The Mid-Prairie School Board considered changes to seven policies in its handbook at the board’s July 14 meeting, advancing all seven to return for second readings at the board’s upcoming July 28 meeting.

One policy is entirely new: a “Student Disclosure of Identity” policy is being added requiring school officials to notify parents and legal guardians via a school administrator if a student at any grade level requests to use a name, gender identity or pronoun different to that listed in the student’s registration records. The rule will apply to any nicknames not listed in registration paperwork as well. The policy is in compliance with a 2023 law passed by the Iowa state legislature.

The district is replacing its Student Records Access policy with the Iowa Association of School Board’s (IASB) Education Records Access policy, which includes procedures for sharing records with the juvenile justice system.

The district is also replacing its wellness policy to match the IASB, moving to a model in which specific goals are set and monitored in nutrition, physical activity and other wellness-promoting activities.

The student conduct policy is being modified to match the parallel IASB policy. Specifically, the new policy adds procedures for changing the Individual Education Program (IEP) for a student in special education following a suspension.

The district’s Administration of Medication to Students policy introduces procedures for the returning and disposing of recalled or expired medication.

The July 28th meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m. in the Central Office Community Room.