Community relations policies formally introduced at Tumwater school board meeting

One new and four revised community relations policies that align with Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) model policies are under consideration by the Tumwater School District Board of Directors.

Tumwater School District Director of Communications & Community Relations Laurie Wiedenmeyer presented the policies to the board at a meeting on July 23. 

Policy 4200 (Parent Access and Safe and Orderly Learning Environment) is the new policy. The revised policies are Policy 4040 (Public Access to District Records), Policy 4060 (Distribution of Materials) and Policy 4400 (Election Activities).

“This is just updating the policy language. Most of these have not been updated since 2013 or 2015 and so it was time for a refresh,” Wiedenmeyer said.

The new Parent Access and Safe and Orderly Learning Environment policy is viewed by the  WSSDA as critical to adopt. The district's version predominantly contains the language provided in the WSSDA policy. 

The Public Access to District Records policy was revised because there is a “significant” increase in public records requests, as well as a need to ensure district policies comply with current laws and regulations. The current version was adopted in 2015. 

The Distribution of Materials and Election Activities policies were adopted in 2013. The proposed revisions align with the WSSDA policy. 

“Because of the significance and the change of language in the WSSDA model policy, you'll see that we attached the current policy, which is just a couple of paragraphs with the proposed new policy,” Wiedenmeyer said.

She added that the proposed new policies also recommend the board be provided with associated procedures. The board is expected to take up the issue again in August.