Board reviews 2026–27 student handbooks with new rules on attendance, sign-outs and deepfakes

District staff reviewed proposed 2026–27 student and district handbooks at the May 4 board meeting, describing mostly minor edits but highlighting several substantive changes at the high school intended to clarify student expectations, safety and digital conduct.

Brady Mullitt, speaking for the high school, said the handbook will include language about “good standing” tied to participation in activities and work-based learning; he framed the change as an effort to encourage engagement rather than to punish students. “Your attendance matters,” Mullitt said, emphasizing the district’s intent to create clearer standards for eligibility in dances, extracurriculars and release periods.

Staff also proposed requiring students to sign out through the office rather than leaving campus or returning with only a note, and to limit excused vacation absences beyond a 10-day threshold. The proposed edits remove a prior handbook line that incorrectly classified all nonexcused absences as truancies and instead align handbook language with state law.

The high-school packet includes new language tightening dress-code expectations for footwear and adding definitions of “gross insubordination” and “gross disrespect” (examples: directed profanity to staff, continued refusal to follow teacher directives, or inflammatory language targeting protected classes).

On privacy and digital media, staff proposed disciplinary language for unauthorized photographing or videotaping in restrooms or locker rooms and added a section addressing deepfakes and misuse of digital media. Staff described an incident this year in which an altered image circulated involving a staff member; the handbook will attempt to define “knowingly possess” and to allow discipline for off-campus creations that materially disrupt learning. According to the presenter, the intent is to treat possession and distribution that cause substantial disruption as subject to disciplinary action.

Administrators noted a few operational updates in the handbooks: Indian Springs student ID cards will cost $1 (down from $5), PE shirts will be sold at cost (about $6 each), and parents will need to provide a written note to pick up students. Staff said principals can return to the board with site-specific questions and that final votes on the handbooks are expected at the next meeting.

Board members did not vote on the handbooks at the May 4 meeting; they were asked to review the highlighted changes and follow up with staff before the board’s next meeting.