Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Discipline topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews code-of-conduct updates: elementary phone rules, device policy and violation categories
Summary
The board discussed updates to the code of conduct including a bell-to-bell device policy for elementary schools, adding an intermediate violation level for some weapon incidents, and adjusting language on false alarms; staff will incorporate a device policy consistent with state law.
District leaders reviewed proposed changes to the student code of conduct at the Aug. 19 board meeting, including a new internet-enabled-device policy for elementary schools, adjusted violation categories and consistent language for false alarm and threat incidents.
The superintendent and staff said the device policy will be added to the code of conduct and referenced in the district acceptable-use policy. Because state law requires a phone/device policy, elementary procedures will differ from secondary practice: devices will be turned in at the start of the school day, stored securely by administration and returned at dismissal under a bell-to-bell policy. Staff told the board that very few elementary students carry phones (primarily fourth and fifth graders) and that cloth “Yonder bags” used at older levels are not necessary at the elementary level.
Staff also proposed creating a level-2 violation category for certain weapon-related incidents. The change is intended to give administrators more flexibility in cases where a small knife or similar item is brought to school under circumstances that do not rise to a level-3 incident (firearms/explosives). The code’s language on false activations will be broadened to cover “false information about current or future presence of explosive materials or weapons on the school property or use of such items,” rather than the narrower phrase “bomb threats.”
Administrators asked for quick-reference summaries of the code of conduct that will be published on the district website alongside the full policy. The superintendent noted the device policy will be implemented to comply with “New York State Education Law” language mentioned during the meeting and that elementary building leaders are working on building-level procedures for secure device storage.
Board members asked about PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), restorative practices, communication to parents when incidents occur, and how the code balances corrective instruction with safety. Staff described a three-tier response model for behavior documentation and parent notifications, ranging from classroom-level documentation to more formal disciplinary responses.
No formal adoption vote occurred Aug. 19; staff will incorporate the suggested language and return the draft policy to the board and post summaries for parent access.
