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Littleton Public Schools Policy |
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Policy Code JK Policy Name Student Discipline Adoption October 5, 1993 Revised June 23, 2011 |
The Board believes that effective student discipline is a prerequisite for sound educational practice and productive learning. The objectives of disciplining any student must be to help the student develop a positive attitude toward self-discipline and socially acceptable behavior.
All policies and procedures for handling general and major discipline problems for all students shall be designed to achieve these broad objectives. Disorderly students also shall be dealt with in a manner that allows other students to learn in an atmosphere that is safe, conducive to the learning process, and free from unnecessary disruptions.
The Board, in accordance with state law, has adopted a written student conduct and discipline code based upon the principle that every student is expected to follow accepted rules of conduct and to show respect for and to obey persons in authority. The code also emphasizes that certain behavior, especially behavior that disrupts the classroom, is unacceptable, and may result in disciplinary action.
All Board-adopted policies and Board-approved regulations containing the letters “JK” in the policy code constitute the discipline section of the legally required code.
Immunity for Enforcement of Discipline Code
The conduct and discipline code may permit acts by District employees of reasonable and appropriate physical intervention or force in dealing with disruptive students, which acts shall not be considered child abuse if performed in good faith and in compliance with Board policy and procedures.
A District employee or any other person acting in good faith and in compliance with the conduct and discipline code shall be immune from civil liability unless the person is acting willfully or wantonly.
It is an affirmative defense in any criminal action that a person is acting in good faith and in compliance with the conduct and discipline code.
Remedial Discipline Plans
The principal or designee may develop a remedial discipline plan for any student who causes a material and substantial disruption in the classroom, on school grounds, in school vehicles, or at school activities or events. The goal of the remedial plan shall be to address the student’s disruptive behavior and educational needs while keeping the child in school.
Discipline of Habitually Disruptive Students
Students who have been suspended for causing a material and substantial disruption in the classroom, on school grounds, in school vehicles, or at school activities or events three times during the school year shall be declared habitually disruptive students. Declaration as an habitually disruptive student may result in the student’s expulsion. Any student enrolled in the District’s schools may be subject to being declared an habitually disruptive student.
Discipline of Special Education Students
Appropriate discipline for special education students shall be in accordance with the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and any behavior intervention plan for the student. The director of special education shall be contacted prior to the use of any disciplinary measure which is not authorized by the student’s IEP or behavior intervention plan as additional procedural considerations are required in accordance with the District’s responsibilities under state and federal law.
Disciplinary Information to School Personnel
In accordance with state law, the principal or designee is required to communicate disciplinary information concerning any student enrolled in the school to any teacher who has direct contact with the student in the classroom and to any counselor who has direct contact with the student. The purpose of this requirement is to keep school personnel apprised of situations that could pose a risk to the safety and welfare of others.
For purposes of this policy, “disciplinary information” means confidential records maintained by or in possession of the principal or designee on an individual student that indicate that student has committed an overt and willful act that constitutes a violation of the District’s Student Code of Conduct and/or there is reasonable cause to believe, through information provided to the principal from another credible source, that the student could pose a threat to the health and safety of other students and school personnel based on prior misbehavior.
“Disciplinary information” is intended to include only that information of a serious nature that is not otherwise available to teachers and counselors as part of the education records maintained on students or other reports of disciplinary actions. It is appropriate for instructional employees to request disciplinary information from the principal or designee on students in their classrooms if there is concern that the student poses a threat to the safety of other students or school personnel.
Any teacher or counselor to whom disciplinary information is reported shall maintain the confidentiality of the information and shall not communicate it to any other person. The principal or designee is required to inform the student and the student’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian when disciplinary information is communicated and to provide a copy of the disciplinary information. The student and/or the student’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian may challenge the accuracy of disciplinary information through the regulations accompanying this policy.
Distribution of Conduct and Discipline Code
The Superintendent or designee shall arrange to have the conduct and discipline code distributed once to each student in elementary, middle, and high school and once to each new student in the District. Copies shall be posted or kept on file in each school of the District. In addition, any significant change in the code shall be distributed to each student and posted in each school.
The Board shall consult with administrators, teachers, parents, students, and other members of the community in the development of the conduct and discipline code.
Legal Reference: C.R.S. 18-6-401(1)
C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (2)(a)
C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (2)(a)(III)
C.R.S. 22-32-109.1 (9)
C.R.S. 22-33-106 (1) (a-f)
C.R.S. 22-33-106 (c.5)
Cross Reference: GBGB, Staff Personal Security and Safety
JIC, Student Conduct, and subcodes
JK subcodes
JRA/JRC, Student Records/Release of Information on Students