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McGuffey board approves elementary handbook changes including stricter car‑rider dismissal rules
Summary
The board approved the 2024–25 elementary student handbook with revised dismissal procedures (car‑rider pickup to limit walkers, use of visor name tags, and ID checks for unknown adults), added autistic support services and included therapy dog Phoebe; administration said no broad community committee had been formed to draft the changes.
The McGuffey School District board approved proposed changes to the elementary student handbook for the 2024–25 school year at its July 18 meeting after a staff presentation and follow‑up questions.
Kelly Anne Mate presented the handbook revisions for Joe Walker and Claysville elementaries, highlighting updated personnel listings, calendar dates and several safety‑focused dismissal changes. Mate said the district would classify students as "walkers" only if they qualify for regular bus transportation; otherwise the handbook instructs the district to dismiss students only to a vehicle with the family’s issued visor name tag or to the adult listed for pickup. If a student without the proper visor or identification arrives in the pickup line, Mate said office staff would be contacted to verify authorization before releasing the child.
Other changes noted in the presentation include adding autistic support services to the district’s support offerings, formally including therapy dog Phoebe in handbook provisions, and removing student driving and parking information as inappropriate for the elementary handbook.
Board members asked whether a committee had been formed to draft the handbook changes; administration said transportation and select administrators were consulted but that a broader community committee had not been convened after staff transitions and that the district would welcome forming one going forward. The handbook changes were included on the business agenda and approved by voice vote.
The district told board members it will ensure families receive the visor name tags and that staff will be prepared to verify identification when necessary.
