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.