CISD Trustees met in closed session Monday evening to discuss a Level III grievance regarding student code of conduct.

The grievance was filed after a 16-year-old female student received corporal punishment for not having her shirt tucked in.

Trustees heard from the student’s grandfather, who felt the punishment did not fit the crime.

They also heard from a few more parents before Corsicana High School principal, Dr. Keith Moore, spoke about the situation and circumstances that lead up to that point.

Moore was asked by Trustee Leah Blackard if he could explain to her the five parts of the code of conduct and what he determined part A through E meant as he would interpret them.

Before he answered her question, Moore said the young lady, to his knowledge, had never been a disciplinary problem and was very respectful when he confronted her about not being in compliance with the dress code.

Item number Two, Section B-3 of the code states the factors to consider shall include the seriousness of the offense, the student’s age, the frequency of misconduct, the student’s attitude, and the potential effect of the misconduct on the school environment.

Moore felt the student, since she was of high school age, should have known the consequences of the violation.

“With 1,500 students and the dress code occurrences that we have,” said Moore, “this one instance with this young lady, even though A, B, C, and D, I could have made those decisions in her favor, E to me trumped those because it would have had an affect on the school environment to a great degree in my opinion.”

School Board president Terry Seth asked Moore if he made any announcements to the students prior to going to class.

“Announcements were made during our regular announcement period during school up and above that,” Moore said. “I took the microphone into the commons area in the morning where students gather before they go to class and made announcements …  sometimes everyday, and after a while not everyday but every other day … guys the bells about to ring make sure you’re in dress code (compliance). Make sure your shirts are tucked in. Make sure your pants are up, and make sure whatever … just make sure because I do not want you in trouble, I do not want you in this (misconduct) class. When you cross this line you’re going into the academic section of the building and the warning is over. I’ve warned you in the cafeteria and I’m not going to warn you any longer once you’ve crossed this line.”

Moore said he didn’t know if the young lady had been outside at the time announcements were made, but he felt confident that the students knew the rules, especially at that point in the (school) year.

According to Moore the incident occurred sometime in April or May.

Keri Anderson-Donica, trustee, made the motion to uphold the action of the administration, but added a part to the motion that the trustees should form some sort of a committee composed of someone that the administration selects, as well as some parents to look at whether the punishment for dress code violations is, in fact, appropriate or perhaps they could study it to see if there might be another method or choice that could be added. 

Dr. Kent Rogers, trustee, supported the addition and stated that he thought it is critical that the school board support the dress code.

“The dress code produces some good benefits,” Dr. Rogers said, before seconding the motion, “in educating the students. I think it would be well worth our time and energy to look at an effective, or an alternative punishment if it’s possible to maintain the effectiveness of the code.”

At the same time, Donica supported the grandfather’s comments concerning corporal punishment, and felt that type of punishment is not appropriate for students of this age (high school). Being a parent herself, she made note that when she drops her kids off at school everyday she notices that they are making sure their shirts are tucked in before they enter the building.

“I personally would like to see something (punishment) other than missing class,” she said. “I think it should be something very serious. I’m one hundred percent in support of the action that the principal took. I would like to see something else other than this young lady having to go through this, or any young lady, or young man.

The young lady did not want to miss her regular classes so she had been given the choice of detention or corporal punishment.

The reason behind the grievance was simply the fact that the parents felt the punishment did not fit the crime.

Additional items on the agenda included the following:

·        Approved of the 2008-2009 Student Code of Conduct with a few minor changes and deletions.

·        Appointment of the Board of Trustees representative to the Corsicana Education Foundation Board. Leah Blackard was selected to serve on the CEFB as the CISD Board of Trustees representative.

·        John Saberton was elected to serve as the delegate and alternate for the TASB Delegate Assembly.

·        Approved the bid for printed materials, which went to Corsicana Graphics.

·        Approved the bid for magazine subscriptions, which went to Magazine Subscription Service out of New Port Richey, Florida.

·        Approved the Investment Policy CDA Legal and Local.

·        Approved the adoption of 403(B) Tax Sheltered Account Plan Document.

·        Approved the 2008-2009 District Plan.

In related news, the Board of Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. on July 21, 2008. There will also be a Budget Workshop that night.

Additional workshops were announced as well.

The Corsicana Back To School – Stay In School Rally, enhancing students and parents knowledge of our education processes, and promoting the retention and graduation of all youth is scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fullerton-Garitty Park, located at 3201 McKnight Lane.

The event will feature CISD principals, teachers, cheerleaders, sports teams, Navarro College and Texas A&M information booths, education booths, prevention booths, motivational speakers, food and drink vendors, give-a-ways, games and activities and more.

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