As it heads toward the start of a new school year, the Montgomery County School Board plans to vote Tuesday on several changes to the student code of conduct, along with taking a first look at several policy changes made in state law following the 2025 General Assembly session.
The board will meet in the school division office’s conference room, 750 Imperial St. S.E., Christiansburg. It will begin with a closed meeting at 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and student religious exemptions.
The regular meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
Student suspensions lengthened for cause, police dogs on property, threats defined
Planned changes to the student code of conduct include the following:
- Failure to respond to school personnel’s directions: Language will be added regarding a student refusing to give their name or to cooperate with a search requested by an administrator under reasonable suspicion.
- Possession of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs: The policy will add that the definition of “holding” items for someone else qualifies as possession and that “distribution” includes sharing an item even if money is not exchanged.
- Making a threat: Language will be added that doing so includes gestures and actions, and that threats may be addressed even if the threat occurred outside school hours.
- Currently, possible disciplinary actions include recommendation of suspension for 11 to 45 days; proposed new language states that it can extend past 45 days if the offense involves serious bodily injury, firearm possession or drug possession.
- New language will be added allowing the school division to have law enforcement conduct random drug inspections of school property using police dogs.
- Language will be added specifying that prohibited weapons possession includes ammunition.
Cellphone policy to be set, rules for student athletes (and plans to protect them), hiring restrictions for those convicted of sex crimes
The board will hold a first reading toward adoption of state policy changes emerging from this year’s General Assembly, with a final vote set for Aug. 19.
They include:
- Student cellphone use: New language specifies that device use is prohibited from the first morning bell to the dismissal bell at the day’s end; adds devices such as smart watches and tablets; specifies that a policy violation by itself cannot lead to suspension or expulsion without being tied to an instance of disruptive behavior; and specifies that students on a limited English proficiency plan can use a device.
- New language requiring notification to parents of a student drug overdose within 24 hours.
- Language specifying that purchasing policy for information technology must conform to state law.
- A school safety policy change adding a requirement to have an evaluation of indoor air quality measures at least every four years.
- Athletics: New language will require athletes to submit a report certifying receipt of a physical examination that is conducted within 14 months before the report is signed.
- Crisis and emergency plans: There are new requirements to establish response plans for cardiac, athletic or bleeding emergencies and promoting student athletes’ safety during extreme heat, along with a requirement to make available materials on response to student threats of violence.
- Setting guidelines for school personnel to administer seizure rescue medication to students with seizure disorders.
- Prohibiting the hiring of personnel who have felony convictions involving child sex crimes.
- Doubling to 180 days the amount of time a substitute teacher can be hired to fill a teacher vacancy.
- Requiring training for personnel who interact with students on the autism spectrum.
- Setting criteria for students in grades five through eight to participate in advanced or accelerated math programs.
- Allowing the admission of students who live outside the school district if a parent is a full-time active duty military service member.
Staffing update preview
Also on the agenda is a staffing update. According to meeting materials, as of July 21:
- There were four vacant administrative positions out of 84 total positions, including the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, the special education director, the administrator of equity compliance and an assistant principal.
- There were 17 vacant certified instructional positions out of 825 total jobs.
- There were 13 vacant special education positions out of 148 total jobs.
- There were 67 vacant non-instructional positions out of 733 total jobs.
