CONDUCT/DISCIPLINE
The board believes that an effective instructional program requires an orderly school environment and that the effectiveness of the educational program is, in part, reflected in the behavior of pupils.
The board of education expects pupils to conduct themselves in keeping with their level of maturity,
with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other pupils, for school personnel, for the educational
purpose underlying all school activities, and for the care of school facilities and equipment.
The board of education believes that standards of pupil behavior must be set cooperatively by interaction among the pupils, parents/guardians, staff and community, producing an atmosphere that encourages pupils to grow in self‑discipline. Such an atmosphere must include respect for self and others, as well as for district and community property.
The best discipline is self‑imposed, and pupils must learn to assume and accept responsibility for their own behavior, and for the consequences of their misbehavior. Staff members who interact with pupils shall use preventive disciplinary action and place emphasis on the pupils' ability to grow in self‑discipline.
The chief school administrator shall develop general guidelines for pupil conduct on school property
and shall direct development of detailed regulations suited to the age level of the pupils and the physical facilities of the individual schools. Board policy requires each pupil of this district to adhere to the rules and regulations established by the administration and to submit to such disciplinary measures as are appropriately assigned for infraction of those rules. The chief school administrator shall provide to pupils and their parents/guardians the rules of this district regarding pupil conduct and the sanctions that may be imposed for breach of those rules. Provisions shall be made for informing parents/guardians whose primary language is other than English.
In developing regulations to implement this policy, the chief school administrator shall provide appropriate recognition for pupils who consistently maintain high standards of self‑discipline and good citizenship.
The regulations shall:
A. Require that pupils conform to reasonable standards of socially acceptable behavior; respect the person, property and rights of others; obey constituted authority and respond to those who hold that authority;
B. Establish the degree of order necessary to the educational program in which pupils are engaged.
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5131p
NJSBA POLICY AND LIBRARY RESOURCES
New Jersey School Boards Association, P.O. Box 909, Trenton, NJ 08605-0909
Copyright 2002 by NJSBA. All rights reserved.
File Code: 5131
CONDUCT/DISCIPLINE (continued)
Pupils who display chronic behavioral or academic problems may be referred to the child study team by the chief school administrator for possible identification as disruptive or disaffected. Such referrals shall be in strict accordance with the due process regulations prescribed by the administrative code. Pupils so identified shall be provided with appropriate programs and services as prescribed by the child study team.
A pupil whose presence poses a continuing danger to persons or property, or an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process, may be suspended or expelled, following due process.
Any pupil who commits an assault (as defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:12‑1) upon a board member, teacher, administrator or other employee of the board of education shall be suspended from school immediately according to procedural due process, and suspension or expulsion proceedings shall begin no later than 30 calendar days from the date of the pupil's suspension.
Substance Abuse
In accordance with statute and code, penalties shall be assigned for use, possession and distribution of proscribed substances and drug paraphernalia. The penalties shall be graded according to the severity
of the offense. Infractions shall be reported to the local law enforcement agency in accordance with the district's memorandum of agreement. Confidentiality shall be protected in accordance with federal and state law.
Weapons Offenses
Any pupil who is convicted or adjudicated delinquent for possession of a firearm or a crime while armed with a firearm or found knowingly in possession of a firearm on any school property or on a school bus or at a school-sponsored function shall be immediately removed from the school's regular education program for a period of not less than one calendar year. The chief school administrator may modify this suspension on a case-by-case basis. Each pupil so removed shall be placed in an alternative educational program or on home instruction and shall be entitled to a hearing before the board. The hearing shall take place no later than 30 days following the day the pupil is removed from the regular education program and shall be closed to the public.
The principal shall be responsible for the removal of such students and shall immediately report them to the chief school administrator. The principal shall also notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of a possible violation of the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice.
The chief school administrator shall determine at the end of the year whether the student is prepared to return to the regular education program, in accordance with procedures established by the Commissioner of Education.
Teaching staff members and other employees of this board having authority over pupils shall take such lawful means as may be necessary to control the disorderly conduct of pupils in all situations and in all places where such pupils are within the jurisdiction of this board.