Douglas County School Board looks at policy changes at its Tuesday meeting

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - After taking the month of August off, the Douglas County School resumes its meeting schedule on September 12 at 4 p.m. at Douglas High School in the Media Room. Their next meeting will be held at Lake Tahoe on October 10 if the agenda item is approved on Tuesday.

Much of the very lengthy agenda is filled with a list of policy changes from whistleblowers to the distribution of information. Possible new policies include limiting the public comment period at meetings from three minutes to two minutes, restriction of the superintendent's authority with more weight given to the Board President, as well as a new public record request policy that could assess a fee to the requestor as well as other steps laid out.

The board will also consider changing the birthdate for kindergartners from being 5 on or before September 1 to on or before August 1.

Many of these suggested changes have drawn concern from the public. The agenda has a vote scheduled to suspend the current bylaws before adopting the new ones. Should the new ones not before approved, and the old ones be suspended there would be no policy in place for the multiple items.

The board will also vote that will bar all district personnel from speaking to anyone without prior approval by the Board. Imagine snow day emails, interviews of coaches after a game or meet, or parents reaching out to teachers could fall under this restrictive proposal.

Policy 030: Would require all administrative regulations developed by the superintendent be first reviewed by legal counsel for compliance with authorizing Policies and Bylaws before being presented to the Board, and for final approval by the Board prior to publication. It would also require all statements, letters, opinions, recommendations, and/or District communications delivered to the public, the parents and/or guardians, or the student body, to first be presented to the Board for approval.

Bylaw 050: The agenda says the board will vote on rescinding all adoptions, amendments, and/or revisions made by the prior Board on April 7, 2021. It concerns how the elections to board leadership and committees will be conducted.

Bylaw 060: The board is scheduled to vote on rescinding all adoptions, amendments, and/or revisions made by the prior Board on March 9, 2021, and on March 8, 2022, and to adopt, amend, and/or revise language within sections 4(a) and 4(b) pertaining to the development, review, and setting of the agenda, its items, and the order and length of public comment that may be taken at each meeting.

If approved, public comment will be reduced from three minutes to two minutes, and the public can comment at the beginning of the meeting before any items on which action may be taken are heard by the public body and again before the adjournment of the meeting.

The Board President shall provide final approval of the agenda prior to its posting, whether internally or externally. The agenda will be developed
by the Board President, Vice President, and Clerk, and be prepared by the Superintendent and the Board President.

In the past, neither the Superintendent nor the board president could unilaterally place an item on the agenda, the new bylaw removes that portion. It also changes the way items get onto an agenda - only a request approved by two (instead of three) board members can get an item added.

Robert’s Rules of Order will continue to serve as a guideline for the Board in its deliberations in all cases in which it is not inconsistent with state law and regulations or these bylaws.

The bylaw change removes the required the bi-annual board development workshop.

Bylaw 070: The Code of Conduct. The following is being discussed to be removed: Members are obligated to abide by the majority decisions of the board while retaining the right to seek changes in such decisions through ethical and constructive channels and in accordance with all other bylaws and policies.

Also slated to be removed from Code of Conduct:
- While an item may be placed on the board agenda and designated for discussion and possible action, the Board is not required to act if additional information or input is required.
- Working with fellow board members in a spirit of harmony and cooperation in spite of differences of opinion.
- Board members are expected to receive complaints and should assure community members that the complaint is acknowledged and understood. Board
members should remind the complainant that they have no authority as an individual, and should redirect them to ensure the chain of command is followed.
- Problems identified by board members, or those involving personnel, should be reported directly to the superintendent. Board members have a judicial review responsibility, which requires the member to remain unbiased.
- Any board member who has a dispute shall first try to resolve the dispute.
- Board members will be prepared and open-minded when speaking to the issues on the agenda. Each board members should seek to understand all sides of a topic as presented by fellow board members and all other speakers.
- Board members should direct all requests for information, which are unrelated to a board agenda item, to either the superintendent or the board secretary. Any individual request by a board member that requires staff to create reports, projects, or compile information that would, in the opinion of the superintendent require more than one half hour of staff time, requires consensus of the full Board unless agreed to by the superintendent. The superintendent will copy all board members on all requests for
information and on any reports generated from requests.
- Resist every temptation and outside pressure to use their position as a school board member to benefit either themselves or any other individual agency apart from the total interest of the school jurisdiction;
- Support employees in the proper performance of their duties, with respect and consideration due skilled professionals.
- Disclose no private or confidential information that relates to district employees or students. Maintain confidentiality of information and discussion conducted in executive/closed session;
- Be informed of the vision, mission and strategic goals of Nevada Association of School Boards as the board develops its strategic goals and/or makes decisions;
- Strive for a positive working relationship with the superintendent, respecting the superintendent’s authority to advise the board, implement board policy and administer the district;
- Be informed on education issues that regularly come before the board through personal experience, individual study and/or by participating in board members’ professional development opportunities;

Bylaw 815: How the District will respond to Public Records Requests. There has been a large increase in the number of requests once the current board took office after the November 2022 election.

There are currently 135 fewer students enrolled in Douglas County schools than a year ago, 255 fewer than in June 2023. An agenda item will discuss these numbers as well as address a critical shortage for some teachers as they've had a "very difficult time" recruiting qualified candidates. Last school year there were 413 certified personnel, with 38 retirements and 34 resignations. 54 new hires have filled some of those positions with 11 long-term substitutes. Classified staffing levels are fairing about the same, with 349 staff during the last school years, 17 retired, 55 resigned, and 102 new hires. There have been lateral transfers and promotions with 16 current vacancies.

For the agenda, visit https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1502?meeting=599398 The meeting will be at the DHS Media Center.
To view online: Please use the following link to join the webinar: https://dcsd-k12.zoom.us/j/84364082407 Passcode: Sep2023
Telephone: +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Webinar ID: 843 6408 2407 Passcode: 8378369