The annual Duneland School Corporation discipline report shows a significant reduction in the number of students expelled in the 2009-10 school year -- 43 expulsions compared with 133 the year before.

Duneland Director of Special Services Mark McKibben, who also serves as the school corporation disciplinary hearing officer, said it’s positive that the number of expulsions is down, but it’s unclear if there’s any one single reason why.

A total of 87 students were placed in due process, either because they were on the form of probation known as Form 16 or because they had expulsion charges against them. The breakdown of the 87 students was: Five 7th graders, four 8th graders, 17 freshmen, 29 sophomores, 21 juniors, and 11 seniors.

Of the 63 students referred to McKibben on Form 16, 21 violated the terms of their probation and were expelled. The other 42 completed the terms of their probations.

Of the remaining students who had expulsion charges against them, 21 did not seek a due process hearing and thus were expelled. The remaining three did seek a hearing, resulting in one expulsion and two placed on Form 16, with both of those successfully completing their probation.

McKibben said in his 17 years as serving as a the hearing officer, this is the first time that he has had such a low number of due process hearings.

By far, most of the students referred to McKibben got into trouble because of truancy, tardy or not actually living within the school district. A total of 54 students fit this category.

The other violations were as follows: Defiance, disruption, harassment and the like, 13; alcohol or drug violations, 10; theft or vandalism to school property, four; fighting, three; weapon possession (all involving pocket knives), three.

Duneland Assistant Superintendent Monte Moffett said Duneland had another successful year of parent-teacher conferences, with high attendance rates.

In grades K-6, 2,958 conferences were scheduled and 2,851 were held, for a total attendance of 96.3 percent, up from last year’s 95 percent.

In seventh grade, 514 conferences were held for the 471 students and in eighth grade, 505 conferences for the 468 students. The number of conferences was higher than the actual enrollment since each parent is able to meet with more than one of their child’s teachers.

Moffett said that even though Duneland endured budget cuts, it remained committed to holding the parent-teacher conferences, and that he appreciates the efforts among teachers and parents.

The school board also set the costs for two summer school field trips.

The marian biology/scuba class will be from June 30 to July and will cost approximately $1,600 per student. The Trail Bound trip, which this year will go to Philadelphia and Gettysburg, will run from June 19-26 and will cost $680.

In personnel actions, the school board approved the following appointments: Cheryl Alvarez, high ability aide; Chelsey Wilson and Jennifer Tuck, Liberty Elementary aides; Julia Groves, Yost first-grade teacher; Deb Moulton, Liberty Elementary music teacher.

The school board approved the following leaves: Yost Elementary kindergarten teacher Heidi Hennigar, Brummitt fourth grade teacher Pamela Moore, Liberty media specialist Heather Lowe, and Liberty music teacher Lauren Smith.

McKibben also commended the food services staff at Bailly Elementary School for recently winning a mention in a national school nutrition publication. During National School Breakfast Week, Bailly sponsored a “BYOB,” or “bring your own bowl,” an event that urged students to eat a healthy breakfast.

The staff members commended were Lisa Ozimek and her assistants Lynn Enright, Julie Anders, and Colleen Kieth. McKibben noted that last year, Bailly also won a nutrition contest sponsored by the Indianapolis Colts.

The school board also approved a 2011-12 school calendar. The calendar sets the start of school at August 24, with a Christmas break from Dec. 22 to Jan. 4. That break involves two split weeks, not the preferred two full weeks. Baer noted that the schedule follows the calendar approved by other schools in the county, which need to be in sync due to special education and other cooperative programs.

The last day of school for students will be June 6, with a June 7 high school graduation.

Posted 12/7/2010