Prince George schools add locker-room disciplinary language for secondary students

Prince George County School Board received an update on April 14, 2025, to the student code of conduct for secondary students that adds stricter disciplinary language for unauthorized entry into locker rooms designated for the opposite gender.

The update — presented as an addendum to the student code of conduct for grades 6 through 12 — increases the response levels for unauthorized area violations from three levels to five, and adds this specific notice: “any student of the opposite gender entering a locker room designated for the other gender will result in an automatic maximum short term suspension for 10 days with more severe consequences for repeat offenses.” The presenter stated the division plans to send a letter to secondary families notifying them of the addendum as soon as possible with the board’s support.

Why it matters: the language changes how the division will handle incidents of unauthorized locker-room entry going forward, including a specified immediate disciplinary consequence for first-time offenses and heightened penalties for repeats. The board indicated the update implements action the board previously took in concept and formalizes it in the division’s written code of conduct.

Record of discussion

- Presenter and staff described the update as a follow-up to prior board action and said the addendum would be distributed to secondary families alongside a cover letter from central office. The transcript records the wording of the added disciplinary consequence and a board confirmation that the change is intended to be distributed to families. - A board member asked whether the change would be retroactive to earlier violations; staff replied the action implemented at the time the board approved the policy and that the addendum solidifies notice for families.

Decision vs. direction

This agenda item was presented as an information/update item with the staff indicating they would disseminate the addendum and an accompanying letter to secondary families. The transcript records the staff saying they “plan to send this out as soon as possible with your support,” which the board did not convert into a separate recorded motion in open session at that time.

Implementation notes

- Staff indicated a drafted letter from central office (Doctor Lyle/Dr. Martin) will accompany the addendum to families and students in grades 6–12. - The update increases the documented levels of response and includes the new language about automatic short-term suspension; additional implementation details (appeals process, administration of suspensions, and procedures for repeat offenses) were not read into the record during the update and are not specified in the public transcript.

Ending: The board received the update and staff will proceed to notify families of the addendum; the transcript contains the exact disciplinary language presented.