Washington Community Schools board approves 2026–27 handbooks, personnel actions and athletic trips; construction update provided

The Washington Community Schools board met at 7:00 p.m. and approved a package of routine personnel and policy items while hearing a construction update for the district's primary school.

The board approved the district's 2026–27 student handbooks on their second reading, including separate handbooks for the junior high, high school and elementary schools and a new handbook for a virtual program aimed at homeschool students. Administrators said the virtual handbook was revised this week to address special-education concerns and that handbooks will be posted on the district website rather than printed. The board approved the handbooks by voice vote.

During the meeting the board also approved multiple personnel actions. It accepted retirements for Suzanne Hawthorne (high school science teacher) and Denise Rogers (high school extracurricular treasurer) and approved several staff resignations effective at the end of the school year (Bo Burkhard; Cassidy Booth; Chelsea Vice; Kelsey Martinez Cruz; Elena Smith; Melbouth Spivey). The board voted to grant a leave of absence to Jessica Courtby from Aug. 4 to Oct. 30 and confirmed a slate of hires and role adjustments for the 2026–27 school year (new classroom hires named by the administration, compensation adjustments for staff teaching additional periods, and a summer-school nurse). All personnel motions were approved by voice vote.

The board approved ECA (extracurricular) coaching and volunteer appointments for next school year, including head and assistant coaches across multiple sports. The recorded comment during that vote included the phrase "6 with Mr. State," which was ambiguous on the audio; the board chair confirmed the appointments were approved.

Transportation staff recommended declaring a 2014 Thomas school bus surplus because of high mileage and maintenance needs so the district can offer it for auction; the board approved the surplus declaration.

On student-athlete policy, the board adopted a personal-branding policy informed by recent IHSAA guidance clarifying activities that could affect athletic eligibility; administrators said they will incorporate the policy into the high-school and junior-high handbooks and communicate details to families.

The board also approved overnight athletic trips: the volleyball team’s July trip to the University of Louisville and a boys basketball overnight trip to Purdue University. Coaches discussed logistics and prior experiences with similar trips.

In a presentation to the board, Michael Camp of Hagerman provided an update on the Washington Primary School construction: excavation, utilities and foundations are under way; playground permits are in process; interior renovation work (kitchen flooring, ceiling work and equipment installation) and additions (gym, locker rooms, restrooms) will begin soon; demolition of an old structure and courtyard drainage work are planned to start immediately. Camp said the district is coordinating on truck access and re-pricing additional vertical unit ventilators for added rooms.

The board noted calendar items including a June regular meeting on Thursday, June 18 at 7 p.m., discussed moving the October meeting because of fall break, and reviewed commencement logistics. Members also congratulated several student-athletes and teams on recent results.

Meeting procedure and voting: multiple approvals at the meeting were recorded on the audio as "70" or similar short notations; the minutes reflect the board's unanimous approval on routine items. The meeting adjourned following a motion and second.