New Conduct Code Published For BH Schools

bentonharborareaschools-36
bentonharborareaschools-36

The new code of conduct for students at Benton Harbor Area Schools is now officially in place. At this past week’s CEO meeting, district CEO and Superintendent Robert Herrera signed off on the plan that he tells WSJM News does more than just lays out rules and penalties as the old code of conduct did.

“It was a very simple, basic code of conduct,” Herrera said. “We wanted to take a more comprehensive approach of working with students on behavioral management. So we’ve actually tied supports and interventions and transitions back, and we’ve also included maybe alternative pathways for educational services as an alternative to suspensions and just discipline.”

Herrera says this is a new approach to maintaining discipline and responding to behavior problems. He tells us the code of conduct will be implemented throughout the rest of the year as staff are trained and students are informed. The students were to get digital copies of the nearly 60 page document this week. This move comes after a rash of fights at Benton Harbor High School to start out the year. Also in response to that issue, the district has brought in three police resource officers to help with security.