The Board of School
Directors is committed to a positive, safe learning environment
free from unlawful discrimination. The District prohibits
sexual harassment of students, whether committed by District
employees or students, contracted individuals or vendors,
or volunteers or other visitors in the schools. Sexual
harassment will not be tolerated between members of the
same or opposite sex. The Board encourages and expects
students, or their parents or guardians, to immediately
report incidents of sexual harassment and other unlawful
discrimination. The District will take prompt effective
remedial action on complaints and reports of sexual harassment
which come to the attention of the District to stop the
harassment and prevent the recurrence of any harassment,
and to correct the discriminatory effects on the complaining
student and others, if appropriate.
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The District prohibits retaliation
against any person because he or she has made a report
of alleged sexual harassment, or against any person who
has testified, provide assistance or otherwise participated
in the investigation of a report. Violations of this prohibition
may subject the retaliating party to disciplinary action.
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This policy applies during
all school regulated or sponsored activities (including
the time spent in coming to and returning from school
activities, both on and off school district property),
and to behavior that has an impact on school discipline
or on the general safety and welfare of students.
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The District periodically
shall inform students of this policy through publication
in handbooks, presentation in assemblies and other education
settings and postings of notices/signs.
Alcohol
and Drug Related Offenses
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Alcohol abuse and drug abuse
among students are serious social problems which threaten
the health, safety and welfare of the individual student
user, other members of the school population and the educational
process. Prompt disciplinary intervention can be an effective
deterrent against the abuse of chemical substances, thus
helping the student user and protecting the general school
population.
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The following
offenses involving illegal or potentially harmful drugs
and other chemical substances, which occur during school
regulated activities, both on and off school district
property, may result in suspension or expulsion from school,
or in less severe discipline as warranted by the particular
circumstances involved:
1.
Possession of alcohol and/or marijuana
2.
Possession, use or distribution of
a drug or controlled substance under circumstances
that constitute a violation of the law.
3.
Other activities which constitute
violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, device,
and Cosmetic Act.
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“Possession” includes
drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking marijuana and consumption
of other prohibited substances prior to attendance at
a school regulated activity. Distribution (by sale or
otherwise), and possession with intent to distribute,
is considered aggravating circumstances.
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Any alleged violation of the
above rules and regulations shall result in a mandatory
formal hearing before the Board of School Directors (or,
as authorized by the Board, a committee of the Board or
hearing examiner). The Superintendent may exclude the
student from school pending the hearing. Further disciplinary
action will be determined by the Board.
Possession
of Weapons
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A student commits
an offense under this policy if the student is in possession
of a weapon. For purposes of this policy, a “weapon”
shall include any tool, instrument or implement capable,
or having the appearance of being capable, of inflicting
bodily injury and possessed or used under circumstances
not manifestly appropriate for lawful uses which it may
have. The term “weapon” shall include, but
shall not be limited to, any knife, cutting instrument,
cutting tool, club, blackjack, metal knuckles, explosive
device, and firearm, gun or similar devise from which
a projectile may be discharged, including a firearm or
other weapon which is not loaded or which lacks a component
or device necessary to render it immediately operable.
Possession of an article which
otherwise would be a weapon is justified only when the
article is used in conjunction with a lawful, school supervised
course, program or activity.
An alleged offense under this
policy shall result in a mandatory formal hearing before
the Board of School Directors (or, as authorized by the
Board, a committee of the Board or hearing examiner).
The Superintendent may exclude the student from school
pending the hearing. Further disciplinary action will
be determined by the Board
The standard penalty for an
offense under this policy shall include expulsion from
school for a period of not less than one year. The penalty
shall include permanent expulsion from school where one
or more of the following aggravating circumstances exist:
1.
Possession of a firearm.
2.
Possession of a knife or cutting instrument,
the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way
by push-button, switch, spring mechanism or otherwise.
3.
Possession of a bomb or similar explosive
device, the use of which could cause serious bodily
injury to another.
4.
By use of a weapon, attempt to cause, or intentionally
or recklessly causing bodily injury to another.
5.
By use of a weapon, attempt to put another in
fear of imminent bodily injury
6.
Significant history of rules violation
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The Superintendent may recommend
lesser discipline on a case-by-case basis.
The Superintendent or designee shall report suspected
violation of this policy to the local police and shall
implement school/police protocols.
