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Policy JIC
Ethical and responsible student behavior is an essential part of the educational mission of our schools. To that end, the Board has developed this System-Wide Code of Conduct with input from school staff, students, parents and the community. The Code defines our expectations for student behavior and provides the framework for a safe, orderly and respectful learning environment.
Article 1 – Standards for Ethical and Responsible Behavior
The Code of Conduct is intended to support and encourage students to meet the following state-wide standards for ethical and responsible behavior:
Respect
Honesty
Compassion
Fairness
Responsibility
Courage
Article 2 – Code of Conduct
All students are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct and all related Board policies and school rules. The Code applies to students:
on school property
while in attendance at school or at any school-sponsored activity, or
at any time or place that such conduct directly interferes with the operations, discipline or general welfare of the school.
Article 3 – General Behavior Expectations and Discipline Policies
The following expectations for student behavior are fundamental to a safe, orderly and respectful environment in our schools. Each student should:
Be courteous to fellow students, staff and visitors.
Respect the rights and privileges of other students and school staff.
Obey all Board policies and school rules governing student conduct.
Follow directions from school staff.
Cooperate with staff in maintaining school safety, order and discipline.
Attend school regularly (JEDA -Truancy).
Meet school standards for grooming and dress (JFCA - Student Dress Code)
Respect the property of others, including school property and facilities.
Refrain from cheating or plagiarizing the work of others.
Refrain from vulgarity, profanity, obscenity, lewdness, and indecency.
Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action. Disciplinary consequences depend upon the seriousness of the violation and the student’s prior disciplinary record. Consequences will range from a verbal warning for minor misconduct up to and including expulsion for the most serious offenses. Behavior that also violates the law may be referred to law enforcement authorities.
See policies:
JK -Student Discipline
JGB -Detention of Students
JKD - Suspension of Students
JKE/JKE-R -Expulsion of Students
Article 4 – Expectations
The following is a summary of the school unit’s expectations for student behavior. In many cases, the Board has adopted policies that address these expectations in greater detail. Students, parents and others should refer to the policies and student handbooks for more information about the expectations and consequences. In case of an inconsistency between the Code of Conduct, Board policies and/or school handbooks, Board policies will prevail.
Violence and Threats
Students shall not engage in violent or threatening behavior. Prohibited behavior includes fighting, assault and/or battery, taking hostages, threats to commit violence against persons or property, or threats, intimidation, or harassment. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
See policies;
JICIA -Weapons, Violence and School Safety
EBCC – Bomb Threats
Weapons
Students shall not possess or use weapons of any kind (examples include but are not limited to firearms, explosives and knives). Students also shall not use any object, although not necessarily designed to be a weapon, to inflict bodily harm and/or to threaten, intimidate, coerce or harass another person (examples include but are not limited to bats, lighters, tools and toy weapons). Firearms violations will result in expulsion in accordance with state and federal statutes; other weapons violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
JICIA -Weapons, Violence and school Safety Policy
Hazing
Hazing is prohibited. Maine law defines injurious hazing as “any action or situation, including harassing behavior that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any school personnel or a student enrolled in a public school.” No student shall plan, encourage, or engage in such activities in connection with any school program or activity, including extracurricular, co-curricular and athletic activities. Students who engage in hazing activities are subject to suspension, expulsion and/or other appropriate disciplinary measures.
ACAD - Hazing Policy
Discrimination and Harassment/Sexual Harassment
Students should not discriminate against other students on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, or disability. Nor should students harass one another on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, or disability. Sexual harassment is also prohibited. Harassment is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
See policies:
AC -Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
ACAA -Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students
Drug and Alcohol Use
Students shall not distribute, possess, use or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, drug, or look-alike substance as described in Board policy. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from school.
JICH - Substance Abuse Policy
Tobacco Use
Students shall not smoke, use, possess, sell, or distribute any tobacco products. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension from school.
See policies:
ADC –Tobacco Use and Possession
JICH -Substance Abuse
Conduct on School Buses
Students must comply with all Board policies and school rules while on school buses. Students who violate these policies and rules on a school bus may have their riding privileges suspended or revoked, and may also be subject to additional disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, depending upon the particular violation.
JFCC -Student Conduct on School Buses Policy
Computer/Internet Use
Students may use school computers, networks and Internet services only for educational purposes. Students shall comply with all policies and rules governing acceptable use. Unacceptable use may result in suspension or cancellation of computer privileges as well as additional disciplinary and/or legal action.
JICJ - Student Use of Electronic Devices
INJDB – Student Computer and Internet Use
Co-Curricular Code of Conduct
Students must follow all Board policies and school rules while participating in athletics and extracurricular activities. Students who violate Board policies and/or school rules may be subject to suspension or removal from the team/activity as well as additional disciplinary action under applicable Board policies and/or school rules.
IGDJ-R - Co-Curricular Eligibility Policy
Article 5 – Removal of Disruptive/Violent/Threatening Students
Students who are disruptive, violent, or threatening death or bodily harm to others may be removed from classrooms, school buses, or other school property when necessary to maintain order and safety. The staff member who orders the student removed should arrange to have the student escorted to the office or other designated location.
If a student does not comply with a staff member’s order to leave, the staff member will contact an administrator, or, if not available, another suitable person, who shall respond promptly.
Staff members should not use force or restraint, except only to the minimum extent necessary to protect any person from imminent physical harm. Staff members are not required to take action that puts them at risk of serious injury.
The responding administrator will take appropriate action. If the student fails to obey verbal directions, force or restraint may be used only to the minimum extent necessary to protect any person from imminent physical harm or to quell a disturbance. Whenever practicable, law enforcement should be called to restrain or physically remove the non-compliant student. The administrator may invoke the school unit’s crisis response plan if appropriate.
See 20-A M.R.S.A. § 4009 – Protection from Liability
EBCA – Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan
Article 6 – Special Services
Referral. The school unit has adopted policies and procedures for determining when a student shall be referred for special services.
IHBAB -Referral/Pre-Referral of Students with Disabilities
IHBAC -Child Find Policy
Review of Individual Educational Plan. The school shall schedule a PET meeting to review the IEP of a student who has been removed from class when: a) school officials and/or the parent believes the student may present a substantial likelihood of injury to himself/herself or others; b) the class removals are sufficient to constitute a change in the student’s special education program; or c) school officials or the parent believes that the student’s behavior may warrant a change in educational programming.
JKF/JKF-R - Disciplinary Removals of Students with Disabilities Policy
Time Out Rooms and Therapeutic Restraint. The school unit also has established a policy on the use of time out rooms and therapeutic restraints as required by Maine statute.
JKAA –Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion
Article 7 – Referrals to Law Enforcement Authorities
The Superintendent and administrators have the authority to seek the assistance of law enforcement authorities when there is a substantial threat to the safety of the schools, students or staff. The Superintendent/administration may also inform law enforcement authorities when they have reason to suspect that a student or staff member may have violated a local, state or federal statute. All serious offenses, as determined by the Superintendent, must be reported to law enforcement authorities.
Article 8 – Dissemination of System-Wide Student Code of Conduct
The System-Wide Student Code of Conduct shall be distributed to staff, students and parents through handbooks and/or other means selected by the Superintendent and building administrators.
Legal Reference: 20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 254 (11); 1001 (15)
Cross Reference: Taking Responsibility: Standards for Ethical and Responsible Behavior in Maine Schools and Communities (Report of The Commission for Ethical and Responsible Behavior, February 2001)
Adopted: September 9, 2002
Revised: August 28, 2017 (policy links only)
Board Reviewed: September 11, 2017
*Please excuse any formatting errors.
