Francis Howell board adopts revised board-conduct policy after hours of amendments

The Francis Howell Board of Education voted to adopt a revised code of conduct identified in materials as policy 0.3.40, after an extended debate that included multiple amendments, roll-call votes, and sustained public comment.

Key amendments adopted during the meeting changed the policy language in two ways: replacing the word "all" with "public" to limit the policy to publicly accessible communication and changing prescriptions of consequence from mandatory "will" to discretionary "may." Trustees discussed the risk of subjective interpretation for terms such as "disrespectful" and "inaccurate," and some members warned that a policy enforced by a simple majority could be used politically.

One motion to remove the consequences section entirely failed. A subsequent amendment (proposed by Director Olke) replacing "all" with "public" passed by roll call. Another amendment to change "will" to "may" also passed, and the revised policy was adopted by a recorded vote. Trustees debated whether statutory constraints would allow a standard simple-majority enforcement; no legal challenge or supermajority threshold was added at the meeting.

Board members who opposed parts of the policy said removal from committees and public censure are heavy-handed and risk disenfranchising voters’ choices, while supporters argued that a code of conduct sets community expectations and accountability for board members’ public behavior.

The board adopted the revised policy in its amended form during the Dec. 11 meeting.