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Board previews 2025'026 student code changes; debate centers on phone policy and discipline definitions
Summary
District staff previewed proposed 2025'026 student code-of-conduct updates, including clearer definitions separating "insubordination" from "disrespect," revised drug and bullying consequences and a more restrictive electronic-device policy with an off-in-backpack default.
Dr. Jessica Duncan and Chuck Bradley presented proposed updates to the 2025'026 student Code of Conduct at the Jan. 7 workshop, summarizing changes implemented in 2024'5 and proposed clarifications for next year.
Staff recapped recent changes (added unauthorized restroom restriction per Florida statute 553.865; updated telecommunication-device rules; added an explicit prohibition on presenting AI-generated work as a student uthor; added a local "physical harm" category between horseplay and battery; translation into Spanish and Creole; and alignment of level numbering to state tiering). Proposed 2025'6 changes include separating "insubordination" and "disrespect" into two infractions to allow more granular data and interventions; tightening consequences for repeat drug offenses so schools may recommend reassignment to Success Academy on a second drug offense; moving bullying consequences to a level that allows SARC (Success Academy Review Committee) review; and splitting sexual-offense categories into minor and major conduct with escalated consequences for more serious on-campus public acts.
The most-discussed proposal was a revision to electronic telecommunication-device policy. The draft proposes that all personal wireless devices be off and stored in a student's backpack at all times; at high schools, administrators may permit devices in non-instructional spaces such as cafeterias. Staff reported survey results from principals and schools showing most elementary and middle schools favor a bell-to-bell prohibition; at the high-school level, schools prefer phones off during academic time but some want limited non-instructional allowances.
Board members debated the phone policy at length, expressing concerns about hallway and cafeteria behavior, enforcement inconsistency between schools and teachers, impacts on students bility to be reached in emergencies, and the benefits some districts reported after tighter restrictions. Dr. Carlin and staff noted Florida statute 1006.07(2) requires a district code of conduct and allows specifying that phones be secured during instructional time; staff will continue stakeholder feedback and bring a formal recommendation to first reading in February and anticipated final approval in March.
Board members also discussed training and feedback groups used during the revision cycle (teacher focus groups, student advisory groups, a behavior and discipline task force, community conversations and surveys). Staff said they received thousands of survey responses from parents and staff and that translations would be provided for the adult code in Spanish and Creole.
