Student Code of Conduct
CLASSIFICATIONS OF VIOLATIONS
Violations of the 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.
Procedures for the Administration of Formal Disciplinary Action
In the following classes of violations and disciplinary procedures, it is understood that the principal or designee shall hear the student’s explanation and consult further with school personnel, if necessary, before determining the classification of the violation. Each classroom teacher will deal with general classroom disruption only when the action taken by the teacher is ineffective or the disruption is severe, should the student be referred to the principal or designee.
MINOR OFFENSES – CLASS I
1.1 Excessive distraction of other students: Any conduct and/or behavior that is disruptive to the orderly educational process in the classroom or any similar grouping.
1.2 Unauthorized organizations: Any on-campus participation in non-sanctioned fraternities, sororities, secret societies, or non-affiliated clubs.
1.3 Excessive Tardiness: Reporting late to school or class.
1.4 Use of profane or obscene language
1.5 Non-conformity to dress code
1.6 Minor disruption on a school bus
1.7 Inappropriate public display of affection
1.8 Unauthorized absence from class or school
1.9 Repeated refusal to complete class assignments and failure to bring required instructional materials to class
1.10 Minor vehicular violations
1.11 Littering of school property
1.12 Academic dishonesty
1.13 Soliciting, procuring, causing, encouraging, aiding, abetting, or assisting another to commit any of the Class I offenses
1.14 Any other violation of school rule or disruption that has a detrimental impact on school activities or the educational process that the principal 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)
-
Detention
-
Suspension from bus
-
Corporal punishment
-
In-school suspension
-
Principal’s probation
INTERMEDIATE OFFENSES – CLASS II
2.1 Defiant use of a Wireless Communication Device or Student Dress Code
2.2 Defiance of Board employee’s authority
2.3
A. Possession, control, or use of tobacco products, lighters, matches
B. Vape/Vapor possession: Possession of a device used to inhale and exhale vapor containing nicotine and/or flavoring or other substance. SEE BOARD POLICY JCDAC
C. Vape/Vapor Usage: Using a device used to inhale and exhale vapor containing nicotine and/or flavoring or other substance
D. Vape/Vapor sale: Selling of a device used to inhale and exhale vapor containing nicotine and/or flavoring or other substance
2.4 Intentional touching, striking, or badgering of another
2.5 Fighting: Any physical conflict involving two or more individuals
2.6 Vandalism: Intentional and deliberate action resulting in injury or damages of less than $200 to public property or the real or personal property of another
2.7 Stealing – Larceny – Petty Theft: The intentional, taking and/or carrying away of public, real, or personal property valued at less than $100 belonging to or in the possession or custody of another.
2.8 Possession of stolen property
2.9 Threats to commit extortion: NOTE: Completion of the threat, either by the victim 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 Possession of fireworks or ammunition
2.12 Inappropriate sexual behavior (verbal, written or physical)
2.13 Use of obscene manifestations (verbal, written, physical) toward another person (student, visitor, board employee, etc.
2.14 Verbal assault upon a Board employee or visitor or student.
2.15 Verbal Abuse or Hate Speech - Speech or other expression intended to insult or stigmatize others on the basis of their sex, race, color, handicap, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
2.16 Leaving premise without permission
2.17 Cheating or other academic dishonesty: serious or repeated violations
2.18 Unauthorized absence from class or school
2.19 Threat, bullying, cyberbullying or intimidation
2.20 Loitering: Remaining in the restroom, cafeteria, hallway, parking lot, gym areas, or any other unauthorized area.
2.21 Inappropriate use of technology resources, including but not limited to taping or filming without consent
2.22 Possession of pocket knife
2.23 Violation of the conditions of principal’s probation
2.24 Gambling: Any participation in games of chance for money and/or other things of value
2.25 Intentionally providing false information to Board employee
2.26 Soliciting, procuring, causing, encouraging, aiding, abetting or assisting another to commit any of the Class II offenses:
2.27 Any other violation of school rule or disruption that has a detrimental impact on school activities or the educational process that the principal may deem reasonable to fall within this category.
2.28 Multiple, repeated, persistent, or blatant/gross Class I violations that result in a significant disruption of school events, school days, school activities, classes or other parts of the educational process.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSES – CLASS II
Administrative responses for Class II violations include, but are not limited to, all of the responses for Class I violations, as well as the following:
-
Out-of-school suspension not to exceed 10 days
-
E-Discipline (Virtual)
-
Long-term alternative school placement
-
Long-term suspension
-
Legal action
MAJOR OFFENSES – CLASS III
3.1 Drugs and alcohol: The unauthorized possession, transfer, use, sale, soliciting, trafficking, misuse and/or abuse of drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcoholic beverages, or other intoxicant of any kind.
3.2 Arson: The willful and malicious burning of any part of a building or its contents.
3.3 Assault or battery upon Board employee, student, and/or visitor: The threatening by word or act OR the unlawful and intentional touching or striking OR the intentional causing of bodily harm.
3.4 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 putting in fear of the same.
3.5 Stealing – Larceny – Grand Theft: Knowingly or intentionally taking, obtaining, receiving, or exerting unauthorized control over property valued at $100 or more belonging to or in the lawful possession or custody of another.
3.6 Burglary of school property: The breaking into, entering, or remaining in a structure or conveyance with the intent to commit an offense therein.
3.7 Criminal mischief: Willful and malicious injury or damages at or in excess of $200 to public property, or real property belonging to another.
3.8 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.
3.9 Discharging of any pistol, rifle, shotgun, air gun, pellet gun or BB gun, or any other device on school property or at any school related function
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.
3.11 Bomb threats: Any such communication(s) that has the effect of interrupting the educational environment.
3.12 Explosives: Preparing, possessing, or igniting on School Board property explosives likely to cause serious bodily injury or property damage.
3.13 Sexual acts: Acts of sexual nature including, but not limited to, battery, sodomy, intercourse, attempted rape, or rape.
3.14 Aggravated battery: Intentionally causing great bodily harm, disability, or permanent disfigurement; use of a deadly weapon.
3.15 Inciting or participating in major student disorder: Leading, encouraging, or assisting in major disruptions of school events, activities, classes, or other parts of the educational process.
3.16 Unjustified activation of a fire alarm system
3.17 Igniting fireworks
3.18 Sexual harassment
3.19 Written or Verbal Propositions to Promote Sexual Acts
3.20 Distribution, display, solicitation, possession, or production of a sexually or pornographic explicit image of any individual, including sexually explicit images of a child, including images generated by artificial intelligence (whether or not the image is of an identifiable person or whether the age of the individual can be determined, and whether or not the image is of a known or unknown individual).
3.21 Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create content that is intended to cause another to believe that the material or purported material is a visual depiction of an actual individual under 18 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct
3.22 Threats of Death or Serious Bodily Harm: The verbal, written or electronic communication of a threat to kill or do serious bodily harm to another person.
3.23 Soliciting, procuring, causing, encouraging, aiding, abetting or assisting another to commit any of the Class III offenses.
3.24 Multiple, repeated, persistent, or blatant/gross Class I or Class II violations that result in a major disruption of school events, school days, school activities, classes or other parts of the educational process.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSES - CLASS III
Administrative responses for Class III violations include, but are not limited to, all of the responses for Class I and II violations, as well as the following:
-
Expulsion
-
NOTE: Due to the serious nature of some offenses, it may be necessary to remove a student immediately from school property.
SCHOOL THREATS - Act No. 2026-367
Effective July 1, 2026, Act No. 2026-367 establishes severe consequences- both criminal and educational- for any individual who threatens violent acts or property damage using firearms, explosives, bombs, or weapons of mass destruction. The Act updates the definitions of the following crimes, when the action involves a school:
First-Degree Terrorist Threat
Upgraded to a Class B felony, this charge applies when (1) an individual makes a credible threat to commit a violent act against a person or to damage any property by the use of a bomb, explosive, weapon of mass destruction, firearm, deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, or other mechanism and (2) that threat does or is intended to cause the disruption of a school or influence any person participating in a governmental function by intimidation or coercion.
Second-Degree Terrorist Threat
This charge applies when an individual makes a credible threat to commit a violent act against a person or to damage any property by the use of a bomb, explosive, weapon of mass destruction, firearm, deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, or other mechanism. While generally classified as a Class A misdemeanor, it escalates to a Class D felony if the offender has a prior terrorist threat adjudication or conviction in any degree or commits a second or subsequent offense of making a terrorist threat within one year of making another terrorist threat in any degree.
Credible Threat
The law defines a credible threat as a “knowing and willful statement or course of conduct which, based on the totality of the circumstances, would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of another.”
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.
STUDENT SEARCHES
All Athens City Schools property, facilities, and grounds may be entered, inspected, and searched at any time for any lawful purpose by school officials/employees, without any prior notice and to the fullest extent permitted by law. This includes but is not limited to Athens City Schools’ desks, file cabinets, closets, lockers, offices, books, computers, and telephones, however and wherever kept, stored, or maintained. However, no school official shall conduct an individualized search of a locker and/or desk that has been assigned to a student by school officials for storage of the student’s personal property unless there is a reasonable suspicion to believe that articles are kept there that may endanger other individuals in the school or that such articles possessed are contrary to law or the regulations or policies of the school and/or Board. See Board Policy JCAB
Individuals and their Belongings
A principal or his/her approved designee (under the direction of the school principal) may make searches of a student and/or the student’s personal belongings (including but not limited to a student’s vehicle on school property, purse, wallet, backpack, cell phone, computer) if there is reasonable suspicion that the student is carrying articles that may endanger individuals or present a risk or threat to the safety or welfare of the school community; or evidence of an actual or suspected violation of the law or the regulations or policies of the school and/or Board. The search should be reasonably related in scope to its objectives and the circumstances that justify it. In a case where the principal or designee determines that a “frisk” or “pat down” of the student should be conducted, then it will be in private by a school official of the same sex with another staff member of the same sex present. In any case where the principal or designee determines that a search of more than a student's pockets, jacket, cap, outer shirt, shoes, socks, belt, purse, book bag, and other outer garments and articles, or more than a “frisk” or “pat down” is justified by sufficient reasonable cause, the principal or designee will notify the student's parent or guardian prior to the search and the parent or guardian will be given a reasonable opportunity to be present at the time of the search. Such personal searches will be conducted with due regard for the age and gender of the student, and in a way that preserves the dignity of the student to the extent practicable under the circumstances.
Law Enforcement Officials
School officials will cooperate with law enforcement officials in their effort to enforce the law. School officials will not permit warrantless searches of students by law enforcement officials on school property, unless:
(a) a student gives the law enforcement officer consent to the search
(b) the search is incident to a lawful arrest
(c) the officer is conducting a “stop and frisk” for safety reasons
(d) there are exigent/emergency circumstances (such as people in imminent danger, to provide emergency aid/assistance, where evidence faces imminent destruction, or prior to a suspect’s imminent escape)
(e) where otherwise permitted by law
Blanket Searches
To the maximum extent permitted by law and in the interest of safety of persons and property (and not to investigate and/or secure evidence of a crime), school officials, upon the approval of the Superintendent, may conduct blanket searches of students (as opposed to searches of particular persons based on individualized suspicion) prior to entry upon school property, events, or functions. This includes, but is not limited to all students at a school being required to satisfactorily pass through a metal detector or similar device prior to entry at school. Students that do not satisfy such tests may be subject to subsequent searches of their person and personal property, within the bounds of the law.
Use of Recovered Items
Property, material, substances, information, or records that are obtained, discovered, or recovered as a result of a search may be retained and used for any lawful purpose.
General
This policy shall not be construed to prevent:
a. School Resource Officers or other law enforcement officials from taking independent, lawful action regarding activities that occur on campus; or
b. School employees from seeking the assistance of School Resource Officers or other law enforcement officials to assist in a search.
Refusal to submit to a search may be grounds for disciplinary action.