Prince William County School Board adopts revised 2025–26 code of behavior after sharp debate

The Prince William County School Board voted 4-3 on May 21 to adopt the proposed 2025–26 code of behavior, a comprehensive revision the division says is intended to make discipline rules clearer and more consistent across the county.

Board members and staff said the rewrite aims to give families clearer expectations about grading, timelines for returning grades and how discipline is assigned, while preserving staff discretion and special-education protections. Vice Chair Blake introduced the item and board members debated the package before the vote.

Why it matters: The code governs how schools classify and respond to student misconduct, from cell-phone misuse to possession of weapons, controlled substances and assaults. Board members said consistency across 90,000 students and many schools is the goal; opponents warned the revisions could increase law-enforcement involvement or uneven outcomes if local administrators apply the rules differently.

Key details: Staff said the code elevates several long-standing expectations — for example, requiring that grades be updated regularly and that feedback be timely relative to the complexity of an assignment. The revision also incorporates the student-developed “student voice” document; several board members said that portion should not appear at the front of a public-facing code because it is aspirational rather than legally binding.

Debate highlights: Board member Wilk said he is “concerned...about the severity of discipline,” and argued the policy should require reporting to police for any assault on staff, rather than leaving that choice to school staff. Wilk also urged higher starting penalties for repeated bullying after intervention.

Board member Williams said she shares concerns about the school-to-prison pipeline and urged the board to ensure each disciplinary case considers individual student needs and disabilities. Wall and other supporters praised the document’s clearer explanations of penalties, expanded lists of prohibited items (pocket knives, fireworks, toy weapons) and the added cell-phone policy language.

Implementation: Staff told the board this policy will be followed by regulatory revisions and professional learning for teachers and principals, with implementation guidance differentiated by grade band (K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12) and with specific rules for students with disabilities and English learners.

Vote and next steps: The board approved the policy by a 4-3 margin. The official announcement recorded, “The vote is 4 yes, 3 no,” and the motion passed. Staff will proceed to draft the companion regulations and rollout training and communications to families.

The board did not adopt changes to criminal or statutory reporting requirements; when discussing police involvement, members repeatedly noted that state reporting obligations and special-education procedures still apply.