HCSD Student Handbook PDF

Meal Prices: K-12 Student Breakfast: $2.25 K-12 Student Lunch: $3.50 K-12 Reduced Breakfast: $0.30 K-12 Reduced Lunch: $0.40 Adult Breakfast: $2.50 Adult Lunch: $4.00 *Un...

Meal Prices: K-12 Student Breakfast: $2.25 K-12 Student Lunch: $3.50 K-12 Reduced Breakfast: $0.30 K-12 Reduced Lunch: $0.40 Adult Breakfast: $2.50 Adult Lunch: $4.00 *Universal Free Student Meals only at Approved CEP School Sites **Meal prices are subject to change due to market costs WELLNESS POLICY (JG): The HCSD Board of Trustees has enacted a Wellness Policy to meet the health needs of our students and to comply with guidelines determined by the Mississippi Department of Education and the State Legislature. Restrictions are set on food and beverage items that may be brought onto campus. Meal delivery services are prohibited during the instructional day. Parents that would like to offer suggestions are encouraged to join a School Wellness Council. For more information on this School Board Policy, please visit the HCSD website or request a copy from your school office. For more information on the Department of Child Nutrition, see HCSD Policy EE – Food Services Management, EEAA – Alternate Meals, JG – Wellness, JGHR – Child Nutrition. DISCIPLINE STUDENT CONDUCT-DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR In conformance with the Mississippi Code 37-11-18.1 this school district shall adhere to requirements governing student conduct. 1) For the purpose of this section: a) The term “disruptive behavior” refers to such actions of a student that is so unruly, disruptive, or abusive that it seriously interferes with a school teacher’s or school administrator’s ability to communicate with the students in a classroom, with a student’s ability to learn, or with the operation of a school or school-related activity, and which is not covered by other laws related to violence or possession of weapons or controlled substances on school property, school vehicles, or at school-related activities. Such behaviors include, but are not limited to foul, profane, obscene, threatening, defiant or abusive language or action toward teachers or other school employees, defiance, ridicule or verbal attack of a teacher, and willful, deliberate and overt acts of disobedience of the directions of a teacher; and b) The term “habitually disruptive” refers to such actions of a student which cause disruption in a classroom, on school property or vehicles or at a school-related activity on more than two (2) occasions during a school year, and to disruptive behavior that was initiated, willfully and overtly, on the part of the student and which required the attention of school personnel to deal with the disruption. However, no student shall be considered to be habitually disruptive before a behavior modification plan is developed for the student in accordance with the code of student conduct and discipline plans if the school district. 2) Every behavior modification plan written pursuant to this section must be developed by utilizing evidence-based practices and positive behavioral intervention supports. The plan must be implemented no later than two weeks after the occurrence of the disruptive behavior. 44 3) Any student who is thirteen (13) years of age or older for whom a behavior modification plan is developed by the school principal, reporting teacher and student’s parent and which student does not comply with the plan shall be deemed habitually disruptive and subject to expulsion on the occurrence of the third act of disruptive behavior during a school year. After the second act of disruptive behavior during a school year by a student, a psychological evaluation shall be performed upon the child. 4) All parents shall receive, at least annually, written information about the policies and procedures for restraint and seclusion issued by this school district. The written polices shall be include in the code of conduct, school board policy manual, and any other appropriate school publication. For further information, see our online board policy, JCBA. CODE OF CONDUCT-STUDENTS In conformance with the Mississippi School Safety Law of 2001 (Section 37-11-55, MS Code of 1972, amended), this School Board shall adopt and make available to all teachers, school personnel, students, and parents or guardians at the beginning of each school year, a code of student conduct developed in consultation with teachers, school personnel, students, and parents or guardians. The code shall be based on the rules governing student conduct and discipline adopted by the school board and shall be made available at the school level in the student handbook or similar publication. The code shall include, but not be limited to: (a) Specific grounds for disciplinary action under the school district’s discipline plan, procedures to be followed for acts requiring discipline, including suspension and expulsion, which comply with due process requirements (b) An explanation of the responsibilities and rights of students with regard to attendance, respect for persons and property, knowledge and observation of rules of conduct, free speech and student publications, assembly, privacy, and participation in school programs and activities (c) Policies and procedures recognizing the teacher as the authority in classroom matters and supporting that teacher in any decision in compliance with the written discipline code of conduct; such recognition shall include the right of the teacher to remove from the classroom any student who, in the professional judgment of the teacher, is disrupting the learning environment, and send the student to the office of the principal or assistant principal. The principal or assistant principal shall determine the proper placement for the student, who may not be returned to the classroom until a conference of some kind has been held with the parent, guardian, or custodian during which the disrupting behavior is discussed, and agreements are reached that no further disruption will be tolerated. If the principal does not approve of the determination of the teacher to remove the student from the classroom, the student may not be removed from the classroom, and the principal, upon request from the teacher, must provide justification for his/her disapproval. (d) Policies and procedures for dealing with a student who causes a disruption in the classroom, on school property or vehicles, or at a school-related activity (e) Procedures for the development of behavior modification plans by the school principal, reporting teacher, and student’s parent for a student who causes a disruption in the classroom, on school property or vehicles, or at school- related activities for a second time during the school year (f) Policies and procedures specifically concerning gang-related activities in the school, on school property or vehicles; or at school-related activities. Ref: §37-11-55, MS Code of 1972, amended 45 SCHOOL DISCIPLINE PLAN In conformance with the Mississippi School Safety Law of 2001 MS Code §37-11-53 (1972), amended, the following requirements shall be met by this school district: 1) A copy of the school district’s discipline plan shall be distributed to each student enrolled in the district, and the parents, guardian, or custodian of each student shall sign a statement verifying that they have been given notice of the discipline policies of the district. The school board shall have its official discipline and code of student conduct legally audited on an annual basis to ensure that its policies and procedures are currently in compliance with applicable statutes, case law, and state and federal constitutional provisions. As part of the first legal audit occurring after July 1, 2001, the provisions of §37-11-55 and 37-11-18.1, 2001 Regular Session, shall be fully incorporated into the school district’s discipline plan and code of student conduct. 2) The discipline plan of the schools of this district shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) a parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child enrolled in a public-school district shall be responsible financially for his/her minor child’s disruptive acts against school property or persons; (b) a parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child enrolled in public school district may be requested to appear at school by the school attendance officer or an appropriate school official for a conference regarding acts of the child specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection, or for any other discipline conference regarding the acts of the child; (c) any parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child enrolled in a school district who refuses or willfully fails to attend such discipline conference specified in paragraph (b) of this section may be summoned by the superintendent of schools or the school attendance officer and be required to attend such discipline conference; and (d) a parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child enrolled in a public-school district shall be responsible for any criminal fines brought against such student for unlawful activity occurring on school grounds or buses or at any school- related activity. 3) Any parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child who (a) fails to attend a discipline conference to which such parent, guardian or custodian has been summoned under the provisions of this section, or (b) refuses or willfully fails to perform any other duties imposed upon him or her under the provisions of this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be charged a fine not to exceed $250.00. 4) The school district shall be entitled to recover damages in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00, plus necessary court costs, from the parents of any minor under the age of eighteen (18) years and over the age of six (6) years who maliciously and willfully damages or destroys property belonging to the school district. However, this section shall not apply to parents whose parental control of school child has been removed by court order or decree. The action authorized in this section shall be in addition to all other actions which the school district is entitled to maintain and nothing in this section shall preclude recovery in a greater amount from the minor or from a person, including the parents, for damages to which such minor or other person would otherwise be liable. 46 5) The School District’s discipline plan may provide that as an alternative to suspension, a student may remain in school by having the parent, guardian or custodian, with the consent of the student’s teacher or teachers, attend class with the student for a period of time specifically agreed upon by the reporting teacher and school principal. If the parent, guardian, or custodian does not agree to attend class with the student or fails to attend class with the student, the student shall be suspended in accordance with the code of student conduct and discipline policies of the school district. The Mississippi School Safety Act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001. Ref: MS Code §37-3-81;§37-3-83;§37-11-54; §37-11-55; §37-11- 53, (1972), amended. In the education process, good discipline must be maintained. The school that fails to recognize the problem fails to meet the responsibility of this important phase of the education process. There is little or no learning when pupils are permitted to waste their own time and that of other pupils. Discipline should have the qualities of understanding, consistency, fairness, and firmness. Consideration should be given to the cause, nature, condition and frequency of misconduct. The small routine instances of misconduct inherent in every classroom are the responsibility of the teacher. Their cause and treatment should be fully investigated through faculty meetings and workshops where ideas may be freely exchanged to reach the best solutions for correction and prevention. When unacceptable behavior becomes chronic and cannot be corrected by using lesser punishments or resources available to the schools, school board approved disciplinary options may be used as final efforts to influence the student's behavior. INTIMIDATIONS/THREATS/HARASSMENT Intimidation, threatening or coercion of students, is prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to intimidate, threaten or coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten or coerce, whether by illegal threats of force or by the distribution of intimidating, threatening or coercive material, any person enrolled in any school for the purpose of interfering with the right of that person to attend school classes or causing him not to attend such classes. Upon conviction of violation of any provision of this section, such individual shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $500.00, imprisonment in jail for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or both. Any person under the age of seventeen (17) years who violates any provision of this section shall be treated as delinquent within the jurisdiction of the youth court. Ref: MS Code §37-11—20 (1972) BULLYING Bullying or harassing behavior is any pattern of gestures or written communication, electronic or verbal, or any physical act of any threatening communication, or any act reasonably perceived as being motivated by any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, or on a school bus that: Places a student or school employee in actual and reasonable fear of harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property; Creates or is certain to create a hostile environment by substantially interfering with or impairing a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits. No student or school employee shall be subjected to bullying or harassing behavior by school employees or students. No person shall engage in an act of reprisal or 47 retaliation against a victim, witness, or a person with reliable information about an act of bullying. A student who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been subject to any act of bullying should report the incident to the appropriate school official. Bullying should be reported as soon as possible. Consequences for a student who commits an act of harassment or bullying shall be unique to the individual incident. The consequences will vary in method and severity according to the nature of the behavior, the developmental age of the student, and the student’s history of problem behaviors and performance. They must be consistent with the Board of Education’s approved code of student conduct. Ref: MS Code §37-11-67 (1972). GANG/GROUP ACTIVITY ASSOCIATION Gangs or groups that initiate, advocate, or promote activities that threaten the safety or well-being of persons or property on school grounds or that disrupt the school environment are harmful to the educational process. Students who wear, carry, or display gang/group paraphernalia or exhibit behavior or gestures that symbolize gang membership and/or participate in activities that intimidate or affect the attendance of another person will not be tolerated and shall be subject to appropriate action. This behavior includes but is not limited to the use of hand signals, graffiti on clothes, person, and notebooks, grooming (including hair and eyebrows), which by virtue of its color arrangement, trademark, or symbol, implies an affiliation with such a group. UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY As directed by MS Code, §37-11-29 (2001), the following policy is enacted in the Harrison County School District. Any principal who has knowledge of any unlawful activity that occurred on educational property on or during a school related activity or that may have occurred shall report such activity to the superintendent of the school district or his designee, who shall notify the appropriate law enforcement officials as required by this section. In the event that the superintendent or his designee is unavailable, any principal may make a report required under this subsection. The superintendent will notify youth courts and local law enforcement agencies of expulsions and crimes committed on school property or during school related events. Further, school officials and employees are required by law to report criminal activity of students to a law enforcement agency. Students may be subject to school discipline policies as well as arrest by law enforcement officials. 1. Any teacher or other school employee who has knowledge of any unlawful activity or violent acts which occurred or may have occurred on an educational property during a school-related activity is required by law to report such activity or acts to the principal or the school who shall notify the appropriate law enforcement official. 2. The superintendent shall notify, in writing, the parent, guardian, or custodian, the youth court, and local law enforcement of any expulsion of a student for unlawful activity as defined in MS Code §37-11-29. §37-11-29, which defines unlawful activity as any crime other than ordinary traffic violations involving a penalty of less than $50.00 and costs. 3. The superintendent shall notify the youth court and local law enforcement agencies, by affidavit, of the occurrence of any unlawful activity as defined by Section 37-11-29. 4. When the principal has a reasonable belief that an act has occurred on educational property or during a school related activity involving assault resulting 48  in serious physical injury, sexual assault, sexual offense, rape, kidnapping, indecent liberties with a minor, assault involving the use of a weapon, possession of a firearm in violation of the law, or possession of a controlled substance in violation of the law, the principal shall immediately report the act to the appropriate local enforcement agency. School property shall include any public-school building, bus, public school campus, grounds, recreational area, or athletic field in the charge of the principal. 5. Any superintendent, principal, teacher, or other school personnel participating in making a report as a result of this policy or participating in any judicial proceeding resulting from this policy shall be presumed to be acting in good faith and as a result shall be immune from any civil liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed. “UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY” SHALL MEAN: a. Aggravated assault, including but not limited to: Assault resulting in serious physical injury or Assault involving use of a weapon b. Assault on a school employee, simple or aggravated c. Indecent liberties with a minor d. Possession of a firearm or other weapon e. Possession, use or sale of any controlled substance f. Rape g. Sexual battery h. Other sexual offenses i. Murder or other homicide j. Kidnapping k. Other violent acts, such as fighting WEAPONS The Harrison County Board of Education recognizes that the possession of pistols, firearms or other weapons on school premises or at school functions by persons other than duly authorized law enforcement officials creates an unreasonable and unwarranted risk of injury or death to district employees, students, visitors, and guests. Because of such dangers, the board hereby prohibits the possession of pistols, firearms, explosive devices (including fireworks) or weapons in any form by any person other than duly authorized law enforcement officials on school premises or at school functions, regardless of whether any such person possesses a valid permit to carry such pistols, firearms, or weapons. EXPLOSIVES/FALSE REPORTING It shall be unlawful for any person to report to another by any means, including telephone, mail, e-mail, mobile phone, fax or any means of communication, that a bomb or other explosive or chemical, biological or other weapons of mass destruction have been, or is to be, placed or secreted in any public or private place, knowing that such report is false. Any person who shall be convicted of a violation of this section shall be fined not more than $10,000 or shall be committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than ten years, or both. MS Code §97-37-21 (1972). NON SCHOOL RELATED CONDUCT The school district shall have the authority to suspend, expel, or change the placement of students for misconduct that occurs off school property or at activities other than school-sponsored events. 49 The local school board shall have the authority to expel a pupil or to change placement to an alternative school or a home bound program for misconduct in the school, on the road to and from school, or at any school related activity or event, or for misconduct on property other than school property or other than at a school related event when such conduct, in the determination of the superintendent or principal, renders the pupil’s presence in the classroom a disruption to the education environment of the school or a detriment to the best interest and welfare of the pupils and teacher of such class as a whole. PRIVACY OF STUDENT INFORMATION Discipline as well as any other private information of a student will NOT be discussed with anyone other than that child’s legal parent/guardian. DEMERIT SYSTEM Disciplinary actions and procedures are to be conducted in accordance with applicable statutes and in accordance with memoranda, bulletins, or notices published and distributed by the Superintendent and are subject, in particular, to the following controlling principles: 1. An accumulation of twelve (12) or more demerits shall result in a letter, phone, or personal conference between the parent(s) and principal. 2. An accumulation of sixteen (16) or more demerits shall result in the student being assigned one (1) day of suspension. 3. An accumulation of 24 demerits shall result in the student being assigned two (2) days of suspension. 4. An accumulation of 36 demerits may result in the student being assigned three days of out-of-school suspension and/or an administrative hearing before a discipline committee. The committee will consist of three teachers, one guidance counselor, and the principal or an assistant principal. A county office administrative director or his/her representative may be substituted for a teacher. The committee will make a recommendation of probation or a district disciplinary hearing. The principal may, at his/her discretion, with just cause, suspend or recommend expulsion of a student with or without an accumulation of demerits. Demerits will be assigned as follows: OFFENSE DEMERITS 1. Behavior unbecoming of a student Breaking lunch line 4 Cheating/plagiarism (to include the use of artificial 8 intelligence/AI) Any student discovered receiving or giving aid on an assignment and/or assessment will be subject to the following policy: 1) parent notified 2) a zero will be posted for that work, and 3) eight demerits will be issued. Dress code violation 8 Gambling 6-12 Improper gesture 2-16 50  Improper physical contact 6-16 Improper physical contact of a sexual nature 24-36 Inciting 4-24 Indecent exposure 6-36 Misconduct and/or disruption 2-16 Technology violation 6-36 2. Harassment (verbal/written) 12-36 3. Bullying/Cyberbullying 36* 4. Disobedience to teacher and/or staff 4-16 5. Displaying obscene statements/decals on campus or at 6-12 school events 6. Disrespectful to other students 8 7. Disrespectful to teacher and/or staff 12-26 8. Drugs: Illegal, prescription, and/or alcohol, including 36* TCH/CBD products (possession, sale/distribution, and/or use and/or under the influence) 9. Drugs: Possession of unauthorized chemicals (over-the- 6-36 counter drugs and/or paraphernalia) 10. Electronic devices use during school hours, all personal 6-14 electronic devices will be turned off and put away, not to be visible in anyway. Students violating the policy will receive a referral to the office and receive 12 demerits for each violation. However, if an electronic device disrupts class the students will receive 14 demerits. 11. Fighting (more than one on one) 12-36 12. Fighting (one on one) 12-36 13. Fighting on school bus and/or bus stop (see student transportation) 14. Fighting with physical injury 36* 15. Gang-related activity (displays, gestures, etc.) 4-36 16. Illegal check-out/check-in 4 17. Illegal use of lunch number (cost of meal and demerits) 6 18. Improper driving on campus 8-36 19. Destruction of Property Parents will be responsible for 6-36 restitution 20. Intimidations/threats 6-36 21. Leaving campus without permission 16-36 22. Misconduct on school bus (see student transportation) 23. Off-limits 8 24. On campus, but not in class 8 25. Pornographic content (possession) 6-36 26. Profanity directed to student 6-18 27. Profanity directed to teacher and/or staff 36* 28. Profanity- use of 6-24 29. Sexual Harassment** 6-36 **Sexual Harassment is unwanted verbal, written or physical sexual behavior 30. Skipping school 16-36 51  31. State testing violation (disruption or misconduct of any 36* kind during state testing) 32. Striking/threatening a teacher and/or staff – intentional 36* 33. Striking/threatening a teacher and/or staff - unintentional 6-16 34. Strong-arm tactics (monies and other valuables) 16-24 35. Tardy to class (1-5 minutes) 3 36. Theft, breaking and entering, or possession of stolen 6-36 goods 37. Tobacco (possession/use of tobacco, nicotine and related 36* paraphernalia), including but not limited to lighters, matches, etc. 38. Vandalism- major ($15 or more) 16-36 39. Vandalism- minor ($14.99 or less) 4-12 40. Vape – Possession and/or Use of vape and related paraphernalia, including but not limited to vaping device, e-liquid, e-juice, e-pods, e-cigarettes, etc. STEP 1: 18 demerits - 2 Days Out of School Suspension and 1 Day In School Reassignment and Internal Program Completion STEP 2: 18 demerits - 3 Days Out of School Suspension STEP 3: A. 18 demerits - Student / Parent Completion of Internal/External Program B. 18 demerits - If Student / Parent Does Not Complete Internal/External Program then the student will be recommended by the Principal for Alternative Placement. STEP 4: A. 18 demerits - Alternative Placement 45 Days (This would be students fourth infraction.) B. 18 demerits - If a student is already alternately placed and caught again, 10 days will be added to the student’s alternative placement STEP 5: A. 18 demerits - If a student is already alternately placed and caught again, 10 days will be added to the student’s alternative placement B. 18 demerits - Student will be recommended to the School Board for Expulsion. (fifth infraction) STEP 6: 18 demerits - Student is recommended to the School Board for Expulsion. (This student and parent would have completed all steps/programs of the proposal) 41. Weapon possession/use (no fireworks, knives, 36* mace/pepper spray, guns, realistic toy weapons, ammunition) *Students will receive the indicated number of demerits and a referral for a district disciplinary committee hearing. Principal may make alternate school decisions. 52 VANDALISM The school district will not tolerate students’ writing on or otherwise defacing school buildings, furniture, or other school property. Students guilty of this offense will be disciplined according to school policy and restitution will be required from the parents/guardians. POSSESSION OF PORNOGRAPHY A student may not possess, view, send, or share pictures or texts that have sexual content while the student is on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, or on school buses. This policy strictly prohibits sexual material in electronic or any other form and includes but is not limited to the sexual material contained in a cellular telephone, camera phone, or personal digital assistant and sexual material transmitted by text message, e-mail, or any electronic communication device. STUDENT TRANSPORTATION School bus drivers are required to observe numerous laws and regulations safeguarding the lives of the students they transport. The driver is in charge of those riding on the bus. The law instructs drivers to keep order and holds the driver responsible. Drivers, with the approval of the principal, have the right to refuse to transport those guilty of misconduct. The bus schedule should be as regular as possible. Without prior permission, students are not permitted to get off the bus in any location other than their official stop. To avoid keeping others from waiting, no school bus should be expected to wait for any student. Buses will leave the school grounds each afternoon as soon as all have come aboard or not later than five minutes after dismissal. At the driver’s discretion, students will be permitted to use portable media players (with headphones) while riding on the school bus. However, the device must be turned off and put away once the student arrives on campus. Please keep in mind that the school and the school district assume no responsibility for lost or stolen valuables. BUS REGULATIONS Students Shall: 1. Be ready in the morning at the scheduled time and place for the bus to arrive. 2. Always look in both directions and pass in front of bus, if necessary to crossroad and street, to mount bus, or after dismounting bus. 3. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before trying to load or unload. 4. Be quiet when bus is nearing and crossing a railroad or highway. Students Shall Not: 1. Play on the road while waiting for the bus. 2. Put head or hands out of windows. 3. Stand or change seats while bus is in motion. 4. Mar or deface bus. Students may be suspended from the bus until restitution is made. 5. Smoke or use intoxicants. 6. Fight or tussle. 7. Strike or threaten the bus driver. 8. Use profane language or make vulgar gestures. 9. Carry deadly weapons. 10. Make excessive noise. 11. Throw objects. 53 12. Commit any other act of improper conduct. 13. Carry items larger than a schoolbook bag and must not be placed in the aisle or obstruct the driver’s view. 14. Not eat on the school bus. 15. Spray perfume, deodorant, or other aerosol products. Please be mindful of Mississippi state law that says: a) It shall be unlawful for any individual, other than a student scheduled to be a passenger upon that particular bus, a member of the public school administration or faculty, or a law enforcement official, to directly or indirectly interfere in any way with passenger ingress and egress or the operation, including unauthorized boarding thereof, of a bus used in public school student transportation unless permission has been obtained as prescribed by pertinent rules and regulations promulgated by the state board of education or the local school authorities. (b) Upon conviction of violation of any provision of this section, such individual shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not to exceed five hundred dollars ($ 500.00), imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or both. Any person under the age of seventeen (17) who violates any provision of this section shall be treated as delinquent within the jurisdiction of the youth court. Note: The driver is empowered to enforce the regulations by reporting all violations to the principal or teacher. If any pupil persists in disobeying any of the regulations and rules of good conduct, school officials may suspend or expel the disobedient pupil. Safety on school buses is of utmost importance in transporting students to and from school in the Harrison County School District. With this goal in mind, discipline on school buses will be handled according to the following rules: PENALTIES FOR INFRACTIONS 1st offense - Parent contact – minimum. 2nd offense - Suspension from all buses – One (1) to three (3) days minimum. 3rd offense - Suspension from all buses – Three (3) to five (5) days minimum. 4th offense - Suspension from all buses – Ten (10) to fifteen (15) days minimum. 5th offense - Suspension from all buses – Thirty (30) school days. 6th offense – Suspension from all buses – Remainder of the year. Demerits may also be given for any offense on a school bus. Principal discretion will determine severity of the punishment. FIGHTING OR OTHER MAJOR INFRACTIONS: Student will receive 36 demerits, 3 days out-of-school suspension, and/or an administrative hearing before a discipline committee. If the fight or major infraction occurs, the student could be suspended from the bus for the remainder of the year. At the discretion of the administrator, students involved in major school bus infractions including fighting, on the bus or at the bus stop, may be subject to out-of-school suspension along with bus suspension as a result of the number of demerits incurred. 54 PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT WHILE BUSES ARE MOVING ANY INCIDENT THAT DISTRACTS THE DRIVER WILL BE CONSIDERED A MAJOR INFRACTION. The punishment listed is a minimum that may occur for each offense. Administrators may administer more severe punishment if they feel the situation or infraction requires such action. Students suspended from the bus will not be permitted to ride the bus on the day the suspension occurred. The parent is responsible for transportation arrangements when the student is suspended from the bus. STUDENTS SUSPENDED FROM THE BUS MUST BE PICKED UP BY CHECK OUT TIME. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND STATEMENT POLICY All persons concerned are hereby placed on notice that the disciplinary actions and procedures herein established and authorized are to be conducted in accordance with applicable statues and in accordance with any memoranda, bulletins, or notices published and distributed by the superintendent and are subject, in particular, to the following controlling principles: 1. The severity of the punishment must vary directly with the gravity of the offense. 2. The punishment inflicted against any particular student should be consistent with the punishment inflicted in other cases involving similar or identical circumstances. Uniformity of decisions and disposition among the various principals of the school district should prevail to the extent reasonably possible. 3. Discrimination based upon race, color, creed and sex, handicap, and national origin and arbitrariness in the administration of the discipline is strictly prohibited, and charge of such discrimination or arbitrariness advanced by student, parent or guardian shall be carefully examined under these regulations. 4. Great care shall be taken to avoid any suggestion or implication that the race, sex or creed of a student will have any impact on the disciplinary measures ultimately taken. 5. As a general rule, no student shall be expelled without clear proof that: a. He or she posed a threat to the orderly operation of school programs or activities or was a danger to the physical well-being of other students or faculty, or to school property. b. The parent or guardian of the student has been notified of the student’s misconduct and the possibility of expulsion and has been offered opportunities to confer with the principal or other relevant faculty members regarding the student’s misconduct. It is the firm policy of the school district to enforce expulsion only as a last resort. 55 RELATED DISCIPLINE ITEMS A. ISR IN-SCHOOL REASSIGNMENT (ISR) Students may be assigned to In-School Reassignment (ISR) as a consequence for handling student misconduct and/or when it is determined that the student’s continued presence in the regular school setting is disruptive to the educational process. The number of time/day(s) to be completed will be determined by school administration. When a student is assigned to ISR, the student will report to a specified classroom where the student will remain for the entire time of assignment and forfeit participation in regularly scheduled and extracurricular school activities for the time designated. In the ISR program, students are required to complete all assigned classwork, follow all rules/regulations and display appropriate behavior. Any ISR disruptions, failure to complete all assigned classwork and/or failure to follow rules/regulations may be issued additional ISR time/days to be served. Habitual or major student misconduct whereby the principal deems it inappropriate for assignment to ISR will be subject to disciplinary action according to the Harrison County School District policies and procedures as outlined in the student handbook. Students will not be allowed to access/use personal electronic devices (including cell phones) during in-school reassignment. Students must turn in their electronic device to the ISR monitor when entering the ISR classroom. All personal electronic devices will be returned to the student at the conclusion of the ISR designated time/day. Any student who arrives late or checks out during their ISR assignment does not constitute as completing their assigned time/day(s) and will be reassigned to make-up any missed amount of time/day. Students who commit violations of drug/alcohol policy, weapons policy, and/or fighting will not be assigned to ISR. Also, any other serious violations whereby the principal deems it inappropriate for assignment to ISR will be subject to disciplinary action according to the Harrison County School District policies and procedures as outlined in the student handbook. B. Suspension 1. A short-term suspension is defined as denial of school for three (3) or fewer days. A short-term suspension may be imposed upon any student by the principal or assistant principal of the school in which the student is enrolled. A conference with the student’s parent or guardian is required prior to the student’s reinstatement. 2. A long-term suspension is defined as any denial of school attendance for five (5) days. A long-term suspension may be imposed upon any student by the principal of the school in which the student is enrolled. 3. Both long-term and short-term suspensions shall be governed by the following procedures: a. A student may be suspended only one (1) time for each offense. b. Students suspended during a term examination period shall be offered an opportunity to take any examination missed as a result at such time and under such conditions as may be determined by the principal of the school. c. The principal of each school shall keep record of suspensions imposed during each school year. Such record shall contain the name, race, and sex of each student suspended, the dates of such suspensions, and a brief description of the incident or misconduct requiring the suspension. d. A student may be suspended by the principal of the school in which 56  the student is enrolled for any reason for which a student may be suspended, dismissed, or expelled by the Board of Education. e. No student shall be suspended without affording each student the opportunity to express his or her version of the incident to the principal of the school after being fully advised of the charges lodged against the student unless there are reasons which make it inadvisable to do so, which reasons must be put in the record of the incident by the principal. f. The principal of the school may, after completing the investigation as set forth above, suspend a student without further notice or proceeding. Promptly upon the suspension of a student, the principal of the school shall forthwith send to the parent/guardian of each student a “Notice of Suspension” and shall state the name of the student, the nature of the incident resulting in suspension, the length of the suspension, and the exact date the student should return to school. Such principal of the school and/or teacher(s) can be arranged to discuss the incident and disciplinary measures taken if the parent or guardian addresses the desire for it. A parent or guardian conference with the principal is required for reinstatement of students on short-term suspension. g. While not a requisite, it is desirable that the principal of the school afford the parent or guardian of the student an opportunity to confer with such principal concerning the student’s behavior before suspending each student. The record maintained by the principal of the school shall show whether such conference was held with the parent or guardian of the student. Alternative school placement may only occur once in a school year. C. Corporal Punishment 1. The principal, assistant principal, or teacher may administer corporal punishment in accordance with the law. In all cases, the principal or assistant principal must be present along with a second certified person. One will administer the punishment; the second will serve as a witness. Corporal punishment is to be administered to the buttocks only and must not be excessive. Corporal punishment will not be administered in anger. Corporal punishment will not be administered in the presence of other students and will be administered only in the principal’s office or in another private area designated by him. All paddles used in the Harrison County School District must be approved by the building principal, must be initialed by him/her, and must be kept in the office. 2. In all cases where the demerit system or corporal punishment is administered, a discipline form containing the following information must be completed: a. Student’s name b. Date c. Details of specific incident for which punishment was assigned d. Number of licks administered/number of demerits assigned e. Signature of person administering punishment f. Name of witness in the event corporal punishment is administered. 3. The office copy of the discipline form is to be filed in the principal’s office. The parent’s copy is to be brought home by the student. The teacher’s copy is to be retained by the teacher. 4. Parent permission must be given prior to administration of corporal punishment. 57 MERIT SYSTEM This system applies to students who have accumulated demerits. If the student is present for 20 school days at his/her home school without any discipline referrals, he/she may have four (4) demerits removed. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING FOR STUDENT MISCONDUCT I. PURPOSE: An administrative hearing is to be held to determine the placement status of the student. This committee is to have an option of two recommendations: 1. Allow student to stay at his or her present school on probationary status. 2. Recommend the student be brought before the Harrison County School District Disciplinary Committee for a hearing. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE 1. One principal or assistant principal 2. One guidance counselor 3. Three teachers a. The teachers should reflect the diversity of the school, if possible. b. The committee chairman is to be a teacher. II. NOTIFICATION OF HEARING 1. Student is to be told verbally. 2. Parents are to be told on phone if possible. 3. Parents are to be notified in writing through District notification system. (The telephone contact does not eliminate the letter being sent.) 4. The time and date of the hearing are to be stated in the letter. 5. The parent is to report to the office for the hearing. 6. The recommendation of the committee is to be made to the principal within 24 hours. DISTRICT DISCIPLINARY REVIEW COMMITTEE PROCEDURES The Harrison County School District Disciplinary Review Committee hearing is to be held at the Harrison County School District Office to determine placement status of the student. The committee has the option to recommend no action, probation, and alternative placement, expulsion for the remainder of the school year, or expulsion for one calendar year. The committee’s decision is final. Expulsion or a suspension of more than ten (10) days are the only decisions that can be appealed to the Harrison County School District School Board. The assignment of a student to the alternative school is not a suspension or expulsion or denial of access to public education. The assignment of a student to the alternative school does not carry with it the right to appeal to the School Board. Federal and state regulations will be followed when disciplinary action is taken with students who have disabilities. Note: Any student appearing before the District Disciplinary Review Committee in the last nine-week period of the school year will remain on probation for a period of one semester the following school year. Note: If a student is suspended from school, it is the responsibility of the student or parent to request make-up work from the teacher. Zeroes shall not be given to students 58 who have been suspended or are awaiting Alternative School Placement/Behavior Modification unless the student fails to complete provided assignments during suspension days or while waiting for a district hearing or alternative placement. DISTRICT DISCIPLINARY HEARING PROCEDURE The Harrison County School District Disciplinary Committee and Director of Student Services or other designee of the Superintendent will serve as convener and administrative officer for the committee. He/she shall have no vote and shall prepare a summary of the hearing to include conclusions and recommendations of the committee. He/she shall transmit other letters or documents to proper persons following each hearing to bring each case to its proper conclusion. The committee will consist of three (3) district school administrators, one of who will be of the same race as the student appearing before the committee and excluding the principal of the student charged. EXPULSION Expulsion is defined as any denial of school attendance beyond ten (10) days, which may be permanent, or which may terminate at the beginning of the next school year provided sufficient rehabilitation can be demonstrated. The power to expel a student is vested in the Harrison County School District Disciplinary Review Committee subject to the review of the Superintendent and Board of Education of the district. Any principal who determines that a student has committed infractions justifying expulsion shall send the Principal Recommendation Form to the superintendent or designee. The Principal Recommendation Form shall contain the student’s disciplinary record, and the principal’s recommendation. The principal shall give a “Notice of Recommendation for Expulsion” to the parent or guardian of the student. Students recommended for expulsion may remain in attendance pending the hearing before the District Disciplinary Review Committee only if, in the opinion of the principal, the student’s attendance is not disruptive to the educational program or the operation of the school. Upon receipt of the principal’s recommendation, the superintendent or designee shall notify the parent or guardian by the District notification system, of the exact time and place for the hearing. This hearing shall be held within ten (10) school days of the principal’s recommendation. After receipt that parent has been notified through the District notification system, and parent still fails to attend, the hearing will be held in his/her absence. In case the student, his/her parent, legal guardian, or attorney request additional time, the student will remain out of school until the hearing occurs. School officials may exercise this same option with consent of student, parent, legal guardian, or their attorney. The Disciplinary Review Committee shall have the duty to review the evidence advanced by the principal in support of his/her recommendation and to hear and review any rebuttal advanced by the student, parent, or guardian. Although proceedings will be conducted informally and formal rules of evidence shall not apply, the student and the parent or guardian has the right to: 1. Have counsel present at hearing. 2. Cross-examine or otherwise pose questions to persons giving statements adverse to student. 59  3. Offer statements by the student and parent or guardian and any other person who has information relevant to the charges advanced by the principal. 4. Request that the hearing be held in executive session. The decision of the committee will rest solely upon applicable school rules and law and only upon evidence admitted at the hearing. The Disciplinary Review Committee shall record all the facts considered before making a decision. If action of the board is required, the decision shall be rendered in writing (recorded) and presented at the next regular or recess meeting of the board with its recommendations. The principal or assistant principal shall advise the parent of the student of the committee’s decision, verbally as soon as possible. The decision of the committee will be transmitted through the District notification system. Students who are expelled may apply for re-admission at the end of their expulsion. Such students must show evidence of rehabilitation and must have a conference with an administrator before reinstatement Students who have completed the Harrison County Alternative School Program shall be subject to the following controlling policy: When a student returns from an alternative school for the current school year, he/she will be placed on eight (8) demerit probation. The principal shall not recommend a student back to an alternative setting. The principal shall submit his/her recommendation for expulsion to the Director of Student Services. The appropriate procedures for appealing the decision to the school board will be transmitted via district notification system. The recommendation shall contain the student’s disciplinary record and the principal’s recommendation. Students who are placed on district probation will be allowed to accumulate no more than eight (8) demerits while on probation. Any student accumulating more than eight (8) demerits will be referred to the school principal. The school principal shall determine whether the infractions committed by the student justify expulsion or alternative placement. Once the determination has been made, the principal shall submit his/her recommendation to the Director of Student Services for approval. If the recommendation is expulsion, the parent or guardian will be notified of the appropriate procedures for appealing the decision to the school board via the District notification system. The recommendation shall contain the student’s disciplinary record and the principal’s recommendations. A photocopy of all recommendations will be sent to the Director of Student Services. The student review committee will evaluate the student’s progress to determine his/her eligibility for returning to his/her home school. An exit packet will be produced and submitted to the Director of Student Services for approval. Students may be placed in In-School Reassignment (ISR) while awaiting alternative placement if they are considered a non-violent offender. While in ISR the student’s days may count toward their time in alternative setting. Harrison County Alternative School/Behavior Modification The alternative education program for students enrolled in the Harrison County School District will provide educational opportunities for students who are not able to respond appropriately to regular education. The goal of the alternative education program shall 60 be to assist the student to achieve successful learning experiences and modified social behavior that will entitle him/her to re-enter his/her home school. The assignment of a student to the alternative school is not a suspension or expulsion or denial of access to public education. The assignment of a student to the alternative school does not carry with it the right to appeal to the School Board. Students enrolled in behavior modification, or the alternative school can successfully complete the program in six (6) to nine (9) weeks. The length of time served will be determined by the following criteria: The infraction(s) Objectives met by the Individualized Instructional Plan (IIP) Acceptable behavior Regular attendance Improvement in social skills Grades Parental involvement Community service (within the school) The student review committee will evaluate the student’s progress to determine his/her eligibility for returning to his/her home school. An exit packet will be produced and submitted to the Director of Student Services for approval. Drug Testing Policy Students attending the Harrison County Alternative School for drugs or alcohol offenses have 30 days from the date of the district hearing to present a negative drug screen. Students will not progress to Level 3 (Exit to Home school) without a negative drug screen. A positive drug screen will result in removal from the program and expulsion from Harrison County School District. If the drug screen is refused, it will be considered a positive drug screen and the student will be expelled. Other Harrison County Alternative School students who are under the influence or have possession of drugs or alcohol will be expelled from Harrison County School District. The offense will determine which drug screen will be given. Possession or use of marijuana will take the basic 5-drug panel test. Possession or use of prescription drugs will take the synthesis test. The testing will be at the expense of the parent or guardian. STUDENT COMPLAINT/ GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE A “grievance” under this procedure shall mean a complaint by persons who believe they have been treated unfairly or otherwise discriminated against in their educational program. The following steps shall be used in processing such grievances. Step 1 A. The aggrieved person shall present his/her grievance in writing to the pertinent teacher or school person. B. If the grievance is sexual in nature and is directed toward the aggrieved person’s teacher or school personnel, the grievance shall be presented in writing to the immediate supervisor of the individual toward whom the grievance is directed. The grievance process will then follow the steps as outlined. C. The aggrieved person, teacher, or school personnel may request a conference prior to the time a decision is rendered. D. The teacher or school personnel shall render a written decision to the aggrieved within five (5) days after receipt of the grievance. 61