Board debates dress code, vaping and bus rules as staff present Student Code of Conduct updates

District staff presented proposed revisions to the Manatee County Student Code of Conduct on Tuesday and fielded extended board debate over several policy choices, particularly dress-code language, transportation discipline and how the district handles student suspensions and vaping incidents.

The presenting staff member explained the draft is color-coded: green for added language, orange for statutory language, blue for rewording and pink for reordering. The code adds a link to the district civility clause, clarifies handling of student speech (protect First Amendment rights but prevent instructional disruption), and adds statutory language on gang items, firearms and making threats.

Board members spent the most time on the dress code. One board member, Miss Felton, strongly objected to a sentence in the draft requiring "all shirts, tops and dresses shall have sleeves and cover the shoulders," calling it a double standard and saying, "Nobody's shoulders are inappropriate." Other members countered that a simple "cover the shoulders" rule is easier for staff to enforce and suggested a compromise such as allowing cap sleeves or a simple "four-finger" rule to show coverage.

Staff also proposed changing the district's longtime "no cell phones on buses" rule to allow "appropriate" phone use on long rides: headphones for music (one earbud out for safety), no external speakers, and permitted texting so students can notify parents of delays. Transportation will use a bus-specific discipline matrix aligned to the code of conduct, staff said.

On vaping and drugs, the board discussed the distinction between tobacco vapes and those containing marijuana or illicit substances. Staff described an educational program (SAFE) that can reduce out-of-school suspension time if students participate and said school psychologists and social workers will be involved for assessment and family referrals.

Legal counsel noted Florida statute 810.092 makes it a trespass for a suspended student to be on school grounds while suspended, which board members flagged as a needed citation in the draft. Several board members asked staff to include clearer appeal language and procedural steps where students are arrested or charged but later cleared.

Staff said they'd return to revise specific language (dress-code guidance, appeals language, bus-device wording) and to add statutory citations; the code will be advertised for public comment alongside the Student Progression Plan and returned to the board for formal action.