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Middletown board adopts restorative-focused code of conduct, seeks midyear report on effects
Summary
The Middletown Board of Education on Sept. 19 approved an updated code of conduct that embeds restorative practices, citing NYSED collaboration and research linking suspensions to lower graduation and postsecondary enrollment; trustees requested a half‑year implementation report and ongoing monitoring of suspension rates.
The Middletown Board of Education voted Sept. 19 to adopt a revised district code of conduct that emphasizes restorative practices and reduces reliance on exclusionary discipline.
Superintendent Creighton introduced the measure and asked members of the code-of-conduct and domains-of-safety teams to present the revisions. Team members said the update reframes ‘‘rights and responsibilities’’ language as ‘‘expectations,’’ adds infraction codes for clearer districtwide reporting, and embeds multi-tiered restorative responses for issues such as class cutting and vaping. The presenters said the revisions grew from 10 community feedback sessions, scholar town halls, staff professional development and monthly collaboration with the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
The district cited research demonstrating a link between suspension and long‑term academic harm: presenters summarized findings that a 9th‑grade suspension lowers the odds of graduating by about 23% and that each subsequent suspension further reduces those odds. The team argued restorative approaches — circles, mediation and supports that address root causes — can reduce repeat behavioral incidents and juvenile-justice contact while improving long-term outcomes.
Board members pressed for boundaries and accountability. Vice President Perino asked whether serious incidents (for example, a student physically pushing a staff member) might still trigger suspension; presenters and the superintendent said responses will be case‑by‑case and that suspension remains an option in the new code. Several trustees requested a mid‑year implementation report tracking suspension rates and the district agreed to provide one.
The board approved the updated code by voice vote (recorded as carried). The superintendent urged families to review the posted document online and said the code will remain a ‘‘living’’ document with ongoing feedback opportunities.
What happens next: the district will roll out professional development and family feedback sessions on designated Wednesdays and report back to the board on early metrics and suspension trends.
