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ISD 717 board approves parent, student and staff handbooks; changes include device rules, bell schedule and PSEO grading update
Summary
The board approved updated parent/student and staff handbooks for the elementary, middle and high schools, adopting tightened rules on personal electronic devices, a new seven‑period high school day (with advisory removed for September), and a removal of weighted grading for PSEO and similar courses.
The ISD 717 School Board approved updated parent, student and staff handbooks for the elementary, middle and high schools at its Aug. 11 meeting, endorsing changes the district says clarify procedures around cell phones and other personal communication devices, alter the high school bell schedule and standardize grading for college courses.
District staff said the handbook changes were largely procedural and formatting updates but highlighted three policy shifts: (1) personal electronic devices (phones, smart watches and similar) must be put away during school hours; at the middle school devices are kept away from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; repeated violations require parent pickup; (2) the high school will run a seven‑period day in September while staff “dry run” a future Wednesday pride/time schedule, and advisory time has been removed for September; and (3) the district eliminated weighted grading for PSEO and other externally graded courses so all grades are treated the same following recent legislative guidance reported by staff.
High school administrators cautioned that if students drop a college course after the college drop deadline they will receive the college’s W but may receive an F on the district transcript; the district said the policy seeks to discourage post‑deadline drops that cost the district and distort academic records. "If a student drops after the drop deadline for the college, they will get a W from the college and they're going to get an F on their transcript from us," the high school presenter said during discussion.
Staff handbooks added operational procedures related to the building construction project, arrival/dismissal maps, and an updated emergency action plan developed with local emergency responders. The district also added protocol for a new elementary wellness room for staff and families; staff will receive procedures for access and use.
Discussion vs. decision: the board took formal votes to approve the elementary, middle and high school parent/student handbooks in one motion and approved staff handbooks and the activities handbook in subsequent motions; each motion carried by voice vote with no recorded dissent. The changes will take effect for the 2025–26 school year; principals will communicate specific schedules and expectations to families and staff.
Speakers quoted are district staff who presented the handbooks and board members who moved and seconded the motions as recorded in the meeting.
