05/20/11 The board received copies of the revised student handbooks for grades K-12. Those working on the updates were Michelle Riise (representing all four elementary schools), Angie Mills (LJH), Jeni Hirschy (Riverside Intermediate), and Ken Olson (PHS).
Riise said some of the changes include attendance policies so that the corporation will comply with Indiana State Law (IC 20-33-2-6). Changes also include a definition of a documented absence and undocumented absences the attendance interventions and the new policy with the Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney pertaining to attendance contracts and failure to comply with such. Revisions to the various handbooks also include new lunch prices, guidelines for suspensions/expulsions and computer guidelines and expectations.
Assistant Superintendent Rodger Smith said there are 18 proposed policy revisions to the schools’ polices. He indicated that they stem from technical concerns, federal laws, new Indiana Codes, and language for placing students in other facilities. The proposed changes were heard on 1st reading.
The board members also approved a memorandum of understanding regarding the calendar for the school year 2011-2012. They voted unanimously to adopt the current practice of dismissal from schools one-half hour earlier on Fridays to allow for professional development. According to Superintendent Dan Tyree, the early dismissal allows 18 hours or three days of professional development time for teachers.
The school board also approved the 2011-2012 calendar that lists May 31, 2012 as the last teacher day. The first student day will be August 17, 2011. Students will be off of school on Friday, September 2nd and Monday, September 5th for the Labor Day Holiday. Fall Break is October 27th and 28th and Thanksgiving vacation is November 24th and 25th. Winter break is two weeks from December 19th through the 30th and Spring Break will be March 26th through the 30th. Only one snow day is built into the calendar for the 2001-2012 school year with additional days, if needed being added to the end of the school year. Superintendent Dan Tyree indicated that they are recommending that families not plan vacations for the first week in June in case there is weather related days that have to be made up to reach the required 180 days. PHS Principal Jim Condon confirmed that graduation is scheduled for June 8 2012.
The board will hold a work session on June 7 and a regular board meeting on June 21.
