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218. Student Discipline

The Board acknowledges that student conduct is closely related to learning. An effective educational program requires a safe and orderly school environment; and the effectiveness of the instructional program is, in part, reflected by the behavior of students.

The Board shall require each student to adhere to Board policies and the rules and regulations promulgated by the administration and to submit to disciplinary measures appropriately assigned for infraction of those rules. School rules and Board policies shall govern student conduct in school, at school-sponsored activities, and during the time spent in travel to and from school. Student conduct which occurs off-campus or at non-school related activities may be the subject of discipline by the District if the conduct has a direct and immediate effect on the discipline or general welfare of the District. This misconduct includes criminal offenses.

The Board shall adopt a Discipline Code to govern student behavior. Separate Discipline Codes for the elementary, middle school and high school will be developed and presented for Board approval and annual review. Discipline Codes will be revised in accordance with changes in law, State Board Regulations and local conditions.

Rules governing student conduct shall require students to:

1. Conform to reasonable standards of socially acceptable behavior.
2. Respect the rights, person, and property of others.
3. Preserve the degree of order necessary to the educational program in which they are engaged.
4. Obey constituted authority and respond to those who hold that authority.

Any student disciplined by a district employee shall have the right to notice of the infraction and a hearing before the building principal prior to being disciplined, and the student may appeal the discipline determination to the Superintendent or designee.

Corporal Punishment

The use of corporal punishment is prohibited in all District schools.

Reasonable force may still be used by teachers and school authorities under any of the following circumstances: to quell a disturbance, to obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects, for the purpose of self-defense, and for the protection of persons or property.

The Superintendent or designee shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement Board policy governing student conduct which:

1. Are not arbitrary, but bear a reasonable relationship to the need to maintain a school environment conducive to learning.
2. Do not discriminate among students.
3. Do not demean students.
4. Do not violate any individual rights guaranteed to students.

The Superintendent or designee shall designate sanctions for the infractions of rules which:

1. Relate in kind and degree to the infraction.
2. Help the student learn to accept responsibility for actions.
3. Are directed to ameliorating any harm caused by the student's misconduct.
4. Hold parents and guardians accountable for the actions of their children, including but not limited to, financial accountability.

The Superintendent or designee shall prepare guidelines for actions against students who violate this policy which provide for some or all of the following:

1. Parental conferences.
2. Sequential discipline.
3. Psychological and medical examination.
4. Suspension from school attendance in accordance with Board policy.
5. Referral to juvenile authorities.

The Superintendent or designee shall publish and provide to all staff, students and parents the rules for student behavior contained in the Discipline Code and the sanctions that may be imposed for violations of those rules. A copy of the Discipline Code shall be made available in each school library.

The building principal shall have the authority to assign discipline to students, subject to the policies, rules and regulations of the district and to the student's due process right to notice, hearing, and appeal.

In order to reduce the occurrence of discipline problems, the staff shall develop supportive measures in addition to the Discipline Code, such as:

1. Providing an atmosphere within the school of mutual respect and productive interdependence.
2. Providing a measure of daily success for each student.
3. Using diagnostic and prescriptive learning activities geared to the unique attitudes, abilities and interests of students.
4. Referring students for counseling, examination and other rehabilitative measures, as necessary.

Teaching staff and other district employees responsible for students shall have the authority to take reasonable actions necessary to control the disorderly conduct of students in all situations and in all places where students are within the jurisdiction of this Board and when such conduct interferes with the educational program of the schools or threatens the health and safety of others.