LPOSD board meeting set for Tuesday

PONDERAY — The first Lake Pend Oreille School Board Meeting of the school year is taking place Tuesday at 5 p.m.

After a presentation from Northside Elementary School, a superintendent's report, and a financial report, the board will discuss first readings of various policies.

Policies up for revision include attendance requirements, student questioning and arrests, and staff participation in political activity.

Absences and truancy policy wording adjustments will be discussed to better reflect current expectations. Based on new wording, absences fall under two categories — absences or truancies. Excessive absenteeism will be defined by absences that exceed 10% of the days in the semester.

“All students must be in attendance in each classroom 90% of the time when that class is in session, or the student must be identified as a self-directed learner as defined by Board Policy 2470,” new wording states. “Credit may not be granted to students missing more than nine days per semester. The administration shall adjudicate absences where the total number of days is brought below nine days through doctor’s excuses and legitimate illness.”

Further details and exceptions regarding attendance are defined in the wording and will be considered at the meeting.

A section of policy on student interviews, interrogations, or arrests is expected to be revised to student questioning and arrest. Minor changes to wording as well as further context for questioning during school hours are expected to be added to the policy.

Board action items will include approvals for specific staff requests, and second readings of revisions to a policy on restraint and seclusion, visitors to the schools policy and new armed security officer policy, among other items.

The meeting is being held at the LPOSD District Office, 901 Triangle Drive, Ponderay.