Conduct Code:
Zero Tolerance
The Southwest Local School District has a policy of zero tolerance for violent, disruptive or inappropriate behavior on the part of any student. Any student who engages in said conduct shall be subject to the disciplinary procedures set forth in the student code of conduct for violations of that code.
Violent behavior shall be defined as any behavior or act on the part of the student, either on or off school grounds, which causes, or has the potential to cause physical injury to any other person. Disruptive behavior shall be defined as any behavior by a student, either on or off school grounds, which causes a disruption in the good working order and educational mission of the school or any connected school activity. Inappropriate behavior shall be defined as any behavior by a student, which is the sole discretion of the appropriate school official, is not conducive to the creation, maintenance or fostering of an academic atmosphere. Included in these definitions, but by no means limiting the definitions is excessive truancy from school by any student.
In order to fully address these issues, the Southwest Local School District’s Board of Education hereby appoints the Southwest Local administrators to formulate and establish strategies to curb the prohibited behavior on the part of the students. These strategies should specifically address the prevention of the types of prohibited behavior as well as a program of intervention on the part of the district personnel to prevent further prohibited acts.
This code of regulations is adopted by the Board of Education of the Southwest Local School District pursuant to 3313.66, Ohio Revised Code.
Conduct Code Violations
Any pupil engaging in the types of conduct either specifically or generally like the kinds of conduct listed below, on school premises, while in the control or custody of the school district regardless of whether on or off school premises, or at a school related activity regardless of location, may be subject to disciplinary action including emergency removal, or suspension, or expulsion or removal from curricular or extra-curricular activities pursuant to 3313.66, Ohio Revised Code.
The types of conduct prohibited by this code of regulations are as follows:
A. Advertisement
1. Distribution of pamphlets, leaflets, buttons, insignia, etc., without permission of school administration. Permission for the distribution of such materials shall be granted unless:
a. They are of the nature described under Obscenity, #3;
b. The time, place or manner of distribution would substantially interfere with the work of the school operation or infringe upon the rights of other students.
2. Placing signs and slogans on school property without permission of the school administration.
3. Sales or soliciting on school property without permission of school authorities.
B. Attendance
1. Truancy.
2. Tardiness (excessive or unexcused).
3. Leaving the school building during school hours without permission of the proper school authority.
4. Missing, skipping, or "cutting" of class (es).
C. Civil/Criminal Law
1. Commission of any crime on school premises or at a school activity in violation of the Ohio Criminal Code or the Ohio Juvenile Code or the Ohio Traffic Code.
D. Documents
1. Forgery on or of school related documents.
2. Falsifying information to school authorities.
E. Dress
1. Failure to abide by reasonable dress and appearance codes set by the administration or the Board of Education.
F. Educational Process
1. Any disruption or interference with school activities.
2. Chronic misbehavior which disrupts or interferes with any school activity.
3. Demonstrations by individuals or groups causing disruption to the school program.
4. Any other activity which a pupil knows or should know will disrupt the academic process of a curricular or extra-curricular activity.
G. Health
1. Presence on school property with a communicable disease.
H. Homework
1. Cheating or plagiarizing.
I. Obscenity
1. Use of indecent, abusive, or obscene language in oral, written, or symbolic form.
2. Engaging in sexual acts, indecent exposure.
3. Publication, distribution, or possession of obscene, pornographic, or libelous materials.
J. Physical
1. Assault, verbal abuse, or threat of physical harm to a school employee, student or other person.
2. Fighting.
3. Possession or use of dangerous weapons, instruments, fireworks, or firearms.
K. Property
1. Arson, or attempted arson, or setting unauthorized fires.
2. Turning in false fire, tornado, bomb, or disaster alarms.
3. Damage or destruction (actual or attempted) of school property.
K. Property (continued)
4. Damage or destruction (actual or attempted) of private property.
5. Theft or possession of stolen goods.
6. Use of nuisance items. Radios, cassettes, personal stereos, tapeplayers, skates, skateboards, playing cards, cellular phones, laser lights, and pagers are considered nuisance items. Hats, headbands and visors are considered items of unnecessary dress and are not permitted.
7. Possession of matches or lighters or other similar devices.
L. Pupil Personnel
1. Hazing, bullying and/or intimidation activities of any kind.
2. Extortion.
3. Gambling.
4. Aiding another person to violate school regulations.
5. Public displays of affection between pupils - Public displays of affection between pupils are discouraged and prohibited as being inappropriate for a school setting. Pupils may hold hands, but embracing and kissing are strictly forbidden.
6. Harassment, bullying, intimidation, vandalism, physical or verbal abuse or the disruptive behavior toward other students.
M. Staff
1. Disregard of directions or commands by school authorities, including school administration, teachers, and non-certified staff.
2. Disrespect to school personnel.
3. Refusing to comply with minor punishment such as detention, writing assignments, etc., or repeated offenses of school regulations.
4. Harassment, vandalism, physical or verbal abuse, or other disruptive behavior toward school personnel including during non-school time.
N. Substances
1. Possession, distribution, or use of narcotics, alcoholic beverages, dangerous drugs, illegal drugs, inhalants, mind-altering substances, non-controlled drugs, drug paraphernalia or any other like-substances. This includes look-alike substitutes, and/or placebos carrying an implied or explicit representation as a drug.
2. Smoking, use or possession of any substance containing tobacco, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, "dip", snuff, and chewing tobacco, or use in any other form.
3. Being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or intoxicant of any kind.
O. Transportation
1. Failure to obey school driving and parking regulations.
2. Any type of prohibited activity listed herein taking place on a school bus shall be reason for removal, suspension, or expulsion.
P. Trespass
1. Presence in areas during school hours or outside school hours, where a student has no legitimate business.
Q. Gangs
1. Engaging in any act or acts by individuals or groups which may threaten the safety or well being of persons, affect the attendance of another student or disrupt the school environment.
Drug and Alcohol Discipline Policy
The Southwest Local Schools Board of Education recognizes that the use of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful.
At the beginning of each school year, each student and his/her parent/guardian will be given a copy of the standards of conduct and a statement of disciplinary sanction that are required during the orientation process. These standards notify parents guardians and students that compliance with these standards of conduct is mandatory.
Any student found in possession of or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at school, at a school sponsored event, or on a Board operated transportation vehicle will be immediately suspended from school for 10 days and recommended for expulsion.
Students who are first time offenders and who appeal their expulsion recommendation must bring the results of an assessment from a Southwest Local School District approved drug and alcohol specialist/agency/facility to the expulsion hearing. These materials and the student’s and parents’ plan to prevent future problems will be reviewed by the Superintendent or designee and a determination will be made as a to whether the student should be allowed back to school after completion of his/her suspension. Any student who does not completely comply with the recommendations of the drug and alcohol assessment and the school administration will be expelled from school for the duration of his/her expulsion recommendation.
All “sellers/distributors” and drug and alcohol “repeat-offenders” will be recommended for expulsion. The assessment option will not be available to “seller/distributors” or “repeat-offenders.”
All drug “sellers/distributors” and/or students who are in possession of illegal drugs will be reported to a local law enforcement agency. The Southwest Local Schools recognize the importance of guidance activities which provide support to students who are experiencing problems either directly or indirectly due to alcohol and other drug use. Therefore, programs such as “peer counseling,” individual guidance, support groups and mentorship programs will be utilized as a means of providing support and guidance to students within the school environment.
Searches
Pursuant to Section 3313.20 (C), Revised Code, the Board of Education has adopted a policy permitting the administrators of this school district to:
1. Declare that lockers/desks are the property of the Board of Education and these lockers/desks and contents thereof are subject to search at any time.
2. Conduct random searches of locker/desk searches. Searches of all or limited number of lockers/desks maybe conducted at any time in accordance with federal and state laws as well as Board policy.
3. Search specific lockers/desks and the contents thereof if the administrator reasonable suspects the locker/desk or its contents contain evidence of a pupil’s violation of a criminal statute or of a school rule.
4. Search at any time the locker/desk and contents thereof of any pupil if an emergency situation exists or appears to exist that immediately threatens the health or safety of any person, or threatens the health or safety of any person, or threatens to damage or destroy any property under the control of the Board.
5. Conduct a search of a student or personal property if the administrator has reasonable suspicion to believe that a student possesses a dangerous weapon, contraband, illegal or stolen item. The administrator may search the student or his/her personal property. Remove the item and contact any appropriate authorities. All personal searches will be conducted in the presence of another school employee. School district employees are prohibited from conducting strip searches.
6. Use security devices which protect the health and safety of the school community. Such devices may include metal detectors, surveillance cameras, entry systems, identification badges, facility regulations, etc. Individual searches utilizing security devices will be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion. Random searches will be conducted in accordance with reasonable standards adopted by adopted by the administration.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment will not be tolerated in the Southwest Local School District. Students are expected to be free from unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Most inappropriate sexual behavior violations should be handled as violations of the discipline code.
Examples of behavior which is prohibited by this policy are:
1. repeated flirtations, advances or propositions;
2. intentionally making physical contact;
3. making graphic or suggestive comments about an individual's dress or body;
4. making sexually degrading words to describe an individual;
5. aggressively displaying objects or photographs of a sexual nature;
6. telling sexually explicit or obscene jokes;
7. suggesting or demanding sexual involvement, accompanied by implied or explicit threats concerning one's grades, etc.
In the event that a student has been or is being sexually harassed on school property or at a school related event, it shall be promptly reported to a staff member (teachers, administrator, counselor, coach, advisor, etc.).
Occurrences involving students, as offenders will be processed in the same manner as other infractions of Board adopted rules and regulations with regard to suspension/expulsion and other disciplinary situations. Verified sexual harassment allegations could result in suspension, expulsion, referral to law enforcement agencies, and/or recommendations for counseling.
Occurrences involving employees as offenders toward students will be investigated by the grievance office. The information obtained from the investigations will be reported to the superintendent for proper disposition.
Occurrences involving members of the general public as offenders toward students will be reported to an appropriate law enforcement agency.