Harper Creek board approves handbook appendix and several policy changes required by state law

The Harper Creek Board of Education on Nov. 10 approved additions to the student handbook required by state law and a package of policy revisions proposed by the district’s policy committee.

The board approved adding an appendix to the student handbook that provides guidance for parents and students about harassment and sexual‑assault reporting and definitions, described by administration as a statutory requirement. "This is law," an administrator told the board when asking members to accept the handbook addition as presented.

Members also approved revisions to district policy to align with state terminology and forms: parent‑engagement implementation language, Title IX/harassment language that replaces an imprecise term with the statutory phrase "criminal sexual conduct," and updates tied to the Michigan Earned Sick Time Act, including a new employee checklist and forms (referred to in the meeting as F‑1 and F‑2). The policy committee also described plans to return draft guidance on artificial intelligence — a green/yellow/red classroom infographic and AI principles and guidelines — for later board review.

All motions on handbook and policy changes were moved, supported and carried by roll call vote 6–0.

What happens next: Administration will finalize required handbook materials and bring AI guidelines and recommended language for progressive discipline into the handbook and policy review process in the spring.