Board adopts revised code of conduct, strikes ‘creating an unsafe environment’ and delays final device-policy language

The Board of Education approved a revised Code of Character, Culture, and Conduct and rescinded two board policies (51-29 and 53-11), but explicitly struck a proposed catchall phrase and set the personal-device language aside for further stakeholder review. "The board of education adopts policy 51-44.1, code of character, culture, and conduct, with the following revisions: strike creating an unsafe environment on page 22 and include notation that the student use of electronic devices section is pending further review," the presiding trustee read during the motion to adopt. The motion carried 7–0.

Administration representatives described the code changes as intended to emphasize character, restorative practice and clarity for students and staff. Dr. Feeney, co-chair of the code committee, highlighted the new academic-integrity section that addresses plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration and "inappropriate use of artificial intelligence and other digital tools." Trustees and members of the public extensively debated specific matrix language (behavior levels and consequence categories), asked for historical data on the use of recess removal, and agreed to return nuanced wording to the policy committee for rapid follow-up before the school year.