FAIRMONT – Several aspects of student life were tweaked with handbook changes approved by the Fairmont School Board on Tuesday.

First up was Elementary School Principal Michelle Rosen to discuss her school’s changes. She said the biggest one is what is allowed on school buses.

“In talking with Minnesota Motor Bus, they would prefer if kids are not eating and drinking on the bus,” she said. “There’s been a lot of mess, so we’re not going to have food on the bus.”

This includes before and after school.

Smart devices and watches were added to the nuisance items list, which will not be tolerated in the classroom and will be confiscated if seen.

“I specifically put that in to remind parents that’s something we do not need to have in the elementary school,” Rosen said. “It can become a nuisance for their child and the rest of the kids.”

Several changes were made on the high school side. Principal Chad Brusky said language has been added to indicate a ticket can be issued if a student parks where they are not supposed to, like a faculty area.

“It didn’t say anything in the handbook about ticketing for those types of offenses, which are ticketable,” he said. “Making sure that is cited in our handbook so there are no surprises ahead of time.”

While energy drinks are not encouraged on school property, Brusky said the outlined prohibition of said drinks has been removed due to difficulty in patrolling for offending items.

“Specifically with energy drink-infused beverages brought in that might be from a local business,” he said. “It’s hard to differentiate, but we do not promote energy drinks.”

Clarifying language was added to indicate no bags larger than a shoe box are allowed in classrooms. Brusky said this change came after debate regarding what would be a good size to allow for students to carry some personal items.

Use of personal devices at school, such as iPads, tablets, personal laptops, earbuds, or any other device that can be used for social media, messaging apps, or any inappropriate content is now prohibited. Cell phones can only be used in front of lockers, not the full hallway or any other space.

Since tightening cell phone restrictions, Brusky said these devices had been used as a workaround for students.

“We have seen an increase in those being used in the classroom,” he said. “The original purpose of the cell phone policy was to cut down on cyberbullying. We have noticed an uptick in that and accessing inappropriate content by the use of personal devices, mostly because they don’t go through our firewall, and we don’t get indication if there’s bullying or threatening language being sent between students.”

For specific instances, PSEO and CIS students will be allowed to use personal devices. Smart watches will be at teacher’s discretion.

Consequences for phone violations have also been clarified. First offense, the student can pick up the phone at the end of the day. Second offense, the parent’s guardian has to pick it up end of day. Third offense, the phone is confiscated by the school for 10 school days. Fourth offense, a cell phone plan will be determined between the student, their guardian(s) and school administration.

Parents now have only 48 hours after a child’s absence to excuse it and ensure no detention. After two days, the absence can still be excused, but the detention will still occur. Brusky said this is to help with office housekeeping.

“Keeping track of detentions being served,” he said. “If we’re going back and clearing things from months ago, it gets very cloudy. Now this becomes very clear. Hopefully, through our communication with parents, they call in within those two days to make sure attendance is cleared up.”

In the same vein, the add/drop period for classes has been shortened from five days to three. Brusky said this decision was made through consultation between the handbook committee and the counseling department.

“It allows our staff, instead of an entire week before rosters are solid, now it’s three days,” he said. “We gain two additional instructional days of knowing exactly who’s in our classes.”

Board Member Nicole Green said the time taken to finalize these changes has gotten quicker each year for the past three years, and she thanked the handbook committee for their efficient work.

Board Member Jen Harris motioned to adopt the policy changes. Board Member Mari Myren seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

In other news:

— FairmontBond.com has now been established for those who want to learn about the referendum and the impacts it will have if passed.

Green and Superintendent Andy Traetow thanked High School English Teacher and Audio/Visual program head Jonas Nissen and High School Head Building Custodian Mark Borchardt for their services following acceptance of their resignation and retirement. Traetow said there is planning in motion for who will take over for Nissen in his Audio/Visual role.

— A lease for Community Education and Recreation (CER) to remain at the Southern Minnesota Educational Campus (SMEC) building was approved. Traetow noted that the lease agreement ensures that, if the building is sold by the city, the district would receive a 90-day notice to transition CER to a location within the school district or another leased space.