Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews proposed handbook updates: statewide cellphone ban and attendance changes tied to 94% benchmark
Summary
Administrators presented proposed handbook revisions to align with new state rules: a ban on wireless devices during the school day (students must store devices in lockers 8 a.m.–3 p.m.), locker locks at the junior high, and an attendance policy keyed to a 94% success indicator (monthly attendance report cards; intervention letters at the 3rd and 6th absences). These were presented for later action.
District administrators presented proposed changes to the district academic and student handbooks at the June 24 Centerville‑Abington Community Schools board meeting to comply with new state rules and to standardize procedures across buildings.
On wireless devices, the administrator said the new law requires that "the devices are going to be expected to be placed in the lockers during the school day ... it is a complete ban during the school day." The junior high will receive locker locks to manage compliance; elementary handbooks will require devices to remain in backpacks during the day.
On attendance, administrators explained the state accountability system uses a 94% attendance threshold as a success indicator (which the presenter equated to roughly 10 absences). To support families and improve attendance the district will: issue monthly attendance 'report cards' through PowerSchool; send attendance letters earlier (at the 3rd and 6th absence instead of the previous 5th and 10th thresholds); and begin a more proactive call‑in process after seven absences while preserving flexibility for documented medical absences.
Curriculum changes were also reviewed in briefing form: a quaver guitar offering for sixth grade (presenter cited a $395 fee for the sixth‑grade guitar course and earlier referenced a $280 figure for grade‑level fees), new junior‑high rotations that include an e‑club keyboarding course delivered at no cost, and limits on Indiana Online courses (no more than one such course per semester for students pursuing AP distinctions). Administrators said the Indiana Online rules were being inserted into handbooks to clarify credit‑and‑timing requirements; some items are not a voting item at this meeting and will return for formal approval at a future session.
Board members asked clarifying questions about implementation; administrators said a fuller accountability presentation will follow at the next meeting.
No formal board vote on the handbook content occurred at this meeting; the changes were presented and will be returned for action at a later date.
