Board tables revised student code of conduct after debate on discipline, 'discretion' and equity

The Clarke County School District board on May 14 tabled a revised Student Code of Conduct after trustees raised substantive concerns and asked staff to return with clarifying edits.

Board discussion focused on how the code applies re-teaching interventions called 'base' modules, the phrasing that removed the word "discretion" from policy language, and specific offense definitions (for example, 'computer trespass,' 'threat and intimidation,' and 'violence against a teacher') that some members said were too broad or could escalate consequences without clearer procedural safeguards. Several trustees and staff explained that the district plans to move the base module earlier in the intervention matrix so it is available sooner as a re-teaching tool. "Base is available for any consequence...we're going to move the base module to one of the early intervention on the matrix," said an operations leader.

Trustees also raised equity concerns. Board member Mary P. Bagby described patterns of disproportionate discipline and cited repeated microaggressions she said affected students of color; other members requested data and clearer definitions before finalizing the code. The board adopted a substitute motion to table the code and asked staff to provide proposed language and implementation details in time for the June meeting.

Next steps: staff will revise the code to clarify when base modules are automatic for first offenders, tighten or clarify definitions of listed offenses, and provide data and equity impact analysis for trustees to review in June.