Connetquot holds 30-day public hearing on districtwide safety plan and code of conduct

The Connetquot Central School District Board of Education on Tuesday opened a public hearing and presented the districtwide safety plan for 2025–26 and proposed revisions to Policy 5300, the district code of conduct, starting a 30‑day public comment period.

Assistant Director of Security Adam Labadi told the board the safety plan was developed by a districtwide team of administrators, board representatives, parents and community members, and that it is posted publicly while building-level plans remain confidential. “The plan is submitted this evening for a 30 day adoption period for the district as well as presenting it publicly to allow for public comment and question,” Labadi said.

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Christina Poppy summarized changes proposed to Policy 5300. She said the committee meets twice annually and that revisions clarify expectations for acceptable conduct by students, staff and visitors and expand certain definitions. Poppy said changes include adding preschool-level students to sections on violent students, clarifying prohibited use of unauthorized Internet-enabled personal devices during instructional hours and adding that reported violations may be emailed or hand-delivered.

Poppy also described a progressive disciplinary approach beginning with warnings and said policy language on student searches was changed from “cause” to “suspicion.” The policy and the districtwide safety plan will be available on the district website for 30 days for community review and written comment to the posted district email address.

No formal adoption was attempted at the meeting; board members and the public were invited to submit questions or comments during the posted period. The board reconvened its business meeting after the public hearing.