Policy committee flags state-mandated overhaul of student discipline policy (Policy 5114)

The Weston School District policy committee on Dec. 10 was briefed on a comprehensive, state‑driven revision to the student discipline policy, identified in committee materials as Policy 5114.

Tracy, the staff member leading the update, told the committee, “It's mandated by the state, and, we are trying to get to this as soon as possible” to reflect a new bullying definition and statutory changes affecting suspension and expulsion timelines. She said the draft is lengthy — about 54 pages — and will require multiple reviews and input from building administrators before it is recommended to the full Board of Education.

Committee members raised practical questions about how the revised policy will interact with existing documents. One member asked whether parent‑notification rules are part of this policy or a separate document; Tracy responded that the discipline policy “talks all about parent notification and the requirements for parent notification for all types of discipline” and recommended more substantive discussion once administrators review the draft.

Staff also flagged that adopting the revised discipline policy will necessitate updates to the district code of conduct and associated consequence schedules. Tracy said the code of conduct was intentionally kept separate from the policy so it can be updated more frequently as operational needs change.

The committee placed the draft on the radar for ongoing review and directed staff to continue coordinating with building administrators; no formal adoption vote occurred at the committee meeting. The policy is planned to appear on the Board agenda for first read before any adoption vote.