[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6280005,"mediaKeyId","2617737-a71ebb10a32db3bc6761375b1275b042","parentId",2617737,"title","Committee forwards revised alcohol, drugs and tobacco policy to full board for first reading after broader discussion","audioSeconds",1067,"startMs",1891000,"endMs",2958000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2617737-a71ebb10a32db3bc6761375b1275b042&start=1891&end=2958","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2617737-a71ebb10a32db3bc6761375b1275b042/thumbnail_1891000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280005/Connecticut/Committee-forwards-revised-alcohol-drugs-and-tobacco-policy-to-full-board-for-first-reading-after-broader-discussion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280005-550d016040a4dc64d1e2f6a01e6a3b8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840182&Signature=MfWIkWJHrM4Op9naB2Lp~vVWOVxJVSbKiachk2HByDSeuBj95o9ZdkE5yTIIiYsI~kP~j~GCSoru1vAvOCj6GzbLkO6scDb~~OnmuRPSJmhlHLULwEAgzGhNmjEo1bnqP-pkumZJtbmonhKLR8TOysDY-jFrCnSCqKY-06EFIDTZAZP~cDyt56qn8WwAFN-8QSgc55mJkp~WbbvE52oYnqSXTvUakFsEe6i1AukdStZfROrFXm0L5Iwh07fEyT03UxG1U0S7hvVgt--qcAOBMUeFaS1cpZAbW9yBRDs~hK4EZ3X8pN8LuG98xYVwNOcbL89L7B-5xZwKBroNOcXhZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bridgeport Public Schools","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Bridgeport School District Policy and Personnel Committee voted March 12 to forward a comprehensive draft policy on alcohol, drugs and tobacco (P5131-16) to the full board for a first reading after extended discussion about disciplinary tiers and supports.

Dr. Sacchi told the committee the proposal would replace two existing policies (Policy 5136 on smoking and Policy 5137 on drugs and alcohol). He said the draft broadens the definitions of controlled substances and “under the influence,” expressly includes electronic nicotine-delivery systems and vapor products, and addresses performance-enhancing substances, medical marijuana and CBD.

Committee members asked for clarification on consequences and supports. Several members noted the district’s student code of conduct already contains disciplinary measures and asked staff to align the policy to the code rather than impose new, automatic penalties. One committee member asked whether first offenses automatically carried out-of-school suspension; others suggested building-tiered responses that include counseling, assessment referrals and restorative options alongside discipline. Dr. Sacchi said the athletic director will be consulted about sport-specific provisions, such as game suspensions and athlete contracts.

A committee member noted the draft includes a factual error describing marijuana as categorically illegal in Connecticut; another member said marijuana laws vary by age and that legal status for adults 21 and over must be reflected accurately in policy language. The committee also discussed whether vaping should be treated differently from other substances; staff said the current draft groups tobacco, alcohol and controlled substances under a single policy.

Given the complexity, the committee voted to send the draft to the full board for first reading and asked staff to return with: specific tiered disciplinary steps aligned to the code of conduct, recommended assessments or counseling resources, input from the athletic director on sport-specific consequences, and confirmation of statutory references and legal language (including medical marijuana and adult-use statutes). The committee also noted the policy packet includes background pages and urged staff to remove suggested drafting language that is not intended for the public policy text.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bridgeport Public Schools Special Meeting of the Policy & Personnel Committee Wednesday, March 12 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","After extended discussion about discipline, counseling options and statutory language, the Policy and Personnel Committee forwarded a proposed alcohol, drugs and tobacco policy (P5131-16) to the full Bridgeport Board of Education for a first reading.","taxTitle","Bridgeport School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",12999,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280010,"Committee approves forwarding of updated nondiscrimination policy to full board with immediate implementation",236,1640000,1876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2617737-a71ebb10a32db3bc6761375b1275b042&start=1640&end=1876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2617737-a71ebb10a32db3bc6761375b1275b042/thumbnail_1640000.jpg","/articles/6280010/Connecticut/Committee-approves-forwarding-of-updated-nondiscrimination-policy-to-full-board-with-immediate-implementation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280010-37b63392270b09f67e0e0d7839031ee7/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840182&Signature=PwHDkczL6w-4oKBCe9OpPpHo1uct7OU24ehEpW-VxZB1uir-IRaQZu4pUMOiJx6Pei-wRu81utDfuKMFFXfZXQenM6jymjXHEOEiaHVG7DO-KHchfsOmWGxg~Y5d09n8YwKkzIkcnAc1I1F7xIAflc9uqrQzyTYffuf3xTregwX3j0gmZlaal9nRwu3vzSbJaoTgRiNB-CkJlxH9q3qN-HLVcuzm1F2YS9U4zobgZYDaCBw3pPbWOp6gkhfK49sKk~ZQRj2w7rF~MMu4WCS0kJnUCqKQqF1UVlsCcirt2xO6f4iK3j7~wdDQNya0zFVpQHE7q-48iLpSjKmJKe-0Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bridgeport School District Policy and Personnel Committee voted March 12 to forward a revised nondiscrimination policy (P0521A) to the full board with a waiver of first and second readings for immediate implementation.

Dr. Sacchi said the new policy replaces Policy 5162 and “expands the explanation of discrimination and harassment” while adding district- and federal-contact information, including the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education. The committee directed staff to remove an individual’s name from the contact line and instead list the transition title, chief human resources officer, consistent with prior policy updates.

A committee member flagged a placeholder on page 2 for a website address and asked staff to ensure that field is completed in the packet. Another member requested that all policy documents include a footer showing the last-update date so users can confirm they have the latest version. The motion to forward the policy with those changes carried by voice vote.","The Bridgeport Policy and Personnel Committee voted to send a revised nondiscrimination policy (P0521A) to the full board with a waiver of first and second readings for immediate implementation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280014,"Committee debates new exclusionary time-out and seclusion policy, sends item to full board for first reading",1250,385000,1635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2617737-a71ebb10a32db3bc6761375b1275b042&start=385&end=1635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2617737-a71ebb10a32db3bc6761375b1275b042/thumbnail_385000.jpg","/articles/6280014/Connecticut/Committee-debates-new-exclusionary-time-out-and-seclusion-policy-sends-item-to-full-board-for-first-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280014-b7f14fc31deb9c7ee40951b3e2c4d7e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840182&Signature=hNXlTZ4N6bAQdiOSvNCDLq37wweK9xL94O6UNEgq06p1n8bk3Xvih-dM~ITEtGCbdvVkRfSFMNJtxswNNQIJDaX~KmYMdzCANuHejKOxHTOekMgKuBJ-VftoSl12qiweJrcv0YcRPdYL0dEncEr36oUqrl4QUAku2h9wuSNFhjBlcWXHf1tTdu2ljz5d9BclH--HOJhfAS~~ZTeVKCXEImBBA0WeU9I6yODmA1eKLn~80FpQKoi98YLtAA8tRAqTN1Z59C~kMhBS-V8G-Mf26bD8esnHalnDaDRZuax5w-Ed06yfQw2VDbDRv-NzH3ZJTTo6M1OcBxtiGL7bfNFlWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bridgeport School District Policy and Personnel Committee debated a proposed districtwide policy governing exclusionary time-out settings and seclusion (Policy P5144.2) on March 12 and voted to forward the draft to the full board for a first reading.

Dr. Sacchi presented the draft as a new district policy (it does not exist now at the district level) that “gives specific information regarding definitions of exclusionary time-out, seclusion, what physical restraint is” and prescribes standards for the physical space and data collection when a student is placed in a designated time-out setting.

Committee members raised multiple implementation and training questions. Jennifer Perez, chairperson of the board, asked whether staff in every building are trained and how often recertification occurs. Dr. Sacchi said buildings should have “at least one” trained staff member, that the district provides annual recertification and in-house trainers, and that he could provide a per-building breakdown of certified staff. Perez emphasized de-escalation as the primary approach and said restraint “is the last resort.”

Committee member Miss Perez (same as chair) and Mr. Colvet (Dante Colvet) pressed for limits and documentation. Colvet said seclusion is typically used in individualized education program (IEP) behavior plans and is governed by state reporting requirements; he urged that seclusion not be a regular-education disciplinary tool and said the policy as written aligns with other Connecticut districts. Committee members asked staff to consider adding model language that makes clear these measures are for extreme circumstances and to consult legal counsel and special-education staff (K–12) before full-board presentation.

The committee voted to forward Policy P5144.2 to the full board for a first reading. Members requested the packet include supporting data on current use, the per-school training roster, recertification schedules, and any required state reporting forms.","Bridgeport’s policy committee discussed a proposed districtwide policy on exclusionary time-out settings and seclusion—covering definitions, physical restraint, required training, and documentation—and voted to forward the draft to the full board for a first reading after members pressed for clarifying language and training data.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280019,"Committee moves updated student health-records policy to full board with immediate implementation",413,86000,499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2617737-a71ebb10a32db3bc6761375b1275b042&start=86&end=499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2617737-a71ebb10a32db3bc6761375b1275b042/thumbnail_86000.jpg","/articles/6280019/Connecticut/Committee-moves-updated-student-health-records-policy-to-full-board-with-immediate-implementation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280019-85e060db480fb4dd0d8a23eea975d155/orig.mp4?Expires=1774840182&Signature=MJklqHk3kpYx5u6RakzUE8funjUy1kMT0HBNcylygEMdSOQZ07a~ntjCjDHP7eZ2DKZRnxas50wWyDM7FbCFI20KmqgdfwNtTKX7bH0SFgUk35j6MDe46TINuM3wcUETLXUCyWEh12OQNmXP2OFJHLutiLoC4kECuau6ooJdfjRxV6XmYyBV0BzKQAiRR0SrpLPFUFPazfqsrxwpkqzqMNPqtzX6KoEsGkgCq3b75Omln9lsURUf5GShuyILjjbRTeI5cSROfSqK96m2zgk070UyWrgJhHB35A3sJfMDJYae4YqlZZ1stn1uTrwrCrQa0Q1P9X1QxsTtrg7vvxZFfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bridgeport School District Policy and Personnel Committee on March 12 voted to send an updated student health and medical-records policy to the full board with a waiver of first and second readings so it can take effect immediately.

Dr. Sacchi, presenting the change, said the district will keep its existing student-health policy (Policy 5151) and add a new subsection titled student health/medical records (Policy 5125/512511). He said the update “includes specific language around the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA, of 1996” and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and will provide a sample HIPAA-compliant authorization for release of health information.

Committee members discussed who should be named as the district’s HIPAA privacy officer. Miss Ibanez asked that the policy not list a person’s name and requested that the named individual, Lisette Early, be replaced with a position title. Dr. Sacchi agreed, saying the policy “should say the Board of Education designates the school health supervisor as HIPAA privacy officer.” The committee formalized that change in a motion.

The committee recorded that the district’s current health-records policy had last been updated in April 2012. Committee members asked for confirmation that legal review and standard vetting had occurred; Dr. Sacchi said the language had been legally vetted. No public comments were recorded during the item.

The committee’s vote to forward the item to the full board included a request that the full board place the revised policy on its agenda for immediate implementation.

The committee also asked staff to ensure any named contact information or form placeholders included in the policy packet are completed before full-board presentation.","Bridgeport School District Policy & Personnel Committee voted to forward an update to student health and medical-records policy—adding HIPAA- and FERPA-related language and standardized authorization forms—and instructed staff to replace an individual name with a job title as the district’s HIPAA privacy officer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee forwards revised alcohol, drugs and tobacco policy to full board for first reading after broader discussion

Committee approves forwarding of updated nondiscrimination policy to full board with immediate implementation

Committee debates new exclusionary time-out and seclusion policy, sends item to full board for first reading

Committee moves updated student health-records policy to full board with immediate implementation