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Board hears public presentation on 2026–27 code of conduct; committee adds kratom to prohibited substances list
Summary
At a June 9 public hearing, district staff reviewed the annual 2026–27 code of conduct and highlighted changes including adding kratom to the list of illegal drugs; the board later approved the code as an action item.
The Hamburg Central School District Board on June 9 held an annual public hearing and heard a presentation on the proposed 2026–27 district code of conduct, including committee-recommended updates and student programs tied to the policy.
Brent Jordan, who led the presentation, said the code is reviewed annually by a committee of administrators, counselors, teachers, aides and a parent representative to ensure the document reflects state guidance and local experience. Jordan said the code “covers everybody that is part of the district” — students, staff, board members, parents and visitors — and is used as a teaching tool at different grade levels.
Jordan told the board the committee recommended adding kratom to the list of illegal drugs in the code after staff reported increased student exposure and use. “Kratom actually is one of those drugs that you can actually buy at one of the dispensaries,” Jordan said, noting it is “not considered a legal drug at this point in time” for school policy purposes and that the district is seeing student access.
The presenters also highlighted the district’s Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) ambassador program. Colleen Kaney described a student-led outreach model in which 101 high school and 47 middle school students train and visit elementary classrooms for 20–25 minute lessons; this year’s theme, presenters said, was the impact of students’ actions on others.
Board members asked clarifying questions and offered suggestions — including considering renewable-energy aidability for planned construction and design options to control project costs — during a later capital-project briefing. After the hearing, the board approved the 2026–27 district code of conduct during the action portion of the meeting.
The board voted on the code of conduct as part of a package of action items at the end of the meeting; the public hearing record closed before the vote. Community members were invited to review the full code on the district website and contact the administration with questions.
