Knox Community School Board Approves Student Handbook Changes

Gary Dulin, Jerry Fletcher, Harold Welter, Mary Lynn Ritchie, Kirk Bennett, Nathan Marcum, Mike Yankauskas, Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board members approved student handbook changes at all building levels at their meeting Monday night.

Elementary Principal, Glenn Barnes, requested that the handbook reflect changes for telephone use by the students. Beginning in August, students may have cell phones with the restriction that they are kept in backpacks during class time and on bus rides.
Also, students who ride the bus on longer bus routes will now be able to use electronic devices while riding to and from school.

Middle School Assistant Principal, Dave Miller, told the school board that several changes were made to wording to satisfy time changes due to the modified school schedule. High School Principal, Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff, submitted changes to the handbook that relate to technology guidelines and expectations. Students can be subject to disciplinary action if their use of technology or online related behavior prohibits the learning environment of any student. Cyber bullying was also addressed.

At all levels, if a student is missing from school 10 days in a given school year, a report will need to be be sent to the Department of Education citing reasons for the absences.