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Board approves 2025–26 staff handbook after debate over personal cell‑phone use and emergency procedures
Summary
The board approved the 2025–26 staff handbook June 9. Public comment asked for explicit emergency-management language in staff materials, and board members debated a cell‑phone policy for staff and coaches, raising concerns about communications options and legal protections.
The Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District board approved the 2025–26 staff handbook at its June 9 meeting after public comment and board discussion about content and communications procedures.
Public commenter Janine Hibler urged the board to include safety, security and emergency management procedures in the employee handbook, saying those topics appear only in the parent handbook. Hibler told the board: "I think those things should be included…we're talking about violence. We're talking about severe weather and such." (Janine Hibler, resident)
During board discussion, members raised questions about a provision discouraging staff from using personal cell phones to text students. One board member said the handbook discourages staff texting but does not specify an alternative communication method, and urged that staff be provided a district-approved tool. A board member asked that staff not be left to "figure it out for themselves." (Earl, board member)
Other board members cautioned against mandating a single communication platform for coaches or teachers because individual programs and coaches may have different needs; staff noted tools such as Google Voice exist but training would be required. The board discussed legal and privacy risks around messaging apps such as WhatsApp.
Despite the questions, the board approved the staff handbook. The formal motion to approve the 2025–26 staff handbooks was made by a board member and seconded; the board took a roll-call vote and the motion passed. The transcript record indicates staff will continue to clarify implementation details and provide guidance to coaches and teachers on acceptable alternatives to personal texting.
