Handbook policies changes approved by board

By Staff, 06/23/21 9:58 AM

PRESCOTT – Changes to the Prescott student handbook were approved at the June meeting of the Prescott School Board Tuesday night.

There will no longer be a Behavior Intervention Class (BIC) as the district now has its own Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) program and is going back to ISS and OSS for disciplinary measures. It was pointed out ALE isn’t punitive, but an intervention to help students get back on the right track. In incidents where expulsion is recommended, Superintendent Robert Poole has the final say.

In the past, tardies were reset at the end of each nine weeks. Now, though, tardies will be dealt with at the start of semester.

While this may seem strange, as part of the district’s dress code policy, blankets will no longer be allowed during school hours. This, the board was told, is because it’s easy to hide contraband under a blanket, and when blankets are being shared, it’s difficult to know what’s going on beneath them. There is also a hygiene issue with blankets. Poole said the district will help any child who needs a coat or jacket get one. The board was informed a clothing drive will be held to collect coats and clothes for those in need.

A fourth fighting offense will result in possible expulsion. However, unlike in the past, police reports on incidents of fighting must come from the School Resource Officer. The board was told the district does all it can to keep students out of the court system, and normally when school personnel are in court it’s because of problems caused by students off campus and not for school-related issues.

Any assault or threat to assault a teacher or other student will result in the recommendation of a year’s expulsion.

Tobacco and tobacco products aren’t allowed on campus, nor are vaping products. Students caught selling tobacco products will be given ISS, as will those using tobacco or vaping products. However, anyone caught selling vaping products will be expelled.

Expulsion is also recommended for students who disregard direction. This is primarily for groups of students where situations could evolve and become problematic. The overall goal, though, is to use such gatherings as learning situations and not strictly for suppression purposes.

The district will also be instituting a zero tolerance policy where profanity is concerned.

While it’s been an unwritten rule for years, the board approved a policy requiring all seniors to complete all graduation requirements seven days prior to graduation. Those who meet the requirements can participate in commencement exercises, while those who don’t will receive their diplomas later once they’ve completed their work.

The Fundamentals of Life course will be a one-semester program to teach students life skills they’ll need for later on. The course will be a half-credit and include things like how to change a tire, check the oil, and, basically, things people run into on a regular basis in day-to-day life. After the completion of this course, students will take a semester of art for the rest of their credit. In addition, it’s no longer required for students to get 75 hours of community service in order to graduate, though it is encouraged.

In other business, the board approved policy updates recommended by the Arkansas School Board Association, which have been approved by the district’s Personnel Policy Committee (PPC).

It also approved putting items on a disposal list. These items either don’t work or have been refurbished and, if usable, donated. But they have to first be placed on the disposal list and removed from the district’s inventory. Computers on the list will be cleaned up and have all programs removed.