By Hannah Curran, Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Schools Board of Education discussed the potential review of the Student Code of Conduct and entered into an executive session for the purpose of one student hearing and an employee conference and returned to vote on the subjects.
The board discussed reviewing the Student Code of Conduct. Interim Trussville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Frank Costanzo explained that typically the review and revisions are done in the spring. Still, he feels the code of conduct is difficult to understand.
“Quite frankly, ours is difficult to understand,” Costanzo said. “I think it’s difficult for parents, and I’ve talked to them. So let’s get this to where it’s modern-day understandable language, but also to look at it, to address it as it should be, in terms of the infraction and then what is the appropriate response.”
Costanzo has advised Dr. Rachel Poovey to put together another Student Code of Conduct committee to start working on it, strengthen it, and review it.
Costanzo said he wouldn’t say that changes would happen now, but TCS should be prepared for change.
“We’re just working to get our community together and make sure the schools have representation, and we’re just beginning that process,” Poovey said. “We’re excited to make it more student and parent friendly because that is a concern of our community.”
In light of recent events, Costanzo reiterated that TCS will not tolerate issues that occur in schools where students can create a safety hazard for themselves and others.
“Students have got to be accountable for their behavior,” Costanzo said. “If we give a slap on the wrist, and we keep doing some of the things that we have done, then we are not going to change behavior. We have to support what happens in the classroom and what happens in the schools. This behavior cannot be tolerated. Each one has to be handled individually.”
Costanzo said he is not saying zero tolerance, but he said the message needs to be sent out that TCS will not allow students to create a major disruption in the schools.
“Parents need to understand as well,” Costanzo said. “This has got to stop. We’ve got to have that support at home and in the community as we go forward.”
After returning from an executive session, the board voted to expel a Hewitt-Trussville Middle School student and place them in the Alternative Learning Center for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year.
The student must reappear before the student hearing committee prior to March 24, 2023.
The board also voted to suspend an employee without pay for five days.