Student safety addressed — Recreation board backs conduct rules for community use of school facilities

The Eastern Weston County Public Recreation Board voted Jan. 28 to approve a new code of conduct governing community use of Weston County School District No. 1 recreation facilities, after concerns that some adult behavior has made students uncomfortable in spaces designed primarily for education and athletics.

Superintendent Brad LaCroix told board members that the facilities exist first and foremost for students.

“Somehow, we have got to get the community to understand that these facilities primarily are to educate students,” LaCroix said. “And when our students stop using facilities because they’re worried about community adult behavior, we’re in trouble.”

He told the News Letter Journal that several student-athletes have shared with him that they no longer want to use certain facilities because of adult conduct.

“My recommendation to this board, if I can legally do that, I’m not sure that I can as a superintendent, but we may have to shut off community usage to certain facilities if poor behaviors like this continue,” LaCroix said at the meeting.
Prell echoed that sentiment, saying, “Absolutely. We are here to educate kids first.”
LaCroix told the NLJ that the issue is not about taking on a broader social role but about protecting students in spaces built for them.

“The pool, the weight room, the gyms — those were built and designed for students,” LaCroix told the NLJ. He said adults are allowed to use the facilities because of community support for the district, “but just because you help us doesn’t mean that there’s no rules or that you get to influence the younger people in what I would call a very negative way.”

LaCroix described behavior that he said crosses clear boundaries, including inappropriate comments, physical contact and conduct that models standards students are explicitly told not to follow.

“If you want to use those facilities, then behave appropriately because students’ eyes are upon you,” he said.

LaCroix said the code of conduct is intended to establish clear expectations for everyone who uses the facilities.

The board approved the code of conduct pending legal review and final approval by the board’s attorney, Abbi Forwood. Trustee Jason Jenkins made the motion and asked that the attorney consider whether the procedure could be strengthened.

“The purpose of the code of conduct is to establish common expectations for all community members utilizing WCSD1 facilities,” Board Chair Joe Prell told the NLJ. He said the finalized language, once reviewed by the board’s legal counsel, would be sent to the NLJ.

Trustee Paul Bau said he believes the procedure “needs a little more teeth,” a point Jenkins reinforced when making his motion.

“We’re trying to establish an area that’s safe for everyone to use,” LaCroix said. “Whether you’re a student or an adult, there’s expectations in how you’re going to behave for yourself and how you’re going to treat others. And if you can’t do that, then you’re going to have to use other facilities.”

Forwood said adopting the procedure would provide staff with an immediately available enforcement mechanism, while any substantive revisions would be returned to the board for review and approval at a subsequent meeting.

District Recreation Director Teresa Gross said the code of conduct is intended to be proactive.

“We need a code of conduct for community use just because of stupid behavior,” Gross told the NLJ. “Just trying to be proactive and nip it in the bud. We’ve had incidents but nothing big.”

She said the procedure, along with waivers, is meant to support staff who supervise the facilities.

“Codes of conduct and waivers will hopefully curtail things,” Gross said. “My employees are great and do a good job policing it; this will help them.”

Gross said she does not anticipate significant pushback from the community.

“If so, we don’t want those that would push back using our facilities,” she said. “Most people are pretty decent and appreciate the school allowing them to use it. I’ve been here six and a half years and haven’t had any major issues.”

The board is expected to revisit the policy after the attorney’s review if revisions are recommended.