ASHLAND — Ashland City Schools approved the Parents’ Bill of Rights, which allows parents to have a bigger say in their children’s curriculum regarding sexuality content.
Parents can view curriculums that involve sexuality content outside of health class and science classes such as biology.
“What this allows is parents to have the utmost knowledge of what we are educating their students about,” Superintendent Steve Paramore said at the school board meeting on Monday.
At Ashland High School, principal Josh Packard and assistant principal Kate Bartlett created a Google sheet that contains titles of books or lessons with any sexuality content.
Packard sent a copy of the sheet to parents via ParentSquare, the communication platform for parents and educators used at Ashland schools.
Parents can opt out if they do not want their child to participate in lessons containing sexuality content. The teacher will then create an alternative lesson.
Paramore noted the middle school will handle lessons with sexuality content on a case-by-case basis because those types of lessons are rare for those ages.
The policy also requires the district’s website to list all medical care provided at Ashland schools.
And if an educator notices an emotional, physical or mental change in a student, they are required to inform the parent. That includes if any student requests to identify as a gender that does not align with their biological sex, according to House Bill 8.
Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 8 into law on Jan. 8 and it took effect in April. Schools had until July 1 to adopt policies related to the bill.
The bill also mandates that schools allow students to be excused for religious instruction during the school day.
New phone use policy
Students are allowed to use their phones during transition times and lunch periods, but not for long because Ashland High School will prohibit cell phone usage during instructional hours.
The move comes after Gov. Mike DeWine approved Ohio’s operating budget on June 30, which included a measure restricting phone use in schools.
Exceptions to the policy will include students who need to monitor health conditions.
The district, and others across Ashland County, has had policies regarding cell phone usage in place since at least the 2022-23 school year, but now the state requires a policy. Ohio Schools have until Jan. 1 to implement a new phone policy, but Paramore said the board plans to pass the policy at the regular meeting in September.
Students can still use their phones at extra curricular activities and school-sponsored events.
“I know that may be a little emotional for the parents, maybe more than the students, but believe me, if the student is having an episode or something that they need to go have communication, we will allow them to go to the office,” Paramore said.
New buses
In other news, the board approved the bid summary for two new school buses that will replace older buses. Cardinal Bus Sales & Service had the lowest bid at $129,640 per bus.
The board will move to purchase those buses at a later date from permanent improvement dollars.
Paramore also reminded people that Ashland City Schools has a renewal tax levy on the Nov. 4 ballot.
“That is no new money for our taxpayers, and all of that goes towards the public investment that they’ve already made on the facilities and physical capital at Ashland City Schools,” Paramore said.
“We appreciate all the support we’ve had over the last 15 plus years on that Levy, and that brings about $630,000 to our district for permanent improvement for physical capital,” Paramore said.
