Middleton School updates dress code and discipline policies for 2024 school year

The Middleton District Board meeting on July 14, 2025, focused on significant updates to school handbooks and new educational requirements. Key discussions included changes to the middle and high school handbooks, as well as the introduction of a new digital literacy graduation requirement.

The middle school handbook saw a streamlined dress code, with the removal of outdated sections, including a parking diagram and a signature page. However, the proposed changes to the discipline process were not finalized, resulting in the retention of the existing step-by-step discipline process.

At the high school level, the handbook underwent structural changes, including a new table of contents and grouped sections. Notable additions included a student ID policy, updated animal campus procedures, and a digital literacy requirement for graduation. This new requirement mandates that students graduating after January 1, 2028, complete a standalone course in digital literacy, which cannot be embedded in existing curricula. The district plans to partner with the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance to offer this course, providing students with flexibility in how and when they complete it.

Additional updates included clarifications on religious, medical, and work release policies, as well as adjustments to attendance management and expulsion language. The board also discussed the importance of ensuring that all communications and policies are clear and accessible to both students and parents.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the district's commitment to updating educational policies and requirements to better serve students and adapt to changing educational standards. The next steps will involve finalizing the handbook changes and implementing the new digital literacy course in collaboration with IDLA.