Public Meeting Announcement - Notice of Rule Adoption: 9/10/2025

RULE TITLE: Protecting Students from Bullying and Harassment
RULE NUMBER: Policy 5.002 
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The proposed policy addresses required updates to the District’s policy prohibiting students from engaging in bullying or harassment.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To set forth procedures and expectations for creating an educational setting that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying for students and employees.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Fla. Stat. §120.81(1)(a) 1001.32 (2) 1001.41(2); 1001.42 (28) 
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: Fla. Stat. §1001.43, 1003.04, 1003.31, 1003.32, 1006.07, 1006.08, 1006.09, 1006.10, 1006.147, F. S.; 20 USC 1232g 
CONTACT: Keith Oswald, Chief of Student Health and Wellness (keith.oswald@palmbeachschools.org)

RULE TITLE: Student Code of Conduct – Elementary (Grades K-5) 
RULE NUMBER: Policy 5.1812 
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The proposed policy outlines student discipline procedures and guidelines applicable to elementary school students. 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The District’s Student Code of Conduct provides procedures and guidelines that assist parents, teachers, and administrators in understanding student behavior expectations.  The guide also outlines appropriate consequences for behavior-related incidents. 
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Fla. Stat. §120.81(1)(a); 1001.32(2); 1001.41(2); 1001.42(28); 1001.43(1); 1006.07 
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: Fla. Stat. §1001.43(1); 1003.31(1)(3); 1006.07; 1006.09; 1006.13
CONTACT: Keith Oswald, Chief of Student Health and Wellness (keith.oswald@palmbeachschools.org)

RULE TITLE: Student Code of Conduct – Secondary (Grades 6-12) 
RULE NUMBER: Policy 5.1813 
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The proposed policy outlines student discipline procedures and guidelines applicable to middle and high school students. 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The District’s Student Code of Conduct provides procedures and guidelines that assist parents, teachers, and administrators in understanding student behavior expectations.  The guide also outlines appropriate consequences for behavior-related incidents.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Fla. Stat. §120.81(1)(a); 1001.32(2); 1001.41(2); 1001.42(28); 1001.43(1); 1006.07 
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: Fla. Stat. §1001.43(1); 1003.31(1)(3); 1006.07; 1006.09; 1006.13 
CONTACT: Keith Oswald, Chief of Student Health and Wellness (keith.oswald@palmbeachschools.org)

RULE TITLE: Zero Tolerance 
RULE NUMBER: Policy 5.1814 
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The proposed policy outlines student discipline and expulsion for Zero Tolerance Offenses. 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The School Board of Palm Beach County is committed to ensuring a safe learning and working environment by protecting its students and employees from behavior that threatens school safety. 
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Fla. Stat. §120.81 (1)(a); 1001.32(2); 1006.08; 1006.13. Fla. Stat. 
LAWS IMPLEMENTED:  Fla. Stat. §18 U.S.C. §930 (g)(2); §§ 120.569; 120.57; 1002.20(4)(b); 1003.01, 1003.31; 1006.07; 1006.08; 1006.13; 784.081; 790.162; 790.163, 836.10, Fla. Stat.; 34 C.F.R. §300.530; SBER 6A-1.0017
CONTACT: Keith Oswald, Chief of Student Health and Wellness (keith.oswald@palmbeachschools.org)

RULE TITLE: Severe Incident Assignment 
RULE NUMBER: Policy 5.1817 
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The proposed policy outlines student discipline for non-expellable behaviors that pose a threat to school safety. 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board shall promote a safe and supportive learning environment in all schools by protecting its students and employees from non-expellable behaviors that pose a threat to school safety. 
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Fla. Stat. §120.81(1)(a); 1001.32(2); 1001.42; 1001.43(1); 1003.53; 1006.07; 1006.09; 1006.13. Fla. Stat. 
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: Fla. Stat. §120.569; 120.57; 1001.43(1); 1002.20; 1003.53; 1006.07; 1006.08; 1006.09; 1006.13, Fla. Stat. 
CONTACT: Keith Oswald, Chief of Student Health and Wellness (keith.oswald@palmbeachschools.org)

RULE TITLE: Wireless Communication Devices 
RULE NUMBER: Policy 5.183 
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: This policy outlines the use of wireless communication devices by elementary, middle school, and high school students during the school day.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This policy implements the provisions of HB 1105, which prohibits the use of wireless communication devices by elementary and middle school students during the school day and by high school students during instructional time unless they have express permission from a teacher.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Fla. Stat. §  120.81(1)(a); 1001.32(2); 1001.41; 1001.43;1003.32 1006.07(2)
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: Fla. Stat. §HB 1105 (2025); 1001.32(2); 1006.07(2)(f)
CONTACT: Keith Oswald, Chief of Student Health and Wellness (keith.oswald@palmbeachschools.org)

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COST:  The Agency has determined that a SERC is not required and has not prepared a SERC. The Agency has determined that based on information, including that contained in the proposed rule and the Board report, the rule is not expected to require legislative ratification. Any person who wishes to provide the District with information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or to provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative, must do so in writing to the Board Clerk within 21 days of the publication of this Notice.  THE TEXT of the proposed rule adoption may be obtained without cost from the School District’s web site at http://www.boarddocs.com/fl/palmbeach/Board.nsf/Public.

SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE:  Michael J. Burke, Superintendent of Schools.

RULE DEVELOPMENT NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED: July 2, 2025 in the Palm Beach Post;

PUBLIC HEARING:  IF REQUESTED, A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD DURING THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2025. This Special Meeting will follow other Board meetings including a workshop and they are estimated to begin at 2 p.m. in the Boardroom at 3300 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida. Persons requesting such a hearing must do so in writing by September 3, 2025, to the Board Clerk, at the same address.  The proposal for adoption of the Policies is anticipated to be considered at the Special Meeting on September 10, 2025, in the Board Room. AGENDA: An agenda will be available by September 4, 2025 on the District’s web site at http://www.boarddocs.com/fl/palmbeach/Board.nsf/Public. 

Pursuant to the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this hearing is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours in advance by contacting Toni Sinclair, Board Clerk at 561-434-8136.  A person may submit written comments (12 copies) about the proposed action to the Clerk no later than the time of the public hearing.  This hearing is open to the public and public comment is accepted on this matter.  Please contact the Clerk at the number provided prior to noon the day of the meeting, or by submitting a blue card to the Clerk prior to start of meeting.