New School Policy to Hold Students Responsible Over Summer

Students who violate the Dedham Public Schools' rules on violence, drugs and alcohol during the summer could receive suspension from school activities the following school year, if the Dedham School Committee approves the new policy Wednesday evening.

Currently, the school district only holds students responsible to these rules during school months.

Offenses could include anything from drug and alcohol use to bullying and other violent offenses, according to a document posted on the school district's website Tuesday morning.

The year-round policy will require cooperation to alert the district when a student is involved in an incident.

"In order to achieve the goal of a safe, drug‐free community, the cooperation of the community and coordination of its resources is essential," the policy states.

School Committee members who revamped the policy aimed to clarify procedures of due process and close gaps in the policy, said committee member Mayanne Briggs.

"It's about what will happen and is much more clear to parents and students about what is expected," Briggs said.

The Dedham School Committee will vote on the policy at its meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at .

The policy includes the district's , and the committe has plans to review it every couple years, Briggs said.

A copy of the proposed policy has been attached to this article.