School board votes to schedule retreat on discipline, debates role of student code of conduct

GADSDEN COUNTY — The Gadsden County School Board voted to ask the superintendent to schedule a retreat to examine student discipline and the district’s code of student conduct, with members and staff debating enforcement, parent notification and whether administrators should be taken off campus to attend.

The motion, made by board member Hannigan and seconded by board member Johnson, called for a retreat to "address discipline in our Gaston County School District with the relevant necessary staff members present." The motion passed after a period of questioning and an amendment to allow scheduling flexibility; board members asked the superintendent to set dates in consultation with administrators and to consider staffing needs.

Board members identified several concerns: repeated incidents of fighting at school, students who skip class, steady rates of negative withdrawals tied to attendance and the need for clearer accountability for both students and parents. "If things happen, they happen for a reason," said Board Member Johnson, arguing the board should not act like incidents "didn't happen." Several members urged that any review include school-level administrators so the board hears from staff who manage discipline daily.

Attorneys and staff clarified procedural limits. Board counsel explained that the superintendent may call a meeting and that, under statute, the chair can also call a meeting if needed; the board must give the superintendent a reasonable time to respond to the request to convene a retreat. Board counsel also explained that some legal matters cannot be discussed publicly and that the Division of Administrative Hearings is handling at least one employee hearing unrelated to the retreat.

Several trustees said they favored doing more on-the-ground visits to schools. Board member Ross urged colleagues to visit campuses and engage with students and staff directly. Others warned that pulling administrators for multi-day retreats during the school year could worsen staffing shortages; the board instructed the superintendent to consider timing and to balance administrators' availability.

Board members also discussed the student code of conduct document and whether students should be required to sign and return a form acknowledging receipt. An excerpt of current policy provided to the board states that failure to return a request form "will not relieve a student or the parent, guardian of the responsibility for compliance with the code of student conduct or accountability for loss or damage to Gaston County Public School property." Board members debated whether that language is sufficient for accountability or whether the form and sign-off process should be changed.

Ending — The board approved the retreat request and asked the superintendent to schedule the retreat in the near future, with attention to timing so administrators are available; the board also asked staff and counsel to prepare materials on the code of conduct, disciplinary processes and personnel procedures for the retreat.