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Board reviews revised discipline matrix and handbook updates, including counseling for tobacco and new harassment and hazing language
Summary
Administrators presented a revised discipline matrix and school handbook edits that add counseling for tobacco use, address ethnic slurs and hazing, alter progressive discipline steps, and update elementary, secondary and high school procedures; the board will vote on final language at the regular meeting.
Silver Consolidated Schools administrators presented a districtwide review of student handbooks and a revised discipline matrix to the board on April 20. The proposed changes emerged from multi‑hour meetings with parent representatives and site administrators and seek to clarify consequences, support services and administrative discretion.
Key changes include: adding arson and explicit threat language to the matrix; requiring tobacco counseling and use of a tobacco cessation program rather than solely punitive responses; adding explicit language to address ethnic slurs and harassment; providing administrative flexibility to escalate consequences for severe conduct; and inserting hazing and extortion language prompted by recent incidents. For secondary grades the matrix now emphasizes progressive discipline with in‑school suspension (ISS) on first offenses for lower‑level incidents and a move to out‑of‑school suspension (OSS) for repeated or severe offenses.
Elementary matrix updates include reduced automatic OSS days for drug/alcohol possession (from 10 to eight in some categories), clear gradations for fighting by age group, and inclusion of physical aggression toward staff as a specific offense. Administrators also plan counseling and social‑emotional supports tied to several behavioral categories.
Handbook edits vary by site: Cliff, Silver and middle/high handbooks show date and staffing updates plus operational changes (no peanuts/treenuts for classroom snacks, revised dress‑code specifics, limits on food deliveries to lunchtime, adjustments to senior release and credit recovery, and a two‑week cutoff after which missing assignments may be recorded as zeros absent documented excused absences). Board members asked for clearer language regarding exceptions for honors/dual‑credit syllabi and requested that AP/honors/Dual options be plainly marked and posted for families.
Administrators said the discipline matrix is designed to provide consistent guidance while preserving principal discretion for atypical or severe circumstances. The board will consider formal adoption of final handbook language at its next regular meeting.
What'9s next: Staff will incorporate board feedback on AP/honors course markings, clarify the syllabus exception language, and embed the discipline matrix into each school'9s handbook for a final vote at the next meeting.
