Lee County School Board reviews tighter student conduct code, adds 'three‑strike' threshold for Success Academy returns
Loading...
Summary
Board hears proposed 2627 code of conduct updates tightening rules on look‑alike weapons, strengthening conduct expectations toward adults, clarifying substance/vape rules, and imposing last‑chance measures for students who return from Success Academy three or more times; staff will collect feedback and return with stakeholder input before final publication.
District staff presented proposed updates to the student code of conduct at the Feb. 10 workshop aimed at clarifying expectations and strengthening consequences for behavior that disrupts learning.
Presenters said the revisions add a definition for look‑alike weapons — including 3‑D printed items — so administrators can treat such items in the handbook ‘‘in the same manner as a real weapon’’ if the device causes fear or disruption. The draft also tightens conduct expectations for student behavior toward adults and spells out graduated consequences for possession, use and sale of tobacco, vapes, alcohol or drugs.
On discipline for repeated alternative‑placement use, staff described a new threshold: "more than 3 times" in Success Academy would trigger "last chance agreements" that outline supports and next steps. As Dr. Tim (presentation lead) explained, the intent is to ensure the alternative program is effective and to reserve more intensive measures for students who continue to reoffend after supports.
Board members pressed for implementation detail about distribution and access: staff reported the code of conduct had received almost 71,000 clicks in the first semester from about 35,000 users via district portals and said they continue to provide printed copies for families without online access. Staff told the board parent completion of required forms rose to 76% this semester from about 61.2% last year and described layered outreach (phone calls, open houses) for families who have not completed portal acknowledgements.
Board members also asked for routine data to track the proposed three‑strike metric; staff agreed to supply counts of students who have been to Success Academy multiple times and to present follow‑up data on habitual returners so the board can evaluate policy effectiveness.
No final policy vote was recorded at the workshop; presenters said the feedback period was still open and staff will return with stakeholder comments before seeking final adoption.
Provenance: Student/adult code of conduct presentation and board Q&A (PM2/code of conduct segments).
