New policies on dress, cell phones, absences; Hamilton stops HS breakfast, meal prices increase

A new Illinois law allows students to be absent from school only eight days the entire year. Valid reasons for absences include illness, observance of a religious holiday, death in the immediate family, a family emergency and other situations beyond the student's control. The law is effective with the 2008-2009 school year for students grades 1-12.

This state law and other Hamilton School District policies are in the 2008-2009 junior high and high school Parent/Student Handbook approved by the school board July 23.

“I wanted to simplify the handbooks and combined the junior high and high school parent-student handbook,” said Principal Ron Gilbert.

A committee helped itemize devices not allowed in school, he said.

“Personal electronic devices, such as CD or MP3 players, cell phones, cameras, electronic games or similar items may be used before or after school, but must be turned off and locked in assigned lockers during the day. Such items will be confiscated if used or found during the school day unless direct permission is given by the teacher to possess or use the device,” the rules say.

A further note on page 22 says: “Cell phones should not be used in the school building immediately before or after school unless there is a demonstrable need.”

Gilbert said he is intent on taking a proactive stance with behavioral issues.

The handbook includes a copy of a ruler on page 21 in discussions about the dress code. The ruler highlights what five inches measures.

“No shorts or skirts with an inseam less than five inches may be worn to school. No jeans or clothing may be worn with torn areas or holes above the minimum five-inch inseam measure-ment,” the handbook states. “Dress and grooming are the responsibility of parents and students.”

“These aren't really changes in the dress code,” said Gilbert. “I just wanted to get more specific.

“Also, high school students cannot bring dates older than 21 to school dances. And no high school students can attend junior high dances.”

School board member Tim Hempen asked about student eligibility.

Gilbert said sports eligibility issues are covered in the Titan athletic handbook.

“All grades have to be updated each Thursday,” said Gilbert. “I pull the ‘fails' on Friday. All students who are failing are mailed weekly progress reports. I keep all the failure grades in my office.

“This year, each student will have a planner/agenda. It will be mandatory for students to fill it out. Students will know how they are doing and what they have to do.”

Hamilton High School no longer has the possibility of more than one valedictorian and one salutatorian per graduating class, said Gilbert. School policy requires grade point averages for the Class of 2009 and beyond to be figured to the nearest thousandth of a point.

“This policy was adopted before I arrived,” said Gilbert. “With GPAs figured to the third place, it will be highly unlikely to have duplicate GPAs. It will be numerically impossible to have a tie.”

In other business:

- Board members discussed naming or dedicating the elementary gym or a baseball field in honor of the late Bob Califf. His sister, Cindy Hempen, said perhaps a plaque outside the gym or a flag pole at the ball field could be placed in his memory.

“Tim (Cindy's spouse) and I like the idea of creating a walking path at the elementary school,” she said. “It would not be elaborate nor cost the district a lot. I'm willing to put in time, money and labor. It would encourage students to get exercise.”

- The district is increasing the amount it will pay for staff physicals from $50 to $75.

- Kohlmorgan will continue to pick up the district's garbage daily, Mondays through Fridays during the school year. Jackson said it was the only bidder to follow the specifications for daily pickup. The annual cost is $4,231.

- Hamilton High School will discontinue serving breakfast. Begun last year, Superintendent Dr. Jim Jackson said with an average of about 20 students eating breakfast daily, the program lost money.

“I'd like to keep it, because I know some of our students don't eat breakfast,” he said. “But we've taken a bath.”

Breakfast will continue to be served at Hamilton Elementary School.

- The board approved increasing meal prices for the 2008-2009 school year.

Lunch for K-6 students will increase 30 cents, from $1.45 to $1.75; students grades 7-12 will pay 25 cents more, from $1.75 per lunch to $2. Adult meals will increase 20 cents, from $2.05 to $2.25. Breakfast will go up 50 cents, from $1 to $1.50. The salad bar, which had been included in the lunch price, will cost $1 per serving.

“I've worked with Aramark in other schools and it's a popular program with students,” said Jackson. “The service provides its own personnel and sets its own prices. It offers about five choices for lunch. The service takes over the kitchen and food service program, then shares its profits with the school. The district would no longer be in the red for its food service program.”

In personnel actions, the board:

- Accepted the resignations of Bev Trusley, at-risk Pre-K teacher, and Michelle Young, Titans cross country coach.

- Approved hiring Stephanie Noble to teach junior high social studies and physical education and Michael McDermott for band director/teacher.

- Rehired all teacher's aides except Jan Kady and Linda Brown, who worked at the elementary school, and Amy Coulter, who had worked at the high school.

- Authorized the superintendent to hire a temporary bookkeeper/accountant for three weeks to assist Hamilton's bookkeeper Kathy Lox while she works on the 2008-2009 budget, and to hire a baseball coach.