STUDENT BEHAVIOR POLICIES Policy Code: 4300
All decisions related to student behavior are guided by the board’s educational objective to teach
responsibility and respect for cultural and ideological differences and by the board’s commitment
to creating safe, orderly, and inviting schools. Student behavior policies are provided in order to
establish (1) expected standards of student behavior; (2) principles to be followed in managing
student behavior; (3) consequences for prohibited behavior or drug/alcohol policy violations; and
(4) required procedures for addressing misbehavior.
A. PRINCIPLES
The reasons for managing student behavior are to (1) create an orderly environment in
which students can learn; (2) teach expected standards of behavior; (3) help students
learn to accept the consequences of their behavior; and (4) provide students with the
opportunity to develop self-control. The following principles apply in managing student
behavior.
1. Student behavior management strategies will complement other efforts to create a
safe, orderly, and inviting environment.
2. Positive behavioral interventions will be employed as appropriate to improve
student behavior.
3. Responsibility, integrity, civility, and other standards of behavior will be
integrated into the curriculum.
4. Disruptive behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated.
5. Consequences for unacceptable behavior will be designed to help a student learn
to comply with rules, to be respectful, to accept responsibility for his or her
behavior, and to develop self-control.
6. Strategies and consequences will be age and developmentally appropriate.
B. COMMUNICATION OF POLICIES
Board policies related to student behavior are codified mainly in the 4300 series. The
superintendent shall incorporate information from such policies into a Code of Student
Conduct that notifies students of the behavior expected of them, conduct that may subject
them to discipline, and the range of disciplinary measures that may be used by school
officials. At the discretion of the superintendent, the Code of Student Conduct may
include additional rules needed to implement the board’s student behavior policies. Each
school shall create a student behavior management plan that will elaborate further on
processes for addressing student misbehavior and the use of intervention strategies and
consequences (see policy 4302, School Plan for Management of Student Behavior). The
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Policy Code: 4300
Code of Student Conduct must incorporate by reference any additional student behavior
standards, prohibited conduct, or disciplinary measures identified in individual school
behavior plans developed in accordance with policy 4302, provided such measures are
consistent with law and board policy. The Code of Student Conduct must not impose
mandatory long-term suspension or expulsion for specific violations unless otherwise
provided in state or federal law.
At the beginning of each school year, principals shall make available to each student and
parent all of the following: (1) the Code of Student Conduct; (2) any board policies
related to behavior that are not part of the Code of Conduct; (3) any related
administrative procedures; (4) any additional discipline-related information from the
school’s student behavior management plan, including behavior standards, prohibited
conduct, or disciplinary measures; and (5) any other school rules. This information must
be available at other times upon request and must be made available to students enrolling
during the school year and their parents.
For the purpose of board policies related to student behavior, all references to “parent”
include a parent, a legal guardian, a legal custodian, or another caregiver adult authorized
to enroll a student under policy 4120, Domicile or Residence Requirements.
C. APPLICABILITY
Students must comply with the Code of Student Conduct in the following circumstances:
1. while in any school building or on any school premises before, during, or after
school hours;
2. while on any bus or other vehicle as part of any school activity;
3. while waiting at any school bus stop;
4. during any school-sponsored activity or extracurricular activity;
5. when subject to the authority of school employees; and
6. at any place or time when the student’s behavior has or is reasonably expected to
have a direct and immediate impact on the orderly and efficient operation of the
schools or the safety of individuals in the school environment.
D. CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATIONS
Violations of the Code of Student Conduct must be dealt with in accordance with the
guidelines established in the school’s behavior management plan (see policy 4302,
School Plan for Management of Student Behavior) and consistent with the School Justice
Partnership.
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Policy Code: 4300
1. Minor Violations
Minor violations of the Code of Student Conduct are those less severe infractions
involving a lower degree of dangerousness and harm. Examples of minor
violations include the use of inappropriate or disrespectful language,
noncompliance with a staff directive, dress code violations, and minor physical
altercations that do not involve a weapon or an injury. Aggravating
circumstances, however, may justify treating an otherwise minor violation as a
serious violation.
Minor violations of the Code of Student Conduct may result in disciplinary
measures or responses up to and including short-term suspension. Further
information regarding the procedures for short-term suspensions is provided in
policy 4351, Short-Term Suspension. Other disciplinary measures or responses
may include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. student conferences;
a.b. parental involvement, such as conferences;
b.c. isolation or time-out for short periods of time;
c.d. behavior contractsimprovement agreements;
d.e. instruction in conflict resolution and anger management;
e.f. peer mediation;
f.g. individual or small group sessions with the school counselor;
g.h. academic intervention;
h.i. in-school suspension;
i.j. detention before and/or after school or on Saturday;
k. community service;
l. restitution (may not be imposed on students who are unable to pay);
j.m. referral to a school-based committee as set forth in G.S. 115C-397.1;
k.n. exclusion from graduation ceremonies;
l.o. exclusion from extracurricular activities;
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Policy Code: 4300
p. suspension from bus privileges;
q. school work service (may be offered only as an alternative to other
punishments at the option of the parent);
m.r. disciplinary reassignment; and
n.s. placement in an alternative school or program.
The parent or guardian is responsible for transportation that may be required to
carry out a consequence. With the exception of suspension from bus privileges, if
a parent or guardian is unable to provide transportation, another consequence will
be substituted.
2. Serious Violations
Serious violations of the Code of Student Conduct may result in any of the
consequences that may be imposed for minor violations. In addition, serious
violations that threaten to substantially disrupt the educational environment may
result in long-term suspension, and serious violations that threaten the safety of
students, school employees, or school visitors may result in long-term suspension
or expulsion. Certain violations involving firearms or explosive devices may
result in a 365-day suspension. Further information regarding the standards and
procedures for long-term suspensions, 365-day suspensions and expulsions is
provided in policies 4351, Short-Term Suspension, and 4353, Long-Term
Suspension, 365-Day Suspension, Expulsion. (See also policy 4333, Weapons,
Bomb Threats, Terrorist Threats, and Clear Threats to Safety, for information
regarding 365-day suspensions for certain violations involving firearms or
explosive devices.)
E. ENFORCEMENT
The superintendent is responsible for supervising the enforcement of the Code of Student
Conduct to ensure that school disciplinary policies are uniformly and fairly applied
throughout the school system.
Legal References: G.S. 115C-47, -276(r), -288, -307, -390.1, -390.2, -397.1
Cross References: Goals and Objectives of the Educational Program (policy 3000), Counseling
Program (policy 3610), Domicile or Residence Requirements (policy 4120), Student Behavior
policies (4300 series)
Adopted:
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