is not an opportunity for questions to be answered. Hawke advocated for allowing comment on any education-related topic. She also discussed answering the public’s questions, which, according to Chair Peggy Splaine, is not recommended by the district’s attorneys. 

“I would like it to allow the public to come and speak with us,” Hawke said. “We were elected to represent them, and we should allow them to speak their piece.” 

In other business, elementary school principal Shawna Kurr told the board about an event that morning honoring veterans. She said students showed their appreciation to over 30 veterans, conducting their own research to speak about about sacrifice, service and patriotism during the event that included breakfast and an assembly. “It was top notch and 95% led by the students,” gym teacher and veteran Dennis Dacus said. 

High school student body president Cleyton Splaine reported on a student survey about the school’s dress code after the board brought up the topic earlier this year. Splaine said 63 students responded, and 93% did not have a problem with the dress code established in 2022. However, he said a “passionate minority” was against how the dress code is enforced, particularly that they felt females were more subject to enforcement than males. “What we have in place is proven, by this study at least, to be successful,” he said. 

Director of Technology Abby Manahan reported a potential hurdle in the anticipated high school network upgrade. She said the school received an around $112,000 estimate for the project in October, around 70% of which was anticipated to be covered by federal funds. However, the program that supports broadband access, E-Rate, is now in legal action that could jeopardize the funds. 

“It’s not just us. Schools and libraries across the state have relied on E-rate,” she said. “This would be a huge impact nationwide.”