Code of Student Conduct
It is the responsibility of both parents and students to be thoroughly familiar with the information in the Code of Student Conduct.
Code is Board Policy
The Student Handbook is annually approved as referenced in Board Policy 218 – Student Discipline. The Code of Student Conduct applies to all students and has been developed so that students and their parents are aware of expectations for student behavior. The Code is divided into Classroom-Managed Behaviors (Minors), Non-PIMS Reportable/Office-Managed Behaviors (Majors), and Safe Schools/PIMS Reportable Behaviors. The Code also provides Operational Definitions for all Minors, Majors, and Actions/Consequences/Interventions. Appendix A provides staff and administration with guidance on the equitable application disciplinary action. Required actions are designated for communication, reporting/documentation, and safety purposes. Supplemental actions provide staff and administration with an array of actions that may be used at their discretion based on the context of the behavior. The Code is based on Pennsylvania’s Regulations and Guidelines for Student Rights and Responsibilities.
Building Level Regulations
The Student Code of Conduct applies to all buildings throughout the district. The revision process included input from various stakeholders. The common language and disciplinary guidance aims to:
- Establish clearly articulated policy and procedures that guide teachers and administrators with decision making so that all students have access to fair and equitable discipline.
- Put forth a set of district-wide policies and procedures that describe and emphasize proactive, instructive, and/or restorative approaches to school discipline.
- Improve data collection procedures for improved access to data for decision-making.
- Utilize the student information system for all discipline documentation, reporting and data exporting for decision making.
Reporting Responsibility
It is the responsibility of all adults and students to report any violation of school rules or any illegal activity to the building administration.
Suspensions and Expulsions
Suspensions and expulsions are the most severe sanction that can be imposed on a student and one that cannot be imposed without due process.
Suspension: A temporary, complete exclusion from school and activities lasting from one (1) to ten (10) days. A student may be suspended by administration for three (3) days without a hearing or up to ten (10) days with an opportunity for an informal hearing. Students are responsible for making up missed work during a suspension. Suspensions are reserved for major disciplinary infractions and behaviors (see Appendix A) or for chronic disregard for School and District policy.
Expulsion: An expulsion is a complete removal and exclusion from the school setting for a period of eleven (11) days and beyond. Typically, expulsions are issued for a period of one calendar year but may be shorter or longer depending on the circumstances Students are afforded the opportunity for a formal expulsion hearing or they may be offered an expulsion hearing waiver in lieu of a formal hearing. Students may be expelled for chronic disregard for School and District Policy, Willful and Wanton Misconduct, or any Major, state (PIMS) reportable, disciplinary infractions and behaviors (see Appendix A). The following infractions typically result in a recommendation for expulsion regardless of disciplinary history:
- Simple or Aggravated Assault (On student or staff)
- Sexual Misconduct Infracts (Rape, Involuntary Sexual Deviate Intercourse, Statutory Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Indecent Assault, Indecent Exposure, Open Lewdness, Sexual Harassment
- Violations Relating to Controlled Substances (Sale/Distribution, Possession, use, or Under the Influence of)
- Racial, Ethic, or Other Intimidation or Harassment
- Institutional Vandalism
- Terroristic Threats or Other Threats Against Individuals or the Institution
For a comprehensive list of behaviors and infractions which may result in suspension or expulsion, please reference Appendix A. In all instances, the identified special needs and/or disabilities of an individual are considered when determining appropriate disciplinary action.
Hearings/Due Process
In all cases of discipline, communication with the home is essential. Furthermore, certain disciplinary situations entitle students to a due process hearing—either informal or formal.
Informal hearings are offered to students and their parents for suspensions that may extend beyond three (3) days. Informal hearings are opportunities to meet with administration and review the circumstances of behavioral incidents. Parents may waive an informal hearing but are encouraged to participate.
Formal hearings are held before the school board or a committee of the school board and are typically used for cases of expulsion. Parents are notified in writing of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing. They have the right to counsel and/or witnesses if they choose. Unless requested by the parents/student to be public, hearings are private. Expulsion proceedings may also take place before the superintendent using what is known as an expulsion waiver. The school board must approve any agreements reached through the expulsion waiver process.
Search and Seizure
Students’ possessions and personal/school property can be searched by school officials using the standard of reasonable suspicion. Lockers, desks, and school-issued laptop computers are public school property; therefore, students shall not expect privacy regarding anything stored or placed in these items.
- Lockers/desks may be locked only with locks provided by the school.
- School administration may inspect a student’s locker/desk at any time for the purpose of determining whether the locker is being improperly used for the storage of contraband, a substance or object the possession of which is illegal, or any material that poses a hazard to the safety and good order of the schools. Blanket locker and desk searches are also permitted for reasonable suspicion.
- Students’ cell phones and personal electronic devices are subject to search using the standard of reasonable suspicion.
- Personal items (purses, wallets, pocketbooks, backpacks, etc.) are subject to search using the standard of reasonable suspicion and may not be searched without reasonable suspicion. Students may, however, be instructed to empty their pockets/shoes and any other area on their person where items can be concealed.
- Automobiles parked on school property are subject to search using the standard of reasonable suspicion. Students may be asked to open their car, glove box, trunk, etc.
- Any illegal materials, items, and/or anything that could be used to disrupt or cause harm to others may be seized during the search and may be used as evidence in determining disciplinary and/or legal action.
- Failure to cooperate with a request to search personal property could result in disciplinary action.
- Searches may also be conducted by police and police-trained dogs. Dogs are trained to identify illegal drugs, not tobacco. If a student’s locker is identified by a drug detector dog during the search, the student will be notified. Depending what is found in the locker, the student will receive consequences if in violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Appropriate search and seizure procedures will be initiated if reasonable suspicion is established following a search utilizing drug detector dog(s). Depending on what is seized during the search, the student can be subject to consequences if in violation of the Code of Student Conduct and/or face legal action.
The administration reserves the right to handle individual cases at its discretion within the parameters of these policies.
How to read the Code of Student Conduct:
1. All behavior errors have been classified into three categories:
a. Classroom-Managed Behaviors (Minors) – coded 100.0 through 115.0
b. Non-PIMS Reportable/Office-Managed Behaviors (Majors) – coded 200.00 through 219.0
c. Safe Schools/PIMS Reportable Behaviors – Coded 1 through 54
2. All actions are classified into three categories:
a. Classroom-Managed Actions, Consequences, and Interventions – available to teachers
b. Both Classroom and Office-Managed Actions, Consequences, and Interventions- available to teachers and administrators
c. Office-Managed Actions, Consequences, and Interventions – available to administrators
3. All behavior errors have been operationally defined for grades K-12:
a. Minors (classroom-managed): Misbehavior that impedes orderly classroom procedures or interferes with the orderly operation of the school. These misbehaviors can usually be handled by an individual staff member but sometimes require the intervention of other support personnel.
b. Majors (office-managed): Misbehavior that disrupts the learning climate of the school. Execution of Level I discipline options (including parent contact) has failed to correct the problem. Referral is made to an administrator.
c. PIMS Reportable: Acts that result in violence to another person or property, loss of property, or pose a direct threat to the safety of others. Staff personnel who intervene in and/or observe such behavior will refer the incident to an administrator. Most of the time these acts will be considered criminal in nature and may require the intervention of law enforcement personnel.
d. Appendices: please refer to the below appendices for additional information regarding the decision making process and definitions. These appendices provide example infractions and possible consequences.
i. Appendix A: Discipline Decision-Making Guide
ii. Appendix B: Operational Definitions
Classroom-managed Behavior(s) are student behavior errors that:
- impede orderly classroom procedures or interfere with the orderly operation of the school.
- may occur in the classroom, hallway, or other parts of the building or learning environment.
- can usually be handled by an individual staff person (teacher) but may sometimes require other school personnel.
- do not result in physical injury
Classroom-managed minor behaviors may be documented for the purposes of monitoring student behavior and working to identify patterns. When a repeated pattern [four or more of the same behavior within four (4) consecutive weeks] of minor behavior errors is identified, they may require administrative or other personnel intervention because classroom-managed interventions and consequence strategies failed to correct the behavior error. The classroom teacher may choose to escalate the behavior as an office-managed behavior through the submission of an office discipline referral (ODR). The office administrator will review the appropriateness of the referral to verify whether 1.) a variety of interventions have been applied and 2.) the timeframe for which the behaviors have occurred. If the two conditions are met the administrator may accept the ODR and respond accordingly.
Office-managed Behavior(s) are student behavior errors that:
- disrupt the learning environment due to frequency and/or seriousness.
- directed against persons or property or a single serious event.
- may result in physical injury.
- always require the involvement of school personnel outside of the classroom.
All major behavior errors are referred to an administrator through an office discipline referral (ODR). *If a major Non-PIMS Reportable / Office-managed Behavior receives a PIMS reportable action (ex: ISS, OSS or Expulsion) then it will become PIMS reportable*
Safe Schools / PIMS Reportable Behaviors are student behavior errors that:
- are managed by the office
- reported to the state
- may involve law enforcement
All Safe Schools / PIMS Reportable Behaviors are documented by an administrator through incident management.