Discipline Procedures

The following levels of misbehavior and disciplinary procedures and options are designed to protect all members of the educational community in the exercise of their rights and duties.

Misbehaviors: Level I

Minor misbehavior on the part of the student, which impedes orderly classroom procedures or interferes with the orderly operation of
the school, but which can usually be handled by an individual staff member.

Examples (not an exclusive listing):
classroom disturbances
classroom tardiness
cheating and lying
abusive language to other students
non-defiant failure to do assignments or carry out directions
out of assigned area

Disciplinary Procedures:
immediate intervention by the staff member
determine what offense was committed and its severity
determine offender and that he/she understands the nature of the offense
employ appropriate disciplinary options
record of the offense and disciplinary action maintained by staff member

Disciplinary Options (not an exclusive listing):
verbal reprimand
special assignment
restricting activities
counseling
withdrawal of privileges
detention
corporal punishment
in-school detention

Misbehaviors: Level II

Misbehaviors whose frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the learning climate of the school. Included in this level are
misbehaviors which do not represent a direct threat to the health and safety of others, but whose educational consequences are serious
enough to require corrective action on the part of the staff member.

Examples (not an exclusive listing):
continuation of unmodified Level I behaviors
school or class tardiness
school or class truancy
use of tobacco
using forged notes or excuses
disruptive classroom behavior
abusive language to a school employee

Disciplinary Procedures (if teacher feels is necessary):
student is referred to the principal
principal meets with teacher and student
principal will take appropriate disciplinary action and notify teacher
record of offense and disciplinary action taken will be maintained by the principal

Disciplinary Options (not an exclusive listing):
behavior modification
counseling
in-school detention
corporal punishment
detention
Saturday School
out of school suspension not to exceed ten (10) days
alternative school

Misbehaviors: Level III
Acts directed against persons or property, but whose consequences do not seriously endanger the health or safety of others in the school.

Examples (not an exclusive listing):
continuation of unmodified Level I and II behavior
fighting (simple)
vandalism (minor)
stealing
threats to others
harassment: sexual, racial, ethnic, religious

Disciplinary Procedures:
student is referred to the principal
principal meets with teacher and student
principal will take appropriate disciplinary action and notify teacher
principal may refer incident to the Director of Schools
record of offense and disciplinary action taken will be maintained by the principal

Disciplinary Options (not an exclusive listing):
behavior modification
counseling
in-school detention
corporal punishment
detention
Saturday School
out of school suspension not to exceed ten (10) days
alternative school
restitution for loss of property
long term out-of-school suspension

Misbehaviors: Level IV

Acts which result in violence to another’s person or property or which pose a threat to the safety of others in the school. These acts are so serious that they usually require administrative actions, which result in the immediate removal of the student from the school, the intervention of law enforcement authorities, and action by the Board.

Examples (not an exclusive listing):
unmodified Level I, II, and III behaviors
extortion
bomb threat
possession/use/transfer of dangerous weapons*
assault/battery*
vandalism
theft/possession/sale of stolen property
arson
possession/use of alcohol
possession/use/transfer of unauthorized substances*
harassment: sexual, racial, ethnic, religious

Disciplinary Procedures:
principal confers with appropriate staff members and with the student
parents are notified
law enforcement officials are notified
incident is reported and recommendations made to the director
complete and accurate reports are submitted to the director
record of offense and disciplinary action taken will be maintained by the principal
student is given hearing before a disciplinary hearing authority

Disciplinary Options (not an exclusive listing):
Saturday School
out-of-school suspension
alternative school
other hearing authority or School Board action which results in appropriate placement
suspension for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year

* Expulsion/Remand for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year subject to modification by the Director of Schools on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Guidelines:

1. A student shall not be suspended solely because charges are pending against him/her in juvenile court.
2. A principal shall not impose successive short-term suspensions that cumulatively exceed ten (10) days for the same offense.
3. A teacher or other school official shall not reduce or authorize the reduction of a student’s grade because of discipline problems.
4. A student shall not be denied the passing of a course or grade promotion solely on the basis of absences except as provided by Board policy.
5. A student shall not be denied the passing of a course or grade promotion solely on the basis of failure to:
a. pay any activity fee;
b. pay a library or other school fine; or
c. make restitution for lost or damaged school property.

Legal References:
1. TCA 49-6-4001 through 49-6-4105
2. TCA 49-6-3007 (1)

Discipline of students with disabilities will follow the requirements of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.