PHS handbook changes approved

By Staff, 08/18/20 1:04 PM

PRESCOTT – Updates to the Prescott High School handbook were approved by the Prescott School Board at its Aug. meeting Monday night.

There were several changes. One is the deletion of all references to ALE as the district now has its own ALE facility on campus and won’t be sending students to Hope any longer. ALE will also no longer be used for punitive punishment, though punishment can be part of ALE.

All expulsions must come before the board, but can be amended or overturned by Superintendent Robert Poole.

The district is also limiting students’ ability to graduate early. Now, judges will be decided on a case-by-case situation to determine if there’s exceptional extenuating circumstances. Students with excessive unexcused tardies can be sent to ALE. A third offense for fighting will result in five days OSS, with expulsion recommended for any further transgressions. Ganging up on an individual will result in automatic expulsion, as will death threats.

All students must wear masks unless they have a medical condition and it has been documented with the district. Students not wearing masks will be sent home for the remainder of the day. Additionally, any instructor or administrative personnel not wearing a mask will be sent home for the rest of the day without pay. Anyone coming on any campus must wear a mask, or they could be refused entry.

Activating a fire alarm intentionally is a crime and will be turned over to law enforcement. Any sexual misconduct can result in suspension or expulsion, and if it involves an adult, the case will be turned over to law enforcement. This policy includes on campus and extracurricular activities.

Enrollment in the district is at 927, with 328 in Prescott Elementary School, 297 in Prescott Junior High School and 302 in PHS.

The board approved a concurrent credit policy that requires written requests to be submitted for any student seeking more than 18 credit hours.

In other business, Cattlee Poole and Rocco Loe were recognized as being state winners for the annual Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest. They received $50, with Poole’s essay taking the top spot in the regional competition. She also received a certificate for this. Both received pins as well.

The board approved annual statements of assurance stating the district will follow all state and  federal guidelines as required.

A disclosure was approved for Haleigh Glass, who’s business Southern Grace, sometimes does business with the district. Glass is also an employee of the district.

The panel approved spending $15,028.88 for security programs for the new chromebooks the district has purchased. This program is to prevent students from accessing sites they shouldn’t. It was also approved to purchase school supplies from Firmins in the amount of $26,846.66.

An agreement with the Arkansas School Board Association was entered into to make sure the district’s policies are in compliance with the state’s model policies. This is a three-year agreement.

Normally the district bids its bank accounts to see where it can get the best rate. This year, as interest rates are so low, bids were not sought, though the district did contact area banks to see which would offer the best rate. The winner was the Bank of Delight.

The board accepted two students transferring in from the Blevins School District.