School board to consider student cell phone use policy.

The Ketchikan School Board appears to have a fairly light agenda Wednesday night. The board will hold two public hearings on policy revisions and approve several contracts.

Two policy revisions are returning for second reading. The first is in regard to travel expenses, and the second on student personal electronic device and cell phone use. That revised policy states there will be no expectation of confidentiality with regards to portable electronic devices, and students may be asked to surrender them to school staff. It prohibits electronic devices in locker rooms, restrooms and shower facilities. It prohibits students from videotaping, photographing or documenting illegal behavior or behavior in violation of the school code of conduct. This would include illegal social media posts, bullying and harassment.

At its August 14^th meeting, the board had a lengthy discussion about the electronic device use policy. Some were concerned that the proposal had not gone through the district’s policy committee, while others felt the proper process had not been followed to introduce the item. The revision passed in first reading with School Board President Matt Eisenhower stating that amendments could be made in second reading.

Also Wednesday, the board will consider a motion to approve a contract with Sheri Adams for speech pathology services, and a motion to approve a contract with Bob Hewitt for principal and administrator mentoring services. Both contracts are for the 2019-2020 school year.

The board also will consider entering into a contract with the Association of Alaska School Boards to provide guidance in filling the permanent position of superintendent. The contract with interim superintendent Beth Lougee expires in spring.

The board will discuss upcoming Association of Alaska School Board conferences, setting strategic plan priorities, and revising high school graduation requirements. Beginning with the class of 2020, the revision would require all Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District students to take WorkKeys, or ACT or SAT assessments to be eligible for graduation. WorkKeys is a job skills assessment.

The board is scheduled to hold an executive session to discuss job expectations and performance goals with Interim Superintendent Lougee.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Borough Assembly Chambers at the White Cliff Building. Public comment will be heard at the start and end of the meeting and during public hearings.