School district approves Code of Conduct
The 2023-2024 Student Code of Conduct will be more reader friendly for parents, as well as shorter in length, with options to click on links for additional information.
The code was approved during Tuesday night’s a public hearing at Lee County School Board meeting.
At a meeting in May, Student Services Executive Director Dr. Jessica Duncan said they heard loud and clear from stakeholder input that the Code of Conduct is lengthy. With that feedback the code will include QR codes providing parents with the opportunity to dig deeper within certain areas.
The Code of Conduct also will be available in various languages.
In addition, School Environmental Incident Safety Incident Reporting definitions have been updated, as well as the reversal of levels to be more aligned with the Department of Education. All 45 infractions are in alphabetical order with SESIR codes bolded.
Before it was approved a few people spoke during public comment to express concerns.
Sharon McGill said the district is expecting pre-K to high school kids to adhere to this Code of Conduct, but most of them are not able to read it. The code says that everyone is encouraged to read and develop a thorough understanding, she said.
“It really should say everyone is expected. Parents should be expected to be familiar with this and know what is within it before anything happens,” McGill said. “It should be that everyone is expected to read and develop a thorough understanding of the Code of Conduct for students. It should be expected that the parents read and know the Code of Conduct and what is expected of their kids because we expect their kids to act that way.”
Gwyn Gittens, a former school board member, agreed on the word “expected” and shared that links to comments, or resources, if they do not understand should be included, as well as translation.
“I suggested at a couple of meetings ago about translating the draft of the student Code of Conduct. Many of the people that are bilingual are the ones that are the most of the SESIR reports and discipline. I am a staunch believer that discipline and academics are definitely married. If a child does not know how to read they will do whatever necessary to get out of doing that work,” she said. “Was there a translation for our bilingual stakeholders for them to understand?”
In other business:
• The school board approved operations to continue with OC Trucking Services Corporation for up to $2,500,000, which is funded from budgeted Food and Nutrition Services Department funds.
Board member Melisa Giovannelli pulled the agenda item as the cost for the service has doubled from $950,000 when they picked up the delivery service in 2022. She said she wanted to bring it to the community’s attention, as she is a conservative and fiscally responsible.
“Back in 2019 to 2021, we didn’t need the service. Through COVID it was a problem. This is quite an expense. I am going to support it this evening, (but) doubling was a big red flag and I was alarmed over that. I would love to see the district look at other opportunities in the area,”Giovannelli said.
Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said they were first invoiced in January 2022 from OC Trucking for half a year. He said the total payment for fiscal year 2023 did more than double for a full year payment.
Bernier said OC Transportation was not the cheapest bid but they are dependable and reliable.
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