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Student Conduct

ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE

Principals and school officials are instructed to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies and are to report to them any and all information that would be considered beneficial in their efforts to stem illegal drug use. Law enforcement agencies are permitted to make periodic visits to all schools to detect the presence of illegal drugs and may use any lawful means at their disposal to detect the presence of such substances. The visits will be unannounced to anyone except the Superintendent (or designee) and principal.
 
The Board may withdraw the privilege of attending public school from those students who have been found to violate Board policy and/or the law regarding illegal substances brought before them. Before the students can return to school they must produce a negative urinalysis test. The urinalysis test must be conducted by a school board approved agency and funded by the parent or guardian.
 
Sale and Transfer
The sale, transfer, and/or attempt to sell and/or transfer of controlled substances, narcotic drugs, hallucinogenic drugs, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, opiates, alcoholic beverages, or intoxicants of any kind is a Class III Major Offense.
 
Any person who sells, transfers, and/or attempts to sell and/or transfer controlled substances, narcotic drugs, hallucinogenic drugs, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, opiates, alcoholic beverages, or intoxicant of any kind on school property or during a school related activity should be subjected to criminal prosecution.
 
The Superintendent or designee may recommend for expulsion from Athens City Schools any student who sells, transfers, or attempts to sell or transfer controlled substances, narcotic drugs, hallucinogenic drugs, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, opiates, alcoholic beverages, or intoxicant of any kind.
 
Use and Possession
Use and/or possession of controlled substances, narcotic drugs, hallucinogenic drugs, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, opiates, alcoholic beverages, or intoxicants of any kind is a Class III Major Offense.
 
Any person who uses and/or possesses, or attempts to use and/or possess controlled substances, narcotic drugs, hallucinogenic drugs, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, opiates, alcoholic beverages, or intoxicant of any kind on school property or during a school related activity should be subjected to criminal prosecution.
 
The Superintendent or designee may recommend for expulsion from Athens City Schools any student who uses or possesses, or attempts to use or possess controlled substances, narcotic drugs, hallucinogenic drugs, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, opiates, alcoholic beverages, or intoxicant of any kind.
 
This policy shall not be read to contradict federal and state laws/regulations concerning students with disabilities. When disciplinary measures involve students with disabilities, said law/regulations shall prevail in the case of any inconsistency with this policy.
 
Students will not be allowed to appear upon the campus, or at any school sponsored activity, function, or event not on campus, during the day or evening of that same day after having, on that said day, consumed or used or possessed any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind. Violators will be subjected to the penalties and punishments herein defined. For purposes of this policy, the phrase “alcoholic beverages” includes, but is not limited to, any drinks, beverages, powders, or substances that are or can be used to deliver intoxicating alcohol to a person consuming or using the same.
 

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

In order to establish and maintain an educational climate conducive to learning, the Board permits reasonable corporal punishment of students in the schools.
 
In all cases, corporal punishment shall be administered in accordance with Board Policy JDA.
 

DETENTION

The principal or designee has the authority to assign students to detention on campus before or after the regular school day for a specified period of time. After School Detention (ASD) will not exceed 60 minutes as a disciplinary action. Students will be given a one-day notice of their detention hall assignment. The parents or guardians are responsible for providing transportation in these cases. Work or lack of transportation will not excuse a student from detention
 

FIREARMS AND WEAPONS

A student is prohibited from having in his/her possession firearms of any kind, at any time, and at any place in a school building, on school grounds, on Board property, on school buses, or while attending any Board sponsored or sanctioned event, program, activity, or function. For purposes of this policy, the term “firearm” has the same definition as is found in 18 U.S.C §921.
 
Weapons
A student is prohibited from having in his/her possession a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument of any kind, at any time, and at any place in a school building, on school grounds, on Board property, on school buses, or while attending any Board sponsored or sanctioned event, program, activity, or function.
 
Penalties for Violations
  • Students who are found in violation of the above policy may be placed on immediate suspension from school. In addition, parents and police authorities will be notified.
  • Students may be expelled for possession of weapons of any kind, at any time, on school property, or school sponsored functions.
  • Students who bring a weapon to school, or are found in possession of a weapon at school, may be referred to the juvenile delinquency system or criminal justice system. Expulsion may be required for any student who violates this policy with respect to a firearm for a period of not less than one year, subject to § 16-1-24.3 of the Code of Alabama, as amended.
 

IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION

In-school suspension is a structured disciplinary action in which a student is isolated or removed from the regular classroom and extracurricular activities but is not dismissed from the regular school environment. 
 

NO FIGHT POLICY

The Board will not tolerate fighting or an assault and battery. When a fight or an assault occurs, in addition to normal school discipline, the principal or designee may notify appropriate law enforcement officials. Police may escort the offending student(s) off campus. In appropriate cases, school personnel may request warrants of arrest.
 

OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION OR ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT

The Board recognizes its authority to maintain good order and discipline within the schools of the school system. Therefore, the Board gives school principals the authority to suspend a student from school for just cause, and/or to place a student into an alternative school setting. However, the principal shall be required to advise the Superintendent or designee of all student out-of-school suspensions and alternative school placements.
 

AUTHORITY

The school principal or designee has the authority to suspend regular education students from school, or to place the student in an alternative school setting, for up to ten (10) school days per incident/disciplinary infraction. Prior to suspending or placing students in this manner, the student will be afforded minimal due process with the school principal or designee as set forth in Policy JCAA. However, where a student’s presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property or an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process, such student may be immediately removed from school, and in such cases, the minimal due process set forth in Policy JCAA should follow as soon as practicable.


LONG-TERM SUSPENSION, LONG-TERM ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PLACEMENT, AND EXPULSION

In more serious situations, a student may face more serious disciplinary consequences, including long-term suspension (more than 10 and less than 90 days per incidence), long-term alternative school placement (more than 15 and less than 90 days per incidence), or expulsion (more than 90 days per incidence). In these cases, the following procedures will be followed:
 
  1. The student is afforded an opportunity for a disciplinary hearing.
  2. The student and parent/guardian receive written notice of the disciplinary hearing. (If the notice is not responded to by a parent/guardian, the hearing shall be waived). The student has the right to waive the hearing and accept the discipline. 
  3. If parent/guardian responds to the notice, a disciplinary hearing shall occur within 10 school days after the initial suspension from school unless good cause is otherwise shown or agreed upon by parties.
  4. The student may be represented at the hearing by legal counsel or another advocate of the student’s choice at the student’s expense.
  5. At least 5 days before the hearing, the student, parent/guardian, and/or legal counsel/advocate, may review information that may be presented as evidence at the hearing in accordance with federal and state student record laws and regulations.
  6. At the hearing, school officials shall offer evidence that the student violated the code of student conduct or state law.
  7. The student may present a defense.
  8. Each party to the hearing, upon request, shall receive an electronic or written record of the hearing from the Board of Education.
  9. Within five (5) school days after the hearing, a written decision will be sent to the student and parent/guardian.
  10. A student has the right to appeal the decision by filing an action in juvenile court pursuant to Ala. Code §12-15-115. Students wishing to appeal must file a notice with the local juvenile court within 14 days of the Board’s decision. 
  11. More information and detail can be found about these procedures in school board Policy JDE. 

WAIVER OF STUDENT DISCIPLINARY HEARING

A parent/guardian and student may choose to waive the student disciplinary hearing and accept the school’s recommended disciplinary response for the violation of the code of conduct by reviewing and signing a disciplinary hearing waiver prior to the scheduled disciplinary hearing date. 
Any efforts to negotiate the school’s disciplinary recommendation relative to the incident should be concluded prior to the signing of the waiver in which the stated rule violation(s) and disciplinary recommendations are noted. By signing and submitting a hearing waiver to the school, the parent/guardian and student agree to and accept the disciplinary recommendation of the school and waive their rights to challenge and/or appeal the waiver at a later date.
 
A disciplinary waiver is not final until reviewed and approved by the Superintendent or designee.
 

READMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR LONG-TERM SUSPENSIONS, LONG-TERM ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PLACEMENTS, AND EXPULSIONS

The student and his/her parents or guardians are required to meet with the principal or designee to discuss conditions and terms related to the suspension. 
 

STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL SITES

No suspended student shall be allowed to leave the school campus during the school day until the student's parent, guardian, or proper authority assumes responsibility for him/her. When a student's parent, guardian, or other designated individual(s) cannot be notified, the student must remain on the school campus until the end of the school day. At the end of the school day, the student will return home via normal transportation methods.


IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF STUDENTS

Immediate removal of a student from a school campus is justified only when his/her presence threatens himself/herself, endangers school property, or seriously disrupts the orderly educational process. If immediate removal is necessary, attempts must be made by the principal or designee to notify a parent or guardian.
 

FORCED REMOVAL OF STUDENTS

Principals may call upon law enforcement agencies to remove students who create material and/or substantial disruption by endangering themselves, school personnel, other students, or school property. The principal will notify the Superintendent regarding forced removals.
 

SUSPENSION DURING EXAMS

When a student is suspended during nine weeks/midterm/final examinations, he/she may be given the opportunity to take missed examinations at a time specified by the principal or designee. The following terms/conditions apply during the time students are on out-of-school suspension:
 
  • While suspended, a student may not attend or participate in school functions or enter school property for any reason.
  • When a student is suspended, his/her teachers must be notified immediately concerning the date and duration of the suspension. Suspension is an excused absence
  • A suspended student must comply with the full length of the suspension unless the principal approves an alternative.
 
Students with Disabilities
This policy shall not be read to contradict federal and state laws/regulations concerning students with disabilities. When disciplinary measures involve students with disabilities, said law/regulations shall prevail in the case of any inconsistency with this policy.
 

SMOKING/USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Students will not be permitted to possess, smoke, or use tobacco products in any form while in school buildings, on school property, in school buses, during any school sponsored activities, or on the way to and from school sponsored activities. For purposes of this policy, the phrase “tobacco products” includes, but is not limited to cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, lighters, matches, electronic cigarettes/vapor, synthetic nicotine products, etc.
 

REFUSAL TO IDENTIFY SELF

All students must, upon request, identify themselves to school authorities while in school buildings, on school grounds, or at school-sponsored events, and failing to do so constitutes a violation of board policy. A person who refuses to identify himself/herself upon request of school officials will be considered trespassing.
 

 

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