Superior schools expecting changes in Title IX rules

The Superior School Board met at the Superior High School library Monday.

A special hearing preceded the regular meeting. The public was invited to attend the hearing concerning student fees. No members of the public were in attendance.

The hearing outlined fees which the school may charge students. It is regulated by the Public Elementary and Secondary Fee Authorization Act. This allows school districts to charge students for activities or to require specialized equipment and attire for certain extracurricular activities.

The fee and equipment schedule is part of the student handbook. Fees may be required for course projects or extracurricular activities. The list includes fees for food. There are waivers available to qualifying students for both food and other fees. The district offers reduced and no cost meal programs. A student fee waiver application form is required to be submitted for students.

The reduced and no fee waivers are essential to the school. These determine the amount of financial reimbursement available to the district as well as the possibility of free lunches for all students if 50 percent or more of students qualify for reduced or free lunches. The administration encourages all parents and guardians to return these forms as early as possible to allow the district to process them.

The board then adjourned the special hearing and reconvened for the regular board meeting. Board members Brad Biltoft and Matt Sullivan were approved excused absences. There were no members of the public present. There were no student or staff presentations to the board. There was no student ambassador report.

The board approved the consent agenda by unanimous vote. The previous month claims were approved.

The board approved policy changes. The board will publish minutes of the last meeting within 10 days of the last meeting or prior to the next convened meeting, whichever occurs first. Minutes shall be available on the district website for at least six months. The agenda shall be placed on the district website at least 24 hours before the school board meeting and remain available for six months.

The board updated bidding policy for construction, repair or related projects financed with federal funds. They also updated fiscal management policy for purchasing and procurement using federal funds.

The elementary and secondary handbooks were approved. The secondary handbook will be on-line, unlike previous years when each student was issued a printed copy. A limited number of printed copies will be made available to those with accessibility issues.

The board was advised that changes to Title IX policy could be forthcoming in the near future.

Bob Cook, Superior secondary principal , advised the board students would not be permitted to use earbuds. Students wearing hoodies on campus must keep the hood lowered at all times. The board approved a revised progressive disciplinary detention policy. Detentions are to be served after regular school hours.

The staff handbook was approved. The board reviewed and approved an Emergency Operations Plan handbook.

Marty Kobza, Superior school superintendent, reported on the progress of the newly instituted bridge school. This is an alternative education plan for students who do not thrive in the traditional school system. He estimated an enrollment of seven students or less. Kobza advised the state reported that should a middle school team have less than 12 seventh and eighth grade members, then sixth graders were approved to be team members. It was reported at the June meeting that there were 10 students interested in middle school football. The idea of a cooperative program with Deshler was floated. Other options were explored with the result Superior will field an 8-man middle school football team this fall season.

The safety committee reported that one way film would be applied to selective windows at the high school and junior high school. This would allow those inside to view the outside but no one could see inside the building. It is expected to be installed before the commencement of the next school year.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.