Frontier Middle School assistant principal presents code-of-conduct updates, board to finalize device policy

Fred Parsons, an assistant principal at Frontier Middle School who chaired the district code‑of‑conduct committee, presented recommended revisions at a public hearing that would change several student conduct rules and related procedures.

Parsons said the committee that drafted the updates had 13 members comprising parents, teachers and students and that proposed changes fall into five categories, including dress code, food and drink deliveries, Internet‑enabled devices, outside referrals and animals on campus. "Our committee had 13 members. It consisted of parents, teachers, and students from the k 5, middle school, high school, and big picture," Parsons said.

On dress code, Parsons said the district added exemptions to head‑attire rules to include religious, medical and cultural reasons. On deliveries, he said the committee expanded the prior restriction on food deliveries to include drinks: "So food and drinks, no deliveries for that."

Parsons highlighted the most significant change as Internet‑enabled devices. He said the updated code (and implementing board policy 73‑16) will "state that use of any Internet enabled devices on school grounds during school hours are strictly prohibited." The hearing record shows the district will allow limited device use as a privilege on buses for listening to music with headphones and for texting family, but Parsons emphasized that those privileges "can be revoked and other consequences can be given depending on the situation."

Parsons also described refinements to referral language with the school resource officer and added a youth court section. On animals, he said the code would prohibit animals on campus without preapproval by a voting administrator and include exemptions for service animals with requested documentation.

The committee streamlined forms and replaced paper copies with digital links to the parent portal and site where the parental device‑user agreement will be posted. Parsons said the committee intends to align the code with the district’s forthcoming strategic‑plan language on trauma‑informed care, social‑emotional learning and restorative practices and to improve the document’s visual presentation.

Board members had no substantive objections at the hearing; a motion to adjourn the code‑of‑conduct hearing passed by voice vote.

The board also stated it will finalize policy language and implementation materials on a fast track: a board member said the policy will be brought back for final revision at an emergency meeting on July 15 with Q&A and family materials to be posted the following day, to meet legal requirements and ensure timely public notice and guidance on the new device rules.