District Policies

C350 Student Discipline

The School Board acknowledges that conduct is closely related to learning and that an effective instructional program requires an orderly school environment, which is, in part, reflected in the behavior of students.

The Board believes that the best discipline is self-imposed and students should learn to assume responsibility for their own behavior and the consequences of their actions.

The Board requires each student of this District to adhere to the Code of Conduct promulgated by the administration and to submit to such disciplinary measures as are appropriately assigned for infraction of those rules. The Superintendent will designate sanctions for the infractions of rules, excluding corporal punishment, which:

	A.	Relate in kind and degree to the infraction;
	B.	Help the student learn to take responsibility for his/her actions;
	C.	Are directed, where possible, to reduce the effects of any harm which may have been caused by the student's misconduct.

The Superintendent shall publish to all students and their parents the rules of this District regarding student conduct, the sanctions which may be imposed for breach of those rules, and the due process procedures that will be followed in administering the Code of Conduct. Teachers and other employees of this Board having authority over students shall have the authority to take any action that is reasonably necessary to carry out or prevent an interference with an educational function. No student is to be detained after the close of the regular school day unless the student's parent has been contacted and informed that the student will be detained or other suitable transportation arrangements have been made.

All discipline imposed shall be in accordance with federal and Indiana statute and regulations.

Suspension and Expulsion of Students

For purposes of this policy, “suspension” and “expulsion” shall be defined by Indiana law.

The School Board will ensure a child is afforded due process before suspension or expulsion. A student may be suspended and/or expelled from an activity, program, or a school if his/her behavior represents misconduct or substantial disobedience while the student is on school grounds immediately before or during school hours, or immediately after school hours, or at any other time when the school is being used by a school group; off school grounds at a school activity, function, or event; or traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event.

In addition to the grounds specified above, a student may be suspended or expelled for engaging in unlawful activity on or off school grounds if the unlawful activity may reasonably be considered to be an interference with school purposes or an educational function, or the student's removal is necessary to restore order or protect persons on school property, including any unlawful activity during weekends, holidays, other school breaks, and the summer period when a student may not be attending classes or other school functions.

Furthermore, a student may be suspended or expelled for bullying, regardless of the physical location in which the bullying occurred in accordance with Indiana law and Anti-Bullying Policy 5517.01.

The Student Code of Conduct, approved by the Board, shall specify the procedures to be followed by school officials when administering this policy. Students with disabilities shall be afforded procedural safeguards as required by state and federal law.

An appeal to an expulsion shall be submitted to the Board.

The Board authorizes the Superintendent to develop administrative guidelines to provide for a program whereby a student performs community service in lieu of a suspension or an expulsion and/or the referral of a student to the juvenile court. In-school restriction may be offered at the discretion of the principal for offenses found in the Student Code of Conduct, and such determinations will not be made on the basis of disability or any other legally-protected characteristic of a student.

The Superintendent or designee shall report all expulsions and second suspensions to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in accordance with law and the Bureau's guidelines.