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Hoover City Schools proposes code-of-conduct revisions to expand categories and clarify placements
Summary
District staff proposed multiple revisions to the student code of conduct — including elevating certain threat/intimidation incidents to a class two offense, adding intentional damage to physical aggression, adding a 10th step for unauthorized communication devices under the Focus Act progression, and clarifying how crossroads placement days count; the board will review and vote in July after a 30-day review period.
Hoover City Schools officials presented proposed revisions to the student code of conduct at the June 9 board meeting, seeking board review and a second reading in July.
Dr. Lowry summarized changes for K–5 and grades 6–12. Among the key changes for K–5, administrators corrected typos in the harassment/bullying sections, added 'intentional damage and intentional breaking of one's property or HCS property' to the physical aggression definition, and added language addressing misuse of school resources and equipment on school property. The proposal also elevates some threat and intimidation incidents to a class two offense to give administrators broader discretion for more serious or complex threats.
For grades 6–12, Dr. Lowry said similar updates were proposed including parallel language for physical aggression and threat/intimidation, adjustments related to sexually explicit material, and better alignment of multiple or continuous class two offenses with the grade levels served by particular schools (specifically distinguishing grades 6–9 from 10–12).
The proposed policy also clarifies crossroads placement practice: durations were adjusted (15, 30 and 45 days) and the policy will explicitly require a student to be physically present for days to count toward those placements (doctor’s notes alone will not create creditable days away). Dr. Lowry said the revisions reflect requests from administrators and that the committee included administrators and parents.
Board members asked how many students had reached beyond the current ninth step in the Focus Act progression; Dr. Lowry said one student had passed the ninth step, and the next closest student had been at step seven. The superintendent asked the board to let the proposed changes 'sit' for 30 days; staff will return in July for a second reading and a vote.
No vote on the code changes was taken on June 9; the board will consider the recommended revisions after the 30-day review.
