Ridgefield BOE Policy Committee Advances Title IX Updates, Repeals, Continues Library Review

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Board of Education Policy Committee on Jan. 30 advanced five policy changes for full board review, including updates tied to state and federal law, while continuing deliberations on a new library collections policy required under recent Connecticut legislation.

The committee voted to forward four policies for a first reading by the full Ridgefield Board of Education: revisions to the school volunteers policy, repeal of a duplicative weapons policy, updates to Title IX–related non-discrimination policies for students and staff, and repeal of the district’s admissions policy. No votes were taken on the library collections policy, which remains under review.

Committee Chair Christine More said the meeting focused on aligning district policies with recent legal changes while reducing redundancy in the policy manual.

School Volunteers Policy

Committee members agreed to move forward with revisions to Policy 1212, which would explicitly require school volunteers, interns and non-employees to comply with the same conflict-of-interest standards as district staff.

Board member Jon Paradiso said the change clarifies expectations for volunteers who work regularly with students. Superintendent Susie Da Silva and Director of Personnel Karen Dewing said regular volunteers already go through an onboarding process that includes confidentiality and ethics requirements, while one-time parent volunteers are handled differently.

The committee agreed the revised policy should proceed to the full board for a first reading.

Library Collections Policy

The longest discussion centered on a new library collections, displays and materials reconsideration policy drafted by the district’s legal counsel to comply with state law passed in 2025.

Assistant Superintendent Corey Gillette said the policy builds on existing practices but adds legal protections for library media specialists by clarifying that they cannot be held personally liable for content decisions. The policy also establishes a mandatory review committee if a formal request for reconsideration of library materials is filed.

Several committee members raised concerns about clarity and drafting. Wyatt Lipman questioned whether the policy would supersede the district’s existing materials challenge policy and asked for clarification of undefined terms such as “student programs” and “displays.” Angela Rice echoed concerns that unclear language could invite broader challenges beyond library collections.

Da Silva said the policy was provided verbatim by legal counsel and that staff would seek additional clarification from attorneys before bringing it to the full board. Paradiso said the committee would revisit the policy after legal feedback is received, either at a future committee meeting or with an update prior to a first reading.

Weapons Policy Repeal

The committee unanimously agreed to recommend repealing Policy 5131.7, which addresses weapons and dangerous instruments. Da Silva said legal counsel advised the policy is duplicative of an existing weapons policy in another section of the board’s policy manual.

Paradiso said repealing redundant policies reduces confusion and legal risk. The repeal will be brought to the full board for consideration.

Title IX and Non-Discrimination Policies

The committee also agreed to advance updated non-discrimination and Title IX–related policies for personnel and students, based on a new model policy from legal counsel following recent federal court rulings.

More said the updates add sexual assault victims and human trafficking victims as protected classes under Connecticut law, update references to federal enforcement offices, and make technical changes to align with current regulations. Committee members confirmed that no existing protected classes are removed.

Da Silva said staff will provide clear explanations to the board and community to prevent confusion about what has and has not changed.

A companion non-discrimination policy covering the community will also be brought forward with the same revisions, even though it was not reviewed in detail at the meeting.

Admissions Policy Repeal

Finally, the committee voted to advance repeal of Policy 5111, Admissions, which was adopted in 2011 but is no longer legally required. Da Silva said the policy contains language that duplicates or conflicts with newer, legally mandated policies governing student enrollment.

Paradiso said repealing outdated policies can reduce contradictions and better protect the district.

The meeting adjourned at 12:09 p.m. The five policies approved for advancement are expected to receive a first reading at an upcoming Board of Education meeting. The library collections policy will return to the committee or board after additional legal review.