Tumwater School District board adopts revised policies related to students

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors adopted policies related to the welfare of students with disabilities and responsible phone use, along with a new policy on school visitor regulation. 

The board backed revised Policy 2162 (Education of Students with Disabilities Section 504), which acknowledges students with ADHD as disabled regardless of medication effectiveness. 

“The main piece is that it aligns with new discipline requirements, including our obligation to continue providing educational services if there were a suspension or expulsion,” said Tumwater School District Assistant Superintendent Meagan Dawson. 

Revised Policy 3245 (Student Telecommunications Devices), was also passed. The revised policy aims to ensure that telecommunication devices are only used in emergencies or when authorized. 

“The policy prohibits uses that disrupt learning, compromise academic integrity, violate privacy, or involve inappropriate or unlawful content,” Dawson said. 

The district may also confiscate or search devices for violations of school rules if there is reasonable suspicion. 

Policy 4200 (Family/Community Access and Safe and Orderly Learning Environment), which is new, outlines the process for visitors in school buildings. 

“This policy is all about when (nonstudent) staff enter our school buildings, what is the process, what does that look like when we have visitors in our buildings,” said Tumwater School District Director of Communications & Community Relations Laurie Wiedenmeyer. 

Wiedenmeyer said the proposed policy is based on a new Washington State School Directors' Association model policy.