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Board adds nondiscrimination language to student code of conduct; requires equitable dress-code enforcement
Summary
The board approved updates to the student code of conduct and accepted an amendment requiring dress-code enforcement be applied fairly regardless of body type, gender, race, disability or other protected characteristics; staff will implement acknowledgement processes for families and training for administrators.
The Hillsborough County School Board voted July 14 to adopt updates to the student code of conduct and approved an amendment explicitly requiring that dress-code expectations be enforced fairly and without bias.
During presentation of item 5.2, Chief of Schools Rick Grace described a revision process that included district leaders, site principals and parent and community representatives. The revisions included updates to elementary and secondary matrices and clarified expectations for student behavior. Grace said community members met multiple times and provided input used to revise the handbook.
Board member Vaughn raised concerns that dress-code enforcement in practice can vary and sometimes appear to target particular students. In response, Grace proposed adding a statement to the draft code emphasizing nondiscrimination and consistent enforcement. The proposed text reads in part: "Hillsborough County Public Schools is committed to enforcing the student dress code in a fair, respectful, and consistent manner. Dress code expectations shall be applied equally to all students and will not be enforced differently based on a student's body type, body size, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, or any other protected characteristics." He added that staff will use professional judgment to maintain dignity while supporting a safe learning environment.
Member Vaughn moved to add the language; the motion was seconded and adopted as an amendment. Board members discussed next steps for implementation: an online acknowledgement for families, availability of hard copies on request, administrator training, small-group calibration meetings, audits of referrals to ensure equitable coding of behavior, and orientation materials for students. Staff said administrators will receive training in small-group principal meetings and schools will conduct assemblies or classroom orientations to inform students.
The board approved the updated student code of conduct with the amendment; members requested that staff ensure the final document is more readable (with examples/non-examples and bullet formats), that it be posted and clearly linked on district websites, and that the board receive follow-up reporting on referral audits and measures of equitable enforcement.
The vote adopted the code with the nondiscrimination amendment and committed the district to an onboarding and communication plan for families and staff.
