Board reviews student code of conduct overhaul, SBAR reporting and cellphone enforcement; board asks principals for enforcement plans

The King George County School Board on July 1 received a presentation on proposed updates to the student code of conduct that would align the division’s discipline standards with the Virginia Department of Education’s Student Behavior and Administrative Response (SBAR) reporting system.

Dr. Wright, who presented the update for the division, summarized the change as moving from the current 12‑rule standard to six SBAR categories and the 88 detailed violations within them. “First of all, it it establishes expectations for student conduct,” Dr. Wright said while explaining the handbook structure and how tiered supports are intended to work.

Why this matters

The proposed change is intended to align local disciplinary language with the state reporting system so that incidents reported to VDOE match the local standards and the state’s violation codes. Dr. Wright explained the divisions will move to SBAR categories (which range from less‑serious classroom‑interfering behaviors to persistently dangerous behaviors) and use the state’s specific violation codes for reporting.

Key changes and consequences

- The division’s current 12 rules would be replaced by SBAR categories; the presenter said the SBAR system includes 88 specific violations across six categories. - Categories d, e and f (more serious infractions) include about 40 specific infractions that must be reported to the superintendent’s office for review; repeated or serious Category F incidents can trigger a “persistently dangerous school” designation and a state transfer option for students. - The presentation summarized Virginia law on suspension and expulsion authority: superintendents can suspend students for significant periods (up to 45 days, and, in aggregate aggravating circumstances, beyond), and school boards retain authority for expulsions of up to 365 calendar days.

Bullying, enforcement and cell phones

Board members pressed staff about consistency of enforcement, citing community complaints about bullying and uneven application of discipline. Dr. Boyd, the superintendent, said the division has increased communication with principals about serious violations and has improved reporting to the superintendent’s office in recent years: “I think we’ve done very well in the last couple of years of becoming more consistent in in the communication to the superintendent’s office when we have serious violations,” he said.

Board members specifically raised three enforcement priorities: clearer staff training and expectations for responding to bullying, better communication to parents about an online bullying‑reporting form the division maintains, and a practical approach to enforcing cell‑phone rules under new state guidance. Dr. Wright and others described an online reporting system for bullying and recommended more visible anti‑bullying messaging.

On cell phones (policy JFCK) the board discussed definitions of “possession” after a recent state change and considered practical measures — lockers, pouches or other storage procedures — so that phones are not in students’ hands or visible in class. Several board members asked principals to prepare implementation plans describing how they will publicize and enforce the policy at each school; the board asked for those plans at the next meeting before the new school year.

Policy exception for 504/IEP and board action

The board voted to adopt the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) recommended exceptions paragraph about individualized plans: the VSBA text permits a student with an IEP, 504 plan or individualized health plan to possess and use a device where it is specified as an accommodation (for example to monitor a health condition or as assistive technology). The motion to replace the division’s existing exceptions with the VSBA language passed.

Speakers

Dr. Wright — Staff member, presenter on student code of conduct Dr. Boyd — Superintendent (King George County Schools) Mr. Bush — School board member Miss Cleveland — School board member Miss Davis — School board member

Discussion vs. decision

Discussion: The board heard detailed recommendations to replace the 12‑rule matrix with SBAR reporting categories, asked questions about bullying response and cellphone enforcement, and debated implementation timing. Decision/direction: The board approved inserting the VSBA exceptions paragraph for 504/IEP/medical accommodations into the division cell‑phone policy and asked principals to present enforcement and implementation plans at the next board meeting. No change to student discipline consequences was finalized in the meeting beyond the policy exception insertion.

Clarifying details

SBAR categories: six categories (SBAR A–F) covering a spectrum from minor classroom disruptions to persistently dangerous behaviors; 88 detailed violations across categories (presenter) Reporting requirement: roughly 40 infractions in categories D–F must be reported to the superintendent’s office, with Category F (persistently dangerous behaviors) carrying 16 reportable infractions (presenter) Student removals: recent governor/state guidance (effective July 1) limits class removal for certain minor violations (presenter discussion)

Proper names

Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) (agency) VSBA — Virginia School Boards Association (organization)

Authorities

{"type":"statute","name":"Code of Virginia §22.1-279.6","citation":"Va. Code §22.1-279.6","referenced_by":["student-code-of-conduct-and-cell-phone-policy"]}

{"type":"other","name":"VDOE SBAR (Student Behavior and Administrative Response) reporting system","citation":"VDOE SBAR (since 2022)","referenced_by":["student-code-of-conduct-and-cell-phone-policy"]}

{"type":"other","name":"VSBA recommended exceptions paragraph on device use for IEP/504/health plans","citation":"VSBA model policy language","referenced_by":["student-code-of-conduct-and-cell-phone-policy"]}

Provenance

transcript_segments: [{"block_id":"3734.23","local_start":0,"local_end":160,"evidence_excerpt":"Thank you very much. Good evening, members of the board. Happy to present our student code of conduct this evening..."},{"block_id":"5916.89","local_start":0,"local_end":60,"evidence_excerpt":"Thank you, doctor Wright, for your presentation and answering 10,000 questions."}]

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