The purpose of this agenda item is to allow feedback and public comments on the development of a revised Campus Cell Phone policy and Emergency Procedures in response to AB 962. 

Under California Education Code § 48901.7, LEA's must now involve “significant stakeholder participation” when developing a local policy to limit or prohibit smartphone use on campus. This language is now part of the new Phone-Free School Act, which every district/charter must implement by July 1, 2026. Historically, schools could not prohibit students from using phones during emergencies or perceived threats. AB 962 changes this: A school may prohibit the possession or use of a smartphone during an emergency or perceived threat only if that prohibition is explicitly spelled out in the school’s Comprehensive School Safety Plan.

The Board, with feedback from stakeholders, should consider how cell phones may be used during emergencies or perceived emergencies, educational or instructional exceptions, restrictions during instructional time or other school activities, and accommodations for medical needs or individualized education programs.

Our current Cell Phone Policy explicitly limits student access to cell phones while in classroom. 

In compliance with California Education Code Section 48901.7 and AB 962 (2025-2026), Bridges may continue to restrict or prohibit student possession or use of smartphones during an emergency or in response to a perceived threat of danger only as explicitly provided for in this school safety plan. The school safety plan up for approval includes this detailed policy. 

Definitions:
— Emergency/Perceived Threat: A situation that poses a clear risk to life, health, or safety, including but not limited to active assailant incidents, natural disasters, evacuation orders, or other critical events requiring immediate protective actions.

Our Suggested Policy:

During an emergency or perceived threat, students may be required to refrain from using or accessing personal smartphones unless directed otherwise by authorized school personnel (e.g., administrator, safety officer).

This restriction is intended to:
a. Minimize distractions and improve student and staff focus on emergency procedures and official instructions;
b. Prevent the spread of unverified information that could cause panic or impede coordinated emergency response;
c. Avoid inadvertent disclosure of student locations that might compromise safety or tactical response operations.

School personnel will make reasonable efforts to ensure students and families can communicate about well-being and reunification as soon as it is safe to do so.

Smartphone possession or use is not prohibited in emergencies when:
a. A student has express permission from school personnel;
b. Required for health or safety reasons certified by a licensed physician;
c. Required by a student’s individualized education program (IEP).

The cell phone in emergency policy will be reviewed annually as part of the school safety planning and update process. Input from stakeholders can be considered as we revise BP 6163.5 in the April Board Meeting. 

Executive Director 

• Programmatic Audit
• Measure I Bond Oversight Committee Mtg. February 11th
• Enrollment and Lottery Update
• Homeschool Program Update
• Form 700 -- deadline is April 1st

Director of Daily Operations

Director of Student Support

Consent Items: Items proposed for the consent calendar are noted on the posted agenda and are considered by the Director to be of a routine nature.  Any item may be removed from the consent calendar at the request of any Board member and placed under the appropriate action category.  A vote will be taken for the consent calendar so that any items requiring a vote can be properly addressed.  It is recommended that all consent items be approved.

6.1       Financial Reports
            6.1.1    Checks
            6.1.2    Financial Statements
            6.1.3    Purchase Orders
            6.1.4    Amazon Purchases
                 
6.2        Personnel Report

approval of this item is recommended

We are requesting Board authorization to solicit competitive bids from insurance providers for the school's insurance coverage.

Our current insurance policies (including, but not limited to, general liability, professional liability, directors and officers, workers’ compensation, and property coverage) are approaching renewal. We intend to renew with Charter Safe for the next Fiscal year, but in alignment with best practices for fiscal stewardship and risk management, administration recommends issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to qualified insurance carriers and/or brokers to ensure adequate coverage at competitive rates.

Should the board move to approve this item, Dr. Simon will draft a Request for Proposals to be considered at the March board meeting.

Approval of this item is recommended. 

The Ad Hoc Salary Schedule Committee has had 5 formal meetings during which we have collected input, reviewed data, analyzed the budget, considered different iterations of salary schedules, and ultimately, we have arrived at the attached proposal. This salary schedule proposal meets all of their requests. It also is manageable in our budget with certain strategic cuts. 

This item is open for discussion and feedback with the option for approval. 

approval of this item is recommended

Approval of this item is recommended. 

Annually before March 1st, the School Site Council, or Board of Directors must vote to "adopt" the Comprehensive School Safety Plan. The CSSP will continue to be developed by our school Safety Committee, and any changes will be brought forward in an updated CSSP to be approved by the board before October, 2026. 

In this draft, changes have been made to address new legislation in the following sections: 

1) Immigration policies and procedures (new) 

2) Cyberbullying (new) 

3) Professional Boundaries (new)

4) Student Cell Phones in Emergencies (new)

5) Trauma informed drill practices

At the mid-year point, implementation of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) is proceeding as planned and remains aligned to the Board-approved goals, actions, and services. Preliminary data indicate progress toward annual benchmarks in key areas including academic achievement, attendance, and school climate, with continued prioritization of services for high-needs student groups. 

LCAP-aligned expenditures remain on track and are being used as intended to support student success. Ongoing monitoring will continue through the end of the year.

Approval of the Mid-Year LCAP is recommended. 

The board will hear a report from the facilities committee and will consider actionable next steps. 

Each local education agency in California must adopt policies ensuring that public schools remain safe and accessible to all California residents regardless of immigration status.  These policies need to comply with the originally adopted Model Policies, as well as the updated Model Policies from 2025. This policy needs to be retired so that we can replace our policy and procedures with the new state requirements. 

Board Policy 5145.3 establishes clear procedures for responding to immigration-enforcement activity on campus. The policy outlines staff responsibilities when law-enforcement or immigration officers request access to school grounds, students, or records, including requirements for administrative notification, document review, legal consultation, and documentation of interactions. 

It distinguishes between administrative warrants, judicial warrants, and subpoenas, and clarifies for staff when consent or compliance is required. The policy also affirms protections for students and families through parental notification requirements, staff training, and mandatory reporting to the California Department of Justice, ensuring the Charter School’s compliance with state law while safeguarding student rights and school operations.

This policy is aligned with the California Attorney General's model policy, and is required given AB 49.

Approval of this policy is recommended. 

Board Policy 5145.4 establishes procedures and safeguards to support students and families in the event a family member is detained or deported due to immigration enforcement. The policy affirms the school’s commitment to student safety and continuity of care by outlining protocols for emergency contact information, release of students to designated caregivers, and limits on the use of family information. It also clarifies staff responsibilities regarding interactions with immigration enforcement and required reporting procedures, ensuring compliance with California law and protection of students’ rights.

This policy has been reviewed by our Governance Committee. Approval of this policy is recommended. 

Schools are required to adopt model policies for monitoring and receiving visitors onto campus through Education Code section 234.7.  This policy is drafted in compliance with the California Attorney General's model policy, and was drafted by CSDC. 

Board Policy 1240.1 establishes uniform procedures for the registration, identification, and supervision of all visitors and guests on Charter School premises. The policy also outlines requirements for posted notices, visitor sign-in, visible identification, and circumstances under which visitor access may be denied or revoked to prevent disruption and protect student and staff safety.

The policy also aligns visitor procedures with the Charter School’s immigration-enforcement response policies to ensure consistent, lawful, and safe campus operations.

Approval of this policy is recommended. 

The revised policy, 5111.1 reaffirms the School’s non-discriminatory admissions practices and compliance with applicable California Education Code and charter law, including requirements related to age eligibility, transitional kindergarten, enrollment procedures, and public lottery processes when applications exceed capacity. 

It clarifies application requirements, enrollment timelines, lottery preferences, and waiting list procedures, and strengthens provisions ensuring equitable access regardless of immigration status, citizenship, or national origin. The policy also outlines safeguards for sensitive student information and affirms the School’s commitment to fair, transparent, and lawful enrollment practices.

This policy has been reviewed by the Governance Committee, and approval is recommended. 

We propose a revision of Board Policy 3580, which governs the classification, retention, access, disclosure, and destruction of student education records and school documents. The revised policy aligns Charter School practices with current state and federal law, including FERPA and California Education Code, and clarifies definitions, parental and eligible student rights, timelines for access to records, and procedures for amendment requests. 

It also strengthens safeguards related to confidentiality, directory information, immigration-related requests, and recordkeeping requirements. The policy provides detailed guidance on record classification and retention schedules to ensure compliance, data integrity, and protection of student privacy. 

This policy has been reviewed by the Governance Committee; approval is recommended. 

Board Policy 5032 establishes a structured Return to Learn protocol for students who have sustained a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury. 

The policy outlines procedures for notification, medical documentation, and collaboration between families, healthcare providers, and school staff to support a student’s safe and gradual return to academic activities. It defines graduated stages of academic reintegration, temporary instructional accommodations, and criteria for medical clearance, while distinguishing academic return-to-learn requirements from athletic return-to-play rules governed separately by law. The policy reflects current CDC guidance and best practices to promote student health, safety, and academic success.

This policy has been reviewed by the Governance Committee and is recommended for approval.

Board Policy 0410 affirms Bridges Charter School’s commitment to providing a school environment free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and retaliation. 

The revised policy updates and expands protected classifications to align with current federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws, and clearly applies protections to students, employees, applicants, and the broader school community. 

It reiterates the School’s obligations under applicable civil rights statutes, including Title IX, Title VI, Section 504, the ADA, and relevant provisions of the California Education Code, and directs individuals to established grievance and complaint procedures for reporting and resolving concerns.

Approval of this revised policy is recommended.