502.1 - Student Conduct

The board believes inappropriate student conduct causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment, interferes with the rights of others, and presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees, and visitors on school premises. Appropriate classroom behavior allows teachers to communicate more effectively with students.

Students will conduct themselves in a manner fitting to their age level and maturity and with respect and consideration for the rights of others while:

  • On school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district;
  • On school-owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles;
  • Attending or engaged in school activities; and
  • Away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management, and welfare of the school district.

Consequences for the misconduct will be fair and developmentally appropriate in light of the circumstances.

Students who fail to abide by this policy, and the administrative regulations supporting it, may be disciplined for conduct which disrupts or interferes with the education program; conduct which disrupts the orderly and efficient operation of the school district or school activity; conduct which disrupts the rights of other students to participate in or obtain their education; conduct that is violent or destructive; or conduct which interrupts the maintenance of a disciplined atmosphere. Disciplinary measures include, but are not limited, to removal from the classroom, detention, suspension, probation, and expulsion. 

Removal from the classroom means a student is sent to the building principal's office. It is within the discretion of the person in charge of the classroom to remove the student. 

Detention means the student’s presence is required during non-school hours for disciplinary purposes. The student can be required to appear prior to the beginning of the school day, after school has been dismissed for the day, or on a non-school day. Whether a student will serve detention, and the length of the detention, is within the discretion of the licensed employee or the building principal [or designee] disciplining the student.

In-school suspension means the student will attend school but will be temporarily isolated from one or more classes while under supervision. An in-school suspension will not exceed 10 consecutive school days.

Out-of-school suspension means the student is removed from the school environment, which includes school classes and activities. An out-of-school suspension will not exceed 10 consecutive school days unless due process is provided as required by federal and state law.

Restriction from school activities means a student will attend school and classes and practice, but will not participate in school activities.

Probation means a student is given a conditional suspension of a penalty for a definite period of time in addition to being reprimanded. The conditional suspension will mean the student must meet the conditions and terms for the suspension of the penalty. Failure of the student to meet these conditions and terms will result in immediate reinstatement of the penalty.

Expulsion means an action by the board to remove a student from the school environment which includes, but is not limited to, classes and activities for a period of time set by the board.

This policy is not intended to address the use of seclusion rooms for students.

Discipline of students who have been identified as special education students, including suspensions and expulsions, will comply with the provisions of applicable federal and state laws.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principals, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 10/14; 1/15; 9/20
Revised: 7/13; 12/16; 10/17; 2/21; 2/24
Related Policy: 502.1-R; 502.2; 502.2-R; 502.5; 502.5-R1-R3; 502.6-8; 502.8-R; 503.1; 602.5
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 279.8; 282.3; 282.4; 708.1; 281 IAC 12.3(6)
IASB Reference: 503.01
Mandatory Policy

502.1-R - Regulations Regarding Student Conduct Procedures and Due Process

DUE PROCESS
Due process procedures include the right of the student to: 

  1. Be given oral and/or written notice of the charges;
  2. Be given the opportunity to admit or deny such charges;
  3. Be given an explanation of the evidence against the student if they deny the charges; and
  4. Be given an opportunity to explain the situation. 

The building principal [or designee] at their discretion may allow a student to confront witnesses against the student or present witnesses on behalf of the student.

As appropriate to the age of the student, the administration will make an effort to notify parents of disciplinary due process, when warranted.

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS

A. Probation

  1. Probation is the conditional suspension of a penalty for a set period of time. Probation may be imposed by the principal [or designee] for infractions of school rules which do not warrant the necessity of removal from school. 
  2. The building principal [or designee] will conduct an investigation of the allegations against the student prior to imposition of probation. The investigation will include, but not be limited to, written or oral notice to the student of the allegations against them and an opportunity to respond. Written notice and reasons for the probation will be sent to the student's parents.

B. In-School Suspensions

  1. In-school suspensions may be imposed by the building principal [or designee] for infractions of school rules which are serious, but which do not warrant the necessity of removal from school.
  2. The principal [or designee] will conduct an investigation of the allegations against the student prior to imposition of an in-school suspension. The investigation will include, but not be limited to, written or oral notice to the student of allegations against them and an opportunity to respond. In-school suspension will not be imposed for a period longer than 10 school days. Written notice and reasons for the in-school suspension will be sent to the student’s parents.

C. Out-of-School Suspensions

  1. Out-of-school suspension is to be used when other available school resources are unable to constructively remedy student misconduct.
  2. A student may be suspended out-of-school for up to 10 school days by a principal [or designee] for a commission of gross or repeated infractions of school rules, regulations, policy or the law, or when the presence of the student will cause  interference with the maintenance of the educational environment or the operation of the school. The building principal [or designee] may suspend students after conducting an investigation of the charges against the student, giving the student oral or written notice of the allegations against the student, and giving the student: 
    1. Oral or written notice of the allegations against the student, and
    2. The opportunity to respond to the charges.

​At the principal’s [or designee’s] discretion, the student may be allowed to confront witnesses against them or present witnesses on their behalf.  

  1. Notice of the out-of-school suspension will be mailed no later than the end of the school day following the suspension to the student's parents and the superintendent. A reasonable effort is made to personally notify the student’s parents and such effort is documented by the person making or attempting to make the contact. Written notice to the parents will include the circumstances which led to the suspension and a copy of the board policy and rules pertaining to the suspension.

D. Suspensions for Special Education

  1. Students who have been identified as special education students may be referred for a review of the student’s Individual Education Program (IEP). The IEP may be revised to include a continuum of intervention strategies and programming to change the behavior.
  2. Students who have not been identified as special education students may be referred for evaluation after the student’s suspension to determine whether they have a disability and are in need of special education.

Adopted: 6/80
Reviewed: 5/11; 3/12; 10/14; 1/15; 12/16; 10/17; 9/20
Revised: 7/13; 2/24
Related Policy (Code#): 502.1; 502.2; 502.2-R; 502.5; 502.5-R1-R3; 502.6-8; 502.8-R; 503.1; 602.5
IASB Reference: 503.01-R(1)