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Board to advertise revised anti‑discrimination and harassment policies, code of student conduct updated for school‑level protections
Summary
Legal counsel and administrators presented revised policies and a draft code of student conduct that broaden school‑level protections and align district policy with state and federal laws; the board agreed to add a federal‑protected‑class reference and to advertise the code for public comment before final action.
Sarasota County School District legal counsel and administrators told the school board on June 17 they had revised three policies and the code of student conduct to strengthen school‑level protections for students and staff, to align language with state statute and to clarify investigation procedures and parent notifications.
General Counsel Duggan and Superintendent Connor said the overhaul shifts the emphasis from a narrow Title IX framing to a districtwide policy that treats bullying, harassment and discrimination as school and district‑level violations regardless of whether an incident meets a federal threshold. "We wanted this to be a cohesive process between these policies and the code of student conduct," Duggan said while describing procedural changes intended to make school‑level investigations more consistent and to require administrators to notify parents when an investigation is complete.
The revisions include three policy documents: (1) a rewritten prohibition of discrimination and harassment that expands protections for all students and staff and lays out school‑level investigation steps; (2) updated complaint procedures to remove duplication and modernize position titles; and (3) an Educational Equity Act policy aligned to Florida Statute 1000.05. The proposed code of student conduct incorporates the policies so that protections apply at school entry, dismissal and extracurricular activities.
Legal counsel told the board the changes reflect evolving federal interpretations and state rules and said the intention is to reduce risk to the district while protecting all students. Duggan noted the district annually applies for substantial federal aid and must ensure policies reflect federal and state requirements.
Board discussion focused on wording. Some board members urged retaining an explicit list of protected classes (for example, a list that names sexual orientation and gender identity). Others favored the revised language that protects “any legally protected status or classification under applicable state and federal law,” arguing a single inclusive statement avoids omissions if federal or state categories change. Board Member Barker praised the clearer school‑level framework and asked whether the policy still protects groups previously listed; Duggan responded that the new policy is intentionally inclusive and covers all classifications.
Board members also asked for language to explicitly reference federal protected classes in one place to reassure the public. The superintendent said the draft already cites the Florida Educational Equity Act, Title IX and Title VII; staff agreed to add a clear reference to federal protected classes to the policy language prior to advertising. The board directed staff to advertise the revised code of student conduct for public comment and to bring the matter back for action later this summer.
What's next: the district will publish the revised policies and the proposed code of student conduct for public comment, incorporate the board's requested clarifying reference to federal protected classes, and return to the board with an advertised agenda item for formal adoption.
Ending: Board members emphasized the district's obligation to protect every student and staff member and asked administrators to ensure consistent training and implementation of the revised procedures across schools.
