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Board approves updated student code of conduct; members discuss technology rules and in‑school alternatives to removal
Summary
The board unanimously approved a revised student code of conduct that updates disciplinary matrices and adds an intermediate in‑school option; board members and staff discussed device restrictions during tests and a proposed ATOS 2 alternative placement.
The Hillsborough County School Board on July 29 approved an updated student code of conduct intended to clarify disciplinary responses, strengthen bullying and harassment language, and add an intermediate alternative to out‑of‑school removals.
Rick Graves, the district’s chief of schools, said the new draft reflects work by district leaders, school principals and a community committee that met multiple times to provide input. The document includes an elementary behavior matrix developed with elementary principals and identifies procedures for change‑of‑placement hearings and review panels. Graves said the committee included parent and community leaders and regional principals.
Board members praised the work but asked questions about enforcement and procedures. Member Gray asked how the district would prevent students from using phones or smart watches to share state test items during breaks. Graves said state test administration procedures typically require devices to be put away during testing and that if a student has a device during a state exam the school follows investigation procedures and tests may be pulled pending review. He also described a proposed intermediate placement labeled "ATOS 2" (an in‑between option intended to keep students connected to instruction while addressing repeat misbehavior) and said staff were still defining operational details to ensure students continue receiving instruction.
Why it matters: the code governs school discipline across the district and the new elements aim to reduce removals by offering an intermediate placement and clearer procedures. The change could affect how schools respond to behavioral incidents, disciplinary hearings and the educational continuity for students who are removed from regular classes.
What the board did: the board voted to approve the code of conduct as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: district staff will finalize procedures, train school leaders and roll out the revised code ahead of the new school year. Staff said they will continue to refine the ATOS 2 model to ensure continuity of instruction for students who are temporarily placed outside their regular classrooms.
