June 04, 2002
Status:
Adopt the proposed Policy 5.8: Code of Student Conduct for the 2002-2003 school year, at this final reading.
Requested Action
Adopt the proposed Policy 5.8: Code of Student Conduct for the 2002-2003 school year, at this final reading.
Summary
The Code of Student Conduct provides students and their families with information about the rules that students are expected to follow when participating in activities on school campuses, on other sites used for school activities and on any vehicles authorized for transportation of students. Students and parents are required to sign a statement indicating that they have received the code booklet and know the rules. The Adult Code of Student Conduct contains the expectations for adult students.
Each year the Superintendent appoints a committee to review and update the code. The committee_s membership includes teachers, parents, and students as well as school and district administrators. Each member is responsible for obtaining input from the group he or she represents. In addition, district staff met with the following groups: PTA, DAC, peer counseling coordinators, alternative education students, Senior Leadership Council (students), ESOL Parent Leadership Council, ESE Advisory, and the BTU Executive Board. The www.browardschools.com website also provided an opportunity to provide input on three key issues (cell phones, skates/scooters/skateboards, and bus misbehavior). Summaries of the input from these groups and from the website are attached.
The committee recommends continuing the current ban on cell phones. This recommendation evolved after much discussion about the option of "allowing possession but not use, with cell phones to be turned off and out of sight during school hours." The committee discussed many of the same pros and cons as last year and listened to a presentation from Professional Standards and SIU regarding law enforcement_s position on the issue.
The committee also recommends that the current ban on skates, scooters, and skateboards be continued and that "heelies" (shoes that convert into skates) be added to the list of prohibited items. This was a nearly unanimous recommendation with only one person dissenting.
Other changes include more clearly defining the consequences for bus misbehavior and prohibiting harassment of any type, including harassment based upon socioeconomic and linguistic differences and physical appearance. The proposed Code also provides a notice to parents stating that names and addresses of students will be released to the Armed Services and to community colleges and universities in the state university system unless parents request the information not be released. The proposed Code also cites the Florida Statute on compulsory school attendance. Attached is a chart that lists the substantive changes and the rationale for each change. The chart has been updated to include amendments related to harassment, discrimination and bus behavior made at the April 23rd School Board meeting. The Area Superintendents have established administrative procedures to address students_ access to telephones, as requested at the April 23rd School Board meeting.
School Board Goals
| Goal 1 - All students will achieve at their highest potential |
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact to the district.
Source of Additional Information
Fay Clark, 768-8964
Sharon Friedlander, 768-8960 null
Associated File Attachments
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Proposed Adult Student COC (Files) | |
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Proposed Student Code of Conduc (Files) | |
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Chart of Changes (Files) | |
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Summary of Input Various Groups (Files) | |
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ExecutedARF (Files) |