Without updated policies, Blue Springs Board of Education member Jim Coen said students, staff and parents will simply “not know the rules.”
“Setting policy is one of the most important things we do,” he said about the Blue Springs Board of Education meeting Tuesday. “It is a time consuming process, but it is necessary.”
Blue Springs board members looked at almost a dozen policy revisions during the three-hour work session. These policies dealt with classroom visitation; homebound instruction for students who are unable to attend school; numerous human resources-related policies; the collection and protection of student information; the possession of electronic devices in school, fire drills and the commission police officers to work in the district’s police department.
Police officers will still be commissioned through the Blue Springs Police Department, but work in the school district. In regard to the fire drill policy, the number of fire drills will be reduced, but the number of disaster and lockdown drills will be increased.
The policies, which are reviewed as local, state and federal laws change, will appear on the Nov. 9 regular meeting agenda for further approval.
Coen said in the case of the possession of electronic devices, policy is important as technology changes so fast. The district currently does not have a specific policy relating to the use of things such as cellular telephones, cameras and other electronic devices. The policy includes information about when and where the use of cellular phones are appropriate and the consequences of having such devices in the classroom from a warning to detention for subsequent use.
“If they (students) don’t have the rules, they won’t know the consequences of taking pictures with their cameras,” he said. “In addition, these devices can be used to cheat on tests and other things, so we must have policies in place that outlines what is acceptable in class.”
In other business, the board:
n Discussed the Blueprint Plan. This includes short and long-term goals as well as action steps to complete these goals. It is looked at each year to make updates as projects are completed and others are added.
n Discussed several curriculum guides for courses in communication arts, science and social studies. These guides include the curriculum for the upcoming year.
