Section 5 - Student Discipline

GENERAL STATEMENT

A primary task of the school is to create an appropriate learning environment for all students. The responsibility of creating an educational setting which meets the needs of each student belongs to all members of the school community.

Order is essential to instruction and to learning. Disorder cannot be tolerated. Individuals or groups who behave in disruptive or lawless ways erode the teaching-learning process and diminish the quality of service the school is able to provide.

To establish and maintain order, schools implement the policies and procedures of the school system. School disciplinary strategies are designed to develop a sense of direction, self-discipline, and respect for the needs and rights of others. Self-discipline is achieved when students acquire and exhibit behavior appropriate to their age and maturity level.

Students who choose to violate school conduct standards, engage in illegal acts, and generally make poor choices may impact their future educational and employment options. School representatives may be required to provide recommendations for employment and information for security clearances. That request from employers or colleges might include information about suspensions and expulsions.

SCHOOL DISCIPLINARY PLAN

Each school shall develop and implement a positive disciplinary plan. This plan should include sequential, progressive steps which involve appropriate school system personnel and parent(s)/legal guardian(s). Where necessary, the use of exclusion/restraint may be used to ensure the protection of student/staff safety.

A student referred for disciplinary action shall receive oral or written notice of the reason(s) for his/her referral and shall have the opportunity to present his/her side of the story before any disciplinary action is taken.

IN-SCHOOL INTERVENTION

Students may be assigned to in-school intervention (ISI) in lieu of suspension from school for nonviolent, less serious offenses. Students assigned to in-school intervention will report to the In-School Intervention Center (ISIC) as appropriate, will be supervised by the school staff and be provided applicable school work and instruction. Failure to report to the ISIC or comply with ISIC rules will result in additional ISIC time or suspension from school.

STUDENT SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION

Suspension is the temporary removal of any student from school. Expulsion is the exclusion of a student from the students’ regular school program for 45 school days or longer.

St. Mary's County Public Schools makes many efforts to provide students a safe and orderly school environment. Disruption of school activities is considered a violation of school policies, rules, and regulations and may result in a student's in-school intervention, out-of-school suspension, or expulsion. A principal may suspend a student for up to ten (10) school days. At the request of a principal, the superintendent's designee may suspend students for more than ten (10) school days or expel them (Student Code of Conduct).

The suspension and expulsion of students with disabilities will be reviewed by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team with respect to their disability and individualized education program. The school administrator must also follow the guidelines that pertain to the suspension and expulsion of students with a 504 Plan.

ALTERNATIVES TO EXPULSION

As an alternative to expulsion, students may be assigned to an alternative educational program. The purpose of this program is to provide students with an opportunity to modify their behavior to the degree that it becomes acceptable in a regular school setting.

STUDENT READMISSION AFTER A LONG-TERM SUSPENSION, EXTENDED SUSPENSION, OR EXPULSION

The duration of a long-term suspension, extended suspension, or expulsion is outlined at the conference. A written agreement on the conditions of readmittance may be required and include such conditions as attendance, grades, and discipline.

When a student is allowed to return after a long-term suspension, extended suspension, or expulsion, there is usually a written agreement on the conditions of readmittance that may include but not be limited to:

• The student will attend regularly and will comply with attendance regulations.

• The student will make a reasonable effort to work to the best of his/her ability in all classes at all times.

• The student will abide by all school rules, regulations, and procedures to prevent disciplinary action.

LOSS OF SCHOOL BUS RIDING PRIVILEGES

The safety of students during their transportation to and from school is a responsibility which they and their parent(s)/legal guardian(s) share with bus drivers and school officials.

Students using school bus transportation are under the jurisdiction of the school from the time that they board the bus until they disembark from the bus. While off the bus and when students are in view of the bus driver, they can still be held accountable by the school for any inappropriate actions.

The bus driver has the responsibility of maintaining orderly behavior of students on school buses and will report misconduct to the appropriate school official.

The school principal has the authority to suspend the riding privileges of students who are involved in disciplinary problems on the bus. Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of children whose behavior and misconduct on school buses endangers the health, safety, and welfare of other riders will be notified their children face the loss of school bus riding privileges in accordance with Bus Misbehavior (Student Code of Conduct).

Students whose school bus privileges have been suspended may not ride any public school bus in St. Mary's County during the period of suspension. This includes buses to and from school, to and from the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, program trip buses, and sports buses.