Banks SD 13 reviews full rewrite of student code of conduct in first reading

Banks SD 13 took a first reading on a comprehensive rewrite of its student code of conduct at a work session, where district staff described a new behavior matrix intended to clarify disciplinary levels, required interventions and students'due-process protections.

Caitlin, the district'identified middle school principal who led the educator committee, told the board that the new administrative regulation JFCIAR was not an edit of the old policy but a fresh document. "We, it basically created it from scratch," Caitlin said, describing a multi'page AR that centralizes offenses and responses and removes redundant standalone policies.

The nut of the rewrite is a leveled response system: lower-level classroom misbehaviors will be handled with interventions and supports, mid'level infractions may result in short suspensions and the most severe conduct can trigger long suspensions and other statutory responses. Staff said required legal elements for issues such as weapons, harassment and bullying are included to ensure consistency with state law.

District staff emphasized that the AR will serve as a single reference point for families and staff. Laura, introduced by the meeting facilitator as the district'identified elementary assistant principal, said the AR includes a clearer transportation policy that distinguishes minor and major bus behaviors and aims to avoid disproportionate removal from bus services for low-level infractions.

Board members pressed staff on how the matrix treats multiple simultaneous infractions and how "offensive" behavior is defined. A board member asked whether a report grounded in a recipient'feeling of disrespect should trigger investigation. Staff said investigators will weigh evidence, witnesses and developmental age and that impact is a central factor: the district is implementing state-required social-emotional learning standards that emphasize impact on others, staff noted. "It isn't about intent; if you felt offended, that was the impact," a staff speaker said, describing the standard the new policy uses to guide response.

The policy also includes an intervention menu that lists restorative conferences, parent communication and other steps aimed at teaching alternatives before relying on exclusionary discipline. Staff said the district will use automated digital reporting to improve communication between schools and families as the policy is phased in.

What happens next: district staff treated the draft as a first reading and asked the board to submit follow-up questions before the second reading. The presenters said they hope the policy can be communicated to families at the start of the school year but that formal adoption awaits the second reading and any revisions the board requests.

The meeting record shows no formal vote on adoption tonight; the item was presented for first-reading discussion and follow'up.