School is in session once again, and this year, it’s not just the students and staff who need to adhere to a code of conduct. The district has implemented a set of rules that parents and other visitors must also follow.
A new law, sponsored by Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis), requires school boards to implement a code of conduct for parents and other visitors to campus. This bipartisan proposal was passed during the last legislative session and has been in effect since the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
According to Representative Parkinson, there is an established code of conduct for students, staff, and school personnel. However, there is a lack of guidelines for visitors to school campuses. He emphasized the need for clear rules and expectations for individuals who visit educational institutions.
Parkinson conceived the notion of mandating school boards to establish a visitor code of conduct after receiving accounts from school administrators and staff about the improper behavior of parents, siblings, vendors, and other visitors at schools throughout the state.
According to Parkinson, there were instances of disruptions, distractions, arguments, and fights on campus. The aim of the legislation was to reduce such behavior and tone down the rhetoric.
Schools in Tennessee have implemented their own visitor code of conduct and have made it available on their district’s website, as required by law.
Districts like Rutherford County Schools and Cheatham County Schools have established comprehensive codes of conduct that explicitly prohibit various behaviors, such as using foul language or obscenities, causing disruptions or threats to school or office operations, and engaging in unsafe actions that could jeopardize the well-being of others.
The visitor code of conduct for Claiborne County Schools clearly states that gambling and encouraging others to gamble are strictly prohibited. Furthermore, it explicitly prohibits any form of audio or video recording in areas where privacy is expected, such as classrooms and locker rooms.
Cumberland County Schools has implemented a ban on visitors engaging in the inappropriate use of social media to fuel campaigns and complaints against schools, school staff, and/or other parents/students through social networking and websites, as stated in the district’s visitor code of conduct.
According to Parkinson, it is important to remember that not all individuals have been educated about appropriate conduct on school premises, despite the fact that some regulations outlined in districts’ visitor codes of conduct may appear implicit.
According to Parkinson, it is regrettable that we have to clarify our requirements and expected conduct and behavior on school campuses.
School districts are obligated by law to make the visitor code of conduct easily accessible to the public by posting it online. In addition, copies of the code must be distributed to school staff and parents. Furthermore, a physical copy of the code should be displayed at the school premises, accompanied by the contact information of a school administrator who can provide clarification on any queries related to the code of conduct. It is also required that an attorney thoroughly reviews the code of conduct to ensure its compliance with legal and constitutional standards.
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