Williamston Middle School handbook: arrival time changed, stricter cell-phone rules and new Title IX contact

Williamston Community Schools administrators presented recommended revisions to the Williamston Middle School student handbook for 2025–26 at the May 19 board meeting, including changes to arrival/departure procedures, expanded non-discrimination language and a stricter cell-phone policy.

The handbook draft moves the official student arrival time from 7:45 a.m. to 7:50 a.m., a change administrators said is intended to improve safety by aligning adult supervision to student arrival and allowing 30 minutes before first hour for students to go to lockers and prepare for class. Early-departure procedures were revised so parents may call or email the office to request a student release; students are then released curbside after office staff confirm the adult at pick-up and the district logs time-out and reason.

Administrators proposed a more restrictive cell-phone policy for the coming year: personal electronic devices will not be permitted during school hours, and the prohibition will extend to hallways, cafeteria (including lunch and recess) and recess. The district had allowed phones at lunch during the current year; administrators said observational data showed that removing phones improved student interaction, reduced significant code-of-conduct incidents tied to phones, and increased physical activity at recess. Staff described the change as designed to reduce opportunities for “significant occurrences” that were documented this year.

Other handbook changes presented include adding a Title IX coordinator to the contact information, clarifying honor roll procedures at the middle school, updating grade-reporting links and PowerSchool procedures for absence reporting, and enhancements to automated attendance notifications (including evening alerts and per-hour absence/tardy notices). Arrival logistics for early arrivals remain: students report to the cafeteria and a small number (estimated 10–15 students per day) typically arrive before 8:00 a.m.

Administrators also described the district’s log process for early departures and returns; the office records student name, time out/in, reason and the person picking up to maintain an attendance audit trail.

Board members asked operational questions — how many students arrive early, whether bathroom access in new softball facilities would be available during the school day (administrators said no) — and discussed community reaction to the cell-phone change. Administrators acknowledged not every parent will agree but said consistent practice and communication are essential to implementation.

The proposed middle school handbook changes were placed on the agenda for approval consistent with other elementary handbook approvals the board took later in the meeting.