The Tippin City Schools Board voted to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to reintroduce department chairs at Tiffin Columbian High School and also approved student and parent handbooks and a package of policy updates tied to recent legislation.

Department chairs MOU: The MOU will create four content‑area department chairs and one elective chair (foreign language, arts, music and related electives). Administration said the stipends for the chair positions will be funded without increasing the district’s budget by redirecting roughly $16,000 in savings from a change in security staffing (hiring a district safety director and reducing SRO coverage). The board discussed that the MOU typically goes to the union for ratification; in this case the administration brought the MOU first so the board could authorize posting and hiring once the union ratifies.

Handbooks and policy updates: Trustees approved 2025‑26 student and parent handbooks that the administration said were updated for presentation and several policy changes. Administrative staff noted the handbooks are not final and will go through the educational programming committee in the coming weeks for additional review and amendment. The board was told there remain open items—reporting procedures and cell‑phone language among them—because the district awaits certain union or state guidance.

Cell phones and discipline changes: The board approved policy updates prompted by legislation. Administration described removing language that allowed use of a driver’s license (or other sanctions referenced in prior policy) as a disciplinary consequence; the updates also include an ‘‘exclusionary process’’ aligned with recent law that permits the superintendent to extend expulsions for certain weapon offenses provided written procedures and evaluations are in place. On cell phones, administration said the district’s handbooks follow current state model language: phones are prohibited during the school day except for documented medical needs and emergencies; some districts have moved to stricter bans and the board may revisit language after committee review.

Why it matters: reinstating department chairs is an academic‑focused change meant to strengthen curriculum coordination and teacher collaboration at the high school. Policy updates reflect state legislative changes and preserve the district’s ability to follow required processes when considering extended expulsions for serious offenses.

Outcome: the MOU, handbooks and policy updates were approved. The board and administration said they will route handbook amendments and remaining policy details through the educational programming committee for public and stakeholder input before final placement into district practice.

Administration said it will post department‑chair positions and proceed with labor‑management steps for ratification and hiring as appropriate.