Lee's Summit R-VII board agrees to reinstate 'each' in student-focused language, discusses library access changes

Dr. Carlson introduced two batches of policy updates from MSBA (identified in the packet as 25E and 26A) and noted the items and several district-initiated policies had been reviewed by district leadership and the board policy committee and were before the board for work-session consideration. "We've got actually two batches here from MSBA — 25E and 26A," he said, explaining that some items in 26A relate to board matters and will proceed to first and second readings after local review.

Board member Sparks flagged a proposed edit to the instructional materials language that would remove the word "each." Sparks urged the board to retain a student-centered phrase. She proposed the sentence read: "provide opportunities for each student to realize their greatest potential through education." Several board members, including Dr. Johnson and Board member Dawson, said the phrasing aligns with district mission language and was acceptable to restore.

Dr. Nickens highlighted a specific change elsewhere in the packet affecting school libraries: under the revised approach, "a parent can just request that their child does not have access to specific materials rather than asking for it to be removed from [the] whole library," he said, noting the change aligns written policy with current practice.

Dr. Carlson summarized the procedural next steps: if the board wants to make the suggested wording change, staff will submit it to MSBA; "if it's not a substantive change, then they will work with us on it," he said. If MSBA raises concerns, the board will workshop those concerns before moving the item forward. The board agreed to reinsert the word "each" and asked staff to prepare the revised language for submission to MSBA; the transcript shows no final formal vote on the policy language at this meeting.

The policy package also includes clarifying language about community input and "intellectual access" in the school library policy; when asked, Dr. Carlson said staff and the board policy committee did not identify necessary changes to district processes tied to that addition but they would double-check practices to confirm alignment.

Next steps: staff will prepare the revised policy text and send it to MSBA for review. If MSBA has no objections the changes will move to the district's formal first reading; if MSBA requests edits, the board will consider them in a subsequent workshop or meeting.