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JK - Student Discipline

JK - Student Discipline

It is essential for schools to maintain a safe and orderly environment which supports student learning and achievement. Good discipline allows the schools to discharge their primary responsibilities to educate students and promote good citizenship. All students are expected to conduct themselves with respect for others and in accordance with Board  of Directors policies, school rules, and applicable state and federal laws. Disciplinary action may be taken against students who violate policies, rules, or laws, and/or whose conduct directly interferes with the operations, discipline or general welfare of the school. 

Students are expected to show courtesy and consideration for others which contributes to the harmonious atmosphere of the school at all activities including athletic events, field trips, assemblies and school sponsored programs. 

The Board expects the following principles to guide the development and implementation of school rules and disciplinary procedures:

A. Discipline should emphasize positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior, as well as appropriate consequences for misbehavior. The focus should be on providing a school environment where students are engaged in constructive learning and interactions with others.

B. Expectations for student behavior should be clear and communicated to school staff, students and parents.

C. Consequences for misbehavior should be in proportion to the offense, fair and consistently enforced.

D. Parents should be actively involved in the process of preventing and resolving disciplinary problems at school. 

Physical force and corporal punishment shall not be used as disciplinary methods. State law provides that "a teacher or other person entrusted with the care or supervision of a person for special or limited purposes may not be held civilly liable for the use of a reasonable degree of force against the person who creates a disturbance if the teacher or other person reasonably believes it is necessary to a) control the disturbing behavior; or b) remove the person from the scene of the disturbance."

Teachers are authorized to make and enforce rules for effective classroom management and to foster appropriate student behavior, subject to the direction and approval by the Principal/designee.

School-wide rules shall be developed by the building principal with appropriate input from school staff, students and parents and subject to approval by the Superintendent. Principals shall provide for the suspension or other serious disciplinary action against students in accordance with Board policies, administrative procedures and Maine law.

Students with disabilities shall be disciplined in accordance with applicable federal and state law/regulations.

To reduce disciplinary problems and the potential for violence in the schools, the Superintendent may develop procedures for conflict resolution which may be accomplished through peer mediation, counseling, parent involvement, services of community agencies or other activities suitable to school unit.

 



20-A MRSA §§ 1001 (15A);  4009

                        

Cross References: AC - Nondiscrimination

ACAA - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students

EBCA - Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan

JIC - Student Code of Conduct

JICIA - Weapons, Violence and School Safety

JKAA/JKAA-R - Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion

JKB - Student Detention

JKD - Student Suspension

JKE - Expulsion of Students

JKF - Disciplinary Removals of Students with Disabilities

 

Policy Adopted: November 19, 1975

Policy Revised: May 7, 1980, December 18, 1996, November 20, 2002 and March 16, 2016

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