Middletown may expand its student code of conduct

Arrests would send players to the sidelines

Staff photo by Gary Stelzer Returning Middies participate in a football camp Monday, June 29, in Middletown.

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By Meagan Engle and Skip Weaver, Staff Writers Updated 1:19 AM Saturday, July 4, 2009

The Middletown Board of Education could expand the district’s student code of conduct to allow for the suspension of students from sports or clubs for bad behavior outside of school.

The board will vote July 13 on policy additions that address inappropriate actions outside of school by students involved in sports or extracurricular activities.

The policy changes were spurred largely by former high school athlete Dwayne “Deejay” Hunter Jr., who has been arrested five times in the past year. Hunter, 18, was allowed to fully participate in football and track activities as he awaited court dates.

The district’s inaction and silence on the Hunter case drew criticism. Some people questioned the message that was being sent to students and athletes.

Athletic Director Gary Lebo said, “We felt this was an opportunity because of that (Hunter) situation for us to put something in there about kids being arrested.

“We’re not dealing with professional or college players,” he added. “We are here to mold kids into being good citizens.”

If the policy changes are approved, students who are arrested or charged with a crime may be suspended from participating in extracurricular activities or competitions until the court action is completed.

Students could be permanently banned from an activity if they are found guilty, admit to or plead no contest to charges. Discipline can be imposed in and out of season.

Students would be prohibited from bringing discredit upon the school or causing a disruption.

“The students that participate in extracurriculars are out front in the public eye as Middies and are really ambassadors and role models of what it is to be a Middletown student,” said board member Marcia Andrew.

“We want those students to be people who we would want to hold up for the public to see.”

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