By HOLLY GASKILL
Norwell administration is considering a series of revisions to its student handbook and extracurricular code of conduct, which could loosen disciplinary actions.
In exchange, the district would incorporate more accountability and remediation with students.
Superintendent Mike Springer and Assistant Superintendent Anna Murphy presented these possible updates during Tuesday’s board meeting. Murphy said the district had been working with the same code of conduct for two decades, and in a discussion with the Wells County Drug Task Force, the Norwell administration realized that strict punishments without remediation were not as helpful as they could be.
These changes were discussed, not adopted.
“An overly punitive approach leads to lying and inconsistent implementation,” stated Springer.
Currently, a first violation of the code of conduct leads to a 50% loss in athletic participation. A second violation leads to a 365-day ban and a third, termination of high school athletic participation.
“From what I learned from somebody today, 11 kids that have gone (on a) 365 (ban), only two of them had actually come back to sports after 365,” said board member Gene Donaghy.
The proposed changes — encompassing all extracurricular activities — reduce a first violation to a 25% loss in participation and add a mandatory meeting with guardians to create an action plan. This action plan will include an awareness course and regular meetings with a guidance counselor. Failure to complete will result in immediate removal from extracurricular activities.
The second violation results in a 50% loss in extracurricular participation and another mandatory meeting with guardians for a revised action plan. If the violation is related to drugs or tobacco usage, the plan must include regular drug tests. Failure to complete will result in immediate removal from extracurricular activities.
A third violation garners a 365-day ban, and a fourth violation will result in a ban from all extracurricular activities for the remainder of high school. None of these punishments would be subject to negotiation, as is currently allowed.
Springer stated that the percentage loss was an important component, given different extracurriculars have varying numbers of games or performances. If there would be less than 25% or 50% of a season remaining, Springer said a student could theoretically “owe” a portion of their next season. The violations would also not “reset” from year to year.
However, the execution of changes is still being considered. For example, Springer expressed hesitancy in retroactively changing punishments for returning students who may be penalized by the current code of conduct. While recognizing the previous policy was not as helpful, he said the students were aware of the punishments before getting into trouble.
Several audience members pushed back on this.
“You’re going to open yourselves up for quite a bit of litigation, which makes me nervous as a taxpayer,” said Veronica Wilson. Wilson also supported the remediating aspects and felt students should have adjusted punishments so they could be held accountable through this new format. She added that the board may want to consider giving the school a “clean slate” to start with the program.
Board member Corey Krug asked Springer to clarify the board’s role in the decision; Springer stated the board would vote on revisions to the revisions themself, not the implementation or retroactive adjustments.
Springer said the board would revisit the matter at their next meeting at 5:30 p.m. June 11. The meeting will follow a ribbon cutting and tour of Norwell Middle School at 4:30 p.m.
Also on Tuesday, Springer recognized the efforts of NHS Principal Kam Meyer and Assistant Principal Holly Morgan, who worked with over 20 students who were nearly qualifying for graduation and crossing the finish line. Commencement is at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
holly@news-banner.com
