Board reviews updated code of student conduct; cell‑phone ban and diversion emphasized, vote timetable discussed

Cynthia Lugo Hampton and Doctor Curley presented revisions to the Marion County Code of Student Conduct and an implementation plan on July 17, highlighting new placement of the self‑defense definition, clarification of wireless communication device rules for younger students, adjustments to dress‑code language and a discipline reference guide including diversion options for certain first offenses.

Lede: District staff told the school board July 17 that the revised Code of Student Conduct clarifies self‑defense and fighting language, removes ambiguity about dress‑code fingertip rules, tightens the wireless communication device policy (devices must be powered off and out of sight during school hours for elementary and middle schools), and adds a one‑page discipline response guide for level‑3 and level‑4 offenses.

Nut graf: The presentation included an implementation plan covering communication, training, monitoring and continuous improvement; staff recommended posting the draft to the district website and using Skyward acknowledgements for families and students. Board members pressed for timely rollout to ensure teachers can teach expectations at the start of the school year and asked staff to add a brief glossary defining ‘diversion’, ISS/OSS and other corrective actions.

Body: Cynthia Lugo Hampton walked through revisions, noting the self‑defense definition was moved to sit near the fighting offense and that the dress code guideline would use a "mid‑thigh" standard for skirts and shorts to reduce ambiguity. "We removed fingertip lengths ... and kept mid thigh so we can avoid any ambiguity," she said.

On wireless devices, staff said the policy was updated to reflect state law and added enforcement detail: devices must be powered off, out of…