Indiana’s largest newspaper, the Indianapolis Star, posted a story about Hamilton Southeastern Schools student handbook language on its Web site Friday and placed the same story on the front page of the Saturday print edition.
(NOTE: the reporter on that story was Rachel Fradette, based on the e-mail address at the end of the story. Many Star reporters are withholding their bylines as a protest about the lack of progress in the Star’s contract negotiations with the Guild, the union representing journalists. For the record, I support journalists in their quest for fair working conditions and a decent wage. You must be a Star subscriber to access this story, at this link.)
The piece refers to an earlier controversy over removal of language in the student handbook about microaggressions. It then goes into comments made by various board members Wednesday about handbook language on student cell phones, rest room policies and a possible dress code.
Student handbook language is a process that begins in January and involves parents, students, administrators and staff members. This group is often referred to as “stakeholders.” The idea is that any policy change needs the buy-in of parents and students. Administrators and teachers will be the ones to enforce any policy written into the handbook. That is why there has been so much public reaction to the proposals to change the handbook language just weeks before the start of another school year.
Another idea bounced around by the board and administrators would be a process to change language in January when the second semester of school begins. There was one proposal to place 2 school board members in the group of stakeholders considering handbook language changes.
During the public comment period Wednesday evening, most comments focused on keeping the language as it is, a product of the policy involving stakeholders. Carolyn Porzuczek, Hamilton Southeastern Education Association Vice president of Elementary, used strong language in her comments to the board, saying teachers in the district are “disheartened” by the board’s willingness to discuss the possibility of circumventing the long-established practice of having stakeholders review student handbook language before changes are made, before the school year begins. Porzuczek described that as “micromanagement” by the board and indicates “disrespect” for the teaching staff.
Here is what the Star story says and what I observed in covering all three meeting the school board conducted Wednesday. There were plenty of ideas expressed by board members, but no consensus was voiced. On a seven-member school board, it takes four votes to enact anything.
If you have strong feelings about these issues, you should contact your school board members. You can e-mail board members using this link. Just click the name below the photo of the board member to send the e-mail message.
The board is set to vote on the handbook for the coming school year at the July 26 meeting.
HSE schools policy is more than appropriate already (I just read them), I actually think a few restrictions could be removed because they are gendered and not necessary. This new school board (4) need to stop pushing their own issues onto students and teachers. Stop policing kids bodies and just kid behavior as long that it’s not a dangerous situation. Rules will always be broken and over policing often leads to discrimination against certain groups of people. Listen to teachers for what is the number one issue in their classrooms. Ms Thomas, I think it’s time you retire as it’s 2023 let’s not think it’s the1950s.
These policies they want to put in place are more restrictive than the 1960s-80s at least where I grew up and went to college
Maybe this book provides some thought about this topic. “When Race Trumps Merit”, Heather Mac Donald.
Let’s see here. The school board was elected by the community. A few boundary may be appropriate.
Are you even familiar with the existing dress code? As far as the Board being elected, while that’s true the voter turnout was a lowly 12%. Not exactly a mandate. Speaking of which, many who voted for them are having serious buyer’s remorse. The community overwhelmingly opposes these out of process, unilateral decisions. Especially with 3 weeks until the start of the new school year.
I am a secondary teacher in HSE. Our jr and sr high schools look like nightclubs with the current dress code. Crop tops, sleeveless blouses, shorts not covering buttocks, pajamas on any given day (this used to be spirit days) and worse hoods and hats covering airpods. I refuse to teach to speak to a student with earbuds in while half their attention is on music and half is on learning. You can change the dress code but we should start with nothing that exists being enforced. Changes are needed and we NEED a more business-like environment. I would even go so far as to supporting school uniforms for students and staff. It would be helpful if parents actually supported the schools and require their teens to dress appropriate for a learning environment. There are many reasons HSE is no longer a top-performing suburban school district. This is just one area contributing to the problems that plague this district. Anyone wonder why the certified board report for staffing is so huge every meeting and why so many teachers are leaving for other surrounding districts? Unprofessional teaching and learning environments are one of many. I am glad the public elected a board that just doesn’t sit at board meetings and pass every proposal and actually listens to the concerns of the community that elected them this past election cycle. We need a return to comment sense basics…this coming from a teacher who voted Democrat the past few elections. I understand the concerns of HSE Equal but we also need basic standards in our schools.
I don’t see your name, Jason Williams, listed in the HSE directory, which makes me question the veracity of your comment.
If true, you should address this with the leadership of your school, and take it to the HSEA Discussion Team if it is not addressed. The current language in the students handbook addresses all of your concerns, and as a teacher you have the right to point out violations.
I understand that some secondary students are testing their boundaries, so I commend you for teaching at that level, but perhaps some coaching on classroom management would be beneficial so you can learn to create a better learning environment that will not be so frustrating for you.
As a teacher, I always found that directly communicating with parents about issues was very helpful, since they want their children to be successful.