A dozen Carroll Community School District (CCSD) teachers attended Monday night’s work session with the Board of Education to discuss Board Policy 536 regarding the student code of conduct. Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau says the board is reviewing the policy after constituents’ comment on student behavior. He clarified that the purpose of a board policy is to set the will of the board and to establish the framework for creating a plan of implementation when addressing behaviors. Board members discussed that the policy’s goal was to set an overall umbrella over the district and set expectations regarding students’ behavior. Still, Board member Duane Horsley said there needs to be more.
The board discussed whether the policy was too lenient and whether they would focus on being equal across all students in the district or fair and allow administrative staff to make judgment calls based on a student’s background and home life. Board members, administrative staff, and teachers broke into small groups to discuss what parts of the policy support the staff and if it provides clear direction for addressing student behaviors. Carroll Middle School (CMS) Language Arts Teacher Lisa Boes agreed that the policy covers what it needs to. Still, there needs to be more clarification on the roles of those disciplining the infractions and consistency.
CMS Special Education Teacher Tonia Onken said she believes the biggest issue regarding the policy is that not only staff but also parents need to understand it and what it would mean for their child’s behavior.
While Board Policies are available on the CCSD website, Horsley suggests focusing less on the parents and more on what the board, administrators, and staff can control.
No action was taken at Monday night’s work session. The board will hear an update on changes wishing to be made after the policy is reviewed with staff at professional development and brought to Building Leadership Team which will be addressed to the board at the May 19 meeting.
