Board forwards revised code of conduct to work session after debate over detention and language policy

Clerk Wynne presented proposed updates to the district code of conduct on April 23 and the board debated several substantive changes before voting to forward the draft to the next work session for an expedited three‑reading process.

Key proposed changes reviewed by staff include: removing practices that use recess as a form of detention (to align with the wellness policy), replacing the phrase "to be aware" with "to inquire" in several provisions, adding Level 1 classroom interventions to the disturbance matrix (to provide options before suspension), aligning the student electronic devices section with state legislation (cited in the meeting), and clarifying the appeals process for long‑term suspensions so families have clear information.

Commissioners raised implementation and trauma‑informed concerns. One commissioner said the current language regarding child protective services and parent contact is not trauma informed and urged the district to seek advocacy input; another commissioner emphasized the need to capture families’ preferred or home language in policy language and advised the administration to align terminology across district policies to avoid placement or communication errors.

After discussion, the board voted to forward the code of conduct to the work session for additional review and to pursue an expedited process to enable a June vote so a revised code would be in place for the 2627 school year.