Board advances multiple policy updates, notes change to immunization exemptions

On second reading the board approved several policies including student discrimination/harassment complaint procedures and employee harassment complaint procedures; the chair noted these had been reviewed previously and the motion carried unanimously. The board then presented a set of policies for first reading covering pest management, student immunizations, weapons/violence/school safety, dropout prevention, transportation (including added language to include van drivers), and drug/alcohol testing procedures for bus drivers.

Superintendent Dr. Foley explained the immunization policy changes, saying: "You can no longer claim a religious or philosophical exemption, other than those with an IEP who have been grandfathered." The weapons policy was updated to add nicotine to the list of prohibited items. Board members raised no substantive objections during the public first-reading presentation and the items moved forward as presented.