Osceola workshop previews broad revisions to student code of conduct; board to consider June 23

District staff on Friday walked the Osceola County School Board through a consolidated update to the district’s code of student conduct that would take effect July 1 if the board approves the draft at its June 23 meeting.

The revisions, presented by Dr. Gabriel Bario, consolidate elementary and secondary discipline matrices, clarify dress‑code and device rules, add language addressing dating violence and electronic deep fakes, and tighten procedural timelines. "We received at least 1,600 points of feedback from the surveys," Dr. Gabriel Bario said, describing outreach that included students, parents, school and district staff.

Why it matters: the draft changes aim to make consequences and procedures clearer for families and staff, expand protections and reporting paths for students harmed by harassment or nonconsensual images, and align the code automatically with state statutes and board policy changes.

Staff and students informed the draft and the presentation highlighted several substantive changes. The discipline matrix is now a single, consolidated document covering preschool through secondary grades and maps offenses to progressive consequences; staff said the consolidation should make expectations easier to find and apply.

On technology and safety, the draft says students may use devices for medical needs (for example, checking blood sugar) and cannot be disciplined for medically necessary device use; however, cellphones are generally prohibited upon entry to campus during the school day. The draft explicitly includes prescription smart glasses and other emerging wireless devices so future hardware that can carry audio or imagery is covered.

The code adds explicit language addressing AI‑generated material and deep fakes. Staff told the board that creating or sharing AI‑generated images or audio that harasses or misrepresents a person can trigger the highest tier of discipline; staff said timely reporting by students — and refraining from sharing — is the only safe way to avoid disciplinary exposure. "If students come forward immediately and have not shared the material, they qualify under safe‑harbor protection," staff said during the workshop.

Researchers and administrators also stressed clarity around substance offenses. The draft distinguishes first‑time drug use or possession (where a parent may opt the student into the district AWARE intervention and a three‑day suspension pending program enrollment) from distribution or sale (where AWARE is not available and staff would recommend expulsion and notify law enforcement). Staff cited examples such as distribution of vapes or edible gummies to explain why distribution can carry more severe consequences.

Other substantive edits include: replacing vague dress‑code terms ("walking shorts") with clearer measures ("mid‑thigh length"); allowing plain sweatshirts in uniform colors to address affordability; adding dating‑violence reporting language and a dedicated complaint email; and codifying that changes in statute or board policy will automatically be reflected in the code.

The draft also proposes two procedural changes for discipline appeals: limit requests for expulsion hearings to 14 days after the pre‑expulsion meeting, and require parents to notify student services five days before a schoolboard meeting if they intend to speak specifically on a student discipline agenda item. Staff explained the five‑day notice helps ensure the board and staff can be briefed and prepared; they said the notice will be included in the materials families receive during the expulsion process and can be translated as needed.

No formal board vote occurred at the workshop. Staff said they will post the revised code for public review and bring it to the board for consideration at the June 23 meeting; if approved, staff said the effective date would be July 1. The workshop closed with a board member thanking staff for centering student voice during the revision process.

What’s next: the district will publish the draft for public review before the June 23 meeting and provide training for administrators and discipline handlers on the updated procedures and matrix.