Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Conduct topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews major rewrite of student-conduct code, clarifies mobile-device rules and off-campus discipline
Summary
Staff presented a comprehensive rewrite of the Code of Student Conduct to the Hanover County School Board, highlighting new device definitions (including wearable tech), added positive behavior supports, clarified suspension counting for school-closure days, and language allowing discipline for off-campus conduct that causes substantial disruption in school.
School-district staff presented a full rewrite of Policy 7-3.1, the Code of Student Conduct, and outlined several substantive clarifications intended to make rules easier to apply for administrators and families.
"What you'll notice throughout the physical copy are the red or the strikethroughs — that will be how we've updated and changed language or what we've added," said Dr. Mulby, the presenter. Staff emphasized new sections on positive behavioral supports (VTSS), a house system to build school community, behavior coaches, and clearer dress-code language. The rewrite also defines mobile devices broadly — including smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and wearable tech that can access the internet — and codifies a bell-to-bell restriction on device use inside instructional time.
The presentation also clarified how suspension days are counted when school is closed for weather or elections: days without attendance do not count toward suspensions and days missed are added to the end of the suspension if necessary. Staff said language was added because the prior practice existed informally but lacked written policy.
Board members asked about the district's authority to discipline off-campus conduct or social-media posts. Staff responded the policy limits that authority to cases that "cause a substantial disruption to the school environment, involve bullying or threat and safety," and noted legal alignment with federal responsibilities such as Title IX investigations when off-campus behavior affects the school.
No final vote was held; staff asked board members to review the rewrite and submit suggested changes by the stated deadline so the board could consider adoption at the next meeting.
