Superintendent Message

 

July 9, 2025

Hello WCPS Families,

We are excited to welcome your child(ren) back to school on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, for the start of the 2025-26 school year!

As many of you may be aware, due to new legislation, there are a few significant changes that will be implemented in the upcoming school year. Two of the more significant changes are in the areas of traceable communication and kindergarten/1st grade retention; see additional details below:

Traceable Communication System:

Beginning June 27, 2025, our district implemented new communication guidelines in compliance with Senate Bill 181 (KRS 160.145), which requires a traceable communication system designated by the district as the exclusive means for district employees and volunteers to communicate with students electronically. This is designed to protect student well-being, ensure clear and accountable interactions, and provide a safe digital communication environment.

A. Key Communication Requirements:

1. Approved Communication Channels
   • TalkingPoints (Primary communication tool)
   • District-provided email
   • Google Workspace for Education applications approved by the district
   • Infinite Campus
      
2. Prohibited Communication Methods
   • Personal text messages
   • Personal email accounts
   • Personal social media accounts
   • Personal messaging on district/school social media accounts

B. Social Media Guidelines

• Remove current students from personal social media accounts
• Disable comments and messaging on all school/district social media platforms
• This is a legal requirement based upon the language of the bill

C. Communication Exceptions

• Approved family communication includes:
  • Birth parents
  • Legal guardians
  • Other person or agency responsible for a student
  • Siblings
  • Children
  • Aunts
  • Uncles
  • Grandparents

D. Consent Forms

A parent/guardian may authorize a designated District employee or volunteer, who is not a family member, to communicate electronically with his or her child outside of the traceable communication system.

A completed consent form for each student per designated District employee or volunteer who has permission to communicate with the student outside of traceable communication shall be filed in the administrative office of the student's school prior to any outside electronic communication being sent. This consent may be revoked by a parent at any time.

• The consent form is applicable for the 2025-26 school year only.
• The completed consent form must be kept on file in the administrative office of the student’s school.
• A new form must be turned in every year.   
• If you are working with students in the summer, you will need to use the consent form to give to parents. You can find that consent form here: https://bit.ly/SB181Consent. These consent forms must be kept on file at the school in the administrative office.  Please make a copy of the signed consent forms for your records.   

Kindergarten/1st Grade Retention Policy Legislation:  

This bill amends KRS 158.305 to provide schools with additional options to consider when retaining students in kindergarten or grade 1. 

• A student in kindergarten who had a reading improvement plan for the school year may remain in kindergarten for an additional school year if a school determines that the student: a) Did not meet grade level benchmarks in reading while in kindergarten as determined by the universal screener given in the final fourteen (14) instructional days of the school year; b) Did not master the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Reading and Writing for kindergarten students based on assessments given in accordance with KRS 158.6453(8); or c) Is not properly prepared to be successful in the first grade. 

 

• A student in grade 1 who had a reading improvement plan for the school year shall remain in first grade for an additional school year if a school determines that the student: a. Did not meet grade level benchmarks in reading while in first grade as determined by the universal screener given in accordance with subsection (6) of this section; b. Did not master the Kentucky reading academic standards for first-grade students based on assessments given in accordance with KRS 158.6453(8); or c. Is not properly prepared to be successful in the second grade. Placement decisions for students eligible for special education and related services shall be determined by the admissions and release committee (ARC). Decisions related to promotion or retention are best determined by using strategic data-based decision-making within a comprehensive screening and assessment system paired with evidence-based instruction, intervention and supports.

 

There is other relevant legislation around the following topics:

• Moment of Silence 
• Cell Phone and Social Media Policy Legislation 
• Dual Credit Offerings
• Cursive Writing 
• Sexual Extortion 
• KHSAA - Child Abuse Reporting

We will be sending all parents/guardians additional correspondence detailing legislatively-driven changes in the coming weeks as we get closer to launching our 2025-2026 academic year. I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the summer with your family and friends and thank you for entrusting us to educate your child(ren)!

Respectfully,

Rob Clayton

Superintendent