Cabot Board approves 2025–26 student handbook changes on dress, tobacco, drugs and medication policy
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The Cabot School Board approved changes to the 2025–26 student handbook including restrictions on face paint, updated tobacco consequences with expanded use of in‑school suspension, expanded drug definitions to include synthetics, and an update on nasal epinephrine and over‑the‑counter medication misuse.
The Cabot School Board on Tuesday approved revisions to the 2025–26 student handbook that update dress code rules, tobacco consequences, drug and alcohol language and student medication procedures.
Among the changes the board approved: prohibiting face paint on campus while preserving administrative discretion on other grooming or dress restrictions; revising tobacco penalties so administrators may use in‑school suspension rather than out‑of‑school suspension for early violations; clarifying that drug definitions include synthetic substances and expanding the listed locations and situations where the drug policy applies; and adding language to reflect Act 245 regarding nasal epinephrine and clarifying that misuse of over‑the‑counter medication may be handled under the drug and alcohol policy.
District staff told the board the handbook updates reflect recent state legislative guidance and recommendations from the Arkansas School Boards Association. Administrators said they also adopted consistent offense language across buildings to promote uniform administration of discipline.
The board voted to approve the handbook with the proposed changes. District leaders said principals will distribute the updated handbook to families and students before the start of the school year.