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Board adopts student handbook, including state‑required cellphone changes; parents ask for further review of middle‑school discipline
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Summary
The board adopted the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook (5–1). The handbook contains a state‑driven cell‑phone restriction and a change moving sixth graders into the elementary discipline model; parents and several board members urged broader review covering grades 6–8 and committed to follow‑up meetings.
The Anderson Community Schools board voted 5–1 to adopt the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook recommended by the student‑handbook committee. Committee representative Mr. Shimer presented multiple recommended changes: adding student email addresses to contact lists provided to outside agencies, reorganizing the discipline matrix (committee recommended K–6 and 7–12 groupings), tightening the chain of command for family contacts, and adding a prohibition on blankets for safety reasons.
Mr. Shimer described adjustments to cellphone consequences to comply with Senate Enrolled Act 78 and the need to finalize related guidance from the state. He said the committee recommends changing the first cellphone offense consequence to a one‑day in‑school suspension (ISS) rather than out‑of‑school suspension, followed by escalating consequences for repeat offenses. "To comply with senate enrolled act 78, we would not allow personal wireless devices developed for communication to be utilized in schools or brought to school," he said; staff said final state guidance could still alter specific implementation details.
Board members and public commenters pressed for more time to consider expansion of the revised elementary discipline model beyond sixth grade. Parent and board member Tammy Dixon Tatum and others argued seventh and eighth graders have similar developmental needs and urged the board to consider keeping grades 6–8 under an age‑appropriate matrix. Mr. Shimer said committee data show a 35% reduction in referrals in the last 12 months and a 7% reduction in suspensions and expulsions under the committee's approach, and he recommended moving forward to ensure registration materials are available to families.
The board debated timing because registration began before the next regular meeting; several members stressed the handbook language allows the board to revisit and revise provisions after adoption. The handbook was approved by roll call (Ayes recorded including Miss Green, Miss Colette, Miss Rens, Mister Chamberlain and Mister Bookhart; Mister Booker voted Nay). The board committed to convening additional meetings with parents and stakeholders as requested.
Ending: The handbook will be posted online for registration; physical printing will be delayed until later in the summer. Board members and staff said they will continue community engagement and can bring revisions back to the board if needed.
