Here's how Corpus Christi ISD updated its bullying policy after student feedback

The Corpus Christi ISD board of trustees approved a revised Student Code of Conduct Monday evening, a move student anti-bullying advocates view as the "bare minimum."

This action comes two weeks after a group of current students and recent graduates approached the board to demand the district better address bullying in schools, sharing stories of homophobic, transphobic and racist bullying.

In addition to calls for curriculum to improve inclusion, the students requested the district add a line in the code specifically banning name-calling and the use of slurs and hate speech.

In 2020, a line including name-calling, ethnic or racial slurs or derogatory statements in a list of offenses that could result in a student being removed from class and placed in a disciplinary alternative education program was lost when the list was removed. Previous versions of the code, such as the version adopted in 2018, included the direct reference to slurs. Despite the change in the code, district staff said the list of offenses was still in use internally.

On Monday, district staff presented the board with numerous code updates, most adopted from the Texas Association of School Boards. Several changes also reflected efforts to combat vaping and tobacco use in schools.

The change suggested by the students, many of whom were again in attendance, was also included without fanfare. The complete numbered list of possible offenses and corresponding appropriate punishments was added back into the code, including the item related to name-calling and slurs.

"While (language on slurs and name-calling) might not have been specifically laid out, it's how we have operated and continue to operate," Superintendent Roland Hernandez told the Caller-Times. "And so we put those codes back in the Student Code of Conduct. It's very clear in there that we agree exactly with what's being said. We're going to hold people accountable."

Also added were paragraphs outlining the process for reporting bullying and describing acts of bullying.

After the new code was approved unanimously, members of the public, including former CCISD students, spoke on the subject during audience participation.

"I will not commend the district for reimplementing a clause that brings them now to the bare-minimum standard of addressing this issue," said Conor Rice, who graduated from Veterans Memorial High School in 2020.

One former Carroll High School student noted that during Transgender Awareness Week last year, campus administration discouraged students from distributing and wearing name tags where they could share their pronouns, out of concern that they might be targets of bullying or violence.

"Students get called hateful transphobic slurs constantly to the point where they can't celebrate an awareness week made for them," Rebecca Ramirez said.

One former student said the district lacks urgency, noting that bullying and hate speech can take a toll on student mental health, and that suicide rates are high for teens. Another described school as a small society, calling on the district to help guide students to become open-minded citizens.

Rice called on the district to issue a statement specifically on diversity, equity and inclusion and to condemn racism.

2021 Veterans Memorial graduate Sriya Chekuri noted that diversity, equity and inclusion statements are commonplace in the business world, as well as in other school districts.

"Educators are in the business of leading people out of ignorance, not excusing and allowing people to remain ignorant," Chekuri said. "We have an active problem with no foreseeable action being taken to solve it."

More: 'I didn't feel safe at school': Corpus Christi ISD students demand action on bullying