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Griffith board approves policies, teacher contract, handbook updates and calendar; several votes carried unanimously
Summary
The Griffith Public Schools board approved multiple agenda items including policy readings, a two-year teacher contract, revisions to the student-parent handbook (attendance and bathroom-stall language), club approvals, book-club materials and 2025–28 school calendars after discussion and unanimous voice votes.
At its regular meeting the Griffith Public Schools Board of School Trustees approved a series of personnel, policy and calendar items brought forward by staff.
The board approved the second reading and adoption of policies listed as item 4.1, and the first-reading approvals under item 4.2. The teacher contract (item 4.3) was noted to be a two-year agreement covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027; a board member called attention to the contract dates and the motion to approve carried by voice vote.
The board approved wording changes to the teacher-evaluation rubric discussed with the union leadership (item 4.4), noting that the change referenced section 3.4. The board also approved the creation of a new student club (item 4.5), described in the record as a student-led club sponsored by a staff member on their own time.
Handbook updates for 2025–26 (item 4.6) were approved to align attendance language with a referenced Indiana statute and to add explicit language addressing behavior in bathroom stalls; as discussed on the record, the proposed language makes clear that both occupants of a stall may face the same disciplinary consequence in such incidents.
The board approved book-club materials (item 4.7) after discussion clarifying that these are voluntary club resources and not required curriculum. The board approved 2026 summer-learning dates with a reduced staffing model and supports for students with IEPs (item 4.8) and adopted multi-year school calendars covering 2025–26 through 2027–28 (item 4.9), noting make-up-day changes that alter the last instructional days.
Votes at a glance (selected items) • Item 4.1 (second reading and adoption of policies): motion — approved (voice vote). • Item 4.3 (teacher contract, 07/01/2025–06/30/2027): motion — approved (voice vote). • Item 4.6 (student-parent handbook updates, 2025–26): motion — approved (voice vote). • Item 4.8 (2026 summer-learning dates): motion by speaker 2; second by speaker 7; approved (voice vote).
Board members expressed brief clarifying questions about some items (for example, why book-club materials were presented for approval when clubs are voluntary) and the superintendent and staff explained the rationale for early presentation. All recorded motions on these items carried on voice votes.
What happens next: Staff will implement handbook language, finalize contract paperwork and proceed with summer-learning logistics and calendar communication to families.
