By HOLLY GASKILL
A series of changes will be coming to Southern Wells’ school handbooks to follow new rules from the state.
Notably, all students are prohibited from using cell phones in class outside of permitted educational use. During Tuesday’s board meeting, Jr./Sr. High School Principal Kim Conner said each teacher has been able to determine how this will be enforced in their classroom, with some opting for a collection box.
Students will still be able to use their devices during the passing period and lunch, Conner said.
Board member Todd Fiechter asked if these phone rules apply to teachers, and Conner said that they wouldn’t technically apply to teachers, but administrators have already spoken with teachers to maintain professionalism.
Conner said the school had test-driven the new policy over summer school. The students were “a little jittery” as they got used to being away from their devices, Conner chuckled, but it had an overall positive impact on learning.
Additionally, the handbook includes updated language regarding absences — this spring, the Indiana legislature passed a bill requiring schools to intervene with students who are frequently absent. Students who have been absent for 10 or more days without an excuse will be reported to the county prosecutor’s office.
Conner said the school will consider eight absences as one day for the school’s attendance-taking purposes. These eight absences account for each period of the school day.
Specific to Southern Wells, Conner said students must be present by 8:30 a.m. through the end of the school day to participate in extracurricular activities unless excused. Conner said the school has previously had issues with students sleeping in or leaving early and still participating in after-school activities.
Elementary Principal Kristen Wall said many of the changes in the high school handbook are reflected in the elementary’s as is appropriate.
Other proposed changes in the high school handbook included Chromebook repair fees, requirements to “earn” a weighted grade in Advanced Placement classes, and differentiating between tobacco and THC use.
The board of trustees reviewed these changes Monday and will vote on the 2024-25 school handbooks at their next meeting on July 16.
Other updates were:
• The district received resignations from former social studies teacher Jeff Sprunger, custodian Brian Klarer, head football coach Jeff Sprunger, assistant softball and assistant football coach Chris Duncan, and Allison Blevins-Wenzel as the elementary girls’ basketball coordinator.
• The board approved employment recommendations for Mia Dominguez as a third grade teacher and Julie Berry as a sixth grade teacher. Approved coaching recommendations were: Dale Miller as varsity assistant coach for boys’ basketball, Tyler Houk for junior varsity, Caleb Sleppy for seventh grade and Mike Carter for eighth grade; Ross Palmer as varsity assistant coach for girls’ basketball, Erin McKinley for junior varsity and Megan Slusher for elementary; Mallory Nussbaum as varsity assistant coach for Cross County and Cory Leas for junior high; Allison Blevins-Wenzel as varsity assistant coach for volleyball; Chad Eltzroth as assistant for football and Ron Cherry and Mark Rickerd for junior high; Jason Riley as varsity softball coach and Karadyn Riley as varsity assistant; Ross Palmer as varsity girls’ and boys’ golf coach; Jacob Duncan as varsity and junior varsity coach for wrestling; Megan Williams as junior varsity cheerleading coach and Ashley Junk as junior high coach; Evan Huffman as head baseball coach; and Mark Gates as varsity head coach for track.
• The board approved fundraising requests for girls’ basketball summer shootout games for June 21 and cheerleading to hold mini cheer from Aug. 27-30.
• The district renewed its contract for food services.
• A request was approved for Youth For Christ to use the cafeteria for their annual banquet on Oct. 14.
• An assortment of outdated textbooks were declared “no value” items for the district.
holly@news-banner.com
