Elkhart administration presents preliminary policy revisions on background checks, substitute pay, suicide training and athletics physicals

The administration presented multiple proposed policy and administrative guideline revisions for preliminary consideration; none were finalized and each will return to the board for further review.

Why it matters: These proposed changes touch hiring and personnel oversight, substitute pay and incentives, required employee training on student suicide awareness, and procedures for secondary-school athletic physicals — all of which affect staff operations and student services.

Proposals presented (preliminary consideration only):

- Administrative Guideline 3121ACs — Background and reference checks: Administration described procedures for background and reference checks for new hires and scheduled background checks for current employees. “Those are done every 5 years for employees,” the presenter said; the guideline was presented for review and will return on May 27 for further consideration.

- Board Policy 3141.01A — Suspension and dismissal of professional staff members: The proposed revision would remove policy language requiring notification by a specified date about nonrenewal or reassignment of an administrator’s contract; the presenter said the language is not required under Indiana law and recommended rescission of that clause.

- Board Policy 3410.04CS — Substitute compensation: Proposed changes (effective 07/01/2025) increase pay to $120 per day for substitutes holding a substitute permit from the Indiana Department of Education and $160 per day for certified teachers serving as substitutes. Incentives were proposed: $300 additional compensation for substitutes working 25–49 days in a semester and $600 for more than 50 days. The proposal would eliminate a premium rate previously paid to retired certified substitutes.

- Board Policy 5350 — Student suicide awareness and prevention: Administration presented a draft policy intended to comply with Indiana Code 20-26-5-34.4 and outlined required training elements for district employees; the presenter said all district employees participated in required training last fall. The policy was presented for preliminary consideration.

- Administrative Guidelines 5600B — Guidelines for secondary school athletics: Proposed revisions primarily address the nature of physicals required for student-athletes; the guidelines were presented for preliminary review.

Next steps: All items were presented for preliminary consideration and will return to the board for further discussion; the administration invited suggestions or revisions in advance of the May 27 meeting.