JK

Statement of Philosophy:

We believe that our public schools, through a disciplined study of educational tasks, must prepare students for work or subsequent levels of study and for effective citizenship. A student who displays behavior that shows a respect for necessary rules and regulations, other people, and who is self-controlled will be a good citizen. It is our belief that a discipline policy that is based on humanitarian principles that recognize the dignity and worth of each student and that calls for teachers to use those methods and procedures which research and experience has proven to be most effective will be most useful in achieving our goal. Teachers should strive to have a well ordered, friendly atmosphere in their classrooms.

We also believe that certain student rights must be protected. However, students must also be responsible for the consequences of actions that infringe upon the rights of others.

The board believes that the best discipline is self-discipline and that the school environment should allow students to make responsible decisions about their behavior. The board believes that giving students the opportunity to practice self-discipline in school will lead to their making more responsible choices when not in school.

Student Rights and Responsibilities:

Each student has the right to a free public education and the responsibility to attend school regularly and not to interfere with or threaten the education of others.

Every student has the right to express his/her opinions as long as that expression does not infringe upon the rights of others. Students have the right to determine their patterns of dress and grooming provided that such dress and grooming do not interfere with the health and safety of themselves or others and do not interfere with the educational process of the school.

Except in extraordinary disciplinary action, no removal from class shall be enforced against any student until he/she has been given reason(s) for the removal.

Code of Conduct:

The object of this code is to establish such rules of student conduct which have been deemed by the board to be necessary for the successful accomplishment of the mission of the schools. Rules of student conduct and administrative procedures for use in schools shall be based upon, but not limited to, the following:

a) A student shall not by use of violence, force, noise, coercion, intimidation, or any other conduct cause disruption of any classroom instruction or any school function; nor shall any student urge others to engage in any such disruptive conduct.

b) No student shall intentionally threaten, harass, assault, or cause physical injury to other students or any school personnel.

c) All students shall refrain from libel, slander, obscenity, personal attacks, or incitement to illegal action(s).

d) No student shall steal or intentionally damage any school or private property either on school premises, or any school bus, or during any school-sponsored activity.

e) On school property a student shall not possess, handle, or transmit a knife, razor, gun, or any other object that reasonably can be considered a weapon.

f) A student shall not knowingly buy, sell, possess, use, transmit, or be under the influence of any illegal substance including alcohol.

g) No student is allowed to possess or use tobacco in the building or on school property at any time.

General Guidelines:

a) Good discipline is always fair, dignified and in good temper. Disciplinary action should not be administered in such a way as to cause the child to lose status before his/her social group. Teachers should guard against making remarks to other pupils concerning the child’s shortcomings or engage in discussions with a pupil in such a way as to reflect discredit upon the pupil before the others.

b) Conferences with teachers, principals, and parents should be effectively employed to bring about acceptable classroom behavior.

c) Minor infractions of the above code of conduct are to be handled in accord with the disciplinary procedures developed by the administration and instructional staff. Keeping students in at recess and detentions are acceptable consequences for misbehavior. More serious infractions may be punishable by suspension and expulsion.

d) School personnel may use a reasonable degree of force to control a student who creates a disturbance or to remove students from the scene of a disturbance. Corporal punishment, however, is not permitted in Maine.

Administrative Procedures:

The board requires the superintendent to develop and make known to parents and students specific procedures for carrying out this policy. In doing this it is understood that the staff of each building under the direction of the building administrator is responsible to develop school rules, school regulations, eliminating vagueness from rules and for enforcement of rules.

Each teacher is responsible for assisting the enforcement of school rules, developing specific classroom expectations and for establishing effective classroom management procedures.

Discipline of Handicapped:

The student with a handicap is subject to the same treatment under the policy as the student without a handicap except that it is our intention to follow the regulations under Chapter 101, Section 10.10, pages 53 and 54. Copy is available from the superintendent’s office.

Adopted: Approved by the M.S.A.D. #30 Board of Directors

on November 28, 1998.

Revised: Revised by the M.S.A.D. #30 Board of Directors

on May 26, 1998.