Board tables AB 1078 curriculum form; first reading of cell‑phone policy starts year‑long review

The Windsor Unified board on May 15 reviewed a new curriculum adoption form updated to reflect Assembly Bill 1078 requirements and held a first reading of a CSBA‑recommended cell‑phone policy for district schools.

Assistant superintendent and curriculum staff presented the revised adoption form, which adds an AB 1078 compliance checklist asking proposers whether materials include diverse racial, ethnic and cultural groups, LGBTQ and disability representation, and whether a submission avoids discriminatory exclusion. Staff said the form implements a 2023 state law aimed at ensuring curricula and instructional materials do not omit historically marginalized perspectives.

Nut graf: Trustees tabled final action on the revised adoption form and requested a more detailed briefing to explain statutory requirements and sample procedures. Separately, the board accepted a first reading of a proposed student‑device policy (staff recommended option 1: cell phones permitted for instructional use only with teacher permission) and instructed staff to develop administrative regulations and extensive community outreach prior to adoption and a 2026 effective date.

Several trustees asked for a clearer legal and operational briefing before adopting the AB 1078 checklist; one trustee requested presentations explaining how the law works in practice and what the checklist requires administrators to do.

On the cell‑phone proposal, trustees stressed outreach to families and staff and phased implementation. The policy under consideration already applies a K–8 standard on campus; the discussion focused on implementation in grades 9–12 and on carve‑outs for medical needs. Staff said the district has until 2026 to fully adopt a rule and recommended the year for outreach and rule‑making.

Ending: The board directed staff to prepare a clearer AB 1078 briefing for the next meeting and to use the coming year to develop administrative rules, training, and community input on a high‑school phone policy before final adoption.