By WILL PERKINS
Glasgow News 1
Several new Kentucky laws that affect public schools were the main topic of discussion Monday night during Glasgow Independent Schools Board of Education meeting.
Senate Bill 181, signed into law by Gov. Andy Beshear on April 1, directs school districts to choose a platform to be used for traceable electronic communication between staff members and students. The law also bans staff members from direct communication with students — such as phone calls, text messages or any contact on social media — unless parents sign a consent form allowing a specific staff member to contact their child.
Superintendent Chad Muhlenkamp said these communication restrictions extend beyond just teachers.
“That is for certified, classified, volunteers,” Muhlenkamp said. “Anyone that is tied to the school district.”
During discussion of this new law, board members agreed that these restrictions will have a lot of unintended consequences for coaches, club sponsors or district employees who also work additional jobs that involve student workers.
Muhlenkamp said they are in the process of choosing a specific platform to be used for district communication.
Another new law would allow school districts to count up to 30 minutes of physical activity toward instruction time each day, or up to 150 minutes per week. Muhlenkamp said the district previously had to find extra time in the day for physical activity.
Board member Dr. William Thornbury said since childhood obesity is a real issue in Kentucky, teaching students the importance of physical activity and maintaining their physical health is a good idea.
Another law requires public schools to have a moment of silence for at least one minute — and up to two minutes — at the start of every school day. After a brief discussion, board members agreed to keep this requirement at one minute.
Muhlenkamp said students are supposed to use this time for reflection, and the district is required to provide parents and guardians with information about the moment of silence.
“The parents have to explain (to students) what can occur in that minute and hold that child accountable,” Muhlenkamp said. “It can’t be guided by the teacher.”
In other business, the board also declared the following band items as surplus: 158 jackets, 133 kilts, 60 hats and various individual pieces. Muhlenkamp said these are 30-year-old uniforms, and the band program may use these for fundraising purposes.
