GOOD CONDUCT POLICY
In striving to help the student to become a good citizen and recognizing that obeying state and local laws is part of being a good citizen, it is hoped that the Good Conduct Rule and its application will give the student more incentive to resist behavior that violates these rules.
It is also believed that certain standards of behavior are accepted by the student and community as a whole, and that students can be expected to function within these behavior standards both in school activities and as ambassadors of the Clarinda School System with the community.
Education is a right of the student and it is not intended to interrupt this educational process, but extra/co-curricular activities are a privilege for the student and violation of the Good Conduct Rule would result in these privileges being withheld from the student.
Statements of Purpose:
- To promote the growth of responsible citizenship amount the student body
- Emphasize school concerns for the health and welfare of the students, both physically and emotionally. To assist them in becoming helpful, productive citizens of the community
- To provide an understandable policy and one that can be applied as fairly as possible
- To confirm and support existing state laws
- To establish standards of conduct for all students
- To assist students who desire to resist peer pressure which directs them towards the use of mood-altering chemicals
- To assist the students who should be referred for assistance or evaluation regarding their use of mood-altering chemicals
GOOD CONDUCT RULES:
To retain the status of "student in good standing" (maintain all privileged participation), students must conduct themselves as good citizens both in and out of school at all times.
Any student who, after a hearing at which the student shall be confronted with the allegations, the basis of the allegation, and given an opportunity to tell the student's side, is found to have violated the school's Good Conduct Rule will be deemed ineligible for a period of time. A student may lose eligibility under the Good Conduct Rule for any of the following behaviors:
- possession, use, or purchase of tobacco products, regardless of the student's age;
- possession, use, consumption, or purchase of alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine;
- knowingly being in a car or in attendance at a function or party where alcohol or other drugs are being consumed illegally by minors, without immediately leaving upon discovery of the presence of the substances;
- possession, use, or purchase of illegal drugs or the unauthorized possession, use, or purchase of otherwise lawful drugs
- engaging in any act that would be grounds for arrest or citation in the criminal or juvenile court system, excluding minor traffic offenses, regardless of whether the student was cited, arrested, convicted, or adjudicated for the act
The following activities are covered by the board's policy and these rules:
Athletics, instrumental and vocal music performances, drama productions, speech contests, FFA, FCCLA, NHS, all co-curricular clubs (e.g. Spanish Club), all honorary and elected offices (e.g. Homecoming Court, class officer, student council, cheerleading, flags, winter guard, TAG contests), or any other privileged activity (e.g. open campus, dances to include Prom, Senior Trip) or activity where the student represents the school district outside the classroom.
PENALTIES
When the administration believes it is more likely than not that the student violated the Good Conduct Rule, during the school year or summer, the student is subject to a loss of eligibility as follows:
- First Offense within the student's high school career - up to six (6) weeks of ineligibility
- Second Offense within the student's high school career - up to ten (10) weeks of ineligibility
- Third Offense (and subsequent offense) within the student's high school career - up to twelve (12) calendar months of ineligibility
An ineligible student is expected to attend all practices, rehearsals, or organizational meetings to the conclusion of an activity, but may "suit up", perform/participate, nor exercise the duties or privileges of any school organizational office.
REDUCTION IN PENALTY
- First Offense - A two (2) week reduction period of ineligibility will take place if a student "self reports" a violation to the principal/activity director after having had opportunity to do so. To "self report" a student must notify a school administrator of the Good Conduct violation the first day of school following the incident and/or before the administrator is made aware of the incident from another reliable source.
- Second Offense - A two (2) week reduction period of ineligibility will take place if a student self reports a violation to the principal/activity director after having had opportunity to do so, and participates in an eight (8) hour educational/evaluation program as prescribed by the school district.
- Third Offense - No reduction options.
DUE PROCESS PROCEDURES
Suspension Procedure:
- In the event of an alleged infraction or which ineligibility may be enforced, an administrator of the school in which the student is enrolled shall investigate the alleged infraction.
- If the investigation discloses the probability of an infraction, a hearing with the student shall be held by a school administrator. During this hearing, the student shall be confronted with the allegation, the basis of the allegation, and given an opportunity to tell the student's side.
- The administration will make a decision on the case and inform the student of such. A written statement of findings from the hearing shall be compiled and the student and parents provided a copy . This will include: determination of a Good Conduct violation; if founded, the length of suspension; and a statement advising the student of the procedure for appeal.
APPEAL PROCEDURE
Any appeal procedure following the initial decision by the administrator shall not delay the suspension as determined by the administrator, and in such instance the suspension shall remain in effect until such time as the decision of the administrator has been reversed by one of the appeal bodies.
Any student who is found by the administration to have violated the Good Conduct Rule may submit a written request to appeal this determination to the Appeal Committee or proceed directly to the superintendent within three (3) school days from the Hearing Officers finding. At the written request of any aggrieved student, an Appeal Committee will be convened within three (3) school days for the purpose of reviewing the suspension and, by majority vote, report their determination to the Hearing Officer. The Appeal Committee has the authority to sustain or remove the suspension. The Appeal Committee will consist of five persons as follows:
- A coach/activity sponsor not impacted by the outcome of the appeal.
- Any member of the faculty not impacted by the outcome of the appeal.
- A faculty member designated by the student, who would not be impacted by the outcome of the appeal.
- Two students selected (from the listing of "Open Campus" students) by the Appeal Committee facilitator not impacted by the outcome.
Note: The "Appeal Committee facilitator" will be a member of the high school faculty or administrator (other than the Hearing Officer).
Upon receiving the determination from the Appeal Committee, the Hearing Officer shall notify the student of any changes in the suspension within two (2) school days.
An aggrieved student has three (3) school days to appeal the initial decision of the Hearing Officer and/or the Appeal Committee determination by submitting a written request to the Superintendent. The student and parent/guardian will be given prompt notice of the time nd place of such hearing. The superintendent shall make his/her final decision within five (5) school days from the date of the hearing.
The action of the Superintendent may be appealed within three (3) school days to the Board of Education, who shall have the same authority as the Superintendent. The Board of Education shall make their decision within ten (10) days from the time the written request to appeal is submitted.
