A New York high school senior was suspended after bringing a cup of coffee to class, sparking a dispute over the school district’s newly implemented outside-food policy. The incident occurred on September 3 at Beaver River Central School in Castorland.

Julie Kaputa, an honors student in her final year, said she was confronted by a teacher minutes into her first-period class regarding the coffee she brought with her. According to Kaputa, the teacher instructed her to either discard the coffee, drink it immediately, or go to the office. Following the confrontation, Kaputa received an in-school suspension for allegedly violating the school’s Code of Conduct, which aims to maintain a “safe, instruction-focused environment for all students.”

Kaputa challenged the enforcement of the policy, noting that the school district had adopted the new rule without holding a public hearing. She expressed concern that the policy change was implemented without prior notification to students, parents, or the community. After discussing the matter with school officials, Kaputa was allowed to return to class with her coffee.

Her mother, Mary Anne Kaputa, praised the school administrators for eventually reconsidering the suspension. “Glad that we have reasonable and rational administrators that are willing to listen . . . with some prompting,” she said.

The school board plans to hold a public hearing on the proposed outside-food and drink policy during its meeting scheduled for Monday. The session will provide an opportunity for students and community members to offer input on the policy before it is formally adopted.