School Town of Speedway staff present proposed 2025–26 student‑parent handbook changes

District staff presented recommended edits to the School Town of Speedway 2025–26 student‑parent handbook and invited board questions at the March meeting.

The presenter said printed copies were available and that recommended edits were marked in red; staff noted a set of non‑substantive edits and several policy‑related items including personnel listings and state‑required testing provisions. The board did not vote on the handbook at this meeting; staff said the item will return in April for final approval, with the option to make additional edits if the Indiana legislature enacts changes before the board’s April meeting.

Key proposed changes highlighted by staff - Personnel and contact updates: Lance Snouse is listed as assistant superintendent of elementary schools and programs; the handbook removes a previous reference listing a principal at Newby Elementary as that person is no longer the principal. Staff also updated a contact from Andrew McIntosh (director of grants and programs) to Lance Snouse where noted. - Calendar and Family Title I nights: The annual school calendar was updated and Title I family night dates were revised to match the 2025–26 school year; those nights will be held at each elementary school. - Fees and supplies: The handbook text was changed from “paper fees” to “curricular materials and supplies” and added that each school will provide a grade‑level supply list. - State testing and promotion: Staff added language reflecting Indiana law on third‑grade retention tied to the IREAD assessment: a student who does not pass the IREAD assessment in third grade and does not receive a good‑cause exemption will be retained in third grade; students not passing IREAD will be retested annually until entry into seventh grade. The presenter explicitly referenced “Indiana law” for the retention language. - Immunizations: The handbook reiterates that required immunizations must be up to date by the first Monday in October; staff noted that for the coming school year that date falls on Oct. 6, 2025. - Curriculum and course selection: For the high school, staff removed detailed course listings from the printed handbook and said curriculum and course selection information will be hosted on the district website; staff removed obsolete references to ISTEP 10 from graduation language and added an alternate diploma option where noted. - Format and distribution: Staff said the district will likely move away from mass printing of the handbook to hosting it on the district website (PDF or searchable online format), with printed copies made available for families who need them; staff suggested a searchable or full‑page online format and language options as considerations.

Why it matters Handbook changes consolidate personnel and procedural updates, reflect current state testing and graduation rules, and signal a shift toward online distribution that the presenter said would reduce printing costs. Board members asked whether approving a redlined copy at the April meeting would allow staff to catch any late legislative changes; staff replied the usual practice is to approve in April and bring back any substantial changes if necessary.

Next steps Staff will share any non‑substantive typographical corrections and any substantive legislative changes before the April meeting. The handbook will be placed on the agenda in April for approval, and staff said they will consider converting the document into a searchable online format and offering translated versions as needed.