Residents, students urge Pasco school board to keep clear 'peaceful assembly' rules in code of conduct

The Pasco County School Board heard sustained public opposition on March 17 to a superintendent proposal to remove a standalone 'peaceful assembly' section from the district's 2026'027 student code of conduct and instead insert a shorter reference to 'student assembly' in the general rights section. The board opened a public hearing and took testimony from students, teachers, alumni and local organizers; no vote was taken.

Supporters of keeping the existing language said detailed, accessible guidance is essential to teaching students how to exercise their First Amendment rights without disrupting school operations. "Civics is not a public relations theme," a public commenter told the board, calling the juxtaposition of civics celebrations and the proposal "a contradiction." (Public commenter.)

Speakers cited legal precedent and classroom experience. "Tinker v. Des Moines said students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate," said Beverly Ledbetter, a retired social studies teacher, urging the board to retain the current section so students and staff understand expectations and limits. "Removing the language from the code of conduct also is a direct opposition to the Florida standards for social studies," she added.

Students who testified described relying on the code for guidance when organizing demonstrations. "When I engaged the student walkout at Wiregrass, I referred to the student code of conduct to understand my rights," student Samantha Cooper said, arguing that vague or relocated language will leave students and administrators without consistent rules.

Superintendent Legg told the board staff's review found the item could be moved into the rights-and-responsibilities section (pages 9'11) and recommended adding "student assembly" there rather than retaining a separate procedural section in the code. Legg said detailed procedural guidelines can be technical and might be better handled outside the code itself to avoid duplication and excessive length.

Opponents countered that moving language or inserting a single phrase would remove the clarity that students and staff currently rely on for time, place, supervision and safety expectations. Several speakers urged the board to adopt a non-exhaustive example format (used elsewhere in the code) so students receive practical guidance without enumerating every hypothetical disruption.

The public hearing closed after roughly 21 named commenters and several student statements. The chair noted that no vote would be taken that evening; the board did not act on the proposed code revisions at this meeting. Attorney Meeker and staff confirmed notice procedures for the hearing were posted on the district website "in compliance of Florida statutes." The board offered no additional action at the close of the hearing other than to move on to committee reports.

How the board ultimately chooses to balance clear student guidance and concerns about duplication or legal exposure remains unresolved. The issue is expected to return to the board for further committee discussion and possible revision before any adoption vote.