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, provided
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.
*
The District periodically
shall inform students of this policy through publication
in handbooks, presentation in assemblies and other
educational settings and posting of notices/signs.
Discipline
- 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.
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.
"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, are considered aggravating circumstances.
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.
Discipline
- Possession of Weapons
*
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 device from
which a projectile may be discharged, including
a firearm or other weapon which is not loaded or
which lacks a component or 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.
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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.
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.
