District presenter outlines handbook revisions including device rules and attendance documentation

District staff reviewed the 2026–27 student and staff handbook revisions at the May 11 board meeting, outlining several substantive changes the administration plans to present for approval in upcoming meetings.

The presenter said the elementary handbook will add a definition and language addressing "culturally offensive acts" so the elementary policy mirrors middle and high school language. The board was also briefed on an updated Act 42 personal-electronics policy: the district will require personal devices to be powered down and put away during school hours, not merely silenced.

Staff also flagged changes tied to Act 57 about parents' rights to request certain employee records; the presenter said finalized disciplinary record information and updated rules for doctor notes and attendance documentation were being added to the handbooks to reflect state statute. "We are adding that to the handbook as well," the presenter said, noting several parents have pushed back because past practice allowed stale doctor's notes to be used. The presenter said the district will ask for updated documentation to allow staff and medical teams to provide appropriate supports.

Board members asked how the district would balance specificity with privacy for sensitive medical conditions; the presenter said the expectation is to request information that allows the district to respond to incidents at school without demanding unnecessary personal details. The transcript indicates these items will be action items at the May 18 meeting for final approval of handbooks and related staff compensation and policy items.