Cadott School Board - Changes to policies reflect what district expects
Andrea Wahl, Cadott School Board member, had a few questions about policy changes Nov. 20, during a regular board meeting. This was only the first reading, so the policies will be up for approval at the December meeting. Photo by Ginna Young
By Ginna Young
No policy ever stays the same and the Cadott School Board is updating theirs to reflect that. The board went over the policies Nov. 13, in a first reading.
“A lot of these are verbage that matches legislation,” said district administrator Josh Spaeth.
Some needed only minor language changes or taking out repetitive wording, such as Policy 0142.1 – Electoral Process; Policy 0143.1 – Public Expression of Board Members; Policy 0144.3 – Conflict of Interest; Policy 0164 – Meetings; Policy 1630.01 – Family & Medical Leave of Absence; Policy 2340 – District Sponsored Trips; Policy 2521 – Selection of Instructional Materials and Equipment; Policy 5113 – Open Enrollment Program; Policy 5350 – Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Post-Intervention; Policy 5505 – Academic Honesty; Policy 5517 – Student Anti-Harassment; Policy 8146 – Notification of Educational Options; Policy 8420 – School Safety; Policy 8500 – Food Services; Policy 8531 – Free and Reduced-Price Meals; Policy 8913 – Section 504/ADA; Policy 6236 – Community Service Fund; and Policy 6610 – Non-district Supported Student Activity Accounts.
Others required more in-depth perusal, such as Policy 1421 – Criminal History Record Check and Employee Self-Reporting Requirement. With that, minor traffic violations do not need to be reported by staff, but major ones are required.
“Unless you are transporting kids, then you have to report any traffic violations,” said Spaeth.
Cory LaNou, board president, asked how the school can track something like that and impart that knowledge to the district employees.
“There is no good way to do this,” said Spaeth.
Staff have to fill out a form to drive school vehicles, which means checking their driving records, but after that, Spaeth will need to inform them of the policies, something he agreed to communicate to the staff.
Following that, was Policy 3121 – Criminal History Record Check, which deals with drug or alcohol-related incidents.
“Same thing, you need to report this, so we know what’s going on,” said Spaeth.
Board member Rod Tegels asked if something reported, like a DUI, leads to automatic termination, with concerns over discrimination.
“How do you manage this going forward,” he asked.
If the matter was severe enough, at that point, Spaeth said the district would have legal involvement from there anyway.
Also looked at, was Policy 5200 – Attendance, where a “principal’s excuse” can also be used dealing with a student needing to attend a funeral or a once-in-a-lifetime family trip.
“Previously, we just had medical,” said elementary principal Brad Rogers.
The board also looked at Policy 7440.01 – Video Surveillance, which means only authorized personnel can film school events, so students are not filming someone in classrooms without their awareness. However, the schools do have surveillance cameras on school grounds, for security reasons.
LaNou pointed out that does require signage, which should be posted on all doors and all driveways, something that is not currently advertised.
Members also glanced at Policy 7440.02 – Smart Monitoring Equipment, which means vape detectors, which the schools don’t have, but could implement.
“Kids are very creative how they hide vape devices,” said Spaeth.
The devices are like a small alarm that are stationed in bathrooms, to alert the administration or a designated staff member of vape mist. The device sends a message to the video footage camera, marking the time, so staff can watch to see who goes in and comes out of the bathroom during that time frame.
Spaeth mentioned that the installation of the devices doesn’t seem too expensive, but that maybe the district could get a grant.
“Sounds like some districts are having good luck with it,” he said.
Following on the heels of that, was Policy 7540.08 – Artificial Intelligence (AI), stating that it can’t be used to cheat or bully in the classroom. There are a lot of concerns with teachers over AI, but Nick Kotek, library media specialist, has a lot of ideas to work with the staff to use AI properly.
It was agreed it’s probably something that’s needed, as AI technology is not going away.
Speaking of technology, the board also gave some thought to Policy 8310 – Public Records. The district has to keep records for seven years, by state statute, but if they could hire a company to digitize all the records that date back to the 1970s, it would simplify recording keeping, while maintaining those records.
“I think we could gain a whole other classroom, if we look into doing that,” said Spaeth, adding he has do some homework first, before approval. “Yes, it costs some money, but then you have them.”
Although the policies were not up for approval, the bus contract renewal with Kobussen, was, which was approved. The district and bus service are looking at running fewer bus routes, but since Cadott has a larger area district, kids can’t be on the bus for two hours, so they’ll explore that more.
“They’ve given us everything we’re asking for,” said Spaeth. “I’m pretty happy with how that turned out.”
The board also approved the resignation of Drama Club adviser Dalan Hartmann; and the hire of administrative assistant Nikki Viegut; assistant archery coach Steve Seiberling; and junior high wrestling coach Shawn Spaeth.
Members also accepted $750, from Amundson’s Appliance, Inc., for helping school lunch debt reduction or school supply purchases; and $832, from the Wisconsin State Council Knights of Columbus, in a grant allocation.
