BL board, student council conflicted over board policy

ROGERS - The Beaver Local student council is seeking answers for an apparent pre-abolishment of a student grievance policy that took place recently.

A discrepancy currently lies between the school board (and superintendent) and the high school student council over the required three readings that is needed to abolish a board policy.

The policy in question was Board Policy 5710, relating to student grievances. That policy was not listed in the student policies section in the "Beaver Local School District Bylaws & Policies" page late Wednesday night.

A meeting is scheduled today between the school board, superintendent, high school Principal Joseph Gotchall, student council members and the adviser to discuss the situation after the policy was briefly discussed at the board meeting Monday evening.

The student council released a statement stating that they were looking for a positive outcome from the meeting with the administration this morning.

Previously, student council determined they wanted to speak to the board about the policy at the meeting Monday, but they were told the issue had already been abolished, said Randy Schneider, student council vice-president.

According to the student council records, the student grievance policy had only been read twice.

The board minutes also suggest only two out of the three readings have been brought up at a regular board meeting.

At the previous monthly meeting on Oct. 13, board member Jonathan Garn moved and member John Campbell seconded the motion for the "abolishment of Policy 5710 as submitted for a second reading," according to the Board minutes.

The Board minutes also state members Garn, Campbell, Brian McKenzie and President Keith Meredith all voted "yes" to the motion giving it a unanimous approval that day.

In addition, the minutes for the Oct. 13 meeting state the first reading was on Sept. 15. And the board minutes from that meeting state that McKenzie moved and Garn seconded the motion to "formally adopt the agenda as presented."

That motion was also unanimously approved, 5-0, with board member Craig Dietz present at the meeting.

At this month's board meeting Monday, student council President Maggie Hoobler and other students appeared at the meeting anyway even though they were advised that the grievance was not on the table.

The policy was not on the official agenda but Meredith did allow Hoobler to speak and address the Board during the meeting. A phone call was not immediately returned by Meredith Wednesday.

The student council president was joined by students and teachers who came to support the student organization and their efforts.

According to Schneider, the high school media center was filled with about 40 teachers and 20-30 students, some who came directly after basketball practice.

"I was really surprised," the vice president said of the turnout. "The media center was completely packed."

Schneider said he appreciated the teacher turnout and added the students and teacher have supported one another, referring to student support during previous Beaver Local Education Association contract negotiations.