Board reviews code of conduct and safety‑plan updates, approves consent agenda with one abstention

The KATONAH‑LEWISBORO Union Free School District Board of Education on May 21 reviewed the district’s annual code of conduct update and a revised district safety plan, and the board approved the consent agenda (6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention). The meeting included a presentation on student leadership earlier in the agenda.

Melissa (speaker 14) summarized the code‑of‑conduct review required under New York education law and described several clarifications the committee proposed and the board reviewed: clinicians were explicitly added to the “essential partners” section; the word "ammunition" was added to the prohibited‑weapons definition; bathroom behavioral expectations were clarified to include loitering and unsanitary conditions; language referencing FERPA was moved under rights and responsibilities; "district administrator" language was broadened to "employee" in reporting sections; suspending authority was clarified beyond just the superintendent; and the age in the disability section was adjusted from 21 to 22. "One of the additions that we made was in the essential partners section — we specifically broke out clinicians," Melissa said.

Richard (speaker 15), the district’s assigned security and safety coordinator, reviewed the district‑wide safety plan updates, explaining that many amendments respond to recent state guidance and cardiac‑response requirements. He cited Project SAVE and NYSED guidance and said the plan expands automatic external defibrillator (AED) language and cardiac emergency response procedures, requires staff training by Sept. 15, adds signage and requires AED locations to be posted at main entrances, and adds a before‑and‑after‑school safety annex so that extracurricular events and PTO programs are covered. "AED locations must be located in the main entrances of every building, and AED usage must be reported to New York State," Richard said.

Board members asked clarifying questions about who qualifies as a clinician, how before‑and‑after‑school programs (including PTO‑sponsored events) will be incorporated via building‑use forms, and how the district will share protocols with outside users; members suggested providing handouts or QR links to evacuation procedures for groups using facilities.

On formal actions, the board approved the consent agenda in a motion moved by Bill and seconded by Barbara; the vote was recorded as six in favor, zero opposed and one abstention (trustee Stacy, who had been seated within 48 hours and abstained to get up to speed). The meeting also recorded a procedural vote to return to public session (motion by Carolyn, second by Bill, vote 7‑0) earlier and later a motion to adjourn to executive session for board development (motion by Carolyn, second by Bill), which passed 7‑0.

Melissa said adoption of the code of conduct will occur at the annual reorganizational meeting for the 2026–27 school year and that the public‑hearing period satisfies statutory requirements; Richard said the district plan must be formally adopted by Sept. 1 and posted online with the NYSED link submitted no later than Oct. 1.

No formal policy changes beyond the reviewed edits were adopted at the meeting; the board directed staff to proceed with the public notice and posting requirements and with building‑level safety‑plan rollouts.