Board approves changes to code of conduct
1:00 AM
By Travis Coleman Journal staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, June 20, 2007
The Sioux City School Board approved a more even-handed school code Monday that changes how long students involved in various extracurricular activities will be punished for disciplinary infractions.
If a student gets in trouble in or outside of school, they stand to lose 30 percent of their performance eligibility. For instance, if a football player is arrested for frequenting a disorderly house, he would be suspended for about three games, said Doug Batcheller, school board president.
Baseball and softball players could sit out between nine to 12 games, depending on how many they play. Students in drama wouldn't be able to act in at least one performance, among other examples. The penalty lessens if a student admits his or her offense to a coach or teacher in a timely manner, Batcheller said.
After the first offense, students would lose 50 percent of their eligibility. After a third, they would have to sit out for a year.
School staff complained that the old policy didn't take into account the range in length of seasons, depending on the activity.
The policy had often been brought up for refinement so it would be more understandable and easily enforced, Batcheller said.
Previously, the school board had determined that if a high school student failed a course, he or she would be ineligible for most extracurricular activities. Students who don't meet academic requirements for activities like dance team, drama, band or show choir won't be able to participate in concerts or contests for 30 days.
Also Monday, more than $31,000 in equipment for the new middle school athletic program was authorized.
The board also approved more than $274,000 to complete the funding for the new Pinnacle electronic gradebook program. The electronic gradebook lets parents see how their kids are doing in class at any time during the school year. The money will be used to buy laptop computers for the program, Batcheller said. A few local elementary schools had been using a pilot version of the program.
The board also approved more than $295,000 to replace 90 laptop and 200 desktop computers in schools.
All school buildings are also set to become equipped with wireless Internet access, Batcheller said. People near the buildings could get on the Internet with a one-day access code but would not be able to get into school systems.
At next month's school board meeting, members will discuss how to make the district's harassment and bullying policy compliant with the policy the Iowa Legislature approved that expressly protects gay and lesbian students.
If a student gets in trouble in or outside of school, they stand to lose 30 percent of their performance eligibility. For instance, if a football player is arrested for frequenting a disorderly house, he would be suspended for about three games, said Doug Batcheller, school board president.
Baseball and softball players could sit out between nine to 12 games, depending on how many they play. Students in drama wouldn't be able to act in at least one performance, among other examples. The penalty lessens if a student admits his or her offense to a coach or teacher in a timely manner, Batcheller said.
After the first offense, students would lose 50 percent of their eligibility. After a third, they would have to sit out for a year.
School staff complained that the old policy didn't take into account the range in length of seasons, depending on the activity.
The policy had often been brought up for refinement so it would be more understandable and easily enforced, Batcheller said.
Previously, the school board had determined that if a high school student failed a course, he or she would be ineligible for most extracurricular activities. Students who don't meet academic requirements for activities like dance team, drama, band or show choir won't be able to participate in concerts or contests for 30 days.
Also Monday, more than $31,000 in equipment for the new middle school athletic program was authorized.
The board also approved more than $274,000 to complete the funding for the new Pinnacle electronic gradebook program. The electronic gradebook lets parents see how their kids are doing in class at any time during the school year. The money will be used to buy laptop computers for the program, Batcheller said. A few local elementary schools had been using a pilot version of the program.
The board also approved more than $295,000 to replace 90 laptop and 200 desktop computers in schools.
All school buildings are also set to become equipped with wireless Internet access, Batcheller said. People near the buildings could get on the Internet with a one-day access code but would not be able to get into school systems.
At next month's school board meeting, members will discuss how to make the district's harassment and bullying policy compliant with the policy the Iowa Legislature approved that expressly protects gay and lesbian students.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
