School Board Rejects Drones Policy; Adopts Discrimination Policy and Code of Behavior

by Leslie Lytle,  Messenger Staff Writer
“The drones policy recommended by the TSBA infringes on the community’s rights and would institute rules we don’t have the authority to enforce,” Director of School Amie Lonas told the Franklin County School Board at the July 11 meeting, passing along the advice of school attorney Chuck Cagle not to adopt the drone use policy. The board also reviewed changes to the Student Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying Policy recommended by the Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA) and the Code of Behavior and Discipline for the 2016–17 school year.
Sewanee School Board representative Adam Tucker suggested rewording portions of the Discrimination Policy because “the policy as written is both under and over inclusive.”
The language used in the policy as drafted by the TSBA didn’t take into account bullying not based on discrimination, Tucker explained, while “technically prohibiting discrimination based on intellectual, athletic and artistic ability,” or discriminatory behavior teachers routinely employ to facilitate student activities and learning. In addition, the TSBA recommended the policy only applied to students and staff, Tucker said, without taking into account the possibility of discrimination and harassment by volunteers, independent contractors and visitors.
Board member Christine Hopkins asked if the policy adequately protected student’s after school.
“The school system only has the authority to intervene in instances of outside school harassment when the harassment effects the in-school environment,” Tucker said. “Then principals can address it.”
The board approved the TSBA recommended revisions to the Discrimination Policy with the language changes proposed by Tucker. The board did not adopt the Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) Policy.
Reporting on operations, Lonas said the Bullying Report had been sent to the state, with no incidents of bullying recorded during the 2015–16 school year. Two acts of bullying were recorded in the 2014–15 report.
The board also approved a revised Code of Behavior and Discipline for the 2016–17 school year.
Board Chair Kevin Caroland said the 46-page document included a number of policy decisions “approved and adopted throughout the past year.”
Tucker questioned the provision for random drug testing of any student engaged “in voluntary extracurricular activities.”
“When we passed the policy, I thought the intent was for testing students engaged in sports,” Tucker said.
“That was the intent,” Caroland agreed.
“There’s no money set aside for drug testing in other extracurricular activities,” board member Lance Williams said.
Director of Human Resources Linda Foster will compile a student handbook incorporating the rules outlined in the code.
Significant among new policies that will be in effect in the 2016–17 school year are changes to the dress code allowing knee-length shorts and patterned shirts. The revised Code of Behavior and Discipline also delineates procedures to be followed by school principals when incidents of bullying are reported.
Beginning with the 2016–17 school year, the Alternative School will be located in the former Special Education facility at the Franklin County Health Department. Lonas said the Adult Education program had requested permission to relocate from Cowan to the Winchester Townsend School, which previously housed the Alternative school. The board approved the request.
“We have plans to divest ourselves of the Townsend property eventually,” Caroland said, “but while we still have it, I think it’s a good idea.”
Hopkins concurred.“The Townsend School is much more centrally located.”
The board approved the Athletic Ambulance Service agreement for the coming school year. Under the revised agreement, an ambulance will be on site 30 minutes prior to the beginning of an event, instead of 10 minutes. The fee was increased from $50 to $100.
The board meets for a working session on Aug. 1. The next regular board meeting is Aug. 8.