Keystone Academy bans student cell phones on school property

“We don’t want cell phones on our property,” said Keystone Academy Principal Jorvonna Drain to the school board at its June 13 meeting.
The board members were getting ready to approve the student handbook for the next school year.
“Not permitted at all,” she said of cell phones.
The board voted to accept the parent-student handbook, with no electronic devices allowed on school property and keeping absenteeism and tardiness rules stronger.
Principal Drain presented some “very exciting news,” reporting the employees survey showed 100% completed the survey and Keystone scores were higher than National Heritage Academies’ benchmark scores and higher than when the previous principal was in place.
“I’m glad our staff feels we have a great environment in our school,” she said.
The scores were: 82% for great culture, 81% for opportunities to learn and grow, 85% for confidence in the leadership team, 97% for feeling physically safe, and 86% would recommend this location to others for educating their children.
In other business at the June 13 meeting, the board:
• Approved the 2019-20 proposed budget of $6.97 million and the 2018-19 amended budget of $6.93 million, as presented by NHA. The new budget is based on 768 pupils in 28 classrooms and $8,077 per pupil funding. It will be amended in the fall once the state budget is passed;
• Heard Principal Drain report the enrollment goal for the 2019-20 school year is 768 students and the school currently has 768 students enrolled and 147 students on the waiting list;
• Learned tickets will be issued to parents for excessive truancies with the cooperation of the Sumpter Township Police Department. “This puts the responsibility back on the parents,” Principal Drain said;
• Discussed the discipline/truancy reports, provided to the board, as required by board policy;
• Heard board attorney Candace Sorensen explain legal details of the service and lease agreements with NHA and approved them as recommended;
• Approved the educational provider, lease agreement, and reauthorization due diligence questionnaires from Bay Mills Community College, who granted Keystone’s charter, as recommended by attorney Sorensen;
• Approved the new charter contract with Bay Mills; and
• Approved the Open Meetings Act Military Policy as updated.
The board met at 5 p.m. and then broke at 6 p.m. to attend the eighth-grade graduation ceremonies. Sumpter Public Safety Director/Police Chief Eric Luke was keynote speaker. Chief Luke’s twin sons attend Keystone.
The board then went back to the table to complete school business.