Policy Discussions & Student Clubs
On Monday November 18, 2024 the Cambridge School District held their monthly board meeting and all members were in attendance.
The first item presented for discussion was the proposal to increase compensation for school bus drivers, similar to the recent initiative undertaken by Midvale. Addressing the retention of drivers and ensuring fair compensation emerged as primary concerns for the board. Following a thorough discussion, the motion to raise the pay for school bus drivers was successfully passed.
Mrs. Steele presented the administrative report concerning student benchmark growth for the elementary school. Members reviewed the testing scores from previous years related to the IRI reading assessment administered to students in grades K through three, as well as the ISATs taken by students in grades three through five. Following this, Mr. Butler delivered a comparable presentation regarding student benchmark growth at the middle and high school levels.
The next item on the agenda was the open discussion regarding the potential for the school to operate as an open campus during lunch, permitting students to leave campus either by walking or driving. Currently, students are allowed to walk off campus but are prohibited from driving. Due to the absence of resources to monitor students’ departures and their companions, several board members expressed concerns about the increased liability for the school. At present, parents have the option to contact the school and request permission for their children to leave for lunch, should they deem it appropriate. It was resolved that no changes would be implemented, aside from an amendment for parents to officially acknowledge school policies.
The next item of business was the consideration of a new non-sponsored student club. It was emphasized that the establishment of a student club must originate from students themselves and should be conducted outside of class hours, specifically before school or during lunch. Board members were reminded that if one club is approved, all similar clubs must also be approved, or none should be permitted. Additionally, the method of advertising the club to the student body would be restricted to an 8x11 poster displayed in designated areas. The board subsequently approved the establishment of the student club.
The recent discussions surrounding the latest ISBA Convention included the implications of using vouchers for education. This topic raises concerns about the potential detrimental effects on smaller schools, such as Cambridge.
The subsequent item on the agenda was the action item related to Policy 3520, which pertains to the school’s current head lice policy, and the consideration of adopting a new policy, 3523, that was proposed. Upon reviewing the existing policy, the new version introduced several significant changes, including the stipulation that students will not be excluded from school attendance, regardless of head lice infestation. Furthermore, the practice of conducting mass head lice screenings will be discontinued. If staff members suspect that a student may have lice, they will now be required to obtain parental permission to conduct an examination, which parents have the right to decline. Some board members expressed the opinion that excessive concern is placed on head lice, viewing it as simply a nuisance, and advocated for allowing affected students to return to the classroom to avoid exclusion from instructional time. Conversely, other members raised concerns that permitting infected children to remain in class could increase the risk of transmission, as many students may not be mindful of personal boundaries. The current policy places significant strain on staff, particularly given the absence of a designated school nurse. While certain studies indicate that head lice infestations do not discriminate based on hygiene, others suggest a correlation between poor hygiene practices and increased prevalence in some communities. The board agreed to postpone any decision and continue discussions on this matter at a later date.
The board conducted a review of policy 85200. The remaining agenda items included SWIP, scheduling a meeting for January, and an Executive Session. Meeting was then Adjourned.
