The school board will meet on Jan. 28 for the first reading of 16 revised district policies, according to school board president Layla Spanenberg.

“Before it ever goes to a first reading through the board, the policies have already been vetted by our administration, the teacher’s association, and the board subcommittee,” Spanenberg said. “At that point it comes to a first reading and then there’s a two week period before the second reading. At the second reading we approve the policy.”

Spanenberg said school board members will vote on the policy changes at their upcoming meetings in February. The policy changes are directly related to changes in state or federal laws that affect the district. Most policy changes will relate to professional staff members, like teachers.

“We determined that we needed to look at the policies in the 3000s, which are for our professional staff. We sent the policies to our attorneys and they went through all of them to check for accuracy. There were very few changes that they made,” Spanenberg said. “Our policy is developed to propel us forward as a school system, and our subcommittee has looked at recommendations from Neola (a national policy writing firm). So we’ve balanced what our policies are and what we think they should be. We now have a schedule of nine meetings dealing with our policy.”

After the first reading of the new policies, school board members will listen to a presentation about the ongoing results of the RISE program. The presentation will emphasize what is working well with the program and what needs to be changed.

Spanenberg said, “Some of the lessons that teachers are coming up with are really creative. A lot of them are really impressive. At the February meeting, we are hoping to have a ‘Spotlight on Excellence’ about these innovative ideas. That’s on the horizon.”

Lacey Locke, cabinet member and senior, said she has seen the changes due to RISE in her classes, and thinks the board should review the program’s progress.

Locke said, “The expectations of teachers and some of the students are changing. Even the agendas on the board in classes are different. It’s changed the school district, so they should look at it.”

While teachers continue to adjust to the RISE program, Spanenberg said Superintendent Jeff Swensson will host “Donuts & Dialogue” meetings in the morning at each school this spring. Teachers and other staff members are encouraged to attend the relaxed meeting.

“(Swensson) developed this idea last spring, and he had a different version this fall. He hosts ‘Donuts and Dialogue’ at every school before the day starts. He’s very relaxed and really wants to hear concerns and questions around the district. He developed this idea to give everyone an opportunity to chat in a nice environment, which is very beneficial for staff and the board,” Spanenberg said.

Locke said she agrees with Spanenberg on the benefits of these meetings.

“I think these are a really great idea. It puts a friendly foot forward and allows for more communication. I think there could be tension at times though, with new school policies or RISE.”

In addition to the first reading of updated policies and the RISE presentation, board members will start to look for a new superintendent to replace Swensson, whose resignation is effective June 30. Spanenberg said the search will begin with services from B.W.P. and Associates, which is a firm for educational leadership consulting.

Spanenberg said, “We used them for our superintendent search in 2009 and we were very pleased with their performance and results. We have such an exemplary school system and we really want the best of the best. We have the opportunity to seek out the best school leaders nationally. That’s really important to us.”