OPS board approves first readings of revised code of conduct and updated graduation requirements

The Board of Education of Douglas County School District No. 1 on May 19 approved first readings of a revised code of conduct (policy 05/2001) and an updated graduation-requirements policy (policy 5,205).

Staff said the code-of-conduct draft was adjusted to ensure the policy and code text match and to add a preamble referencing the Nebraska Department of Education. A staff speaker said, "The following policy is based on the model policy published by the Nebraska Department of Education in keeping with the provisions of Nebraska revised statute section 70 9 2 159," and explained that wording existed in the policy version and was added to the code text for consistency. Staff also said the code now specifies prohibited attire will include "obscenities," bringing that language into both the code and the policy.

The board treated the code and the policy as related items: the policy committee moved the code-of-conduct first reading (no second required for committee motions), and the item passed by roll call 7-0.

Separately, the board approved first reading of policy 5,205 with substantive changes to graduation requirements: total required credits were reduced from 49 to 48, physical education coursework reduced from four credits to two, and elective credits were increased from 15 to 16. Staff described the change as a statutory-language update plus the credit adjustments and said the item had been discussed in policy committee prior to first reading.

Both items advanced on first reading; the board did not adopt final versions during the meeting. No implementation timeline or effective dates were specified at the meeting for either the code updates or the graduation-requirements changes; staff indicated prior committee review had occurred and requested no additional discussion before the roll calls.