WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022 4:00 PM --DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM
1. Preliminary discussion of consideration and development of a social media policy for the District. Josh will present. Director of Technology and Innovation Dr. Jerrod Blair has been invited to attend the meeting for this discussion.
2. Discussion of possible revision of Policy 1050—Annual District Meeting and Budget Vote. District Clerk Tracey Borges has requested that the Board consider modification of the time for polls to be opened at the start of voting from 6:00 am to 7:00 am. Neal to present.
3. Discussion of whether Policy Committee desires to recommend to the Board adoption of a resolution to authorize utilization of the alternative provisions for attendance of Board members at Board meetings by videoconference, pursuant to Section 103-a of the Public Officers Law. Since the Committee did not solicit comments on this matter from the Board at its October 6 meeting, Neal suggests that the Committee ask the district clerk to include in the materials for the January 12, 2023 meeting a copy of the Questions and Answers on Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022, issued by the New York State Department of State, Committee on Open Government, which explains the parameters of the alternative remote participation provisions of Section 103-a, and that this matter be included on the January 5 agenda for discussion by the Board.
4. Discussion of whether administration desires that the Board consider adoption of a new Policy 4600—Counseling and Guidance Programs. If so, the Committee will engage in a preliminary discussion of contents of that policy, based on materials accompanying the agenda.
5.. Discussion of NYSSBA first installment for 2020-2021 (revisions to various polices). Theo to present. Most policy revisions concern equity, diversity and inclusion and are recommended, not required. Mary and Ana to present (recommendation to Committee, with the exception of Policy 9700, Professional Learning and Staff Development, defer consideration of revisions pending district work on diversity and inclusion during 2020-2021 school year). NYSSBA summary provided below.
0105, Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Education (policy, regulation, and exhibit)--This policy sets out the Board’s commitment to addressing equity in the school district. The regulation provides specific steps and actions the district can take. The exhibit provides definitions for terms used in the document, pulled from various sources.
4511, Textbook Selection and Adoption (policy optional, update optional)--Changes to this policy are meant to support the district’s commitment to addressing equity, specifically to increase diversity and representation in textbooks and literary works for classroom use. [Neal note—this policy was rescinded, and its provisions incorporated into Policy 4510, Instructional Materials.]
4513, Library Materials Selection (policy optional, update optional)--Changes to this policy are meant to support the district’s commitment to addressing equity, specifically to increase diversity and representation in library materials. [Neal note—this policy was reviewed and updated in 2019.]
9420, Recruiting and Hiring (policy optional, update optional)--Changes to this policy are meant to support the district’s commitment to addressing equity, specifically to support hiring a diverse workforce. [Neal note—our district policy is 9230.]
6. Discussion of NYSSBA third and fourth installments for 2021-2022 (revisions to various polices and new policy). Neal to present (recommendations to Committee):
7. Discussion of NYSSBA second installment for 2021-2022 (revision to policy).
8. Continued discussion of NYSSBA Policy Services audit of district policies. Review of spreadsheet prepared by Neal analyzing NYSSBA recommendations. Discussion of next steps. Possible re-approval of certain policies for which NYSSBA has recommended no change or rescission of policies that are not necessary.
Committee will discuss policies in Section 1000s that were deferred for further consideration or that were not discussed.
Policy 1925—Interpreters for Parents/Guardians Who are Hearing Impaired or Require Other Interpretive Services [Education Law § 3230 and 8 NYCRR § 100.2(aa) state that a district must provide interpretive services to the hearing-impaired, as addressed in current Policy 1925—Interpreters for Hearing Impaired Parents. During the Committee’s initial discussion, the Committee considered whether this policy should also address provisions concerning other forms of interpretive services. Policy for Committee discussion a includes provisions for other interpretive services, taken in part from Guilderland CSD policy.]
9. Continued discussion of NYSSBA Policy Services audit of district policies—discussion of policies in Sections 4000 (Instruction) and 5000 (Student Policies). Review of spreadsheet prepared by Neal analyzing NYSSBA recommendations. Discussion of next steps. Possible re-approval of certain policies for which NYSSBA has recommended no change or rescission of policies that are not necessary.
BELOW ARE CERTAIN “PARKING LOT” ITEMS THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED DURING OR AFTER REVIEW OF NYSSBA AUDIT
10. Discussion of revision of Policy 4321.4, Independent Educational Evaluation and Policy 4321.4-R, Independent Educational Evaluation Regulation. Requested by Director of Pupil Personnel Services Rachel DePaul.
11. Discussion of establishment of district policy on donor recognitions (possible adoption of new Policy 1802—Donor Recognition). Based on Board discussion at previous meetings, consider whether to remove matter from Committee consideration.
12. Continued discussion of policies related to Athletic Department processes, requested by former Athletic Director John Buonamano and current Athletic Director D.J. Goldman:
Policy 4531—Field Trips and Excursions re provision of transportation to and from athletic contests by persons other than district transportation services
Policy 8415-R—Field Trip and Extracurricular Activity Transportation Regulation re rescission as inconsistent with Policy 4531
Policy 5281—Participation of High School Students on Interscholastic Teams With Middle School Students, and Participation of Middle School Students on Teams With High School Students re request for revision of policy
Student Athlete Handbook
11. Discussion of policy on student participation in fundraising (consideration of policy requested by Josh). 
