Final revisions to Warsaw Community High School's athletic code of conduct were hammered out Monday by the Warsaw School Board.

Most of the additions were clarifications of existing policies or terms.

But the board removed the requirement of 50 hours of community service from the penalty for a first violation of the athletic code's drug and alcohol policy.

Previously, a student-athlete, on first violation of the policy, would be suspended from participating in athletic competition for 365 days, and would be required to complete 50 hours of community service.

With Monday's revisions, the community service requirement would be added to the penalty for a second violation, with the third violation being suspension from athletics for the duration of the student-athlete's high school career.

Monday's revisions also provided for an athletic review committee as the final hearing body for students who violate the athletic policy. The review committee will include one WCHS assistant principal, two members of the WCHS instructional staff, one member of the coaching staff (not involved in the same sport as the student before the committee) and a school board member.

The athletic code of conduct generated some controversy at an April 19 school board work session, at which parents of high school students expressed concerns and reservations about the policy being too harsh.

No parents or members of the public were present Monday to discuss the policy.

The final athletic code of conduct will be voted on by the school board at its June meeting.

The board also accepted on first reading changes to the WCS policy on academic dishonesty.

The policy, which applies to students in grades seven through 12, now defines different types of plagiarism and spells out consequences.

Dr. Jennifer Brumfield, assistant WCHS principal, said the plagiarism policy was developed as a response to the fact that some students get already prepared term papers over the Internet.

"Obviously, it's not fair to those students who have worked hard, worked diligently, to do the right thing," she said.

The board also discussed its crisis readiness plan, which, said Rande Thorpe, business manager for the school corporation, has been developing for about 10 years.

Crisis teams are now in place at all school buildings, Thorpe said. "People who have a knowledge of the design of the building are very involved in the planning," he said.

WCS also now offers a safe schools hotline, which students or others may use to call if they have information on an activity that may be dangerous to other students or school buildings.

The hotline allows a caller to leave an anonymous message on an answering machine, Thorpe said. There is no caller ID on the hotline.

School superintendent Dr. Lee Harman said the school safety issue "goes well beyond the confines of our buildings."

It is a community responsibility, he said, especially in dealing with students who are separated from school by behavior problems or threats.

"We are very limited in our opportunities to deal with those students," he said, inviting a dialogue with members of the community to help deal with school security issues.

In other business, the board:

• Adopted a final school calendar for the 1999-2000 school year. The year will begin for students on Aug. 24 and end on June 2 if no make-up days are needed. Two days are built in to the calendar for make-up days.

• Heard a report from Harman that enrollment as of Monday was 6,243 students, down from last year's total at the same time of 6,261 students.

• Approved six early release or late arrival days for next school year to allow for staff development days. The board's approval will be forwarded on to the state for final approval.

The school board meets at the administration building at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. [[In-content Ad]]