Board approves second-reading recommendation for support-staff discipline policy and advances expulsions policy to second reading

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — Revisions to district personnel and student-discipline policies moved forward at the Berkeley County Board of Education meeting on March 17.

The Committee on Finance and Human Resources recommended revisions to policy GEDQD, dealing with discipline, suspension and dismissal of support staff, and moved those revisions forward as a second-reading item. The board approved the committee’s recommendation by voice vote, recorded as 7–0.

The committee also presented a first reading of policy JDE, student expulsions, as revised. Board members raised questions about whether the policy language allows exceptions — for example, whether the superintendent may grant exceptions such as permitting expelled students to attend graduation or access district property under limited circumstances. Board members requested staff and legal counsel review the draft language and consider whether an explicit exception provision should be added before the second reading. Member Littleton asked staff to review and return with possible edits prior to the policy’s next reading; Superintendent Dixon agreed to meet with Littleton and the policy team to clarify language.

The committee chair stated the only explicit change under consideration was clarifying that students assigned to a virtual option are not permitted on school grounds; board members sought clarity about exception authority. The JDE revisions passed the first reading on a 7–0 vote and will return for a second reading with possible edits.

The board’s discussion focused on policy language and process rather than on new substantive penalties. Several board members asked staff to bring back draft language that would explicitly state whether and how exceptions may be granted.