Board reviews draft staff-conduct and social-media policies; no vote taken

Attorney Powell presented draft language the board is considering to strengthen the district’s staff-conduct policy and to add a separate social-media subsection.

Powell said the portion of Policy 5.01 under review would add language to address employee qualifications, duties, conduct, professional standards and mandatory reporting. He described new draft subsection language that would add a prohibited-conduct section covering harassment, intimidation, discrimination, bullying and physical abuse of children. Powell emphasized these are additions to the existing policy and that current language is not being removed at this stage.

On social media, Powell said there is currently only a brief mention of social media in the policy and that the proposed 5.01.0.3 would add a more detailed social-media conduct section. He said the superintendent provided the additional language for legal review and that redline versions will be circulated so board members can see precisely what was added.

Board members asked procedural questions — including when the updated language would be implemented and whether earlier language would be changed — and Powell and staff reiterated that the document is a draft and that a comparative redline will show additions before the board votes.

Next steps: staff will circulate redline copies and any additional edits; policy will return for board consideration at a future meeting.