Ellington board adopts multiple policy revisions, accepts $12,009 EDU Innovate grant

The Ellington Board of Education approved a package of policy revisions and accepted a small instructional grant during the same meeting that finalized the district budget.

Unidentified Speaker 5 moved that the board accept EDU Innovate grant awards totaling $12,009; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

The board then approved multiple second readings and adoptions of policy revisions on the recommendation of the policy committee. Adopted items included a revised non-discrimination community policy (action item D), revisions to policy 4040 on reports of suspected abuse or neglect and student assaults by school employees, policy 4,650 on nondiscrimination for personnel, policy 5,100 on administration of student medications in schools, policy 5,135 on child abuse response and reporting procedures, policy 5,400 on nondiscrimination for students, policy 5,850 on confidentiality and access to education records, and policy 5,900 prohibiting discrimination and harassment. Action item M was tabled for the next meeting.

During discussion of the non-discrimination policy, Unidentified Speaker 7 reminded the public that earlier questions had been raised about 'redlining some protected classes out of these policies' and said the explanation received was 'adequate' and left her satisfied. The board recorded no dissenting roll-call votes for the adopted policies in the transcript; votes were taken by voice and motions were declared carried.

Next steps: action item M will return on the next meeting agenda for further consideration.