Policy updates approved

POTOMAC - Members of the Potomac School Board approved a collection of Montana School Board Association (MTSBA) policy updates both on first and second reading with amendments during their regular meeting Monday, June 14. The Board also heard from the eighth graders on their recent school trip and approved the 2019-2020 audit.

The required policy updates that were approved on second reading with amendments had to do with uniform complaint procedure; district policy and procedures; school calendar and day; school emergency and closure; entrance placement and transfer; students of legal age; sexual harassment grievance procedures for employees and students; student discipline; applicant rights and consent to fingerprint; acknowledgement of receipt form; request for record; transportation drug testing; abused and neglected child reporting; FMLA procedures; and Title I methodology.

The Board’s amendments were around wording clarification for the basis of collecting and submitting fingerprints for a federal background check.

The required new policies and forms on second reading dealt with student instruction, determination form, privacy act statement, criminal history dissemination log, fingerprint background handling procedure, and supplement not supplant.

Board Chair Courtney Hathaway said that the school’s lawyers, as well as MTSBA’s, made some changes to the policies. After reading them with a “fine tooth comb” they all seemed very reasonable. Changes included adding new protections to the school and clarifying certain policies. These are all pre-existing policies for the district.

The policy updates that were approved with amendments on first reading fell into multiple categories: required updates, recommended updates, required new policy and recommended new policies.

Policies with required updates on first reading dealt with student immunization, administering medication to students, communicable diseases, prevention of disease transmission and breastfeeding in the workplace. The student immunization update had a stipulation that the school would not require COVID-19 immunization in order to enroll.

Policies with recommended updates had to do with food services, district safety and operation and maintenance of facilities.

They struck a recommended update on a lead renovation policy due to redundancy with EPA standards.

They decided to strike a line in the food services policy that stated, “The amount charged for such meals shall be sufficient to cover all costs of the meals, including preparation labor and food, handling, utility and equipment depreciation costs” because it would not prevent lower income families from receiving a school lunch. Instead it would make middle and higher income families pay more.

They also changed the district safety policy so that the playground would be inspected at least once a year instead of monthly. They also removed a line in the section that stated, “Playground inspection results must be made available for review by the local health authority or the DPHHS upon request” at Rouse’s request. It will be part of the school’s safety plan.

The only newly required policy was about water supply systems. The recommended new policies dealt with chemical safety, air quality restrictions, indoor air quality, and school construction and repairs.

They struck a recommended policy that would have required the District to submit construction or alteration plans to the Missoula City-County Health Department before they could commence new school construction or repairs.

The board will discuss with maintenance staff whether or not a policy on noxious plant and animal control is necessary or if it is covered by their current maintenance policy. They will also consult with maintenance on the cleaning and disinfecting policy as well as the water supply systems policy.

The board condensed the wording around the policy for air quality. They gave the safety committee authorization to establish a plan for outdoor activities, recess and school participation in the event of poor air quality conditions.

Instructional Coach Sarah Schmill presented the results of a reading and math assessment they have students participate in as part of a Montana Office of Public Instruction grant.

Students are categorized into three levels of proficiency. According to Schmill, 74% of the students landed in the tier one proficiency level. The remaining 14% and 11% of students landed in the mid and lower tier levels respectively. The grant is supposed to help students that require extra services.

Principal John Rouse said he spoke with staff on how they would spend the extra $180,000 they have in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER). They thought about spending it on hiring a counselor for the school and even had a candidate up for consideration. However, that candidate accepted a position outside the school. They may also have it go towards their sports program.

In new business the Board unanimously approved the 2019-2020 audit.

The Board acknowledged the gifting funds of $3,000 from the Class of 2021 to the Class of 2022 for next year’s eight grade trip. Previously the eighth grade class would not have leftover money from their fundraising efforts to give to the incoming class’s trip so the school would have to take money out of the student activity fund. In recent years, however the eighth grade classes have had excess funds and have been able to transfer money over.

Members of the school’s newly graduated eighth grade class showed a follow up presentation from their trip to Canyonlands National Park in May. Some of their favorite portions of their trip were the rafting, hiking and archaeological activities.

The Board announced that they would be opening the meetings back up to members of the public meaning that parents and teachers would be able to attend in-person. They will continue to use Webex to accommodate people who are unable to attend physically.

The School Board will next meet at 7 p.m. Monday, June 28 to approve year-end financials. The first meeting for fiscal year 21-22 will be Monday, Aug. 9. There will be no meeting in July.