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Committee approves handbook cleanups; adds self‑report honesty clause and coach communication rule
Summary
The committee approved minor formatting and procedural handbook updates, clarified the code‑violation appeals flow, added a self‑report honesty clause that can reduce penalties, and required coaches to use district‑approved team communication apps that retain records.
The Waunakee Community School District co‑curricular committee approved minor handbook revisions and policy clarifications on April 2, including a self‑report honesty clause for student code violations and a new coach communication requirement that limits team contact apps to district‑approved platforms.
Nick Conrad reviewed the edits, which primarily replace legacy platform names with 'Bound,' clean up formatting, and clarify the code‑violation appeals path (a second appeal returns to the principal; a third appeal proceeds to the superintendent). He said the self‑report honesty clause is intended to encourage responsibility and can reduce penalties—Conrad used an example reducing a 33% suspension to 16.5% when a violation is self‑reported.
Committee members discussed whether to extend the self‑report clause to middle‑school handbooks; middle‑school enforcement is calculated by games rather than percentages because seasons are shorter. The group noted the district has a very small number of ineligible students each season and emphasized support strategies for students experiencing housing instability or academic challenges.
On coach communications, the committee added a requirement in the coach handbook that coaches use a school‑approved app for team messages (listed examples include ParentSquare); personal phone messages to students are not permitted. Approved apps were selected in part because they retain records for public‑records requests; coaches will sign the handbook annually and the district plans recorded trainings to review changes.
The committee moved and seconded approval of the handbook updates and adopted the changes by voice vote; precise roll‑call tallies were not recorded. Staff will follow up with coaches and booster clubs on implementation timelines and app adoption.
