The RSU 40/MSAD 40 policy committee voted 7-0 to forward revisions to Policy KI (visitors to the schools) to the full board for first reading. The proposed changes add explicit prohibitions on videotaping or recording other students and staff at school events, clarify that visitors should arrange visits in advance (removing an explicit 24-hour requirement), and confer authority on building principals to refuse entry when a visit would disrupt safety, welfare or orderly operations.

Superintendent and committee members emphasized privacy and operational concerns. A committee member summarized the privacy risk, saying, "video taping, recording, or taking pictures of other people's children is absolutely unacceptable," and recommended adopting the MSMA sample language to reduce legal exposure and protect students and staff. Committee members asked staff to make two targeted edits — add the videotaping prohibition and add explicit principal authority — then advance the draft to the board for first reading. The committee also directed staff to use "in advance" rather than an explicit 24-hour notice requirement, and to align tense and modal verbs ("shall" vs. "will") across policies.

Why it matters: the changes aim to reduce unauthorized recording of students or staff (a privacy and safety concern), give principals clear authority to manage visitors, and preserve flexibility for urgent or emergency meetings with staff. The committee tabled details about training and implementation until after administrators and attorneys vet the changes.

Next steps: The draft KI revisions will be included in the board packet for first reading; staff will prepare final redline language and suggested implementation guidance for board consideration.