With the start of the new school year at the Allen County-Scottsville High School (AC-SHS), students will see several policy changes for the 2026-27 school year. The changes are aimed at improving school safety, reducing classroom distractions and strengthening student learning.
Principal Shane Humphrey said the new expectations will address backpacks, cellphones, earbuds, headphones and the routine use of Chromebooks during class.
“These rules will help keep our school safe, support learning and help every Patriot succeed,” Humphrey said.
Students may bring backpacks to school, but the bags must be placed in their lockers at the beginning of the school day. Backpacks will not be allowed in classrooms or common areas during the school day. This policy is in the interest of safety for students and educators.
Student-athletes may bring sports bags or athletic backpacks to school. However, those bags must be stored in a designated athletic storage area or the locker room. Athletes should check with their coaches for the appropriate storage location.
AC-SHS will enforce a strict “bell-to-bell” cellphone policy. Phones must be turned off and kept out of sight for the entire class period. Phones may be stored in lockers or designated storage pouches during instructional time. Students may use their phones before school, after school and during lunch.
The new guidelines also ask that parents or guardians who need to contact a student during the school day should call the school’s front office. School personnel will make sure the message is delivered to the student.
In a related policy change, earbuds and headphones must remain at home or be stored in students’ lockers throughout the school day. The devices will not be permitted in classrooms, hallways or other common areas.
AC-SHS will also reduce the routine use of Chromebooks during classroom instruction. School officials note that the school will place a greater emphasis on “pencil-and-paper” assignments, classroom discussion and hands-on learning activities. The change is based on research reviewed by school leaders indicating that students may experience improved learning outcomes when screens are not the main focus of instruction.
Chromebooks will still be used when needed for state testing, research, specialized assignments and other educational purposes. However, the school’s overall goal will be to limit unnecessary technology use and provide students with more opportunities for traditional and hands-on learning.
School officials are encouraging students and families to become familiar with the updated expectations before the first day of classes, slated for Thursday, August 13. Persons with questions should contact high school administration---principal Humphrey or assistant principals Rhetta Roy, Chris Vernon, or Jason Lemily.
Students returning to the high school will also encounter construction-related issues. Work recently started on the revamping of the school’s athletic facilities including the addition of an auxiliary gym. The multipurpose gym will be located behind the current band room.
The gym not only will provide additional practice facilities for basketball and volleyball but also be available for use by programs such as archery, cheer, dance, and physical education. The gym can also be used for testing large numbers of students.
While construction work will be outside the high school building, its impact will be felt by student-drivers, faculty and staff. Work is also underway on expanding the rear parking lot---adding parking spaces to replace those eliminated by the construction. Students are reminded to watch the school’s Facebook page for any driving related changes that could be forthcoming. Everyone is asked to use extreme caution while traveling through the parking lots while the two-year project is underway.
The high school will also have multiple new faculty and staff positions. New teachers include Matt Pearson (math), Chloe Cook (math), Nathaniel Clifford (English), Monique Sanchez (Spanish), Melanie Valone (choir), Malcolm Offutt (ECE), Ashley McPeak (ECE), Emily Gaines (Family and Consumer Science), Autumn Davis (ECE), Whitney McMahan (Art). Derek Meador (PE), Jason Morgan (Business), Bryan Graves (Science), Logan Brewster (PE) and Maegan Meador (Health Science).
Ashley Tabor and Bethany Minix are new guidance counselors. Melissa Tabbert is the new attendance clerk. Nick Tabbert is the school's new School Resource Officer. Several positions remained to be filled.
Open House for AC-SHS is scheduled for Thursday, August 6 from 4:oo until 6:00. At 5:00 p.m. freshmen and their parents/guardians are encouraged to attend Freshman Orientation in the auditorium. Administrators will review polices and procedures with the Class of 2030.
The school’s message for the upcoming year is: “Be here. Be respectful. Be ready. One school. One team. One Patriot Nation.”