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Board reviews reorganized student handbooks and clarified absence code; action expected in June
Summary
District staff presented reorganized academic and student handbooks with clarified code-of-conduct organization and a refined attendance protocol that defines "excessive absence" at 10 days and adds a superintendent hearing at 15 unexcused absences; handbooks were presented as information only and will return for action in June.
The Franklin County Community School Corporation presented restructured student and academic handbooks at the May 12 board meeting; the board received the materials as information and will consider formal action at its June meeting.
What changed
District staff said major changes were organizational: conduct codes and disciplinary language were consolidated into a single, streamlined section so parents and staff can read outcomes and suggested interventions in one place. The academic handbook incorporates changes already brought to the board by the curriculum staff.
Attendance and disciplinary clarifications
The handbook now codifies an "excessive absence" threshold: a student who accumulates 10 absences for any reason will be designated as excessively absent. The district said parental notes submitted after that threshold will not automatically excuse absences; third-party documentation (for example, doctors or courts) may be required for future absences to be excused. The district will continue to send letters at five and ten unexcused absences and plans a superintendent hearing after 15 unexcused absences to review interventions before escalating to external parties.
“We want to be clear about what the letters mean and when additional third-party documentation is required,” said Shannon New. New told the board the attendance language was clarified to reduce confusion about timing and notification.
Distribution and next steps
Staff said parents will receive the handbooks outside of the registration process to allow time for review and that registration continues to acknowledge handbook receipt. The board held the materials as information only; formal action is scheduled for the June meeting.
Ending: District staff said they will provide a clearer highlights summary going forward to make it easier for parents to identify substantive changes.
