Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER -- Handbook changes for Manchester Community Schools were approved at Thursday's board meeting.
One major change for Manchester junior and senior high schools is the implementation of a student drug-testing policy. Student athletes, drivers and participants in all extracurricular activities and clubs will have their names placed in a pool for random drug and alcohol testing beginning next school year.
Other high school handbook changes include minor clarifications to existing policy wording and a paragraph acknowledging athletic coaches' team rules as school policy. Coaches' rules can expand upon school policy but cannot be more lenient.
In the elementary schools, handbook changes include automatic expulsion for drug possession or use and changes to student dress code. Short pants must be at a student's mid-thigh, instead of at the previously stated "fingertip" length.
One possible change to Laketon Elementary, discussed at the meeting, is renaming the school "Laketon Intermediate School." Principal Denny Craft, recommended the renaming, saying that the new name more appropriately describes its future 5th and 6th grade student population.
In other business, the board approved the following personnel appointments:
• Barb Ihnen as gifted and talented resource teacher for the schools.
• Marla Parson as seventh grade girls' basketball coach.
• Matt Webb as 8th grade girls' basketball coach.
• Michelle Hutchinson as Squirettes sponsor for the high school.
• Kathy Dierks as summer school assistant.
• Carrie Zile as eighth grade cheerleading sponsor.
• Kay Spangle as third grade teacher at Manchester Elementary School.
