Locust Valley board holds public hearing on revised code of conduct; dress-code changes emphasized

The Locust Valley Central School District held a public hearing on a revised code of conduct that district staff said has been under review for roughly 18 months and underwent administrator and legal review.

“We started work on the code of conduct probably 18 months ago, maybe even two years ago,” Margaret Marchand said, describing a process that included administrators meeting with legal counsel and outreach to parent councils. Marchand said the coordinated parent councils were given the opportunity to view the draft and “all have responded in writing that they had no feedback.” She added that bargaining-unit feedback was reviewed with legal counsel.

Marchand told the board the draft contains changes to student behavior rules and the district’s dress code. “Dress code is really the big one,” she said.

Board members asked how the district will notify students and families if substantive changes are adopted. Administrators said outreach would include assemblies, grade-level meetings in the secondary schools, town-hall-style meetings, and information posted on the district website. “What we do… our principals have… town hall meetings. So a great way that we work with our students here is we work with them in assemblies,” an administrator said. The superintendent added that when speaking with students he frames changes around safety, noting, “Our number one priority at the Locust Valley School District is one thing, their safety.”

The code of conduct will receive a second reading and a vote at the board’s July meeting; if adopted, the district said it will provide information to parents and make the policy available on the district website.

There was no public comment at the hearing.