Policies related to suspended students, extra pay for teachers of AP classes, and reporting inappropriate behavior by coaches are just some of the proposed policies presented to the Knox School Board Monday.
Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart explained that a recent legislative change requires that students be given the chance to complete school work during periods of suspension. “In the past, sometimes, we penalized students twice,” he explained. “We suspended them and then we didn’t allow them to make up their work, and this change says that if you suspend a student, you can allow them to make up their work and we are, here at Knox, doing that presently. We want our kids to graduate.”
Reichhart said the same opportunity would also be extended to students who’ve been expelled, if requested. He noted that even though they’re not on school property, they’re still technically the corporation’s students.
Another proposed policy update adds AP and dual credit teachers to the list of teachers who are allowed to get supplemental payments. “I know [Knox Federation of Teachers President] Travis [Flora] and I have talked about doing that for next year because teachers are taking classes, and it’s hard to find teachers wanting to teach AP and dual credit,” Reichhart told the school board. “So we believe that a supplemental payment to those teachers might be worthwhile.”
Meanwhile, a series of five policies involving coaches are being updated to address potential inappropriate behavior. “So if we have a coach that commits an unlawful act, it’s required by [Athletic Director] Mr. [Greg] Estok to notify the IHSAA, and they are to create a database, so that those coaches can’t be rehired by another school district,” Reichhart explained.
Other policy updates deal with limits on contract buyouts for principals and assistant principals, the use of drones on school property, active shooter drill requirements, and staff training for dealing with homeless students. The updates were recommended by policy consultant NEOLA. Many of them stem from changes in state law. The policies will be up for the Knox School Board’s final approval on February 4.
