Board sends policy 1220 back to committee after debate over superintendent's "exclusivity" language

The board debated proposed policy language for the employment of the chief school administrator that included an optional sentence stating the superintendent "shall devote themselves exclusively to the duties of the office."

One board member proposed reverting to "shall devote himself or herself" on grammatical grounds; that motion failed. Another motion to strike the entire optional sentence passed, and members agreed that removing the sentence would require the policy to return to the policy committee for first reading and public comment, so the policy could not be approved on second read that night.

Board discussion touched on whether the sentence was substantive or merely grammatical; some members said contracts typically govern such terms and that any noncontractual guidance should not hinder reasonable activities such as occasional outside presentations. The policy committee chair said the language was optional and had been added by the committee, and the committee will revisit the item for further public consideration.