ASBSD has modified multiple policies recently and summaries of those updates are below.

Policy GCDB: Criminal Background Checks and Policy Exhibit GCDB-E(1): Criminal Background Checks Noncriminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights

• Updates to the language in accordance with schools who have undergone background check audits and received feedback on specific terms to be included in background check policies. ASBSD strongly recommends that districts revise/update their policies accordingly. 

Policy JO: Student Records and Policy Exhibit JO-E(1): Student Records Notice of Rights

• FERPA allows personally identifiable information from students’ education records to be given out without obtaining prior written consent in connection with financial aid for which the student has applied/received.  The language in ASBSD’s sample policy has been updated accordingly.
• The policy exhibit updates the US DOE address to which to send a complaint, and lists giving out student records in connection with financial aid as a permissible disclosure.

Policy JOA: Student Directory Information and Policy Exhibit JOA-E(1): Student Directory Information Notice

• Allows the District to designate email addresses as directory information under FERPA.

Policy JHCDC: Diabetes Heath Care and Insulin Administration

• Effective July 1, 2024, a new state law went into effect to allow schools to administer nasal glucagon to a student experiencing severe hypoglycemia, subject to certain rules/requirements.  The sample policy now includes a provision on District emergency administration of nasal glucagon.

Policy JECB: Open Enrollment

• Removes the policy language that requires the open enrollment application to include whether the student is on an IEP/needs special education services and that a failure to do so voids the open enrollment request.  The SD Department of Education removed the IEP section of the open enrollment form, and thus ASBSD’s sample policy was revised accordingly.

Policy GCC: Professional Staff Recruiting

• Revisions to most of the policy language to bring it up-to-date.

Policy AH:  Conflict of Interest Disclosure and Authorization

• Updates to the language of the conflict of interest statute cited in the first paragraph of the policy.   

Policy JFCH: Alcohol and Other Drugs

• Sets forth specifically that drugs, narcotics, dangerous or illegal chemical substances includes tobacco, nicotine delivery devices, e-cigarettes and vaping devices.

Policy IGCB: Distance Learning

• Revises the sample policy to cover virtual/online courses and how students may apply and receive credit for such courses.

Policy GBG:  Staff Participation in Political Activities

• Changes to the policy language regarding the process of an employee who chooses to run for public office.

Policy JGD:  Student Suspension and Expulsion

• Provides language clarification regarding firearm and dangerous weapon consequences to be more consistent with existing law.

The sample policies and exhibits can be found online through ASBSD’s Policy Services website. For questions related to either, contact Tyler Pickner at tpickner@asbsd.org or at 605-773-8382.

To access the ASBSD Policy Services website, school board members and administrators must login at http://policy.asbsd.org. Your district’s login and password information has been previously provided to your district’s administration.

Note: For ASBSD member schools who are Online Policy Services subscribers you may access a PDF copy of the modifications made to these policies through your school districts online policy site, simply choose the ASBSD Communications option under the Policies tab.

If you are not able to access the ASBSD Policy Services website, please contact your district’s administration or Pickner at tpickner@asbsd.org or at 605-773-8382.