School District proposes change in civility policy

[Harold F. Schiffman]

>>From The Reno Gazette-Journal 11/1/2005 09:15 am

LCSD proposes change in civility policy to include written violations,
such as emails.

Keith Trout
Leader-Courier


With some recent uncivil language used in email to district employees, the
Lyon County School District Board of Trustees Oct. 25 as a first reading
accepted an update of the districts civility policy. The proposed policy
would go for at least one more reading where it could receive final
approval, although more readings could be needed. According to the memo
from Associate Superintendent Sean Moyle, the addition of new language to
the policy will include disruptive individuals who use loud and/or
disruptive language in verbal, written, or electronic form.

The proposed change adds the wording of verbally, electronically, or in
written form. Moyle noted the disruptive behavior may happen in written
form, such as emails. He said he recently received an email forwarded from
a principal that was directed at a district teacher that included rude or
crude language and upset the employee. He wrote to the board, There have
been times when certain individuals have used inappropriate language with
school personnel not only verbally but also in letters and via email. The
additional language added to the policy will broaden the ability of
principals to limit access of disruptive individuals to school grounds.

The policy notes it promotes mutual respect, civility and orderly conduct
among District employees, parents and the public, while not intending to
deprive any person of his/her right to expression. It says the district
encourages positive communication while noting NRS 392.480 makes it clear
it is unlawful for a person to violate the peace of any public school by
using vile or indecent language, to threaten or assault any student or
employee on any school property or premise, or to purposely interfere with
those peaceably assembled for school purposes.

The next paragraph reads (with additional language): Disruptive individual
must leave school grounds: Any individual who disrupts or threatens to
disrupt school operations, threatens the health and safety of students or
staff, willfully causes property damage, uses loud and/or offensive
language, verbally, electronically, or in written form, that could provoke
a violent reactyion, or who has otherwise established a continued pattern
of unauthorized entry on District premises will be directed by the schools
principal or other responsible employee to immediately leave the school
premises or other District property. The next two paragraphs, which aren't
changed, are headed, 2. Directions to staff in dealing with abusive
individuals; and, 3. Provide policy and report incident.

In the paragraph #2, it says if someone is using obscenities or speaking
in a threatening, loud, insulting or degrading manner, the administrator
or responsible personnel to whom the language was directed should ask the
person to communicate civilly. If the responsible individual doesnt stop,
the district employee will notify the abusing individual that the meeting,
conference or telephone conversation is terminated and if on district
grounds, direct the person to leave. If the person doesnt leave or
returns, law enforcement should be called and charges filed per NRS
392.480.

In the final paragraph, its says if the employee determines the policy is
being violated, the staff member if possible should provide a written copy
of the policy to the offender at the time. The employee should also
immediately notify his/her superior and provide a written report of the
incident.

http://www.rgj.com/news/printstory.php?id=109173