Fairmont Area School Board adopts revised student handbooks tightening device, search and attendance rules

The Fairmont Area School Board on Aug. 12 approved revised elementary and high-school handbooks for the 2025–26 school year that expand device limits, clarify search authority and change attendance and disciplinary procedures.

Principal Rosen, speaking about the elementary handbook, said the elementary edition is a "family handbook" intended for parents and families and highlighted logistical updates such as a revised drop-off/pick-up point for the Prime after-school program and explicit rules about food on buses to reduce mess and distractions. "We are definitely excited to welcome this new group of eight new teachers," Rosen added, noting the district's low number of new hires as a retention positive.

Principal Bruski reviewed the high-school changes, which include a slight bell schedule change to move announcements to the top of the hour, new language authorizing ticketing for certain parking violations in coordination with the school resource officer, and an expanded definition of "personal devices" beyond cell phones to include tablets, laptops and earbuds. Bruski said the handbook now "explicitly lays out" that searches of personal possessions may occur "based on reasonable suspicion," language drawn from existing board policy to make the practice more accessible to families.

Bruski also described an updated enforcement sequence for phones and devices: a phone is retained in the office on the first offense, the parent must retrieve it on a second offense, and on a third offense the phone is held in the office for 10 days. He said those steps were developed to curb habitual misuse and to give staff clear, consistent consequences.

Other handbook revisions cited by Bruski include changed wording on truancy ("may" be filed rather than "will" be filed) to allow flexibility for students showing improvement; a shortened drop/add window for classes from five days to three to secure instructional days; and a distinction between "modified learning" (a de-escalation, return-to-class approach) and in-school suspension reserved for students judged unsafe at home.

Board members praised the handbook committee for producing a shorter, more user-friendly document and unanimously discussed committee leadership with appreciation. The board then voted to approve both handbooks after a motion by Jen and a second by Mari; one member recorded opposition and the motion carried.

The district said it will present a comprehensive summary of building and grounds projects at the Aug. 26 board meeting ahead of the school-year start.

Next steps: The revised handbooks take effect for the 2025–26 school year; families were directed to the district and school pages for the updated documents and to contact the district office with questions.