A new policy outlining the circumstances under which teachers and administrators can use physical force to control or remove difficult students will be considered at tomorrow's Board of Education meeting.

If approved, the policy would allow school staffers to use "limited force" to prevent a student from harming another student, himself or school property. Staff would also be authorized to use force to remove a student from a classroom or other school area.

Chicago Public Schools spokesman Michael Vaughn says the proposal would simply put into place a formal policy reflecting what is already standard practice in the city and described in school guidebooks and employee handbooks.

Andres Durbak, chief of school safety and security, helped finalize the proposed student-intervention policy, Vaughn says.

Because a database is being changed, Vaughn says he can not provide an exact number of the kind of incidents requiring such interventions. But he says the rate does not seem to have increased.

"It doesn't seem like there's a significant increase or a significant decrease," Vaughn says.

The board will also consider approving a 31-page student code of conduct, which each student and parent must sign.

Wednesday's board meeting is open to the public, and public comment is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. Sign-up is from 8 to 9 a.m. The regular meeting begins at about 12:30 p.m., followed by an executive session closed to the public. Board of Education meetings are held at the CPS Central Office at 125 S. Clark.

Also Wednesday, the board is expected to approve a no-bus transportation plan for five new magnet schools.

Instead of establishing bus routes, students will be given CTA fare cards. Parents would receive reimbursement if they transport their children to school. The schools are: Miles Davis Magnet Academy at 6730 S. Paulina, LaSalle II Magnet School at 1148 N. Honore, Kershaw Elementary Magnet School at 6450 S. Lowe, Mayer Magnet School at 2250 N. Clifton and Disney II Magnet School at 3815 N. Kedvale.

The board will also consider an amendment to the two-year renewal agreement given to to Passages Charter School last month. Instead of being operated by Victory Schools, the school will be managed by American Quality Schools, a Chicago-based educational management firm.

The school is moving from 1447 W. Montrose Ave. to 1643 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., where its enrollment will increase from 233 to 300 in kindergarten through grade 5.

CPS Board of Education meeting

• When: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday
• Where: CPS Central Office, 125 S. Clark.
• Public sign-up: 8-9 a.m.