U-46 approves auditor contract, new policies

The Elgin Area School District U-46 school board Monday night renewed its auditor contract and approved several policy changes affecting students - including cyberbullying and dating violence.

The board authorized a five-year contract with McGladrey LLP to perform annual audits for $510,175, which includes 2 and 3 percent annual fee increases. The firm is also tasked with auditing high school student activity funds at the district's five high schools, said Dale Burnidge, U-46 director of financial operations.

The school board also adopted several policy changes, including new policies prohibiting teen dating violence, per new state law, and cyberbullying.

Teen dating violence is defined as whenever a student 13 to 19 years old uses or threatens to use physical, mental or emotional abuse to control another person whom he or she is dating. The policy also incorporates age-appropriate instruction in seventh through 12th grades on social and emotional development as required by state law, the district's attorney Luis Rodriguez said.

Other policies spelling out penalties for student involvement in demonstrations and acceptable use of technology were approved.

Students can still peacefully demonstrate as long as they are not disrupting classes or school-related activities. Any disruption could result in suspension or expulsion. School employees also will be able to regulate any student protests and circulation of petitions, per the policy.

For students who have been suspended, the district now requires a conference between the students, parents and school principal before reinstatement. Students facing expulsion may be allowed to attend an alternative education program instead.

Another new policy requires all athletic coaches to complete an online certification on concussion awareness training and to renew that certification every two years.