May 20, 2004

School board declines adoption of conduct code

At its meeting May 13, the Yellow Springs Board of Education agreed not to adopt an extracurricular code of conduct for student behavior, and to instead encourage the schools to make greater use of the code of conduct that is already in place.

An extracurricular code of conduct would put in place school-related consequences, such as students not being allowed to participate on a sports team, if students misbehave outside of school and school activities. The schools have in place a code of conduct, developed over several years by teachers, students and staff, that covers student behavior in school and at school-related activities.

Board members considered the extracurricular code after a group of parents, who said they were concerned by a perceived increase in incidents of juvenile mischief, asked them to adopt the code in March.

During a community forum on the issue last month, about three quarters of the 30 people who spoke opposed the extracurricular code, saying they were uncomfortable with what they saw as the code’s punitive nature and rigidity, and with taking away extracurricular activities from the young people who they said may need them most. Several YSHS coaches opposed the code, saying they already discipline team members who misbehave on an individual basis. Code supporters stated that the policy would help raise expectations for young people, and thus encourage good behavior.

In recommending that the board not adopt such a policy, Superintendent Tony Armocida said that he believes the April forum reflected Yellow Springers’ overall discomfort with an extracurricular policy.

“I think the meeting was representative of the community and there was a sense that the community is not in favor” of an extracurricular policy, said Armocida, who also suggested that school officials “sit down with coaches and advisors” and review the existing code “so they know what latitude they have in dealing with kids.”

Armocida also emphasized that, in a small community like Yellow Springs, all local residents need to help monitor young people’s behavior, a point that was raised at the April forum. “If we see things going on with kids that we don’t agree with, we need to take responsibility,” he said.

School board president Rich Bullock and members Bill Firestone and Angela Wright — Richard Lapedes and Mary Campbell-Zopf were absent — appeared unified in their belief that the community had spoken. No vote was taken.

“I believe the community has sent a message that they do not want this,” said Firestone, adding that “we have an angry minority, but I will not be bullied.”

Board members also seemed to agree with Armocida’s suggestion that the district make students, teachers and coaches more aware of the current code of conduct.

“I would not like to see a new code of conduct in which the school interjects itself into community life,” said Angela Wright, who suggested that “we make better use of what we have.”

Bullock said that the board’s decision not to approve the extracurricular code Thursday night “doesn’t mean the issue is dead.” Rather, he said, “the board is not prepared to do anything formal tonight.”

Two community members spoke during the meeting in favor of the extracurricular policy.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to raise the expectations for youth in our community,” said Lynn Hardman, who encouraged the board to hold another forum on the topic since she believed there was “not a good balance of opinion” at the April forum.

Also speaking in favor of the code was Dan Rudolph, who originally brought the issue to the board.

Opposing the extracurricular code, Don Wallis spoke of the response to the code from high school students in a “listening group” he organized.

“They were very articulate and very thoughtful. They showed great confidence in their coaches and in the climate at the school and feel they’re being treated fairly,” Wallis said. “They feel a penalty-based code of conduct is totally unfair.”

Asked by board members for student response, Yellow Springs High School Principal John Gudgel said that he thinks most students and coaches are “very uncomfortable” with an extracurricular code.

Greg Bernhardt suggested that the board put off making a decision now and instead study research on communities that have such a code and its effects on young people’s behavior.

—Diane Chiddister