Board authorizes advertisement of Code of Student Conduct revisions after debate over 'academy' wording

After extended discussion about alternative placements and the language of stipulation agreements, the Highlands County School Board voted to authorize advertisement of revisions to the 2026-2027 Code of Student Conduct, subject to a wording change.

Board member Mr. Martin moved, and Mr. Dowdy seconded, to authorize advertisement of the revisions with the specific change on page 31 to replace the phrase “enrolling at the academy” with “enrolling with the academy.” The motion passed on a roll-call vote, with Mr. Martin and Mr. Dowdy voting yes, Mrs. Howerton voting no, and Dr. Durant recorded as yes.

Board discussion focused on the relationship between the Code text and the more detailed stipulation agreement that the superintendent and student would sign when an alternative placement is recommended. Several members asked for more explicit detail about the 90% attendance expectation for academy placements and how attendance, discipline and work habits would be measured over the placement period.

An administrator on the committee said the stipulation agreement will contain the more detailed mechanics—such as how 90% attendance is computed and expectations every nine weeks—but board members asking for additional specificity said they wanted that detail available before final adoption.

The board authorized advertisement of the Code revisions so the document could proceed to public notice and that the stipulation and related operational details would be refined by administrators and returned to the board for ratification at a later regular meeting.