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Progressive disciplinary actions recognized in the Code

The Code of Student Conduct recognizes many strategies which may be used as alternatives to home suspensions, or as follow-up to suspension or temporary removal from class:

Referral to Administrator

An administrator intervenes when informal actions fail or when violations are serious.

Detention

A school may elect to provide detention during, before, or after the school day as an alternative to suspension for certain conduct. Each school specifies those types of conduct for which detention may be assigned. A maximum of ten days of detention may be assigned for any one conduct problem. Due to problems of transportation and supervision, or special circumstances, detention may not be offered in all schools.

School Chores

A school may elect to provide the student with an opportunity to perform supervised activities, away from other students, related to the upkeep and maintenance of school facilities instead of suspension, not to exceed ten hours of work for any one conduct problem. The student and parent may request this alternative; however, the decision rests with the principal.

Time-Out

Temporary removal from the situation/activity where the student is having a problem. The time-out period varies from a few minutes to the length of the school day, depending on the infraction and the student’s response to this disciplinary action. Time-out areas are monitored. Parent notification recommended.

In-School Suspensions (ISS)

ISS is the removal of students from their regular classes for 1-10 days to an isolated area which is highly structured and supervised. Students who exhibit disruptive behavior and/or repeated offenses are assigned to ISS. Students can continue their regular classroom assignments during ISS. Remedial and/or enrichment activities are provided if needed. Parents are notified by phone or letter when students are assigned. Rules specific to ISS are provided to the student and parent when the ISS assignment is made. Students cannot attend any school function, nor can they practice or participate in any activity during the period of suspension.

Bus Suspension

Any short term, long term, or permanent removal of bus riding privileges.

Home Suspension

A school administrator may suspend a student from school for up to 10 days for chronic disobedience and/or gross misconduct. Principals take this action when they have at least considered other alternatives and rejected them as inappropriate in a given situation. Conferences to resolve the problem are scheduled with the parent, student, and appropriate administrator. Students are not allowed on campus during the school day, nor are they allowed to attend, participate in, or practice at, any school function or activity during the period of suspension.

Behavior Correction Plan

When a student’s misbehavior warrants repeated suspensions, the parent will be invited to help write a Behavior Correction Plan. It will state: (1) expected behavior; (2) consequences for misbehavior; and (3) rewards/privileges for compliant behavior.

Teacher Authority to Remove a Student from Class

A teacher shall have the authority to remove a student who repeatedly or substantially interferes with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with the students in class or with the ability of the student’s classmates to learn, where the student’s conduct is in violation of the Code of Student Conduct. The teacher must have filed a previous discipline report on that student, or the teacher believes that the student poses an immediate threat to the safety of classmates or the teacher. A Placement Review Committee can meet to decide if the student should return to the teacher’s class.

Referral to Alternative Program

When less severe strategies seem inappropriate or when all school strategies have been exhausted, a principal may refer a student to the alternative program if age-appropriate. This referral is in lieu of recommendation for expulsion. Misbehavior at Alternative School can result in recommendation for expulsion.

Corporal Punishment

Corporal punishment may be administered by a member of the school faculty to a pupil for an infraction of school rules. Corporal punishment will always be administered in the presence of a witness who must be a member of the school faculty. Sound discretion will be exercised, and corporal punishment will not be excessive or unduly severe. Only a female faculty member is allowed to administer corporal punishment to a female student. In all cases involving corporal punishment a written report will be kept on file in the principal’s office.

Expulsion

A school principal may request the Superintendent to recommend the expulsion of a student. This is the most serious disciplinary step available. It denies the student attendance in any and all programs of the Tift County Schools for a period of time as designated in policy.

Law Enforcement Involvement

Law enforcement agencies can be contacted at the discretion of the school if criminal activity occurs on campus, if disruption is excessive, or if chronic truancy is a problem. Law enforcement agencies must be notified without exception in situations involving weapons, alcohol, drugs, battery, or sex offenses.