Hot Topics for the Regular Board of Trustees for 8/23/22
We want to help you better understand the upcoming issues the WCSD Board of Trustees will be discussing this week. Take a minute to review these agenda items so that you are prepared to submit a public comment or attend the meeting and make a public comment.
Consent Agenda Items: (No Individual Voting or Discussion)
2.18 Board Policy 7500: Possible Action for Preliminary Approval
Possible action to provide preliminary approval to the proposed revisions of BP 7500, transportation of students, specifically to update formatting and clarify language, and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period.
A noteworthy revision is seen in item 2.d. which removes the District’s progressive discipline plan contained in Administrative Manual 5115 Student Behavior detailing that “Nevada state law (NRS 392.4655 – 392.4675) stipulates the temporary removal or expulsion of students under certain circumstances. Possession/Use of a deadly weapon, sales/distribution of controlled substances, and battery to staff are considered “Big 3” offenses and result in temporary removal or expulsion.” Why was this verbiage removed?
2.19 Board Policy 7505: Possible Action for Preliminary Approval
Possible action to provide preliminary approval to the proposed revisions of BP 7505, district vehicles, specifically to update formatting and clarify language, and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period.
Here it seems the Board is looking to expand the use of district vehicles to include themselves by adding “[t]rustees, employees, and volunteers” from the current language only allowing “staff members”. They are also looking to change the purpose of use for the district vehicles. Currently, the district vehicles can only be used when it is “essential for meeting the transportation needs of students and employees”. The change would have the vehicle use be “solely for the purpose of District business.” What exactly does that mean?
2.21 Board Policy 6154: Possible Action for Preliminary Approval
Possible action to provide preliminary approval to the proposed revisions of BP 6154, homework, specifically to update formatting and clarify language, and initiation of the 13-day public review and comment period.
The scissors were really used when revising this board policy. What sticks out is the new wording says “the Board does not mandate homework.” We are not sure if that means no one can mandate homework, because there is a bit of emphasis on homework not being used as a disciplinary tool as well as a hint at a lowering of the bar as the revision included removal of language that homework helps students meet WCSD standards and that the desired outcome of this board policy is that “[h]omework serves a valid purpose with measurable outcomes.” The revisions also strike out Administrative Regulations on Homework, Reading, and Mathematics which go into grading and work requirements at each grade level.
Legislative Items
3.01 Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 218D.205, for the 2023 Nevada Legislative Session, Possible Action
Presentation, discussion and possible action by the BOT to approve the proposal for the WCSD Bill Draft Request, as allowed by NRS 218D.205 for the the upcoming 2023 Nevada Legislative Session, as either modernizing educational statues or school safety.
Listen to see what the Board and Supervisor choose to emphasize in the upcoming 2023 Nevada Legislative Session.
Items for Presentation, Discussion Information and/or Action:
5.04 Coral Academy of Science Charter School, Additional Campus
Presentation, discussion and possible action to approve, with our without conditions, an amendment to the charter agreement, as well as approval of the purchase option agreement and bond purchase agreement necessary for the project, for Coral Academy of Science Charter School for an additional campus located in Northwest Reno (1595 Sky Mountain Drive, Reno, NV 89503).
Listen and see if the Coral Academy of Science Charter School will be able to add an additional campus. The issues were presented in great detail during the 6/28/22 regular meeting of the Board.
Details for the 8/23/22 Regular Meeting for the Board of Trustees:
The complete agenda for the 8/23/22 meeting can be found here. Meeting materials can be found here. To watch the meeting live at 2:00pm on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 - click here.