School Board to consider multiple district policy changes including, libraries, pronouns, and counseling

At its meeting this Wednesday, the Mat-Su Borough School Board will consider both the Fiscal Year 2024 budget and several policy changes for the school district.

The school board adopted and amended a preliminary budget this spring. Those decisions were made before the Alaska Legislature passed its final version of the state budget. The item on this week’s agenda accounts for the final base student allocation number from the state as well as the one-time funding of $680 per student approved in Juneau.

In addition to the budget, the board will consider ten changes to district policy. One of those would change the rules concerning district employees and political activity to include activism. The current policy and proposed revision refer to “improper use of school time, materials, or facilities.”

A proposed addition to the parent engagement policy would require parental consent before a child may be referred to by a name or pronoun that does not match their biological sex assigned at birth.

Another revision would narrow the scope of counseling programs within the school district.  The new language would change a general counseling program to one focused on academics.  It also would require consultation with parents when a student is receiving academic counseling except in cases of suspected abuse.  The revision also removes gender-inclusive language in the current policy.

A proposed change to library and media center policy removes language about inclusivity and a commitment to “Realistically depict our pluralistic society and reflect the contributions of its various religious, ethnic and cultural groups.”  It also removes language about stimulating the development of aesthetic values and ethical standards in students. The proposed revision would also require parental consent before any student could access any materials covering human sexuality. Finally, the revision removes the line in current policy that states library materials do not require committee recommendation or approval by the school board.

The Mat-Su Borough School Board meets this Wednesday at 6:00 pm.