Danbury policy committee sends multiple student-safety, records and conduct policies to board for first read

The Danbury School District Policy Committee voted to send seven revised student-related policies to the full board for a first reading after committee discussion about language tying discipline to the district code of conduct, how to treat cannabis and CBD, and requirements from a forthcoming state school‑climate law.

Committee members and staff reviewed policy 5114 (student suspension and expulsion due process), 5125 (student records and confidentiality, including FERPA), 5125.11 (health and medical records), 5131.1 (bus conduct), 5131.6 (alcohol, drugs and tobacco, including cannabis, medical marijuana and CBD), 5131.7 (weapons and dangerous instruments) and 5132 (dressing and grooming). Each policy was recommended to the full board for a first read by voice vote.

The discussion opened on policy 5114 with committee member Juanita proposing a short paragraph explicitly referencing the Danbury Public Schools code of conduct and noting that the code is posted in each school and reviewed with students and parents during the year. Juanita said the suggested insertion was intended "to emphasize that it is introduced to and reviewed with parents and students throughout the school year." Committee members agreed that the new statewide school‑climate model policy — which staff said will be discussed in-depth at the May policy meeting and is intended to replace the district’s current bullying policy — makes a separate, cross-reference to an old bullying policy unnecessary. The committee voted to forward 5114 to the full board for a first read.

Kelly, district staff and policy presenter, summarized 5125 and described it as "all about FERPA,"…