Prince William County School Board votes on proposed 2025-26 Code of Behavior

The Prince William County School Board convened on May 21, 2025, to discuss and vote on the proposed Code of Behavior for the 2025-2026 school year. A significant focus of the meeting was the treatment of students with special needs in disciplinary actions, as well as broader concerns regarding the severity of discipline and the implications of the new code.

During the meeting, Ms. Huebner addressed questions regarding how the code applies to students with disabilities, emphasizing that disciplinary measures must consider the individual circumstances and developmental abilities of these students. She noted that if a behavior is linked to a student's disability, the consequences would differ from those applied to non-disabled peers, highlighting the importance of a supportive approach.

Board member Mr. Wilk raised concerns about the severity of discipline, particularly regarding incidents of assault and battery. He advocated for mandatory reporting to law enforcement for any physical altercations involving staff, arguing that educators should not bear the burden of deciding whether to involve police after being assaulted. He expressed a need for a more uniform approach to discipline, especially concerning bullying, suggesting that repeat offenders should face higher initial consequences.

Ms. Williams echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to avoid contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline and advocating for a more rehabilitative approach to discipline. She highlighted the importance of treating children appropriately and ensuring that disciplinary actions do not lead to unnecessary criminalization.

The board also discussed transportation safety, with Mr. Wilk pointing out that endangering the safety of others on school buses should result in more severe consequences. He argued that repeated offenses should lead to the loss of bus privileges, placing responsibility on parents for their children's behavior.

Despite the discussions, several board members expressed reservations about the proposed code. Mr. Dennick and Ms. Wall voiced concerns about the lack of consistency in disciplinary actions across schools, particularly regarding the discretion given to principals in handling infractions. They called for clearer guidelines to ensure uniformity in how behaviors are addressed.

Ultimately, the board voted on the proposed Code of Behavior, with some members indicating they would not support it due to unresolved concerns. The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges of balancing discipline with support for students, particularly those with special needs, and the need for a cohesive approach to behavior management in schools.