Carson City School Board approves new policies on school supplies, protections for staff who are parents
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 2:55pm
On Tuesday, the Carson City School District Board of Trustees approved a number of new policies dealing with school supplies, protections for staff who are parents, and more.
Among the agenda items:
— Trustees voted to approve a new policy on instructional supplies that states the district will supply teachers and students with supplies, materials and equipment necessary for approved courses of studies, with a few exceptions, such as non-reusable clothing or equipment is required for safety, health or the protection of school property and when students prepare items they are permitted to keep.
The policy also stipulates that the district will work with parents and guardians to assure no student is denied participation in a school program for financial reasons.
— A new policy was also approved relating to leave for parents of children enrolled in school.
Under the new policy, district employees who are the parents of children are entitled to four hours of unpaid leave per school year for each child enrolled in school.
They may use that time to attend parent-teacher conferences, attend school-related activities during regular school hours, volunteer or otherwise be involved at the school in which the child is enrolled during school hours, and attend school-sponsored events.
Leave must be mutually agreed upon by the employee and the district, and they must request the leave in writing at least five school days prior to the date on which the leave is to be taken.
— Trustees voted to approve a new policy for nursing mothers which grants them the right to reasonable breaks when they need to express breast milk for their infant who is up to one year old.
The district will further furnish a private space, other than a bathroom, that is reasonably free from dirt or pollution, protected from the view of others, and free from intrusion by others while they are expressing breast milk.
The policy also protects nursing mothers from retaliation under this policy.
A new policy was also approved to provide protection for pregnant staff members, which is aligned with federal and state law.
— The topic for the next school board sponsored American Citizen Essay Contest was chosen, which first began in 2002 to honor the memory and events of 9/11.
The topic selected is as follows, subject to any necessary edits or modifications by staff:
The Pledge of Allegiance mentions that our country is indivisible. Considering divisions within our society what steps can you take to create unity?
Essays will be due by Oct. 16.
Judges will be selected Sept. 20: six in total, two for each level of schooling in elementary, middle and high school grades.
On Nov. 12, winners will be publicly introduced at the board meeting and cash prizes distributed.
