Board reviews first readings of policy updates after court ruling on HB 2,898

During the work study session the board reviewed policy advisories and related regulations updated by ASBA to reflect a court ruling. A presenter explained that Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Catherine Cooper found parts of House Bill 2,898 unconstitutional, and ASBA moved to remove associated punitive language from local policies.

The proposed changes affect several policies and regulations, including sections on personal security and safety (GB/GBR), professional support staff training (GCH), instruction on sensitive or controversial issues (IMB), and student immunizations (JLCB and JLCBR). The adviser explained that language forbidding a school district from requiring vaccines or face coverings was being removed from policy because the court ruling and changed state law no longer supported that specific statutory text.

Board members emphasized the change was only to align local policy text with the court ruling and current state law; members did not indicate that the district plans to impose new mandates. The policy updates were considered a first reading and will return as action items at a future meeting for formal adoption.