This topic was suggested by a poster to another thread who reports that GCHS has decided against expulsion of violators of the Zero Tolerance Policy and put them into a single classroom on the GCHS campus?
The question is whether the Zero Tolerance Policy is being applied equally and justly? Is the penalty for violations of "Zero Tolerance offenses being changed because recently the children of two separate teachers were involved in violations? Should those guilty of a Zero Tolerance offense continue in the school environment and do they pose a risk to other students either by actions or examples?
Here is the School Board Policy on disciplinary actions taken directly from the school website.
Each Student Has The Right To: have the opportunity for a free education in the most appropriate learning environment. --have the opportunity for freedom of speech, expression of ideas, and of the press. expect that the school will be a safe place with no fear of bodily harm. --expect an appropriate environment conducive to learning. --not to be discriminated against on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability. --expect to be fully informed of school rules and regulations.
Each Student has the Responsibility To: --know and adhere to reasonable rules and regulations established by the Board of Education and implemented by school administrators and teachers. --respect the human dignity and worth of every other individual. --refrain from libel, slanderous remarks, and obscenity in verbal and written expression. --study diligently and maintain the best possible level of academic achievement. --be punctual and present in the regular school program. --dress and groom in a manner that meets reasonable standards of health, cleanliness, modesty, safety, and abide by School and Board rules. --help maintain and improve the school environment, preserve school property, and exercise the utmost care while using the school facilities. --refrain from disobedience or misconduct or behavior which would lead to any physical harm or that disrupts the educational process. --respect the reasonable exercise of authority by school administrators and teachers in maintaining discipline in the school and at school sponsored activities. --obey the law and rules so as not to be subjected to ill effects or endanger others by the possession or use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and other unauthorized substances. --carry only those materials which are acceptable under the law and accept the consequences for the articles stored in one's locker.
THE ROLE OF SCHOOL STAFF
Appropriate order and discipline must be maintained in school if every student is to have the opportunity to benefit maximally from the program offered. It is the responsibility of all staff members to apply discipline toward improving behavior and creating an atmosphere conducive to learning. It is expected that all officials, teachers, and other employees of the school system will treat the students with fundamental fairness in applying these rules. Consistency of enforcement of disciplinary codes is critical to achieving this end.
LEVELS OF OFFENSES
When a violation of the rules governing behavior occurs, the imposition of sanctions is to be expected. The following is a for level analysis of procedures and options that are designed to protect all members of the educational community in the exercise of their rights and duties. The examples of misbehavior should not be interpreted to be all inclusive because every undesirable behavior can not be listed.
Level I
The first--least serious--level involves minor misbehavior on the part of the student which impedes orderly classroom procedures or interferes with the orderly operation of the school.
Examples of undesirable behavior: --classroom disturbances --classroom tardiness --cheating and lying --abusive language, profanity, or notes—non-defiant behavior to do assignments or carry out directions --loitering in unauthorized places --excessive absences --failure to have hall pass --excessive noise outside the classroom --radios or tape players --playing cards or dice --chewing gum --violation of dress code --harassment (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious)
disciplinary options might include” --admonishing the student --restricting activities --requiring special assignments --assigning work details --temporary removal from class in a time-out room --issuance of demerits that might affect citizenship or deportment grades --behavior modification activities --denial of class privileges --imposition of corporal punishment--requirement of restitution. Such consequences are typically imposed by the classroom teacher. Before imposing such consequences, the teacher, concerned for the welfare of the students and guided by the principles of fundamental fairness, will make an inquiry into the incident to assure that the culprit is accurately identified, that he understands the nature of the offense, and that he was on notice as to the consequences to which he is subject to for the offense. It is important that the consequence should be reasonably related to the offense and that the more severe consequences should be reserved for important offenses or for repeated actions that have not been controllable with lesser consequences. Any explanation of conduct that the pupil may offer should be considered as the teacher decides upon the appropriate consequence.
Level II
The second level of consequences is reserved for those problems that the teachers cannot control within the scope of their classroom authority. Many of these infractions result from a continuation of level I misbehaviors, and require the intervention of personnel on the administrative level because the execution of level I disciplinary options failed to correct the situation.
Examples of undesirable behavior: --Continuation of unmodified LEVEL I misbehavior --school tardiness –truancy --smoking or possession of tobacco products --using forged notes or excuses --disruptive classroom or bus behavior --bus disturbances --failure to sign out --parking in unauthorized areas --leaving school grounds --cutting class –defiance --selling and distribution of over-counter drugs when implied to represent something other than what they are –gambling --disrespect to teachers and bus drivers --immoral conduct --harassment (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious)
Disciplinary options might include: --in-school suspension--detention before or after school --suspension from school sponsored activities or from riding the bus --corporal punishment, under local board policy --changing the student's instructor within the school --restricting the honors the student is otherwise due --prohibiting the student's attendance at school functions--demanding restitution for lost, damaged, or stolen property --out of school suspension --parent conference.
These would normally be imposed by the pincipal/assistant principal upon a student who has been referred by the teacher, but only after the administrator has made his/her own inquiry into the incident. This inquiry should include hearing the accusation made by the teacher or other party, notifying the offender of the accusation and permitting him the opportunity of explaining his conduct, denying it, or stating any mitigating circumstances. In cases where there is substantial disagreement about the offense, the principal should satisfy himself as to the truth of the accusation.
Level III
For student discipline problems for which neither of the preceding is appropriate or effective, the third level of consequences may be recommended by the principal. These acts may be considered criminal, but most frequently can be handled by the disciplinary mechanisms within the school or system.
Examples of undesirable behavior: --continuation of unmodified LEVEL II misbehavior --fighting (simple) --vandalism (simple) --selling and distribution of over-counter drugs when implied to represent something other than what they are –stealing --threats to others (extortion, intimidation) --harassment (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious)
Disciplinary options might include: --assigning the student to an alternative, disciplinary day-school --short-term out of school suspension --corporal punishment --temporary removal from class --call police (may be ordered to appear in court)
The change in a student's program to place him/her in the Alternative School may be mandatory as a result of a suspension or expulsion or may be voluntary based upon the recommendation by a team composed of the principal or assistant principal, the school guidance counselor, and the student (and parents when possible). Students eligible for special education services will have rules and laws pertaining to special education applied.
Level IV
The final and most severe consequences that can be imposed upon a student are LEVEL IV violations. These are acts that are criminal and are so serious that they require administrative actions which result in the immediate removal of the student from school, the intervention of law enforcement authorities, and a hearing by the Disciplinary Hearing Authority. School authorities are obligated to report clearly established criminal offenses to law enforcement authorities.
Examples of undesirable behavior: --unmodified LEVEL III misconducts –extortion --bomb threat --possession/use/transfer of firearms or dangerous weapons --assault/battery –vandalism --theft/possession/sale of stolen property –arson --furnishing/selling/ using/possession of unauthorized substances --harassment (sexual, racial, ethnic, religious)
Disciplinary options might include: --suspend the student out of school for a period exceeding ten days--expel the student --alternative school --call police (may be ordered to appear in court) Behaviors in this category require a review by the Disciplinary Hearing Authority. The hearing by this group must be held, a decision rendered, and notification of the decision must be provided to the parents and/or the student and the principal no later than ten days after the beginning of the suspension. The principal or the student has a right to request a review by the Board. If this occurs, the Board shall review the DHA records and affirm the decision of the hearing authority, modify the decision to a lesser penalty, or grant a hearing before the Board.¹ When either a long-term or short-term suspension occurs during the last ten days of any term or semester, the student may seek permission of the principal to take such final examination or submit such required work as is necessary to complete the course of instruction for that semester.
ZERO TOLERANCE OFFENSES
The Board has zero tolerance for the following offenses, with these violations carrying an automatic one full calendar year expulsion from school:
Firearms Students shall not possess, handle, or attempt to use a firearm in school buildings or on school grounds at any time or in school vehicles and/or buses or off school grounds at a school sponsored activity. Firearms include, but are not limited to any firearm, explosive, explosive weapon, bowie knife, hawk bill knife, ice pick, dagger, slingshot, switchblade knife, or knuckles.
Drugs Students will not possess, distribute, or be under the influence of illegal drugs in school buildings, or on school grounds, in school vehicles or buses, or at any school sponsored activity at any time, whether on or off school grounds.
Battery Any student committing battery upon any teacher, principal, administrator, School Resource Officer or any other employee will be expelled for one full year.
Allen Barrett
