The Policy Committee met on Monday, December 15, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office located in The Holman Career and Technical Education Building of Pekin Community High School, County of Tazewell.

Superintendent Paula Davis called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Committee members Karen Hohimer, Ed Harr and Paul O’Neil were present. Superintendent Paula Davis, Assistant Superintendent Tim Ruwe, Business Manager Carla Schaefer, and recording Secretary Dawn Roach were also present.

Communications, Public Comments and Participation

None

Press

Policy 6.10 – Educational Philosophy and Objectives: This policy identifies students in classifications; it added sexual orientation under gender disabilities. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 6.60 – Curriculum Content: Paula said to note that any reference to K thru eighth grade will be excluded. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 6.120 – Education of Children with Disabilities: On page one of two; the change is the term inclusive. Paula said when IDEA changed we now keep students through their 22 birthday. She also explained to the Board; the bills we receive from other districts for students who are 15 years old with IEPs, but not yet a Pekin High School student. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 6.160 – English Language Learners: Paula said that this policy hasn’t really changed. We already comply with item #3. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 6.230 – Library Media Program: Paula said this policy change really had a lot of people up in arms. She stated that all the changes we have already done. She advised that we do this as a first read. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Policy Committee Meeting
December 15, 2008
Page Two

Policy 6.300 – Graduation Requirements: Paula said that we will keep our current policy up to page 3. After item H we will add the current additions. We are going to adopt the new wording. The rest of the pages won’t change. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 6.320 – High School Credit for Proficiency: We are going to use our current policy, we are not going to use the suggested wording; and we are going to strike the wording for elementary districts only. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 7.10 – Equal Educational Opportunities: Paula said that we will add the new changes; we have no choice about the changes. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 7.20 – Harassment of Students Prohibited: Paula said this policy changes by what you can not harass a student by. We already have a process. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 7.50 – School Admissions and Student Transfers to and from Non-District Schools: Paula said the only change is how a school handles a student’s birth certificate. Paula said we will use our current policy and just add the change. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 7.100 – Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students: This policy is about new students who register mid-term. Paula said that we are already following this policy. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 7.210 – Expulsion Procedures: Paula said that we do most of these things already. Ed Harr asked if the committee wanted to wait until after tonight’s Board meeting to decide on this policy. The committee agreed to table this policy until after tonight’s Board meeting.

Policy 7.230 – Misconduct by Students with Disabilities: Paula said State law and the IDEA law sets these guidelines. These laws focus on students with a disability. She said we must comply with these rules. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 7.240 – Conduct Code for Participants in Extracurricular Activities: This code has to do with IHSA. This code brings policy in line with practice. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.
Minutes – PCHS Board of Education
Policy Committee Meeting
December 15, 2008
Page Three

Policy 7.290 – Adolescent Suicide Awareness and Prevention Programs: Paula said that she did not want this policy. She said we are not required to have this policy. She said that our people work hard with the kids. We use Tazewood as well. Paula discussed the IEP process with the committee. The committee agreed to not bring this policy to the Board for a first read.

Policy 7.300 – Extracurricular Athletics: Paula said to add IHSA requirement #6 to this policy. This policy outlines what we have to do. She said we will not include #5 which is random drug testing. Paula said what we are doing is putting in policy what we already practice. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Policy 7.340 – Student Records: Paula said that to the best of her knowledge, we don’t need permission to destroy bio metric records. The legal reference has changed. The committee agreed to bring this policy to the Board for a first read at their next meeting.

Adjournment

Paula Davis adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.