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Board approves background-check guidelines, updates to personnel and substitute policies and student suicide prevention policy
Summary
Trustees reviewed and approved multiple administrative guidelines and policy revisions including rolling background checks, changes to suspension/dismissal notice requirements, a revised substitute compensation schedule effective July 1, 2025, and a student suicide awareness and prevention policy to comply with Indiana law.
Elkhart Community Schools trustees approved several policy and administrative guideline updates May 27 covering personnel screening, employment-contract notice requirements, substitute compensation and suicide-prevention training.
The administration presented an administrative guideline that formalizes background and reference check procedures for new hires and schedules rolling background checks for current employees every five years. Presenters emphasized this is an administrative guideline and does not require a formal board vote; it was advanced for board review.
The board also approved proposed revisions to policy 31-41.01 A (suspension and dismissal of professional staff members). The revision removes a board-imposed requirement to provide notice by a specific date for nonrenewal or reassignment except for assistant superintendents, principals and assistant principals—officials said the change aligns the policy with legal requirements.
Trustees approved a compensation overhaul for substitutes (policy 3,410.04 CS) that takes effect July 1, 2025: it raises the daily rate for substitutes with a permission from the United Department of Education to $120 per day and raises the rate for certified teachers working as substitutes to $160 per day. The revision also adds semester incentives ($300 for 25–49 days; $600 for more than 50 days) and clarifies incentives for substitute nurses; it eliminates a premium rate previously paid to retired substitute teachers, which the administration said was no longer sustainable.
Finally, the board approved a student suicide awareness and prevention policy to bring the district into compliance with Indiana Code section 20-26-5-34.4; presenters said district employees already participated in required training the prior fall, and the policy sets out training obligations in detail.
All recorded votes on formal policy actions passed unanimously. Administrators said the background-check guideline, being administrative, will be implemented by HR on a rolling five-year schedule.
