Code of Conduct

STUDENT CONDUCT

All students of the School System are charged with the responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to good citizenship everywhere. Student conduct shall be founded on the basic concept of respect and consideration for the rights of others.

All students of the School System shall have the policies of the Board and administrative rules and regulations to which they are subject made available to them in written form at the opening of school each year. These policies and rules and regulations shall be developed cooperatively by the Board and the school personnel who shall consider any suggestions made by the students. Said policies must be adopted by the Board. All rules and regulations must be approved by the Superintendent.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Violations of the student Code of Conduct are grouped into the three classifications of minor, intermediate, and major offenses. Each classification is followed by a disciplinary procedure to be implemented by the principal or designees.

In the following cases of violations and disciplinary procedures, the principal or designee shall hear the student's explanation and consult with school personnel.

Each classroom teacher will deal with general classroom disruption by taking in-class disciplinary action which will include a personal call to the parent(s) or guardian(s) when feasible and/or by scheduling conferences with the parent or guardian and other school staff. When the action taken by the teacher is ineffective or the disruption is severe, the student will be referred to the office.

FILE: JCDA

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

MINOR OFFENSES – CLASS I

1.01 Disobedience/Disruptive behavior/Distraction of other students

Any conduct and/or behavior, which is disruptive to the orderly educational process in the classroom or any similar grouping for instruction.

Examples: talking excessively, interrupting class functions, provoking other students

1.02 Illegal organizations

Any participation in fraternities, sororities, and secret societies.

1.03 Threat, harassment, or intimidation of a student

The intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to another student, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing some act which creates a well-founded fear in the person that such harm is likely.

1.04 Stealing/Larceny/Petty Theft

The intentional, unlawful taking and/or carrying away of public, real, or personal property valued at less than $100.00 belonging to or in the lawful possession or custody of another.

1.05 Tardiness

Reporting late to school or class.

1.06 Use of profane or obscene language

1.07 Nonconformity to dress code ( See File JCBD )

1.08 Minor disruption on a school bus

1.09 Inappropriate public display of affection

ANY physical contact, such as hand holding, arms around waist, etc.

1.10 Possession of stolen property with the knowledge that it is stolen

1.11 Intentionally providing false information to a Board employee

Including, but not limited to, forgery of parent’s (s’) name(s); intentionally providing false information to parents, such as changing grades.

1.12 Repeated refusal to complete class assignments and failure to bring required instructional materials to class

1.13 Vehicular violations

1.14 Any other violation which the principal/designee may deem reasonable to fall within this category.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSES – CLASS I

Administrative responses for Class I violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Student conference

· Parent contact(s)/conference(s)

· After-school detention

· Suspension from school/bus

· Out-of-school suspension not to exceed three (3) days (not to exceed a cumulative total of 10 days per term for non-special education students and 10 days per academic term for special education students)

· Corporal punishment

· Assignment to in-school suspension (alternative to suspension)

INTERMEDIATE OFFENSES – CLASS II

2.01 Defiance of Board employee’s authority

Any verbal or non-verbal refusal to comply with lawful and reasonable direction or order of a Board employee.

2.02 Possession, control, or use of tobacco products

The use of any tobacco products while under school jurisdiction.

2.03 Battery upon students

The actual and intentional pushing or striking of another student against the will of the other or the intentional causing of bodily harm to another individual.

2.04 Fighting

Any physical conflict between two or more individuals.

2.05 Vandalism

Intentional, unlawful taking and/or carrying of public, real, or personal property valued at less than $100.00, belonging to or in the lawful possession or custody of another.

2.06 Gambling

Any participation in games of chance for money and/or other things of value.

2.07 Unauthorized absence from school or class

2.08 Disorderly conduct

Any act which substantially disrupts the orderly conduct of a school function or which disrupts the orderly learning environment or poses a threat to health, safety, and/or welfare of students, staff, or others.

2.09 Threats/Intimidation/Extortion

Unlawfully placing another person in fear of bodily harm through verbal threats without displaying a weapon or subjecting the person to actual physical attack; the verbal or by a written or printed communication, malicious threatening of injury to the person, property, or reputation of another, with the intent to extort money or any pecuniary advantage whatsoever, or with the intent to compel the person so threatened or any other person to do any act or refrain from doing any act against his/her will. NOTE: completion of the threat, either by the victim’s complying with the demands or the carrying out of the threats against the victim, constitutes a Class III offense.

2.10 Trespassing

The willful entering or remaining in any structure, conveyance, or property without being authorized, licensed, or invited; or having been authorized, licensed, or invited, is warned by an authorized person to depart and refuses to do so.

2.11 Persistent, willful disobedience

Reoccurring, intentional violation of the code of student conduct as determined by the school administrator which substantially disrupts the orderly conduct of a school function; behavior which substantially disrupts the orderly learning environment, or poses a threat to the health, safety, and/or welfare of students, staff or others.

2.12 Offensive touching of another person

2.13 Written or verbal propositions to promote sexual acts

2.14 Use of obscene manifestations (verbal, written, physical) toward another student

2.15 Directing obscene or profane language to a Board employee or visitor

Verbal assault upon a Board employee or visitor.

2.16 Harassment/Harassing Communications

Intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person by striking, shoving, kicking, or otherwise touching a person or subjecting him/her to physical contact; directing abusive or obscene language or making an obscene gesture towards another person.

Communicates with a person, anonymously or otherwise, by telephone, telegraph, mail, or any form of written or electronic communication in a manner likely to harass or cause alarm

2.17 Carrying and/or using electronic communication device or pocket pager

In accordance with The Code of Alabama, 16-1-27, such behavior is in violation of state law.

2.18 Any other offense which the principal/designee may reasonably deem to fall within this category

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSES – CLASS II

Administrative responses for Class II violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Parent contact(s)/conference(s)

· Corporal punishment

· Out-of-school suspension

· Assignment to Alternative School

· Assignment to in-school suspension

MAJOR OFFENSES – CLASS III

3.01 Drugs and Alcohol

Unauthorized possession, transfer, use, or sale of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcoholic beverages. In accordance with legislative Act 94-783, a person/student who unlawfully sells, furnishes, or gives a controlled substance to a minor may be liable for injury or damage or both.

3.02 Arson

The willful and malicious burning of any part of a building or its contents. In accordance with legislative Act 94-819, parents are liable for damages to school property caused by their child(ren).

3.03 Battery Upon Board Employee

The threatening by word or act or the unlawful and intentional touching or striking of a Board employee against his or her will, or the intentional causing of bodily harm to a School

3.04 Robbery

The taking of money or other property from the person which may be the subject of larceny from the person or custody of another by force, violence, assault or other putting in fear of same.

3.05 Stealing/Larceny/Grand Theft

The intentional, unlawful taking and/or carrying away of property valued at $100 or more belonging to or in the lawful possession or custody of another.

3.06 Burglary of school property

The breaking in to, entering, or remaining in a structure or conveyance with the intent to commit an offense therein during the hours the premises are closed to the public.

3.07 Criminal mischief

Willful and malicious injury or damages at or in excess of $200 to public property, or real property belonging to another.

3.08 Possession of firearms

Any firearm (including a starter gun) which will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; any destructive device. In accordance with legislative Act 94-817, the possession of a deadly weapon on school premises with intent to do bodily harm is a Class C felony.

3.09 Discharging of any pistol, rifle, shotgun, air-gun, pellet gun, or BB gun, or any other device on school property

3.10 Possession of weapons

Any knife, metallic knuckles, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or any other weapon, instrument, or other object capable of causing bodily harm, or with the intent to be armed. In accordance with legislative Act 94-817, the possession of a deadly weapon on school premises with intent to do bodily harm is a Class C felony.

3.11 Bomb threats

Any communication(s) directed to a School Board employee which has the effect of interrupting the educational environment.

3.12 Explosives/fireworks/firecrackers/incendiary devices/poison gas

Preparing, possessing, or igniting on School Board property, explosives likely to cause serious bodily injury or property damage.

3.13 Sexual acts/battery

Acts of sexual nature including, but not limited to, attempted rape, or rape.

3.14 Aggravated battery

Intentionally causing great bodily harm, disability, or permanent disfigurement; use of a deadly weapon.

3.15 Disruptive demonstrations/inciting participating in major student disorder

Demonstrations consisting of five or more participants who, in a course of a demonstration, are likely to cause substantial harm or serious inconvenience, annoyance, or harm, and intentionally refuse or fail to disperse when ordered to do so by an authorized school official, peace officer, or other public servant lawfully engaged in or executing or enforcing the law.

3.16 Unjustified activation of a fire alarm system

3.17 Sexual harassment

To discriminate against a student in any course or program of study in any educational institution in the evaluation of achievement or in providing benefits, privileges, and placement services on the basis of that student’s submission or rejection of sexual advances or requests for sexual favors by administrators, staff, teachers, students, or other School Board employees; deliberate, repeated, and unsolicited physical actions, gestures, or verbal or written comments of a sexual nature, when such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with a student’s academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment.

3.18 Homicide (on school campus)

Murder and non-negligent manslaughter, killing of one human being by another, killing a person through negligence.

3.19 Kidnapping

Unlawfully seizing, transporting, and/or detaining a person against his/her will or of a minor without the consent of his/her custodial parent(s) or legal guardian.

3.20 Any other offense which the principal may deem reasonable to fall within this category.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSES CLASS III

Administrative responses for Class III violations include, but are not limited to the following:

· Out-of-school suspension

· Expulsion

· Legal action

Assignment to Alternative School