The Millard Board of Education passed the first phase, or first reading, of a revision of a policy it passed two-and-a-half months ago in an effort to address a hazing incident.

“Principals found (the new policy) so prescriptive,” Millard School District Superintendent David Styler told the board.

It “seemed too prescriptive from us,” Styler added.

The revised policy has a subsection about an activity bus with more than 15 students, which is part of the section “Chaperoning and Procedures” that is part of the policy “Transportation of Students for Extracurricular Activities.” At the board’s monthly meeting Sept. 13, the section saw “will” replaced with “should,” “preferably three” removed to leave “at least two” regarding total chaperones, and “require” be replaced by “be staffed with” also regarding chaperones. “At least” is added behind “one” to say that at least one of the two-plus chaperones need to be a school employee. And the line “per bus or the bus will not be allowed to leave” following those other items is gone, with a new sentence there: “This number may be adjusted with approval of the school administrator on a case-by-case basis.”

“If it is 17 girls on a tennis team … to me, not a problem,” Styler remarked to the board before they passed the first reading.

There will be another reading of the revised policy. And the next board meeting is Oct. 11 at the district office in Delta.

Styler also mentioned it being “not always easy” when “down to 15,” mentioning “cheerleading coaches.” With cross country comes the “need to find another chaperon,” Styler also noted. “It’s boys and girls together.”

Styler talked about the girls tennis team having 16 girls.

Board President Adam Britt mentioned an issue with basketball, with Board Member David Lund then talking about “some good quiet time with the coaches.”

Lund also talked about if there was one coach “in the back of a bus,” someone could “make up a story” about them. The revised subsection that passed first reading was subsection a. under 1. of F., the letter for the “Chaperoning and Procedures” section. Subsection b. says “at least one chaperone will sit even with or behind the last student toward the rear of the bus.”

Styler also said “There are a lot of districts (that) are separated by gender.” Britt asked if that applied to an activity bus. Styler and a board member said it was “the same.” Subsection d. says “The students will be segregated by gender if both are riding the bus.”

After the hazing, by Delta High School wrestling team members on a bus, the board passed the revised policy. It includes language of “sexual harassment or bullying,” and “actual or threatening language with intent to intimidate another person.” Additionally, it says that students must “refrain from disorderly or improper conduct of any kind,” “keeping your hands, feet and objects to yourself.”

“Students who persist in being disorderly may forfeit their right to ride the bus and become subject to the juvenile court the same as one who is expelled from school,” the policy, titled “Transportation of Students for Extracurricular Activities,” also says.

A coach reported the hazing in January. It took place on a school bus returning from an away match, Styler told Fox 13 News. Students were reportedly removed from the wrestling team.

Styler pointed to the policy when asked about developments since the incident.

“We obviously wanted to make sure all of our students are safe at all times and it helps to have that extra bit of supervision for those times that are necessary,” Styler told the Millard County Chronicle Progress. “We’re very happy to have that policy in place; it helps to have added direction.”

The policy was approved unanimously on July 12 by the board. Board Vice President Jeffrey Schena motioned to vote for the policy, which was seconded by Board Member Gordon Rawlinson.

The policy also says that the district will have policy to use “camera surveillance” on “various” school buses in its boundaries.

“Such a system,” the policy reads, “is to deter other undesirable activities that pose a risk to the students or driver.”

A “pupil consequences” appendix of the policy says that “pupils shall observe classroom conduct and obey the driver promptly and respectfully” and “shall respect the rights and safety of others.”

The policy made suggestions from principals “standardized throughout the district” after previously being put into action last year, since the incident started, Styler said.

“The board said ‘let’s just add it to our extracurricular activities transportation policy … instead of working on it in one school or another school,’” Styler remarked.

On Aug. 30, Styler did not specify names of individuals involved in the incident nor disciplinary action involved.