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Trustees say student assaults on staff require code-of-conduct review; superintendent says changes are coming
Summary
Board members pressed the superintendent to revise the student code of conduct to address assaults on school employees and to clarify consequences; the superintendent said major changes are already in progress and staff will provide board members with the draft.
Several Gadsden County School Board members urged the district to revise its student code of conduct to address what they described as a growing incidence of students assaulting school employees.
Board member Scott said incidents in which students attack teachers, principals or school resource officers are unacceptable and recommended stronger measures to remove students who “lay hands” on district employees. He said the district has already referred some students to an alternative program for fighting and recommended adding consequences specifically for attacking staff.
Several trustees shared first‑hand experiences. One member said, “If you've got the nerve as a student to attack a school resource officer, a principal, a teacher ... you don't need to be on our campuses.” Another member recounted past experiences intervening to stop fights as a teacher and noted the personal risk staff face.
Superintendent Hudson responded that “major changes” to the student code of conduct are underway and that staff would provide the board with copies of proposed revisions. Board members agreed to place the matter on the agenda for further review, likely at the upcoming board retreat, where they will consider specific language and consequences.
Trustees emphasized they did not intend to micromanage day-to-day disciplinary decisions but want clearer, board‑level policy language about assaulting employees and possible alternative placements or sanctions for students who commit those offenses.
