The centerpiece of the meeting was the proposed revisions to the student civil rights policy. The policy seeks to update and potentially replace existing policies J6 and J7. The committee focused on ensuring that the policy aligns with federal laws such as Title VI and Title IX, while also incorporating community feedback. Becky Schustster and Dr. Karen Schmuckler presented changes made since the last discussion, emphasizing the importance of community input and legal compliance. A notification had been sent to parents and caregivers to review the policy, generating thoughtful comments integrated into the draft. Outside legal counsel, Jennifer King, also provided recommendations to ensure compliance with federal laws.

A point of contention arose over the policy’s perceived heavy-handedness. One member expressed discomfort with the language, describing it as “controlling behavior” and “nearly oppressive.” This member questioned the rationale behind codifying everyday interactions, particularly regarding microaggressions defined in the policy. An example on page two outlined behaviors considered microaggressions but not policy violations, intended to prevent minor errors from escalating into formal investigations. Concerns were raised about the potential for misunderstandings and unnecessary disciplinary actions, with some members urging a more balanced approach.

The discussion also highlighted inconsistencies in terminology and categories throughout the document. Members questioned the lack of uniformity in lists of protected categories, with explanations provided regarding differences between student and employee protections. The aim was to create an umbrella statement encompassing protections for both groups, but this approach raised further questions about clarity and specificity. The committee acknowledged the complexities of drafting policies that manage human interactions and legal compliance while reflecting the district’s values and student experiences.

Debate extended to the policy’s annual reporting section, which had been removed from a previous version. Concerns were raised about the clarity of data reporting, specifically what types of incidents would be documented. The need for comprehensive data was emphasized, with suggestions for a reporting template to provide sufficient detail while adhering to privacy laws. Balancing transparency with student privacy was a recurring theme, as members discussed the challenges of providing detailed data without identifying students involved in incidents.

Adding to the meeting’s agenda was the proposed outdoor camera policy, which sparked debate among committee members. The policy, focusing strictly on outdoor cameras, prohibits audio recording and facial recognition technology, aligning with previous town meeting decisions. It was clarified that footage would be stored for 30 days and released only following a legal process. Questions were raised about the policy’s wording and implications, particularly regarding monitoring at the high school, where students frequently move between public streets and school property. There was a call to clarify language to apply uniformly across all schools.

Concerns were also voiced about the policy’s potential overreach, with some members suggesting tighter language to focus on more serious incidents like vandalism or assaults. The committee agreed on the necessity of refining the language to prevent minor violations from being monitored. Additionally, there was appreciation for the draft and questions about agreements between the school and police regarding footage access. As the cameras are not yet in place, there is uncertainty about how police access would be managed under the new policy framework.

The meeting concluded with a plan to advance the camera policy to the full school committee, with necessary amendments to the language. The committee agreed to address the 30-day storage period and ensure the policy’s applicability across all schools before proceeding. Discussions also touched on a pending policy regarding personal electronic devices, with a suggestion to proceed locally despite uncertainty surrounding state-level policy changes.