Below are summaries of policy changes recommended by NEOLA. All policies need to be changed/adopted in order tocomply with current law except for Policies 1530, 8310, 8330 and 9800 which are not required but are highly recommended.

0165.5 / Series of Meetings (Gatherings) (New policy)
P.L. 179-2007 amends several sections of the Open Door Law and prohibits a Board from meeting in a series of meetings.
0167.1 / Voting
This revision is in response to the changes to the Open Door Law brought about to P.L. 179-2007. The act adds a provision that a Board member may participate in a meeting electronically but may not vote and may not be considered present.
1430 / Leaves of Absence (New policy)
This new policy appropriately locates leave of absence provisions for administrators in the policy manual. The provisions for Military Family Leave from P. L. 151-2007 are included as well.
1520 / Employment of Administrators In Addition to the Superintendent(New policy)
P.L. 1 of 2005 resulted in the addition of sections 20-28-8-3,4 of the Indiana Code, which clarifies the legal status of contracts for assistant superintendents, principals, and assistant principals. There are, however, other administrative duties performed by Corporation employees such as technology director, food service supervisor, athletic director, transportation coordinator, etc. Certification/licensure requirements for these assignments vary significantly. Typically these employees are not members of a collective bargaining unit and thus need to be covered separately by policy.
1521 / Personal Background Check (New policy)
This new policy includes the necessary provisions for obtaining the background information required by statute for individuals employed by the School Corporation. The requirement for the reporting of criminal convictions while employed by the Corporation is included.
1530 / Evaluation of Administrators (New Policy)
This policy is not mandated by statute, but provides for the necessary structure for performance evaluation that is require of other corporation employees.
3120.09/4120.09 / Volunteers (DELETE)
It is recommended that the Board take action to rescind these policies because it is proposed in this update that this content be moved to the 8000 Section, entitled Volunteers, as Policy 8120.
3121/4121 / Personal Background Check
This revision includes the necessary provisions for obtaining the background information required by statute for individuals employed by the School Corporation. The requirement for the reporting of criminal convictions while employed by the Corporation is included in Policy 3120.02/4120.02 .
3430/4430 / Leaves of Absence
P.L. 151-2007 provides for a Military Leave of Absence. The law applies to an employer with at least fifty (50) employees for each working day during each of at least twenty (20) calendar weeks.
3430.01/4430.01 / Family & Medical Leaves of Absence (“FMLA”)
This revision is necessary because of the approval of the national Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), effective January 28, 2008. This is the first time FMLA has been modified since it became law in l993. This change provides a new category of job-protected leave and adds a new qualifying event to FMLA. This provision is effective upon the release by the Department of Labor (DOL) of final regulations defining “qualifying exigency”.
4121 / Personal Background Check
This revision deletes language dealing with background checks for contracted services, which is reconstituted as new Policy 8121. The requirement for the reporting of criminal convictions while employed by the Corporation is included. Language concerning volunteers is deleted.
5200 / Attendance
P.L. 55-2207 adds a section to the compulsory attendance law, which provides an excused absence, for no more than five (5) days in a school year, for students who are members of and participate in the Indiana wing of the civil air patrol. The student is not to be recorded as absent and may not be penalized by the school in any manner for such absence
5320 / Immunization
P.L. 80-2007 amends the immunization law in Title 20. A school that enrolls females in grade 6 must provide the parents of the female students with information concerning cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the availability of immunization. The Indiana State Department of Health is to provide the information for this requirement.
5330.02 / Care of Students with Diabetes (New policy)
P.L. 166-2007 requires schools to provide appropriate care for students with diabetes according to the student’s diabetes management and treatment plan. An individualized health plan must be developed for each student with diabetes while the student is at school or participating in a school activity.
5540 / The Schools and Governmental Agencies
Revisions to this policy reflect the provisions of P.L. 67-2007 regarding notification of parents in cases where questioning of a student by law enforcement officials occurs at school. This policy clarifies appropriate roles and procedures for school administrators when dealing with law enforcement agencies and Child Protective Services.
5771 / Search and Seizure
Under “A” addition of “and shall not be permitted to deny entry to a Corporation administrator by the use of a lock or other device. Change in verbiage in ” B” from “office” to “school.” Addition of “C – Breath Test Instruments” and “D – Use of Dogs.”
6320 / Purchasing
P. L. 195-2007 makes changes to the public purchasing law governing small purchases. The revisions to this policy reflect the increased dollar amount thresholds for the various categories of transactions.
6520 / Payroll Deductions
The IRS issued section 403(b) regulations on July 28, 2007. These new regulations will be effective as of January 1, 2009 for all school corporations (as well as other affected employers). Revisions to this policy reflect the requirement of a written plan agreement with a investment provider, as well as the limitations the Corporation may impose regarding the designation of an agent, broker, or company to provide tax-sheltered annuities for employees. Although the policy language is specifically stated, implementation issues may be complex for employers and thus may require consultation with the corporation’s compensation benefits counsel. Additions to the policy include other pre-tax deductions that are available to school employees.
8120 / Volunteers (New Policy)
This new policy addresses the recruitment, selection and appropriate use of community volunteers formerly covered by policies 3120.09/4120.09. The requirement for the reporting of arrests andcriminal convictions while providing services for the Corporation is included.
8121 / Personal Background Check—Contracted Services (New Policy)
This new policy includes the necessary provisions for obtaining the background information required by statute for individuals employed as an independent contractor or sub-contractor providing services to the School Corporation. This requirement for the reporting of arrests and criminal convictions while providing services for the Corporation is included.
8310 / Public Records
This revision is necessary because of the approval of HEA 1379, which amends I.C. 5-14-3-8(d), part of the Access to Public Records Law. The change requires the Board to establish a fee schedule for the certification or the copying of documents. The statute establishes “not to exceed” limits for the fees. The Board may choose to adopt such a schedule separately or as a part of its public records policy. This revision is recommended, but not required.
8320 / Personnel Files
This revision prevents the disclosure or release of a social security number of an employee as provided in P.L. 1 of 2006.
8330 / Student Records
This revision is offered in response to recent data theft situations, requiring closer security for FERPA protected information downloaded to portable devices from the School Corporation network. This policy is recommended, but not required.
8400 / School Safety
Revisions to this policy include the provisions of P.L. 132-2007 regarding building floor plans and school corporation police department and the training requirements of P.L. 122-2007.
9800 / High School Diplomas to Veterans (New policy)
Public Law 144-2007, Section 17 adds the Korean and Vietnam Conflict veterans to those eligible to receive a high school diploma through the program administered by the IN Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs and the IN Dept. of Education. An eligible veteran may choose to receive a diploma from the local school corporation. Thispolicy is recommended, but not required.