Board updates code of conduct to reflect new restorative-practices requirement, debate follows over classroom discipline

The board reviewed updates to the district's student code of conduct and discussed how recent state legislation will change discipline procedures beginning next school year. Staff emphasized that administrators will need to document consideration of at least one evidence‑based restorative practice before pursuing suspensions or exclusions, except in cases involving serious or aggravating circumstances.

"The legislation, specifically prohibits any public elementary or secondary school student from being suspended, expelled, or excluded from attendance at school unless we first consider — and I will highlight that word consider — at least one evidence based restorative practice," Doctor Martin told the board during the presentation. He listed examples enumerated in the law, from restorative counseling to peer mediation and prevention programming.

Staff also presented three-year trend data on disciplinary categories and reported a 33% reduction in fighting behaviors compared with the prior year. The recommended guide adds bullying-prevention reporting links and raises the disciplinary response level for certain bullying and cyberbullying offenses at the elementary and secondary levels.

The code changes prompted a sharp exchange among board members over enforcement. One member warned that broad restorative requirements could undermine principals'authority and lead to an increase in appeals, saying officials in Richmond were making schools harder to manage. Others urged clearer local application and more consistent building-level enforcement.

Public comment at the meeting underscored community concern about in-class behavior. "There were children that were vaping, disruptive, engaging in altercations, and that created difficulty with the student attending to the lessons," Margaret Cullahan said, asking the superintendent to investigate reports she received through a student's friend. The superintendent said staff would look into the specific allegations.

Staff asked for the board's consensus to print the updated guide for distribution to families before the August start of school; several members supported moving forward and noted the legal change will be implemented gradually as state guidance becomes available.

The board recorded a range of views: some members signaled they wanted firmer in-class disciplinary measures enforced locally, while staff emphasized documentation and training around restorative interventions to reduce appeal risk and ensure compliance with state reporting.

The board requested continued monitoring and a plan to provide administrators with training and documentation templates before the start of the school year.