Board signals support for parental‑leave policy, directs policy committee and teachers association to negotiate details
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Summary
Trustees expressed unanimous support for a parental‑leave proposal brought by the teachers association but asked for a policy that includes an employee commitment or "skin in the game." The board asked staff and association representatives to meet and return a draft to the policy committee for consideration in August.
The Lincoln County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees said it supports adopting a parental‑leave policy but directed further negotiation on eligibility and contribution requirements before formal adoption.
During new business the board discussed a parental‑leave policy proposed by the teachers association. Trustees praised the concept as a benefit to recruitment and retention but asked for a commitment component — such as a short service period or a one‑day donation to a leave bank — to demonstrate employee investment. One trustee described a preference for a period of service before eligibility; another suggested a single day donation could serve as the qualifying contribution.
Superintendent and board members said they want the policy language vetted by the policy committee and negotiated with the teachers association. The superintendent summarized the informal consensus: full support in principle but with a short eligibility or contribution requirement.
The board asked staff to schedule a short Zoom meeting with association representatives and members of the policy committee to work out details. Trustees indicated they expect the policy committee to bring a draft back in August suitable for a first reading so the board can still implement the program for the coming school year if approved. "We can code the leave or whatever," the superintendent said when describing how implementation could be handled retroactively for new parents if necessary.
Representing the teachers association, Mrs. Johns thanked the board for the conversation and asked for clarity on whether a waiting period should be six months or one year; she said some association members view other district benefits as effective immediately and questioned why parental leave would have a longer wait. Board members and the association agreed to meet via Zoom within roughly two weeks and to include up to three board members in that working session.
The board did not take a formal vote; rather it directed the policy committee, superintendent and association representatives to draft and return recommended policy language.