MENTONE - On the recommendation of the Indiana School Board Association, Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. Superintendent Brett Boggs presented two policies for consideration to the school board Monday.
At the Nov. 17 meeting, the board will be asked to approve the policies regarding staff-student relations and student transfers.The staff-student relations policy states that adults who have contact with kids and students have a responsibility not to betray their trust. The school corporation prohibits any sexual misconduct between staff and students, whether initiated by the staff member or student.
Boggs said the ISBA indicated if the school corporation didn't have such a policy, it should approve one.
The student transfer policy stems from the 2008 General Assembly passing the property tax bill.
Beginning Jan. 1, the state will fund all general funds of school corporations. After that date, transfer tuitions will no longer exist. Transfer tuition is money a student or student's parent pays when they live in one school corporation but want to attend another school corporation. Even though the transfer tuition will no longer exist after Jan. 1, school corporations can still approve or deny a transfer request.
"It does not create open enrollment," said Boggs.
To design a policy, Boggs said, he used a policy provided by the Indiana School Board Assocation. Policies and procedures will be implemented for the transfers once the school board approves them.
Applications for transfers must be delivered to the school corporation by July 1 each year. Boggs said the school corporation will consider transfers if it is for academic reasons and not athletic reasons. Parents and guardians must provide transportation to and from school. When applicable, transfer tuition must be paid by parents. Transfers will be considered on a yearly basis.
Approval for transfers will be decided based on the student's prior attendance record at the student's previous school, academic record, discipline record and the number of students at Valley in that student's grade level. Boggs said they did not want to place an undue burden on the school corporation.
The building principal and superintendent will have the discretion to approve the transfers, but the school board may review any case.
"A lot of schools are adopting these policies, but now there's word the state legislature may change the law by the first of the year so we may have to revisit this," said Boggs.
Rod Eaton, school board member, said it would be a good idea to have the information regarding transfers on the school corporation's Web site.
"This all came about from the property tax legislation. It was all rushed through and has some people pretty concerned," said Boggs.
One of the most concerned groups is the Indiana High School Athletic Association, he said.
Mark Wise, board member, said he wants to enforce the concept that transfers are for academic reasons only, not athletic. He suggested that if a student transfers, they could not play sports at Valley for a year.
"If there's a way we can enforce that, I would like to," Wise said.
However, other board members questioned whether that was legal.
"It'll be interesting to see how it all works out, all washes out," Boggs said.
